🍏 Apple is Testing Gemini for Siri as Big Revamp Looms

NewBits Media
Aug 31
2 min read

Apple is in active talks with Google about a custom Gemini model that would run on Apple servers and supercharge Siri. A decision on whether to use Gemini—or stick with Apple’s own “Linwood” project—is expected within weeks.

🗞️ The Gist

Two tracks are underway: Apple’s in-house model (Linwood) and an external option (Glenwood). Whichever path wins out will define the Siri overhaul now targeting spring 2026.

🔎 Details

Apple has also sounded out Anthropic and OpenAI, though ChatGPT is already available as an optional extension inside Siri settings today. The revamp is positioned as the most significant Siri upgrade in years.

💡 Why It’s Important

If Apple is testing Gemini for Siri, it’s not just about catching up with rivals—it’s about accelerating reasoning, tool use, and multi-step action support. Running Gemini on Apple’s servers would also keep privacy intact while buying time for Apple’s own models to mature.

👀 What to Watch

Whether Apple bets on Linwood or an external partner.

How work will split between on-device and server-side tasks.

If Siri 2026 finally gets deeper app control beyond simple hand-offs.

🗓️ Quick Timeline

June ’25: Apple weighed Anthropic and OpenAI.

Aug ’25: Google talks surface.

Spring ’26: Target window for the big Siri relaunch.

🔎 Why Apple is Testing Gemini for Siri

Industry watchers say this test run is about speed—seeing if Gemini can deliver multi-step reasoning faster than Apple’s own models—while ensuring Apple’s long-term plan to own the Siri stack stays alive.

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