Countdown to excitement! Every week Christina Warren, Brianna Wu and Simone de Rochefort have accelerated geek conversation. Tech, comics, movies, games and books, no galaxy is off limits! Hosted by Christina Warren, Brianna Wu, and Simone De Rochefort.
440: Build-ing a Mystery
Christina is back from Microsoft Build, with her take on all the tools that were announced during the event! Then, a panel of AI researchers has issued a statement that we need to mitigate the potential harm that could be caused by this explosive technology. What are some paths forward for doing that? And finally, Elizabeth Holmes has reported to prison and a debt is fulfilled.
439: Human Errors
Microsoft Build happened this week, along with a slew of AI-centric announcements! Brianna and Simone tackle the AI-integrated future of Windows 11 — are you ready to let ChatGPT buy you a house? Then, a disastrous Twitter Space has launched a new presidential candidate and we’re here to definitely just talk about the tech aspect of it. Also, Metal Gear Solid 3 is BACK!
438: Touching Livestock
Simone is off touching sheep so Bri and Christina are left to their own devices. This week, after a brief Liz Holmes update, that means a spoiler-free dessert-up-front segment on The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, a discussion about Twitter’s new CEO and finally a discussion about whether or not AM radios should still come with cars.
437: Puff Peace
Google is bringing AI to its search — for select users. And our favorite scamster Elizabeth Holmes appears in the New York Times this week. Did the writer get rolled, or is it going over readers’ heads? For dessert, our old friend Bug of Spooky Pinball is back to talk about the new Scooby-Doo table!
436: Bluesky Raya
A new form of a terrible old bill is before the Senate, and we can see indications of its effects in state-level bills in Utah and Louisiana. What’s KOSA and why should you be concerned? Then, because Bri is back from vacation we’re returning to Bluesky and talking about the bonkers events that happened over the weekend — as well as long-term concerns for how the app will be moderated. For dessert, a Gran Turismo trailer that slaps.
435: Only Mergers In The Building
In shocking news, the U.K. has moved to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard — for reasons that make NO SENSE to our hosts! What goes on in the house of commons? Then, the decentralized Twitter clone Bluesky finally seems to be taking off, and Disney is suing Florida governor Ron DeSantis.
434: Enpoopificaton
Christina and Simone are bringing you a classic chaos hour of Rocket. Today’s questions: is social media dying, and is it possible to build a platform that can thrive without turning users into content for ad revenue? Also, remembering Netflix’s mail-order heyday, now that it has announced the end of physical DVD rentals. Finally, a bombshell allegation about Taylor Swift’s dealings with FTX… the perfect Rocket cocktail.
433: Max, Just Max
Finally, the case of Brianna v. Christina is drawing to a close, as Elizabeth Holmes prison date looms… this week on Rocket, we’re talking about Twitter’s contentious relationship with journalism and the latest “quirks” of the platform, which include private tweets going public, and a feud with Substack. Then, HBO Max is rebranding… again! And finally, Fyre Fest 2. It’s been promised, so you know we’re packing our bags.
432: Rumors and Invention
There are rumors swirling about a new PlayStation handheld — but can Sony really put out an online-only handheld and expect to compete with the Steam Deck and Switch? Then, the first ChatGPT defamation lawsuits are emerging, and the situation is a mess. Brianna has some controversial opinions about Ryan Gosling as Ken in the Barbie movie, and Simone is not young anymore.
431: Limited Internet For All
It's FINALLY time to actually talk about the TikTok hearings, and our opinions on how Congress has handled grilling the social media giant — and the potential bills that they're considering. Then, what are the terms of SBF's bail? Just how much internet access can that man have? Finally, we're talking a rambly and non-spoilery review of John Wick 4, a movie that doesn't feel almost three hours long.
430: TikTok Heaven 3000
We’re talking TikTok WAIT NO we’re talking the SEC fining Justin Sun and numerous celebrities spokespeople for cryptocurrency shenanigans! Then, it’s sadly time to bid goodbye to DPReview, the beloved camera website. Meanwhile, we never even got to say hello to Tax Heaven 3000, a dating sim/tax filing software that Steam yanked unceremoniously this week — or did they?
429: Bank Run
Tonight’s special guest is The Verge’s senior writer Elizabeth Lopatto, to discuss what else but: THE COLLAPSE OF SILICON VALLEY BANK. She’s a pragmatic, expert voice to walk all of us through a confusing and dramatic weekend, and she knows what we should be keeping an eye on next. Then, Brianna and Simone discuss the existence of the moon, and Scream 6!
428: AI Everywhere All At Once
Simone is back but still dying of Italian respiratory diseases. Still, we’re in for a high-energy show! Let’s talk about Google’s forays into AI — are they behind Microsoft, or will their years of research put them out ahead in the end? Then, a Spotify redesign threatens to make the app more visually similar to TikTok. Is Spotify doing something smart or overextending itself? Finally, Christina explains one of the biggest financial scams in recent memory.
427: Elizabeth Holmes Baby
This week on Rocket, Simone kissed too many Italians, so Brianna and Christina are running amok. They talk about the new ChatGPT API and the potential it could have on different startups and industries, the risky bets Binance made with its customer’s money (without telling them) and Elizabeth Holmes’ latest attempt to get out of jail, thus saving Christina $500.
426: Cool ISIS Video
This week on Rocket, Simone is in Italy, so Brianna and Christina are joined by special guest Alex Cranz! They discuss some important technology cases in front of the Supreme Court, Meta’s new plan for verified Facebook and Instagram accounts, and finally wrap things up with some delicious dirt about the most successful show on TV that you don’t watch, but your parents definitely do, Yellowstone.