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.
The smart glasses era is (kind of) here
Today on the flagship podcast of glassholes: The Verge’s David Pierce chats with Victoria Song about her experience using the new Ray-Ban smart glasses from Meta. Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses hands-on: in pursuit of content The Verge’s Sean Hollister and iFixit’s Kyle Wiens join the show to discuss the latest legislation in the right to repair and what’s next for the future of fixing your own gadgets. Right-to-repair is now the law in California The Verge’s Nathan Edwards answers this week’s Vergecast Hotline question. The iPhone 15 and 15 Pro launch with ‘future Qi2 wireless charging.’ Here’s why. 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 better, smarter future of messaging
In episode two of our connectivity mini series, The Verge's David Pierce chats with Eric Migicovsky co-founder of Beeper. Beeper is a universal messaging app trying to take all your messages from all your apps and put them in one place. Is this the future of chat? 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
Sonos loses to Google, and Threads takes on Twitter
The Verge's Nilay Patel, David Pierce, and Alex Cranz discuss the Meta Quest 3 review, Google gadgets, and Threads continuing to compete with X. Chris Welch joins the show to discuss the result of Sonos' legal battle with Google. Further reading: Google Pixel Watch 2 review: better battery, better watch Pixel 8 and 8 Pro review: in Google we trust? WordPress now offers official support for ActivityPub Threads is getting an edit button — and you don’t have to pay for it @mosseri • We’re not anti-news At US v. Google antitrust trial, the Apple search deal takes center stage Judge blasts Sonos for abusing patent system and throws out $32.5 million win against Google Google is already bringing back the software features it removed because of Sonos’ lawsuit Sonos vows to keep fighting Google for the benefit of smaller companies – and its own revenue Ruling pdf: https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/legaldocs/znpnznkjgpl/GOOGLE%20SONOS%20TRIAL%20ruling.pdf Google has fixed its recent history of terrible speakers with the Pixel 8 Pro Alameda’s paper trail leads straight to Sam Bankman-Fried Samsung joins Google in RCS shaming Apple Sony’s new PS5 with a removable disc drive launches in November 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
Good Pixels, better Watches, great Chromebooks
Today on the flagship podcast of AI-generated wallpapers: 03:22 - The Verge's David Pierce chats with Allison Johnson about her review of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Pixel 8 and 8 Pro review: in Google we trust? 29:18 - Victoria Song joins the show to discuss her review of the updated Pixel Watch 2. Google Pixel Watch 2 review: better battery, better watch 56:02 - Monica Chin stops by to explain the new "Chromebook Plus" certification on higher-end Chromebooks. Chromebook Plus is Google’s new certification for premium Chromebooks 1:22:42 - Keep listening for the Vergecast Hotline question all about music playlists. 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 TV of the future costs zero dollars
In episode one of our miniseries all about connectivity, The Verge’s David Pierce talks with Ilya Pozin, founder and CEO of Telly, a new startup promising to give you a free 55-inch TV with an additional second screen for ads and apps. Before founding Telly, Ilya Pozin also founded PlutoTV, one of the first and most successful ad-based streaming services. There are many similarities between these two companies, and Ilya has a grander vision for how he sees the world and how he thinks he can revolutionize the TV hardware and TV show business. 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 great Pixel 8 camera debate
The Verge’s Nilay Patel, David Pierce, and Alex Cranz discuss the announcement of Google’s Pixel 8 phone, along with the new AI tools that raise lots of questions. Further reading: Google Pixel 8 launch event: the 7 biggest announcements Google Pixel 8 hands-on: a little bit smaller and a little bit smarter The Pixel 8 Pro hands-on: better cameras, a brighter screen, and new AI Google Pixel 8 will get seven years of Android updates Google Photos’ new AI tools for Pixel 8 raise messy questions Google releases Android 14 for Pixel phones Android 14 gets AI-generated wallpapers on Google’s latest Pixels Google Pixel Watch 2 hands-on: new sensors, longer battery, better accuracy Google announces new colors and features for its Pixel Buds Pro earbuds Netflix is planning to raise prices... again Streaming service price increases: the latest on Netflix, Disney Plus, Max, Hulu, and more Paramount uploads Mean Girls to TikTok across 23 video clips The Humane Ai Pin makes its debut on the runway at Paris Fashion Week https://www.threads.net/@mosseri/post/Cx8M6xqAWeC/ Apple addresses iPhone 15 overheating with a new iOS 17 update Paris Hilton gets special deal to post on X LG is dropping ATSC 3.0 from its TVs next year The Verge and dbrand have partnered on new skins for the Pixel 8, iPhone 15, and more iPhone 15 Pro Max camera: 1000 photos later, it’s still missing something 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
Amazon, Google, and crypto are on trial
Today on the flagship podcast of The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890: 01:43 - The Verge’s David Pierce chats with policy editor Adi Robertson and reporter Makena Kelly about US v. Google, and what we’ve learned so far. They also talk about the FTC’s lawsuit against Amazon, which could be the next big tech trial. US v. Google antitrust trial: updates Amazon reportedly used a secret algorithm to jack up prices Satya Nadella tells a court that Bing is worse than Google — and Apple could fix it Why the US is suing Amazon 28:46 - Later, senior correspondent Liz Lopatto joins the show to preview the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of FTX. FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried is on trial for fraud and conspiracy 52:36 - Keep listening for this week’s Vergecast hotline question with Alex Cranz. 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
Meta's AI headset future — and that X interview at Code
The Verge's David Pierce, Nilay Patel, and Alex Cranz break down an awkward interview out of the Code Conference from X (formerly Twitter) CEO Linda Yaccarino. Then, the crew gets into all the big news from Meta's Connect event where the Quest 3 and Meta Smart Glasses were announced. Further reading: The Code Conference 2023: news, interviews, and more Linda Yaccarino defends Elon Musk, X, and herself at Code 2023 [FULL INTERVIEW] AMD CEO Lisa Su on the GPU shortage, the AI revolution, and Nvidia | Decoder Yoel Roth warns new X CEO about Elon and company status [FULL INTERVIEW] Artifact is becoming Twitter, too, thanks to new posts feature The Quest 3 is Meta’s last chance to win the headset war before it truly begins The Meta Quest 3 is sharper, more powerful, and still trying to make mixed reality happen Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg on Threads, the future of AI, and Quest 3 Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses: livestreaming, headphone-replacing eyewear Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses hands-on: in pursuit of content The new WGA contract will change how Hollywood works Summary of the 2023 WGA MBA Streaming giants have banded together for lobbying power Apple and Google are changing how you listen to podcasts Google Podcasts shut down in 2024 as podcasts debut globally for YouTube Music Logitech now sells a $299 folding chair Former Amazon hardware boss Dave Limp will take over as CEO of Blue Origin 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
RIP DVDs
Today on the flagship podcast of the laserdisc resurgence: While Netflix’s DVD.com service shuts down later this week, The Verge's David Pierce chats with Bill Rouhana, the CEO of Chicken Soup for The Soul Entertainment, about the potential of Redbox and physical media in 2023. Netflix’s DVD service shuts down: here’s the complex tech behind it Later, David and Alex Cranz talk with New York Magazine’s John Herrman about his recent story on social media metrics and what they actually mean. Lies, Damned Lies, and Social-Media Metrics Keep listening for this week’s Vergecast hotline question. 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 50-year quest for AI virtual assistants
In part three of our AI mini series, David Pierce dives into the decades-long endeavor to build a virtual assistant. What can a virtual assistant do? What do we want it to do? 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
Amazon and Microsoft's AI parades
The Verge's Nilay Patel, Alex Cranz, and David Pierce discuss all the announcements from Amazon's fall product launch event and Microsoft's Surface and AI event. Further reading: Amazon’s fall 2023 product launch event: live news, announcements, and more Amazon is set to supercharge Alexa with generative AI The Fire TV should be at the heart of Amazon's smart home The new $269.99 Echo Frames look a whole lot more like glasses. Alexa Eye Gaze offers a new way to control Alexa on a Fire tablet In the new Echo Show 8, Alexa will be 40 percent faster. Finally some hardware...for kids. YouTube is going all in on AI with background and video topic suggestions YouTube made a video editing app — just like TikTok Microsoft Surface event: the 6 biggest announcements Microsoft’s new Xbox controller borrows great ideas from Stadia, Steam, and Sony This is Microsoft’s new disc-less Xbox Series X design with a lift-to-wake controller Microsoft’s next Xbox, coming 2028, envisions hybrid computing Microsoft addresses the huge Xbox leaks: here’s Phil Spencer’s full memo Microsoft’s Phil Spencer says acquiring Nintendo would be ‘a career moment’ Microsoft announces the Surface Laptop Studio 2 with upgraded chips and ports A first look at Microsoft’s upgraded Surface Laptop Studio 2 Microsoft announces the new Surface Laptop Go 3 Hands-on with the Surface Laptop Go 3 The Surface Go 4 comes with a much-needed performance boost Microsoft 365 Copilot launches in November Windows 11’s next big update arrives on September 26th with Copilot, RAR support, and more Microsoft announces Surface Hub 3 with portrait mode The cable bundle of the future is officially here Google’s Bard chatbot can now find answers in your Gmail, Docs, Drive The Home Assistant Green is here to make the most powerful smart home platform more accessible 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
iPhone and watches and wallpapers, oh my
Today on the flagship podcast of the Action Button: 03:34 - The Verge's David Pierce chats with Allison Johnson and Dan Seifert about their reviews of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. 41:02 - Victoria Song joins the show to talk about her review of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. 1:07:58 - David chats with Isaac Mosna and Widgetsmith's David Smith about customizing your iPhone wallpaper and widgets. 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
Can AI make a hit song?
In episode two of The Vergecast's AI mini series, David Pierce sits down with Switched on Pop's Charlie Harding and music producer Ian Kimmel to share how they made an entire song from scratch using a bunch of AI tools. Later, Nilay Patel joins the discussion to talk about the future of AI in the music industry. Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we'd love to hear from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apple mysteries and Google trials
It's been a week! The Verge's Nilay Patel, David Pierce, and Alex Cranz rejoin the studio to process all the tech news and announcements. Apple had its annual hardware event where the iPhone 15 and new Apple Watch lineup were shown off. Later, senior tech and policy reporter Adi Robertson joins the show to walk us through the US v Google antitrust trial that kicked off earlier in the week. Further reading: iPhone 15 event: all the news on Apple's new phones Here's why Apple put a Thread radio in the iPhone 15 Pro Rumors of Lightning’s death are just slightly exaggerated The iPhone Mini is officially gone, long live the iPhone Mini USB-C Backbone One controllers will be ‘upgraded’ to work with the iPhone 15 lineup. The iPhone is getting new ringtones with iOS 17 Apple announces more iOS 17 features coming later this year: Apple Music updates How Google plans to win its antitrust trial What to expect from the Google Search antitrust trial US v. Google antitrust trial: updates Developers respond to Unity’s new pricing scheme Unity cancels town hall over reported death threats What happens when Google Search doesn't have the answers? Google AMP: how Google tried to fix the web by taking it over A storefront for robots The little search engine that couldn't Who killed Google Reader? 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
iPhone 15: the good, the bad, and the titanium
After attending Apple's fall hardware event, The Verge's Nilay Patel, Allison Johnson, Dan Seifert and Victoria Song break down the biggest announcements: the iPhone 15, 15 Pro, the new Apple Watch Series 9 and the Ultra 2. Further Reading: iPhone 15 event live blog: all the news from Apple's keynote Apple iPhone 15 event: the seven biggest announcements Apple announces iPhone 15 with USB-C, a camera upgrade, and the Dynamic Island Apple iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max announced with titanium bodies and an Action Button iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max hands-on A first look at the new iPhone 15 with USB-C and a big camera upgrade Apple's cheapest iPhone 15 Pro Max now costs more — but also has double the storage Apple is releasing iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 on September 18th Apple announces Apple Watch Series 9, and it has a handy double-tap feature Apple Watch Ultra 2: price, release date, and features Apple is switching the AirPods Pro charging case to USB-C Apple’s USB-C AirPods Pro will support lossless audio with the Vision Pro Apple's Lightning connector was the first great port — and USB-C might be the last Post-process: why the smartphone camera changed photography forever The iPhone 7 Plus vs. the original iPhone: a camera showdown The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are the first smartphones with Thread 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