The Vergecast

4.0 (1)
TECHNOLOGY
UPDATED TWICE WEEKLY

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.

1 DAY AGO

Liquid Glass, Spotlight, and the rest of WWDC 2025

Apple spent 90 minutes talking about the future of its software, and we're pretty sure only said the word "Siri" once. Nilay and David are joined by The Verge's Victoria Song and Allison Johnson, both of whom were with Nilay at the keynote, to talk about all the news of the day. They talk about the Liquid Glass design language, and why Apple decided to redesign all its software. They talk about Spotlight on the Mac, the new multitasking features on the iPad, the typing indicators on the iPhone, Workout Buddy on the Watch, personas on the Vision Pro, and everything else that Apple announced — or, in a few cases, pointedly didn't announce — on stage. We're just starting to try out some of this software, and it's all likely to change a lot before it hits your devices this fall. And we'll have lots of thoughts along the way. Further reading: Apple renames its operating systems Apple’s new design language is Liquid Glass Apple’s Liquid Glass redesign doesn’t look like much Apple’s ChatGPT integration makes it easier to search for more context on images and shop for things they see. Apple Intelligence takes on language barriers in messages and phone calls. Apple announces macOS Tahoe 26 with new design and revamped search features Apple’s Spotlight upgrades in macOS Tahoe have power users in mind Apple launches iPadOS 26 with a new look and way better multitasking Apple announces watchOS 26 with a wrist flick gesture and AI ‘Workout Buddy’ Apple’s visionOS 26 adds PSVR2 controller support and spatial widgets Apple’s AirPods update adds camera controls and more Apple’s new Games app lets you challenge your friends Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2h 6m
5 DAYS AGO

Previewing Apple's 2025 WWDC

Developer conference season is almost over, but we've got one show left to see: Apple's WWDC begins on Monday. Nilay, David, and Joanna Stern spend time going through both what they expect to see at the show, and why this year's WWDC might feel a bit different than in years past. Apple is in a tricky place with regulators, developers, and users alike, and has some genuine explaining to do. After that, they talk about the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, and David's surprisingly easy adventure to acquire one. We also have a bit of smart glasses and AI gadgets news to discuss, so we do that too. Then it's time for Brendan Carr is a Dummy, and an update on a couple of the interesting new fediverse projects launching this week. Further reading: Verge subscriptions are on sale 40 percent off American Society of Magazine Editors Announces National Magazine Awards 2025 Winners Apple ordered to keep web links in the App Store Payment companies team up to help developers ditch App Store billing Apple could be adding camera controls and sleep detection to your AirPods Switch 2 launch: where to find restocks online and in-store Look inside the Nintendo Switch 2 with the console’s first teardown Mario Kart World’s designers had to rethink everything to make it open world Nintendo is updating even more games for the Switch 2 Here’s what’s inside Meta’s experimental new smart glasses Meta’s reportedly shopping for exclusive content on its upcoming VR headset Meta reportedly sidelined ‘Quest 4’ designs for a goggles-like mixed-reality headset FCC investigation looms over EchoStar’s missed interest payments and a new satellite From Ars Technica: FCC Republican resigns, leaving agency with just two commissioners Jony Ive’s OpenAI device gets the Laurene Powell Jobs nod of approval ChatGPT’s goal is to be a ‘super assistant’ for every part of your life Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Help us plan for the future of The Vergecast by filling out a brief survey: voxmedia.com/survey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 38m
3 JUN

One company's quest for the perfect charger

We've talked many times on The Vergecast about the dream of the perfect charger. We call it The God Cable, and imagine it would charge everything, at full optimized speed, no matter what you plug in. Well, one company tried to make it – sort of. TwelveSouth founder Andrew Green joins the show to talk about how his company developed its newest product, the PowerCord, and why actually the God Cable might be both impossible and a bad idea. After that, The Verge's Tina Nguyen joins the show to talk about her experience at Bitcoin 2025 in Las Vegas, the rise of $TRUMP, and how crypto and the government became so intertwined. Finally, we answer a question from the Vergecast Hotline about AI agents, and the tasks we should (and shouldn't) offload to our chatbots. Further reading: The TwelveSouth PowerCord The Vergecast USB-C Holiday Spec-tacular Everything you need to know about switching to USB-C How a crypto bro shorted $TRUMP coin — and scored a dinner with the President Presidential seals, $100,000 watches, and a Marriott afterparty Trump’s media company says it’s buying $2.5 billion in Bitcoin The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act will soon ramp up in Congress. Crypto funds seized by the government may go into a ‘digital Fort Knox’ Google’s future is Google googling OpenAI’s new Operator AI agent can do things on the web for you Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Fill out a brief survey and tell us what you want from The Vergecast: voxmedia.com/survey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 10m
30 MAY

Can a redesign save Apple's software?

It's a slowish news week ahead of some very busy news weeks, so of course Nilay and David start the show with a long discussion about party speakers. Eventually, they get into the news, beginning with some of the huge Apple redesigns planned for WWDC in June. For the first time in a long time, the stakes for Apple's software teams feel really high. After that, the hosts talk about Nilay's recent interview with Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and what the AI-ification of everything means for the future of the web. Finally, in the lightning round, it's time for another Brendan Carr is a Dummy, plus some talk about the Nintendo Switch 2, a bit of confusing tariff news, and more. Further reading: Graduation and prom season in full force, Alan sends a graduation procession with a party speaker on… her head? So so many softball and baseball games, Luis tips us to the Yankees Incredible at a dentist office from Oktawian Apple is reportedly going to rename all of its operating systems Apple is ready to replace Game Center with a more Xbox-like gaming app Get ready for Apple’s glassy operating systems overhaul. Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry The New York Times’ first generative AI deal is with Amazon The Browser Company explains why it stopped developing Arc The plan for nationwide fiber internet might be upended for Starlink FCC Commissioner Labels Trump Push to Chill Speech an ‘Administration-Wide Effort’ Carr's attack on Ergen looks gross Shut Down the Federal Communications Commission With the Switch, technology finally caught up to Nintendo Nintendo’s bold new era is full of safe bets The Nintendo Switch was an indie game haven, until it was overrun with slop The Nintendo Switch 2 sure seems to work just fine with a USB mouse There’s a Switch 2 unboxing video already. 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 39m
27 MAY

Inside the Meta monopoly trial

After more than a month of testimony, the Meta antirust trial is beginning to slow down. The Google search remedies trial, meanwhile, is about to heat up again, with closing arguments coming soon. The Verge’s Lauren Feiner has been in the DC courthouse for all of it, and has finally emerged to tell us about what she’s seen, and learned, from two all-important monopoly trials. After that, The Verge’s Victoria Song tells us about her latest experience with Google’s smart glasses prototypes, what Google is doing differently from Meta and Apple, and what she thinks Jony Ive and OpenAI might be building. Finally, we answer a question on the Vergecast Hotline about what to do now that Mozilla is shutting down Pocket. FTC v. Meta: The antitrust battle over WhatsApp and Instagram Did WhatsApp really need Meta? Why the FTC argues Meta is a closer rival to MeWe than TikTok Instagram CEO testifies about competing with TikTok: ‘You’re either growing, or you’re slowly dying’ Android XR is getting stylish partners in Warby Parker, Gentle Monster Xreal teases Project Aura smart glasses for Android XR We tried on Google’s prototype AI smart glasses Android XR and Project Moohan hands-on: Gemini is the killer app Mozilla is shutting down Pocket Raindrop.io Instapaper Matter Wallabag Readwise Reader 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 24m
23 MAY

OpenAI and Jony Ive's AI super-gadget

Bad news if you don't care about AI: this week was absolutely chock-full of AI news. First, Nilay, David, and The Verge's Alex Heath talk about the news that OpenAI and Jony Ive are teaming up to build... something. A gadget, for sure, maybe lots of gadgets. We don't know much, but we have a lot of thoughts, and a lot of questions. After that, the hosts talk through all the news at Google I/O, including what's new with Gemini, Google Search, Project Astra, Project Mariner, and the countless other ways Google is putting AI absolutely everywhere. Finally, in the lightning round, we buckle up for another round of Brendan Carr is a Dummy, talk through some late-breaking Apple gadget news, and marvel over the future of conference calls. Further reading: OpenAI is buying Jony Ive’s AI hardware company From The Wall Street Journal: What Sam Altman Told OpenAI About the Secret Device He’s Making With Jony Ive Details leak about Jony Ive’s new ‘screen-free’ OpenAI device Jony Ive says Rabbit and Humane made bad products The 15 biggest announcements at Google I/O 2025 Google launches AI Mode to everyone in the US, adds more features to AI Overviews Google’s 3D video calling tech is finally going to ship this year Project Astra 2025: Google’s universal AI assistant is now smarter and more proactive Google has a new tool just for making AI videos Google reveals $250 per month ‘AI Ultra’ plan Google Meet can translate what you say into other languages Google’s Gemini AI is coming to Chrome Google says its new image AI can actually spell Google will let you ‘try on’ clothes with AI Google is bringing an ‘Agent Mode’ to the Gemini app We tried on Google’s prototype AI smart glasses Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott on the birth of the agentic web Microsoft’s plan to fix the web: letting every website run AI search for cheap Google rejected giving publishers more choice to opt out of AI Search Google is stuffing even more ads into its AI results Google’s Gemini AI is coming to Chrome Google reveals $250 per month ‘AI Ultra’ plan FCC Chairman Carr seeks to designate NBC equal time issue for hearing FCC approves Verizon’s $20 billion merger after it commits to ‘ending’ DEI 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 54m
20 MAY

The Razr Ultra proves flip phones are almost ready

Kids these days, you know? They love the '90s, they want everything to be colorful and bold and bouncy, and they really, truly love Snapchat. And the tech world is listening. On this episode, The Verge's Allison Johnson joins to talk about her review of the new Razr Ultra, the new-look Android 16, and why she thinks we're getting ever closer to a true flip phone resurgence. (Also: why we're not quite there yet.) After that, The Verge's Alex Heath explains what's going on with Snapchat, and how it's possible that the app is more popular than ever but still can't figure out how to cash in. It all makes us wonder: is there a business in chat at all? Finally, we answer a question on the Vergecast Hotline (call 866-VERGE11 or email vergecast@theverge.com!) about a possible outcome for Chrome after the Google search trial ends. Further reading: Motorola Razr Ultra (2025) review: looking sharp The best folding phones you can buy Android’s youthful new design language just dropped Snapchat scraps ‘simple’ redesign as it loses users in North America Zuckerberg offered to buy Snapchat for $6 billion. Evan Spiegel explains why Snap is betting on Spectacles Breaking down the DOJ’s plan to end Google’s search monopoly Why are companies lining up to buy Chrome? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 13m
16 MAY

HBO's no good very bad rebrand

Names are hard — but they don't have to be this hard. Nilay, David, and The Verge's Jake Kastrenakes start the show with some personal news, before digging into the monumentally silly thinking behind Warner Bros. Discovery re-re-naming its streaming service HBO Max. After that, and some more streaming news, we turn our attention to the gadget news of the week, including the long-awaited release of CarPlay Ultra and the latest announcements from the Android team at Google. Finally, in the lightning round, it's time for Brendan Carr is a Dummy, some debate on the future of Airbnb, and a brief party speaker update. Because the mystery continues. Further reading: It’s not Max, it’s HBO Max Max was an all-time bad rebrand How HBO’s creatives survived corporate chaos ESPN’s standalone streaming app launches this fall for $30 a month Fox One streaming service will arrive just in time for football season Netflix’s ad tier is growing really fast — and that means more ads Netflix is bringing back Star Search as a live show YouTube will stream an opening week NFL game for free Peacock’s NBA coverage will add an overlay with live shot stats Apple’s CarPlay Ultra is finally here, if you have a new Aston Martin Apple’s fancy new CarPlay will only work wirelessly Android 16 Material Three Expressive UI coming in beta this month Google’s splashy new Android UI is coming in beta this month. It’s Dieter! Warner Bros. is launching a cinematic universe for brands Here's How NBCU Is Integrating Brand Sponsors for SNL50 FCC threatens EchoStar licenses for spectrum that SpaceX wants to use Airbnb’s new app has all of your vacation extras in one place 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 57m

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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.