Apple looks likely to integrate the Google Gemini in this year’s iOS 19 operating system update, according to comments maid by Google CEO Sundar Pichai.
iPhone users can currently consult OpenAI’s ChatGPT for more complex requests Apple’s current iteration of Siri cannot handle, and now it looks as if the long-rumoured addition of Google Gemini could come to fruition this autumn.
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During the court hearing pertaining to Google’s alleged monopolistic practices in the search market, Google CEO Sundar Pichai confirmed a deal with Apple is expected to be struck by summer (via The Verge).
Should that be the case, Apple may be in a position to announce Gemini integration for the best iPhone models as part of iOS 19 as soon as WWDC in June.
It has long been known Apple’s preferred strategy is to give users a choice of AI assistant providers within its Apple Intelligence platform, just as it has with traditional web search engines down the years.
“We want to enable users ultimately to choose the models they want, maybe Google Gemini in the future,” said Craig Federighi following last year’s WWDC keynote.
In February it was rumoured Gemini integration would arrive within iOS 18.4. Although that didn’t come to pass, Gemini has a standalone app on iPhone that offers some of its most powerful features.
Opinion
Given Apple’s own battles to whip Siri into shape as an assistant befitting the generative AI era, it would make sense for Apple to leverage existing providers in the space.
Apple has traditionally leaned on Google to fill needs it cannot quite fulfil and has benefitted quite handsomely from those arrangements.
Apple receives billions in revenue from Google to ensure Google Search is the default web search provider in Siri, for example. Given Google’s existing relationship with Samsung, we’d wager Google is willing to fill Apple’s coffers once again.
