Apple's Siri to Integrate Google's Gemini While Continuing Development of Own AI Technologies
In a significant move to enhance its digital assistant, Apple has announced that the upcoming version of Siri will leverage Google's Gemini AI technology, setting the stage for a more intelligent and responsive experience for iPhone users. This collaboration, however, does not mean Apple is sidelining its own advancements in artificial intelligence. Instead, the tech giant is committed to developing its own AI models alongside the integration of Gemini, promising an exciting future for Siri.
After experiencing the in-depth responses from Gemini on my Pixel 6 Pro, it's hard to go back to using Siri on my iPhone 15 Pro Max. The responses I receive from Gemini far exceed what I've been able to get from Siri thus far. Even with Siri enhancing answers via ChatGPT, the thoroughness falls short of my Pixel's capabilities. Not only does Gemini answer queries effectively, but it also assists in setting alarms, sending texts, and more. It's rumored that Google plans to phase out the Google Assistant in favor of Gemini by March.
Anticipation Builds for the iOS 26.4 Beta Release
Apple iPhone users have been eagerly awaiting an advanced version of Siri that can deliver the comprehensive responses similar to what Gemini offers on the Pixel. The good news is that this updated AI-powered Siri is expected to launch with iOS 26.4 in the spring. For those who can’t wait, the iOS 26.4 beta could be available as soon as February, allowing users to experience the enhanced version of Siri within weeks.
During the earnings call following Apple's impressive fiscal first quarter results, the company discussed its decision to partner with Google's Gemini large language model (LLM) to enhance Siri's AI capabilities. Apple mentioned that Google's AI technology would provide a robust foundation for its initiatives. "We basically determined that Google's AI technology would provide the most capable foundation for AFM (Apple Foundation Models), and we believe that we can unlock a lot of experiences and innovate in a key way due to the collaboration," the company stated.
Apple’s Independent AI Journey Continues Alongside Gemini
Apple CEO Tim Cook emphasized in the earnings call that the company will continue to explore and develop its AI technologies independently, despite the collaboration with Google and Gemini. Cook clarified that Apple's own AI model will not supersede Gemini in upgrading Siri, which will also feature a personalized assistant capable of accessing messages, emails, call history, and photos to answer specific questions, such as “What time is my mom's flight landing today?” and “When and what time did we make reservations for dinner with mom?”
Cook reiterated that the personalized Siri experience should be viewed as a collaborative effort with Google, enhancing the overall functionality and user experience on Apple devices.
