2024年末，AI领域竞争白热化，大量资金涌入新模型和产品，但何时出现真正有价值的应用仍不明确。本期The Vergecast探讨了科技行业如何竭力打造AI杀手级应用，并深入分析了谷歌在AI领域的布局，包括Gemini 2.0、Project Astra和Project Mariner等。同时还讨论了Android XR的最新进展，以及OpenAI的Sora短视频生成工具的发布与短暂下线。此外，还涉及了iOS 18.2更新、Reddit的新AI搜索功能等，以及YouTube在电视领域、Instagram的实验性功能、TikTok的潜在出售等。

🚀 科技行业正竞相开发AI杀手级应用，期望能从中获利。谷歌积极将AI融入现有产品，例如Gemini 2.0，Project Astra和Project Mariner，力求在日常应用中普及AI。

👓 谷歌在可穿戴设备领域持续发力，Android XR的发布预示着谷歌在智能眼镜和头显设备上的新进展，这同样是AI驱动的战略布局。

🎬 OpenAI的Sora发布后又迅速下线，引发了人们对AI生成内容前景的思考。同时，iOS 18.2的更新也加入了ChatGPT集成和更多Apple Intelligence工具，体现了AI技术在移动端的应用。

🔍 Reddit推出AI搜索工具，旨在帮助用户更便捷地找到社区答案，而无需依赖传统搜索引擎，展示了AI在信息检索方面的创新应用。

ChatGPT launched roughly two years and two weeks ago. Now, as we near the end of 2024, the AI race is... well, where is it, exactly? It’s more competitive than ever, there’s more money being poured into new models and products than ever, and it’s not at all clear when or even whether we’re going to get products that make it all worthwhile.

On this episode of The Vergecast, we talk about a lot of different AI news, all along a single trend line: the tech industry trying desperately to build a killer app for AI. (Ideally, for them, also one that makes money.) The Verge’s Richard Lawler joins us as we discuss Google Gemini 2.0, Project Astra and Project Mariner, and everything else Google is doing to put AI in the products you already use every day. We also talk through the new Android XR announcement, and Google’s renewed commitment to making headsets and smart glasses that work. It’s all an AI story, no matter how you look at it.

After that... more AI! We talk about the launch and near-immediate disappearance of OpenAI’s Sora, what’s new in iOS 18.2, Reddit’s clever-but-primitive new Answers feature, and more.

Finally, in the lightning round, it’s a smorgasbord of tech news. YouTube is big on TVs; Instagram is testing a way for you to test your posts; the TikTok ban is coming, but a sale sounds like the answer; Sonos once again made a great soundbar; and what the heck happened to Cruise? The year’s almost over, but the news keeps coming.

If you want to know more about everything we discuss in this episode, here are some links to get you started, beginning with Google:

Google’s AI enters its ‘agentic era’ Gemini 2.0: what’s new in Google’s new flagship AI modelGoogle’s AI-powered smart glasses are a little closer to being real Google’s new Jules AI agent will help developers fix buggy codeGoogle is testing Gemini AI agents that help you in video gamesGoogle built an AI tool that can do research for youI saw Google’s plan to put Android on your face

And in other AI news:

OpenAI has finally released SoraiOS 18.2 is out now, adding ChatGPT integration and more Apple Intelligence toolsFrom The Wall Street Journal: iOS 18.2 Review: The AI Apple Promised UsChatGPT’s side-by-side ‘Canvas’ view is now available to everyone. Reddit’s new AI search tool helps you find Reddit answers without Google

And in the lightning round:

YouTube is still growing fast on TVs in the living roomInstagram will let creators test experimental reels on random peopleAdam Mosseri’s post on trial reelsIt sure sounds like Trump would be okay with a TikTok saleSonos Arc Ultra review: don’t call it a comeback (yet)Cruise’s robotaxi service will likely shut down as GM pulls its fundingAmazon’s online car ‘dealership’ with Hyundai is now live