• The fake promise of better Siri
    Mar 14 2025
    Big tech companies are forever making promises about the future. And you might (or might not) be surprised how often they don't come true. On this episode, Nilay and David start by discussing the good and bad of Apple's new iPads and Macs, before diving into the supposedly AI-powered, all-powerful Siri that is delayed indefinitely. Maybe this whole "AI will fix everything" plan wasn't such a good one. After that, The Verge's Andy Hawkins joins to discuss what's going on with Tesla: why sales are down, how the perception of the company has shifted as Elon Musk's job description has changed, and how it happened that President Trump did a Tesla sales pitch on the White House lawn. Everything's computer, you know? Finally, in the lighting round, the hosts discuss Brendan Carr's ongoing shenanigans, Jay Graber's sartorial burns, the future of Pokemon Go, and much more. Further reading: Apple is reportedly planning a design overhaul for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS Apple’s plans for a smart display suffer a Siri-related setback Apple adds Siri disclaimer to iPhone 16 pages. Apple pulled its iPhone 16 ad showing off the good Siri. ‘HomePad’ delayed to post-WWDC to ensure iOS 19 design consistency All this bad AI is wrecking a whole generation of gadgets Apple MacBook Air M4 review: a little more for a little less Apple Mac Studio (M3 Ultra) first look: a weekend with an $8,000 powerhouse Apple iPad Air 2025 review: what the M3 upgrade really gets you Is Tesla cooked? Trump says he’ll label attacks on Tesla locations as domestic terrorism The Tesla protests are getting bigger — and rowdier Trump hosts a Tesla ad at the White House. Everything's computer Tesla protests continue to escalate. Sonos has canceled its streaming video player Home Assistant makes it official. FCC chair asks if YouTube TV ‘discriminates against faith-based programming’ Brendan Carr on X: FCC chairman asks the public to list every regulation he should remove A Trump official has been moonlighting as a fashion influencer Pokémon Go developer Niantic to sell gaming business to Saudi group TikTok’s mood music will tell teens to ‘wind down’ after 10PM Bluesky CEO Jay Graber has a message for Zuck. Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 47 mins
  • China has some big ideas about smartphones
    Mar 11 2025
    In this episode, what's old is new again, and what's new is... AI again. The Verge's Allison Johnson and Dominic Preston join David to discuss their experience at Mobile World Congress 2025, where they saw the latest devices from Xiaomi, Samsung, Realme, and others — and found themselves confronted with some big, surprising new ideas about how our smartphones should look and work. After that, Kevin Rose and Justin Mezzell talk about the process of bringing Digg back, and how AI can improve the way social networks operate. Digg got a lot of things right two decades ago, and plans to do it all over again now. Finally, we answer a question about printers from the Vergecast Hotline (call 866-VERGE11 or email vergecast@theverge.com!), with some help from Framework CEO Nirav Patel. Further reading: MWC 2025 was all about the odds and ends What if your phone’s camera was much, much bigger? You spin me right round, baby, right round. Xiaomi 15 Ultra review: ugly phone, beautiful camera Digg Reboot How Digg helped invent the social internet Digg is coming back, with founder Kevin Rose and Reddit’s Alexis Ohanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 19 mins
  • Apple's chip bumps, big and small
    Mar 7 2025
    Apple's new gadgets this week were pretty minor updates, so of course we talk about them for a long time. Nilay and David are joined by The Verge's Jake Kastrenakes, and the three hosts discuss the latest iPad, iPad Air, MacBook Air, and Mac Studio. All three have... a lot of thoughts. After that, they run through some more tech news, including the Digg reboot, the end of Skype, VW's cheap new EV, and more. Finally, in the lightning round, they talk about the latest from DOGE and the Trump administration, Brendan Carr's latest assaults on free speech, and a smartphone that is mostly (but not entirely) a camera. Further reading: Apple iPad Air 2025: launch, price, and specs Apple refreshes the iPad but doesn’t add Apple Intelligence Apple announces MacBook Air with M4 chip and a price cut Our first look at Apple’s sky blue MacBook Air Apple launches new Mac Studios with M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips Behold the maxed out Mac Studio. Digg is coming back, with founder Kevin Rose and Reddit’s Alexis Ohanian Discord is reportedly exploring an IPO. Nothing’s Phone 3A and 3A Pro use AI to organize all your stuff The Volkswagen ID. EVERY1 is an affordable EV for the masses Volkswagen’s cheapest EV ever is the first to use Rivian software Microsoft is shutting down Skype in favor of Teams The Verge remembers Skype Big Tech is now slightly less silent on Trump’s tariffs Trump imposes tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China Car prices expected to increase by as much as $12,000 thanks to Trump’s tariffs Best Buy and Target CEOs say prices are about to go up because of tariffs What’s an import? Trump to Cabinet: Musk has no authority to fire workers FAA staff reportedly ordered to find funding for deal with Musk’s Starlink Trump’s USCIS wants to review all prospective citizens’ social media accounts Senate votes to strip the CFPB of its power to regulate X MWC: FCC chair says U.S. will defend interests of its tech giants FCC’s Carr defends broadcast probes, slams social media ‘threat’ A camera for your cameraphone: Sony Cyber-shot QX10 and QX100 review Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a small update with a big periscope lens  Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 53 mins
  • The James Bond Cinematic Universe
    Mar 4 2025
    On this episode, we're diving deep into new ideas about old things. First, Framework CEO Nirav Patel joins David and The Verge's Sean Hollister to talk about Framework's new Laptop 12 and Desktop, plus the company's plan to bring its upgradeable, repairable ethos to other gadgets. After that, Daring Fireball's John Gruber joins the show to talk about the future of James Bond, now that Amazon has complete creative control over the 007 franchise. Do we want to live in the James Bond Cinematic Universe? Finally, we answer a question on the Vergecast Hotline about using smart glasses to replace your computer monitor. Further reading: Framework wants to fix the budget laptop with its first touchscreen machine Mint and pink: a closer look at the backflipping Framework Laptop 12 Framework’s first tiny Desktop beautifully straddles the line between cute and badass Framework Desktop hands-on: a possible new direction for gaming desktops ‘We’re nowhere near done with Framework Laptop 16’ says Framework CEO Amazon now has creative control over the James Bond franchise Amazon buys MGM for $8.45 billion From David Smith: The Talk Show Bond Anthology From Daring Fireball: Amazon MGM Studios Takes Creative Control Over James Bond Franchise Xreal’s new glasses are a surprisingly good TV for your face The smart glasses era is here — I got a first look Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 34 mins
  • The high stakes for AI Alexa
    Feb 28 2025
    AI will fix everything, right? In this episode, friend of The Verge (and Waveform co-host) David Imel joins Nilay and David to talk all about Alexa Plus, and the AI-powered voice assistant Amazon thinks can do everything from turn on your lights to order your friend an Uber. The hosts also talk about the other gadgets of the week, from the wild new Sigma BF camera to the boring iPhone 16E. Finally, in the lightning round, they talk about TikTok becoming YouTube and YouTube becoming TikTok and Instagram becoming YouTube and TikTok, plus the latest in Brendan Carr being a dummy and what's coming next from Automattic, DOGE, and everything. Further reading: Amazon Alexa Plus Event 2025: live updates and product announcements Amazon announces AI upgrade for Alexa Amazon’s Alexa Plus’ AI upgrades cost $19.99, but it’s free with Prime Amazon is launching Alexa.com and new app for Alexa Plus Alexa engagement continues to grow. Alexa Plus leaves behind Amazon’s earliest Echo devices Sigma’s BF is a minimalist full-frame camera with no memory card slot iPhone 16E review: Eh, it’s alright Framework’s first tiny Desktop beautifully straddles the line between cute and badass More than 1 billion people are now watching podcasts on YouTube every month Instagram’s Reels may get its own app From TechCrunch: In challenge to YouTube, TikTok revamps its desktop platform Someone flooded HUD HQ TVs with an AI-generated video of Trump and Musk. Bluesky banned this video Elon Musk claims federal employees have 48 hours to explain recent work or resign DOGE asks federal workers to justify their recent work or resign. Donald Trump and Elon Musk threaten to ‘semi-fire’ workers who don’t answer email Amy Gleason officially named as DOGE administrator Apple responds to tariff threat with a $500 billion US investment plan Trump shed some light on his meeting with Tim Cook. Starlink poised to take over $2.4 billion contract to overhaul air traffic control communication FCC to brief lawmakers on George Soros investigation in closed-door meeting FCC Chairman Brendan Carr Probes iHeartMedia Over How it Pays Musicians FCC Chair Brendan Carr taking first steps in eroding key legal protection enjoyed by Big Tech Automattic combines its Beeper and Texts.com messaging services Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 56 mins
  • We can’t quit electric cars — or robotaxis
    Feb 25 2025
    Robotaxis: in. EVs: Out? The Verge's Andy Hawkins joins the show to talk about the goings-on in the transportation industry, including the reasons car makers are slowing down on EV production (but not giving up entirely) and why suddenly everyone's back in on robotaxis. Then, The Social Web Foundation's Evan Prodromou tells us what's new with the fediverse. We talk about Bluesky, Threads, Mastodon, and the increasingly ambitious plans for the ActivityPub protocol. Finally, we talk through some feedback on last week's episode about the pricing of the iPhone 16E, and how the way you buy your phone changes the way you feel about its price. Further reading: EV truck maker Nikola goes bust Senate Republicans introduce bills to make EVs more expensive Volkswagen claims it’s actually making that $20,000 EV and will show it next month Ford lost $5 billion on EVs in 2024, teases new models Lyft eyes robotaxi launch in 2026 Uber to Austin: get ready for Waymo The fediverse, explained: Mastodon, Threads, and the open future of social networking Flipboard’s Surf app is a feed reader for the fediverse Tumblr’s fediverse integration might finally happen soon. The Social Web Foundation Apple launches the iPhone 16E Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 17 mins
  • The ups and downs of the iPhone 16E
    Feb 21 2025
    Lots of gadget news this week! David, Jake Kastrenakes, and Allison Johnson start by talking about the iPhone 16E, which is both the cheapest compelling iPhone in a long time and a deeply odd addition to Apple's phone lineup. They also discuss the end of the Humane AI Pin, the latest from the Rabbit R1, and whether AI gadgets are even going to be a thing. After that, it's time for the lightning round: David and Jake talk about Amazon Chime, Mira Murati's new startup, and the future of James Bond. Then, in a special DOGE lightning round, Lauren Feiner joins the show to discuss everything happening with Trump, Musk, DOGE, and the US government. Because there's a lot of it. Further reading: Apple launches the iPhone 16E 8 important things to know about the iPhone 16E The iPhone is done with home buttons — here’s why I’ll miss it Verge staffers react to the iPhone 16E: what we love and don’t love Apple no longer sells new iPhones with Lightning ports How the new iPhone 16E compares to the rest of Apple’s iPhone 16 lineup Apple’s first in-house iPhone modem is the C1 Oppo Find N5 review: the final evolution of foldables The world’s thinnest foldable phone doesn’t come cheap Humane is shutting down the AI Pin and selling its remnants to HP The Humane AI Pin never had a chance Rabbit shows off the AI agent it should have launched with Amazon’s revamped Alexa might launch over a month after its announcement event Microsoft announces quantum computing breakthrough with Majorana 1 chip A death knell for Chime Mira Murati launches rival to OpenAI called Thinking Machines Lab The New York Times adopts AI tools in the newsroom Amazon now has creative control over the James Bond franchise Spotify’s HiFi streaming could finally arrive this year Treasury inspector general will investigate DOGE payments access | The Verge Trump threatens 25 percent ‘and higher’ tariff on chips. Acer is the first to raise laptop prices because of Trump Trump issues an executive order claiming more oversight of independent agencies like the FTC and FCC. Trump administration cancels approval for NYC congestion pricing. DOGE’s alleged cost-cutting achievements included a few extra zeroes. A SpaceX team is being brought in to overhaul FAA’s air traffic control system Trump admin pulls hundreds of videos from CFPB’s YouTube channel DOGE can keep accessing government data for now, judge rules Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 53 mins
  • Can Meta still make the metaverse?
    Feb 18 2025
    This episode is all about companies in flux. First, we chat with The Verge's Alex Heath about all things Meta — whether the company is still serious about the metaverse, why its AI plans seem to be going so well, what "OG Facebook" really means, and what headsets to expect this year. After that, The Verge's Chris Welch takes us through the last year at Sonos, from the disastrous app launch to the pretty good headphones that were totally derailed by the disastrous app launch. Can the company get it together in order to launch its next big swing, a set-top box codenamed Pinewood? Finally, we answer a question on the Vergecast Hotline all about business cards. Because, yes, it's 2025, but sometimes you still need a place to put a business card. Further reading: Mark Zuckerberg tells Meta employees to ‘buckle up’ in internal meeting Meta says this is the make or break year for the metaverse Meta’s Ray-Bans smart glasses sold more than 1 million units last year Meta’s AR / VR hardware roadmap through 2027 Meta CTO says the company is working to ‘catch’ leakers Zuck wants to bring the “OG Facebook” back. The Sonos app fiasco: how a great audio brand nearly ruined its reputation Sonos CEO Patrick Spence steps down after disastrous app launch Sonos’ interim CEO hits all the right notes in first letter to employees Sonos Arc Ultra review: don’t call it a comeback (yet) Sonos Ace review: was it worth it? | The Verge After a bruising year, Sonos readies its next big thing: a streaming box Adobe Scan Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 16 mins