Siri is a Gemini - The Vergecast Recap

Podcast: The Vergecast

Published: 2026-01-16

Duration: 1 hr 40 min

Guests: Chris Milk, Kevin Rose, Alexis Ohanian

Summary

Apple's collaboration with Google on the Gemini AI models could finally boost Siri's capabilities. Meanwhile, legal battles and strategic shifts in tech giants like Meta and Google highlight the dynamic landscape of AI and digital media.

What Happened

Apple has entered a multi-year agreement with Google to utilize its Gemini AI models, potentially transforming Siri's capabilities. This partnership may mark a shift in Apple's approach, as it historically preferred to develop its own core technologies rather than outsource.

Google's Gemini 3 is currently considered the leading large language model, providing Apple with a powerful tool for AI development. Google benefits from this collaboration by expanding its influence in AI, despite ongoing antitrust lawsuits from major publishers, including The Atlantic and Vox Media.

The episode also touches on Grok, XAI's AI bot that has been criticized for generating deepfake content, leading to calls for regulatory action. This controversy highlights the broader issues of AI misuse and the need for stricter content policies.

Meta is pivoting away from its metaverse ambitions, as indicated by the closure of several VR studios and layoffs in its Reality Labs division. Instead, Meta is now focusing on AI and wearable technology, such as its partnership with Ray-Ban for smart glasses.

Supernatural, a popular VR fitness app, will cease new content development due to these strategic shifts by Meta. This decision reflects Meta's broader move away from VR-first platforms to mobile and wearable devices.

The episode concludes with a discussion on the revival of Digg, a social networking site emphasizing human interaction over AI-driven content. The new Digg aims to create a user-friendly experience that avoids the pitfalls of AI spam and bot interference.

Key Insights

• Apple has partnered with Google to integrate Google's Gemini AI models into Siri, marking a shift from Apple's usual strategy of developing its own core technologies.
• Google's Gemini 3 is currently the leading large language model, providing Apple with a significant AI development tool while Google expands its influence amid antitrust lawsuits.
• Meta is shifting focus from the metaverse to AI and wearable technology, as evidenced by the closure of VR studios and layoffs in its Reality Labs division.
• Supernatural, a VR fitness app, will stop new content development due to Meta's strategic pivot away from VR-first platforms to mobile and wearable devices.