Apple withholds Siri AI in EU, raises prices, and Thompson vibe codes
Apple's AI faces EU roadblock; Ben Thompson's garage app shows AI's fun side.
In this week's Stratechery bundle, Apple takes center stage with two notable moves. First, the company confirmed that its fully functional Apple Intelligence products—effectively a new Siri AI—will not ship in Europe due to ongoing regulatory battles under the Digital Markets Act. The decision, discussed at length by Ben Thompson and John Gruber on Dithering, highlights the frustration of navigating EU rules. Thompson argues that Apple's own policies may ultimately drive the competitive changes the EU seeks, even as price hikes roll out globally.
On a lighter note, Thompson shares his 'vibe coding' adventure, where he built an app to organize his garage using AI assistance. He reflects on the joy of creating something practical and fun, arguing that amid fears of software disruption and geopolitical tensions, AI's true power is its ability to empower individuals. Other highlights include an interview with Figma CEO Dylan Field on AI's role in design, analysis of memory chip makers and Chinese competition, and a Sharp Tech mailbag tackling topics from Sam Altman's PR to ocean data centers.
- Apple's Siri AI won't launch in Europe due to Digital Markets Act compliance issues.
- Ben Thompson's 'vibe coding' experiment produced a real garage organization app using AI.
- Apple has raised prices across multiple services amid regulatory and market pressures.
Why It Matters
Regulatory friction shapes AI deployment, while vibe coding proves AI can deliver practical, personal tools.