Hello! This is The Vergecast, the flagship podcast of The Verge... and your life. Every Friday, Nilay Patel and Dieter Bohn make sense of the week's tech news with help from our wide-ranging staff. Join us every week for a fun, deeply nerdy, often off-the-rails conversation about what's happening now (and next) in technology and gadgets.
Emulators are taking over the App Store
The Verge's Nilay Patel, Alex Cranz, and David Pierce discuss third-party iPhone app stores, game emulators, Google Android and hardware team restructuring, the latest TikTok news, and more. Further reading: Third-party iPhone app store AltStore PAL is now live in Europe The free Delta game emulator for iPhones is live on Apple’s App Store A new NES emulator was briefly available on the Apple App Store The first Apple-approved emulator for the iPhone has arrived... and been pulled Apple opens the App Store to retro game emulators Google is combining its Android and hardware teams — and it’s all about AI Meta’s battle with ChatGPT begins now AI isn't useless. But is it worth it? Facebook’s AI Told Parents Group It Has a Gifted, Disabled Child Big Papa Joe, world's biggest TouchWiz Fan - The Vergecast (clip) Facebook’s AI Told Parents Group It Has a Gifted, Disabled Child Sony might have perfected Mini LED TVs with its new 2024 lineup Broadcast TV still exists, and now it’s sort of getting a built-in DVR TikTok Notes starts rolling out as a new rival to Instagram TikTok gives users more in-app ways to buy event tickets. TikTok divest-or-ban legislation could suddenly be fast-tracked in the Senate Report: ByteDance still has access to US users’ TikTok data despite Project Texas The president could delay a TikTok ban an extra six months under a reported House proposal. TikTok to restrict users who repeatedly post problematic topics from ‘For You’ feed Twitch’s new TikTok-style Discovery feed is rolling out to everyone soon Spotify is developing a remix feature to rival sped-up TikTok tunes Samsung shifts executives to six-day workweeks to ‘inject a sense of crisis’ Boston Dynamics’ new electric Atlas robot is swiveling nightmare fuel 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
The internet really is a series of tubes
Today on the flagship podcast of undersea cable management: 04:10 - The Verge’s David Pierce and Josh Dzieza discuss the industry of laying and maintaining undersea cables that connect us to the internet. 43:43 - Tom Warren and Joanna Nelius join the show to discuss the future of Arm chips on PCs and whether or not we’re about to get a huge jump in performance on most laptops. Chip race: Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Nvidia battle it out for AI chip supremacy Microsoft is confident Windows on Arm could finally beat Apple 1:11:18 - Alex Cranz answers questions from the Vergecast Hotline about e-readers and the latest Kobo devices. Kobo announces its first color e-readers The best ebook reader to buy right now 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
The good, the bad, and the Humane AI Pin
The Verge's Nilay Patel, David Piece, and Alex Cranz discuss David's review of the Humane AI Pin, Taylor Swift's music back on TikTok, a new party speaker, and much more. Further reading: Humane AI Pin review: the post-smartphone future isn’t here yet Here’s What Reviewers Are Saying About the Humane Pin We now have a better look at what’s inside the Humane AI pin OpenAI transcribed over a million hours of YouTube videos to train GPT-4 Taylor Swift’s music is back on TikTok Apple will open the iPhone to repair with used parts Kobo announces its first color e-readers Sony’s new headphones and speakers are all about skull-rattling bass Official: here’s the DJI Avata 2, possibly one of the best sequels in years Google Vids is the latest AI-powered app in Workspace Meta says it’s fixing ‘HD’ photo sharing in Facebook Messenger Marissa Mayer’s eternal Sunshine The MPA has big plans to crack down on movie piracy again Vote for The Vergecast in the Webbys! Join The Verge at the 2024 Chicago Humanities Spring Festival 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
The TikTok ban and the iPhone monopoly
The Verge’s David Pierce, Nilay Patel, and Alex Cranz answer questions from The Vergecast Hotline all about the TikTok ban debate and the US v Apple case. Further reading: TikTok ban: all the news on attempts to ban the video platform US v. Apple: everything you need to know The Curse of Bigness: Antitrust in the New Gilded Age Vote for The Vergecast in the Webbys! Join The Verge at the 2024 Chicago Humanities Spring Festival 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
How much MacBook is enough MacBook?
The Verge's Nilay Patel, David Pierce, Alex Cranz discuss the Apple Macbook Air M3 review, Jon Stewart's take on AI, and a whole lot more of this week's tech news. Further reading: Apple MacBook Air M3 review: small upgrades It’s time for a hard reset on notifications Best printer 2024, best printer for home use, office use, printing labels, printer for school, homework printer you are a printer we are all printers Microsoft is working on an Xbox AI chatbot Samsung says Bixby’s still not dead The world needs more gadgets like LG’s briefcase TV Jon Stewart on AI, Lina Khan, and the other things Apple didn’t want him to say A first look at Europe’s alternative iPhone app stores Will the Apple antitrust case lawsuit affect your phone’s security? How Meta’s global head of safety approaches online age verification Is TikTok still TikTok without the algorithm?’ The US House banned staffers from using Microsoft Copilot FCC will vote on restoring net neutrality rules X’s ‘complimentary’ Premium push gives people blue checks they didn’t ask for Spotify’s price is reportedly going up again AI George Carlin case settled as performers demand better protection OpenAI’s voice cloning AI model only needs a 15-second sample to work Google Podcasts is gone — and so is my faith in Google Vote for us in the Webbys!! People’s Voice Technology Podcast 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
A better keyboard than QWERTY
Today on the flagship podcast of alternate keyboard layouts: 03:36 - The Verge’s David Pierce talks to Jonas Hietala about his ultra-custom keyboard he built from the ground up to fit his specific needs. Jonas Hietala: The T-34 keyboard layout 30:40 - The Verge’s Tom Warren explains the next phase of Microsoft with a new leader on the Windows and Surface team. Microsoft has a new Windows and Surface chief Microsoft’s first AI PCs are the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 for businesses Rewind’s new feature brings ChatGPT to your personal information 57:32 - David answers a question from the Vergecast Hotline about tricks for Netflix recommendations. How Planet Earth — and the Netflix homepage — get made 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
Power User: Taylor Lorenz on the TikTok ban
Today we're sharing an episode of a new podcast called Power User, which explores how technology and the internet are upending our lives and the world around us, hosted by tech journalist Taylor Lorenz. Listen to Power User wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
AI headphones and clicky phone keys
Today on the flagship podcast of canceled-out cricket sounds: 03:29 - David, Andru, and Will react to prototype headphones that use AI to take noise cancellation to a whole new level. Hear how the best ANC headphones handle real world and lab tests We sent the top ANC headphones to a lab to test their noise-canceling abilities The University of Washington’s Semantic Hearing project UW’s Mobile Intelligence Lab 31:30 - Michael Fisher, aka Mr. Mobile, joins the show to discuss mobile phones with physical keyboards and his latest project, “Clicks,” an iPhone case featuring an integrated keyboard. Clicks is a BlackBerry-style iPhone keyboard case designed for creators BlackBerry kills Ryan Seacrest's iPhone keyboard 56:30 - Andru Marino answers a question from the Vergecast Hotline about the best microphone for recording your parents. How to get great audio for podcast interviews 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
Apple’s antitrust fight begins
The Verge's David Pierce, Alex Cranz, Lauren Feiner and Nilay Patel discuss the breaking news about the the US Department of Justice accusing Apple of operating an illegal monopoly in the smartphone market in an expansive new antitrust lawsuit. Further reading: US v. Apple: everything you need to know US sues Apple for illegal monopoly over smartphones The US Department of Justice is suing Apple — read the full lawsuit here The lock-in problem at the heart of the DOJ’s case against Apple Beeper couldn’t bring iMessage to Android — but it can still make a great chat app What else can Humane’s AI pin do? These toddler games for iPad are actually good — and that's all too rare YouTube TV’s multiview comes to iPhones and iPads in time for March Madness 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
DoorDash, Uber Eats... and Tony
Today on the flagship podcast of scaled EV production: 02:50 - Verge producer Will Poor tags along with a former Uber Eats driver who ditched the delivery apps and is trying to start a one-man gig work revolution. This Seattle Delivery Person Is Breaking Free of the Apps https://tonydelivers.co/ 18:54- The Verge's David Pierce and Andrew Hawkins discuss Rivian's new vehicles they announced last week, and what it will take for the company to compete with Tesla. Rivian R2, R3, and R3X launch event: the EV company’s more affordable SUVs are here Rivian’s CEO talks R2 and R3 launch, and why he has ‘complete certainty’ EVs will win Rivian R2 revealed: a $45,000 electric off-roader for the masses Rivian owners now have access to Tesla Superchargers Rivian surprises with R3 and R3X electric SUVs 54:37 - David and Allison Johnson answer a question from The Vergecast Hotline about foldable phones. Google Pixel Fold review: closing the gap Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 review: a little better is just good enough 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
Are we really about to ban TikTok?
The Verge 's Nilay Patel, David Pierce, and Alex Cranz discuss the US House of Representatives passing a bill that could ban TikTok, the streaming news of the week, a Dyson robot, and more. Further reading: Lawmakers introduce bill that would punish app stores for hosting TikTok TikTok ban: all the news on attempts to ban the video platform House passes bill that could ban TikTok TikTok’s fate now lies with the Senate after House advances path to a ban There might be a “TikTok Photos” app in the works to take on Instagram. TikTok CEO tells users to “make their voices heard” against a bill that could ban the app in the US. Nancy Pelosi is playing TikTok-toe. Donald Trump has even more to say about the TikTok ban. President Biden says he’ll sign a TikTok ban, if passed. TikTok is urging users to call Congress about a looming ban The TikTokers are revolting. Former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick is apparently eyeing TikTok. YouTube is revamping its TV app to make videos feel way more interactive Spotify now has music videos Neil Young’s music is back on “low res Spotify” two years after Rogan protest Neil Young says the MacBook Pro has ‘Fisher-Price’ audio quality Elon Musk cancels Don Lemon’s show on X after a ‘tense’ interview Linda Yaccarino on X: "X is becoming a video first platform” Roku hackers breach 15,000 accounts and are selling them online British monarchy rocked by bad Photoshop job The Kate Middleton photo scandal is a rare — and consequential — flub SpaceX successfully launches Starship in third flight test Apple to allow iOS app downloads direct from websites in the EU Hands-on with the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum Nikon is acquiring US camera manufacturer RED 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
The 2024 Streaming Draft (live from SXSW)
The Verge's Nilay Patel, David Pierce, and Alex Cranz choose their picks for The Vergecast Streaming Draft of 2024 in front of a live audience at SXSW. Watch video version with a scoreboard on YouTube 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
Hello and goodbye to the MacBook Air
The Verge's Nilay Patel, David Pierce, and Alex Cranz discuss Apple's upgraded MacBook Air, the EU's Digital Markets Act deadline for tech’s biggest “gatekeepers”, and a bunch of tech news from this week. Further reading: Apple announces upgraded MacBook Air laptops with M3 chips The MacBook Air’s wedge is truly gone — and I miss it already Apple may not do a spring event this year How the EU’s DMA is changing Big Tech: all of the news and updates How every tech ‘gatekeeper’ is responding to the DMA iOS 17.4 is here and ready for a whole new Europe Apple hit with a nearly $2 billion fine following Spotify complaint Spotify and Epic criticize Apple’s iOS changes as ‘a mockery of the DMA’ Spotify will show pricing options outside its iOS app in the EU — if Apple lets it Apple kills Epic’s iOS game store plans over App Store criticism Apple is bringing sideloading and alternate app stores to the iPhone Apple unbanned Epic so it can make an iOS games store in the EU Alternative iOS app stores won’t work (for long) outside of the EU. Here’s the new iOS default browser nag for iPhone users in Europe. Apple is officially dropping iPhone support for web apps in the EU Apple’s decision to drop iPhone web apps comes under scrutiny in the EU Now Apple says it won’t disable iPhone web apps in the EU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
AI gadgets, bendy phones, and more from MWC
Today on the flagship podcast of region locked phones: The Verge’s Allison Johnson and Jon Porter report back on all the tech we saw at Mobile World Congress this past week. MWC 2024: all the phones, wearables, and gadgets announced in Barcelona Peering through Lenovo’s transparent laptop into a sci-fi future What if phones actually bent to our needs? The Phone 2A makes a guest appearance at Nothing’s MWC event. The Humane AI Pin worked better than I expected — until it didn’t Samsung has big ambitions for the Galaxy Ring A short gif of Infinix’s color-changing charging E Ink phone concept. Now there’s a 28,000mAh battery with a phone in it Xiaomi’s new Watch S3 has a bezel you can swap as easily as a strap. Honor’s Magic 6 Pro launches internationally with AI-powered eye tracking on the way HMD is making a Barbie flip phone alongside a smartphone for tinkerers Later, David answers a question from the Vergecast Hotline about web crawlers and AI. With the rise of AI, web crawlers are suddenly controversial 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
How smart is the smart kitchen, really?
The Verge’s Jennifer Pattison Tuohy has as smart a kitchen as any reasonable person possibly could; she has smart appliances, a smart sink, a smart fridge, and more voice assistants than anyone could ever talk to. And for a few days, she tried to let her kitchen do the work: telling her what to cook, getting everything set up just right, and even taking some of the cooking and cleaning load off her shoulders. Jen kept a diary during her adventures, and then joined The Vergecast to tell the tale. The fun, frustrating, exciting, harrowing tale. Links: The Thermomix The Samsung Food app The Fresco app The GE Profile Smart Smoker The Smart Instapot Pro The Traeger Smart Wood Pellet Grill The Typhur Smart Air Fryer Tovala Smart Countertop Oven My favorite smart oven is toast 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