Apple should ditch Siri for Gemini and Google Cloud, here's why ...
Gemini can be the chatbot, leaving Apple to do what it does best. It’s been a year since Apple unveiled Apple Intelligence, its long-awaited foray into the world of artificial intelligence on phones. The company promised many features, but a year on, these have been delayed for up to another year. Over the same period, Google has continuously developed and released new features for Gemini, as well as unique features for each phone maker through Google Cloud.
Rumors and Challenges
I enjoy the usefulness of Apple’s AI direction, but the best Android phones have more AI tricks than iOS 26. Rumors suggest that Apple could add Google Gemini to the iPhone alongside ChatGPT, but could this lead to a partnership like Google’s current deal to be the default search engine? Given the challenges so far, should Apple ditch Siri entirely in favor of Gemini?
Apple's Direction
This may seem like a contradiction given the challenges so far, but I like the direction that Apple Intelligence is headed. Apple chose to focus on building an AI personal assistant that solves everyday problems, and while the idea is sound, the execution has proven challenging. Many of the features have deep integration into iOS and solve genuine problems faced by many users. It’s the antithesis of most AI applications so far, but the direction that the industry is headed towards.
Apple execs Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak spoke with Joanna Stern from The Wall Street Journal about the challenges faced so far in delivering Siri, the expectations around Apple and AI, and Apple Intelligence as a whole. This interview is particularly interesting, as it shows Apple is quite contrite about the state of Siri.
Google's AI Features
Google has developed a comprehensive suite of AI features for all Android phones, as well as the iPhone. The iPhone experience is limited, as it utilizes the Gemini app and only includes core Gemini features, such as Gemini Live with screen sharing. Many of Gemini’s first features focused on generative use cases, but this year, the company has shown off Gemini Live and its ability to be your visual assistant, and the ability to create entire videos with sound using the new Veo 3 model.
Comparing Capabilities
Yet, Visual Intelligence and Siri do not have the same capabilities as Gemini. Apple’s focus on and challenges in building a helpful personal assistant have allowed Google to develop a suite of generative features and subsequently catch up in productivity features. Google’s foray into AR glasses with Project Astra also puts Apple in a competitive position, especially with Google's upcoming AR glasses launch and Project Moohan headset developed with Samsung.
