This week on the GeekWire Podcast: Amazon and Microsoft are racing to define the next era of consumer AI, on multiple fronts. We discuss Amazon's attempt to upgrade Alexa into a true generative AI home chatbot — complete with a new web portal and updated Alexa app — while Microsoft leverages its enterprise strength to win over retailers with a new Copilot Checkout feature.

Plus, we explore Google's upcoming "AI Inbox" for Gmail, which promises to act like an executive assistant for your email. We talk about a DIY bird feeder experiment that resulted in "fuzzy birds," and share our initial experience with AI automation on the PC desktop from Seattle startup Vercept.

We offer a Netflix recommendation, Cover-Up, the new documentary about investigative journalist Seymour Hersh. And on that theme, we lament the loss of a major American newspaper, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and reminisce about the time we made an appearance on its editorial page.

With GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook. Edited by Curt Milton.

This week on the GeekWire Podcast: Amazon and Microsoft are racing to define the next era of consumer AI, on multiple fronts. We discuss Amazon's attempt to upgrade Alexa into a true generative AI home chatbot &mdash; complete with <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/amazons-ai-on-the-web-wrist-and-phone-tech-giant-chases-consumer-rivals-with-latest-moves/">a new web portal and updated Alexa app</a> &mdash; while Microsoft leverages its enterprise strength to win over retailers with<a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/microsoft-launches-copilot-checkout-joining-the-ai-shopping-race-against-amazon-google-and-openai/"> a new Copilot Checkout feature</a>.
Plus, we explore Google's upcoming <a href="https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/gmail/gmail-is-entering-the-gemini-era/">"AI Inbox" for Gmail</a>, which promises to act like an executive assistant for your email. We talk about a DIY bird feeder experiment that resulted in "fuzzy birds," and share our initial experience with AI automation on the PC desktop from Seattle startup <a href="https://vercept.com/">Vercept</a>.
We offer a Netflix recommendation, <a href="https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/cover-up-documentary-release-date-news">Cover-Up</a>, the new documentary about investigative journalist Seymour Hersh. And on that theme, we lament <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/business/media/pittsburgh-post-gazette-closing.html?unlocked_article_code=1.DVA.rrTv.fA0OBVAIpL36&amp;smid=url-share">the loss of a major American newspaper</a>, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and reminisce about the time we made an appearance <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bishoptodd_very-sorry-to-see-the-news-about-the-decision-activity-7414823628833357824-L41n/">on its editorial page</a>.
With GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook. Edited by Curt Milton.

GeekWire brings you the week's latest technology news, trends and insights, covering the world of technology from our home base in Seattle. Our regular news podcast features commentary and analysis from our editors and reporters, plus interviews with special guests.

GeekWire reporters John Cook, Todd Bishop and guests talk about the latest tech news and trends.

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