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Google has officially confirmed that the new, personalized Siri will be based on Gemini technology by 2026. Google Cloud chief Thomas Kurian announced the collaboration at Google Cloud Next 2026 in Las Vegas – and publicly named Apple as a cloud customer for the first time.
The long-promised new Siri is receiving official support. Not from Cupertino – but from Mountain View. Google Cloud chief Thomas Kurian confirmed at the Google Cloud Next 2026 developer conference what Apple observers have been expecting for months: Gemini will power the next generation of Apple Intelligence. And Google is Apple's preferred cloud provider for it.
Kurian's words are unusually direct for a partnership between two corporations that are typically competitors rather than partners. He describes the collaboration as a "monumental partnership" with one of the world's most iconic brands. Google is developing the next generation of Apple Foundation Models together with Apple – based on Gemini technology. These models will power future Apple intelligence features, including the personalized Siri, which is expected to launch later this year.
The confirmation provides no new details
The content of Kurian's statement isn't exactly groundbreaking. Apple itself confirmed to CNBC back in February 2026 that the new Siri would be released that year. The Google Gemini platform had also leaked several times. What is new, however, is the manner of confirmation: For the first time, Google itself is speaking publicly and officially about the collaboration with Apple – at its own keynote address, in front of the entire tech industry.
This is strategically interesting. For Apple, the partnership is actually an uncomfortable admission – the company, which uses data privacy as a brand promise, has to rely on external technology for AI because its own models aren't ready quickly enough. For Google, it's a success: winning Apple as a customer is a major accolade for Google Cloud.
The Siri delay: No official postponement
An often overlooked point: The new Siri is not technically "late." After the initial delay in March 2025, Apple only vaguely spoke of "next year," without a concrete launch date. Later, they promised "sometime in 2026." The originally planned spring 2026 version reportedly failed due to accuracy issues – the current roadmap aims for a later launch that year.
Specifically, this means Apple has until December 31, 2026, to release the new Siri. Based on current leaks, the most likely launch date is autumn – alongside iOS 27, which will be unveiled at WWDC on June 8.
It was leaked on Monday that Mike Rockwell, who is leading the Siri redesign, will remain on board despite internal tensions. His role is stable until the Siri redesign is complete – a good sign for the targeted 2026 launch.
Open questions: Private cloud computing or Google servers?
One important detail remains unclear. Apple has developed its own privacy-friendly cloud system, Private Cloud Compute, which processes sensitive user requests on Apple-controlled servers. Does the new Gemini-based Siri run on this system – or are user data sent to Google servers?
Kurian calls Google Cloud “Apple’s preferred cloud provider,” but leaves open which data actually ends up with Google and which remains with Apple. This is a critical question for data privacy. Apple will likely try to keep as much as possible on its own servers – also to uphold its brand promise.
In parallel: Apple opens Siri to other AIs
Another interesting development this week is that Apple plans to open up Siri in iOS 27 to Anthropic's Claude and other AI tools. This would allow users to configure an AI engine of their choice, rather than relying solely on Gemini as a base.
Apple is pursuing a clever strategy: The company is diversifying its AI dependencies instead of putting all its eggs in one basket. Gemini is the default partner, but users and developers are given choices. This protects Apple from over-reliance on Google and gives customers the freedom to use their preferred AI.
Siri: What this means strategically
Google's public confirmation marks a turning point in Apple's AI strategy. The company, which long relied on in-house development, is now openly accepting external technology as the foundation for one of its most important future features. This is pragmatic – and probably necessary to catch up in the AI race.
At the same time, the question remains how Apple will maintain its privacy narrative in this new reality. Incoming CEO John Ternus has already indicated that he intends to pursue AI more aggressively than Tim Cook. How he reconciles this with Apple's historically strong privacy priority will be one of the most intriguing questions of his future tenure.
Users will likely learn more about Siri's future at the WWDC keynote on June 8th – or at the latest with the iOS 27 launch in the fall. (Image: Mojahid_Mottakin / DepositPhotos.com)
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