Apple and Google Eye Gemini Integration in iOS 18 and Beyond
Apple appears to be leaning on Google’s Gemini neural network platform for iOS 18 and forthcoming iPhone models, rather than building a homegrown solution from scratch. This shift has become a talking point in the latest Power On newsletter, with insights attributed to a well-known insider and Bloomberg reporter, Mark Gurman.
Gurman’s reporting suggests that conversations between Apple and Google are already underway. The idea under consideration is a licensing arrangement that would allow Gemini to run on iPhones, enabling Apple devices to access sophisticated AI capabilities directly on the hardware. In addition, the tip indicates that Apple has reached out to OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, with a similar licensing inquiry, signaling a broader strategy to source advanced AI tooling from multiple external partners.
There has long been public interest in integrating neural network features into iOS. With iOS 18, Apple fronted a promise to bring neural network functionality to a wide user base, but internal timelines and engineering challenges reportedly prevented the company from delivering its own Ajax-style platform in time for the initial release. As a result, Apple is exploring collaborations with established AI developers to provide cutting-edge capabilities while it continues to develop its internal AI stack.
Details about any potential licensing terms remain undisclosed. Still, Gurman indicates that should a deal move forward, the primary use of Gemini on iPhone devices would center on text and image rendering, enabling apps and the system itself to interpret, generate, and enhance multimedia content with greater efficiency. The strategic aim would be to offer seamless AI experiences to users, such as more natural language interactions and higher quality image processing, while maintaining strong privacy and security controls integral to Apple’s product philosophy.
In related market observations, developers and consumers alike have shown sustained interest in neural network-driven tools that can transform how information is created and consumed on mobile devices. The broader industry context includes firms exploring partnerships to bring powerful AI capabilities to smartphones, wearables, and other connected devices. The evolving landscape reflects a shift toward AI-grade computing that operates close to users, reducing latency and expanding what is possible with on-device intelligence, while still leveraging cloud-based models when appropriate for more demanding tasks.