Apple's Siri Revamp with Gemini Partnership Gets Personal with Standalone App

At WWDC 2026, Apple unveiled a dramatic overhaul of Siri, positioning it to compete with modern AI assistants. The key move is a partnership with Google Gemini to power Siri’s underlying model as part of Apple Intelligence. A new standalone Siri app lets users text, upload files, and revisit past conversations — mimicking ChatGPT’s interface. Crucially, Siri can now tap into personal data stored on the device, such as Notes and on-screen content, to compose emails, draft group chat texts, and answer context-rich questions. Apple also integrates Siri into the camera app for visual queries akin to Google Lens.

The announcement follows years of stagnation and a humbling 2024 when Apple promised similar features that failed to materialize, leading to a $250M false-advertising lawsuit settlement. Analysts note that while late, Apple has a history of refining others’ innovations (smartphones, smartwatches). The success now hinges on execution and whether users trust Siri with personal data. The revamped Siri is expected to roll out to consumers later this year, signaling Apple’s serious entry into the generative AI assistant race.