The Vergecast

Lauren Feiner, a tech reporter from The Verge, dives into the US government's antitrust proposals targeting Google, especially the implications of potentially selling Chrome. Discussion unfolds around the future of search engines and how a new political landscape could influence these actions. They also tackle the latest in AI advancements, share insights about Amazon's Alexa, and explore Comcast's cable business spin-off. The conversation breezes through the competitive landscape of social media with Threads and Bluesky, offering a lively take on today's tech challenges.

Richard Lawler, a contributor to The Verge, dives into Netflix's struggle with live sports streaming, particularly during the Tyson vs. Paul fight. He questions if major tech players can successfully adapt to the demands of live sports. Following that, Roland Allen, author of "The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper," discusses the enduring significance of notebooks and handwriting in a digital age. His insights reveal how these simple tools have shaped our thoughts and communication throughout history.

In this discussion with Ge Wang, a Stanford professor and co-founder of Smule, the conversation dives into the intersection of technology and music. They explore how AI can enhance creativity without overshadowing human artistry. Ge emphasizes the importance of personal fulfillment and playful exploration in music education. The dialogue also touches on the ethical responsibilities of creators using AI and the balance between innovation and preserving unique artistic expression. It’s a fascinating look at how technology can coexist with our creativity.

Kylie Robison, a technology journalist known for her insights on AI and digital trends, joins the conversation. They discuss Bluesky's impressive growth and whether it can rival Twitter. The dialogue shifts to Apple's new smart home device that resembles an iPad, raising questions about its impact. The team also explores the slowdown in AI advancements and the cutthroat delivery wars igniting the tech landscape. Kylie shares her thoughts on community-driven platforms and the ethical challenges within journalism, making for an engaging discussion.

Victoria Song, a staff writer at The Verge specializing in sleep technology, shares her experiences with sleep gadgets like the Eight Sleep mattress and Oura Ring 4. She discusses the effectiveness of tracking sleep patterns for better rest. Allison Johnson, also from The Verge, evaluates Spotify's AI DJ, weighing its personalized music curation against the emotional depth of human DJs. They explore the costs of investing in sleep tech while reflecting on the evolving value of technology in balancing aesthetics and functionality, especially in TV selections.

Charlie Harding, a music journalist and co-host of Switched on Pop, dives into the captivating journey of Auto-Tune. He highlights how this simple plugin transformed the music landscape, becoming a hallmark sound embraced by both artists and fans. The conversation explores Auto-Tune's evolution, its creative possibilities, and the cultural debates surrounding authenticity. Harding also connects this technology to the future of music with AI, pondering the lessons from Auto-Tune's rise amidst ongoing backlash in the industry.

Sean Hollister, a technology reviewer for The Verge with a focus on gaming and consumer electronics, discusses the PlayStation 5 Pro's new features, including improved storage and GPU capabilities that redefine gaming performance. He also dives into the exciting news of backward compatibility for the next Nintendo console and shares insights on Nintendo's legal battles against emulators. The conversation touches on the evolving landscape of tech and gaming, highlighting how these advancements are shaping user experiences.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, a technology journalist at The Verge, dives into the decade-long journey of Amazon's Alexa. She discusses its innovative beginnings and how excitement has turned into stagnation over the years. The conversation highlights Alexa's evolution and the reality of integrating it into smart homes. Tuohy also shares insights on the challenges Amazon faces against competitors in the voice assistant arena, while expressing hope for a promising future with potential technological advancements and a new Alexa experience.

Jack Coyne, the creator of the viral TikTok show Track Star, shares insights on the show's journey from concept to sensation. Discover why celebrities like Olivia Rodrigo and Ed Sheeran can’t resist joining in. Coyne discusses the nostalgic ties to music media and how social media is reshaping artist-audience relationships. He also highlights the innovative trivia format that engages fans while promoting new music, hinting that the future may look a lot like the past in music content creation.

Nilay and David discuss a big week in AI news, including the new web search features in ChatGPT and the reporting that Meta is working on something very similar. They also briefly talk about this quarter's tech earnings, and what they say about the ways AI is really being used. Then, Wall Street Journal columnist Joanna Stern joins the show to talk about Apple Intelligence, Apple's week of Mac launches, and why Siri still can't open her garage. Finally, in the lightning round, the hosts talk about Netflix's gentle push into social features, Tony Fadell's AI thoughts, and our endorsement of Kamala Harris.Further reading: OpenAI’s search engine is now live in ChatGPT Meta is reportedly working on its own AI-powered search engine, too Microsoft’s gaming revenue keeps going up, even though hardware sales are down Reddit is profitable for the first time ever, with nearly 100 million daily users Snap Inc. - Financials - Quarterly Results Apple’s Mac week: everything announced Apple announces redesigned Mac Mini with M4 chip — and it’s so damn small Watch Apple show off the M4 Mac Mini in its reveal video - The Verge Apple’s new Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad have USB-C Apple put the Magic Mouse’s charging port on the bottom again Apple updates the MacBook Pro with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips Apple updates the iMac with new colors and an M4 chip Apple’s first smart home display could pay homage to a classic iMac Apple Intelligence is out WSJ: Apple’s Craig Federighi Explains Apple Intelligence Delays, Siri’s Future and More Netflix is making it easier to bookmark and share your favorite parts of a show Tony Fadell calls out Sam Altman Tim Walz and AOC are going to play Madden together on Twitch The Verge’s guide to the 2024 presidential election Tech leaders line up to flatter Trump’s ego Jeff Bezos is no longer relentlessly focused on customer satisfaction “You have a Washington Post problem.” From The New York Times: Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and the Billions of Ways to Influence an Election Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices