
In what might be the most ironic twist of the decade, Apple is reportedly about to pay Google around $1 billion a year so it can finally make Siri smart. Yes, you read that right - Apple, the company that prides itself on "it just works," is now asking Google for help because, well, it just didn't work.
According to Bloomberg, Apple plans to use a custom version of Google's Gemini AI model - the one with 1.2 trillion parameters - to power the next generation of Siri. For comparison, Apple's own AI model currently has around 150 billion parameters, which basically means Siri has been trying to keep up with a calculator while everyone else brought quantum computers to the party.
If you haven't been following this saga, Apple's attempts to turn Siri into an actual AI assistant have been a complete mess. They've spent years on it, poured money into internal teams, delayed launches, and still ended up with the same confused voice that can't even set a timer without asking twice. So now they're turning to Google - their long-time frenemy - to bail them out.
It's a temporary fix, sure. Apple says it's still working on its own AI models, but for now, they need something that actually works before the next iPhone drops. Google, of course, gets to play the role of "good guy" here, handing over its tech while quietly enjoying the fact that Apple, for once, isn't the one leading the innovation race.
Honestly, I don't even blame Apple for this move. Siri has been a terrible assistant for years. It started off strong but while everyone was marching ahead, Siri stayed far behind. If borrowing Google's brain makes it smarter, go for it. But let's be real - for a company that built its empire on pride and perfectionism, this has got to sting.