Reports by Bloomberg that Apple was in discussions with Google to license its Gemini Generative AI models for iPhones would be consistent with recent growing collaboration between the companies over search – despite their antagonism in other areas such as messaging. Such a deal would indeed be a prime example of coopetition between companies that are archrivals in some areas but see mutual advantages partnering in others. There is also another factor, the elephant in the room that is Microsoft, feared by both, whose ascent on the back of AI we touch on separately this week. The nub of the rumor is that Google Gemini could drive some features of Apple’s upcoming iOS 18, to be used in the next…