TL;DR
Apple has formally sealed a deal to use Google's Gemini model to power new Siri features, a development discussed on the 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcast. Hosts also evaluated the newly announced Apple Creator Studio subscription and described a courtside Vision Pro experience, while touching on iCloud backup reliability.
What happened
On the latest 9to5Mac Happy Hour episode, hosts Benjamin Mayo and Chance Miller examined the implications of Apple’s official agreement to use Google’s Gemini model as the engine behind upcoming Siri enhancements. They discussed Apple’s plans to refine Gemini internally and keep Siri free of Google branding, and speculated about when the first Gemini-powered Siri features might begin appearing in consumer devices. The conversation also covered Apple’s new Creator Studio subscription bundle, weighing its appeal for creators, and Miller recounted a personal experience viewing basketball courtside through an Apple Vision Pro device. In the show's premium segment, the hosts debated whether iCloud alone is a dependable backup solution and suggested adopting additional backup strategies. The episode links to published reporting on the deal, Creator Studio, Vision Pro experiences, and related Apple service developments.
Why it matters
- Shifting Siri to a large language model could materially change how Apple’s voice assistant understands and responds to complex queries.
- Apple fine-tuning Gemini internally suggests efforts to align the model with Apple’s product and privacy standards.
- New creator-focused subscriptions may influence how Apple bundles and monetizes productivity and creative apps.
- Vision Pro demonstrations of live sports hint at broader use cases for spatial computing in entertainment and live events.
Key facts
- Apple officially signed a deal to use Google’s Gemini to power new Siri features, according to discussion on the Happy Hour podcast and linked reporting.
- Apple intends to adapt and fine-tune Gemini internally and will not present Siri with Google branding, per linked coverage.
- Podcast hosts speculated about timing for Gemini-powered Siri features but did not establish a firm release date.
- Apple introduced an Apple Creator Studio subscription bundle; the hosts evaluated its potential usefulness for creators.
- Chance Miller described watching basketball courtside using Apple Vision Pro during a demonstration.
- The premium portion of the show discussed iCloud’s role as a backup and recommended considering additional backup strategies.
- The episode referenced multiple related reports, including coverage of the Apple–Google AI deal and details about Apple services and app changes.
What to watch next
- Timeline for the public rollout of Gemini-powered Siri features: not confirmed in the source.
- How Apple’s internal fine-tuning will change Gemini’s outputs and Siri behavior: not confirmed in the source.
- Reception and adoption of the Apple Creator Studio subscription among independent creators and professionals: not confirmed in the source.
- Expansion of Vision Pro live-sports or courtside viewing experiences to wider audiences: not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Gemini: A family of large language models developed by Google designed to handle text and other modalities for AI-powered features.
- Siri: Apple’s voice-activated virtual assistant that performs tasks and answers queries across Apple devices.
- Apple Creator Studio: A subscription bundle announced by Apple that packages tools and services aimed at content creators and professionals.
- Apple Vision Pro: Apple’s spatial computing headset that combines virtual and augmented reality features for immersive experiences.
- iCloud backup: Apple’s cloud storage service that can store device backups, files, and synced data across Apple devices.
Reader FAQ
Has Apple confirmed Gemini will power Siri?
Yes — the source indicates Apple has officially signed a deal to use Google’s Gemini for new Siri features.
Will Siri show Google branding after the deal?
The source indicates Apple will fine-tune Gemini internally and will not add Google branding to Siri.
When will Gemini-powered Siri features arrive on devices?
Podcast hosts speculated on timing but an exact public release schedule is not confirmed in the source.
Is Vision Pro courtside sports viewing broadly available now?
Chance Miller described a courtside Vision Pro experience, but wider public availability or commercial rollout is not confirmed in the source.
Can I rely only on iCloud for device backups?
The hosts discussed iCloud’s dependability and recommended using additional backup strategies, though specific recommendations are not detailed in the source.
Apple Notes could get a powerful new advantage in iOS 26.4, per report Ryan Christoffel Jan 14 2026 9TO5MAC PODCAST NETWORK 9TO5MAC HAPPY HOUR Gemini Siri deal official, Apple Creator…
Sources
- Gemini Siri deal official, Apple Creator Studio, Vision Pro basketball
- Apple picks Google's Gemini to run AI-powered Siri coming …
- Apple, Google strike Gemini deal for revamped Siri in …
- Joint statement from Google and Apple
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