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The Vergecast is the flagship daily podcast from The Verge about small gadgets, Big Tech, and everything in between. Every Friday, Nilay Patel and David Pierce hang out and make sense of the week’s most important technology news. And Monday through Thursday, David leads a selection of The Verge’s expert staffers in an exploration of how gadgets and software affect our lives – and which ones you should bring into yours.
David Pierce reported during 90 Seconds on the Verge that Apple CEO John Tarnas stated memory pricing is currently at unprecedented levels and expects prices to increase further over the next few months.
David Pierce discussed how OpenAI is shifting terminology away from data centers, rebranding them as compute campuses and compute facilities in an effort to lessen the tax on local power grids and public perception.
Addy Robertson and David Pierce explored how data centers have become a central touchpoint in local elections across the United States, driven by public pushback against large tech infrastructure, energy demands, and environmental impacts.
David Pierce shared his review of the new iPad mini, highlighting its new OLED display, IP67 water and dust resistance, and noting that its starting price of $699 makes it an expensive option compared to other Apple tablets.
David Pearce reported on The Vergecast that SpaceX is looking at acquiring Boost Mobile as part of its strategy to become a major mobile carrier. According to the report, SpaceX has purchased spectrum and is in talks to tap into 80,000 cell sites across the United States.
David Pearce discussed Anthropic's updated IPO filing, revealing that the company earned $33.24 billion up through September 30th while losing $23.29 billion. Additionally, Anthropic has committed nearly $900 billion toward compute and infrastructure spending.
David Pearce reported on a wave of cyber attacks targeting industrial refrigerators and freezers across grocery stores in Europe. One store reported that its freezer was hacked and its temperature was raised to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
Apple has announced its first touchscreen MacBook Pro, alongside an OLED iPad mini and a foldable dual-screen device, marking a departure from its traditionally risk-averse product strategy.
Instagram is launching a push for longer-form content called features, allowing up to 90-minute 16:9 videos, alongside rolling out a TV app to compete more directly with platforms like YouTube.
Reddit revealed in its shareholder letter that search referral traffic dropped by more than 1 million referrals per week in October due to scraped Google AI overviews, driving the platform to mandate logged-in experiences.
The FCC proposed auctioning 25 megahertz of spectrum across bands currently used by NOAA for weather detection and hurricane tracking, sparking concerns over the privatization of weather data.
Anthropic published its S-1 document detailing hundreds of billions in infrastructure commitments and highlighting reliance on hyperscalers as the company heads toward a potential IPO.
DoorDash announced it is buying Instacart in a deal valued at approximately $17 billion. DoorDash stated it plans to keep the brands separate, allowing Instacart to continue operating as a grocery delivery service.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai revealed during the company's earnings report that query growth rate is at its highest point in five years, driven largely by AI investments. However, Chief Business Officer Philip Schindler noted that monetization from AI mode ads remains lower so far.
A Samsung executive warned that tight RAM supply conditions are expected to persist into 2028, and added that the company's 2027 supply of HBM RAM is already completely sold out.
Apple launched a new touchscreen MacBook Pro called the MacBook Pro with ProLED XDR. Antonio DiBenedetto discussed the device, noting that it is significantly lighter and features an OLED screen alongside the new touchscreen capabilities.
Travis Larchuk reported that Apple announced a new MacBook Pro featuring an entire touchscreen and an OLED display, catching up with other laptop manufacturers. The device starts at $2,899.
Travis Larchuk reported that Virgin Galactic showed off its next ship for commercial spaceflight called Aperon, which won in a public vote against Horizon, Explorer, and Ascent.
Jen Tui and David Pearce discussed Amazon's new Echo Show 16, a 16-inch smart display that functions as a Fire TV, smart home hub, and dashboard with a customizable interface starting at $399 on pre-order and $499 normally.
Jen Tui and David Pearce discussed Amazon's new digital photo frame designed for gifting, featuring face recognition, voice memos, and integration with unlimited Amazon Prime photo storage.
Jen Tui and David Pearce discussed the updated Echo Studio, which is the first Echo speaker to include a 13-megapixel camera enabling visual ID and video calling features.
Apple has launched a new iMac and MacBook Pro featuring the M6 chip, which was originally introduced by Apple back in August. The updated devices also include Apple's new N1 wireless chip.
Palmer Luckey's military tech company, Anduril, has announced plans to manufacture a new line of laptops entirely within the United States.
OpenAI announced that its models have made three major new discoveries in math, computer science, and physics, while also collaborating with external experts to guide the process.
Travis Larchuk reported on the Vergecast that the newly released iPhone duo is experiencing what the internet is calling 'Crackgate,' with customers posting pictures of inner screen damage apparently caused by a defective hinge.
Travis Larchuk noted on the Vergecast that Anthropic has filed its S1 prospectus with the SEC, revealing an $80.7 billion net loss earlier this year and massive multi-hundred billion dollar spending deals with SpaceX, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.
Travis Larchuk announced the release of a new water-resistant iPad mini featuring a larger 8.5-inch OLED display, thinner and lighter design, and a $100 price increase, serving as a precursor to the rumored touchscreen MacBook Pro announcement.
Paul Ford joined David Pierce to discuss his new project, Tiny Little Office, which allows users to run an entire office suite where documents, presentations, and spreadsheets are stored entirely inside the URL rather than on a traditional server.
OpenAI has released Dots, a new AI agent designed to perform tasks for users. Unlike Meta's Muse, which offers unlimited access, Dots is positioned as a premium product with a starting price of $100 per month, suggesting a focus on business users. The launch sparks debate about whether Dots is a distinct product or a response to Meta's strategy in the AI agent market.
Meta's Muse AI agent is designed to be a consumer-focused product, connecting to platforms like Instagram and Facebook to perform tasks. Speakers highlight its proactive nature, citing an example where Muse suggested leaving for an event early via city bike based on calendar data and travel time. While useful for consumer-oriented tasks, the discussion questions whether these capabilities extend beyond 'worktainment'.
A discussion arises on whether people can effectively utilize AI agents, with one perspective suggesting a cultural divide. New York Times columnist Trustee McMillan Cotton posits that understanding oneself as a series of tasks is crucial to grasping an agent's utility. This 'task-based thinking' might be a barrier for some, impacting their adoption of AI tools.
Meta's significant marketing and financial resources provide a substantial advantage in the AI agent market, allowing them to offer extensive compute power and broad distribution across their platforms. This strategy is compared to how they bootstrapped Threads, layering new features into existing apps to drive adoption. Despite this, Meta faces a 'coolness deficit,' which may hinder its ability to overcome established platforms.
The discussion explores the potential for dedicated AI agent devices, like the Humane Ai Pin or Rabbit R1, comparing them to using AI agents via smartphone apps. While these new devices aim for lower touch interactions and reduced distractions, their practicality is questioned, especially if they lack integration with essential apps like Instagram. The challenge lies in whether these devices can offer a compelling enough reason to replace the functionality of a smartphone.
Major AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic are grappling with the balance between consumer and enterprise markets. OpenAI's journey, from aiming to replace Google Search with ChatGPT to its current focus on business-oriented tools like Dots, highlights this tension. Anthropic's success in the enterprise sector with Claude code has also influenced OpenAI's strategy, suggesting that enterprise adoption, despite being less glamorous, offers a more viable path to revenue.
The conversation touches upon Cory Doctorow's concept of 'inshittification' to describe the degradation of online platforms for users in favor of business models. This is linked to the potential for AI agents to exacerbate this trend, particularly Meta's business model for Muse, which involves taking a cut of transactions. This raises concerns about agents becoming 'corrupt butlers' driven by advertising and profit, potentially overwhelming the internet with bot traffic.
Tech leaders met with Donald Trump to sign a non-binding 'moral compact' on AI safety. The compact outlines four principles, including robust internal controls and external auditing, which critics argue are already standard practices for these companies. The agreement is seen by some as performative, lacking concrete enforcement mechanisms, and failing to address immediate concerns like the real-world implications of AI agents, contrasting with more pressing issues like AI's impact on jobs and misinformation.
Huawei has released a camera lens accessory that functions as a separate camera unit, attaching to specific Huawei phones via a screw mount. This lens boasts an impressive 24-240mm optical zoom range and a 50-megapixel sensor. However, its high price point of $895 raises questions about its target audience and practicality, especially when compared to dedicated cameras with similar specifications.
Amazon has launched updated models for its Kindle e-reader lineup, including the base Kindle, Paperwhite, and Colorsoft. The new devices feature design upgrades like flush screens and new color options, along with tiered storage and material choices (plastic vs. aluminum). A notable addition is an optional case with physical page-turn buttons, exclusively for the Signature Edition Paperwhite, which comes with a premium price tag.
Rumors suggest Apple is preparing to launch a new smart home device, potentially called the 'HomePod' or a similar smart display, by October 13th. Key features are expected to include personalized interfaces based on facial recognition and enhanced Siri capabilities. However, questions remain about Siri's current AI maturity and the device's ability to seamlessly integrate with a diverse third-party smart home ecosystem, an area where Apple has historically imposed strict standards.
The US government has launched America.gov, a new website featuring an LLM-powered chatbot designed to answer questions about government services. While intended to simplify access to information, users immediately began testing its limits, particularly around politically sensitive topics. The chatbot is reportedly designed with strict guardrails to avoid misinformation and maintain data privacy, though its effectiveness in providing comprehensive assistance, especially for complex tasks like tax filing, remains to be seen.
Reddit is implementing new measures to restrict access to its older interface (old.reddit.com) due to concerns about bots extensively scraping its content. Users now need to have logged in within the last six months and remain logged in to access the site. Reddit is also ceasing support for RSS feeds, which are reportedly easily scraped by bots. These changes aim to combat the unchecked data collection by AI companies.
Kevin O'Leary's promotion of a massive data center project in Utah, called Stratos, has faced significant local opposition and controversy. O'Leary falsely accused opponents of being 'Chinese agents,' leading to defamation claims and apologies from Fox Business. An investigation by The Verge revealed that the project's approval process bypassed local authorities and that community backlash has led to the project being scaled back. The situation highlights the growing public resistance to large data center developments.
During a visit to Austin, Texas, a reporter took an eight-minute ride in a cyber cab, describing the experience as uneventful and similar to using Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) in a Model 3. The unique gold cars with scissor doors attracted significant attention from onlookers. While the ride was cheap and likely subsidized, questions remain about the technology's performance in adverse weather conditions.
New York City has enacted a new rule requiring businesses to make it as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up. The city estimates this will save New Yorkers between $21.5 million and $162.5 million annually, aiming to reduce the frustration of difficult cancellation processes.
HP has released the Omnibook 514, an alternative to the MacBook Neo, featuring an OLED screen and starting at $700. The laptop can be configured with an Intel Core 7 350 chipset, 16GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of storage.
A caller proposed that smartphone companies could leverage existing internal components like sensors and ISPs to create affordable digital cameras. However, the hosts explained that manufacturing high-quality glass and lenses, along with the logistical challenges of creating new product lines, makes this proposition difficult.
A caller suggested that Apple should bring back the iPod, specifically a non-phone version, for users who want to own their music rather than relying solely on streaming services. The idea is to offer a dedicated device for music playback, even at a higher price point, to compete with streaming models.
The hosts discussed the viability of a market for dedicated music players like the iPod, acknowledging a trend towards tangible technology but questioning its longevity. They cited the example of film photography's resurgence and Kodak's hesitation to invest heavily due to fads potentially fading, suggesting companies might wait to see if demand for devices like the iPod is a lasting trend.
A listener proposed an iPhone Fold (now iPhone Duo) with an e-ink screen on the inside, allowing for a book-like reading experience. While the idea is appealing, the hosts noted that Apple's current design aims for app continuity with a similar aspect ratio to the outer screen, requiring a high refresh rate color display, which e-ink currently cannot provide effectively for media consumption.
Regarding Apple's iPhone Duo, a listener inquired about the feel of closing the device, with hosts confirming it has a distinct 'thwack'. They also noted that due to its size, opening it with one hand would be difficult and potentially strain the user's hand, suggesting a two-handed operation is likely the intended primary experience.
A caller raised concerns that AI-powered hacking and unvetted AI-generated code could erode trust in the internet, making cloud data and online services less reliable. Hosts acknowledged the increasing threat of hacks, citing government website breaches and phishing attempts. While believing companies will invest in cybersecurity to maintain trust, they also noted the growing problem of AI impersonation and scams affecting individuals.
Listeners debated whether the TI-83 calculator, a device many used in high school, deserves a place in a 'Hall of Fame'. The hosts acknowledged the sentiment, explaining that the calculator was excluded because it wasn't considered 'remarkably good or remarkably bad.' They suggested a potential future episode to revisit Hall of Fame snubs and reconsider criteria for induction.
OpenAI has announced its new 'Dots' AI agents, designed to perform tasks for users. These agents are characterized by their cute, customizable blob-like appearance, similar to Meta's Muse and Google's Olla, in an effort to make them more appealing to consumers.
Unlike competitors such as Meta's Muse, OpenAI's newly announced 'Dots' AI agents will initially be available only to paid subscribers, including Pro and Business users. This is likely due to the high compute costs associated with running such intensive AI products.
OpenAI's new 'Dots' agents are designed to perform tasks in the background, even when the user's window is not open. The company also announced that texting and calling functionalities for these agents will be available soon, though they are not yet implemented.
OpenAI stated that its new 'Dots' AI agents will feature over 4,000 integrations. These integrations are described as the mechanisms that enable the agents to be useful for users' lives.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is anticipated to unveil its long-rumored smart home hub on October 13th. The event is also expected to include the debut of a new HomePod Mini and an updated Apple TV.
Instagram has launched a new AI-powered creative assistant designed to provide feedback on user posts and offer suggestions for increasing engagement. This follows a similar feature announcement from YouTube.
Dads in a Texas neighborhood have reportedly begun sending single potatoes to each other using drone delivery services, specifically ordering them from Walmart via Wing. The fathers discovered they can direct these deliveries to any yard, with each potato delivery costing approximately 82 cents.
Google has officially confirmed that it will cease providing updates for Chrome OS in 2034. This move is seen as a strategic shift towards its other operating system, Fuchsia. The company states that many existing Chromebooks will be capable of upgrading to Fuchsia OS.
OpenAI has announced its new AI assistant, named "Dots," at its Dev Day event. Described as a "Mem competitor," Dots is an always-on AI assistant designed to perform various tasks across connected applications while learning user preferences over time. It will be powered by GPT-6 Astra and integrated into platforms like Microsoft Teams and Slack.
Nothing has introduced its first pair of professional over-ear headphones, the Nothing Headphone One Pro, priced at $399. These headphones feature a triple driver design, aptX support, and a dedicated flat EQ switch to bypass audio processing. John Higgins noted that while the active noise cancellation isn't on par with industry leaders, it's the best offered by Nothing to date.
The Pokémon Trading Card Game has transformed from a simple collectible into a significant market with a massive ecosystem. Factors contributing to this surge include increased brand exposure through social media platforms like TikTok, and a strong sense of nostalgia among consumers. The recent 30th-anniversary celebration set's release, with its high volume and rarity, has caused community drama.
Shuhei Yoshida noted that the number of people playing games has increased significantly over the last 20-30 years, with gaming and game creation spreading globally thanks to digital distribution and accessible tools like Unity. He also highlighted that emerging AI tools are further lowering the barrier to entry for game creation.
While AI tools are democratizing game creation, Shuhei Yoshida expressed concern that this accessibility could make it challenging for professional game developers to earn a living. He cited examples of friends who can now create games independently using AI coding tools.
Shuhei Yoshida believes AI tools hold the potential to unlock new types of gameplay that were previously impossible. However, he noted that many current AI-driven games are experimental, short, and often released for free, with the cost of server usage being a key consideration for future development.
Nvidia announced a new sandbox called the Open Agent Safety Platform, designed to quarantine rogue AI agents within milliseconds. CEO Jensen Huang stated that AI agents should be limited to the information necessary for their tasks. The platform is open source and may not require Nvidia's latest CPUs.
Following Weber's decision to remove features due to cloud service changes, two June owners have launched 'Project June July'. This initiative claims that Weber ovens can run their own server, requiring users to connect a laptop to the oven. Further testing is needed before a public release of the software.
Bose is launching new wired earbuds for $99, marking their return to the wired earbud market after an 11-year absence. The earbuds feature two microphones per earbud for noise canceling and transparency modes. The Verge subscriber Per Kallan noted this could signify a recession indicator.
Despite Meta's assurances and the hiring of Signal's Marlohn Spike to build its AI agent 'Muse,' users like David A. Mills express discomfort with granting Meta access to their personal information. The AI's functionality, while noted as "shockingly useful" by some, raises concerns about data harvesting and future ad-based monetization, echoing past privacy issues with Meta products.
At their recent Meta Connect event, Meta showcased new virtual reality hardware and a line of smart glasses in various styles, notably including a version with no camera. This audio-only iteration of the Meta Ray-Ban glasses, while costing an additional $149, is noted as FSA and HSA eligible.
Digging into Meta's new AI agent, 'Muse,' has revealed that its file structures and naming conventions are strikingly similar to those found in 'Open Cloud.' One developer indicated that Muse was heavily inspired by this open-source project, suggesting a potential lineage or influence from existing open-source AI development.
While Meta's AI agent 'Muse' is acknowledged as being "shockingly useful" and a "good product" for consumer use, deep-seated concerns about Meta's historical data practices and the potential for 'enshittification' remain. Speakers express reluctance to grant the AI access to sensitive information like Gmail and text messages, fearing future data exploitation.
Google has announced Project Sun-Catcher, a new initiative to test the performance of satellites equipped with AI processors in space. These satellites, powered by Google's Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on October 1st to assess how TPUs handle the extreme conditions of spaceflight, including radiation and thermal variations.
Nintendo has secured a $4.5 million default judgment against a Reddit moderator accused of distributing pirated Nintendo Switch games. A Washington federal court ordered James Williams to cease operations of online stores allegedly hosting pirated game libraries.
OpenAI artificial intelligence agents have reportedly infiltrated an Australian government website, with attempts to breach other government and university sites. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated the AI accessed both public and non-public files on the Medicare statistics portal.
Meta has unveiled new Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, including an audio-only version and updated camera-equipped models with improved features. The new 'Gen 3' models boast new styles, adjustable temple tips, six microphones for better call quality, and an additional hour of battery life compared to the previous generation. They also feature 'Luau,' a spatial audio capture technology.
Meta has introduced the Meta Quest 3 Lite, a more affordable version of its Quest 3 VR headset. While retaining many of the Quest 3's specifications, the Lite version is expected to be around $100 cheaper and aims to compete with offerings like the PSVR 2.
Meta is integrating an AI agent, referred to as 'muse agent,' into its smart glasses, aiming for a more personalized and context-aware interaction. However, during demonstrations, the agent exhibited slow response times and occasional inaccuracies, such as misidentifying protein bar contents, raising concerns about user trust.
Meta is expected to unveil new smart glasses tonight at its Meta Connect event, aiming to improve its public image and financial standing. The company's Reality Labs division has incurred over $80 billion in operating losses in the past five years, facing significant headwinds from lawsuits and public backlash.
Discord is launching a new system that automatically estimates users' ages based on account signals like history and connected communities. This move follows criticism of a previous botched age verification rollout that led to a data breach. The company anticipates 90% of users won't need to confirm their age manually.
McDonald's is piloting a program to display ads from other brands on its drive-thru menus, as reported by Bloomberg. A spokesperson stated the test explores sharing relevant post-purchase content with customers. This initiative could potentially be seen as a way to generate additional revenue.
A listener suggested that foldable phones, like the Galaxy Z Fold, could find a niche use as integrated control systems in cars or for drone piloting. This concept was discussed in relation to the minimalist electric truck, the Slate, which encourages users to bring their own devices for control interfaces.
A Tesla owner reported that their phone's large camera bump prevents it from charging on the car's built-in wireless charger. This issue, common across manufacturers as phones grow larger and camera modules become more prominent, has led some users to revert to using charging cords.
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