On April 15, 2026, Google released a dedicated Gemini AI application for macOS, marking the first desktop platform to receive a standalone Gemini app. On January 12, 2026, Apple and Google announced a multi-year collaboration where Google's Gemini models will serve as the foundation for future Apple Foundation Models, powering a major overhaul of Siri and Apple Intelligence features expected with iOS 27 and macOS 27 later in 2026.
Google's Native macOS Gemini Application
Availability and Requirements
- The application is available as a free download globally from gemini.google/mac.
- It requires macOS 15 Sequoia or later.
- The application is described by Google as a "100% native Swift" app developed specifically for Apple's platform.
- Prior to this release, Gemini was accessible on Mac computers only through the Chrome browser or the Gemini website.
Access and Interface
Users can access Gemini from anywhere on their Mac using the keyboard shortcut Option + Space for a mini chat interface, and Option + Shift + Space for a full chat window.
- Both keyboard shortcuts are customizable in the application settings.
- The application provides access from the macOS menu bar and Dock.
- The interface includes a pill-shaped "Ask Gemini" input bar and a side panel.
- The application window is described as identical to the gemini.google.com website.
Key Features
- Screen Sharing: Users can share content from their screen, including local files, with Gemini for analysis and assistance.
- File Upload: Users can upload files from local storage, Google Drive, Google Photos, and NotebookLM.
- Media Generation: The application supports generating images (with Nano Banana), videos (with Veo), and music.
- Tools: The apps include features labeled Canvas, Deep Research, Guided Learning, and Personal Intelligence.
- Audio: Voice-read responses are available with selectable voices.
- Model Switcher: Users can switch between different AI models within the application.
- Voice Input: Voice input capability is included.
- Account Sync: All user data and interactions are synchronized with the user's Google Account.
Stated Capabilities
According to Google, the application can be used for:
- Providing quick answers to questions without opening a web browser.
- Drafting content such as emails, documents, and social media posts.
- Summarizing information from articles, web pages, or documents.
- Brainstorming ideas and generating concepts.
- Assisting with writing, debugging, and explaining code.
- Analyzing uploaded images and answering questions about them.
Development Context
- According to a statement from Google employee Josh Woodward, a small team built over 100 features for the application in under 100 days.
- Google CEO Sundar Pichai stated the application was developed with Antigravity and progressed from an idea to a prototype in a few days.
- Google indicated that more features are planned for future updates.
Apple-Google AI Collaboration
Partnership Announcement
On January 12, 2026, Apple and Google announced a multi-year collaboration. The agreement states that future generations of Apple Foundation Models will be based on Google's Gemini models and cloud technology.
Siri Overhaul (Siri AI)
- The new version of Siri, referred to as Siri AI, is based on new Apple Foundation Models developed in collaboration with Google.
- Siri AI is designed to handle multi-step requests, understand personal context from user data (messages, emails, photos, calendar), and offer on-screen awareness.
- It will be accessible systemwide, including in a dedicated Siri app with a conversational interface for text or voice input.
- The dedicated Siri app allows users to revisit past conversations, which sync via iCloud across devices.
- Siri AI features a redesigned interface and more expressive, customizable voice (pace and expressivity).
- On iPhone, users can access Siri AI by swiping down from the Dynamic Island; on Mac, it is accessible from Spotlight.
- Siri AI will be integrated into the Camera app for visual intelligence, object recognition, and actions like bill splitting.
Apple Intelligence Features in iOS 27 and macOS 27
The collaboration is intended to power several features across Apple's platforms, including:
- Writing Tools: Systemwide drafting, editing, proofreading, grammar checking, and tone adjustment.
- Photos App: AI-powered editing tools including "Clean Up" (removing objects), "Extend" (generating content beyond the frame), and "Reframe" (adjusting photo composition).
- Safari: AI-powered tab grouping and a "Notify Me" feature for page changes.
- Shortcuts: Users can create automations using natural language descriptions.
- Communication Upgrades: Contextual information during calls, automated calendar suggestions from Messages, and bill-splitting via Apple Cash.
- Home App: AI groups related smart home notifications into single summaries.
Technology and Privacy
- Apple stated that the Apple Foundation Models are different from Google's own Gemini models; the collaboration involved using outputs from Gemini frontier models for distillation during training.
- Apple's models include on-device models (AFM 3 Core, AFM 3 Core Advanced) and server-based models (AFM 3 Cloud, ADM 3 Cloud Image, AFM 3 Cloud Pro).
- AFM 3 Cloud Pro runs on NVIDIA GPUs hosted in Google Cloud, which is the first time Apple has extended its Private Cloud Compute architecture to third-party infrastructure.
- Apple stated that Apple Intelligence will continue to run on Apple devices and its Private Cloud Compute, maintaining its privacy standards.
- Apple stated that no user data is shared with Google.
Third-Party AI Integration (Extensions)
- iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 will include a feature called "Extensions," allowing users to select from multiple third-party AI models (such as Gemini and Claude) to power system features like Siri, Writing Tools, and Image Playground.
- The selected models will integrate via the Settings app, and users can manage connections to AI chatbots installed from the App Store.
Availability and Device Compatibility
Google Gemini for macOS
- Available from April 15, 2026, for macOS 15 Sequoia or later.
Apple Siri AI and iOS 27
- Siri AI will be available in beta later in 2026.
- Siri AI requires a device supporting Apple Intelligence: iPhone 15 Pro and later, iPads with Apple silicon (M1 and later, or A17 Pro), and Macs with Apple silicon (M1 and later).
- Customization of Siri AI's voice pace and expressivity requires devices with at least 12GB of unified memory (iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPads with M4 and later, Macs with M3 and later).
- Siri AI will not be available in the European Union on iOS and iPadOS at launch due to disagreements regarding compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). It will be available on macOS 27 and visionOS 27 in the EU.
- Siri AI will not be available in China initially due to regulatory issues.
- The initial launch of Siri AI will be in English only, with plans to expand to other languages.
Company Statements
Google (on the macOS app): Stated the app allows users to "get help instantly, without ever switching tabs."
Craig Federighi, Apple SVP of Software Engineering: Described Siri AI as more intelligent, knowledgeable, and capable, and noted the company's focus on privacy and utility.
Apple: Stated that the new features are "just the beginning" and that they are "building the foundation for a truly personal, proactive and powerful desktop assistant."
Background
- Apple first announced Apple Intelligence and a more personalized Siri at WWDC 2024, but delayed the personalized Siri features on March 7, 2025.
- Apple previously had a partnership with OpenAI for ChatGPT integration.
- The Apple-Google collaboration was announced nearly two years after these initial AI feature announcements.