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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How money and payments have become social media
Verge editor-in-chief Nilay Patel talks to Lana Swartz, assistant professor of media studies at the University of Virginia about her new book New Money: How Payment Became Social Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Fornite kicked off the App Store and Microsoft’s Surface Duo arrives on Sept 10th
Nilay, Dieter, Tom, and Dan discuss the timeline of events that lead to Epic Games suing Apple and Google after being kicked out of mobile app stores. They also discuss Microsoft's announcement of the Surface Duo's release date and technical specs. Stories discussed this episode: Big Tech pledged a billion to racial justice, but it was pocket change US passes 5 million coronavirus cases Big airlines are hoarding cash to survive the pandemic Vaping linked to higher risk of COVID-19 in teens and young adults, study finds Microsoft opens xCloud game streaming beta early on Tuesday Apple confirms cloud gaming services like xCloud and Stadia violate App Store guidelines Microsoft condemns Apple’s App Store policies Facebook slams Apple’s App Store policies, launches Facebook Gaming on iOS without games Fortnite vs Apple vs Google: a brief and very incomplete timeline Epic offers new direct payment in Fortnite on iOS and Android to get around app store fees Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store Watch Epic’s Nineteen Eighty-Fortnite short mocking Apple right here Epic Games is suing Apple Fortnite for Android has also been kicked off the Google Play Store Epic is suing Google over Fortnite’s removal from the Google Play Store Google forced OnePlus to decimate a Fortnite launcher deal, claims Epic Games Fortnite vs Apple vs Google: a brief and very incomplete timeline Epic rallies Fortnite players against Apple with a warning that they’ll miss the next season Microsoft’s Surface Duo arrives on Sept 10th for $1,399 Microsoft releases Surface Duo press event video with 30 minutes of demos The Xbox Series X could launch on November 6th Microsoft’s new Xbox Series S console confirmed in leaked controller packaging When I don’t buy the new Xbox, Microsoft will laugh all the way to the bank Android is becoming a worldwide earthquake detection network Google is re-adding a Calendar app to Android Auto so you can see how to get to your next appointment Google Maps finally works with CarPlay’s excellent dashboard mode Google promises the next Wear OS update will launch apps up to 20 percent faster Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How a TikTok ban would affect the influencer economy
Verge editor-in-chief Nilay Patel talks with New York Times reporter Taylor Lorenz about what actually happens to TikTok users, creators, and the influencer economy if a ban on the app was implemented in the United States. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Samsung Unpacked, Google Pixel 4a review, and Apple's new 27-inch iMac
Nilay, Dieter, Becca, Chris, and Dan discuss the products announced at Samsung's virtual event this week, as well as the Google Pixel 4a review, a new 27-inch iMac, and Greg Joswiak replacing Phil Schiller as head of Apple marketing. Stories discussed this week: Apple and Google’s COVID-19 tracking system will make its full US debut in new Virginia app We can’t skip steps on the road to a COVID-19 vaccine Twitter blocked Trump campaign account from tweeting over COVID-19 misinformation Facebook removes Trump post for falsely claiming children are ‘almost immune’ to COVID-19 One tweet tried to identify a cop — then five people were charged with felony harassment President Trump withdraws FCC renomination after 5G controversy Donald Trump trying to control the FCC is a ‘disaster,’ says Sen. Ron Wyden President Trump says he will ban TikTok in the US today How the Trump administration could ‘ban’ TikTok Apple is not interested in buying TikTok Instagram launches Reels, its attempt to keep you off TikTok Google announced Pixel 5, Pixel 4a 5G, and Pixel 4a all at once Pixel 4a review Galaxy Note 20 first look The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is Samsung’s big promise that it can fix its foldable future Samsung Galaxy Buds Live review The best part of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is its screen Sony WH-1000XM4 review Greg Joswiak replaces Phil Schiller as head of Apple marketing The new 27-inch iMac’s webcam isn’t just better; it’s smarter Scientists rename human genes to stop Microsoft Excel from misreading them as dates Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sen. Ron Wyden says Trump’s Section 230 FCC shuffle is a ‘disaster’
The Verge's Nilay Patel and Adi Robertson talk to Senator Ron Wyden, who co-authored Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Wyden discusses the forced sale of TikTok to a US-based company, the bills out to reform Section 230, his new privacy bill preventing law enforcement from buying data on the open market, and how Trump's handling of recent FCC nominations is a "disaster." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Tech antitrust hearing: the important moments and what comes next
Nilay, Makena, Adi, and Casey discuss the important moments from Congress' antitrust hearing with Apple’s Tim Cook, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, and Google’s Sundar Pichai. Stories discussed this week: Antivirus: A weekly digest of the latest COVID-19 research Kodak is branching out into pharmaceuticals with US investment Twitter forced Donald Trump Jr. to delete tweet spreading COVID-19 misinformation Moms in Tech Facebook group splintering over allegations of racism Google will keep employees working remotely until July 2021 NASA’s life-hunting Mars rover is officially on its way to the Red Planet Tech antitrust hearing: all the news, updates, and documents from Congress’ big moment Everything you need to know from the tech antitrust hearing What Amazon, Google, Facebook, and Apple have in common Antitrust panel says the messages show Zuckerberg trying to buy out his competition Jeff Bezos can’t promise Amazon employees don’t access independent seller data Google’s business model ‘is the problem,’ David Cicilline says The iconic Flip Video almost became Google’s first camera, emails show Amazon bought Ring for market position, not technology, emails suggest Read Steve Jobs’ emails about why you can’t buy digital books in Amazon’s apps Facebook usage and revenue continue to grow as the pandemic rages on Google parent company Alphabet sees its first revenue decline in history Apple reports strong Mac and iPad sales in record-breaking Q3 earnings Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sandworm: A New Era of Cyberwar and the Hunt for the Kremlin's Most Dangerous Hackers
Verge editor-in-chief talks with Wired senior editor Andy Greenberg, author of Sandworm: A New Era of Cyberwar and the Hunt for the Kremlin's Most Dangerous Hackers. Greenberg's book is all about a group of hackers inside the Russian government called Sandworm, who were responsible for damaging cyber warfare attacks in various countries over the past few years. Andy and Nilay discuss the origins of Sandworm, the intricacies of their attacks, and how they escalated what we think of as "cyber war." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Big tech antittrust hearing preview and the Xbox Games Showcase breakdown
Nilay Patel and Dieter Bohn talk with Casey Newton and Makena Kelly about what to expect at the upcoming big tech antitrust hearings featuring Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sundar Pichai. Megan Farokhmanesh and Andrew Webster return to discuss the games announced at the Xbox Games Showcase this week. Stories from this week: New COVID testing strategy could speed up backlogged labs ‘COVID parties’ are a pandemic urban legend that won’t go away The tech antitrust hearing is shaping up to be one for the ages Antitrust investigations aren’t the biggest threat to Facebook’s future The big winner in Slack’s Microsoft fight could be Google Xbox Games Showcase: all the news from Microsoft’s July 2020 event Sony’s first vlogging camera almost nails it Latest iOS 14 beta offers more evidence of a 5.4-inch iPhone Alexa will soon be able to launch Android and iOS apps using voice commands Samsung promises new mobile and TV products at virtual September event Blurry Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 leak hints at camera upgrades and gold model Samsung’s Galaxy Note 20 Ultra may try to be the Xbox Phone This is what Samsung’s bean-shaped Galaxy Buds Live will look like in your ears The brain behind the Google Pixel camera is building a universal camera app for Adobe Windows 10X might not arrive until 2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Election cybersecurity: How ready are we for November 3rd?
Cybersecurity journalist Kim Zetter talks with The Verge's Nilay Patel and Russell Brandom about the state of election security in the US — what methods are being proposed to stop potential interference in the voting process, the problems with mail-in voting during a pandemic, and how voting machines are not always the best solution for a presidential election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Twitter gets hacked / NBC's streaming service Peacock debuts / TikTok in the US is threatened
The Verge's Nilay Patel, Dieter Bohn, Russell Brandom, and Julia Alexander discuss an unprecedented Twitter hack this week, the release of NBCUniversal's new streaming service Peacock, and the potential restrictions on TikTok in the US. Stories discussed this week: White House reportedly orders hospitals to bypass CDC during COVID-19 data collection CDC employees say the agency has a culture of ‘racial aggression’ Etsy sellers are offering sheer mesh face masks that provide ‘very little protection’ Seventeen states sue Trump administration over new student visa guidelines Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Elon Musk, Apple, and others hacked in unprecedented Twitter attack Twitter shut off the ability for many people to tweet after massive hack Twitter reveals that its own employee tools contributed to unprecedented hack Lawmakers demand more details on Twitter’s massive hack The massive Twitter hack could be a global security crisis Twitter says passwords were spared in yesterday’s attack, but it’s still working to restore locked accounts The FBI opens investigation into Twitter attack over national security concerns White House says restrictions on TikTok could come in ‘weeks, not months’ TikTok’s biggest problem is outside its control Peacock’s interface aims to recreate the feeling of live TV, but it comes up short Why Peacock and HBO Max aren’t on the biggest streaming platforms How to stream Peacock Netflix names content chief Ted Sarandos as co-CEO Netflix adds another whopping 10 million subscribers, but warns growth may slow Microsoft discontinues Xbox One X and Xbox One S digital edition ahead of Series X launch Xbox Series X can play all Xbox One games, unless they use Kinect Microsoft to launch xCloud streaming free with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in September Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Will virtual dates stick around after the pandemic?
The Verge's Why’d You Push That Button? is back for a special episode all about virtual dating in 2020. The pandemic has forced us all to stay at home when we can, which means if you want to go on a date, it may have to be done online. Ashley Carman and Kaitlyn Tiffany return to talk to online daters and app makers about how they are adapting to virtual-only dating, and what features and behaviors will stick around after social distancing and the pandemic end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How Color of Change helped lead the Facebook boycott
Nilay Patel talks to Rashad Robinson, president of Color of Change. Color of Change, an online racial justice organization, is one of the groups leading the ad boycott against Facebook and other social media companies in response to hate speech appearing on the platforms. In the interview, Robinson talks about how the boycott campaign came together; his history pushing Facebook on issues of hate speech and civil rights; and meeting with Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg, and fellow leaders of the boycott to discuss the Facebook civil rights audit and how the company can improve the platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
iOS14 public beta is released, Google’s Pixel 3A is discontinued, and Samsung's event is coming soon
Nilay Patel, Dieter Bohn, and Dan Seifert discuss Apple's iOS14 public beta, the future of Google's phones, and what to expect at Samsung's next hardware event. Stories discussed this week: This isn’t a COVID-19 wave — it’s a tsunami Tracing the link between your phone and the next pandemic Doctors are better at treating COVID-19 patients now than they were in March After the pandemic, doctors want their new robot helpers to stay Facebook and Instagram will remind people to wear face masks White YouTube creators struggle to address past use of racist characters Everything that the big social networks banned this week, ranked Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Starbucks, Target, Unilever, Verizon: all the companies pulling ads from Facebook Facebook auditors call out Mark Zuckerberg for ‘vexing and heartbreaking decisions’ iOS 14’s public beta is rolling out today iOS and iPadOS 14 public beta preview: something for everybody Reddit says it’s fixing code in its iOS app that copied clipboard contents LinkedIn says it will stop repeatedly copying iOS clipboard Apple promises to support Thunderbolt on its new ARM Macs Intel’s Thunderbolt 4 standard looks to raise the bar for USB-C devices Google’s Pixel 3A is discontinued, but these retailers are still selling it Samsung reportedly won’t include chargers with some phones starting next year Samsung needs a splashy product for its splashy product launch Mysterious new Samsung wearable revealed in FCC filings Logitech is already giving up on its Alexa-powered Harmony remote control Google’s upcoming Nest speaker revealed in regulatory filing BMW is going all-in on in-car microtransactions A weakened version of the EARN IT Act advances out of committee Fading Light: the story of Magic Leap’s lost mixed reality magnum opus I built my own camera with a Raspberry Pi 4 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Bug bounties: the good and the bad of computer security
Verge editor-in-chief Nilay Patel talks to founder and CEO of Luta Security Katie Moussouris. Moussouris has a long history in computer security, working at Microsoft and the Department of Defense creating their first bug bounty programs to incentivize catching and reporting security bugs and vulnerabilities in software systems. Nilay and Katie discuss the good and bad of bug bounties, encryption dilemmas with consumer devices, voting security in elections, and overall how we keep our software and networks secure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Introducing Land of the Giants: The Netflix Effect
This week we’re sharing an episode of Land of the Giants, a podcast from our friends at Recode and the Vox Media Podcast Network that examines the most powerful tech companies of our time. The second season is called The Netflix Effect, and it’s hosted by Recode editors Rani Molla and Peter Kafka. The Netflix Effect explores how a company that began as a small DVD-by-mail service ultimately upended Hollywood and completely changed the way we watch TV. It’s a fascinating look at what really goes on behind the scenes at Netflix, one of the few companies that’s actually growing during the pandemic, and how they’re continuing to transform entertainment for you and me. New episodes are released every Tuesday morning. listen and subscribe to Land of the Giants: The Netflix Effect wherever you get The Vergecast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices