Meta cuts Reality Labs and the metaverse pivot

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

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