Guest Nimesha Ranasinghe, an assistant professor at the University of Maine, discusses taste sensations in virtual reality for gaming. The podcast explores the integration of scents in gaming with AI-powered devices and the potential future of enhancing gameplay through adding smell as a sensory experience.

Discussions on Google I.O. and OpenAI's GPT4o event, Gemini AI advancements, ChatGPT improvements, Google's faster AI with Gemini Flash, personalized AI chatbots, and AI's hallucination problem. AI assistant impact on user expectations, Gemini Nano integration, Android face-control cursor, and the rivalry between Google and OpenAI in the AI industry.

Discussing the new iPad Pros with OLED screens, Sonos' controversial app redesign, and leaked Sonos headphones. Exploring Apple's repair policies, independent repair techs, and iPhone repair challenges. Highlighting the evolution of the iPad and the debate on its functionality and niche market focus.

Paul Bennun, expert in audio-only video games, discusses the challenges and innovations in creating immersive audio games like Papa Sangre. He explains the importance of iPhone 4 in advancing audio gaming technology and shares insights on the future of audio games.

Apple's iPad event announcements, including new models and chip upgrades, are discussed. The evolving streaming business landscape with bundles and price hikes is analyzed. Microsoft Surface is compared to iPads, and device power dreams are explored. Media acquisitions, tech challenges, and legal battles are also covered.

Riley Testut, developer of Delta emulator, discusses its App Store journey. AltStore PAL launches in Europe. David explores AI voice notes and Rabbit R1. Email vergecast@theverge.com or call 866-VERGE11.

Exploring the world of speedrunning through touch, the podcast delves into the Nintendo 64 controller crisis affecting speedrunners. It follows the quest of a speedrunner to recreate a lost controller, highlighting challenges, gameplay precision, and competitive glitch exploitation in the speedrunning community.

Tech news highlights include Rabbit R1 review, TikTok's deal with Universal Music Group, Microsoft's OpenAI investment driven by Google fears, Peloton layoffs, LinkedIn's gaming entry, Beats Solo 4 headphones release, Walmart's 4K Chromecast, iOS 17.5 beta update, and Razer's controversial mask sales. Other topics discuss Instagram's new algorithm, Meta exploring changes on Threads, and the financial relationship between Google and Apple.

Debate over standalone AI gadgets like Humane Pin and Rabbit R1 vs. apps. Review of Humane AI Pin and Rabbit R1. Meta's AI smart glasses and Llama 3. Zuckerberg on AI race. Microsoft splitting Teams from Office. OpenAI deal under antitrust investigations in the EU.

The Verge's Nilay Patel, David Pierce, and Alex Cranz discuss President Biden signing the TikTok ban bill, Apple's May 7th iPad event, Tesla's flop era, and more. Topics include Tesla layoffs, new Model 3 Performance, Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, Apple's streaming of soccer tournaments, and Qualcomm's new processors.