Apple's Gemini-Powered Siri: The February Reveal

The long wait for a truly intelligent Siri may be nearing its end. According to reports, Apple is preparing to unveil a significantly enhanced version of its voice assistant, powered by Google's Gemini AI models. This move represents a major strategic shift for the tech giant, which has been working to elevate its AI offerings since the initial announcement at WWDC 2024.

The new Siri is expected to behave more like an advanced AI chatbot, similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT, offering a more conversational and capable user experience. This transformation is the result of a recently announced partnership between Apple and Google, signaling a new chapter in the competitive AI landscape.

Apple's plan is to showcase its new Siri in the second half of February. This initial reveal will not be a full public launch but rather a demonstration of the capabilities achieved through the Google partnership. The event is expected to offer a first look at the Gemini-powered features that will define the next generation of Siri.

Following this demonstration, the new Siri is slated to make its debut in iOS 26.4. This software update is already on a clear timeline, with beta testing scheduled to begin in February. A public release for all users is anticipated in March or early April, bringing the advanced AI assistant to compatible devices.

The timeline for the new Siri's rollout is structured in several key stages:

• February: Initial demonstration of Gemini-powered capabilities
• February: iOS 26.4 beta testing begins
• March/Early April: Public release of iOS 26.4 with new Siri
• Summer: Grand reveal at Apple's annual developer conference

The project behind this new Siri is reportedly operating under the codename Campos. While the February event will serve as an initial showcase, a more comprehensive, grand reveal is planned for the summer. This larger unveiling is expected to take place at Apple's annual developer conference, providing developers and the public with a deeper dive into the new capabilities.

Looking further ahead, the full suite of Gemini-powered Apple Intelligence features, including the new Siri, is expected to arrive with the next major operating system updates. These are anticipated to be iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27. Beta versions of this software are projected to be available in the summer, with a wider public release to follow.

This collaboration with Google marks a pivotal moment for Apple's AI ambitions. By integrating Gemini into its core assistant, Apple is leveraging external expertise to accelerate its progress in the AI race. The partnership was recently announced, and the February demonstration will be the first public evidence of its tangible results.

The shift to a more chatbot-like interface for Siri suggests a fundamental change in how users will interact with their Apple devices. Instead of simple command-and-response functions, the new Siri is expected to handle more complex, conversational queries, making it a more versatile tool for everyday tasks.

The new Siri will behave more like an AI chatbot, similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT.

The coming months are set to be transformative for Apple's ecosystem. The February demonstration will provide the first concrete details about the new Siri's capabilities, setting the stage for its public debut in the spring. This will be followed by a more detailed presentation at the summer developer conference.

For users, this means a more powerful and intuitive assistant is on the horizon. The integration of Gemini promises to make Siri a more competitive player in the AI space, potentially changing how millions of people interact with their devices daily. The full rollout, culminating with the iOS 27 release, will mark the completion of this significant upgrade.