Google CEO Sundar Pichai has confirmed that discussions are underway to integrate Gemini—Google’s artificial intelligence chatbot—into Apple’s devices. The revelation came during a high-stakes courtroom moment on Wednesday, when Pichai testified under oath in the U.S. government’s ongoing antitrust trial against Google.
Department of Justice lawyer Veronica Onyema asked Pichai if Gemini was expected to be integrated into Apple’s operating systems by mid-2025.
“Correct,” Pichai responded.
That single word marked the first public confirmation that Apple is preparing to add Gemini as an AI option within Siri. It’s a deal that, if completed, could mark a turning point in Apple’s AI strategy—and expand Google’s AI reach into billions of iPhones globally.
Tim Cook wanted answers
The talks weren’t a shot in the dark. Pichai said he and Apple CEO Tim Cook held multiple discussions last year focused on the future of AI.
“He [Cook] was trying to understand our plans for how we're evolving AI technologies, our roadmap, and as part of that, we talked about the Gemini app distribution as well,” Pichai told the court.
He added that Cook signalled a broader openness to integrating third-party models into Apple Intelligence later this year.
“I’ve had a series of conversations with Tim Cook across last year,” Pichai testified. “I’m hopeful we can get Gemini added as an option this year.”
From rivals to AI partners?
The two tech giants have a long and complex relationship. Google was embedded into the iPhone as early as 2007, when YouTube launched as a default app. More significantly, Google has paid billions of dollars to remain the default search engine on Safari—a deal now under legal scrutiny in this antitrust trial.
Still, even amid competitive tensions, the companies appear aligned on one front: giving users more AI choices.
At Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in 2024, Apple Senior Vice President Craig Federighi said,
“We want to enable users ultimately to choose the models they want, maybe Google Gemini in the future.”
He later added, “We're looking forward to doing integrations with other models, including Google Gemini, for instance, in the future.”
The road to Siri reinvention
Apple’s AI system, branded Apple Intelligence, already includes integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT for more complex tasks like drafting text and generating images. That collaboration, announced during WWDC 2024, signalled Apple’s new openness to external models.
A similar arrangement with Google could work in the same way—giving Siri the option to delegate queries to Gemini when needed. The integration would be opt-in and focused on improving Siri’s ability to manage nuanced or multifaceted requests.
Clues of the upcoming partnership were discovered by MacRumors analyst Aaron Perris in the iOS 18.4 beta. Strings of code revealed a “Third-party model” menu that listed Google, hinting that the groundwork for Gemini integration was already underway.
A WWDC reveal likely?
While no formal agreement has been announced yet, Pichai’s mention of a “mid-2025” timeline suggests the deal may be finalised within weeks. If that happens, a reveal could come as soon as Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, set to begin on 9 June.
This would be the second year in a row Apple unveils a major AI collaboration at WWDC. Last year’s announcement with OpenAI brought ChatGPT into Siri. This year, it could be Gemini’s turn.
For Google, winning this integration is about more than prestige. It’s a strategic push to get Gemini in front of billions of new users, beyond the Android ecosystem.
For Apple, it’s part of a slow but deliberate shift towards an AI landscape where users can choose the model they trust. While Apple has its own in-house AI capabilities, it recognises the need to keep pace with global developments—and give users options.
In the backdrop, though, the US government’s antitrust case against Google continues. The trial hinges on whether Google's business deals, like its default search status in Safari, unfairly limit competition.
Now, that very courtroom has become the stage for what could be one of the most consequential tech collaborations of the AI era.
(With inputs from TOI)
Department of Justice lawyer Veronica Onyema asked Pichai if Gemini was expected to be integrated into Apple’s operating systems by mid-2025.
“Correct,” Pichai responded.
That single word marked the first public confirmation that Apple is preparing to add Gemini as an AI option within Siri. It’s a deal that, if completed, could mark a turning point in Apple’s AI strategy—and expand Google’s AI reach into billions of iPhones globally.
Tim Cook wanted answers
The talks weren’t a shot in the dark. Pichai said he and Apple CEO Tim Cook held multiple discussions last year focused on the future of AI.
“He [Cook] was trying to understand our plans for how we're evolving AI technologies, our roadmap, and as part of that, we talked about the Gemini app distribution as well,” Pichai told the court.
He added that Cook signalled a broader openness to integrating third-party models into Apple Intelligence later this year.
“I’ve had a series of conversations with Tim Cook across last year,” Pichai testified. “I’m hopeful we can get Gemini added as an option this year.”
From rivals to AI partners?
The two tech giants have a long and complex relationship. Google was embedded into the iPhone as early as 2007, when YouTube launched as a default app. More significantly, Google has paid billions of dollars to remain the default search engine on Safari—a deal now under legal scrutiny in this antitrust trial.
Still, even amid competitive tensions, the companies appear aligned on one front: giving users more AI choices.
At Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in 2024, Apple Senior Vice President Craig Federighi said,
“We want to enable users ultimately to choose the models they want, maybe Google Gemini in the future.”
He later added, “We're looking forward to doing integrations with other models, including Google Gemini, for instance, in the future.”
The road to Siri reinvention
Apple’s AI system, branded Apple Intelligence, already includes integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT for more complex tasks like drafting text and generating images. That collaboration, announced during WWDC 2024, signalled Apple’s new openness to external models.
A similar arrangement with Google could work in the same way—giving Siri the option to delegate queries to Gemini when needed. The integration would be opt-in and focused on improving Siri’s ability to manage nuanced or multifaceted requests.
Clues of the upcoming partnership were discovered by MacRumors analyst Aaron Perris in the iOS 18.4 beta. Strings of code revealed a “Third-party model” menu that listed Google, hinting that the groundwork for Gemini integration was already underway.
A WWDC reveal likely?
While no formal agreement has been announced yet, Pichai’s mention of a “mid-2025” timeline suggests the deal may be finalised within weeks. If that happens, a reveal could come as soon as Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, set to begin on 9 June.
This would be the second year in a row Apple unveils a major AI collaboration at WWDC. Last year’s announcement with OpenAI brought ChatGPT into Siri. This year, it could be Gemini’s turn.
For Google, winning this integration is about more than prestige. It’s a strategic push to get Gemini in front of billions of new users, beyond the Android ecosystem.
For Apple, it’s part of a slow but deliberate shift towards an AI landscape where users can choose the model they trust. While Apple has its own in-house AI capabilities, it recognises the need to keep pace with global developments—and give users options.
In the backdrop, though, the US government’s antitrust case against Google continues. The trial hinges on whether Google's business deals, like its default search status in Safari, unfairly limit competition.
Now, that very courtroom has become the stage for what could be one of the most consequential tech collaborations of the AI era.
(With inputs from TOI)
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