Apple iOS 27: 4 must-try new productivity features, from a Siri AI calendar shortcut to Notes app perks

Apple's latest operating system, iOS 27, has been released with a focus on artificial intelligence features, smaller improvements, and bug fixes. While it may not be as revolutionary as previous updates, iOS 27 offers several productivity-enhancing features that users can take advantage of. Here are four must-try new features in iOS 27:

1. Siri AI Calendar Shortcut: Siri, Apple's personal digital assistant, has been revamped in iOS 27, transitioning from a legacy digital assistant to an LLM-powered agent. This new Siri can have persistent, context-aware conversations and carry out admin tasks. For example, users can ask Siri about their week's schedule, and it will provide results from their calendar. Siri can also help compose emails, such as sending a reminder to a colleague about upcoming events.

2. Automatically organize Safari tabs: With numerous browser tabs open simultaneously, navigating the iPhone's small screen can be cumbersome. iOS 27's Safari now uses AI to organize tabs into relevant topics, such as travel sites, research, or articles by the same author. This makes it easier for users to access the needed webpages when required.

3. Speak naturally to create calendar events: The iPhone's Calendar app is frequently used for managing work events. In iOS 27, users can create new calendar events using natural language with Siri. For example, saying "Create a new event for September 3. It's the editorial meeting. We'll have it at the local Starbucks. It'll begin at 3 p.m." will enable Siri to construct a new event in the Calendar app, complete with the provided details.

4. Organize notes with divider lines and section links: The iPhone's Notes app has received several smaller but useful updates in iOS 27. Users can now create clearer visual breaks between sections of a note using new divider line tools. Simply press and hold anywhere in a note, choose Insert Divider Line, and place a uniform line across the note. Another helpful feature is the ability to create section links within a single note, allowing users to tap these hyperlinks to jump to the corresponding section header.