macOS 27: Revamped Siri challenges AI productivity apps
Original: macOS 27: new Siri takes on AI productivity apps
Why This Matters
Apple is pulling Siri into direct competition with third-party AI context tools like Highlight and Caddy, plus browser sidebar assistants — all on its own OS.
Apple released macOS 27 Golden Gate on September 14, 2026, featuring a redesigned Siri with on-screen context awareness, improved Spotlight search with file and email access, and Visual Intelligence tools for selecting specific screen regions as AI query context.
macOS 27 Golden Gate ships with two headline changes: an updated Siri and a visual redesign making windows and icons more consistent. The new Siri operates similarly to its iOS 27 counterpart but leverages Mac-specific context. Users can invoke Siri anywhere on screen to answer questions about visible content, summarize pages, or suggest alternatives for items they're viewing.
Apple added Visual Intelligence shortcuts for finer control. Command + Shift + Space feeds the focused window into Siri's context; Command + Shift + 6 brings up a crosshair tool for selecting specific screen regions. Contextual shortcuts like 'Add to Contact' and 'Look up Location' then appear based on the selection.
Spotlight has been substantially upgraded. Users can now query Siri directly within Spotlight, filtering by Applications, Files, Actions, or Clipboard. Shortcuts execution and recent search history are also new additions. TechCrunch's Ivan Mehta confirmed pulling membership IDs, trip details, and embargo dates without opening individual files — functionality previously unavailable. He noted Spotlight still falls short of Raycast's extensibility, but called it 'much better than before.'
Siri now assists with writing tasks — proofreading, rewriting, or drafting text directly in any text box. The Mac's larger screen makes this more practical than on iPhone. Safari also gained AI-powered page tracking for monitoring price drops, privacy policy updates, and similar changes.