Jay Peters, News editor at The Verge, shares insights on Google's monopoly ruling and raves about 'Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.' Jake Kastrenakes discusses the burgeoning AI landscape and the Weim Ultra amp. Justine Calma highlights the US election's impact on nuclear energy and the inspiring 'Nurse Unseen' documentary. Vjeran Pavic dives into the Apple Vision Pro headset and the sleek Fujifilm X100VI camera. Meanwhile, Ash Parrish examines the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 and GTA VI, alongside industry challenges. A lively blend of tech and personal favorites in 2024!

Verge video game reporter Ash Parrish discusses the financial pressures in the video game industry despite high consumer interest. They explore the reasons behind layoffs, studio closures, and the evolving business models. Topics include shifting spending habits, network effect in games like Fortnite, and the impact of recycled plastic in bottles by major companies.

Today on the flagship podcast of transformers (both the movie and the AI thing): 03:46 - The Verge’s Victoria Song, Chris Welch, Allison Johnson, and David Pierce discuss using the new features and tools in beta versions of Apple’s watchOS 10, tvOS 17, iOS 17, and iPadOS 17. 28:36 - The Verge’s James Vincent joins the show to discuss how we should think about using the popular vocabulary terms in AI like GPT, LLM, transformers, hallucinations, etc. Are we using them the right way? Does it matter how we use them? 54:20 - David is joined by The Verge’s Ash Parrish and Polygon’s Chris Plante to share the video games they are most excited about after a string of announcements from Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, Ubisoft, Summer Game Fest, and others. 1:25:46 - We answer a question from the Vergecast HotlineEmail us at vergecast@theverge.com, or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the flagship podcast of measuring changes in gravitational force.02:13 - David Pierce chats with video game reporter Ash Parrish about how footage of Grand Theft Auto VI has leaked online. GTA 6 gameplay leaks online in 90 videos Rockstar confirms hack, says work on GTA VI will ‘continue as planned’ 19:40 - David tries to use TikTok's search feature as a replacement for Google.31:40 - Nilay Patel, Allison Johnson, and Victoria Song answer listener questions about the new iPhones and Apple Watch. Apple iPhone 14 Pro review: early adopter island Apple iPhone 14 review: meet the iPhone 13S Apple Watch Series 8 review: if it ain’t broke Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we'd love to hear from you. We are conducting a short audience survey to help plan for our future and hear from you. To participate, head to vox.com/podsurvey, and thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verge editor-in-chief Nilay Patel talks with games reporter Ash Parrish and senior reporter Alex Heath about Microsoft acquiring Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion and Google building a new AR headset.Policy editor Russell Brandom joins the show to discuss the battle between the FAA, AT&T, Verizon, and airlines over 5G and the antitrust bills in Congress this week.Further reading: The US’s free COVID test website has more visitors than all other .gov sites combined Microsoft to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion Read Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick’s email to employees about the Microsoft acquisition Read Microsoft Gaming CEO’s email to staff about the Activision Blizzard acquisition Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass service grows to 25 million subscribers Microsoft’s Activision acquisition would instantly make it a force in mobile gaming A guide to Microsoft’s Xbox game studios empire Is Microsoft building a gaming monopoly? Sony expects Microsoft to ‘continue to ensure’ Activision games stay multiplatform Google is building an AR headset AT&T and Verizon are limiting C-band 5G expansion around airports even more AT&T begins 5G C-band rollout in limited number of metro areas Verizon’s faster C-band 5G is live and off to a promising start Apple and Google split with startups over antitrust bill Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai are personally lobbying senators against antitrust legislation: report Lawmakers approve Big Tech antitrust overhaul, but with strings attached US competition enforcers launch overhaul of merger approval process Democrats unveil bill to ban online ‘surveillance advertising’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices