Apple’s enhanced Siri, powered by Google Gemini, may face a delayed launch beyond its anticipated spring window due to last-minute issues.
Unexpected issues may compel Apple to postpone the full deployment of its Google Gemini-integrated Siri. While the upgraded smart assistant is still slated for release this year, its spring debut might be missed.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, known for his precise reporting, is the source of these assertions. This means Apple will need to exert considerable effort to mitigate the repercussions of its sluggish advancement in generative AI (genAI). However, it’s worth noting that Apple can present a strong narrative regarding its machine learning and intelligence capabilities, and how these are applied in devices like the Apple Watch for features such as Hypertension Warnings.
Gurman clarifies that Apple’s initial plan was to introduce the new Gemini-enhanced features with iOS 26.4 next month. However, these enhancements will now be rolled out progressively through subsequent software updates. He states that internal testing identified issues including reliability concerns, inaccuracies in query processing, and sluggish response speeds.
The Line Forms
For proper context, it’s crucial to recall that Apple’s partnership with Gemini was only disclosed in January, following several months of rumors. Prior to this, the company had been developing its own AI models, a practice it appears set to continue by integrating proprietary AI services for particular functions when appropriate.
Gurman cautions that the fully contextual Siri, designed to leverage personal data for more relevant responses and tailored answers, is expected to be the final enhancement to arrive. He also indicated delays for voice-activated control over in-app functions.
This delay is unlikely to sway Apple’s rivals, critics, and analysts, who will undoubtedly persist in highlighting that these capabilities were initially slated for release with iOS 18 in 2024.
This earlier commitment proved to be unsustainable. The Information went so far as to report that a majority of the advanced features Apple initially announced at WWDC had not yet been developed when the announcement was made. (An advertisement from Apple showcasing these features was later taken down, though it remains accessible online.)
This situation sparked serious apprehension among Apple’s senior executives, leading to significant organizational shifts and new leadership within Apple’s AI divisions. Even with the departure of John Giannandrea, Apple’s AI head at the time, damage to its reputation had occurred — and further delay announcements are poised to dim Apple’s prestige even further.
Regarding Siri and AI, delays and unmet expectations have become somewhat common – an experience Apple is eager to avoid for Siri’s vast user base. With iPhones accounting for one in four smartphones, and 19% of iPhone owners engaging with Siri daily, the stakes are high.
Gaining Ground Incrementally
While this position is challenging for Apple, I believe the company can transform it into a win by following Gurman’s advice: consistently rolling out refined AI services as they become available. This approach promises tangible enhancements for Apple’s users and affords the company the flexibility to integrate the most effective new services into broader product launches. For instance, Apple could debut a couple of these nascent features at WWDC, alongside the iPhone 17e and new Mac models.
A secondary concern for Apple, naturally, is that the AI capabilities it aims to deploy across its ecosystem could appear technologically inferior compared to advancements made by other AI tools by that time. With AI now evolving autonomously, the speed of innovation is rapidly increasing. The question remains: can Apple maintain pace? Or will its chosen strategy – focusing on delivering premier platforms for personal, private AI while also supporting all major global AI services – ultimately prove to be the most effective long-term approach?
Currently, we cannot pose that question to Siri. And while we anticipate a slightly longer wait than initially projected, there’s comfort in knowing Apple is now tackling real technological hurdles with features actively being developed in its labs, as opposed to making commitments based on speculative ideas concocted in Cupertino.
