The Vergecast

Charlie Harding, a music journalist and co-host of Switched On Pop, dives into the transformative impact of AI on Nashville's country music scene. He explains how AI tools like Suno are revolutionizing songwriting by turning voice memos into polished demos. Expect fascinating insights on AI's role in the creative process, the ethical dilemmas artists face, and even a live demo that turns a simple chorus into a full-fledged country jam. Harding argues that while AI benefits new songwriters, it raises questions for mid-tier creators about their place in an evolving industry.

Joining Nilay and David, Joanna Stern, a senior tech columnist at the Wall Street Journal, dives into a lively discussion about the standout tech moments of 2025. They dissect the successes and failures of products, including a surprising victory from Google Gemini and the disappointment of AI agents. The trio debates the impact of major policy moves on big tech and ruminates on the biggest AI-related scandals of the year. Expect lively opinions on gadget of the year and the buzzwords that should be buried!

Sari Azout, founder of Sublime, a personal library app focused on human-centered design, shares insights on the balance between AI and human creativity. She discusses the nuances of curation, emphasizing the need for intentional design over algorithmic feeds. Sari critiques overhyped AI narratives and describes how AI can enhance, but not replace, human judgment in creation. She also shares her experiences with using AI for brainstorming and workflow, advocating for mission-driven technology that enriches personal connections.

The hosts kick things off with their frustrations over TV tech, before diving into Samsung's innovative trifold phone. They explore big design changes at Apple and Meta, sparking a discussion on the future of smart glasses. A 'code red' declaration at OpenAI shifts focus back to ChatGPT as competition heats up with Google's Gemini. Debates ensue on whether current language models are sufficient for true intelligence, alongside insights on the need for practical product development over grand ambitions. They also highlight new trends in holiday gadgets and thermostat innovations.

Victoria Song, a tech journalist focused on gadgets and XR, and Allison Johnson, a senior gadgets reporter, explore the best and worst of Apple products. The duo debates the Vision Pro's high price and discomfort, while praising Apple TV's power yet deeming it optional. Highlights include the AirTag's effectiveness and the Apple Watch's health features facing competition. They argue over whether the Mac or iPhone deserves the top spot, ultimately landing on Mac due to its performance and battery life. The conversation is lively, full of insights and friendly disagreements!

Thomas Paul Mann, co-founder and CEO of Raycast, shares insights on integrating AI into productivity apps. He discusses how AI transforms Raycast into a 'prompt-first' interface and addresses privacy trade-offs with extensive access to files and apps. Mann explains the importance of user customization and daily workflows, such as file renaming and text fixes. He also ponders the future of AI in software, emphasizing the balance between innovation and user privacy, ensuring a reliable user experience while exploring the potential of contextual AI.

It's a holiday week for many of us, which means a lot of Turkey Trots and a lot of TV. We have something for both in this episode! First, Nick Thompson, the CEO of The Atlantic and author of the new book, The Running Ground, joins the show to talk about his lifelong journey as a runner, and all the tech — from smartwatch to shoes to custom GPTs — he uses in training. After that, The Verge's John Higgins makes his first Vergecast appearance to help us understand how motion smoothing works, why you should turn it off, and all the other ways you can improve your TV watching experience this holiday season. Finally, David follows up on a question on the Vergecast Hotline (call 866-VERGE11 or email vergecast@theverge.com!) with some recommendations on inexpensive earbuds worth cranking up the volume on. Further reading: Nick Thompson's book, The Running Ground From The Atlantic: Why I Run TV manufacturers unite to tackle the scourge of motion smoothing Dear Roku, you ruined my TV How to turn off motion smoothing on your high-definition TV Samsung’s Frame TV is finally getting the knockoffs it deserves Samsung announces The Frame Pro: could this be the perfect TV? Subscribe to The Verge for unlimited access to theverge.com, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, and our ad-free podcast feed.We love hearing from you! Email your questions and thoughts to vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Marina Galperina, a journalist and curator celebrating the art of Vine; Sarah Jeong, a commentator providing cultural insight; and Mia Sato, a nostalgic Vine enthusiast discussing memorable moments. They explore Vine's impact on creator culture and the dynamics between creators and platform management. Highlights include the magic of looping Vines, iconic sketches like 'on fleek,' and the tragic shutdown of the platform. Together, they reflect on what made Vine unique and the lessons that could shape future short-form video platforms.

AI agents are creeping into every corner of Windows, sparking debates on reliability and consumer backlash. Meanwhile, Google's Gemini 3 showcases ambitious multimodal capabilities, potentially reshaping search forever. The hosts unpack a significant ruling on Meta's monopoly status, emphasizing its implications for TikTok and the future of social media. They also explore the viability of Linux as an alternative for users wary of AI integration. Finally, a lightning round discussion covers domain name controversies and smart home advancements.

Cory Doctorow, a renowned author and technology activist, dives into the concept of 'enshittification,' explaining how platforms degrade user experience over time. He argues that fixing issues isn't about individual boycotts but rather requires systemic change through policy and organizing. The discussion touches on the need for regulatory reforms, local-first software solutions, and the influence of geopolitics on tech alternatives. Doctorow also highlights the potential for small apps to disrupt monopolies and enhance user data ownership.