Version History

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.

Your favorite people from The Verge and beyond are here to explain and debate the legacy of tech's biggest, weirdest and worst ideas. We'll talk about everything from BlackBerry to Vine, from Fire Phones to hoverboard fires. And we'll induct the very best into the Version History Hall of Fame. Come hang out with us on Sundays, starting October 5. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices