Version History

Get ready for a nostalgic journey as upcoming topics include the iconic 1984 Macintosh and the innovative Amazon Echo. They'll dive into the quirky world of Furby and explore the fascinating history of the vocoder. Also on the list is the classic Western Electric 500 desk phone and the popular social app Clubhouse. Listeners are encouraged to share their stories and insights on these intriguing subjects as the excitement builds for the new season!

Emily Nussbaum, a television critic and cultural analyst, shares insightful anecdotes about TiVo’s revolutionary impact on TV. She discusses how the ability to pause and rewind changed viewing behaviors, making television less ephemeral. The conversation delves into TiVo's quirky features, like the Peanut remote and personalized recommendations, while highlighting its struggles with market success despite cultural significance. They explore TiVo's legal battles and the company's eventual decline, pondering what might have been if it adapted to change better.

Jake Kastrenakes, a technology journalist, and Stephen Totilo, former Kotaku host, dive into the Flappy Bird phenomenon. They explore how its deceptive simplicity made it a global hit while stressing out its creator, Dong Nguyen. The discussion covers the addictive mechanics that drew players in, the fierce online backlash following its success, and the cultural impact of its abrupt removal from app stores. They also analyze the game's legacy in mobile gaming and ponder whether Flappy Bird can ever be truly replicated.

This podcast features Chris Grant, a gaming writer known for his insights into hardware and culture, alongside Stephen Totilo from GameFile.news, who provides in-depth historical context. The conversation focuses on the quirky Power Glove, exploring its ambitious yet flawed design and how it paved the way for future motion control technology. They recount personal experiences with the glove, its infamous adoption hurdles, and its surprising cultural impact, including its role in 'The Wizard' movie. The discussion wraps up with its lasting legacy and potential nostalgia-driven comebacks.

Kyle Chayka, an author and journalist focused on internet culture, explores the nostalgic world of AOL Instant Messenger. He dives into how AIM transformed teenage social interactions with its signature buddy lists and away messages. The discussion highlights the app's innovative features and its surprising rise and fall, all while reminiscing about its emotional impact. Chayka and the hosts reflect on AIM's lasting legacy in modern messaging and debate whether we miss AIM itself or the era it represents.

Nilay Patel, a renowned technology journalist at The Verge, and Walt Mossberg, a veteran tech columnist, delve into the dramatic history of the iPhone 4. They share how it was famously lost in a bar and leaked by Gizmodo, igniting a media frenzy. The discussion covers the phone's groundbreaking features like the Retina display and antenna issues that sparked the 'you're holding it wrong' meme. They also evaluate its legacy in smartphone design and culture, ultimately declaring it worthy of a Hall of Fame status for its profound impact.

Victoria Song, a tech reporter from The Verge specializing in wearables, and David Imel, a tech writer and host from Waveform, delve into the intriguing saga of Google Glass. They explore its ambitious vision and the early hype surrounding it, discussing the infamous 'Glasshole' backlash that hindered its acceptance. Their conversation highlights Glass's innovative yet flawed design, its pivot towards enterprise use, and its lasting impact on modern AR technology, emphasizing the right idea launched at the wrong time.

Marina Galperina, a curator and commentator, Sarah Jeong, a journalist, and Mia Sato, a writer, dive into the cultural impact of Vine, the groundbreaking short-form video platform. They discuss the creative constraints that shaped Vine's aesthetic and how its looping format fostered discoverability. The trio reflects on memorable Vines and their creators, the tension between Vine's executives and its talent, and the unexpected cultural legacies that emerged. From iconic memes to political outreach, they explore how Vine's influence still resonates in today’s creator culture.

Nilay Patel and Sarah Jeong, both esteemed technology journalists, dive into the legacy of LimeWire. They share personal piracy memories and examine how services like LimeWire reshaped copyright law. The discussion highlights significant legal battles, including the Grokster decision and its implications for file-sharing. They also explore LimeWire's eventual shutdown and the rise of legal streaming platforms. The conversation wraps up with a look at LimeWire's modern attempts at brand revival in the era of NFTs.

Allison Johnson, a former Amazon employee and tech writer, and Sean O’Kane, a savvy tech journalist, dive into the fascinating failure of Amazon's Fire Phone. They explore how the ambitious features like Dynamic Perspective and Firefly, designed to revolutionize shopping, ultimately fell short. The duo discusses Jeff Bezos' hands-on approach, pricing blunders, and the questionable app ecosystem that hindered user experience. Their insights reveal why this high-profile flop serves as a cautionary tale about innovation without direction.