Apple Faces Mounting Pressure as Google and Samsung Deploy AI Features Siri Failed to Deliver

6 predicted events · 6 source articles analyzed · Model: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929

The Current Landscape: Google's AI Breakthrough Highlights Apple's Delays

Google has just launched what many in the industry are calling a defining moment for mobile AI assistants. On February 25, 2026, at Samsung's Galaxy S26 event, Google unveiled Gemini's new task automation capabilities that allow the AI to handle complex, multi-step operations like ordering food delivery, booking rideshares, and managing grocery orders. According to Article 1, these features bear striking resemblance to capabilities Apple announced for Siri at its 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference—features that Apple subsequently delayed in March 2025 and has yet to release. The rollout is initially limited but strategic: Gemini's task automation will launch first on Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Samsung's Galaxy S26 series devices in the U.S. and Korea (Articles 2, 3). The system operates in a secure virtual window, allowing users to monitor progress in real-time and intervene when necessary. Notably, users must still approve final transactions—a safety measure that prevents unauthorized purchases while demonstrating the feature works as intended.

Key Trends and Strategic Signals

Several critical patterns emerge from this announcement that will shape the mobile AI landscape: **The Google-Samsung Alliance Strengthens**: The simultaneous launch on both Pixel and Galaxy devices (Article 4) signals a deepening partnership between Google and Samsung. This unified front creates a powerful Android ecosystem advantage against Apple, particularly as both companies share AI development resources and go-to-market timing. **Agentic AI Becomes the New Battleground**: As Article 4 notes, Android ecosystem president Sameer Samat described this as part of reimagining Android not as an "operating system" but as an "intelligence system." This philosophical shift indicates Google is building toward a future where AI automation capabilities become the primary differentiator in mobile computing. **The Integration with Android 17**: Perhaps most significantly, Article 4 reveals that task automation abilities will be incorporated into Android's next major release (Android 17), suggesting this won't remain a Gemini-exclusive feature but will become a platform-level capability that other AI assistants could potentially leverage. **Enhanced Complementary Features**: Google isn't stopping at task automation. The company simultaneously rolled out multi-object Circle to Search (Article 6), on-device scam detection for calls and messages (Article 2), and virtual try-on features—creating a comprehensive AI advantage across multiple use cases.

Predictions: What Happens Next

### 1. Apple Will Announce an Accelerated Siri Timeline Within 60 Days The competitive pressure is now unsustainable. With Google and Samsung actively demonstrating features Apple promised nearly two years ago, Apple faces significant reputational risk. The company will likely announce a revised timeline for Siri's advanced capabilities at a spring event or through a press release, potentially targeting a fall 2026 release alongside iOS 20. However, given Apple's historical delays with this specific feature set, the actual delivery may slip into early 2027. ### 2. Third-Party App Partnerships Will Become the New Competitive Front Article 3 notes that Gemini's automation currently supports "select apps in the food, grocery, and rideshare categories." The next competitive phase will center on which platform secures the most comprehensive third-party app support. Expect announcements from DoorDash, Uber, Instacart, and other major service apps about expanded API access for AI automation. Companies like OpenAI and Microsoft may pressure these same partners to support similar capabilities on their platforms, creating a multi-sided negotiation dynamic. ### 3. A Task Automation Safety Incident Will Occur Within Six Months While Google has implemented safeguards, the complexity of agentic AI operating across multiple apps creates inevitable failure scenarios. Within six months, we'll likely see reports of Gemini making incorrect orders, booking wrong destinations, or encountering edge cases that produce unexpected results. The incident won't necessarily be Google's fault—it could stem from app UI changes, unexpected prompts, or user error—but it will trigger important conversations about AI agent liability and lead to enhanced safety protocols. ### 4. Android 17 Will Feature an Open Automation Framework by Late 2026 Article 4's revelation that task automation is coming to Android 17 suggests Google is building an open framework. By Q4 2026, we'll see Android 17 beta releases that allow multiple AI assistants (potentially including ChatGPT, Claude, and others) to leverage similar automation capabilities. This will differentiate Android's open approach from Apple's closed ecosystem and potentially attract developer support. ### 5. Privacy Concerns Will Emerge as a Major Story Arc While Article 3 notes that automations run in a "secure, virtual window" with limited access, the fundamental concept of an AI assistant navigating through apps raises significant privacy questions. Consumer advocacy groups and privacy regulators—particularly in Europe—will begin scrutinizing how these systems handle personal data, payment information, and behavioral patterns. Expect regulatory proposals specifically addressing AI agent permissions by mid-2027.

The Broader Implications

This moment represents more than just a feature launch—it's a potential inflection point in the mobile AI race. Apple's delays have created an opening that Google and Samsung are aggressively exploiting. The company that first successfully deploys reliable, useful task automation at scale will establish user behavior patterns and expectations that could prove difficult for competitors to overcome. The stakes extend beyond individual features to the fundamental question of how humans will interact with mobile technology. If Google's vision of an "intelligence system" proves compelling, it could reshape consumer expectations and accelerate the transition from apps to AI-mediated experiences. Apple's response—or lack thereof—in the coming months will significantly impact its competitive position in the AI era.