Apple's iOS 26.4 Update to Launch AI-Powered Siri with Google Gemini
Apple is poised to announce the iOS 26.4 update in the coming weeks, finally delivering the AI-powered Siri enhancement that was first previewed at WWDC 2024—nearly 20 months ago. According to a report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the company intends to release the first developer beta during the week of February 23, with a public beta expected to follow in March.
Transformative Features for Siri
The update focuses on three key features designed to elevate Siri from a basic voice assistant to a genuinely useful tool. Personal Context will enable Siri to search through your messages, emails, and notes to retrieve specific information or handle tasks automatically, eliminating the need for manual digging. On-screen awareness grants the assistant the capability to perceive what is displayed on your screen and take actions based on that content. Additionally, a range of in-app and cross-app controls will allow users to manage applications through voice commands with significantly greater precision than previously possible.
Google's Gemini Powers the Upgrade
What makes this release particularly notable is not just the features but the underlying technology. Apple confirmed earlier this month that it is relying on Google's Gemini models rather than its own AI systems. After evaluating both internal and external options, the company determined that Gemini provided the most robust foundation for what it terms Apple Foundation Models. This decision followed a challenging development process. Apple's original AI chief, John Giannandrea, was reassigned as delays accumulated, and software head Craig Federighi assumed control of the project. Initially slated for iOS 18, the upgrade faced repeated postponements, compelling Apple to seek external assistance.
Additional Updates and Future Plans
iOS 26.4 will also include a fresh batch of emojis, as reported by Gurman. If development proceeds as planned, the update should be available to the public by late March or early April. However, this is not the final evolution for Siri. Apple has a more ambitious redesign in the works for WWDC in June—a chatbot-style assistant that will operate more like ChatGPT, with full conversational abilities. That version is linked to iOS 27 and is not expected until September. For now, iOS 26.4 represents Apple's initial serious effort to narrow the gap with competitors who have maintained a substantial lead in AI technology.
