To overtake its competitors in this global AI race, Apple is preparing to unleash its most powerful weapon - an open ecosystem.

On March 29, according to reports from relevant media citing renowned tech journalist Mark Gurman's latest "Power On" newsletter, Apple Inc. plans to adopt a "dual approach" strategy in iOS 27: deeply integrating its self-developed AI while officially opening the underlying interfaces of Siri and Apple Intelligence to third-party services.

The Arrival of the AI Store: A Dedicated App Store Section

The core of this strategy lies in Apple no longer forcing users to be bound to a single AI brain:

  • Free Choice: Users will be allowed to install various third-party AI chatbots on iPhone besides ChatGPT.

  • Specialized Management: App Store will set up an independent AI app section, creating a platform similar to an "AI plugin market," allowing users to download and run these bots directly within Siri.

Using External Forces: Leveraging Google Gemini to Fill Gaps

To ensure the system's practicality, Apple is trying to bring in external strong support:

  • Deep Integration: Apple is considering using Google's Gemini technology to improve Siri and other system-level AI features.

  • Complementary Strategy: This approach allows Apple to avoid direct confrontation with OpenAI or Google at the most fundamental model level, instead supplementing its own technologies by introducing third-party products.

Business Logic: Protecting Hardware, Earning Commission

Gurman pointed out that this strategy makes full use of Apple's hardware advantages and platform control:

  • Defending Against Android: By providing highly customized AI experiences, it prevents users from switching to the Android camp due to missing AI features.

  • Earning Money While Sitting Back: Apple can not only maintain iPhone sales but also gain considerable income from third-party AI app subscriptions through the traditional 30% commission model of the App Store.

Preview of WWDC26: Find Out on June 8

All these grand blueprints about AI are expected to be revealed at the upcoming WWDC26 Worldwide Developers Conference starting on June 8. At that time, the redesigned Siri will make its debut with stronger screen awareness and interaction experience.

Conclusion: From "Closed Empire" to "AI Port"

For a long time, Apple has been known for its closed ecosystem walls. But in the AI era, Apple clearly realizes that "embracing all rivers" is the key to retaining users. When Siri becomes a "super container" capable of freely replacing plugins and accessing the world's strongest models, Apple is trying to redefine the sovereignty of smartphone interactions with this open attitude.