Why You Care
Ever wonder if your digital assistant truly understands you? Imagine Siri finally getting a massive intelligence upgrade. Apple is reportedly close to a significant deal that could change how you interact with your iPhone. This collaboration with Google could bring a far more capable Siri to your devices, making daily tasks much smoother.
What Actually Happened
Apple is reportedly nearing a deal to pay Google approximately $1 billion annually. This payment would secure a custom version of Google’s Gemini AI model, according to the announcement. This AI is intended to power a major overhaul of Siri. The company reports that this is a strategic move for Apple. They have traditionally relied on their own internal system. However, this partnership serves as a temporary approach. It will be used until Apple’s own artificial intelligence becomes enough.
This new model would also power a collection of upcoming features for the voice assistant. For context, the current cloud-based version of Apple Intelligence uses 150 billion parameters. Parameters measure the software’s complexity and capability. The custom Google model, however, would boast 1.2 trillion parameters. This means Google’s model would be roughly eight times more complex, as detailed in the blog post.
Why This Matters to You
This potential collaboration means a much smarter Siri for you. Think of it as upgrading from a basic calculator to a supercomputer for your voice commands. Your daily interactions with your Apple devices could become far more intuitive and efficient. Imagine asking Siri complex questions and getting genuinely helpful, nuanced answers.
For example, instead of just setting a timer, you might ask Siri to “Find a recipe for chicken stir-fry that uses ingredients I have in my fridge and then order any missing items from my grocery list.” This level of contextual understanding is what this AI upgrade aims to deliver. What new tasks would you trust Siri with if it were significantly smarter?
As mentioned in the release, Apple had also considered using AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic. However, after testing models from all three companies, Apple chose Google’s offering. This decision highlights Google’s competitive edge in large language models (LLMs).
AI Model Parameter Comparison
| Model Type | Parameters (approx.) |
| Current Apple Intelligence | 150 billion |
| Custom Google Gemini | 1.2 trillion |
The Surprising Finding
Here’s the twist: Apple, known for its fierce independence and proprietary system, is turning to a rival for a core AI component. This decision challenges the common assumption that Apple always builds everything itself. The team revealed that Apple has traditionally relied on its own system. However, it plans to use Google’s model as a temporary approach. This will happen until its own AI becomes enough. This reliance on an external provider, even temporarily, is quite unexpected for a company like Apple. It underscores the intense competition and rapid advancements in the AI space.
The custom AI model’s 1.2 trillion parameters — a measure of the software’s complexity and capability — would far exceed the level of Apple’s current models. This significant jump in capability demonstrates the need for AI. It also shows the challenges of developing such complex systems entirely in-house. This strategic partnership indicates a pragmatic approach from Apple.
What Happens Next
The overhauled Siri is expected to launch next spring, according to the research. This timeline suggests we could see these enhanced capabilities in your devices within months. However, the documentation indicates that plans for the revamp could still change. This is because the launch is still some time away.
Industry implications are vast. This collaboration could set a precedent for other tech giants. They might also consider partnering with AI leaders for specialized capabilities. For example, imagine other hardware companies integrating leading AI models into their devices. This could accelerate AI adoption across various consumer electronics. For you, this means potentially faster and more intelligent updates to your existing Apple environment. Keep an eye on Apple’s announcements in the coming months. They will likely detail these new Siri features. This will give you a clearer picture of what to expect from your digital assistant.