Version History

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.

Nilay Patel, a veteran technology writer, and Victoria Song, a tech journalist with a knack for user experiences, delve into Microsoft’s Zune. They explore how Zune boasted WiFi, an elegant UI, and social features but ultimately faltered against the iPod. The duo shares personal anecdotes about its quirky design and marketing while dissecting Zune's technical limitations, flawed software, and the impact of smartphones. They also ponder what could have turned the Zune into a success and its lasting cultural echoes.

Join Chris Grant, a games journalist with insider knowledge, and Ash Parrish, a cultural commentator sharing her personal Guitar Hero journey, as they delve into the phenomenon that rocked basements everywhere. They discuss how a small team, combined with a unique guitar controller, launched Guitar Hero into viral fame. Explore the game's impact on music culture, the evolution of gameplay, and its legacy in the age of YouTube. Will Guitar Hero get a modern reboot? Tune in to find out!

Allison Johnson, a technology journalist, and Victoria Song, a writer and podcaster, delve into the nostalgic charm of the Sony Watchman, the portable TV that revolutionized on-the-go viewing in 1982. They discuss its innovative flat display tube that redefined screen technology and share personal memories of how it shaped family viewing habits. The hosts analyze Sony's marketing strategies and public reactions, debating whether the Watchman deserves recognition in tech history. Join them as they explore the fascinating journey of this iconic gadget!

Great news for paid subscribers: enjoy your favorite podcasts completely ad-free! The host breaks down how to easily opt-in for this benefit. For those not subscribed yet, there’s a simple sign-up process to access exclusive perks, including ad-free content. Don’t miss out on the seamless listening experience!

Joanna Stern, a technology columnist known for her engaging consumer tech commentary, and Nilay Patel, a tech journalist with deep insights into messaging history, dive into the fascinating story of BlackBerry Messenger. They explore how BBM revolutionized texting with features like read receipts and group chats, its peak popularity, the cultural impact among users, and eventual decline as competitors arose. The duo also discusses missed opportunities and what BlackBerry could have done differently to maintain its relevance in the tech landscape.

Andrew Hawkins, a technology reporter known for his insights on consumer electronics, and Sean O'Kane, a journalist with in-depth coverage of the hoverboard trend, dive into the fascinating rise and fall of hoverboards. They discuss the conflicting origin stories behind their popularity, how influencer culture catapulted them into the spotlight, and the alarming safety issues that followed. The conversation touches on the debate over their potential as last-mile transportation and whether nostalgia could bring them back into fashion.