Apple is still planning to roll out its revamped version of Siri around March of next year. The release should be accompanied by the release of a new smart home display product with speaker-base and wall-mount options. A new Apple TV and HomePod mini, which are set for launch soon, will also "help showcase" next year's new Siri and Apple Intelligence features.
The new version of Siri will apparently "lean" on Google's Gemini and include an AI-powered web search feature. Gurman warned "there's no guarantee users will embrace it, that it will work seamlessly or that it can undo years of damage to the Siri brand."
Apple is said to be paying Google to create a custom Gemini-based model that can run on its Private Cloud Compute servers to power Siri. Gurman clarified that this doesn't mean Siri will include Google services or Gemini features. Instead, Siri will simply be powered by a Gemini model in the background, enabling it to deliver the features that users expect with an Apple user interface.
Apple will preview iOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27 and other operating systems at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June. The updates will apparently focus on major updates to Apple Intelligence and the company's broader AI strategy.
The company is also apparently still running into problems with the launch of Apple Intelligence in China. Despite partnerships with Chinese companies, Apple Intelligence in China is still mired by regulatory issues and the launch is now a "rolling target."
Apple today announced a "special Apple Experience" in New York, London, and Shanghai, taking place on March 4, 2026 at 9:00am ET.
Apple invited select members of the media to the event in three major cities around the world. It is simply described as a "special Apple Experience," and there is no further information about what it may entail. The invitation features a 3D Apple logo design...
Thursday February 12, 2026 11:17 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple plans to release an iPhone 17e and an iPad Air with an M4 chip "in the coming weeks," according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
"Apple retail employees say that inventory of the iPhone 16e has basically dried out and the iPad Air is seeing shortages as well," said Gurman. "I've been expecting new versions of both (iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air) in the coming weeks."...
Friday February 13, 2026 2:01 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple plans to launch a rebranded "Sales Coach" app on the iPhone and iPad later this month, according to a source familiar with the matter.
"Sales Coach" will arrive as an update to Apple's existing "SEED" app, and it will continue to provide sales tips and training resources to Apple Store and Apple Authorized Reseller employees around the world. For example, there are articles and videos...
Friday February 13, 2026 8:43 am PST by Joe Rossignol
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still seven months away, an analyst has revealed five new features the devices will allegedly have.
Rumored color options for the iPhone 18 Pro models
In a research note with investment firm GF Securities on Thursday, analyst Jeff Pu outlined the following upgrades for the iPhone 18 Pro models:
Smaller Dynamic Island: It has been rumored...
Friday February 13, 2026 4:18 pm PST by Juli Clover
Apple has a long list of new products rumored for 2026, including a series of home products that will see the company establishing more of a presence in the smart home space. Robots are on the horizon for 2027, but the 2026 releases will be a little tamer.
HomePod mini
We're expecting a new HomePod mini 2 to launch at any time. Apple isn't going to update the device's design, but we could...
The new version of Siri will apparently "lean" on Google's Gemini and include an AI-powered web search feature. Gurman warned "there's no guarantee users will embrace it, that it will work seamlessly or that it can undo years of damage to the Siri brand."
There certainly is not any guarantee! Some of us will actively avoid it, in fact.
Whatever fits this description is what Tim Cook will do.
He doesn't care, at all, if the products are good to great if it were to conflict with counting the most beans.
In Tim Apple's world a great product is defined by what's great for short term shareholder value
To have insight into when you can give the middle finger to short term bean counters and know what and where the market will be is something that I believe Jobs had a handle on like no other person and is a gap that Apple will eventually face consequences from (I mean over a very long term as the post-smartphone personal computing market evolves)
They should've just paired with an AI company early on, announced the new Siri (without a release date), and called it a day. Google, OpenAI, whatever. Just SOMETHING. Stringing us along and making false promises killed a lot of trust and respect for some people (I know a few) and it's hard to defend (if at all).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Cupertino, California — Apple PR Department (still pretending this was the plan all along)
[HR][/HR] [HEADING=2]Siri Gets a “Boost” From Google Gemini — What Could Possibly Go Wrong?[/HEADING] Apple today proudly announced that Siri—the world’s most polite reminder to use your thumbs—is now teaming up with Google’s Gemini. Yes, that Gemini. The one made by the same company that still can’t decide if “Chat” and “Meet” are separate apps.
This bold new collaboration will make Siri “smarter, more conversational, and slightly more existentially confused.” When you ask Siri a tough question—like “What’s the best Italian restaurant near me?” or “Why did Apple do this?”—she’ll politely hand it off to Gemini, who will answer with confidence, ads, and probably a paragraph about AI ethics.
[HR][/HR] [HEADING=2]The Future of Intelligence (Please Don’t Ask Who’s in Charge)[/HEADING] With Gemini’s help, Siri can now provide “more dynamic and informative responses,” meaning she’ll finally say more than “Here’s what I found on the web.” Instead, she’ll say:
“One moment, I’ll ask my friend from Mountain View.”
We call it collaboration. You might call it outsourcing cognition.
[HR][/HR] [HEADING=2]Privacy: Still Our Favorite Buzzword[/HEADING] Apple remains fully committed to privacy. That’s why Siri will only share your data with Gemini after asking permission—using a pop-up that’s four paragraphs long and looks legally binding.
Craig Federighi reassured users:
“We’re not sharing your data. We’re just letting another trillion-dollar company borrow it briefly for computational enlightenment.”
[HR][/HR] [HEADING=2]Coming This Fall with Apple Intelligence[/HEADING] The new Siri powered by Gemini will launch this fall, right alongside your growing suspicion that AI assistants are all merging into one big, slightly smug cloud.
Early testers say Siri now feels “shockingly competent,” “slightly Google-y,” and “like she just got a Stanford degree she didn’t pay for.”
