The Vergecast Switch, Xbox, and the portable future of games
393 snips
Jun 13, 2025 
Joining the conversation is Jake Kastrenakes, a staff writer at The Verge, known for his insights on tech trends. They dive into the exciting launch of the Switch 2, now the fastest-selling console, and explore Microsoft's strategy for its new handheld Xbox devices. The discussion teases out the evolving landscape of portable gaming. They also tackle AI's influence on web traffic and the future of smartphones, all peppered with humor and sharp critique of corporate media behaviors.
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Apple’s Dual WWDC Focus
- Apple's WWDC showed a split focus: flashy Hollywood movie marketing vs. cautious AI progress.
- Craig Federighi apologized for Siri's shortcomings, while Tim Cook promoted an F1 movie.
Switch 2's Mixed Launch
- Switch 2 launch succeeded with record sales but limited new features.
- Battery life issues surfaced, indicating a possible bug, highlighting concerns beyond initial success.
Microsoft’s Xbox Handheld Strategy
- Microsoft’s new Xbox handhelds run Windows with an Xbox launcher, playing mostly PC games, not native Xbox games.
- This reflects a pivot towards software and PC gaming integration, moving away from traditional console models.
