Alex Cranz

Gustav Söderström, Spotify's Co-president and chief product officer, shares insights into the platform's evolution beyond music, tackling audiobooks and user experience challenges. He discusses the balance between AI-driven recommendations and keeping the core music experience intact. Meanwhile, technology journalist Alex Cranz delves into Disney's strategy of merging Hulu and Disney Plus, emphasizing branding dilemmas and the competitive landscape of streaming. Together, they explore the future of media and the push towards all-in-one apps.

Joining David Pierce are Alex Cranz, a consumer tech expert, Sean Hollister, a gaming electronics journalist, and Victoria Song, a wearable tech reporter. They dive into the best portable gaming consoles, scrutinizing devices like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch, and tackle connectivity issues. Victoria shares insights on smart glasses, testing their audio quality and comparing models like Razer’s Anzu and Amazon's Echo Frames. The group blends humor with tech-savvy discussions, exploring the future of gaming and audio innovations.

Alex Cranz, a staff writer at The Verge with a keen eye for consumer electronics and design, joins the discussion on the latest MacBook Air. They humorously analyze the new M3 chip, share nostalgia for the original wedge design, and critique Apple's marketing. The conversation also dives into the EU's Digital Markets Act and its implications for Apple, including issues with the App Store and conflicts with Spotify and Epic Games. Overall, they navigate the complexities of tech regulation and the future of innovation.

Victoria Song, a reporter specializing in wearables, and Alex Cranz, who recently demoed the Apple Vision Pro, discuss the latest in tech. They delve into the innovative features of the Vision Pro, highlighting its interactive user experience and marketing challenges. The duo also explores Samsung's Galaxy S24, noting its AI advancements and photography capabilities. Their humorous takes on the tech landscape, including the absence of gaming in the Vision Pro and the emerging smart ring market, keep the conversation lively and insightful.

In this engaging discussion, technology writers Alex Cranz, Richard Lawler, and James Vincent explore Microsoft's new Bing, powered by ChatGPT. They debate whether this AI-enhanced search engine can outmaneuver Google and the implications of its capabilities and limitations. The conversation touches on ethical concerns regarding AI integration into daily life, advertising dilemmas, and the chaotic shifts within Twitter's landscape. Additionally, they reflect on the entertainment industry's challenges, including Disney layoffs amidst changing viewer habits.