2025 year in review

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The Vergecast year-end episode features David Pierce, Joanna Stern, and Neila Patel reviewing 2025 tech predictions, then selecting yearbook superlatives for the year. They discuss agents as the biggest failure, Google Gemini as the most surprising success, Cursor as startup of the year, and the iPhone 17 Pro as gadget of the year. The conversation also covers worst buzzwords (agentic, vibe coding), best AI (AI search and a Suno cover), and the death of ad-free products.

Main Topics: 2025 Prediction Review (Priority: 5/5): The hosts review their predictions for 2025 from a year ago, tally scores (David 11, Neila 11, Joanna 12), and litigate five ambiguous questions to determine a winner. Yearbook Superlatives (Priority: 5/5): The panel selects yearbook-style superlatives for 2025, including most surprising success (Google Gemini), biggest failure (agents), startup of the year (Cursor), and gadget of the year (iPhone 17 Pro). The Failure of Agents (Priority: 4/5): Discussion of failures across AI assistants and agentic systems, including Siri backtracking, Alexa Plus not launching properly, and web browser agents being slow and clunky. Buzzwords and AI Highlights (Priority: 3/5): Conversation about worst new buzzwords like 'agentic' and 'vibe coding/shopping,' and the best AI thing (AI search and a Suno cover of Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine). Personal Tech Purchases (Priority: 2/5): Discussion of best personal purchases of 2025: smart shades for a baby room, Yoto Player for kids, Brother HL-L2460DW printer for a book, and a photo scanner for family photos.

Key Arguments: Agents are the biggest failure of the year because the hype far exceeds execution – no one has had a positive agentic experience yet. Google Gemini is the most surprising success story of 2025, coming ahead in both product and mindshare when no one predicted it a year ago. AI search (via ChatGPT or Google AI mode) is the best AI thing because it has become a practical daily-use tool, especially for shopping research. Ad-free products are dying – streaming services are pushing ad-supported tiers, and even smart displays now show ads. The concept of 'agents' across products (Alexa Plus, Siri, web browser agents) has failed to deliver on its promise of autonomous task completion.

Data Points: Prediction accuracy scores: David: 11 right, Neila: 11 right, Joanna: 12 right - Results of prediction game about 2025 events Judgment on breakup happening: No – the question is answered as no because the Chrome case is being appealed and the Google ad tech case hasn't reached a decision yet - Outcome of the government breaking up big tech discussion Judgment on Waymo having a moment: No – panel decided it did not have a mainstream breakthrough moment - Outcome of the Waymo having its moment in 2025 discussion

Pivotal Quotes: "The intern is drunk and didn't show up to work." — Neila Patel: Neila Patel describing the state of AI agents "The ad-free internet experience has come to an end." — David Pierce: David Pierce discussing the death of ad-free products "I think it's the iPhone 17 Pro in orange... Finally went back to a pro after being on a Max for so many years because of battery life. This is great now for battery life." — Joanna Stern: Joanna Stern announcing her gadget of the year pick

Implications: The panel highlights that AI hype continues to outpace reality, especially for agents. Ad-free internet experience is ending, and tech CEOs are cozying up to the Trump administration. Foldable iPhones and touchscreen Macs may blur device categories, forcing Apple to rethink its product lineup.