Apple Accelerates AI Race with Google Gemini-Powered Siri Update
In a significant move to bolster its artificial intelligence capabilities, consumer technology giant Apple is preparing to launch a major update to its digital assistant Siri in partnership with Google's Gemini AI. According to multiple Bloomberg reports, the iOS 26.4 update will be released in the second half of February, marking Apple's most substantial step yet in catching up with competitors in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Technical Specifications and Partnership Details
The upcoming Siri update is being custom-developed with Google's Gemini AI technology and will operate on Apple's Private Cloud Compute servers. These servers rely on high-end Mac chips for processing power, ensuring robust performance for the enhanced digital assistant. The partnership represents a strategic collaboration between two tech giants, with Apple reportedly paying Google approximately $1 billion annually to access the advanced AI models.
This financial arrangement underscores the importance Apple places on improving its AI offerings, as the company seeks to enhance its existing Apple Intelligence features through Google's technological expertise. The collaboration comes at a crucial time when Apple has been perceived as lagging behind Silicon Valley peers in the artificial intelligence domain.
Key Features of the Upcoming Siri Update
The iOS 26.4 update will introduce several groundbreaking features designed to transform user interactions with Siri:
- World Knowledge Answers: This feature will provide users with web-summarized responses to queries, complete with citations for source verification. The functionality will operate similarly to popular AI tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Perplexity AI, offering comprehensive information retrieval capabilities.
- Enhanced On-Screen Analysis: Siri will gain improved abilities to analyze content displayed on device screens, allowing for more contextual and relevant responses to user queries.
- Personal Data Integration: The updated assistant will better tap into personal data stored on devices, enabling more personalized assistance while maintaining Apple's commitment to privacy protection.
- Advanced Web Search: Siri's web searching capabilities will see substantial improvements, making information retrieval faster and more accurate than previous versions.
Campos: Apple's Ambitious AI Chatbot Vision
Beyond the immediate Siri update, Apple has revealed plans for a more comprehensive AI transformation with the development of its first dedicated AI chatbot, internally codenamed "Campos." This represents a strategic shift for the company, which has traditionally focused on integrating AI features directly into applications rather than creating standalone conversational tools.
According to sources familiar with the project, Campos will be deeply embedded into iPhone, iPad, and Mac operating systems, eventually replacing the current Siri interface. Users will be able to access the new service using familiar methods—either by speaking the "Siri" command or holding down the side button on their devices.
The Campos chatbot will feature both voice- and typing-based interaction modes and will serve as the primary new addition to Apple's upcoming operating systems. It is scheduled for integration into iOS 27, iPadOS 27 (both code-named Rave), and macOS 27 (internally known as Fizz).
Capabilities and Competitive Positioning
Apple's planned chatbot will offer capabilities comparable to existing market leaders while incorporating unique Apple-specific features:
- Comprehensive Functionality: Like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, Campos will allow users to search the web, create content, generate images, summarize information, and analyze uploaded files.
- Personal Data Utilization: The chatbot will draw on personal data to complete tasks more efficiently, including locating specific files, songs, calendar events, and text messages.
- Device Integration: Unlike third-party chatbots, Apple's offering will analyze open windows and on-screen content to suggest commands and take actions. It will also control device features and settings, enabling functions like making phone calls, setting timers, and launching the camera.
- Application Integration: Siri will be integrated into all of Apple's core applications, including Mail, Music, Podcasts, TV, Xcode programming software, and Photos. This will enable users to perform complex tasks using voice commands alone.
Technical Architecture and Development Timeline
The iOS 26.4 update of Siri will rely on a Google-developed system internally known as Apple Foundation Models version 10, operating at 1.2 trillion parameters—a measure of AI complexity. In contrast, the Campos chatbot will run a higher-end version of the custom Google model, comparable to Gemini 3, known internally as Apple Foundation Models version 11.
In a potential policy shift, Apple and Google are discussing hosting the chatbot directly on Google servers equipped with powerful tensor processing units (TPUs). The more immediate Siri update, however, will operate on Apple's own Private Cloud Compute servers using high-end Mac chips.
Apple is designing Campos with flexibility in mind, allowing underlying models to be swapped out over time. This architecture gives the company the option to move away from Google-powered systems in the future if desired. The company has also tested the chatbot with Chinese AI models, indicating plans to eventually deploy the feature in China, where Apple Intelligence is not yet available.
Privacy Considerations and Strategic Implications
One significant issue under discussion is how much memory the chatbot will retain about user interactions. While conversational AI tools like ChatGPT can remember extensive details from past conversations, Apple is considering sharply limiting this capability to protect user privacy—a core principle of the company's philosophy.
The strategic pivot toward chatbot technology follows leadership changes within Apple's AI division. Longtime AI chief John Giannandrea was relieved of his role in December, with senior vice president of software engineering Craig Federighi consolidating control over Apple's AI efforts. The company has also hired Amar Subramanya, formerly of Google's Gemini team, as vice president of AI reporting to Federighi.
Market response to the chatbot news has been positive, with Apple shares gaining as much as 1.7% to reach a session high of $250.83. Google parent Alphabet Inc., which is supplying the underlying technology, saw its shares rise 2.6% to $330.32.
Future Outlook and Competitive Landscape
Apple's embrace of chatbot technology represents a significant strategic shift as the company responds to competitive pressures from Samsung, Google, and Chinese smartphone makers who have already embedded conversational AI deeply into their operating systems. The growing importance of such tools is evident in ChatGPT's milestone of surpassing 800 million weekly active users in October 2025.
The company aims to unveil the Campos technology at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2026, with a public release scheduled for September. This timeline positions Apple to make substantial progress in the AI race while maintaining its reputation for privacy-focused, integrated technology solutions.
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the technology landscape, Apple's partnership with Google and development of Campos signal the company's determination to remain competitive in this crucial domain while staying true to its core principles of user experience and privacy protection.
