Google’s AI capabilities have been advancing rapidly, giving it a significant edge over Apple’s new AI initiative, Apple Intelligence. While Apple is just beginning to roll out its AI features with the iPhone 16 series and the A18 chipsets, Google has been integrating AI deeply into its ecosystem for years.
Apple Intelligence
Apple on 09-09-2024 announced the launch of Apple Intelligence that leverages generative models and personal context to deliver highly relevant and useful AI experiences. Apple Intelligence will begin rolling out next month with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, with more features being introduced throughout the coming months. Apple did not reveal the reasons for the delay in launching its AI.
Apple’s iPhone 16 is specifically designed for Apple Intelligence and is powered by the new A18 and A18 Pro chips. This marks a significant leap in both hardware and software, making these the most advanced iPhones ever released.
The integration of Apple Intelligence into Apple’s ecosystem will occur in a phased manner over the next few years. Meanwhile, Google will race ahead taking its Gemini AI models to 200 million Android devices by the end of 2024, Anisha Bhatia, Senior Technology Analyst at GlobalData, said in a report released on 10 September.
Features of Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence will first be available in U.S. English, with localized versions for other English-speaking regions such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. coming in December. More languages, including Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish, will follow next year.
At its core, Apple Intelligence integrates deeply into the iOS, iPadOS, and macOS ecosystems, enabling users to create, understand, and act on information seamlessly. The system draws on Apple Silicon for on-device processing, ensuring that user privacy is protected. The company’s Private Cloud Compute technology allows for scaling between local and cloud-based processing as needed.
Apple says users can access ChatGPT from OpenAI for free without creating an account, and ChatGPT’s data-use policies apply for those who choose to connect their account.
AI-Driven Tools for Enhanced Productivity
Apple Intelligence will introduce several features designed to improve user productivity and creativity:
Writing Tools: Users will be able to rewrite, proofread, and summarize text across apps like Mail, Notes, and third-party platforms.
Photos Enhancements: With the Memories feature, users can create movies simply by typing descriptions. The new Clean Up tool will allow users to remove distracting objects from photos without affecting the subject.
Transcription and Summarization: The Notes and Phone apps will gain the ability to record, transcribe, and summarize audio, providing a new level of productivity during calls.
Smarter, More Natural Siri
Apple Intelligence is also transforming Siri, making it more natural and contextually aware. The new Siri design includes a glowing light that wraps around the edge of the screen and allows users to switch fluidly between text and voice commands. Siri’s enhanced understanding capabilities enable it to maintain conversation context, answer questions about Apple device features, and take actions across apps.
Future Features and Privacy Advancements
Additional features, such as Image Playground and Image Wand, will roll out later, allowing users to create images based on descriptions or contextual sketches. The system will also enhance emojis and introduce Genmoji, a personalized emoji creation tool.
Apple also emphasized privacy as a cornerstone of Apple Intelligence. On-device processing is the default, and Private Cloud Compute ensures that any cloud-based AI functions are executed without compromising user data. Even when users choose to access ChatGPT via Siri or Writing Tools, privacy protections like IP address masking will be in place.
Why Google AI will be ahead
Early Adoption and Broad Deployment
Google’s AI, including its Gemini models, has already been deployed across a wide range of devices and services. By the end of 2024, Google plans to have these models on 200 million Android devices. In contrast, Apple is only starting to phase in its AI features, with Apple Intelligence coming in iOS 18.1. Google’s established AI platform allows it to serve millions of users globally and across various languages and use cases, while Apple is rolling out its features in a phased manner with a smaller initial user base.
Cloud and On-Device AI Balance
Google has leveraged its vast cloud infrastructure, making it the go-to choice for AI research, development, and deployment. Google’s cloud-based AI models are highly scalable and offer seamless integration across its ecosystem, including Android, Pixel, Google Photos, Assistant, and more. While Apple is focusing on on-device AI through its Private Cloud Compute, Google’s cloud-AI advantage offers superior power and flexibility for a wide range of AI-powered applications.
Rich AI Integration Across Services
Google’s AI innovations power critical features like Google Assistant, Google Photos (advanced image recognition and organization), and language models that generate coherent, context-aware responses across various devices and platforms. These services are integrated into daily life, offering users a high level of customization and utility. While Apple Intelligence aims to introduce features like natural language generation for photos, videos, and productivity tools, it is still catching up to Google’s level of service integration.
Real-World AI Applications
Google’s AI technology has already proven its capabilities in everyday tasks through products like Google Search and Google Assistant, which are used by billions globally. Google’s AI excels in natural language understanding, real-time translation, advanced image and video recognition, and personalization, delivering tangible benefits to consumers. Apple Intelligence, on the other hand, is in its infancy, with features like AI-powered Siri improvements and photo clean-up tools just being introduced.
Global Reach and Accessibility
Google has a massive global footprint with its AI services, supporting multiple languages and catering to diverse markets from the start. Apple’s AI rollout, while promising, will initially be limited to English-speaking markets, with broader language support coming much later. This slower, region-specific deployment gives Google a clear advantage in terms of global adoption and usability.
Dedicated AI Research and Development
Google has heavily invested in AI research through initiatives like DeepMind and Google Brain, which continue to push the boundaries of machine learning and artificial intelligence. This R&D investment ensures that Google stays at the cutting edge of AI technology, while Apple is just beginning to seriously integrate AI into its consumer products with the release of Apple Intelligence.
Special marketing
Google will be opening of new stores in Boston, Chicago, and Santa Monica to enhance its presence. Google will be allocating substantial marketing resources to highlight its AI capabilities positioning itself as a frontrunner in the AI-driven consumer technology.
Apple, with its equally substantial financial resources and a network of over 530 retail stores across 27 regions worldwide, is well-equipped to promote its AI initiatives and showcase the power of on-device intelligence to consumers.
“The upcoming iPhone cycle is crucial for Apple after multiple years of lackluster sales, especially in China, regulatory scrutiny, and a loss in market cap to Microsoft and Nvidia on the strength of their AI business. Apple will have to upsell its AI significantly,” Anisha Bhatia said.
Google’s experience, infrastructure, and extensive deployment of AI technologies make it a clear frontrunner in the AI landscape.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
