WSJ Tech News Briefing: Why Google Thinks It Can Catch Up to ChatGPT

Released January 21, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of the Wall Street Journal's "Tech News Briefing," host Bell Lin navigates two pivotal topics in the tech world: effective strategies for managing iPhone storage and the intense rivalry between Google and OpenAI in the chatbot arena. The episode not only provides actionable tips for everyday tech users but also delves deep into Google's ambitious plans to surpass OpenAI's ChatGPT with its new Gemini chatbot. Below is a comprehensive summary capturing all the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

Managing iPhone Storage: Tips from Nicole Nguyen

The episode kicks off with a commonly faced issue among iPhone users: constantly full storage. Personal tech columnist Nicole Nguyen offers a range of solutions to help listeners optimize their device storage.

1. Assessing Storage Usage ([01:35])

Nicole emphasizes the importance of understanding what consumes space on your iPhone:

Nicole Nguyen: "Go to the settings app, then to general, and check iPhone storage. It provides a graph of what's taking up space and offers recommendations for large attachments and app data."

She suggests reviewing and deleting large attachments in messages, as these often duplicate photos and videos stored elsewhere.

2. Upgrading Storage ([01:35])

While not a technical tip, Nicole acknowledges that sometimes the simplest solution is to upgrade your device:

Nicole Nguyen: "You can throw money at the problem and buy a new phone with higher storage. 512 gigabytes is probably the sweet spot for most people."

3. Leveraging Cloud Services ([03:06])

Nicole discusses the benefits of using cloud storage to free up local space:

Nicole Nguyen: "Consider not using iCloud Photos to back up your digital library. Instead, use Google Photos or Amazon Photos. Google Photos offers a 'free up space' feature that deletes local copies after backup, which can significantly reduce storage usage."

She explains the cost-effectiveness of these services, noting that Google Photos starts at $30 a year for 200 gigabytes, and Amazon Photos offers unlimited full-resolution photo storage with an Amazon Prime membership.

4. Optimizing Settings ([04:24])

Nicole provides practical settings adjustments to help manage storage efficiently:

Nicole Nguyen: "Enable 'high efficiency' in the camera settings to compress photo and video sizes. Also, turn on options like auto-deleting old messages and offloading unused apps to keep your device lean."

She highlights features like auto-deleting messages that contain high-resolution images and offloading unused apps, which removes apps but retains their data for future use.

5. Deleting Unnecessary Data ([02:48] & [03:06])

Addressing the humorous notion of deleting essential apps, Bell Lin jokes about not wanting to delete the Tech News Briefing podcast. Nicole clarifies:

Nicole Nguyen: "You can delete episodes you've already listened to."

This ensures that while storage is freed up, users retain access to their favorite content.

Google vs. OpenAI: The Battle for Chatbot Supremacy

After addressing personal tech challenges, the focus shifts to the broader AI landscape, specifically the competition between Google and OpenAI in the chatbot domain. Reporter Miles Krupa provides an in-depth analysis of Google's strategy to eclipse ChatGPT with its Gemini chatbot.

1. Google's Ambitious Goal ([06:31])

Bell Lin introduces Google's target for the Gemini chatbot:

Bell Lin: "Google's CEO Sundar Pichai recently told employees that he wants its Gemini chatbot to hit 500 million users by the end of this year."

2. Contextualizing the Goal ([06:31] & [07:01])

Miles puts this target into perspective relative to Google's existing user base:

Miles Krupa: "Google has seven products with more than 2 billion users, so 500 million is only a quarter of that. Compared to OpenAI's ChatGPT, which has about 300 million weekly users, Sundar is aiming for something a bit higher."

He notes that while 500 million is substantial, it's achievable given Google's expansive ecosystem.

3. Leveraging Google's Ecosystem ([07:15])

Miles outlines the advantages Google holds in this competitive race:

Miles Krupa: "Google has partnerships with mobile phone makers like Samsung and Motorola. This allows Gemini to be pre-installed as the default mobile assistant or accessible directly from the home screen. Additionally, Google's dominance in search and browser usage provides multiple platforms to integrate and promote Gemini."

These integrations can significantly boost Gemini's visibility and adoption across millions of devices.

4. Advancements in AI Technology ([08:09])

From a technological standpoint, Google has made significant strides to catch up and surpass ChatGPT:

Miles Krupa: "Google has been catching up and even surpassing OpenAI in certain large language model benchmarks. The 'Gemini Chatbot' features 'Deep Research,' which generates research reports by searching the web, differentiating it from ChatGPT."

He highlights Google's ability to innovate and integrate advanced features that enhance user experience, potentially attracting a larger user base.

5. Importance of User Base and Technological Edge ([09:08] & [09:17])

Miles elaborates on why Google's push for a larger user base is crucial:

Miles Krupa: "The launch of ChatGPT in late 2022 was a shock to Google, highlighting potential disruptions in how people access information online. Maintaining a strong presence in the chatbot market is essential to prevent competitors from reshaping search behaviors. A successful Gemini can solidify Google's role in future information access paradigms."

6. Future Implications ([10:18])

Bell Lin wraps up the segment by emphasizing the broader impact of this competition:

Bell Lin: "This competition isn't just about user numbers; it's about shaping the future of information access and maintaining dominance in search. Google's proactive approach with Gemini is a strategic move to ensure it remains at the forefront of AI-driven technologies."

Conclusion

The episode concludes by underscoring the significance of both personal tech management and the evolving AI landscape. While practical tips help users optimize their daily device usage, the battle between tech giants like Google and OpenAI illustrates the dynamic and competitive nature of the tech industry. Google's strategic initiatives with the Gemini chatbot reflect its commitment to innovation and maintaining its leadership role amidst rising competition.

Key Takeaways:

• iPhone Storage Management: Users can optimize their device storage by assessing usage, upgrading storage, leveraging cloud services like Google Photos, adjusting device settings, and managing app data effectively.

• AI Chatbot Competition: Google aims to surpass OpenAI's ChatGPT by leveraging its extensive ecosystem, technological advancements, and strategic partnerships, targeting 500 million Gemini users by the end of the year.

• Future of Information Access: The rivalry between Google and OpenAI is pivotal in shaping how users interact with information, emphasizing the importance of innovation and strategic positioning in the tech industry.

This episode of "Tech News Briefing" offers valuable insights for both everyday tech users and industry observers, highlighting the intersection of personal technology management and broader technological advancements.