The Engadget Podcast

This week, Apple committed another $100 billion towards US investments in a bid to avoid the Trump administration’s chaotic tariff plans. Oh, and Tim Cook gave Trump a unique plaque with a 24-karat gold base. Just a normal business meeting in a normal country. In this episode, Devindra and Engadget's Sam Rutherford discuss what this latest Apple investment ultimately means (and just how embarrassing appeasing the Trump administration looks). And since the news is fairly slow, we also take some time to answer a few listener questions. Apple attempts to avoid tariffs with another $100 billion U.S. investment and a shiny object for the president – 1:21Nintendo announces blockbuster Switch 2 sales numbers, price hikes for original Switch models – 12:39Trump demands Intel’s new CEO to step down over conflicts of interest – 16:51ChatGPT conversations no longer searchable in Google (why were they there in the first place?) – 18:55Hulu to shut down app in 2026 and be absorbed into Disney+ – 22:15Listener Q&A: HDMI or Optical for sound bar connection, moving off of Windows 10, and good alternatives to the Lenovo Yoga 7 – 26:59Working on – 48:04Pop culture picks – 53:29.  

We’ve been playing around with the developer betas of Apple’s latest software, and now that we’ve spent time with iOS 26, Liquid Glass and more on actual devices, we have thoughts. From representation in Genmoji and Live Translation adventures to Apple Intelligence musings, our hosts Cherlynn Low and Mat Smith share what you can expect on your iPhones later this year. We also go over our reviews of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 7, as well as Microsoft’s SharePoint server vulnerabilities.Cherlynn and Mat on how iOS 26 feels in the developer beta – 1:17Our reviews of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7, Flip 7, and Watch 8 – 43:07Microsoft Sharepoint vulnerability -- who's impacted so far (including the Department of Energy) – 50:58Pop culture picks – 54:15 

VR filmmaker Eliza McNitt has explored the cosmos with her previous work, but with her short film Ancestra, she taps into Google’s AI tools to tell a personal story. Based on her own birth, the film follows a pregnant woman who is shocked to learn she needs an emergency cesarean delivery. We hear her frightened thoughts as she thinks back to the creation of life and the way all living creatures are connected.In this episode, Devindra chats with McNitt about Ancestra and the creative potential (and many dangers) of AI as a video production tool. While she ultimately believes it’s up to every artist to judge the costs and benefits of every tool on their own, she also agrees that AI companies need to be more transparent about how their models are built, especially when it comes to training them on copyrighted works.

Samsung has finally debuted its latest foldables (after plenty of leaks), and boy they sure look thin. This week, Engadget's Sam Rutherford joins us to chat about the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, as well as other highlights from its Galaxy Unpacked event. Also, we dive into a few of the best deals from Amazon Prime Day. You won't believe how cheap huge TVs have gotten.  Breaking down the Samsung Galaxy Fold 7 and everything else from Unpacked 2025 – 1:58Galaxy Z Flip 7: bigger screens, bigger battery – 16:06  Galaxy Watch 8: now with an antioxidant sensor? – 20:59  Great deals still available as Amazon Prime Day 2025 comes to a close – 30:38Linda Yaccarino leaves X, xAI’s Grok goes on an antisemitic tirade – 39:03Cloudflare could make AI web crawlers pay a toll – 41:28Jack Dorsey unveils Bitchat, a “secure” Bluetooth mesh messaging app – 43:40Marco Rubio AI imposter attempts to gain access to government information – 46:33A U.S. version of TikTok is currently in development – 49:43Anthropic wins significant Fair Use copyright case – 52:38Working on – 1:00:53Pop culture picks – 1:02:25 

In this conversation, Sam Chapman, Engadget’s Senior Writer specializing in security, shares his journey into the world of cybersecurity. He reviews popular VPNs like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, promoting transparency and consumer privacy. The discussion also highlights essential cybersecurity practices, including strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Chapman critiques Microsoft’s Windows 10 update and examines its implications, while also touching on tech ethics in films and the intriguing themes of the Netflix series 'Lupin.'

Jessica Conditt, Senior Editor at Engadget, shares her insights on the gaming world, particularly focusing on the Nintendo Switch 2 and the Summer Game Fest. She emphasizes the evolution of gaming conventions, celebrating indie titles while reflecting on the decline of couch co-op games. The discussion also dives into Apple’s latest Liquid Glass interface from WWDC 2025, analyzing its design impact and user experience. With a mention of exciting new games, Jess highlights the bright future of gaming amidst technological advancements.

Join Chris Velazco, a personal tech reporter at The Washington Post, and Julian Chokkattu, a senior reviews editor at Wired, as they dive into the intriguing announcements from Apple's WWDC 2025. They discuss the mixed reactions to new iPad features that make them more laptop-like and explore the emotional impact of Apple's live translate feature. The conversation also touches on innovative fitness enhancements and the nostalgic redesign of the Photos app, highlighting how these updates reflect user needs while maintaining Apple's design philosophy.

Joining the conversation are Sam Rutherford, a Senior Writer at Engadget specializing in consumer tech, and Nathan Ingraham, an Engadget editor. They share exciting first impressions of the Nintendo Switch 2, highlighting its display, sturdier joy cons, and the thrilling Mario Kart World. The duo also speculates on Apple's WWDC 2025, discussing potential changes to their operating systems and the cautious approach to AI developments. Dive into the chaos of a launched console and the anticipation surrounding future tech advancements!

This week dives into the surge of AI in web browsers with Opera and Firefox unveiling innovative features. The discussion extends to the ethical implications of using artists' works for AI training and the societal impacts of AI tools on traditional media. Listeners get insights on configuring Xbox accounts for kids and the evolving landscape of parenting in tech. Plus, there's a humorous take on Apple's self-repair program and the rising threat of crypto scams. Don't miss the pop culture picks that tie into today's tech narrative!

Would you believe Google really wants to sell you on its AI? This week, we dive into the news from Google I/O 2025 with Engadget's Karissa Bell. We discuss how Gemini is headed to even more places, as well as Karissa's brief hands-on with Google's prototype XR glasses. It seems like Google is trying a bit harder now than it did with Google Glass and its defunct Daydream VR platform. But will the company end up giving up again, or does it really have a shot against Meta and Apple? Lots of AI and a little XR: Highlights from Google I/O 2025 – 1:15OpenAI buys Jony Ive’s design company for $6.6B, in an all equity deal – 29:27Fujifilm’s $850 X Half could be the perfect retro camera for the social media age – 39:42Sesame Street is moving from HBO to Netflix – 44:09Cuts to IMLS will lead to headaches accessing content on apps like Libby and Hoopla – 45:49Listener Mail: Should I replace my Chromebook with a Mac or PC Laptop? – 48:33Pop culture picks – 52:22