Apple Siri Gets Gemini AI Boost – New Features Explained
Apple announced that its next‑generation Siri will be powered by Google’s Gemini large‑language model, bringing on‑device, context‑aware conversations to iPhone 15 Pro and the latest MacBook Pro later this year. The partnership combines Apple’s privacy‑first hardware with Gemini’s multimodal AI, promising richer answers, multi‑step tasks, and new subscription‑based services.
Apple Services Revenue Hits New High
In 2025 Apple’s services segment generated $86 billion, a 23 % year‑over‑year increase. Growth was driven by higher subscriber counts for Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple News+, Apple Fitness+, as well as expanding usage of Apple Pay and iCloud. Watch time on Apple TV+ rose 38 %, music streams grew 27 %, and iCloud storage subscriptions jumped 31 %.
Gemini‑Powered Siri Announcement
On January 12, 2026 Apple and Google revealed that Siri will be rebuilt on Google’s Gemini LLM, shifting from a rule‑based system to a model that can process text, images, and audio simultaneously. The integration aims to deliver more natural, multi‑turn conversations while keeping user data on the device.
Key Elements of the Partnership
- On‑device inference pipelines – Models run locally on Apple silicon to preserve privacy.
- Joint research labs – Focus on model compression for efficient performance on A‑series and M‑series chips.
- Revenue‑sharing model – Premium AI‑driven services may be added to Apple’s subscription bundles.
Why Apple Chose Google’s Gemini
Building a cutting‑edge large‑language model requires massive compute, data, and talent. Gemini, developed by Google since 2023, already rivals leading AI systems and provides Apple a shortcut to advanced capabilities while retaining control through on‑device optimization. This collaboration lets Apple focus on its hardware and privacy strengths.
Impact on Users and the Market
Consumer Benefits
- More conversational Siri that can handle complex, multi‑step requests without breaking them into separate commands.
- New AI‑enhanced services such as “Siri Pro” for enterprises, advanced content summarization for Apple News+, and real‑time translation across iMessage and FaceTime.
- Enhanced integration with existing Apple subscriptions, deepening the ecosystem lock‑in.
Industry Implications
The Apple‑Google alliance introduces a rare cross‑company partnership among direct competitors, signaling that hardware makers may increasingly rely on external AI expertise instead of building proprietary models. This could accelerate the spread of advanced AI features across consumer devices.
Privacy and On‑Device Processing
Apple’s commitment to on‑device processing will be closely examined. Both companies have pledged to keep training data separate from user interactions, but delivering true on‑device inference for a model as large as Gemini will be a critical test of Apple’s privacy guarantees.
Future Outlook
With a solid services revenue base, Apple is positioned to expand Siri into a core subscription pillar alongside Music, TV+, and iCloud. The Gemini‑powered assistant is slated for rollout on iPhone 15 Pro and the latest MacBook Pro later this year, with broader device coverage to follow. Success could reshape the AI landscape, prompting more collaborative approaches and driving broader adoption of sophisticated, privacy‑focused AI assistants.
