Nilay Patel, David Pierce, and Alex Cranz discuss Humane AI Pin's review, Taylor Swift's return to TikTok, Kobo's new e-readers, and Sony's bass-heavy headphones in a fun and informative tech-filled episode.
MPA's efforts to combat movie piracy with site blocking
Deep dives
The Return of Taylor Swift's Music on TikTok
Taylor Swift's music is back on TikTok after a temporary removal by Universal Music Group, likely due to Taylor Swift's ownership of her masters allowing her to negotiate her own terms.
Innovative Music Promotion on TikTok
Artists like Olivia Rodrigo have found creative ways to promote their music on TikTok despite label disputes, showcasing live covers and remixes to engage with fans.
Universal Music Group's Impact on TikTok
Universal Music Group's disagreement led to the temporary absence of music on TikTok, highlighting the significant influence record labels have over social platforms and the necessity of licensing agreements.
Navigating Music Industry Dependencies
The incident underscores how social platforms depend heavily on the music industry, with labels like Universal Music Group exerting significant control over the distribution and availability of music on platforms like TikTok and YouTube.
Sony Introduces ULT Power Sound for Party Speakers
Sony has replaced its Extra Bass branding with ULT Power Sound, offering deeper lower frequency bass and powerful punchy bass modes. The flagship ULT tower 10 is a 64-pound party speaker costing $1,200 with 34 LED light zones and no screen, featuring an X-Balance speaker unit and a wireless microphone.
MPA's Plan to Bring Back Site Blocking for Anti-Piracy Measures
The Motion Picture Association is working with Congress to reintroduce site blocking for anti-piracy efforts, aiming to prevent billions of dollars in losses from piracy. Despite the history of opposition, the MPA is determined to pursue this strategy with hopes of curbing illegal sharing and distribution of copyrighted content.
Sony's Evolution from Mega Bass to ULT Power Sound
Sony, renowned for introducing Mega Bass in the late 1980s, transitions to ULT Power Sound after Extra Bass. ULT Power Sound includes a ULT button offering different bass modes, with flagship party speaker ULT tower 10 boasting significant weight at 64 pounds, LED light zones, and wireless microphone support.
The Verge's Nilay Patel, David Piece, and Alex Cranz discuss David's review of the Humane AI Pin, Taylor Swift's music back on TikTok, a new party speaker, and much more.