Apple is said to be in discussions with Google about integrating Google’s Gemini AI technology into the iOS 18 version of the iPhone operating system. According to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, sources familiar with the matter indicate that Apple and Google are in talks regarding licensing Google’s language models for new features in iOS 18.
More About Apple And Google Gemini Integration
The specifics of the AI partnership including terms and branding have not been finalized yet. The manner in which this integration would take place remains uncertain well as mentioned by sources cited in the report. Rumors surrounding the release of iOS 18 suggest that Apple is looking to introduce AI capabilities into its smartphone software. However, Gurman points out that Apple is focusing on developing on device features that do not rely heavily on internet connectivity.
For cloud-based AI functions like generating images and writing essays based on prompts, Apple is searching for a partner with robust hardware infrastructure and computational capabilities already in place. Earlier reports from Gurman indicate that Apple has been working on its version of a language model for OpenAI’s ChatGPT called “Apple GPT” and developing a framework named “Ajax” for large-scale language models. The company seems to be investing in AI research due to the demanding nature of training such models.
According to the report Apple’s technology is said to be less advanced compared to Google and other rival companies, which could make forming a partnership seem like a better option. If the talks don’t succeed the tech giant might consider looking into AI providers like OpenAI or collaborating with several partners. However, a successful deal could offset potential losses resulting from regulatory pressure on the existing search partnership between the two companies.
For several years, Google has paid the iPhone maker billions of dollars to maintain its search engine as the default option in the Safari browser on the devices. However, this arrangement is under regulatory scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice and the European Commission over concerns regarding Google’s search monopoly.
While reports from The Information and analyst Jeff Pu suggest the availability of generative AI features on iPhone and iPad by late 2024, Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst, has cast doubt on this timeline. Kuo stated in August that there is “no sign” of generative AI technology arriving in 2024, suggesting that Apple’s progress in this area lags behind competitors.
