Over the last few weeks, I’ve had the chance to experience one of the most fascinating new features in watchOS 26, Workout Buddy. For those who aren’t aware, Workout Buddy is an AI trainer that helps keep you motivated during regular workouts, including Traditional Strength Training and Outdoor Running.
Although this feature is still in its beta phase, it’s quite remarkable. It collects data from the Health app to provide insights into your performance over the past few weeks and throughout the current week. It also indicates how far you are from achieving your goals, like closing your rings.
To access Workout Buddy, you must have an iPhone 15 Pro or newer and an Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, or Apple Watch Ultra 2. Additionally, these devices must be in close proximity, as Apple retrieves the data from the iPhone — which can be disappointing if, like me, you prefer to run without your phone since your Apple Watch is equipped with cellular capability. Nonetheless, after several weeks with Workout Buddy, I found myself contemplating the much-anticipated conversational Siri update.
When to anticipate a conversational Siri
A conversational Siri has been in development for quite some time. Last autumn, Bloomberg disclosed that iOS 19 — now referred to as iOS 26 — would incorporate more sophisticated large language models to enable users to engage in dialogues with Siri. Although this has yet to materialize, and Apple is reportedly still at least six months away from launching its upgraded Siri, a genuinely conversational assistant may require additional time.
According to Bloomberg in a more recent article, Apple aims to unveil a new version of Siri by early next year, but it will be able to execute basic home control tasks, such as playing music, taking notes, and browsing the web. This doesn’t seem to differ much from Siri’s current capabilities.
However, by 2027, the company intends to integrate this conversational Siri into a tabletop robot. This device has been colloquially referred to as the “Pixar Lamp” and will feature entirely new software that can be engaged with by touch as well as voice commands. More intriguingly, it will identify your face and voice to swiftly provide information most relevant to you.
Workout Buddy resembles a prototype for the new Siri
Apple’s Workout Buddy employs a mix of Apple Fitness+ coach voices and AI to deliver personalized data. Thus far, my AI coach has provided feedback like, “You’ve engaged in at least two Traditional Strength workouts for the past four weeks,” “Your workout was nearly enough to close your Move ring,” and “You just completed your tenth kilometer, you’ve been running for 47 minutes now.” It also summarized my week and then suggested, “Now keep enjoying Stand by Me by Oasis,” allowing the music to play.
While I can’t interact with the AI coach, I’m hopeful that the conversational Siri will emulate a similar level of natural dialogue. Apple has considerable work ahead, but if the company can persuade third-party developers to implement its App Intent API, it could open up avenues for more engaging functionalities, such as hailing an Uber, responding to an email, or adding a friend’s birthday gathering to my calendar.
Overall, watchOS 26’s Workout Buddy offers just a small preview of what’s on the horizon, yet it instills hope that Apple is finally moving in the right direction after an awkward start in its approach to AI.
