The Vergecast

Amazon buys Roomba, non-watch wearables, and the best cheap(er) phones

Aug 10, 2022

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, a smart home reviewer at The Verge, shares insights on Amazon's acquisition of iRobot and its implications for smart home technology and privacy concerns. Victoria Song, a wearables expert, discusses the rise of non-watch wearables, including sleep trackers and smart rings, exploring their potential and limitations. Mobile reviewer Allison Johnson analyzes mid-range smartphones, emphasizing the balance between features and affordability, and what trade-offs consumers might face when choosing budget-friendly options.

01:21:50

Episode guests

Allison Johnson

Victoria Song

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

Amazon's Smart Home Ambitions

16min

Concerns Over Privacy with Amazon's Acquisition of Roomba

3min

Navigating Trust in Tech and Exploring Innovative Wearables

2min

Pivot and Salesforce Unite for Streaming Success

2min

Beyond Smartwatches: The Future of Wearables

13min

The Future of Wearable Tech

14min

Wearables and Smartphones: Innovations and Trade-offs

5min

Value in Mid-Range Smartphones

15min

10.

Balancing Features in Mid-Range Smartphones

10min

11.

Closing Thoughts and Upcoming Topics with Sponsor Highlights

2min

David Pierce taps into The Verge's reviews team to explore where we're headed with smart home gadgets, wearables, and midrange phones.

01:56 - Verge smart home reviewer Jennifer Pattison Tuohy comes back to the show to break down the news of Amazon acquiring iRobot, maker of the ever popular Roomba robot vacuum.

24:46 - Verge wearable tech reviewer Victoria Song joins David to explore the fascinating world of non-watch wearables: rings, earbuds, sports bras, and sleep trackers. Afterward, we hear from Whoop CEO Will Ahmed about his approach to wearable technology.

53:40 - Verge mobile reviewer Allison Johnson and David discuss the ideal version of a mid-range smartphone, and what are the best trade-offs for the price.