Apple and OpenAI make a deal | The Vergecast

14 Jun 2024 (3 months ago)

Intro

The hosts introduce the podcast and mention the theme for the year: "Are you telling the truth?"
They discuss the challenges of producing the podcast, including the hosts' physical appearance during a previous recording.
Apple and OpenAI announce a partnership to integrate OpenAI's AI capabilities into Apple products.
The partnership aims to enhance Siri and other Apple services with more advanced AI features.
Apple invests $10 billion in OpenAI as part of the deal.
The hosts discuss various gadget-related news and rumors, including:
- Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 foldable smartphones.
- Google's Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones.
- Apple's rumored AR/VR headset.
- The Nothing Phone (2).
- Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor.
The hosts answer questions from listeners, including:
- Whether they would rather have a physical keyboard or a touchscreen on their phones.
- Their thoughts on the Nothing Phone (2).
- Their favorite features of the new iOS 16 update.

Apple and OpenAI have partnered to integrate OpenAI's technology into Apple products, including Siri, with Apple receiving a 30% cut of subscription revenue.
Apple plans to upsell users to a paid version of ChatGPT with additional features compared to the free version integrated into its products.
OpenAI's potential future search product could generate revenue through advertising, potentially benefiting Apple.
The success of the partnership depends on factors like user adoption, Apple's upselling strategy, and demand for OpenAI's products.
Apple and OpenAI aim to bring advanced AI capabilities to a billion iPhone users, but the true impact and potential consequences will become evident only after a large-scale user base is reached.
Apple's new Siri will be more reliable and responsible, focusing on specific tasks and avoiding areas where it may provide incorrect information.
Unlike ChatGPT, Apple's AI integration will initially be limited to certain devices and services, excluding HomePod, Apple TV, and HomeKit at launch.
Apple prioritizes improving Siri's speech recognition and text-to-speech capabilities, with the full extent of HomeKit integration still unclear.
Concerns have been raised about Apple's lack of focus on smart home features, as highlighted in articles by Jen and Business Insider, which discusses Amazon's struggles with Alexa.

Apple and OpenAI have formed a partnership, potentially revolutionizing AI-powered features on Apple devices.
The new iPhone 15 Pro boasts customizable widgets, an adjustable flashlight, bilingual typing, and the ability to display the user's keyboard on the Vision Pro headset.
Mac computers will now support any Bluetooth mouse, and new animated wallpapers inspired by retro designs will be available.
Voicemails will be transcribed and displayed as text messages, and new charging options will include limits to preserve battery life.
Improved features include a link preview before sending messages and customizable app icons without labels.
Reminders can now be viewed within the calendar app, and Siri's language understanding has been enhanced.
Apple's software update will not support older devices like the Apple Watch Series 4 and 5, as well as some iPads without M1 chips.
Apple is shifting its focus towards encouraging more frequent iPhone upgrades, potentially driven by the need to maintain revenue growth.
Apple's partnership with Ford, as seen in the inclusion of the Ford Pass app in the customizable Control Center, suggests a closer collaboration between the tech giant and the automotive industry.
GM's departure from CarPlay hints at a potential tighter integration between another major American automaker and Apple software, possibly involving bundling a phone or iPad with car purchases.

Microsoft is considering developing a Windows-based handheld gaming device with an ARM processor, potentially from Qualcomm, MediaTek, or a collaboration between MediaTek and Nvidia.
Microsoft sees handheld gaming as a growing market and aims to compete with the successful Steam Deck and upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.
Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard is seen as a strategic move to strengthen its position in the gaming industry.
Jabra announced two new wireless earbuds with a unique feature to turn wired audio sources into Bluetooth devices but later revealed they would discontinue their headphone lineup.
United Airlines now offers Bluetooth connectivity on seat screens, allowing passengers to connect their AirPods directly.
The author suggests a new phone design with multiple headphone jacks and no speakers to encourage headphone use and reduce public noise pollution.
The Light Phone 3, a minimalist phone focused on essential features, has gained popularity despite its limited functionality.
Apple and OpenAI have partnered to create a new minimalist device that discourages excessive screen time and focuses on essential tasks like music, podcasts, and direct messaging.

A Pew Research Center study revealed that over 80% of users on social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram encounter news-related content, but it's usually not their primary reason for visiting those platforms.
TikTok has become a significant source of news for young people, even if they don't actively seek it out.
Elon Musk dropped his lawsuit against OpenAI due to the absence of a contract, despite many believing a contract could be assembled.
Recent reports have highlighted issues with the culture at SpaceX, including allegations of sexism and harassment towards women employees.
Social media algorithms prioritize engagement, often leading to the spread of "rage bait" and sensationalized news, resulting in a decline in intentional news consumption and trust in news sources.
Alamo Drafthouse, a popular movie theater chain, has faced allegations of labor issues and sexual harassment, leading to bankruptcy in 2021 and the recent closure of several theaters in Dallas.
Sony's acquisition of Alamo Drafthouse raises concerns about further consolidation within the film industry, as it may result in more Sony movies being shown at their theaters.
The focus should be on preventing studios from owning streaming services, which would give them too much control over the industry.
The Tesla vote to determine Elon Musk's compensation is still ongoing, with indications suggesting a possible victory for Musk.