Key Points
• Partnership puts Google Gemini at the center of Siri; expected to create huge advancements for capabilities.
• Apple Intelligence can be processed on device (and/or) on a secure cloud; allows for private processing.
• Upgrade aims for better performance across all Apple devices; it aims to provide faster and more accurate answers to all users.
• Market investors expect a big bounce back in iPhone sales due to AI-enabled features and apps.
AI-powered Siri will shape a new era for Apple users through a bold partnership.
This partnership is going to revolutionize the way that Apple users interact with their technology by enabling an entirely new generation of AI-enabled features for Siri and Apple Intelligence. As a result of this partnership, Google’s Gemini is being utilized to provide Apple with a core model that enables it to provide its users with much stronger AI-powered features. The partnership also utilizes Google Cloud services to provide the computing power required to enable advanced AI features. In addition to utilizing Google Cloud services, Apple has made it clear that it is committed to providing private processing for all of the personal data and requests that are used to enable these new AI features. The reason for this is so that they can address the many privacy and security concerns associated with the personal data of each individual user.
Apple has positioned the partnership between itself and Google as a very deliberate and thoughtful decision based upon a thorough evaluation of other leading AI models. They have further stated that Google’s Gemini was the best fit for the development of the new Apple Foundation Model. I believe that the partnership represents a reflection of the sense of urgency and priority placed by Apple on the development of its platform and technologies. After a delay since the preview of the new version of Siri at the WWDC Developer Conference, users are expecting the new and improved version of Siri to enable faster understanding, richer actions, and smarter suggestions across all Apple devices (i.e. iPhone, iPad and Mac).
A healthier December quarter
Investors viewed the partnership as a positive indicator of Apple’s short-term product strategy. Analysts believe that the new AI-enabled features will drive user interest in upgrading their devices throughout the remainder of the year. Additionally, investors are watching the sales trends for iPhones, specifically the expectation that the December quarter will be healthier than prior quarters. A healthier December quarter would suggest increased confidence in both the Apple Intelligence and the related software enhancements. Furthermore, the partnership enhances the position of Google as well, since Google will benefit from the wide distribution of Gemini across millions of Apple devices.
Apple has indicated that the partnership will take place over multiple years and will involve significant financial commitments from Google; however, the exact terms of the financial commitment were not disclosed. Previously reported numbers included large annual payments from Google to access the features and functionality provided through Gemini on all of Apple’s products and services. Although the actual amounts have been kept confidential, the scale of the potential financial commitment is believed to be substantial based on the breadth and depth of the relationship between the two companies.
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ChatGPT versus Gemini
Apple uses both OpenAI and Google to develop certain features for Apple Intelligence. Specifically, Apple has partnered with OpenAI to develop some features that will utilize ChatGPT and Gemini for the processing of certain types of user requests. There are questions about how users will know whether to direct certain tasks to ChatGPT versus Gemini, and there will likely be clear guidelines to assist users with this decision. Apple will likely define the default path(s), as well as define the fallbacks, permissions, and disclosure requirements during subsequent releases of the product.
Ultimately, the goal is to create seamless interactions between the different applications and features that are part of the user’s experience, with the ultimate goal of creating a more intuitive and personalized experience for users.
What to Expect Next
• Faster and more accurate answers to common requests
• Broader app control and integration with other applications
• Better contextual understanding across multiple areas of user activity (e.g. messaging, media, search, documents)
• Improved voice accessibility through faster intent recognition
• More clarity and visibility regarding controls for data sharing and cloud processing preferences
• Steady release of new features aligned with the introduction of new Apple devices and software releases
Overall, the partnership is expected to enable new capabilities and features for users of Apple’s products and services, including a faster and more accurate Siri, greater app control and integration with other applications, and a better and more personalized user experience.
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Investor View and Product Momentum
• The partnership is seen by analysts as a meaningful step toward achieving competitive parity among virtual assistants.
• The partnership provides investors with renewed confidence in Apple’s ability to execute on its product road map and to deliver incremental improvements to Siri.
• Investors also see the partnership as a source of momentum for iPhone sales growth in the second half of 2019.
• Historically, a stronger product cycle has followed the introduction of a number of visible software innovations and enhancements to flagship products and services.
• Google also benefits from the partnership, as Gemini will become a widely distributed service across millions of Apple devices.
Competitive Question Still Matters
• While Apple has announced a partnership with Google to develop features for Siri, Apple also continues to engage with OpenAI to develop select features for Apple Intelligence.
• Users may direct certain tasks to ChatGPT while directing core requests to Gemini.
• Apple will likely develop and implement clear interfaces to allow users to make informed decisions about which interface to use.
• The company will likely establish default pathways for user interaction, as well as clearly defined fallbacks, permissions, and disclosure requirements.
• With time and additional training and feedback from real-world use, results should continue to improve.