599: Free... Although

This week we're following up on what the Apple-Google AI hookup means and reacting to Apple's announcement of an oddly shaped creative apps bundle.

This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:

• Sentry (sentry.io): Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code upgrade26.

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Links and Show Notes:
Get Upgrade+. More content, no ads. (relay.fm/upgrade/join)
Submit Feedback (relay.fm/upgrade/feedback)
The Incomparable (theincomparable.com)
How Apple is Using Gemini to Give ChatGPT-Like Answers — The Information (theinformation.com/articles/apple-using-gemini…)
Apple to fine-tune Gemini independently, no Google branding on Siri, more - 9to5Mac (9to5mac.com/2026/01/13/report-apple-to-fine-tu…)
Connected #586: Dashboard Confessions - Relay (relay.fm/connected/586)
Pop-Tarts Bowl - Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop-Tarts_Bowl)
MIT Mystery Hunt (puzzles.mit.edu)
Daring Fireball: OpenAI Releases GPT-5.1, Along With Renamed and New Personalities (daringfireball.net/2025/11/chatgpt_5-1_with_re…)
Apple will pay billions for Gemini after OpenAI declined – 9to5mac (9to5mac.com/2026/01/15/apple-will-pay-billions…)
Introducing Apple Creator Studio, an inspiring collection of creative apps - Apple (apple.com/newsroom/2026/01/introducing-apple-c…)
Apple’s pro bundle makes sense, but making iWork freemium doesn’t – Six Colors (sixcolors.com/post/2026/01/apples-pro-bundle-m…)
Apple Creative Studio icons are 'unique' and not for all standalone purchase apps - 9to5Mac (9to5mac.com/2026/01/14/apple-creative-studio-i…)