The Vergecast

The fascinating journey of Quibi is explored, highlighting its sky-high ambitions and dramatic fall from grace in the streaming world. Lists of reasons for its failure offer insight into what went wrong. The debate heats up over the future of reading—whether printed books or e-books will reign supreme. With humor and personal anecdotes, hosts discuss the sensory joys of print versus the accessibility of digital formats. Plus, a listener's quest for military-grade music devices sparks a sideline on unique tech solutions.

In a lively discussion, hosts unpack the latest iOS 18.1 beta, spotlighting Apple’s new AI features like smarter Siri and call recording. They delve into the unique Olympic viewing experience on TikTok, emphasizing community engagement through humor. The conversation shifts to Pixel 9 rumors and critiques the evolving smartphone landscape, including foldable designs. Additionally, they tackle the ethical concerns surrounding deepfakes and the push for regulation, all while humorously musing over tech's role in modern policing.

Dive into the fascinating journey of Roku, tracing its origins from the Netflix Player to its pivotal role in shaping the streaming industry. The hosts reflect on Roku's innovative spirit and its impact amidst competition. The conversation heats up as they debate the future of in-car technology, contrasting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and discussing the automotive industry's struggle with software. The episode wraps up with insights into managing spam texts, emphasizing the ongoing challenges listeners face.

The podcast dives into the complexities of getting the perfect movie recommendations from streaming platforms. It discusses how AI could potentially enhance these suggestions by analyzing viewer tastes. Insights are shared on innovative tools like MovieVanders, designed to create more personalized film experiences. The conversation touches on the limitations of current recommendation systems and compares them with music streaming platforms. Listeners learn about advancements, including Google's Gemini, and how they aim to better understand user preferences.

Jake Kastrenakes, Verge's executive editor, joins the team to delve into transformative tech news. They dissect OpenAI's innovative SearchGPT, exploring how it challenges traditional search engines like Google. The conversation shifts to Amazon's plans for a paid Alexa, probing the future of smart home tech. Kastrenakes also highlights Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 6 and its creative stagnation, along with the quirks of Apple Maps entering the web arena. The tech landscape is rapidly changing, and they discuss what it means for the future of our tech experience.

Join Tom Warren, a Senior Editor at The Verge, as he unpacks the chaos of the CrowdStrike outage that impacted millions of Windows devices globally. Victoria Song and Adrian Hon then dive into the fitness app Zombies, Run, discussing how it transforms exercise into an engaging storytelling experience without the pressure of competition. They explore the changing landscape of fitness tracking and the potential of using VR in workouts. The conversation wraps up with tech essentials for new parents navigating gaming on the go.

Artist Dries Depoorter discusses his quirky AI installations like a life clock and celebrity surveillance projects. He explores AI's impact on privacy, ethics, and the future. The conversation dives into the intersection of art, surveillance, and AI, raising questions about anonymity and technology's influence on society.

Tune in for a wild ride through the latest in tech and social media buzz. Discover the chaos following a high-profile assassination attempt and how it stirs conspiracy theories online. Get the scoop on Apple's new public betas, featuring quirky homescreen overhauls and innovative math tools for the iPad. Meanwhile, gadgets are critiqued for their odd designs and questionable market appeal. Buckle up for a humorous take on streaming enhancements and the absurdities of high-end renovations that might just need a documentary!

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.

Dan Siroker, CEO of Limitless and former founder of Optimizely, dives into the fascinating world of AI-powered memory aids. He discusses the challenges of building effective memory tools and the potential future landscapes where forgetting could become obsolete. The conversation touches on how these technologies can transform our relationships—like remembering birthdays—and the ethical implications of outsourcing our memories to AI. Siroker also reflects on the societal shifts as we grow more dependent on these innovative solutions.