Apple Explains How Gemini-Powered Siri Will Work

[switz]

As I have said before, there was NO operational AI when Apple pushed out the iPhone 16 and none ready for the iPhone 17. Yet they advertised it heavily as being ready. Now they ae saying the 18 series will run AI. Really? Whose?

Huge pile of stinking bovine by products. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

Totally uninterested in any new Apple product claims until the real independent technology folks review and publish their actual results for the products. Hopefully the "OFF" for AI digital switch actually works in the next operating system. Would be more secure if there was an actual slide switch or a way to cut the wire that runs it.

Do not trust any of the vendors now. Wish my Bell Princess telephone would still work or better yet a rotary dial phone. Maybe go to a reservation and be taught how to send and read smoke signals.

 

[Falco McGregor]

So basically nothing has changed about how this was going to work following the joint Apple/Google announcement a week or two ago, but this statement was necessary because Mark Gurman posted an unsubstantiated rumor about this feature running on Google servers in his newsletter over the weekend.

 

[bluecoast]

That will definitely be a real challenge for them. That's probably exactly why they're making a big public deal about the fact that it will be powered by Gemini...because it will associate new Siri with something that people do see as viable.

Great point.

I am going to be super fascinated if they keep the Siri name.

With Gemini powering it, the relaunch would be an ideal time to rebrand and rename Siri.

I doubt that they will though - they seem to believe that everyone loves Siri.

When in fact most people's view of Siri is the same as Larry David's in the last season of Curb.

 

[SAIRUS]

Tim: Basically the board told me to get on this yesterday, and with Apple's data privacy stance, we can't do it...
Reporter: You have a bunch of cash why can't you just buy a copy of it...
Tim: Like I said we just bought a copy of it.
Reporter: So when Google announces new features...
Tim: You are going off script...no products for you!

 

[JulianL]

Also I'd argue that Apple Maps has never really recovered from its disastrous launch in terms of general public perception.

Even now, people I know won't use it as 'it's not very good isn't it?'. You can't part them from Google Maps.

I wonder then, if the forthcoming Siri relaunch - if they keep the same name - will share the same fate as Apple Maps, given that Siri has been a disaster zone for 10 years now.

'Siri has been updated, you say? I don't care, Siri is terrible, I use Gemini/ChatGPT' etc.

...Unless your key usage case for AI is setting timers. In which case, you're golden right now.

While I agree with your final three paragraphs, the idea that Apple might have an uphill struggle to throw off the weight of negative sentiment about Siri that has accumulated over time from its pretty much worst-in-class performance to date, I do feel obliged to point out that the reaction you describe in your second paragraph - “Even now, people I know won't use it as 'it's not very good isn't it? You can't part them from Google Maps” is still justified at least for some users.

Maybe you’re in the USA or some other country where Apple Maps really is on a par with Google Maps now - and I have no idea whether that is the case because I only have experience of the countries I have visited - but in some of those countries the Apple Maps experience is shockingly bad compared to Google Maps with Apple Maps suggesting bars supposedly open now that actually closed down over a decade ago (this happened to me in Cape Town about a month ago).

Even in my supposedly major (top 10 in the world by GDP) economy - the UK - I see a big difference in performance in terms of how accurate Google Maps ground truth is in terms of updates when shops open or close. I’m really hoping that this Gemini agreement will not only give Apple users access to the LMM reasoning and intent identification capabilities but that some (ideally all) of the Google ground truth might also get integrated into the Apple ecosystem. I would happily use Apple Maps as my default/only mapping app if only I was confident that it knew as much about what was around me as Google Maps does.

 

[Momento_Mori]

Maybe just switch to a Pixel and get the BEST experience…… mmmm Apple is too reliant on other’s technology that it has successfully failed at.

 

[HouseLannister]

"You should think of it as a collaboration."

But what I think of it as is a total lack of planning, talent, and leadership, as well as a marketing disaster and an unwillingness to make the correct acquisitions and hires to make sure you are never in this same place again.

 

[bluecoast]

While I agree with your final three paragraphs, the idea that Apple might have an uphill struggle to throw off the weight of negative sentiment about Siri that has accumulated over time from its pretty much worst-in-class performance to date, I do feel obliged to point out that the reaction you describe in your second paragraph - “Even now, people I know won't use it as 'it's not very good isn't it? You can't part them from Google Maps” is still justified at least for some users.

Maybe you’re in the USA or some other country where Apple Maps really is on a par with Google Maps now - and I have no idea whether that is the case because I only have experience of the countries I have visited - but in some of those countries the Apple Maps experience is shockingly bad compared to Google Maps with Apple Maps suggesting bars supposedly open now that actually closed down over a decade ago (this happened to me in Cape Town about a month ago).

Even in my supposedly major (top 10 in the world by GDP) economy - the UK - I see a big difference in performance in terms of how accurate Google Maps ground truth is in terms of updates when shops open or close. I’m really hoping that this Gemini agreement will not only give Apple users access to the LMM reasoning and intent identification capabilities but that some (ideally all) of the Google ground truth might also get integrated into the Apple ecosystem. I would happily use Apple Maps as my default/only mapping app if only I was confident that it knew as much about what was around me as Google Maps does.

Hi, yes you were right to call me out. I'm in the UK.

Here, Apple Maps is very nearly good as Google Maps IMHO - with some important caveats.

But I'd agree with you - Google has way better at up to date venue opening times & I would say, is a little bit better at routing and up to date traffic info.

But both have missing data (different in my experience) of obscure locations.

I usually use Apple Maps 95% of the time and I don't feel that I miss out by not using it.

Having said that, if ever I absolutely need to get somewhere with no mistakes, Google Maps is still the gold standard for this and my go to.

 

[justanotherdave]

Where are all the “experts” who said Google would have access to your data and Apple has sold out your privacy?

Can’t get much clearer language than stating models run on-device and on Apple Private Cloud and that Apple will maintain their industry leading privacy standards.


“But…but…Apple wouldn’t release any specific details of their arrangement with Google so that must mean they’re giving Google our data.” 🙄

 

[justanotherdave]

So basically nothing has changed about how this was going to work following the joint Apple/Google announcement a week or two ago, but this statement was necessary because Mark Gurman posted an unsubstantiated rumor about this feature running on Google servers in his newsletter over the weekend.

Gurman didn’t need to claim this, all the Apple haters/critics would assume this anyway.

Even IF they ran on Google servers (like iCloud storage does) it in no way means Google has your data. It’s IMPOSSIBLE for Google to know what data is stored in my iCloud backups on their servers.

 

[Barbel]

How about polish language 🥲

 

[AgeOfSpiracles]

While I agree with your final three paragraphs, the idea that Apple might have an uphill struggle to throw off the weight of negative sentiment about Siri that has accumulated over time from its pretty much worst-in-class performance to date, I do feel obliged to point out that the reaction you describe in your second paragraph - “Even now, people I know won't use it as 'it's not very good isn't it? You can't part them from Google Maps” is still justified at least for some users.

Maybe you’re in the USA or some other country where Apple Maps really is on a par with Google Maps now - and I have no idea whether that is the case because I only have experience of the countries I have visited - but in some of those countries the Apple Maps experience is shockingly bad compared to Google Maps with Apple Maps suggesting bars supposedly open now that actually closed down over a decade ago (this happened to me in Cape Town about a month ago).

Even in my supposedly major (top 10 in the world by GDP) economy - the UK - I see a big difference in performance in terms of how accurate Google Maps ground truth is in terms of updates when shops open or close. I’m really hoping that this Gemini agreement will not only give Apple users access to the LMM reasoning and intent identification capabilities but that some (ideally all) of the Google ground truth might also get integrated into the Apple ecosystem. I would happily use Apple Maps as my default/only mapping app if only I was confident that it knew as much about what was around me as Google Maps does.

Truthfully, even at launch (which was USA only, iirc), Apple Maps was 99.99% fine for the majority of people. I used it exclusively from the jump, giving up Google Maps entirely (which I'm pretty sure I haven't used on mobile even once since 2013), and I think I had a single bad navigation experience in that whole time. But perception is reality, and the public fails were spectacular and glaring.

 

[lazyrighteye]

The Google partnership makes sense (to me - and I work to keep Google out of my life as mush as is possible) in that it should allow Apple to get a more "personal Siri" up and running faster than if they continued their own internal development. But it would be very Apple of Apple to eventually roll their own — that is, and always has been, a core tenant. With this collaboration, I think this effectively A) bought them the time required for more internal development while B) gaining the AI-relevance with which so many are so consumed.

For all of the moaning, I am not at all convinced [yet] that Apple's slower-than-most to bake AI into their ecosystem is any sign of any "uh-oh" at Apple (it might even be the opposite). They're not OpenAI. They're not Google. That is not what Apple is or does. However, they are uniquely positioned to flip their "more personal Siri" switch and then - BOOM - all of the sudden somewhere in the line of ~2 billion users are using a "more personal Siri" (whether they want to to not). It'll be important that when they do flip that switch, that the experience is more well-received than not. Even 51/49 will likely(?) suffice (though a bigger delta is obviously preferred).

I do get a sneaking suspicion that all of this Apple angst/noise will subside a bit this year. Ha - who am I kidding? Being pissed at Apple has become a lucrative game. 😉

 

[jayhawk1941]

This headline would be effective if it said "Apple Explains that Gemini-Powered Siri Will Work."

This! The article explains actually explains nothing. With the title, I was expecting it to lay out exactly how a user prompt was processed (i.e., a user says something to Siri, that info get encrypted, etc., etc.). There was never any explanation.

I'm still waiting to hear this exact process from Apple. I don't trust that any of my data will be secure or anonymized.

 

[IIGS User]

“Apple Explains Gemini-Powered Siri Will ACTUALLY Work”

Fixed that for ya. Siri is absolute garbage. I laugh inside every time my SO says “Hey, Siri” as I know it’s an absolute exercise in futility to get it to do anything right. I mean I can’t even get it to play the song I want while I’m driving. It’s totally completely useless.

They should change the name and start over. It’s like Ford making a new small car and for some reason deciding to call it “The Pinto”. The name is forever stained. Just come up with something new to make a point of letting people know more effort was put into it than a HS Sophomore book report.

 

[tennisproha]

When asked about monetization and return on investment, Cook framed ‌Apple Intelligence‌ as a feature integrated across Apple's platforms rather than a discrete revenue driver.

We're bringing intelligence to more of what people love and we're integrating it across the operating system in a personal and private way, and I think that by doing so, it creates great value, and that opens up a range of opportunities across our products and services. And we're very happy with the collaboration with Google as well, I should add.

It’s amazing that you guys extracted that interpretation from his answer because it just looks like word salad to me. Seems like a non-answer.

 

[MallardDuck]

I don't care about the commercials, but they damn well better release the details about data privacy.

 

[justanotherdave]

This! The article explains actually explains nothing. With the title, I was expecting it to lay out exactly how a user prompt was processed (i.e., a user says something to Siri, that info get encrypted, etc., etc.). There was never any explanation.

I'm still waiting to hear this exact process from Apple. I don't trust that any of my data will be secure or anonymized.

Say what? They explicitly said on-device and using Apple Private Cloud Compute and your privacy is intact.

So just because Apple didn’t explain to you in EXACT detail you’re going to assume something must be fishy about how data is processed?

 

[jayhawk1941]

Say what? They explicitly said on-device and using Apple Private Cloud Compute and your privacy is intact.

So just because Apple didn’t explain to you in EXACT detail you’re going to assume something must be fishy about how data is processed?

Yes. What was shared was not an explanation, nor was it anything new that what's already been reported. All this article states is that they're going to use Apple Private Cloud Compute and privacy is retained. They never said "how" anything will occur. I'd like an honest explanation as to what exactly happens when a user sends a request. I'm not talking about the technical nitty gritty, just a basic workflow of data transmission. It's not that big of an ask.

 

[@Brett]

As I have said before, there was NO operational AI when Apple pushed out the iPhone 16 and none ready for the iPhone 17. Yet they advertised it heavily as being ready. Now they ae saying the 18 series will run AI. Really? Whose?

Huge pile of stinking bovine by products. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

Totally uninterested in any new Apple product claims until the real independent technology folks review and publish their actual results for the products. Hopefully the "OFF" for AI digital switch actually works in the next operating system. Would be more secure if there was an actual slide switch or a way to cut the wire that runs it.

Do not trust any of the vendors now. Wish my Bell Princess telephone would still work or better yet a rotary dial phone. Maybe go to a reservation and be taught how to send and read smoke signals.

Apples latest quarter and iPhone sales prove people really are not that interested in AI. Whilst other companies are spending billions. Apple can leverage other AI models and Google’s until their own is ready to go. But I am not worried if they are behind or not. I think in the end their strategy will pay off.

 

[djphat2000]

They didn't explain much at all actually.

I got from it that they will continue to develop their own & collaborate with Google using Gemini for now.
While also running it on Apple Cloud computing (Apple servers) and on device. So everything stays private as we intended it to be from the beginning.

Also, that creating their own LLM is taking too long so better to use something that works very well, and postpone their own version of it for now. Maybe even forever, that part could definitely change. Either way. We get what we originally wanted as soon as possible.

 

[fatTribble]

The Google partnership makes sense (to me - and I work to keep Google out of my life as mush as is possible) in that it should allow Apple to get a more "personal Siri" up and running faster than if they continued their own internal development. But it would be very Apple of Apple to eventually roll their own — that is, and always has been, a core tenant. With this collaboration, I think this effectively A) bought them the time required for more internal development while B) gaining the AI-relevance with which so many are so consumed.

I agree with you. It makes sense. But if I’m being honest I just don’t like it. It makes me feel forced to use google when, like you, I try to avoid it.

 

[MacBH928]

I don't know why we're pretending it's about capability. It's about stability.

Anthropic and OpenAI might not be around in 12 months
Meta is socially toxic
Deepseek is politically toxic

That basically just leaves Google.

google is monopolistically, privacy, and ethically toxic

 

[ASentientBot]

It’s amazing that you guys extracted that interpretation from his answer because it just looks like word salad to me. Seems like a non-answer.

he literally talks like his best buddy Donald now

 

[justanotherdave]

Yes. What was shared was not an explanation, nor was it anything new that what's already been reported. All this article states is that they're going to use Apple Private Cloud Compute and privacy is retained. They never said "how" anything will occur. I'd like an honest explanation as to what exactly happens when a user sends a request. I'm not talking about the technical nitty gritty, just a basic workflow of data transmission. It's not that big of an ask.

Do you use any iCloud services?

Do you know EXACTLY what Apple does with your personal information and credit card number?

Do you know 100% for sure (because you have documentation that explains it) that Apple isn’t secretly recording everything you do on your devices to build a profile on you?


Because if you’re only complaining about this Google deal while still using Apple devices unaware of how they work then this comes across as nothing but hypocrisy.