January 13, 2026, 7:56 AM EST. Apple has quietly confirmed it will use Google's Gemini AI and Google Cloud to support Siri, pairing Google's technology with Apple's private cloud and on-device features. The multiyear deal positions Google to broaden its AI footprint on mobile devices while offering Apple more time to advance its AI strategy. Shares in Apple and Google rose slightly after the announcement. Separately, Meta is planning to lay off about 10% of its 15,000-strong Reality Labs unit, the team behind VR headsets and Horizon Worlds, as it reorders investments toward AI. The company has already spent roughly $75 billion on AI last year and says it will continue heavy AI expenditure, even as VR and metaverse ambitions scale back. Analysts note the shift meets investor questions about Meta's metaverse bets.
