iPad owners who install beta software can now reach a Siri-powered camera feature ahead of its public release. The Siri Mode already offered in the camera app on supported iPhones is arriving on compatible iPads through iPadOS 27.3. The tool allows users to point the tablet's camera at an object and ask Siri AI questions about it.
Apple first showed the mode when it introduced Siri AI at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June this year. The feature brings the company's Visual Intelligence tool, which answers questions about photos, into the camera app. On iPads, Visual Intelligence also works with Apple Pencil. As with Google's Circle to Search, a user can photograph an object, draw a circle around it with the pencil and get more information about it through Siri AI.
Visual Intelligence is already available on certain tablets: iPad Pro and iPad Air models with the M1 chip and newer, and iPad mini with the A17 Pro or A20 Pro chipset. Those users currently reach it in the Camera app by long-pressing the Camera Control button, or by pressing the Action button if they have set that button to launch the feature and their iPad has one.
In iPadOS 27.3, Apple is adding a second route. Users can swipe through the viewfinder options, which include photo, video and portrait modes, until they reach the Siri tab. Apple is expected to ship the public version of iPadOS 27.3 in December. The first beta went out in early November.
To install the beta, users open the Settings app, tap General and then Software Update. If beta updates are not already enabled, they tap the Beta Updates option and choose iPadOS 27 Public Beta, then return to the Software Update screen to install iPadOS 27.3. Engadget advises making a full backup through iCloud, a Mac or a Windows PC beforehand, since beta builds are not finished products and are more prone to bugs and errors.
Users who would rather not run beta software can wait for the public release. The Siri tab in the iPad's Camera app will be available at that point.
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