Hey,
Welcome back to Experiments in Progress!
Here’s what’s inside:
Siri vs. Gemini: Who’s Actually Smarter in 2025? Feature-by-feature breakdown across basics, conversations, cross-app actions, devices, and AI extras.
After Show: First impressions on the iPhone 17 launch, from overheating Air worries to why the orange Pro Max already has my money.
Next week’s sneak peek: Behind the scenes of Apple launch YouTube shows — the gear, the chaos, and the editing magic.
Let’s dive in 👇
🥊 Siri vs. Gemini: Who’s Actually Smarter in 2025?
Apple Intelligence just landed with iOS 26, while Google Gemini has been powering up across Android 16 and Samsung’s OneUI 8.
Both promise to be the voice assistant you can actually rely on. But how do they hold up — feature by feature?
Here’s the scorecard 👇
⏱ Everyday Basics: Timers, Alarms, Lists
The simple stuff should be easy, right?
Timers & Alarms: Gemini handles multiple timers flawlessly, while Siri still struggles — combining them or looping back with endless prompts.
Shopping Lists: Adding “sausages to my shopping list” works smoothly on Gemini. Siri sometimes gets confused or requires extra steps.
👉 Winner: Gemini edges ahead on the basics.
💬 Conversations That Go Beyond Commands
When things move beyond single commands:
Holiday Planning: Gemini can map out flights, hotels, and itineraries in one go. Siri once thought a Dubai holiday request was an emergency call.
Coupon Codes: Gemini pulled live UK discount codes for Samsung. Siri? Just a vague “there are codes online.”
👉 Winner: Gemini feels like an actual assistant, not just a shortcut.
📱 Getting Work Done Across Apps
Where assistants need to juggle info across apps:
Email Attachments: Gemini can dig into PDFs inside Gmail. Siri either goes blank or passes you off to ChatGPT.
Messaging: Both are hit-and-miss on WhatsApp, but Gemini at least tries. Siri often fails silently.
Spotify & Media: Gemini responds reliably to play requests, while Siri’s success rate varies.
👉 Winner: Gemini, though still imperfect.
🌍 How They Work Across Devices
Assistants aren’t just about phones anymore:
Wearables: Gemini now runs natively on Pixel and Galaxy Watches. Siri works fine on AirPods, but HomePod integration is still limited.
Cars: Neither shines here. Gemini still defaults to the old Google Assistant in Android Auto, and Siri in CarPlay feels just as clunky.
👉 Winner: Draw. Ecosystem is still a work in progress.
✨ Extra AI Tricks (and Pitfalls)
This is where things get futuristic (and weird):
Circle to Search: Gemini makes it easy — hold, tap, circle anything on screen. Apple added screenshot support, but it’s late to the party.
Photo Editing: Samsung AI erases objects and rebuilds faces impressively. Apple’s version is… not flattering.
Hallucinations & Privacy: Both assistants still make mistakes and both raise privacy concerns. Apple at least asks before sending queries to ChatGPT. Gemini openly admits human reviewers may see your data.
👉 Winner: Gemini leads in features, Apple edges on privacy.
For iPhone loyalists, the Apple ecosystem still cushions the blow.
But if you actually want an AI assistant that behaves like an assistant, Gemini is the one running laps right now.
I’ve used iPhones for over a decade, but this comparison makes it harder every day to justify staying put. Gemini isn’t perfect, but it feels alive — like it’s moving forward with every update. Siri, even with Apple Intelligence, still feels stuck in the past.
📩 Forward it to a friend who’s debating Apple vs. Android — and let them weigh in:
🎬 After Show: What Happened When the Cameras Stopped Rolling
This week’s After Show is my unscripted take on the iPhone 17 launch, AirPods Pro 3, and the new Apple Watch lineup—recorded before the devices even hit my desk.
Here’s what stood out:
What’s the catch with the iPhone 17 Air (and why Apple’s already selling you a battery pack with it)?
Why the base iPhone 17 finally feels like the real deal.
The Pro Max in orange — irresistible.
AirPods Pro 3: new foam tips, live translation, and a hidden upgrade surprise.
Apple Watch 11 + Ultra 3: are you really missing out if you skip them?
Plus: my rant on Apple quietly ditching titanium, why the Pixel camera let me down, and whether the iPhone Air is just a preview of a foldable future.
Unfiltered takes, early hot-and-cold impressions, and way too many devices already on my shopping list.
Got a friend who’d get this? Hit forward:
📺 Next Week: Behind the Scenes of Apple Launch YouTube Shows
Next week, I’ll take you inside the production of Apple launch YouTube shows — what really goes into making them look so polished, and the tricks you don’t see on camera.
I’ll be covering:
How the setups & gear are planned to handle live reactions 🎥
The production workflows that keep everything smooth (even when chaos happens)
What really happens behind the edits & cuts before the video goes live ✂️
A few unexpected lessons I’ve learned from creators running these shows
📅 See you next Thursday.
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