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.
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The summer Intel fell behind / earnings for Apple, Google, Samsung / Nothing's Ear 1 earbuds
Nilay Patel, Dieter Bohn, Alex Cranz, and Chaim Gartenberg discuss this week in tech news: quarterly earnings for the big tech companies, the state of Intel, and the Nothing's Ear 1 earbuds. Further reading: CDC reinstitutes mask recommendations for some vaccinated people Apple will require masks again in most of its US stores Communication around masks is still terrible Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine’s protection against severe disease holds steady over six months The pandemic made it even harder to check on the ocean’s vital signs Next Gen - the future belongs to young people The iPhone 12’s strong momentum helps Apple to another huge quarter Google sets all-time records as search and YouTube profits ... Microsoft reports weaker Surface and Windows revenue amid ... Samsung boosts profits and pledges to 'mainstream' foldables ... Amazon’s earnings show why Andy Jassy is now in charge The summer Intel fell behind Huawei’s P50 announced with Snapdragon 888 and HarmonyOS Leaked Surface Duo 2 photos reveal new triple camera system The Oppo Watch 2 launches in China with a promise of 16 days of battery life Nothing officially reveals its $99 Ear (1) true wireless earbuds Nothing Ear 1 earbuds review: almost something LG’s new true wireless earbuds have a privacy-conscious ‘Whispering Mode’ New Samsung Flip and Fold leaks show water resistance, renders, and an S Pen case White House says infrastructure deal includes $65 billion for broadband T-Mobile’s new prepaid offer is a direct play for the Boost customers it sold to Dish It’s not just you, streaming the Olympics is a mess Activision Blizzard employees walk out of work to protest rampant sexism and discrimination Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Verizon switches to Android Messages as default RCS / Jeff Bezos goes to space / Biden and Big Tech
The Verge's Dieter Bohn and Alex Cranz discuss Verizon switching to Android Messages as default for RCS, as well as the many gadgets from this week. Verge policy editor Russell Brandom joins to talk about President Biden's criticism of Facebook's handling of misinformation on their platform and the nomination of Google critic Jonathan Kanter to lead the Department of Justice's antitrust division. The Verge's Liz Lopatto and Joey Roulette talk with Dieter about Jeff Bezos' space flight this week. Further reading: Biden says platforms like Facebook are ‘killing people’ with COVID-19 misinformation Facebook pushes back against Biden remarks on COVID-19 misinformation Joe Biden says Facebook isn’t ‘killing people,’ but misinformation causes harm The Biden administration should take the First Amendment as seriously as Facebook misinformation FTC pledges to fight unlawful right to repair restrictions Biden to nominate Google critic Jonathan Kanter to lead DOJ antitrust division The space tourism industry is stuck in its billionaire phase Blue Origin successfully sends Jeff Bezos and three others to space and back An on-the-ground look at Blue Origin’s motley crew Jeff Bezos appreciates your efforts to get Jeff Bezos to space Verizon is also switching to Android Messages as default for RCS Pegasus spyware used to target phones of journalists and activists, investigation finds Dish cuts a 10-year, $5 billion deal to make AT&T the primary service provider for its MVNO The Dish ‘fix’ for the T-Mobile-Sprint merger seems more shortsighted than ever Playdate hands-on: a Game Boy from a different dimension Apple AirPods update to arrive later this year with iPhone SE refresh coming 2022: report Apple releases iOS 14.7 just as MagSafe Battery Pack appears on shelves The first real photos of Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack are here Apple MagSafe Battery Pack review: convenience over capacity OnePlus Buds Pro announced, coming September 1st for $150 OnePlus Nord 2 review: focused on the essentials OnePlus is merging OxygenOS with Oppo's ColorOS Leaked memo confirms OnePlus will become an Oppo sub-brand Amazon will let devs compete for your Echo Show’s screen and everything else Alexa just added Alexa finally gets a masculine-sounding voice option Amazon promises most Echo speakers will get upgraded to Matter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Interview: Mark Zuckerberg on Facebook’s metaverse
Casey Newton talks with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg about his vision for an embodied internet (or "the metaverse), the challenges of governing it, and gender imbalance in virtual reality today. They also discuss President Biden’s fierce criticism of Facebook’s failures in removing anti-vaccine content in the headlines. Transcript: https://www.theverge.com/e/22352063 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Steam Deck is Valve's new handheld / iPhone 13 rumors grow / Virgin Galactic sends Richard Branson to the edge of space
Nilay Patel, Dieter Bohn, and Alex Cranz discuss this week in tech news — the new Valve Steam Deck, Netflix potentially getting into gaming, a lot of Apple news, and some billionaires going into space. Further reading: The COVID-19 vaccines weren’t hacked — this task force is one reason why Foxconn and TSMC strike deal to buy 10 million COVID vaccines for Taiwan Valve’s gaming handheld is called the Steam Deck and it’s shipping in December Netflix snags former EA, Oculus exec to lead its video game efforts Apple’s latest iOS and macOS betas undo some of Safari’s controversial new design iPhone 13 rumors grow more certain ahead of September launch Redesigned iPad mini reportedly on track to launch this fall Apple just launched an official $99 MagSafe battery pack for the iPhone 12 lineup iPhone 12 reverse wireless charging can power up Apple’s new MagSafe battery pack Apple is working on Apple Pay Later to help you buy things without paying for them yet Apple reportedly wants in on NFL Sunday Ticket Apple’s weather app won’t say it’s 69 degrees Facebook says FTC chair shouldn’t help decide the future of its antitrust case Biden’s executive order puts net neutrality back in the spotlight President Joe Biden’s latest executive order is a huge win for right to repair Space tourism rivalry gets extremely petty ahead of Branson’s spaceflight Virgin Galactic has opened a sweepstakes offering a trip to space Virgin Galactic successfully sends Richard Branson to the edge of space Samsung’s next Galaxy Unpacked device lineup may have been entirely spoiled in huge new leak The Galaxy Z Fold 3 will support the S Pen Pro, according to FCC filings Ikea and Sonos picture frame speaker review: wall of sound TVA TemPad review: who needs TikTok when you can control time and space? We want to see your internet bill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Google faces antitrust lawsuit over Google Play Store fees / Nintendo announced OLED Switch / 'EV Day' event held for Stellantis
The Verge's Nilay Patel, Dieter Bohn, and Adi Robertson discuss the new antitrust lawsuit Google faces from 36 states, the new hardware Nintendo announced this week, and what happened at Stellantis' ‘EV Day’. Further reading: Who needs COVID-19 boosters? Moderna starts human trials of an mRNA-based flu shot Full approval could make the difference for the US COVID-19 vaccine campaign Exposure notification apps could be more effective if they’re better at assessing risk Google faces new antitrust lawsuit over Google Play Store fees Google feared Samsung Galaxy Store and tried to quash it, lawsuit alleges Apple and Google crowd out the competition with default apps Donald Trump files sweeping, nonsensical lawsuits against Facebook, Twitter, and Google Twitter has lost legal immunity for users’ posts in India, government argue Nintendo’s OLED Switch: all of the news about the console upgrade Don’t count out the Nintendo Switch Pro A bigger, better Switch screen is exactly what I wanted Stellantis, parent company of Dodge and Jeep, had an ‘EV Day’ and it was extremely weird Verizon has its own version of spatial audio and it’s already pushing it on phones AT&T joins T-Mobile in switching all Android phones to Google’s Messages app for RCS Elon Musk just now realizing that self-driving cars are a ‘hard problem’ iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 preview: a first look at Apple’s latest software Maine passes the strongest state facial recognition ban yet Welcome to Simulation City, the virtual world where Waymo tests its autonomous vehicles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Microsoft announces Windows 11, with a new design, Start menu, and more
Nilay Patel, Dieter Bohn, and Tom Warren discuss the official reveal of Windows 11 at Microsoft's event on Thursday. Further reading: The slow transitions of a lingering pandemic The pandemic made Navajo Nation’s radio stations even more vital India’s healthcare workers are busting misinformation on WhatsApp Microsoft’s own Windows 11 livestream runs into technical difficulties Microsoft announces Windows 11, with a new design, Start menu, and more Microsoft reveals the new Microsoft Store for Windows 11, and it has Android apps too Microsoft is bringing Android apps to Windows 11 with Amazon’s app store Here are the visual changes Microsoft showed off in Windows 11 Microsoft teases new File Explorer for Windows 11 Here’s everything Microsoft is removing from Windows 11 Microsoft is changing the Windows 11 minimum requirements Microsoft Teams will be directly integrated as part of Windows 11 Windows 11 is a free upgrade Windows 11’s news feed has built-in tipping to support local content creators Microsoft will let devs keep every penny their Windows app makes — unless it’s a game Satya Nadella’s closing Windows 11 remarks were a direct shot across Apple’s bow Apple argues against sideloading iPhone apps as regulatory pressure mounts Google will now consider letting your video, music or book app evade its 30 percent cut Google delays blocking third-party cookies in Chrome until 2023 Samsung’s Watch Active 4 leaks in new renders Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 revealed in new leak Apple may be looking to make a less expensive big phone in 2022 Tim Cook called Nancy Pelosi to warn her against disrupting the iPhone with impending antitrust bills Why the tech antitrust reform bills are struggling to move forward Big Tech edges closer to break up after deeply unhinged markup We regret to inform you that T-Mobile is selling a 5G-branded gin Ransomware funds more ransomware Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Google adds RCS encryption to Messages / Congress gearing up to fight big tech / Windows 11 leaks
Nilay Patel and Dieter Bohn talk to Verge senior editor Tom Warren about leaks of Microsoft's Windows 11 UI and announcements from E3 2021. Verge politics reporter Makena Kelly explains how Republicans and Democrats are gearing up to fight tech monopolies. Verge managing editor Alex Cranz joins the show to talk about Google's updates to Messages and a bunch of gadget news from this week. Further reading: Amazon’s COVID-19 test is now available to consumers Novavax says its COVID-19 vaccine is 90 percent effective Pharma is winning the big business popularity contest Windows 11 leak reveals new UI, Start menu, and more Microsoft Teams’ new front row layout arrives later this year Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella now doubles as the company’s chairman Microsoft announces Xbox TV app and its own xCloud ... Microsoft is bringing next-gen Xbox games to the Xbox One with xCloud Even the Xbox app has stories now The Xbox Series X mini fridge will be available this holiday season Microsoft Flight Simulator is landing on Xbox Series X / S consoles on July 27th The best trailers of E3 2021 Tech antitrust pioneer Lina Khan will officially lead the FTC How Republicans and Democrats are gearing up to fight tech monopolies House lawmakers introduce five bipartisan bills to unwind tech monopolies Senate bill would make it easier to cancel a subscription online after a free trial Google’s first retail store opens this week Google adds E2E RCS encryption to Messages, emoji mashup suggests, and more for Android Google Workspace and Google Chat are officially available to everybody Honor confirms Google’s apps will return to its phones with new 50 series Beats Studio Buds review: big ambition, imperfect execution Ikea and Sonos announce picture frame speaker, coming July 15th for $199 Watch the debut of Tesla Model S Plaid, the ‘quickest production car ever made’ The Realme GT lays claim to OnePlus’ ‘flagship killer’ mantle Oppo’s rollable concept phone is pure potential lacking polish Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
WWDC 2021: Apple's iOS 15, spatial audio, macOS Monterey, and more
Nilay Patel, Dieter Bohn, Alex Cranz, and Chris Welch discuss all the announcements from Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference that took place this week. All the links: COVID-19 hospitalization rates in adolescents went up during March and April Where did the COVID microchip conspiracy theory come from anyway? The pandemic might cut down e-waste but widen the digital divide Apple WWDC 2021: the 15 biggest announcements Apple previews iOS 15 at WWDC 2021 The best features of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS that Apple didn’t announce onstage Apple’s Siri will finally work without an internet connection with on-device speech recognition Watch Apple’s Siri blaze through requests with on-device processing You’ll soon be able to use your iPhone as ID at the airport Apple adds welcome privacy features to Mail, Safari Apple’s iCloud Plus bundles a VPN, private email, and HomeKit camera storage With iCloud Plus, Apple’s privacy promise is paired with an upsell Apple’s privacy-focused Private Relay feature isn’t coming to China Apple Music’s spatial audio is sometimes amazing but mostly inconsistent macOS and tvOS are getting spatial audio support with the AirPods Pro and Max Apple Music begins rolling out lossless streaming and Dolby Atmos spatial audio Apple introduces Siri for third-party devices macOS Monterey lets you run Shortcuts and share files between Macs and iPads Apple may have done the coolest drag and drop demo ever How Universal Control on macOS Monterey works FaceTime is coming to Android and Windows via the web Apple is building video and music sharing into FaceTime Apple announces watchOS 8 with new health features Apple’s new health features bring new focus to elder care technology Apple lets users see family members’ Health data Apple announces iPadOS 15 with homescreen and multitasking improvements Microsoft announces Xbox TV app and its own xCloud streaming stick Facebook plans first smartwatch for next summer with two cameras, heart rate monitor Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds announced / review Google’s first folding Pixel is apparently still on track for a 2021 reveal Clubhouse and its clones have an accessibility problem Biden revokes Trump bans on TikTok and WeChat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Huawei’s HarmonyOS arrives / Microsoft's next gen Windows / Apple's WWDC preview
Co-hosts Nilay Patel and Dieter Bohn talk with Verge senior editor Tom Warren and managing editor Alex Cranz about operating systems — what's coming up at Apple's developer conference next week, where Microsoft will take Windows next, and the debut of some new systems like HarmonyOS and Fuchsia OS. Further reading: The pandemic showed that big tech isn’t a public health savior The future of COVID-19 immunity looks good We have bigger problems than COVID-19’s origins Apple TV 4K (2021) review: much better remote, slightly faster box Of course repairing the new Apple TV remote is harder than simply unscrewing it Apple TV app comes to Nvidia Shield For Apple TV Plus to succeed, it has to be everywhere — even Android TV Microsoft looks ready to launch Windows 11 Microsoft to reveal its next generation of Windows on June 24th Huawei announces HarmonyOS update for its smartphones Huawei teases its upcoming P50 flagship phone Huawei’s HarmonyOS arrives on tablets with the new MatePad Pro Huawei’s Watch 3 is its first HarmonyOS smartwatch Google’s new Fuchsia OS arrives first on old Nest Hub AMD announces the Radeon RX 6000M series with RDNA 2 architecture Nvidia announces new RTX 3080 Ti, priced at $1,199 and launching June 3rd Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti review: more 4K for more of your wallet Nvidia’s RTX 3080 Ti is available online right now Amazon buys MGM for $8.45 billion Why on Earth did Amazon spend $8 billion on a zombie studio? Discovery announces new name of WarnerMedia merger: Warner Bros. Discovery The Great Wings Rush Why Spotify’s Horacio Gutierrez thinks Apple behaves like a monopolist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Tim Cook's bad day in Epic vs Apple
In part 2 of this week's episode, Nilay talks with Adi Robertson about the judge's harsh questioning of Tim Cook on the last day of testimony in Epic vs Apple. Further reading: Apple said Roblox developers don’t make games, and now Roblox agrees Apple’s Phil Schiller gives Epic iPhone testimony At the Epic trial, Phil Schiller got away clean The level of Mac malware is not acceptable, says Apple’s Craig Federighi at Epic trial Apple wants users to trust iOS, but it doesn’t trust iOS users Tim Cook faces harsh questions about the App Store from judge in Fortnite trial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Google I/O announcements and iPad Pro M1 review
In part 1 of this week’s episode, Nilay and Dieter talk with deputy editor Dan Seifert about Google I/O and reviews for the M1 iMac and iPad Pro. Further reading: Google I/O 2021: the 14 biggest announcements Android 12 preview: first look at Google’s radical new design Android 12 public beta is now available: here’s how to install it Google showed off its next-generation AI by talking to Pluto and a paper airplane Apple iMac M1 review: the all-in-one for almost everyone iPad Pro (2021) review: Mini LED, major improvement Apple’s redesigned MacBook Pros with next-gen in-house chips could arrive early this summer Apple’s $549 AirPods Max can’t play lossless Apple Music — even when plugged in Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Starlink, Epic v. Apple, and laptops laptops laptops
The Epic v. Apple trial continues with big drama about naked bananas and weird game definitions. Nilay tries to get Starlink space internet working, and there's new Intel chips. Adi Robertson and Monica Chin join this week. Epic and Apple are now fighting over a naked banana Roku removes YouTube TV from channel store as dispute with Google escalates Apple employees circulate petition demanding investigation into ‘misogynistic’ new hire A Big Map of America’s Broadband problem Secretary Pete Butitgieg on the future of transportation Intel’s flagship Tiger Lake-H mobile chips are here to take on Ryzen 5000 Razer claims its new Blade 15 is the ‘thinnest’ 15-inch RTX gaming laptop Asus’ new Zephyrus M16 has a 16:10 screen and Intel Tiger Lake H processor How a university got itself banned from the Linux kernel University of Minnesota banned from contributing to Linux kernel Watch Elon Musk play Wario, parody SpaceX, and hype dogecoin on Saturday Night Live Tesla stops taking Bitcoin for vehicle purchases, citing environmental harm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apple v Epic week 1 roundtable
Nilay and Dieter talk with Verge senior reporter Adi Robertson and senior editor Tom Warren about the first week of the Epic Games v Apple trial. Why Epic is burning its own cash to cook Apple Apple antitrust trial kicks off with Tim Sweeney’s metaverse dreams The Epic Games v. Apple trial kicks off with kids screaming ‘free Fortnite’ Here are Apple’s and Epic’s full slideshows arguing why they should win at trial I watched the Epic v. Apple trial on Discord Tim Sweeney emailed Tim Cook personally to call for open app sales after WWDC in 2015 Apple exec suggested cutting App Store commission to 20 percent as early as 2011 Epic v. Apple turns into Windows v. Xbox Why the bad iPhone web app experience keeps coming up in Epic v. Apple Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
iOS 14.5 update features / Apple sales skyrocket / Podcast platforms amp up their product
Nilay Patel is joined by Verge deputy editor Dan Seifert and news editor Chaim Gartenberg to discuss i0S14.5, Apple's earnings, Epic vs. Apple, chip shortages, and Samsung's new laptops. Senior reporter Ashley Carman joins the show to talk about the wave of action in the podcast industry this past week. Further reading: People who are vaccinated don’t need to wear masks during many outdoor activities, CDC says Social media platforms become triage centers as India struggles with a COVID-19 surge The first problem was vaccine supply. Now, it’s demand. Officials lift pause on Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine iOS 14.5 is out now with new Face ID mask features and Apple’s App Tracking Transparency Why Apple’s new privacy feature is such a big deal Apple’s iPhone 12 and Mac sales skyrocket despite ongoing pandemic Here’s who Apple and Epic are calling to testify in next week’s trial Eddy Cue wanted to bring iMessage to Android in 2013 Apple fined $12M by Russian regulator over App Store monopoly abuse Can Apple get you to pay for podcasts? Spotify launches podcast subscriptions, but you can’t subscribe in-app Spotify’s miniplayer for Facebook launches today Facebook is building its own in-app podcast player Clubhouse is partnering with the NFL for draft week programming SiriusXM acquires Roman Mars’ 99% Invisible and a bigger stake in the podcasting world Spotify is raising prices for lots of its plans Spotify premium subscriber count increases 21 percent to 158 million Spotify is okay with Joe Rogan telling 21-year-olds not to get vaccinated Samsung’s new Galaxy Book Pro and Galaxy Book Pro 360 are lightweight laptops with OLED screens Samsung announces a cheaper entry-level Galaxy Book with no OLED Samsung’s Galaxy Book Odyssey introduces Nvidia’s new RTX 3050 Ti Elon Musk says Tesla made ‘significant mistakes’ with solar roof project Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apple announces new iMacs, AirTags, and iPad Pro / Congress is diving into the App Store fight
Vergecast hosts Nilay Patel and Dieter Bohn discuss all the product announcements from Apple's Spring Loaded event this week with Verge news editor Chaim Gartenberg. Verge politics reporter Makena Kelly details what happened at Wednesday's congressional hearing focusing on competition in Apple's App Store. Further reading: What we’re learning from the rare cases of COVID-19 in vaccinated people Alexa can now tell you where to find a COVID-19 vaccine Doctors are testing a prescription video game for COVID-19 ‘brain fog’ Wisconsin amends Foxconn’s contract to reflect radically smaller project Apple’s Spring Loaded event: the 8 biggest announcements Apple Podcasts launches in-app subscriptions Can Apple get you to pay for podcasts? Apple AirTag hands-on Apple’s AirTags don’t have a built-in keychain loop, and we have some thoughts Apple announces new Apple TV 4K Apple unveils an improved remote for its Apple TV Yes, older Apple TVs can also be calibrated with your iPhone Apple announces thinner iMac with M1 chip and bright colors New Touch ID Magic Keyboards work with all M1 Macs, not just the iMac Apple launches new iPad Pro with M1 processor How the M1-powered iPad Pro compares to other iPad models Any video conferencing app can use the iPad Pro’s fancy zoom and pan camera Big iPad, Mini LED: why Apple’s new iPad Pro display is better and brighter Put macOS on the iPad, you cowards Congress is diving into the App Store fight Lina Kahn on Amazon’s antitrust paradox Apple’s $64 billion-a-year app store isn’t catching the most egregious scams Sen. Tammy Duckworth on hate crimes, racism, and environmental justice Asian Activists are tracking the surge in hate crimes as police reporting falls short Inside the glass fibers connecting our wireless world Subscribe to The Hill Report newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices