2025 year in review
The Vergecast
2025/12/09
2025 year in review
2025 year in review

The Vergecast
2025/12/09
2025 was a year of bold promises and mixed results in the tech world. From AI breakthroughs to regulatory standstills, the landscape shifted in unexpected ways. On this special year-end episode, The Vergecast team and guest Joanna Stern reflect on what actually moved the needle—and what fizzled out.
The panel reviews 2025’s biggest tech moments, noting that despite intense scrutiny, no major big-tech breakup occurred. The Pixel 10 stood out as the top Android phone, while Waymo made little mainstream progress. AI showed flashes of promise—Gemini advanced significantly and AI music demonstrated creativity—but most AI agents and hardware like the Humane Pin failed to deliver. The iPhone 17 Pro was praised for refinement, though not revolutionary. Threads gained cultural traction via Instagram, while Blue Sky fostered more authentic discourse. Ethical concerns emerged over AI mimicking real people, and buzzwords like 'agentic' were mocked for vagueness. Policy-wise, Meta avoided antitrust action, and Brendan Carr’s free speech stance sparked debate. Looking ahead, Valve’s Linux push and Apple’s potential foldable or touchscreen Mac could reshape markets. Meanwhile, simple smart home devices won favor for usability, and in-person keynotes made a comeback with Amazon and Meta leading the charge.
02:36
02:36
No big-tech company was broken up in 2025
12:09
12:09
Google Gemini is the most surprising success story of 2025
31:40
31:40
YouTube's future is AI, according to CEO Neil Mohan
41:24
41:24
Used ChatGPT to successfully negotiate a car deal
51:43
51:43
Brendan Carr’s action against Jimmy Kimmel reset free speech norms in the country
1:02:26
1:02:26
Liquid glass is disappointing and portends a collapse of Apple's gadget distinctions
1:07:13
1:07:13
Strip lights connected to LG TV via Hue app created a delightful, seamless smart-home experience
1:12:04
1:12:04
Yodo player helps kids sleep with seamless NFC music playback