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Alliances between companies are pretty common, even if they are considered rivals. Apple and Google are some of the biggest rivals in the tech space, but both companies have acknowledged that they both need each other. Apple has the type of customers and reach in the premium market that Google wants.
Google has reliable services and familiarity that people are comfortable with. This is why both companies have worked together in the past, and it is also why we can’t say we’re too surprised to hear the rumors that they could be working together again on AI.
According to the latest rumors, Apple and Google are reportedly in talks to potentially use Google’s Gemini AI technology to help power some future cloud-based AI features for iOS.
Apple’s bad track record
Apple has a history of launching half-baked services. MobileMe (the predecessor to iCloud) is a good example of that. Siri, once touted as a revolutionary voice assistant, fell way short of expectations, leaving users frustrated with its limitations and leading to lawsuits. Apple Maps, which was supposed to give iOS users a chance to replace Google Maps, was another failure, resulting in the app giving users wrong directions.
Those are some examples that gave us pause when it was revealed that Apple is working on its own AI technology. We don’t need another Siri fiasco. With the rumor that they could be working with Google on part of its AI services, our faith has been renewed. It also shows that Apple is humble enough to acknowledge that what they have right now isn’t 100% ready. Also, instead of launching something half-baked, they’re willing to work with another company in the meantime.
This rumored partnership won’t just affect iOS or iPhone users. The ripple effects could extend beyond Cupertino and Mountain View.
Impact on Microsoft and OpenAI
Microsoft has faced setbacks in its quest for mobile platform dominance. The company has decided to pivot towards integrating its services with iOS and Android. This allows them to gain a foothold in the mobile space in a different way.
Apple and Google’s collaboration could pose a challenge to Microsoft and its partnership with OpenAI. The synergy between Apple and Google has the potential to overshadow Microsoft’s efforts.
Microsoft and OpenAI both have their own dedicated AI apps. Both companies envision their AI platforms as having the potential to replace Google Assistant on Android as the default assistant app.
OpenAI could be a better partner
That being said, we have to wonder if maybe Apple could be better off collaborating with OpenAI. OpenAI isn’t a small company by any means, but Apple working with OpenAI could give them a much wider reach. It could allow both companies to grow and learn together in the AI space, where OpenAI could have a lot more users to learn and train their AI with.
Apple’s collaboration with Google has the potential to widen the gap. From a business perspective, it makes sense that neither of these companies want anyone close to catching up. But from a tech perspective, maybe Apple using their customer base and resources to “prop” up OpenAI could be a good thing for the industry on a whole.
It is possible that the familiarity with Google’s products and established infrastructure could offer a smoother integration process, particularly for mainstream consumers.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the success of Apple’s foray into AI hinges on the performance of its AI-powered services. If Apple does not start things right, customers will quickly lose faith in the company’s abilities and pivot to third-party alternatives. It will be tough for Apple to try and earn back that trust. The potential for failure is there, and only time will reveal the true extent of Apple and Google’s collaborative efforts.
In conclusion, the collaboration between Apple and Google in the AI space marks a significant turning point for both companies. For Apple, it represents a strategic shift towards prioritizing user experience and learning from past mistakes. But it should also be noted that the ramifications extend beyond mere corporate alliances, and could pose a challenge for competitors like Microsoft and OpenAI.
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