Apple is deep into an internal project, code-named “Glenwood,” to fundamentally fix Siri, and its primary weapon will be a $1 billion-a-year infusion of technology from its rival, Google. This initiative, led by senior executives Mike Rockwell and Craig Federighi, is finalizing a deal to license a 1.2 trillion parameter Gemini AI model. This ultrapowerful model will serve as the new brain for the completely rebuilt voice assistant, which is itself code-named “Linwood” and scheduled to launch next spring, likely with iOS 26.4.
The “Glenwood” project’s reliance on a third party highlights Apple’s admission that its own AI has fallen behind. After an exhaustive review of models from OpenAI and Anthropic, Apple selected Google’s Gemini as the most capable “interim solution.” The goal is to use this advanced AI to bridge the technology gap immediately, giving Apple a competitive product while its own teams, which have recently seen talent departures, race to build a replacement. Apple is currently working on its own 1 trillion parameter model, but it is not yet ready.
The new “Linwood” version of Siri will be a hybrid system. Google’s 1.2 trillion parameter model will be responsible for the most demanding cognitive tasks, specifically the “summariser” and “planner” functions. This will allow Siri to synthesize large amounts of information and figure out how to execute complex, multi-part user requests. Simpler functions and other features of Apple Intelligence will continue to run on Apple’s smaller, in-house models, balancing performance with efficiency.
A critical component of the deal is Apple’s strict privacy mandate. The Google-built Gemini model will be hosted entirely on Apple’s Private Cloud Compute servers. This architecture creates a “walled-off” environment, guaranteeing that no Apple user data is ever processed by or shared with Google’s infrastructure. This allows Apple to leverage the power of Google’s AI without breaking its core promise of data privacy, a promise that is central to its brand identity and marketing.
This partnership will not be publicly celebrated. Apple intends to treat Google as a silent, “behind-the-scenes” supplier, a stark contrast to the highly visible Safari search deal. Furthermore, this deal is distinct from earlier discussions about adding Gemini as a chatbot, which failed to materialize. This is a deeper, more fundamental integration into Siri’s core. However, the temporary nature of the deal remains, as Apple executives still hope to eventually achieve AI independence from their chief competitor.