Apple-Google: The handshake that can shake the technology world

After all, Google and Apple are competitors. So, when the press revealed that the two companies were negotiating to bring Google's AI model called Gemini to the iPhone, that information could signal a very close partnership between the two. big' this.

Apple has long had a policy of 'don't do it first, do it right', so it's no surprise that they're behind Google, Samsung or even Qualcomm in the phone AI game. Sources familiar with the matter suggest that at this year's global developers conference, Apple will introduce its own AI-related developments. They are expected to be primarily on-device enhancements - meaning users don't need Internet access to activate.

Apple can cooperate with Google to develop AI-integrated features for iPhone phones. Photo: Apple

But Google's involvement could expand the scope of those AI features. More notably, these features will be even more powerful thanks to the use of information from Google's servers, in addition to Apple's iPhone-specific processor chip.

However, everything is still open as there is also information that Apple is negotiating with OpenAI, the developer of the popular ChatGPT application.

Tech observers point out that current AI models - including ChatGPT and Gemini - are not perfect. At this point in the development cycle of AI technology, errors still occur frequently. Even though ChatGPT and Gemini both have impressive capabilities, even their latest versions are a work in progress. It may take some time (from several quarters to several years) before the technology is perfected enough that errors become extremely rare, or even virtually impossible.

Observers lean towards the possibility of Apple choosing Google. This is not difficult to understand - the two sides have cooperated in the field of online search. According to sources, Google even pays billions of dollars every year to make their search engine the default option in the Safari web browser on iPhones and other devices in the Apple ecosystem.

If the combined plan is successful, Apple will introduce generative AI features on iOS 18, the upcoming version of the mobile operating system on new iPhone devices.

How or even when Gemini AI will appear on the iPhone remains unclear. There are currently two options: Gemini AI embedded as part of iOS or accessed through Google's own apps and services. It's also unclear what will happen to Siri, Apple's AI-powered digital assistant.

Before information about a potential partnership with Apple appeared, Google joined hands with Samsung Electronics to bring Gemini AI to the latest Galaxy S24 smartphone line. Accordingly, Gemini will be integrated into Samsung applications such as Notes, Recording and Keyboard applications on this high-end phone line. Observers say the combination of Google and Samsung Electronics could hint at what could happen with the iPhone

However, based on Apple's development history, the company will not act hastily. Observers also believe that it will be difficult for Apple to gain any benefit from bringing an AI-integrated product to the market right now, especially when current models are still prone to errors, attracting negative public opinion. , along with lawsuits.

Additionally, in the early stages of the AI ​​boom, Apple will benefit from the positives of this technology through Gemini without facing many of the downsides. If something goes wrong, it will be Google's fault, not Apple's.

When the perfect time comes and the AI ​​models are more mature, Apple may have the option of replacing Google's Gemini with its own model. This is similar to when they stopped using Intel chips on Mac devices when Apple's own chip was ready to launch.

In the immediate future, Google and their huge data warehouse are a reasonable choice for Apple. Experts assess the Apple-Google partnership could become the largest AI deal, an important milestone in the technology industry.

According to preliminary forecasts from market tracking company IDC, about 170 million next-generation AI-enabled smartphones are expected to be shipped this year. This number is a significant jump from 51 million last year and will account for nearly 15% of all smartphones shipped worldwide.

IDC said integrating a powerful AI engine on iPhone will significantly contribute to the presence of AI smartphones in the market.

The big question here is whether Gemini integrated on the iPhone can help Google and Apple surpass Microsoft in the AI ​​race? Only time will give the answer. During that waiting period, the tech world will be watching to see how the potential partnership between Google and Apple develops.

David Pac

Update 01 April 2024