The Vergecast

4.4 (3.6K)
TECHNOLOGY
UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

The Vergecast is the flagship podcast from The Verge about small gadgets, Big Tech, and everything in between. Every Friday, hosts Nilay Patel and David Pierce hang out and make sense of the week’s most important technology news. And every Tuesday, 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.

3 HR. AGO

The ups and downs of the iPhone 16E

Lots of gadget news this week! David, Jake Kastrenakes, and Allison Johnson start by talking about the iPhone 16E, which is both the cheapest compelling iPhone in a long time and a deeply odd addition to Apple's phone lineup. They also discuss the end of the Humane AI Pin, the latest from the Rabbit R1, and whether AI gadgets are even going to be a thing. After that, it's time for the lightning round: David and Jake talk about Amazon Chime, Mira Murati's new startup, and the future of James Bond. Then, in a special DOGE lightning round, Lauren Feiner joins the show to discuss everything happening with Trump, Musk, DOGE, and the US government. Because there's a lot of it. Further reading: Apple launches the iPhone 16E 8 important things to know about the iPhone 16E The iPhone is done with home buttons — here’s why I’ll miss it Verge staffers react to the iPhone 16E: what we love and don’t love Apple no longer sells new iPhones with Lightning ports How the new iPhone 16E compares to the rest of Apple’s iPhone 16 lineup Apple’s first in-house iPhone modem is the C1 Oppo Find N5 review: the final evolution of foldables The world’s thinnest foldable phone doesn’t come cheap Humane is shutting down the AI Pin and selling its remnants to HP The Humane AI Pin never had a chance Rabbit shows off the AI agent it should have launched with Amazon’s revamped Alexa might launch over a month after its announcement event Microsoft announces quantum computing breakthrough with Majorana 1 chip A death knell for Chime Mira Murati launches rival to OpenAI called Thinking Machines Lab The New York Times adopts AI tools in the newsroom Amazon now has creative control over the James Bond franchise Spotify’s HiFi streaming could finally arrive this year Treasury inspector general will investigate DOGE payments access | The Verge Trump threatens 25 percent ‘and higher’ tariff on chips. Acer is the first to raise laptop prices because of Trump Trump issues an executive order claiming more oversight of independent agencies like the FTC and FCC. Trump administration cancels approval for NYC congestion pricing. DOGE’s alleged cost-cutting achievements included a few extra zeroes. A SpaceX team is being brought in to overhaul FAA’s air traffic control system Trump admin pulls hundreds of videos from CFPB’s YouTube channel DOGE can keep accessing government data for now, judge rules Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 53m
3 DAYS AGO

Can Meta still make the metaverse?

This episode is all about companies in flux. First, we chat with The Verge's Alex Heath about all things Meta — whether the company is still serious about the metaverse, why its AI plans seem to be going so well, what "OG Facebook" really means, and what headsets to expect this year. After that, The Verge's Chris Welch takes us through the last year at Sonos, from the disastrous app launch to the pretty good headphones that were totally derailed by the disastrous app launch. Can the company get it together in order to launch its next big swing, a set-top box codenamed Pinewood? Finally, we answer a question on the Vergecast Hotline all about business cards. Because, yes, it's 2025, but sometimes you still need a place to put a business card. Further reading: Mark Zuckerberg tells Meta employees to ‘buckle up’ in internal meeting Meta says this is the make or break year for the metaverse Meta’s Ray-Bans smart glasses sold more than 1 million units last year Meta’s AR / VR hardware roadmap through 2027 Meta CTO says the company is working to ‘catch’ leakers Zuck wants to bring the “OG Facebook” back. The Sonos app fiasco: how a great audio brand nearly ruined its reputation Sonos CEO Patrick Spence steps down after disastrous app launch Sonos’ interim CEO hits all the right notes in first letter to employees Sonos Arc Ultra review: don’t call it a comeback (yet) Sonos Ace review: was it worth it? | The Verge After a bruising year, Sonos readies its next big thing: a streaming box Adobe Scan Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 16m
FEB 14

Elon Musk: agent of chaos

On today's episode, once again, it's OpenAI and DOGE. And some other things! Nilay and David start the show by talking about Elon Musk's surprise bid to buy the nonprofit arm of OpenAI, along with the company's plans for new models and new rules for those models. After that, The Verge's Lauren Feiner joins to catch us up on what's happening with DOGE, how Musk and co. are making boring government information into something deeply fascinating and deeply confusing, and what it's like to work for the government now. Finally, in the lightning round, we talk about rumors of a new Apple Studio Display and iPhone SE, the new Powerbeats 2 Pro, Brendan Carr still being a dummy, and some surprising streaming moves from Apple and YouTube. Further reading: Elon Musk just offered to buy OpenAI for $97.4 billion OpenAI apparently hasn’t actually received Elon Musk’s acquisition offer. Altman feels bad for Elon OpenAI lays out plans for GPT-5 OpenAI is reportedly getting closer to launching its in-house chip OpenAI is rethinking how AI models handle controversial topics Scarlett Johansson calls for anti deepfake laws after AI video goes viral Thomson Reuters wins an early court battle over AI, copyright, and fair use AI chatbots are distorting news stories, BBC finds Waste.gov locks down after people discover it’s a WordPress template https://doge.gov/ exists Federal workers say they increasingly distrust platforms like Facebook The Trump administration restores federal webpages after court order Trump administration illegally allowed DOGE to access workers’ data, lawsuit alleges State Dept.’s plan to buy $400 million worth of armored Teslas hastily changed to ‘armored EVs’ Constitutional crisis intensifies. Google Maps now shows the ‘Gulf of America’ Apple Maps now shows the Gulf of America Bing jumps on the Gulf of America bandwagon. Trump wants news outlets to get on board with “Gulf of America” — or else. Will they? Apple’s next Studio Display could get a much-needed Mini LED upgrade Tim Cook teases a new Apple launch next week, and it’s probably the iPhone SE FCC to investigate Comcast for having DEI programs The FCC is a weapon in Trump’s war on free speech Trump’s MAGA Media Enforcer Is Having ‘the Time of His Life’ FCC chairman Brendan Carr has vowed to target all of Donald Trump's enemies. Jeep’s Wrangler-like Recon EV is ready to launch this year Jeep warranty ads in the infotainment Apple TV Plus is finally coming to Android YouTube is now even bigger on TVs than phones Powerbeats Pro 2 review: the workout buds to beat Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus review: incredibly iterative Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 52m
FEB 11

What $200 of ChatGPT is really worth

AI and politics, politics and AI. That's the story of 2025. On this episode, The Verge's Kylie Robison joins the show to talk about ChatGPT's big new features, Operator and deep research, both of which promise to make the chatbot more useful and more autonomous. To access either one costs $200 a month — is it worth it? After that, The Verge's Liz Lopatto catches us up on the latest from Elon Musk and Doge, including why Musk is doing this thing, this way. Liz also makes the case that this isn't going to slow down anytime soon. Finally, Nilay Patel helps us answer a question from the Vergecast Hotline, and tells us how he felt about the Super Bowl's 4K stream. Further reading: OpenAI’s new Operator AI agent can do things on the web for you ChatGPT’s agent can now do deep research for you I tested ChatGPT’s deep research with the most misunderstood law on the internet Elon Musk’s rapid unscheduled disassembly of the US government DOGE wreaked havoc on the government in just one week Federal judge blocks DOGE from accessing sensitive Treasury records How Elon Musk’s Department of Energy access could pose a nuclear threat What we know about President Elon’s government takeover Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 25m
FEB 7

Elon Musk's computer coup

Nilay, David, and Richard Lawler take on a big week in confusing news stories. First, they talk through the latest from Elon Musk's DOGE, which is running rampant through government computer systems with little pushback. Then they explain the latest on the US government's tariff strategy, and the mass confusion it's causing across tech. Then they pivot away from politics and talk about streaming: the Super Bowl coming to Tubi, the deeply confusing forthcoming Fox streaming service, whatever Comcast is doing this year, and more. Finally, in the lightning round, they talk about Sonos's streaming box, Brendan Carr's latest assaults on free speech, OpenAI's "new" logo, and more. Further reading: DC is just waking up to Elon Musk’s takeover Elon Musk is staging a takeover of the federal budget Workers are reeling from chaos at federal agencies Can anyone stop President Musk? “For all practical purposes, I’d call that a coup.” Trump imposes sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China Canada will retaliate against Trump with tariffs on US goods Trump agrees to a one-month pause on Mexico, Canada tariffs Qwertykeys halts keyboard shipments to US over tariff costs and confusion Shein and Temu depend on a 100-year-old tariff loophole that Trump wants to close Your packages are about to get slower and more expensive USPS backtracks, will accept parcels from China after all China tariffs may already be hiking up import fees China opens Google antitrust probe in retaliation to tariffs Fox plans to launch a streaming service by the end of 2025 Super Bowl LIX will stream for free on Tubi Comcast is adding Dolby Atmos to its ‘4K’ Super Bowl broadcast this year Warner Bros. is streaming full movies for free on YouTube Disney teases ESPN’s expansive sports streaming future Disney’s streaming business posts another profit. CBS is preparing to give Harris interview materials to the FCC. FCC launches probe into Soros-backed radio station that revealed live locations of undercover ICE agents After a bruising year, Sonos readies its next big thing: a streaming box Sonos lays off 200 employees as its struggles continue Google has ‘very good ideas’ for native ads in Gemini ChatGPT’s agent can now do deep research for you Here’s OpenAI’s new logo Chairs Are Like Facebook Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 37m
FEB 4

Samsung’s S25 Ultra and the end of the flagship phone

Today on the show, it’s all about the future of phones… and your data. The Verge’s Allison Johnson joins the show to talk about the new Samsung Galaxy S25, what’s new in this high-end phone, and what it means for all the other smartphones coming this year. After that, Cooper Quintin, a senior staff technologist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, talks us through how to think about the privacy implications of RedNote, TikTok, DeepSeek, and all the other tech that puts us in contact with China. Finally, we enlist The Verge’s Jennifer Pattison Tuohy to help us answer a question from the Vergecast Hotline all about the Meta Portal. Remember the Meta Portal?? If you’re missing yours, we have some ideas. Further reading: The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra isn’t so ‘ultra’ anymore Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus hands-on: more of the same Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. S25 Plus vs. S25 Ultra: specs comparison Trump signs order refusing to enforce TikTok ban for 75 days TikTok’s service providers still risk billions in penalties for bringing it back online TikTok is still on shaky ground in the US Chinese social media app RedNote tops App Store chart ahead of TikTok ban As Americans flock to RedNote, privacy advocates warn about surveillance Will RedNote get banned in the US? RedNote: what it’s like using the Chinese app TikTokers are flocking to Why everyone is freaking out about DeepSeek DeepSeek’s top-ranked AI app is restricting sign-ups due to ‘malicious attacks’ US Navy jumps the DeepSeek ship. The Electronic Frontier Foundation Facebook’s new Portal Go is great for video calls, but not much else Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 27m
JAN 31

How DeepSeek crashed the AI party

Nilay and David dig into the week's biggest story: the new Intel-powered Surface Pro. Kidding! They talk about DeepSeek, the out-of-nowhere AI company that sent both Silicon Valley and the stock market into uproar this week. Then, after the hosts debate what the real killer app for AI is — and whether we've even found one yet — we follow up on our question from last week about how people are actually using AI. We got so many good answers, and we talk through what to make of them all. Finally, in the lightning round, we talk about Brendan Carr being a dummy, the return of the Pebble, the continued rise of Bluesky and Threads, and Meta's $25 million check to Trump. Further reading: Why everyone is freaking out about DeepSeek DeepSeek says its newest AI model, Janus-Pro can outperform Stable Diffusion and DALL-E 3. Microsoft makes DeepSeek’s R1 model available on Azure AI and GitHub OpenAI has evidence that its models helped train China’s DeepSeek China’s DeepSeek AI is hitting Nvidia where it hurts DeepSeek’s AI app is restricting sign-ups due to ‘malicious attacks’ US Navy jumps the DeepSeek ship. DeepSeek wakes up Trump. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on DeepSeek R1: “an impressive model.” Mark Zuckerberg tells Meta investors to not worry about DeepSeek The Pebble smartwatch is making a comeback, with some help from Google Oracle and Microsoft are reportedly in talks to take over TikTok FCC chair says landlords can force bulk internet service on residents From NYT: F.C.C. Chair Orders Investigation Into NPR and PBS Sponsorships Meta agrees to pay $25 million to settle Trump account suspension suit Zuckerberg wants to Make Facebook Great Again Zuck wants to bring the “OG Facebook” back. Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 47m
JAN 28

A lazy person’s guide to getting in shape

The Verge’s Victoria Song joins the show to talk about the most popular and most-bailed-on New Year’s Resolution of all: getting in shape. She tells us about the apps that help you work out more without being rude about it, the data you really need to care about in your fitness tracker, and much more. After that, we talk to Anna Valtonen, one of the curators and researchers behind the new Nokia Design Archive. She tells us about the concepts, presentations, and overall culture that made Nokia such an important company in the history of phones. Finally, we answer another question on the Vergecast Hotline about how audio works on your phone. It’s all still too complicated. Further reading: Ladder Fantasy Hike Stompers Runkeeper 5K Runner Our interview with Adrian Hon about Zombies, Run The Nokia Design Archive Nokia’s “Morph” concept The Nokia Communicator The Nokia Moonraker smartwatch From Apple: Share audio with AirPods and Beats headphones from iPhone or iPad Also from Apple: Play audio through multiple devices at once in Audio MIDI Setup on Mac From Samsung: Play music on two Bluetooth devices from your Galaxy phone Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 32m

See All (857)

4.4

out of 5

3,570 Ratings

Political drift

Feb 6

B0rloff

Love the tech, save the political talk for a future political talk podcast.
Stop the political content

6 days ago

Une_Chouette

Used to enjoy the show. The political biases are destroying this podcast.
Balance is off

Feb 14

BumbleBeeTuna555555

Been listening since the Engadget days. Since David has been hosting the show, the cynicism, sarcasm, and negativity has just ramped up to a point that it is often off putting. The balance between positive/neutral/negative seems to be way out of whack (toward negative). I like technology because it is fun and aspirational. The podcast used to reflect that. Too often now it glosses quickly over positives and spends too much time focusing on negatives and “yea, but”s. The lack of chapters makes skipping over segments much harder. After so many years of listening to this podcast, I’m considering taking a break. Recommendation: if you’re not going to have chapters, maybe keep some of the heavier negative policy stuff to separate Tuesday episodes? Hearing about every proposed wild idea that the administration or Musk has for hours on end is not ideal (for me). Give me reasons to fall in love with tech again and again please.
Fell off a radical liberal cliff

Feb 11

aryn

Content has become radical liberal Trump deranged babbling. No real reporting and no tech discussion. Don’t waste time or energy on this hot garbage. Too bad they crashed this so hard. They are intentionally alienating the majority of the audience with their radical left views. They seem to not live in reality where majority of Americans voted and spoke. Moreover they no longer have anything to report on tech. Such a shame