Apple in Talks with Google to Use Gemini for Siri Upgrade
Apple is exploring a deal with Google to integrate Gemini into a rebuilt version of Siri, according to Bloomberg’s report.
After setbacks pushed Siri’s major overhaul to 2026, Apple has started testing a custom Gemini model trained by Google to run on its private servers.
At the same time, Apple is developing two internal versions of Siri: one powered by its own models, called Linwood, and another using external tech, known as Glenwood.
The company has also held talks with Anthropic and OpenAI, with ChatGPT already supporting some of Siri’s responses.
This decision, still weeks away, could mark a turning point. For all the criticism Apple has faced over falling behind in AI, a partnership with a frontier lab like Google might finally give iPhone users the Siri upgrade they’ve been waiting for.
At RoboRhythms.com, we’ve followed how these partnerships shape the future of consumer AI, and this move shows Apple may no longer be going it alone.
Quick summary
Apple is in talks with Google to bring Gemini into Siri.
Testing is underway with a custom Gemini model on Apple’s private servers.
Apple is developing two versions of Siri: Linwood (internal) and Glenwood (external).
Other partners under consideration include Anthropic and OpenAI.
A final decision is expected within weeks, with the major Siri update set for 2026.
Apple’s dual-track approach to Siri
Apple isn’t putting all its weight behind one strategy. Instead, it is pursuing two versions of Siri at the same time.
Linwood, the in-house project, relies on Apple’s own models and is meant to preserve tight control over user data and ecosystem performance.
Glenwood, on the other hand, is the external-facing track, designed to test whether partnerships with labs like Google, Anthropic, or OpenAI can deliver a stronger assistant faster.
This approach reflects both caution and urgency. Apple wants to keep the option of building Siri entirely on its own, but it also knows that doing so has already faced setbacks and delays.
Reports suggest that talent shortages and staff departures have slowed Apple’s AI progress, making it difficult to compete with companies that specialize in frontier models.
Running both Linwood and Glenwood gives Apple leverage. If external partners can outperform Apple’s models, the company can adopt them without giving up full independence.
If Apple manages to catch up, it can fall back on Linwood. Either way, Apple ensures it won’t be left with an outdated Siri while rivals push ahead.
Why a Gemini-powered Siri matters
If Apple moves forward with Google’s Gemini, it could reshape the experience of Siri in several ways.
Gemini has already demonstrated strength in multimodal reasoning, which means it can handle text, voice, and image inputs more effectively than most assistants today.
Bringing that into Siri would allow iPhone users to ask more complex questions and receive more useful responses.
There’s also the question of timing. Apple’s delay to 2026 created frustration, but a Gemini-powered version could cut that gap by speeding up testing and rollout.
With Google already training a model on Apple’s behalf, the groundwork is in place for a faster transition.
For users, this would be a major shift. Siri has long lagged behind Google Assistant and Alexa in both accuracy and usefulness.
Partnering with Google could close that gap, but it also raises questions about how much of Siri’s future Apple is willing to outsource.
We’ve seen how big tech partnerships often redefine product strategy, and this one could decide whether Siri finally becomes a leader in AI assistants or continues to trail behind.
Apple vs Google AI partnership explained
Many users are already searching for details on what an Apple–Google AI partnership would look like.
In this case, the talks center on Gemini, Google’s flagship model, being tested on Apple’s private servers.
That distinction is key. Apple doesn’t want Gemini operating directly in Google’s cloud, which would raise privacy concerns. Instead, Apple is asking for a custom version that runs securely within its own infrastructure.
This shows how Apple is trying to balance privacy with performance. The company has built its reputation on safeguarding user data, so outsourcing completely to Google isn’t an option.
By keeping Gemini on its servers, Apple could still market Siri as a private assistant while benefiting from the advanced capabilities Google has built.
The strategy also highlights how far behind Apple feels in the AI race. If its internal models were competitive, there would be no need to negotiate at this level.
Users looking for an explanation of this partnership should see it as Apple’s acknowledgment that Siri, in its current form, cannot match rivals without external help.
How this could change Siri in 2026
When users ask about the Siri update timeline, the focus has been on Apple’s delay to 2026. This delay disappointed many who were expecting a major AI upgrade alongside iOS updates sooner.
The Gemini talks suggest that 2026 might not just be a routine update but a complete redesign of Siri’s foundation.
If Gemini becomes part of Siri, users could see better contextual memory, faster response times, and richer conversational ability.
Siri could finally handle follow-up questions without breaking context, something users have wanted for years. Apple is also likely to integrate Gemini’s multimodal features, letting Siri interpret photos, documents, or even mixed queries that combine voice and images.
That said, nothing is finalized yet. Bloomberg reported that Apple is weeks away from a decision, meaning it could still lean toward Anthropic or even double down on its internal Linwood project.
But for users waiting on Siri’s future, 2026 looks less like a delay and more like the year Apple might deliver an AI assistant on par with the best in the market.
Apple compared with OpenAI and Anthropic
Apple’s talks with Google highlight just how much competition it faces from other AI leaders.
OpenAI already has ChatGPT integrated into Siri’s answering pipeline, giving users a taste of what external AI can add. Anthropic, with its Claude models, has also been part of Apple’s early explorations, offering another potential partner known for safe and reliable outputs.
Compared with both, Google has an advantage in scale and infrastructure. Gemini is built to run across billions of queries and already powers parts of Google Search and Android.
That gives Apple confidence it could handle the demands of Siri at iPhone scale. Still, OpenAI and Anthropic remain attractive because their models are evolving quickly and may offer Apple more flexibility than a partnership with Google.
For users, the outcome will shape how Siri competes with assistants tied to other ecosystems.
A Siri backed by Gemini might be the closest Apple has ever come to matching Google Assistant in capability.
Choosing OpenAI or Anthropic would point toward a different path, one that leans on fast-moving startups rather than Big Tech alliances.
Either way, the message is clear: Apple is no longer relying only on itself to carry Siri forward.
We’ll keep tracking which direction Apple takes, because this choice could define the assistant experience for years to come.
