According to reports, Google and Apple are in discussions about bringing the Google Gemini AI model to the iPhone. This has the potential to make generative artificial intelligence a requirement for new smartphones. This partnership could have big effects on the role of AI in smartphones, suggesting that it is no longer a feature that only a few models have but is now a feature that all new phones must have. The deal, which is still just a rumor, would mean that Apple needs to add generative AI to the iPhone right away. According to Bob O’Donnell, president and chief analyst at Technalysis Research, this deal demonstrates how dramatically generative AI features have influenced everyone, including Apple. Both Apple and Google have not responded to a request for comment yet.
iPhone AI: Borrowing & Building
Apple is thinking about using Google’s AI model to power new features while also making its own iPhone tools based on AI. Bloomberg says that Google’s AI models would likely be used to power cloud-based iPhone features, such as tools for editing photos and making content based on prompts. Apple is also in talks with other businesses, such as OpenAI, about working together. This partnership seems to be a continuation of Apple and Google’s current work together. Google already pays Apple a lot of money to be the iPhone’s default search engine.
It is common for Apple to work with other tech companies while also making its own products. Apple gets 5G modems for the iPhone from Qualcomm. Apple formerly used Intel chips in its Macs before making its own M-series processors.
Samsung & Google AI: Short-Term Fix
The results of an AI partnership between Samsung and Google are hard to predict, but Samsung has already tried a mixed approach with Galaxy AI, which has tools that use both Samsung’s and Google’s AI models. Samsung has said that it might charge for some Galaxy AI features in the future. Apple is already doing this with its many subscription services.
Apple usually waits until technologies are more developed or until it figures out its own way to do things. Samsung, on the other hand, likes to be quick and early. Based on Bloomberg’s report, any Gemini-based features would just be a temporary fix until the iPhone gets bigger changes based on AI. Reports say that Apple is working on AI features that will be processed on the device and built into the iPhone’s operating system.
Generative AI Takes Over Smartphones
In the years 2023 and 2024, generative AI has become more and more important in smartphones. It used to only be found in web tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Bing search engine. If Apple and Google work together, it will show that features based on generative AI are important for the smartphone industry. International Data Corporation, a market research company, says that 170 million “next-gen AI smartphones” will be shipped in 2024. This is 15% of all smartphones shipped that year. Gartner also thinks that 240 million of these devices will be shipped in 2024, which is 22% of all basic and premium smartphones shipped that year.
ChatGPT’s Success Opens the Door for Apple
One of the most popular free apps in the US is OpenAI’s ChatGPT iPhone app, which came out less than a year ago. Apple is known for making technologies like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches popular, so its take on generative AI is likely to be important. Analysts asked Apple about its plans for generative AI during its most recent earnings call. CEO Tim Cook responded, “There is a huge opportunity for Apple with Gen AI and AI.”
Apple is not always the first to use new technologies, but generative AI is not the same as foldable phones. The success of ChatGPT showed that generative AI had a place in our lives before it spread to other services and devices. If Apple and Google work together to add Gemini to iPhones, it will be expected that generative AI will be an important part of modern smartphones. This will make the technology really popular on phones.
