Apple Tests Siri Recaps: Automatic Notes from Conversations on Apple Watch
Apple has introduced four new audio features for Apple Watch Series 12 in the first developer betas of iOS 27.3 and watchOS 27.3. A TechCrunch writer who tried Siri Recaps found it useful, while noting privacy concerns and areas for improvement.
On Tuesday, November 4, Apple began testing a set of AI-powered audio features in the first developer betas of iOS 27.3 and watchOS 27.3. They are designed for Apple Watch Series 12 smartwatches and could prove controversial over privacy. The features detect important sounds, identify songs, let users catch up on conversations and take notes.
A TechCrunch writer used Siri Recaps for a day and concluded that its value may outweigh the unease that comes with AI-driven audio recording and summarization.
How the features work
Sound detection responds to important signals such as an alarm or a doorbell and helps deaf and hard-of-hearing users. Song identification relies on Shazam's technology. Neither raises privacy concerns.
Live Rewind lets users review what was said in the previous 15 seconds. Siri Recaps summarizes audio across the day and saves notes on the important points. Both record and then transcribe or summarize conversations involving the watch owner and people nearby.
Apple points to several privacy measures: audio is processed and AI models run on the device where possible, speakers are not identified, raw audio files are not stored, and private details such as government ID numbers or account information are redacted.
Experience in practice
The writer tested Siri Recaps while dropping off a teenager's car for repairs and picking up a rental. Staff gave a lot of verbal information on time frames, prices and policies, too quickly to write down. Later, the app had captured key details: the deductible, the repair time frame and the amount of fuel in the rental at the start.
She also noted shortcomings. The car details were mixed in one note with unrelated topics, such as an errand and babysitting times. The feature also recorded trivial items, including a plan to watch midterm election coverage on TV. She is considering switching it off at home in the evenings.
She would like separate notes or sections that can be exported or deleted individually, swipe-to-delete for single bullet points, and an option to automatically export saved recaps to Apple's Notes app.
