It’s been a yr since Apple unveiled Apple Intelligence, its long-awaited foray into the world of synthetic intelligence on telephones. The corporate promised many options, however a yr on, these have been delayed for as much as one other yr.
Over the identical interval, Google has constantly developed and launched new options for Gemini, in addition to distinctive options for every cellphone maker via Google Cloud. I benefit from the usefulness of Apple’s AI route, however the finest Android telephones have extra AI methods than iOS 26.
Rumors counsel that Apple might add Google Gemini to the iPhone alongside ChatGPT, however might this result in a partnership like Google’s present deal to be the default search engine? Given the challenges thus far, ought to Apple ditch Siri solely in favor of Gemini?
Apple has a robust imaginative and prescient for Apple Intelligence
This will likely seem to be a contradiction given the challenges thus far, however I just like the route that Apple Intelligence is headed. Apple selected to deal with constructing an AI private assistant that solves on a regular basis issues, and whereas the thought is sound, the execution has confirmed difficult.
Lots of the options have deep integration into iOS and resolve real issues confronted by many customers. It’s the antithesis of most AI functions thus far, however the route that the trade is headed in direction of. But, lots of the options hadn’t launched by this yr’s WWDC 2025 keynote, the place Apple introduced iOS 26 with far fewer mentions of AI than final yr.
Apple execs Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak spoke with Joanna Stern from The Wall Avenue Journal in regards to the challenges confronted thus far in delivering Siri, the expectations round Apple and AI, and Apple Intelligence as a complete.
This interview is especially fascinating, because it reveals Apple is sort of contrite in regards to the state of Siri. Apple has shipped roughly half the brand new Siri options it talked about final yr, and it made a uncommon misstep of operating a business for the brand new Siri. Nevertheless, most fascinating is that the problems with Siri have additionally overshadowed the broader Apple Intelligence options which were shipped.
One such characteristic is the partnership with OpenAI and ChatGPT. This enables the brand new Siri to dump duties that fall outdoors its information base and depend on extra up-to-date data from OpenAI. It is not excellent, nevertheless it does present that Apple is open to letting a 3rd social gathering deal with the chatbot a part of the AI equation.
Gemini has unbelievable AI options throughout type elements
Google has developed a complete suite of AI options for all Android telephones, in addition to the iPhone. The iPhone expertise is restricted, because it makes use of the Gemini app and solely consists of core Gemini options, similar to Gemini Reside with display screen sharing. The present iPhone expertise lacks OS-level options like Circle to Search, Google Lens, and several other AI planners.
Lots of Gemini’s first options targeted on generative use circumstances, however this yr, the corporate has proven off Gemini Reside and its skill to be your visible assistant, and the flexibility to create complete movies with sound utilizing the brand new Veo 3 mannequin.
Apple guarantees related Gemini Reside options with Visible Intelligence, nevertheless it’s unclear when these will launch. Apple’s model of Circle-to-Search is launching in iOS 26, the place customers will be capable to seize what’s on the display screen and seek for particular data or carry out duties throughout each app on their cellphone, not simply carry out an internet search.
But, Visible Intelligence and Siri do not need the identical capabilities as Gemini. Apple’s deal with and challenges in constructing a useful private assistant have allowed Google to develop a collection of generative options and subsequently catch up in productiveness options.
Then there’s Venture Astra, and Google’s foray into AR glasses. Apple is anticipated to finally launch a pair of multimodal glasses, however Google already has a pair within the works that’s set to launch subsequent yr. There’s additionally the Venture Moohan headset that’s been developed with Samsung, and is able to launch this yr to problem the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional.
Google has additionally confirmed it will probably construct customized experiences
If it have been simply Gemini, I believe there’s a a lot stronger case to be made for Apple to develop its personal suite of AI options. But, over the previous yr, Google has confirmed that it is aware of precisely tips on how to construct options that empower companions’ artistic visions. The result’s that each Android cellphone has a style of Gemini, and plenty of now even have distinctive AI functions supplied by Google Cloud.
There’s the suite of Moto AI options on the Razr 60 Extremely, which incorporates Catch Me As much as summarize private notifications, Keep in mind This to seize a display screen and notate it for future reference, and Pay Consideration to launch a voice recording full with transcription.
It’s not simply Motorola, as Google has additionally partnered with each firm to assist allow customized experiences. Samsung has been a check mattress for brand spanking new Gemini options, similar to Circle-to-Search, and Gemini has changed Bixby because the default private assistant.
OnePlus and Nothing have constructed AI areas to retailer, percolate, and iterate on concepts. Realme’s new AI Assistant can routinely create new lists and calendar entries by studying what’s in your display screen. Then there’s Honor and Picture to Video, which makes use of Google Veo 2 AI fashions to deliver static photographs to life briefly video clips or animated GIFs.
Google I/O 2025 and WWDC 2025 proved to be extraordinarily contrasting when it got here to AI as a complete. Google talked about AI over 100 instances in the course of the keynote, greater than Apple talked about all of its AI options, Apple Intelligence, and Siri mixed throughout its keynote.
Apple may benefit from Google’s head begin
The problem for Apple is whether or not it will probably rebuild religion in Apple Intelligence. It utilized its upcoming AI options to advertise the iPhone 16 collection, and a yr later, many of those options are nonetheless not obtainable for purchasers who purchased into the advertising.
There’s a promise of delivering these options subsequent yr, however the partnership with ChatGPT reveals that Apple isn’t afraid to look externally. A possible collaboration with Gemini would deliver immense advantages to iOS customers and likewise enable Apple to focus its efforts on constructing deeper options, relatively than competing instantly with Google.
Historical past means that Apple could be open to this, however it might solely be a short lived settlement till it will probably refine its personal capabilities. I take advantage of an iPhone every day alongside probably the greatest folding telephones, often the Oppo Discover N5 or the Razr 60 Extremely. Observing my utilization over the previous couple of weeks, I’ve realized that when I’ve a selection of telephones, I’ll at all times flip to an Android cellphone with Gemini for any AI-powered duties.
Apple has a robust imaginative and prescient for Apple Intelligence, however based mostly on what’s identified publicly, Google appears to be nearer to constructing options that can seize the eye of potential prospects. Contemplating the recognition of the Ray-Ban Meta sensible glasses, eyewear is shaping as much as be the following battle frontier, and a partnership with Gemini could be the quickest approach for Apple to deliver a product to market shortly.
The important thing query: What about Privateness?
For all the advantages, there’s seemingly one space the place a partnership might disintegrate. Apple has made privateness a big a part of its focus with Apple Intelligence, and the corporate has constructed a status round information privateness.
In the meantime, Google gives lots of the similar options — i.e., Non-public Compute Cloud — which can be designed to deal with the privateness of your information, however doesn’t have the identical belief amongst on a regular basis prospects in relation to privateness.
A partnership between the 2 firms that makes Gemini the default assistant might additionally result in additional regulatory scrutiny concerning competitors. But, if Apple can work its approach round that, Gemini would make the perfect substitute for Siri, permitting Apple to deal with constructing the AI experiences that solely it will probably.
