Siri is a Gemini

The Vergecast

Vox Media Podcast Network

Tech News, Technology, News

4.3 • 4.3K Ratings

🗓️ 16 January 2026

⏱️ 103 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Nearly two years ago, Apple showed off what an AI-powered Siri might do. That Siri never materialized, but thanks to a deal with Google for its Gemini tech, it might finally have a chance to work. David and Nilay discuss the ins and outs of the deal, and what it might mean for both Apple's and Google's ambitions in AI. (They also talk about the onslaught of new lawsuits from publishers related to Google's adtech antitrust case, including from our parent company Vox Media. Disclosure is our brand.) After that, they talk about Grok's horrific deepfake problem on X, and why everyone involved deserves the blame. Then it's time to pour one out for VR and the metaverse, which is losing steam as Meta loses interest and continues to pivot to AI. RIP Supernatural, a surprise hit of an exercise app! Finally, in the lightning round, it's time for Brendan Carr is a Dummy, the latest Paramount / Warner / Netflix drama, the Trump Phone, and the Digg reboot. Further reading: The Atlantic, Penske, and Vox Media have all sued Google for antitrust violations Apple picks Google’s Gemini AI for its big Siri upgrade What Apple and Google’s Gemini deal means for both companies Google’s Gemini AI will use what it knows about you from Gmail, Search, and YouTube Why Google Gemini looks poised to win the AI race over OpenAI A “conscious decision” from OpenAI. X hasn’t really stopped Grok AI from undressing women in the UK Advocacy groups demand Apple and Google block X from app stores UK pushes up a law criminalizing deepfake nudes in response to Grok X claims it has stopped Grok from undressing people, but of course it hasn’t Meta plans to lay off hundreds of metaverse employees this week Meta confirms Reality Labs layoffs and shifts to invest more in wearables Meta is closing down three VR studios as part of its metaverse cuts Meta’s layoffs hit the studio that made Batman: Arkham Shadow, too. Supernatural Will No Longer Get New Content Or Features FTC won’t appeal court decision permitting Meta to buy Within The best thing to do in VR is work out FCC chair Brendan Carr is pressed on removing ‘independent’ from its website. Verizon gets FCC permission to end 60-day phone unlocking rule Anthropic wants you to use Claude to ‘Cowork’ in latest AI agent push Paramount sues after Warner Bros. Discovery rejects its latest deal Netflix is reportedly considering an all-cash offer for Warner Bros. The new Digg is launching an open beta. Elon Musk Cannot Get Away With This Subscribe to The Verge for unlimited access to theverge.com, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, and our ad-free podcast feed.We love hearing from you! Email your questions and thoughts to vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Right, time to get you pet insurance with pet jebity.
0:03.3	Wroop. Pet Jevity. You know, like longevity, but for your pets long and healthy life?
0:08.4	They have no upper age limit for dogs or cats.
0:11.1	Meow!
0:11.9	They insure hundreds of thousands of pores and have 24-7 access to vet video calls.
0:17.8	Look for pet jevity wherever you shop online for insurance.
0:21.6	The vet video calls if your pet is in need of urgent medical assistance, contact your local vet immediately.
0:26.6	Visit petjavity.co.uk for full details.
0:29.6	Hear that? It's your big McDonald's hunger calling.
0:32.6	Because the Big Arch is back and this time it's here to stay.
0:36.6	With juicy beef, cheddar cheese and that big Arch sauce. Hungry? You are now. Order delivery on the McDonald's app. Serve from 11am. Upcharges and fees apply to delivery orders. Subjects availability, price and participation may vary. Right, that's it. Come on. Lights out. You've got a test tomorrow. Just two minutes. I'm about to reach the next level.
0:55.6	It's going off now. Yeah, whatever.
0:58.1	Let's see. Where's the app? Oh, here it is.
1:01.1	What? How? Oh, no. You're out. Better look next time.
1:05.2	Mom! It's game over for late nights on school nights.
1:09.1	EE Wi-Fi controls help you get them off the Wi-Fi and into bed.
1:13.0	More parents are choosing EEBroadband, the UK's fastest growing broadband provider.
1:18.0	To verify, see EE.com.com.
1:22.2	Welcome with the Vergecast, the flagship podcast of Foundation Model Foundations, which are a thing that we understand. I'm a friend David Pierce. Neil Appetalz here. Hey, buddy. There's so many concepts in this episode of the Vergecast. We literally got an email that was like, can you explain to me what a foundation for a foundation model is? And yes, in fact, that is what we are going to attempt to do here on the verge cast.
1:45.2	Neil, have you recovered from CES? How are you feeling?
1:58.0	I've recovered. I think I'm feeling better. You know, this is like the first working week of the year for us, for real. So there's a lot of catching up to do because everyone else is one week ahead. And then everyone got sick because that's what happens. swing of yes.
1:59.3	But I think
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Vox Media Podcast Network, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Vox Media Podcast Network and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.