This Week in Apple: Frenemies and just plain enemies

Apple looks to strike a big AI deal with an old frenemy, cheap MacBooks are nigh, and the company’s international relations continue a trend.

Lean on me

In an era of AI startups run by trash-talking whippersnappers, it makes sense that Apple would turn to a company more its age. You know, one that probably remembers listening to “OK Computer” on the radio. One that remembers being sad when “It’s Like, You Know…” got canceled. One that’s old enough to order a beer in a bar. One Apple’s already comfortable having billion-dollar deals with.

“Apple Nears $1 Billion-a Year Deal to Use Google AI for Siri”

So… Apple is close to finalizing a deal to run a bespoke, private version of Gemini on its own servers to power enhanced Siri, a thing that Tim Cook said just last week the company is making “good progress” on expects to deliver next year?…