Apple opens public beta of new Siri, powered by Google's Gemini
The overhauled assistant splits processing between Apple's own hardware and Google's Gemini models — for now without several EU markets and China.
Illustration · AI-generated (AI IN LIFE)
At a glance
- Rollout: English-language public beta, more languages announced for next month
- Technology: models co-developed with Google, based on Gemini
- Processing: split between the device and Apple's Private Cloud Compute
- Excluded for now: several EU platforms and China
- Context: the biggest Siri overhaul since its 2011 launch
Apple has released the English-language public beta of its fundamentally rebuilt voice assistant Siri. It is the largest overhaul of the product since its introduction in 2011.
At the core of the new Siri are models Apple developed jointly with Google; the actual language processing runs on a version of Google's Gemini. Processing is split between the device itself and Apple's own server infrastructure, Private Cloud Compute, which Apple says carries the same privacy guarantees as on-device processing.
The rollout starts in English only, with more languages due next month. Newer devices with enough processing power get priority access.
For now, the launch excludes several platforms in the European Union and is fully on hold in China — two markets with their own regulatory and political hurdles, respectively, for deploying US and Google technology.
The move is strategically delicate for Apple: the company is handing a central part of its most important software product to one of its biggest AI rivals, after its own attempts at a fully in-house generative Siri were repeatedly delayed.
FAQ
Why is Apple relying on Google technology for Siri?
After several publicly known delays in building a fully in-house generative Siri, Apple chose to partner with Google on the underlying language models rather than keep waiting for a fully proprietary solution.
What is Private Cloud Compute?
It is Apple's own server infrastructure for tasks too demanding for the device itself. Apple markets it as carrying the same privacy commitments as processing directly on iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Why isn't the new Siri launching in the EU and China?
In the EU, regulatory requirements play a role; in China, additional political and licensing hurdles apply to foreign AI models. Apple has not given a launch date for either region.
