Apple considers Gemini-powered Siri — pivot or resignation?

Apple is in early discussions with Google to potentially power its revamped Siri using a custom version of Google’s Gemini AI — a striking shift for a company long defending in-house control.

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- The to-do list: build a smarter Siri that actually understands context and manages complex, multi-step tasks — capabilities where Siri has trailed behind rivals. The overhaul, delayed to 2026, needs an AI boost.

- Apple is running an internal “bake-off” — lining up its own models (Linwood) up against outside tech (Glenwood), now including Gemini, Anthropic’s Claude, and OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

- Market reaction was immediate: Alphabet shares jumped ~3–3.7%, Apple ~1.4–1.6%, as investors bet this AI deal could help Apple close the generative AI gap.

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If Apple goes full Gemini, it’s not just catching up — it’s admitting in public what insiders already acknowledge: Siri can’t keep pace alone.