The Engadget Podcast

At long last, the new Pixel Buds are here. Two years after the original’s underwhelming debut, Google finally released its true wireless earbuds this week. Engadget senior news editor (and resident audio expert) Billy Steele joined Cherlynn and Devindra to explain why he called these “a revelation compared to the previous model.” The trio also analyze how Google’s earbuds compare to rivals like the AirPods, Jabra Elite 75t and Sony WF-1000XM3, and Billy highlights what we can expect from true wireless earbuds in 2020. Then, Devindra and Cherlynn discuss Amazon’s new show Upload, with snippets from a talk with creator Greg Daniels. In short, the comedy series should be a fun, engaging and welcome distraction. Upload premieres today on Prime Video. Pixel Buds: Google’s First True Wireless Headphones – 1:27 Working On [MSI GS66, ZenBook Duo coming soon] – 31:41 Upload Review: An Amazon sitcom from Greg Daniels (The Office, King of the Hill, Parks and Rec) – 33:17

What if we could track everything happening on Earth in real time? And — even better — what if all of that data was readily accessible? This week, Devindra chats with Lucas Joppa, Microsoft’s Chief Environmental Officer, about the company’s “Planetary Computer” concept, which aims to accomplish just that. Cherlynn also helps break down how other companies like Amazon, Google and Facebook are approaching their own environmental initiatives. While it’s nice to see many tech firms cleaning up their businesses, do they have a moral responsibility to go further? What Even Is a Planetary Computer? – 2:29 Interview with Microsoft Environmental Officer Lucas Joppa – 3:05 Other Tech Companies’ Sustainability Efforts – 27:05 Working On [MSI GS66, VR Exercise app Supernatural] – 38:55 Picks – 44:47

Gadget nerds, iPhone diehards and OnePlus fans — lend me your ears. This has been a big week for you. Apple launched a new version of the iPhone SE on Wednesday, while OnePlus unveiled its latest flagships on Tuesday. LG also teased the unexpected name for its upcoming flagship, while Motorola declared April 22nd the day it will show off its first high-end phone in years. On this episode, Devindra and Cherlynn are joined by senior mobile editor Chris Velazco to rip into the glorious phone news that’s been bombarding us these past two weeks. Is it time to take OnePlus seriously as a flagship maker? Can LG save itself with a rebranding campaign or should it pivot to making baked goods? We tackle all these searing questions, and recommend some fun entertainment options as always. Stay tuned to the end of the episode for an interview with Nathaniel Halpern, writer and creator of the new show Tales from the Loop, which is available on Amazon’s Prime Video. iPhone SE Returns – 2:14 OnePlus 8 stands up to the competition – 13:06 LG Velvet…that name – 22:50 A Bunch of other phones! – 28:50 Working On – 42:20 Picks – 46:18 Tales from the Loop Interview – 54:27

Do you even Quibi, bro? This week, Devindra chats with TechCrunch’s Anthony Ha about Quibi, the mobile video startup from Hollywood producer Jeffrey Katzenberg. Is it any good? (Spoiler: Not really.) And what does it mean for the future of mobile only video? Also, Devindra interviews Alex Garland, the director of Annihilation and Ex Machina, about his new FX series Devs. 2:07 – Quibi is here, but who is it for and does anyone want it? 15:58 – Interview with Alex Garland on his new show Devs 33:20 – Working On 35:49 – Picks

We’re weeks into stay-at-home life, and some of us are atrophying. Devindra and Cherlynn have spent the last few weeks looking into how tech has enabled us to work, get medicine, see doctors, find sanity and sustain our mental health from home. This week, our hosts are joined by our brand new commerce editor Valentina Palladino as we discuss the ways tech can help us keep physically active. From home exercise machines to the best activity trackers to places offering free workout tutorials and streams, Devindra, Cherlynn and Valentina have plenty of tips to offer. We also go over the importance of nutrition and eating well, and some of the tech that can help you in that mission. And as always, we have many great entertainment recommendations for those looking for something fresh to enjoy.

Half-Life is back! In this episode, Devindra chats with Valve's Kerry Davis and Dario Casali about developing Half-Life: Alyx, and their approach to bringing the beloved franchise into virtual reality.

This week on the show, Devindra and Cherlynn dive into the deserted island life of Animal Crossing and how games can help us all survive being stuck at home. Also, Senior Editor Jessica Conditt describes how Doom Eternal -- a literal romp through hell on Earth -- serves a similarly relaxing roll for her. And producer Ben Ellman nerds out about Cities Skylines. Don't ever say we don't have varied tastes.

On this week's episode, Cherlynn and Devindra explore the rise of telehealth during the global coronavirus pandemic. With Medicare expanding coverage to include telehealth, as well as the attention around Verily's efforts to launch a screening site, the industry is gaining momentum. This outbreak could make telehealth mainstream, and we need to understand its limits and challenges so that proper legislation can be drawn up in a timely manner. It's not all serious conversation; our hosts also dive into the gaming hardware news from this week, as well as fun recommendations on how to retain your sanity in these trying times 1:16 – Coronavirus puts telehealth in the spotlight 25:29 – Social Media is our society for now 38:04 – In other news…we have hardware specs for the Playstation 5! 44:40 – Picks

Well, we're officially living through a global pandemic, folks. This week, Devindra and Cherlynn chat about how coronavirus is pushing many companies towards remote work and better employee support. (It's just too bad it took a widespread illness to make those things happen.) Will this be the norm moving forward for white-collar jobs? And for a change of pace, they chat about the tech world's war on bezels and the state of software in folding phones. Be sure to stay tuned for some quarantine viewing recommendations too!

This week on the Engadget Podcast, we dive into the many ways the coronavirus is affecting the tech industry, all the while remembering to wash our hands and not touch our faces. It's not quite a pandemic yet, but there's some hope on the horizon, now that social media companies like Facebook are actually trying to fight coronavirus disinformation. And for something completely different, Devindra chats with Ann Druyan (starting at 26:59), the co-creator of Cosmos, on the show's incredible new season. Links: Facebook will run free WHO ads to counter coronavirus misinformation: https://www.engadget.com/2020/03/04/facebook-free-who-ads-coronavirus/ Fake cures and other coronavirus conspiracy theories are flooding WhatsApp, leaving governments and users with a ‘sense of panic’: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/03/02/whatsapp-coronavirus-misinformation/ Pandemic film Contagion becomes one of iTunes' most-watched movies: https://www.cnet.com/news/pandemic-film-contagion-becomes-one-of-itunes-most-watched-movies/?TheTime=2020-03-05T02%3A31%3A27&ftag=COS-05-10aaa0b&PostType=link&UniqueID=6A8E23A6-5E89-11EA-B599-CCC6C28169F1&ServiceType=twitter TCL's concept device folds twice to fit a 10-inch screen in your pocket: https://www.engadget.com/2020/03/05/tcl-tri-fold-rollable-extendable-concept-hands-on/ Does the Xbox Series X make gaming PCs obsolete?: https://www.engadget.com/2020/03/05/xbox-series-x-vs-gaming-pcs/