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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A conversation about Section 230 and the future of the internet
Last week, The Verge held a virtual event about regulating the internet — from antitrust to privacy to the many proposals for changing Section 230, hosted by Verge senior reporter Adi Robertson. The event kicked off with a keynote from Sen. Amy Klobuchar, followed by a panel on Section 230 reform with general counsel at Vimeo Michael Cheah, researcher, writer, and strategist Sydette Harry, and general counsel at the Wikimedia Foundation Amanda Keton. In this bonus Vergecast, Adi Robertson and Verge policy editor Russell Brandom discuss takeaways from the event and what's next for the future of regulation on the internet. Further reading: What will Section 230 mean for the internet? Everything you need to know about Section 230 Why Congress can’t stop talking about Section 230 Klobuchar calls on Congress to get serious on tech reform Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jack Dorsey’s Square, Inc. buys Tidal / Microsoft Mesh and the future of Microsoft Teams / Apple not switching to USB-C iPhones
Nilay Patel and Dieter Bohn talk to Billboard's Micah Singleton about Jack Dorsey’s Square, Inc. buying a majority stake in Jay-Z’s streaming service Tidal. Verge senior editor Tom Warren joins the show to discuss the announcement of Microsoft's Mesh mixed reality platform and the various updates to Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and more. Further reading: Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine backed by independent FDA committee Long COVID patients say they feel better after getting vaccinated Vaccine centers embrace stickers and selfie stations Countries are polluting like it’s 2019 again: Global CO2 emissions came roaring back as pandemic-induced restrictions loosened Jack Dorsey’s Square, Inc. is buying a majority stake in Jay-Z’s streaming service Tidal Square Is Acquiring a Majority Stake in Tidal for $297M NFTs, explained Microsoft Mesh feels like the virtual future of Microsoft Teams meetings Microsoft Teams will soon let you pretend to be a news reporter during meetings Microsoft’s new Intelligent Speakers deliver its promised meeting room of the future Microsoft Teams is getting end-to-end encryption support Microsoft’s new Outlook calendar board view looks a lot like Trello Microsoft Edge gets a speedy startup feature and vertical tabs Microsoft’s Windows 10 UI overhaul continues with new system icons Google Workspace picks up new features designed for remote work Microsoft Surface Pro 7 Plus review: built for business A folding iPhone could be coming in 2023 Apple not switching to USB-C iPhones in the near future, according to Ming-Chi Kuo iPhone 13 might finally bring a smaller notch and faster screens Arizona advances bill forcing Apple and Google to allow Fortnite-style alternative payment options Epic Games is buying Fall Guys creator Mediatonic OpenHaystack is a new open-source tool that lets you create DIY AirTags on Apple’s Find My network Exclusive: this is the Sonos Roam, coming in April for $169 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Spotify's big plan for podcasting / Where 5G is headed in 2021 / Everything to know about Paramount Plus
Hosts Nilay Patel and Dieter Bohn talk with Verge reporter Allison Johnson about T-Mobile bringing back their unlimited 5G plan with no throttling, the results of the C-band spectrum auction, and the state of 5G in America. Ashley Carman returns to the show to discuss Spotify's big event this week announcing their plans for podcasters and artists. Julia Alexander joins to report on the details on Paramount Plus' streaming catalog. Further reading: Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot vaccine is effective, FDA confirms One Medical gave COVID-19 vaccines to ineligible people, NPR report says Stretched vaccine timelines re-enter the spotlight COVID-19 vaccines are starting to work in the US MWC insists on holding potential COVID-19 superspreader event in Barcelona What is 5G, and why is it kind of bad right now? Dish is confident in its plan to offer 5G in its first major cities by end of Q3 2021 T-Mobile just brought back a true unlimited data plan with 5G and no throttling T-Mobile has 5G leverage and isn’t afraid to use it Verizon and AT&T spent big in FCC C-band auction for 5G ... The Terrible T-Mobile/Sprint Merger Must Be Undone Spotify CEO Daniel Ek explains how the company plans to help artists (and itself) make money Spotify HiFi is a lossless streaming tier coming later this year Twitter announces paid Super Follows to let you charge for tweets Twitter planning a feature to let you auto-block and mute abusive accounts Apple Fitness Plus review Everything to know about Paramount Plus, ViacomCBS’s new version of CBS All Access Shows based on Italian Job, Fatal Attraction, Flashdance, and more heading to Paramount Plus Frasier revival in development for Paramount Plus Paramount Plus is proof we’ve hit peak streaming Are The Office and Friends bets paying off for Peacock and HBO Max? Marvel’s Loki series will premiere on Disney Plus on June 11th Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Australia's bargain with Google and Facebook / Apple TV on Chromecast / Nintendo Direct's biggest announcements
Nilay Patel talks with Adi Robertson and Casey Newton about what Australia's News Media Bargaining Code means for Google, Facebook, and the open web in Australia. Chris Welch and Julia Alexander join the show to discuss the new Amazon Fire TV stick, Apple TV on Chromecast, and the state of streaming services in 2021. Andru Marino and Taylor Lyles discuss the announcements from this week's Nintendo Direct. Further reading: Maps show ZIP codes hit hardest by COVID-19 have low vaccination rates Finicky COVID-19 vaccines raise the stakes of power outages Vaccine rollout won’t be equitable unless health care reckons with racism If you’re vaccinated against COVID-19, you won’t have to quarantine if you’re exposed How to score a COVID-19 vaccine appointment Texas freeze risks slowing COVID-19 progress Facebook will block Australian users and publishers from sharing news links in response to new bill Why Google caved to Australia, and Facebook didn’t Facebook employee warned it used ‘deeply wrong’ ad metrics to boost revenue Facebook’s Australian media ban is taking down official government pages Apple won’t have to allow App Store alternatives on iOS after North Dakota bill fails Amazon Fire TV Stick (2020) review: just get a 4K model Apple TV app now available on the latest Google Chromecast YouTube TV offering HBO Max, Showtime, and Starz for $5 less in new entertainment bundle Donald Glover’s reported Amazon deal could lead to a more curated Prime Video HBO Max is ordering way more kids’ content to compete with Netflix and Disney Plus The 20 biggest announcements from today’s Nintendo Direct Android 12 developer preview is available now with many under-the-hood updates How to easily install the Android 12 developer preview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Google's mysterious lack of app updates / Apple’s rumored VR headset / Microsoft’s Surface Duo price drops to $999
The Verge's Nilay Patel, Dieter Bohn, and Adi Robertson discuss Google's mysterious lack of iOS app updates, the rumors around Apple's potential VR headset, and the rest of this week's gadget headlines. Further reading: AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine has been confusing from the start FDA officials are off on a three-week sprint to review J&J COVID-19 vaccine data PSA: Don’t post your coronavirus vaccination card selfie on social media Why the FDA is taking 22 days to look over J&J’s data PSA: Please wear layers to your vaccine appointment Google’s own iOS apps were begging for updates that don’t exist, but the company says it was because of a bug Google is weighing an anti-tracking feature for Android, following Apple’s lead iOS 14.5 lets you set Spotify and others as Siri’s default music service New North Dakota bill would force Apple to allow alternative app stores and payment systems An iOS developer wants Apple to know just how bad App Store scams have become This may be our first look at Google’s new Android 12 OS Apple’s rumored VR headset could cost $3,000, feature 8K displays and over a dozen cameras Apple’s former hardware leader reportedly now overseeing AR and VR devices Apple reportedly developing next-gen ultra-thin displays for AR devices with TSMC Hyundai and Kia downplay Apple car rumors Hyundai is getting serious about building a ‘walking car’ with four legs Microsoft’s foldable Surface Duo price drops to $999, arrives in Europe next week Sonos FCC filing hints it’s coming for the UE Boom and other small Bluetooth speakers This laptop has seven times the average number of screens Amazon reportedly building an Alexa ‘command center’ that mounts to the wall How Sony put 40,000 PlayStation symbols under your fingertips Elon Musk’s SpaceX is accepting $99 Starlink deposits amid ‘deep chasm’ of red ink Tesla’s $1.5 billion bitcoin purchase clashes with its environmental aspirations Miami mayor says Elon Musk will tunnel under the city for just $30 million The Biden administration is working to help address global semiconductor chip shortage Section 230 is 25 years old, and it’s never been more important Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jeff Bezos steps away as Amazon CEO / Ford's electric Mustang Mach-E / Apple Car rumors
The Verge's Nilay Patel, Dieter Bohn, Sean O'Kane, and Becca Farsace discuss driving Ford's electric Mustang, what's next for Tesla's product line, rumors around Apple's Car endeavors, and Jeff Bezos stepping down as Amazon CEO. Further reading: Scientists want to know if vaccinated people can still become COVID-19 long-haulers If you’re starting an online class, check to make sure your professor is alive Volunteers built a one-stop website to find open NYC vaccine appointments Amazon will have a new CEO as Jeff Bezos transitions to executive chair later this year Bezos’ Amazon: from bookstore to backbone of the internet Meet Andy Jassy, Amazon’s next CEO Amazon’s electric Rivian vans will start making deliveries in 16 cities this year Ford Mustang Mach-E Kuo adds fuel to Apple-Hyundai electric car rumors Apple and Hyundai-Kia pushing toward deal on Apple Car Tesla’s new Model S can go up to 520 miles Tesla Roadster production delayed to 2022 Tesla agrees to recall cars with failing displays Tesla’s next car will seamlessly unlock with UWB, FCC leak suggests Don’t buy Teslas during a production ramp, Elon Musk says Another SpaceX Starship nails clean test flight, but explodes on landing Elon Musk’s shot at Amazon flares monthslong fight over billionaires’ orbital real estate The Alpha 1 is Sony's new flagship camera with monstrous iOS 14.5 tries to solve Face ID’s mask problem with your Apple Watch HP’s Spectre x360 14 review: the best 2-in-1 you can buy Rad Power Bikes raises $150 million to grow its electric bike empire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
GameStop, Reddit, and Robin Hood: How r/WallStreetBets gamed the stock of GameStop
The Verge's Nilay Patel, Dieter Bohn, and Elizabeth Lopatto explain how the users of the subreddit r/WallStreetBets sent GameStop, AMC and other stocks rocketing up through the stock market. A year into coronavirus, we’re still counting the dead Slow certification process keeps some pharmacists from giving COVID-19 vaccines Go read this report about the tech systems behind the US’s vaccine distribution Testing sidelined as health departments focus on vaccination How r/WallStreetBets gamed the stock of GameStop Reddit’s GameStop traders turn their attention to AMC stock Memes have broken the brokerages Robinhood blocks purchase of GameStop, AMC, and BlackBerry stock Discord has turned into a virtual trade floor with memes, stocks, and chaos r/WallStreetBets went private — and now it’s back with a message After buy ban, GameStop hypebeasts are looking for a Robinhood alternative Robinhood denies claims that it sold GameStop shares out from under its traders Robinhood will allow ‘limited buys’ of stocks like GameStop starting Friday Samsung Galaxy S21 review Sony’s creator-focused Xperia Pro arrives in the US priced at $2,499 Tesla unveils redesigned Model S with new interior and 520-mile range option OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei’s next company is literally called Nothing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Galaxy S21 Ultra review / Apple redesign rumors / Paramount Plus and 2021's streaming services
The Verge's Nilay Patel, Dieter Bohn, Julia Alexander, and Chaim Gartenberg discuss the Verge review of Samsung's Galaxy S21 Ultra, the numerous rumors about Apple's future products, and ViacomCBS's new rebranded streaming service. Further reading: Amazon offers to help Biden administration with vaccinations CES showed off the COVID-19 mask gimmick arms race Joe Biden halts US withdrawal from World Health Organization Biden appoints Jessica Rosenworcel as acting FCC chair FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel on staying connected during a pandemic The US will rejoin the Paris climate agreement, but that was the easy part Joe Biden cancels Keystone XL permit President Biden to use Defense Production Act for masks, vaccines WhiteHouse.gov now has dark mode Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review: The Real Deal Apple’s VR and AR headsets detailed in new report Apple is reportedly prototyping foldable iPhone screens Apple reportedly planning big iMac redesign and half-sized Mac Pro 2021 MacBook Pro will ditch the Touch Bar and bring back MagSafe, say reports Netflix had a record year in 2020, thanks in part to the pandemic Paramount Plus, ViacomCBS’s new rebranded version of CBS All Access, launches on March 4th Netflix had a record year in 2020, thanks in part to the pandemic A visit from the Zune squad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
CES 2021 / Samsung’s S21 lineup and Galaxy Buds Pro
The Verge’s Nilay Patel, Dieter Bohn, Monica Chin, and Chris Welch dive into all of the important announcements from both inside and outside of CES — including Samsung’s new flagship S21 smartphone line, the many new TVs with HDMI 2.1, Mini LED, webOS, and the next laptops with new chips from Intel and AMD. Further reading: Samsung Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, and S21 Ultra first look: polished design (and prices) Samsung’s Galaxy S21 phones come with plenty of features — but not a charger Samsung’s Galaxy S21 phones don’t include microSD card support You’ll never believe it, Samsung made a black phone Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro review Samsung’s 2021 TVs have dramatically better picture, thanks to Mini LED Samsung made a solar-charging Eco Remote for its latest TVs LG’s 2021 TV lineup includes its brightest OLED ever LG is overhauling its webOS TV software — and maybe ruining it LG Display announces its smallest OLED TV panel yet Sony announces 2021 TV lineup with 4K gaming at 120Hz and improved picture Sony promises streaming quality nearly as good as 4K Blu-ray on Bravia Core movie service Intel’s latest 11th Gen H-series chips promise the fastest ultraportable gaming laptops yet Intel’s 12th Gen chips look to challenge Arm and Apple’s M1 CPUs later this year Intel has to be better than ‘lifestyle company’ Apple at making CPUs, says new CEO AMD’s 7nm Ryzen 5000 mobile processors promise 2021’s best gaming notebooks AMD says RDNA 2 GPU-powered laptops will arrive in the first half of 2021 Nvidia announces $329 GeForce RTX 3060, available in February Nvidia is bringing its RTX 3080 to laptops on January 26th Asus ROG’s 2021 lineup includes its first convertible gaming laptop (ish) Asus updates Zephyrus G14 and G15 with latest AMD and Nvidia chips Asus’ 2021 laptop line includes two new dual-screen ZenBooks MSI’s new GE76 Raider Dragon Edition Tiamat is a tribute to an ancient goddess Lenovo’s new Legion gaming laptops go all in on AMD’s latest Ryzen chips Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 hands-on: a new direction Acer’s new Predator Triton 300 SE is an ultrapowerful, ultralight gaming laptop MSI’s new Creator 15 comes with RTX 3000 graphics Razer has created a concept N95 mask with RGB and voice projection LG teases its Rollable phone again LG’s Rollable phone is real and launching in 2021 Weird flex: TCL shows off two more of its rollable, extendable display concepts Watch this flexible LG gaming TV bend from flat to curved Finally you can have ice cream at home thanks to ice cream pods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Trump banned from Twitter, Facebook, and others / Parler banned from app stores
Nilay Patel, Dieter Bohn, Adi Robertson, and Casey Newton chronicle the week since the Capitol riot: Trump gets deplatformed and Parler is removed from app stores. Further reading: It’s 2021, and the pandemic is still here FDA tells US health providers not to modify COVID-19 vaccine dose schedule Florida counties use Eventbrite to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments Twitter permanently bans Trump Twitter is deleting Trump’s attempts to circumvent ban Twitter bans QAnon supporters, including former national security adviser Michael Flynn Twitter pulls Trump video that it said posed a ‘risk of violence’ Facebook bans Trump ‘indefinitely’ YouTube says it will punish Trump and other channels that continue to spread election lies YouTube removes Trump video addressing Capitol attack Platforms take action against Trump after Capitol mob attack Reddit bans r/donaldtrump forum for inciting violence Twitch disables Trump’s account indefinitely Big Tech pauses political spending after Capitol riot: Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Airbnb are pausing spending Shopify takes down Trump’s campaign store Google pulls Parler from Play Store for fostering calls to violence Apple removes Parler from the App Store Parler CEO says even his lawyers are abandoning him Parler is gone for now as Amazon terminates hosting Parler posts, some with GPS data, have been archived by an independent researcher Parler sues Amazon for kicking it off the internet Why the post-Capitol deplatforming was necessary Trump’s ban from Twitter creates the ultimate case of link rot in posts across the internet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The HDMI Holiday Spec-tacular
For a special Vergecast holiday episode, The Verge’s Nilay Patel, Dieter Bohn, and Chris Welch talk to three industry experts about the new HDMI 2.1 standard: Polygon's front page editor Samit Sarkar, Vizio CTO Bill Baxter, and HDMI Forum president David Glen. The Vergecast crew discuss what to look for when buying a new TV, how serious the TV manufacturers are on supporting 2.1, and how the new standard is being implemented throughout the industry. Happy holidays! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Two new antitrust lawsuits against Google / AirPods Max review / iOS 14.3 has arrived with ProRAW for iPhone 12 Pro
The Verge's Dieter Bohn, Nilay Patel, and Adi Robertson discuss the two antitrust lawsuits against Google announced this week. Chris Welch joins to discuss his review of Apple's AirPods Max. Further reading: FDA authorizes first COVID-19 vaccine in US Health care workers in US start receiving COVID-19 vaccines Texas attorney general announces ad tech antitrust probe against Google Google accused of search manipulation in third major antitrust lawsuit Prosecutors say Google accessed private WhatsApp messages — but the evidence is thin Apple launches new App Store privacy labels so you can see how iOS apps use your data Facebook criticizes Apple’s iOS privacy changes with full-page newspaper ads Facebook hits back at Apple with second critical newspaper ad Apple defends upcoming privacy changes as ‘standing up for our users’ Epic Games Store now offers Spotify, signaling app store ambitions beyond just games Judge orders Tim Cook and Craig Federighi to testify in Epic’s Fortnite case Apple AirPods Max review: superb headphones, awful case Apple Fitness Plus is now available iOS 14.3 has arrived with ProRAW for iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max Halide: Understanding ProRAW Samsung confirms stylus support is coming to Galaxy phones like the S21 Samsung’s Galaxy Note series will reportedly still continue next year Here’s the best look yet at Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Pro wireless earbuds OnePlus 9 leak shows off the upcoming 2021 flagship in photos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apple announces AirPods Max / Qualcomm president Cristiano Amon interview
Nilay Patel, Dieter Bohn, and Chris Welch discuss Apple's announcement of their AirPods Max noise-canceling headphones and give their first impressions. Second half of the show, Nilay and Dieter talk with Qualcomm president Cristiano Amon about Qualcomm's new flagship processor the Snapdragon 888, the potential of 5G, and what he thinks about Apple's new M1 processor. COVID-19 vaccine starts working within two weeks after first shot Apple and Google’s COVID contact tracing tech is finally coming to their home state of California COVID-19 vaccine monitoring program may be at risk of false reports With guns drawn, police raid home and seize computers of COVID-19 data whistleblower Florida’s justification for raiding COVID data whistleblower Rebekah Jones is looking a little shaky The pandemic turned the volume down on ocean noise pollution Uber asks governors to give drivers early access to COVID-19 vaccines Apple announces $549 AirPods Max noise-canceling headphones, coming December 15th AirPods Max first look Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The FTC is suing Facebook to unwind its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp
In a bonus episode of The Vergecast, Nilay Patel talks with Verge policy editor Russell Brandom, senior reporter Adi Robertson, and contributing editor Casey Newton about the FTC suing Facebook to unwind its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. Further reading: The FTC is suing Facebook to unwind its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp The good and the bad in the government’s case against Facebook Facebook calls antitrust lawsuits ‘revisionist history’ Instagram would be better off without Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 processor for 2021 Android phones / Warner Bros. will release new 2021 movies simultaneously on HBO Max / FCC Chairman Ajit Pai will step down on January 20th
Verge reporter Julia Alexander joins Nilay and Dieter to discuss WarnerMedia's decision to release all of its new 2021 movies simultaneously on HBO Max. News editor Chaim Gartenberg explains Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 888 processor for upcoming Android phones in 2021. Stories from this week: Facebook will remove COVID-19 vaccine misinformation The people saving our lives should get vaccinated first, experts say Moderna to ask FDA for COVID-19 vaccine authorization Wonder Woman 1984 will be released on HBO Max the same day it’s in theaters for no extra cost Warner Bros. will release all of its new 2021 movies simultaneously on HBO Max Discovery, home of Shark Week, HGTV, and Food Network, enters the streaming wars with Discovery Plus FCC Chairman Ajit Pai will step down on January 20th Trump’s bias hawk FCC nominee is one step closer to confirmation Trump calls for last-minute 230 repeal as part of defense spending bill Comcast to impose home internet data cap of 1.2TB in more than a dozen US states next year Comcast to raise internet and TV prices nationwide next year Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 888 processor will power the Android flagships of 2021 Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 888 promises faster speeds, better cameras, and more powerful AI Samsung begins wider rollout of Android 11 and One UI 3.0 to latest phones Verizon’s Galaxy S20 models are the first to get Android 11 and One UI 3.0 Samsung rumored to discontinue Galaxy Note line, add stylus support to 2021 Galaxy S and Z Fold Leaked Galaxy Buds Pro image reveals new rounded design Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices