Apple Taps Google’s Gemini to Revamp Siri Amid Ongoing AI Struggles
Key Points
- Apple is negotiating a multi‑year, roughly $1 billion per year deal with Google.
- Google’s Gemini model will power Siri’s summarizer and planner functions.
- The project is internally named “Glenwood,” with the new Siri codenamed “Linwood.”
- Apple will use a hybrid approach that combines Gemini with its Private Cloud Compute to maintain data privacy.
- The upgrade is slated for an upcoming iOS release, possibly iOS 26.4.
- Apple views the partnership as an interim solution until its own AI models mature.
- Industry analysts see the move as a sign of Apple’s urgency to close its AI gap.
Apple is close to finalizing a multi‑year agreement with Google that would let the tech giant’s Gemini model power key functions of Siri. The deal, reported to be worth roughly $1 billion per year, is intended to address shortcomings in Apple’s own Apple Intelligence initiative, which has been criticized for limited capabilities. Internally, the project is dubbed “Glenwood,” while the new Siri version carries the codename “Linwood” and is slated for inclusion in an upcoming iOS release. Apple plans to blend Gemini’s capabilities with its private‑cloud infrastructure to preserve user privacy.
Background on Apple Intelligence and Siri
Apple introduced its Apple Intelligence platform with the promise of bringing advanced generative AI features to iPhones and other devices. The rollout, however, delivered only a handful of modest tools such as Genmoji, Summaries, and Image Playground, leading to criticism that the offering fell short of competitor capabilities. Siri, Apple’s long‑standing voice assistant, has likewise lagged behind rivals that integrated more sophisticated language models.
Deal With Google
According to industry reports, Apple is on the verge of sealing a deal with Google that would allow the Cupertino company to use Google’s Gemini model—part of a 1.2‑trillion‑parameter AI system—to power Siri’s “summarizer and planner” functions. The agreement is described as a multi‑year arrangement worth about $1 billion per year. Google’s Gemini is expected to handle the parts of Siri that synthesize information and manage complex tasks, while some features will continue to rely on Apple’s in‑house models.
Implementation Strategy
Apple plans to integrate Gemini through a hybrid architecture that combines the external model with its Private Cloud Compute servers. This approach is intended to preserve the privacy narrative that Apple emphasizes, ensuring that user data does not flow directly to Google. Internally, the effort is called “Glenwood,” and the new Siri version is codenamed “Linwood.” Leadership for the project includes Vision Pro creator Mike Rockwell and software chief Craig Federighi.
Timeline and Expectations
The upgraded Siri, powered in part by Gemini, is slated to launch as part of an upcoming iOS release, with references indicating it could appear in iOS 26.4. The partnership is described as an “interim solution” until Apple’s own models become sufficiently powerful, suggesting that Apple views the arrangement as a stopgap rather than a permanent reliance on third‑party AI.
Industry Reaction
Observations from the source describe the move as evidence of Apple’s urgency to catch up in the AI race, noting that the company has historically been slower to adopt cutting‑edge language models compared with Google and OpenAI. The report characterizes the partnership as a low‑profile effort, with Apple unlikely to publicly highlight Google’s contribution to Siri.
Potential Impact
If successful, the Gemini‑enhanced Siri could close the functional gap with competing assistants and improve the overall perception of Apple Intelligence. By leveraging Google’s advanced model while retaining data privacy through its private cloud, Apple aims to deliver a more capable voice experience without compromising its brand promise of user privacy.