As Apple prepares to unveil its AI plans for the iPhone, a potential partnership with Google is likely to be strengthened by a similar deal with China's Baidu.
While each flagship Android device launches a push toward generative AI, Apple's iPhone 15 family has been left behind in the market. AI is built into the software (like image processing and predictive text input), but generative AI won't be added until the next version of iOS. Thankfully, iOS 18 will be announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference this summer and will be available on the next-generation iPhone 16 family.
Like most smartphone manufacturers, Apple will focus on AI processing on the device and in the cloud. Tim Cook and his team will no doubt take advantage of Apple's public reputation for keeping as much data as possible on the device for local processing. Still, Apple will likely need to use the cloud for processing-intensive AI applications.
Apple is reportedly working on partnering with Google to use its Gemini-generated AI service to do just that. It's collaborating on several fronts, including making Google the default search engine (for which it pays a lot of money) while working with companies pushing for adoption of rival Android OSes. Google will no doubt be attracted to the tens of millions of iPhone owners who take advantage of the AI ​​that Apple can offer. This will be a key resource for the company as it seeks to establish its AI system over rivals such as OpenAI. David Phelan from Forbes has more on this.
Due to several factors, including coal regulations and scrutiny of generated AI modems by government regulators, Google's Gemini is not available in China, so an alternative must be found. Raffaele Huang of the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple has begun negotiations with China's Baidu to include cloud-based AI services in the upcoming iOS 18 and iPhone 16 families.
Apple isn't alone in this path. At the recent Galaxy Unpacked, Samsung not only revealed its new Galaxy S24 family, but also its Galaxy AI services…some of which are powered by Google Gemini. What is the solution for providing AI services in China? Baidu.
I'm interested in how Apple differentiates its AI services on a technical level if it builds on the same technology as its competitors.
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