Code within the new iOS 18.4 beta shows that Apple appears to be readying an alternative to its ChatGPT integration in Apple Intelligence, with an option to use Google Gemini.
Apple has been upfront from the start of Apple Intelligence that it intended to work with multiple AI partners, including Google with its Gemini service. Now that a developer beta of iOS 18.4 has been released, code within it has been found to include a reference to Google Gemini.
As first spotted by 9to5mac, the code is actually in a backend update that was issued alongside the beta. The code refers to Google rather than to Google Gemini, but the segment also refers to OpenAI instead of that firm’s ChatGPT.
Apple was said to be specifically intending to add integration with Google Gemini back in March 2024. It’s not known why it has taken a year, so far, for it to begin adding it to iOS.
What is known is that Google Gemini, ChatGPT, and other AI services such as Alibaba and Baidu in China, will all integrate into Apple Intelligence in the same way. A user’s request will first be processed on-device by Siri, and then if necessary, will be passed to the integrated AI service with that user’s permission.
Apple’s deal with OpenAI means that user requests are serviced by ChatGPT but no information is retained by the AI firm. It’s certain that any deal with Google would include the same privacy protection.
Similarly, the integration is most likely to be a free addition to the features that Apple Intelligence offers. It has previously been rumored that Apple will charge for some Apple Intelligence features, but not before 2027.
Note that while the presence of code in the iOS 18.4 beta cycle is indicative that the integration will be coming soon, it is not a guarantee.
This story originally appeared on Appleinsider
