The Engadget Podcast

Are we living in a simulation? That’s what Rodney Ascher aims to explore with his new documentary, A Glitch in the Matrix, which premiered at Sundance this week. In this special interview episode, we chat with Ascher about how he broke down such a complex subject. And we also talk with Natalia Almada, the director of Users, about her gorgeous exploration of our relationship with tech, and why it’s particularly anxiety-inducing for parents. A Glitch in the Matrix is available for viewing on VOD services starting February 5th. Users doesn’t have a release date yet. ‘Users’ director Natalia Almada – 1:47 ‘A Glitch in the Matrix’ director Rodney Ascher – 27:35

We didn’t have to travel to Utah to drown ourselves in content from the Sundance Film Festival. This week, Devindra and Engadget’s Managing Editor, Terrence O’Brien, chat about all of the wild movies, VR experiences and new media projects they saw at the show. We discuss Rodney Ascher’s dive into simulation theory, A Glitch in the Matrix; the meditative tech documentary Users; and our experiences exploring VR parties. Also, we chat about Jeff Bezos’ plan to step down as Amazon’s CEO (and why it’s terrifying that he has more time to become a supervillain), and the Apple Car rumors are finally starting to sound realistic. Sundance 2021: Now in VR – 1:30 • Users, A Glitch in the Matrix, and more – 8:42 360˚ films at Sundance: Tinker and 4 Feet High – 25:21 Worst and Weirdest at Sundance – 31:30 Other News • Bezos to step down as Amazon CEO – 43:36 • New details on the long rumored Apple Car – 48:25 • Google closes Stadia game studios – 51:14 Working On – 55:57

If you were confused about how, exactly, a bunch of Reddit finance obsessives turned the beleaguered GameStop into a white hot stock, you’re not alone. This week, Cherlynn and Devindra chat with Mike Futter, author of the GameDev Business Handbook and co-host of the Virtual Economy Podcast, to make sense of this surprising story. Are the online traders just doing it for the lols? Or are they trying to teach the financial industry a lesson? And isn’t this just another example of online memes bleeding into reality, leading to potentially disastrous consequences? We also get a bit of context from an anonymous member from the infamous R/WallStreetBets subreddit. Stonks get real: Is it really Reddit v. Hedge Funds? – 0:49 Microsoft raises Xbox Live Price, backtracks – 30:35 News shouts from around the tech world – 40:35 Working on – 53:30 Picks – 56:22

We’re back in review mode this week! Cherlynn dishes her thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy S21 and S21 Ultra, and whether they’re worthy upgrades over last year’s phones. Do all those cameras make a difference? And is there a point to releasing a Galaxy Note this year? Also, Devindra discusses the virtual inauguration for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, as well as the rumors around Apple’s upcoming and potentially pricey VR headset. Is this the best strategy to get to an AR headset? The Biden Presidency and tech – 1:36 Samsung Galaxy S21 Review – 9:23 Other News (Apple VR, Snapdragon 8705G) – 33:52 Working on – 46:08 Picks – 49:28

We lived through CES 2021 and all we have to show for it is our tired typing fingers. This week, Devindra, Cherlynn and UK Bureau Chief Mat Smith chat about the most notable announcements from the show. Sure, there were tons of TVs, but PC hardware like AMD’s new Ryzen 5000 laptop chips and NVIDIA’s RTX 30-series mobile GPUs will also shape all the systems we see throughout the year. And they also touch on what happened after the US Capitol was attacked by right-wing extremists. It turns out, social media companies finally decided to take action. CES Highlights: PCs – 7:20 CES Highlights: TVs – 14:10 CES Highlights: Laptops – 22:16 CES Highlights: Weird Stuff – 56:02 • Moflin, an AI pet – 56:40 • Razer Project Hazel face mask – 58:52 • Razer Gaming Chair – 1:03:57 • Avita Admiror II –1:08:45 The fallout from Twitter banning Trump – 1:19:39 Working on – 1:31:29 Picks – 1:33:27

This week, Devindra and Cherlynn were planning to chat about everything coming at CES 2021... but the siege on the U.S. Capitol by right-wing extremists changed things. We discuss how social media and mobile tech played a huge role in planning and executing the attempted coup, and what this means for Twitter and Facebook. And then we somehow manage to keep talking about gadgets and CES. Online extremism’s role in the siege on US capitol – 1:11 CES Preview: TVs and computers – 19:58 CES Preview: Wearables and other previews – 44:58 Working on – 57:39 Picks – 1:00:33

For the last episode of 2020, Cherlynn and Devindra answer a slew of listener questions, covering everything from when to buy a PlayStation 5 to the future of folding PCs. We also look back at the best moments of covering tech throughout the year (which mostly involve this podcast). And of course, we can’t help but dream about what we’d like to see in 2021, when society (hopefully) shifts back into gear. We answer your questions about this year in tech – 3:25 What we’re looking forward to in 2021 – 3:25 Working On – 44:42 Picks – 50:21

This week, Cherlynn and Devindra look back at 2020 to figure out the best and worst of tech. From Apples M1 chip to the downfall of Quibi, it was a year of serious highs and lows for the tech industry, especially once you factor how the COVID-19 pandemic changed our lives. Tech’s Winners of 2020 (Consoles and…the LG Wing?) – 1:31 Tech’s Losers of 2020 (RIP Quibi but not really) – 36:49 In other news – 59:28 Working On – 1:02:19 Picks – 1:06:20

This week, Cherlynn and Devindra dive into Apple’s newest headphones, the AirPods Max, and discuss if they’re actually worth $549. They also chat about the FTC’s antitrust charges against Facebook, and Warner Bros.’ decision to premiere all of their 2021 films on HBO Max. Jessica Conditt also joins to discuss her impressions of Cyberpunk 2077 — was it worth the long wait? Topics: Airpods Max – 1:28 Facebook hit with massive antitrust suit – 13:06 WB to release next year’s movies on HBO – 26:25 Cyberpunk 2077, finally! – 37:44 Working On – 59:32 Picks – 1:05:27

This week, Cherlynn is joined by senior editor Jessica Conditt and special guest Harris O’Malley aka Dr. NerdLove to talk all about the ways tech affects dating, relationships and breakups. Will Google Photos, Facebook and Instagram ever stop sending us “memories” of our exes? What are the newest ways to be “Facebook Official”? Are there etiquette rules on when or whether you should remove your ex’s pictures from Instagram? Then, our hosts share what they’ve been working on, including coverage of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 news and upcoming game reviews. Navigating relationships, breakups, and their digital footprint with Dr. Nerdlove – 1:55 Working on – 40:36 Picks – 46:19