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Apple's long-awaited update for Siri is getting close to being released, and this time, it will have smarter features driven by Google’s Gemini AI. As reported by Bloomberg, Apple is set to launch the revamped voice assistant in March 2026, which represents one of the company's most significant software updates in years as it gets ready to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The upgraded Siri is anticipated to lead Apple's next generation of AI-based products and services, offering smarter voice interactions, better understanding of context, and tight integration across iPhones, Macs, and Home devices. Apple is said to plan to release this alongside new smart home gadgets, including a voice-activated display and security system aimed at competing with Amazon’s Echo and Google’s Nest products. This also highlights Apple's unusual partnership with Google, which is one of its biggest competitors in the mobile industry. The new features of Siri are expected to depend on Google’s Gemini AI model for handling complex questions and online searches, while Apple's own intelligence will focus on processing data on each device and protecting user privacy. This combination may enable Siri to perform more complicated tasks and deliver clear, conversational responses, similar to the latest versions of ChatGPT or Google Assistant.
If this is true, it wouldn't be surprising since Apple has been falling behind in providing effective AI features. Some basic tools, like the AI eraser, still do not produce the clean results that many Android phones achieve. It seems the company might need additional time to improve its Apple Intelligence, leading them to consider working with Google to uphold their image. This action resembles how Apple has depended on Google Search in Safari for a long time. Nevertheless, Apple’s journey in AI comes with challenges. Experts in the industry indicate that the success of this new Siri will be vital for Apple’s larger ambitions in AI. After being criticized for being outdated and inconsistent compared to Alexa and Google Assistant for years, Siri's 2026 version will need to demonstrate that Apple can keep up in the fast-evolving AI race. The integration of Gemini-powered capabilities could finally provide the depth and flexibility users have been asking for, but Apple must ensure smooth performance while maintaining its strong privacy reputation.
The timing of this launch is carefully planned. Apple is stepping into 2026 with solid financial health, hoping for an exceptional holiday season with sales potentially reaching $140 billion. The company also intends to update its hardware lineup in early next year, which will include the iPhone 17e, an upgraded iPad Air featuring the M4 chip, and MacBook models powered by the M5 chip. However, the new Siri is expected to take center stage, guiding Apple’s software and ecosystem plans for the coming decade.
Reports suggest that Apple's efforts in AI will happen in phases. Following Siri’s introduction in March, the company will present iOS 27 and macOS 27 at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, both filled with new AI capabilities. Later in the year, Apple is likely to explore new product types — such as foldable iPhones, smart home gadgets, and even initial versions of smart glasses.
However, Apple’s goals in AI are being pursued amidst significant internal and external difficulties. The company is facing regulatory challenges that could alter its App Store operations and increasing trade conflicts that pose risks to its manufacturing in China. Changes in leadership among Apple’s executives might also affect how swiftly the company embraces the AI transformation.
