Apple Partners With Google Gemini to Revamp Siri's AI Features
Apple has officially signed a multi-year agreement with Google Gemini. This partnership aims to enhance Apple's AI foundation models. The deal will specifically power a personalized version of Siri, which Apple initially promised at WWDC 2024 but delayed until now.
What This Means for Siri Users
The revamped Siri is now expected to arrive with the iOS 26.4 update in March. Apple confirmed this timeline after previous delays. The company emphasized that all AI features will continue to run directly on Apple devices and through Private Cloud Compute. This approach ensures user privacy remains protected.
Apple released a joint statement explaining the decision. "After careful evaluation, Apple determined that Google's AI technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models. We are excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for Apple users," the statement read.
Financial Details and Previous Partnerships
While specific terms remain undisclosed, reports suggest significant financial commitments. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman indicated in August that Apple would pay approximately $1 billion annually. This payment would cover access to Google's 1.2 trillion parameter AI model designed to power the new Siri.
This development follows Apple's existing partnership with OpenAI. The company currently uses ChatGPT to handle complex queries that Siri cannot manage. With Google Gemini now taking primary responsibility for Siri's revamp, the future of the OpenAI collaboration remains uncertain.
Timeline and Expected Improvements
Apple originally planned to launch the smarter Siri with iOS 18.4. The company has since shifted this goalpost multiple times. The current target is the iOS 26.4 update scheduled for March.
The tech giant promised three major upgrades to bring Siri up to par with competitors like Gemini and ChatGPT. These enhancements focus on making Siri more responsive, intuitive, and capable of handling sophisticated user requests.
Apple maintains that despite using Google's technology, all AI processing will occur on-device or through secure cloud systems. This strategy aligns with Apple's longstanding commitment to user privacy and data security.
