Tech giants Google and Apple appear to be on the cusp of a significant partnership that could see Google's advanced AI model, Gemini, integrated into Apple's iconic iPhone. The potential deal, confirmed by Google CEO Sundar Pichai during the ongoing search monopoly trial on Wednesday, is anticipated to be finalized by mid-2025, with a possible rollout to users by the end of the same year.
This integration would likely empower Apple's virtual assistant, Siri, with enhanced capabilities to tackle more intricate queries. Similar to Apple's recent collaboration with OpenAI, which brought ChatGPT integration to its devices, the inclusion of Gemini could allow Siri to leverage a powerful large language model for more sophisticated and nuanced responses.
Hints of this potential collaboration emerged last June when Apple Senior Vice President Craig Federighi alluded to the possibility of incorporating Gemini into Apple's newly announced "Apple Intelligence" feature. "We want to enable users ultimately to choose the models they want, maybe Google Gemini in the future," Federighi stated at the time, signaling Apple's open approach to integrating third-party AI models.
Pichai's confirmation came in response to inquiries from Department of Justice lawyer Veronica Onyema during the search monopoly trial. When directly asked about plans to strike a Gemini deal with Apple, Pichai responded affirmatively. He further revealed that he had engaged in discussions with Apple CEO Tim Cook regarding AI development. "[Cook] was trying to understand our plans for how we’re evolving AI technologies, our roadmap, and as part of that, we talked about the Gemini app distribution as well," Pichai elaborated. He also indicated that Cook had suggested more third-party AI models would be integrated into Apple Intelligence later this year.
Adding further credence to the impending integration, subtle clues have surfaced in recent Apple software updates. In February, MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris reportedly discovered references to "Google" as a potential Apple Intelligence model option within an iOS 18.4 beta.
Apple's existing integration of ChatGPT offers a glimpse into how Gemini might function within the iPhone ecosystem. Currently, Siri prompts users for permission before utilizing ChatGPT to address complex questions. Furthermore, ChatGPT's capabilities extend to analyzing images and generating visuals based on textual prompts. It is plausible that Gemini's integration could offer similar, or even more advanced, functionalities within the Apple environment.
The potential partnership between two of the world's most influential technology companies signifies a growing trend towards the integration of advanced AI models into everyday consumer devices. If realized, the incorporation of Gemini into the iPhone could significantly enhance the user experience, providing more intelligent and versatile assistance through Siri and potentially other Apple applications. As the mid-2025 deadline approaches, the tech world will be closely watching for further developments on this potentially transformative collaboration.