On Tuesday, Google used its annual developer conference, I/O 2026, to unveil new AI agents and major Gemini upgrades. But while the company wanted the spotlight on its AI announcements, the internet noticed something else entirely, Google executives appearing to use an iPhone 17 Pro and MacBook during live product demos and presentations.
The viral moment surfaced during a live demo of Gemini Spark, Google’s new AI agent designed to independently perform tasks across apps and services. But instead of focusing on the AI showcase, internet users quickly zoomed in on the hardware being used on stage, an apparent iPhone 17 Pro and MacBook.
The sight of Apple devices at Google’s biggest annual developer event sparked immediate reactions online, especially among Pixel users. Google has long positioned its Pixel lineup as the ideal hardware companion for Gemini and the broader AI ecosystem, making the use of an iPhone during a flagship demo appear ironic to many viewers.
The moment also triggered speculation about the growing relationship between Google and Apple in the AI space. Several users on X suggested the appearance of the iPhone could be linked to the expected Gemini integration with Siri and future Apple Intelligence features.
The discussion gained traction because Google has already confirmed that Gemini will support upcoming Apple Intelligence capabilities, fuelling theories that the companies may be moving toward deeper AI collaboration despite competing in the smartphone market.