Is Apple failing at AI or playing the long game? Both. Legacy tech & strict privacy slowed them down. But it’s also their playbook: let rivals burn cash, then swoop in as the trusted, private gatekeeper using 2B devices to perfect the user experience. Well played Apple.
Why did Apple pick Gemini over OpenAI or Claude? Scale & control. Startups lack the server muscle for 2B devices, and OpenAI is a budding hardware rival. Google offered a sweet $1B deal and met Apple's strict privacy rules. Apple wins by remaining the ultimate gatekeeper.