Hey, Siri — Google’s got the AI upgrade you need! [The CultCast]

Copyright Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Apple reportedly plans to pay a cool $1 billion a year to use Google Gemini to make Siri smarter. How do we feel about that? Honestly, anything that fixes Siri sooner rather than later would be a big win. Anybody creeped out about iPhones and Macs with Google inside should rest easy, though. Apple plans to keep everything safe and secure. And Cupertino’s still scrambling to get its own AI up to speed. Also on The CultCast: Apple plans to build a low-priced laptop that will bring Macs to the masses. We discuss why that has PC makers quaking in their boots. The iPhone Air is reportedly a bust. One big reason is that people love their iPhone cameras — and the Air skimped out on that. The next iPhone Air model might add a second lens, but really fix the problem? Some automakers plan to pull the plug on CarPlay. We’re already plotting our revolt! Griffin runs down the top five features in iOS 26.1 that you should try immediately, including one important toggle that will keep your iPhone from photographing the luxurious insides of your pocket. And finally, we wrap up with a new game — Apple Mad Libs! Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below. The CultCast No. 724: Google Gemini + Siri = AI love Our sponsors: NordStellar and Factor Meals NordStellar: Most companies only act after a breach. Be the one that’s prepared. Defend your business with NordStellar. Get an exclusive offer: Unlock your 10% discount on NordStellar with the coupon code cultcast-10 at NordStellar.com/CultCast. Just mention it to NordStellar! Factor Meals: Treat yourself to Factor’s delicious, high-quality, ready-to-eat meals delivered right to your door. Head to factormeals.com/cultcast50off to get 50% off plus free breakfast for one year with code cultcast50off and qualifying auto-renewing subscription. This week’s top Apple news On the show this week: Your host, Cult of Mac Publisher and Editor in Chief Leander Kahney (@lkahney), Cult of Mac managing editor Lewis Wallace (@lewiswallace) and Cult of Mac writer D. Griffin Jones (@dgriffinjones). Here are the headlines we’re talking about on this week’s show: Apple’s upcoming budget laptop has PC makers ‘freaking out’ Upgrading Siri with Google Gemini will be $1 billion quick fix Next iPhone Air could fix its camera problem How a battle for your dashboard threatens CarPlay’s future 5 new features in iOS 26.1 you don’t want to miss Apple quietly added this awesome feature in iOS 26.1 Lewis Wallace is the managing editor of Cult of Mac and author of our weekly newsletter, The Weekender. He’s a San Francisco-based writer and editor specializing in technology and culture. He loves his iPhone, hates Siri, and appreciates any hardware that combines form and function. Prior to Cult of Mac, he juggled words and ideas as culture editor at Wired.com, homepage editor at TechTV, news product manager at NBCi, copy editor at PC World, reporter at The (Hayward) Daily Review and editor in chief of EveryBody’s News in Cincinnati. He earned a bachelor of general studies degree with a journalism certificate from the University of Cincinnati. While in school, he worked as the entertainment editor of The News Record and as editor in chief of Clifton Magazine. He’s also a bass player, who’s recorded and performed around the United States with Those Darn Accordions, The Electric Boogie Dawgz and The Mad Maggies. When not writing, editing or laying down bass lines, he plays darts and serves on the board of the San Francisco Darts League.