The Vergecast AI can't even turn on the lights
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Oct 17, 2025 An engaging discussion kicks off with the rise of Apple’s M5-powered devices and whether hardware bumps inspire excitement. Nilay shares insights from his summer with AI, particularly how smart home tech struggles with basic tasks like turning on lights, highlighting significant gaps in AI reliability. They critique the Vision Pro's weight and unclear market fit while exploring the ethics of AI-generated music covers on platforms like TikTok. The episode wraps up with chatter about TiVo's last DVR sales and the peculiar impact of AI in ads.
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Baby Monitor Upgrade Backfires Into Hardware Overkill
- Nilay describes upgrading baby monitors and rejecting internet-connected cameras for privacy reasons.
- He solved the problem by adding simple, labeled non-networked monitors and more hardware instead of complex smart sensors.
Standards Don't Solve Real-World Smart Home Mess
- Nilay argues smart home cross-platform compatibility is brittle despite Matter and Thread standards.
- HomeKit can become an accidental hub that requires manual pairing and network juggling to function.
Pay To Preserve Editorial Independence
- Nilay explains Verge's ad-free podcast launch aims to protect editorial independence and encourage renewals.
- Subscribe to preserve independent journalism and avoid advertiser-driven pressure on coverage.