Poke third-party – After its March 2026 public launch, the proactive AI assistant Poke has become the first third-party AI agent officially available through Apple’s Messages for Business platform in the iPhone’s Messages app—handling tasks like drafting email replies, schedulin
For anyone who’s grown used to tapping Siri for quick help, the Messages app just got louder.
On June 4. 2026. The Interaction Company of California— the startup behind the proactive AI assistant Poke—posted a video on X showing the agent texting inside Apple’s Messages app. Poke was no longer just another AI tool; it was the first third-party AI agent officially available through iMessage. delivered via Apple’s Apple Messages for Business platform. originally built so companies can reach customers through iMessage chats.
“Say hi to the new Poke! Now officially approved by Apple to text on Apple Messages,” the account posted, pitching it as “the first and only AI agent.”
In practice, Poke is designed to take on everyday, time-consuming back-and-forth. The assistant can help users respond to emails, including messages about potential events. If someone wants to schedule dinner, Poke can help select a date, a time, a type of food, a restaurant, and more.
It can also schedule reminders, conduct web searches, and generate and edit images. Automation setup is on the list too, along with checking you in for domestic flights, tracking flight deals, and other tasks. The agent can generate QR codes and produce YouTube video summaries in transcript form.
Poke can even reach into home tech. The assistant can control Philips Hue smart lights and Sonos speakers, while compatibility with other third-party services is built in. That includes Oura smart Ring, Microsoft Outlook, Gmail, GitHub, Strava, and Navan.
The move lands at a moment when iOS choices for AI assistants are still in flux. While Poke may not match the breadth of Google Gemini features previewed in May 2026, its integration inside Apple’s Messages app is a new front door for consumer AI—one that lives where people already send texts.
There’s also a business side to the approval that feels as direct as the feature list. After Poke’s public launch in March 2026, The Interaction Company said Apple is positioned to earn payments from Interaction on a per-user basis.
In remarks to TechCrunch. co-founder Marvin von Hagen said. “I think that Apple is just noticing this is the best way to offer AI. and actually. good for them. because they charge us.” He added: “They charge us per user on the platform and actually make money with this. especially if it becomes really big.”.
Pricing and setup come with their own friction. The service’s FAQ says. “Poke sets pricing through negotiation with you. so keep chatting until you agree on a price!” The company describes a split approach: Poke handles light actions. processes manual prompts. and runs background tasks for free. while more intensive requests require payment.
To use Poke, users need to create an account with their phone number or Telegram. More detailed descriptions of what Poke can do are available via Poke.com.
Siri isn’t disappearing—iPhone users still have Siri and its built-in ChatGPT integration. But with Poke now sitting inside iMessage as the first approved third-party agent, the Messages app starts to look less like a place for communication alone and more like a command center for tasks.
Apple’s next iOS chapter is expected to be another turning point. With the upcoming iOS 27 update. the report says Apple may allow even greater freedom of choice—giving iOS users the option to select AI agents with integration and capabilities rivaling Siri. If Poke is the first sign of what that choice could feel like. it won’t just be about asking questions. It will be about sending instructions and watching the assistant act—without leaving the chat.
Apple iMessage Messages for Business Poke The Interaction Company AI agent Siri ChatGPT iOS 27 automation image generation QR codes Philips Hue Sonos cybersecurity startups
So basically iMessage is just gonna be spammed by AI now?
I don’t even get why Apple approved some third-party texting AI. Like, can it mess up your messages or charge you for stuff? Also iMessage is already annoying with read receipts lol.
Wait, you’re saying this thing can schedule dinners and also like check you in for flights?? That sounds like it could save time but also I feel like it’ll pick the wrong date or restaurant. I tried one of these ‘agents’ before and it kept changing my email wording into some weird corporate tone.
Apple “approves” it and suddenly it’s the first and only agent like they said… but didn’t Google have stuff like this already? And the part about home tech (Hue lights + Sonos) sounds cool, but I’m like… what if it starts adjusting my lights at random because someone typed ‘make it cozy’ or whatever. Also QR codes?? I’m not scanning random AI QR codes, sorry.