Nilay Patel

Nilay Patel, Editor-in-chief of The Verge, is joined by Andy Hawkins, Verge's transportation editor, to discuss the complex interplay between politics and electric vehicles. They unravel how a potential second Trump term could hinder EV adoption yet paradoxically benefit Tesla. The duo explores Musk's political ties, the impact of tariffs on the auto industry, and the shifting landscape for traditional automakers versus emerging EV startups. It's a fascinating look at how technology, climate policy, and market dynamics intertwine in this rapidly evolving sector.

Nilay Patel, Editor-in-chief of The Verge, reveals how Barnes & Noble transformed from a struggling giant into a community hub and bright spot in retail. Brendan Ballou, author of "Plunder," discusses the dual role of private equity, highlighting both revitalization and ethical concerns in American industries. They dive into the lessons learned from failures like the Nook e-reader, emphasizing the importance of local engagement in today’s book market. The conversation uncovers the intricate dance between profit and genuine literary passion.

Nilay Patel, Editor-in-Chief of The Verge, dives into the profound impact of AI on pop culture. He discusses how AI-generated music and imagery are reshaping the entertainment landscape. The conversation explores the disruption of Google’s dominance in online search, the shift towards AI-driven functionalities, and how platforms like TikTok are transforming the consumption of culture. Patel emphasizes the need to embrace these changes while addressing concerns over creativity and content quality.

Nilay Patel, Editor-in-Chief of The Verge and host of the Decoder podcast, talks with Jon about Elon Musk’s newest and thorniest business venture: purchasing Twitter. In a recent article, “Welcome to Hell, Elon,” Patel describes the quandary that awaits the Tesla founder and argues that Musk has made a historic mistake. He joins Offline to talk Musks’ misguided free speech promises, the limits of technical solutions to political problems, and the hubris of an internet troll-turned-King Twit. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Kara hosts Nilay Patel, Editor-in-chief of The Verge; Mike Isaac, NY Times tech correspondent; and Alexa Corse from the Wall Street Journal, to discuss the mass migration from Elon Musk’s X to emerging platforms like Bluesky and Threads. They delve into the appeal of decentralized social media and the rise of the fediverse. The conversation highlights users seeking community over algorithm-driven engagement and explores the challenges of moderation and political discourse in today's online ecosystem. Tune in for insights on the evolving social media landscape!

Nilay Patel, Editor-in-chief of The Verge, interviews former President Barack Obama on pivotal issues like AI and free speech. They discuss the need for effective government oversight in the age of technology and how democracy intertwines with innovation. Obama emphasizes the inclusion of diverse voices in AI discussions, the importance of regulating children’s content, and the challenges of content moderation. The conversation is both insightful and entertaining, with anecdotes that add a light touch to serious subjects.

Nilay Patel, a prominent technology journalist and editor at The Verge, joins to discuss the iPhone 16 and its new features. He reflects on evolving perspectives of Apple's photographic innovations and the changing landscape of tech media influenced by younger creators. The impact of AI in photography and the complexities of image formats like JPEG and HEIF are also explored. Additionally, Nilay shares insights on the future of smartphone camera controls and Apple's presentations that have shifted from live keynotes to pre-recorded formats.

Joanna Stern, a tech columnist at The Wall Street Journal, Nilay Patel from The Verge, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman delve into Apple's ambitious Vision Pro headset. They discuss its hefty $3500 price tag and the market's readiness for it. The trio critiques its rocky debut, weighing its potential against iconic products like the iPhone. They also explore the challenges of spatial computing and privacy concerns, while humorously noting the device’s limitations compared to competitors. Insightful banter reveals both excitement and skepticism about the future of wearable tech.

Nilay Patel, Editor-in-chief of The Verge, dives into the copyright battle sparked by an AI-generated track featuring the voices of Drake and The Weeknd. He discusses the implications of AI in music, questioning the balance between creativity and technology. Collaborating with Holly Herndon, a Berlin-based artist known for her innovative use of AI in music, they explore how technology empowers non-mainstream musicians and raises ethical questions around artist consent and authenticity in a rapidly changing music landscape.

AI is making fake Drake/The Weeknd songs, weird images, and there’s a worry that TV and movie scripts could be written by ChatGPT. But it’s also about to dramatically change the way we consume, share, and obsess over pop culture. Nilay Patel, Editor-in-Chief of The Verge, explains to Sam how pretty much everything we search on the internet is mediated by Google… and how AI is about to disrupt it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices