Apple is developing a new Siri feature, codenamed “World Knowledge Answer,” aimed at enhancing AI search functionalities akin to Google Search, Perplexity, and ChatGPT. This feature will utilize a custom version of Google’s Gemini model and will run on Apple’s cloud servers, providing structured, multimedia-rich summaries from the web. Expected to be integrated into Safari and the “Focus” search feature, the launch is anticipated for March 2025 with iOS 26.4. Despite a formal testing agreement with Google, Apple will continue using its own model for local searches. The tech giant is also assessing partnerships for Siri’s planning capabilities, having earlier reconsidered Anthropic due to high costs. Amid talent loss to competitors like Meta, Apple’s ongoing evaluations for AI enhancements draw parallels to past pivotal moments in its history, including the acquisition of NeXT that revitalized the company under Steve Jobs.
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