Hello! This is The Vergecast, the flagship podcast of The Verge... and your life. Every Friday, Nilay Patel and Dieter Bohn make sense of the week's tech news with help from our wide-ranging staff. Join us every week for a fun, deeply nerdy, often off-the-rails conversation about what's happening now (and next) in technology and gadgets.
Similar Podcasts
Thinking Elixir Podcast
The Thinking Elixir podcast is a weekly show where we talk about the Elixir programming language and the community around it. We cover news and interview guests to learn more about projects and developments in the community.
The Cynical Developer
A UK based Technology and Software Developer Podcast that helps you to improve your development knowledge and career,
through explaining the latest and greatest in development technology and providing you with what you need to succeed as a developer.
Elixir Outlaws
Elixir Outlaws is an informal discussion about interesting things happening in Elixir. Our goal is to capture the spirit of a conference hallway discussion in a podcast.
Big tech antittrust hearing preview and the Xbox Games Showcase breakdown
Nilay Patel and Dieter Bohn talk with Casey Newton and Makena Kelly about what to expect at the upcoming big tech antitrust hearings featuring Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sundar Pichai. Megan Farokhmanesh and Andrew Webster return to discuss the games announced at the Xbox Games Showcase this week. Stories from this week: New COVID testing strategy could speed up backlogged labs ‘COVID parties’ are a pandemic urban legend that won’t go away The tech antitrust hearing is shaping up to be one for the ages Antitrust investigations aren’t the biggest threat to Facebook’s future The big winner in Slack’s Microsoft fight could be Google Xbox Games Showcase: all the news from Microsoft’s July 2020 event Sony’s first vlogging camera almost nails it Latest iOS 14 beta offers more evidence of a 5.4-inch iPhone Alexa will soon be able to launch Android and iOS apps using voice commands Samsung promises new mobile and TV products at virtual September event Blurry Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 leak hints at camera upgrades and gold model Samsung’s Galaxy Note 20 Ultra may try to be the Xbox Phone This is what Samsung’s bean-shaped Galaxy Buds Live will look like in your ears The brain behind the Google Pixel camera is building a universal camera app for Adobe Windows 10X might not arrive until 2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Election cybersecurity: How ready are we for November 3rd?
Cybersecurity journalist Kim Zetter talks with The Verge's Nilay Patel and Russell Brandom about the state of election security in the US — what methods are being proposed to stop potential interference in the voting process, the problems with mail-in voting during a pandemic, and how voting machines are not always the best solution for a presidential election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Twitter gets hacked / NBC's streaming service Peacock debuts / TikTok in the US is threatened
The Verge's Nilay Patel, Dieter Bohn, Russell Brandom, and Julia Alexander discuss an unprecedented Twitter hack this week, the release of NBCUniversal's new streaming service Peacock, and the potential restrictions on TikTok in the US. Stories discussed this week: White House reportedly orders hospitals to bypass CDC during COVID-19 data collection CDC employees say the agency has a culture of ‘racial aggression’ Etsy sellers are offering sheer mesh face masks that provide ‘very little protection’ Seventeen states sue Trump administration over new student visa guidelines Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Elon Musk, Apple, and others hacked in unprecedented Twitter attack Twitter shut off the ability for many people to tweet after massive hack Twitter reveals that its own employee tools contributed to unprecedented hack Lawmakers demand more details on Twitter’s massive hack The massive Twitter hack could be a global security crisis Twitter says passwords were spared in yesterday’s attack, but it’s still working to restore locked accounts The FBI opens investigation into Twitter attack over national security concerns White House says restrictions on TikTok could come in ‘weeks, not months’ TikTok’s biggest problem is outside its control Peacock’s interface aims to recreate the feeling of live TV, but it comes up short Why Peacock and HBO Max aren’t on the biggest streaming platforms How to stream Peacock Netflix names content chief Ted Sarandos as co-CEO Netflix adds another whopping 10 million subscribers, but warns growth may slow Microsoft discontinues Xbox One X and Xbox One S digital edition ahead of Series X launch Xbox Series X can play all Xbox One games, unless they use Kinect Microsoft to launch xCloud streaming free with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in September Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Will virtual dates stick around after the pandemic?
The Verge's Why’d You Push That Button? is back for a special episode all about virtual dating in 2020. The pandemic has forced us all to stay at home when we can, which means if you want to go on a date, it may have to be done online. Ashley Carman and Kaitlyn Tiffany return to talk to online daters and app makers about how they are adapting to virtual-only dating, and what features and behaviors will stick around after social distancing and the pandemic end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How Color of Change helped lead the Facebook boycott
Nilay Patel talks to Rashad Robinson, president of Color of Change. Color of Change, an online racial justice organization, is one of the groups leading the ad boycott against Facebook and other social media companies in response to hate speech appearing on the platforms. In the interview, Robinson talks about how the boycott campaign came together; his history pushing Facebook on issues of hate speech and civil rights; and meeting with Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg, and fellow leaders of the boycott to discuss the Facebook civil rights audit and how the company can improve the platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
iOS14 public beta is released, Google’s Pixel 3A is discontinued, and Samsung's event is coming soon
Nilay Patel, Dieter Bohn, and Dan Seifert discuss Apple's iOS14 public beta, the future of Google's phones, and what to expect at Samsung's next hardware event. Stories discussed this week: This isn’t a COVID-19 wave — it’s a tsunami Tracing the link between your phone and the next pandemic Doctors are better at treating COVID-19 patients now than they were in March After the pandemic, doctors want their new robot helpers to stay Facebook and Instagram will remind people to wear face masks White YouTube creators struggle to address past use of racist characters Everything that the big social networks banned this week, ranked Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Starbucks, Target, Unilever, Verizon: all the companies pulling ads from Facebook Facebook auditors call out Mark Zuckerberg for ‘vexing and heartbreaking decisions’ iOS 14’s public beta is rolling out today iOS and iPadOS 14 public beta preview: something for everybody Reddit says it’s fixing code in its iOS app that copied clipboard contents LinkedIn says it will stop repeatedly copying iOS clipboard Apple promises to support Thunderbolt on its new ARM Macs Intel’s Thunderbolt 4 standard looks to raise the bar for USB-C devices Google’s Pixel 3A is discontinued, but these retailers are still selling it Samsung reportedly won’t include chargers with some phones starting next year Samsung needs a splashy product for its splashy product launch Mysterious new Samsung wearable revealed in FCC filings Logitech is already giving up on its Alexa-powered Harmony remote control Google’s upcoming Nest speaker revealed in regulatory filing BMW is going all-in on in-car microtransactions A weakened version of the EARN IT Act advances out of committee Fading Light: the story of Magic Leap’s lost mixed reality magnum opus I built my own camera with a Raspberry Pi 4 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Bug bounties: the good and the bad of computer security
Verge editor-in-chief Nilay Patel talks to founder and CEO of Luta Security Katie Moussouris. Moussouris has a long history in computer security, working at Microsoft and the Department of Defense creating their first bug bounty programs to incentivize catching and reporting security bugs and vulnerabilities in software systems. Nilay and Katie discuss the good and bad of bug bounties, encryption dilemmas with consumer devices, voting security in elections, and overall how we keep our software and networks secure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Introducing Land of the Giants: The Netflix Effect
This week we’re sharing an episode of Land of the Giants, a podcast from our friends at Recode and the Vox Media Podcast Network that examines the most powerful tech companies of our time. The second season is called The Netflix Effect, and it’s hosted by Recode editors Rani Molla and Peter Kafka. The Netflix Effect explores how a company that began as a small DVD-by-mail service ultimately upended Hollywood and completely changed the way we watch TV. It’s a fascinating look at what really goes on behind the scenes at Netflix, one of the few companies that’s actually growing during the pandemic, and how they’re continuing to transform entertainment for you and me. New episodes are released every Tuesday morning. listen and subscribe to Land of the Giants: The Netflix Effect wherever you get The Vergecast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apple announces macOS Big Sur, new silicon chips, and iOS 14
Nilay Patel and Dieter Bohn welcome back Verge alum and Wall Street Journal columnist Joanna Stern to discuss the big announcements from Apple's developer conference this week. Verge news editor Chaim Gartenberg joins in the second half to discuss the Apple updates you may have missed. Stories discussed this week: Fire and plague prepared these teens for the world New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut will quarantine travelers from states with surging COVID-19 cases The EU plans to ban US travelers indefinitely after haphazard COVID-19 response The healing power of Black art Big Sur is officially macOS 11.0 as Apple finally leaves OS X behind Macs with new Apple-built chips will natively run iPhone and iPad apps Apple’s new ARM-based Macs won’t support Windows through Boot Camp Apple details iOS 14, its next major software update iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 will let you set default email and browser apps watchOS 7 announced with sleep tracking and rebranded Fitness app Apple TV 4K will at last play YouTube in 4K with tvOS 14 update AirPods updated with automatic switching and a new ‘Spatial Audio’ feature Apple teases new tracking protections and an approximate location feature in iOS 14 Apple approves Hey email app, but the fight’s not over After outcry, Apple will let developers challenge App Store guidelines Hey opens its email service to everyone as Apple approves its app for good Microsoft is shutting down Mixer and partnering with Facebook Gaming Mixer failed — here's why Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Why activists need to think about cybersecurity
Verge editor-in-chief Nilay Patel and policy editor Russell Brandom talk to founder of CryptoHarlem and cybersecurity expert Matt Mitchell, who works with activists to develop strategies to leave less data behind and help mitigate threats to their cause. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
WWDC predictions / Limiting Section 230 Immunity to Good Samaritans Act
Nilay Patel and Dieter Bohn run through the most interesting rumors and predictions of announcements at Apple's WWDC next week. Adi Robertson joins to discuss the latest threat to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Stories discussed in this episode: Cheap steroid reportedly improves survival for severe COVID-19 cases FDA ends emergency authorization for hydroxychloroquine Why there’s so much confusion around asymptomatic COVID-19 cases The gadgets Late Night with Seth Meyers uses to keep the show running from home Google commits $175 million to racial equity with focus on black-owned businesses Instagram’s CEO says the platform is examining how its policies affect black users Apple faces another EU antitrust complaint as App Store pressure grows Apple says the App Store created $519 billion in commerce last year Justice Department asks Congress for a sharp cut to websites’ legal protections Senate Republicans want to make it easier to sue tech companies for bias Facebook removes Trump ads for using Nazi imagery Google Ads bans Zero Hedge for racist content, but reverses Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Basecamp CTO David Heinemeier Hansson and Rep. David Cicilline on Apple's monopolistic app store fees
Apple is acting like a monopolist and a bully, according to the chairman of the House Antitrust Committee. Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) joined The Vergecast along with Basecamp CTO David Heinemeier Hansson to discuss the plight of Hey, Basecamp’s new $99-a-year premium email service. Earlier this week, Heinemeier Hansson revealed that Apple had rejected the Hey iPhone app from the App Store because it didn’t offer any way to sign up and pay in the app itself — which would require giving Apple a 30 percent cut of the fee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sen. Ed Markey on the politics of technology
Verge editor-in-chief Nilay Patel and Verge reporter Makena Kelly talk to Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts about bringing broadband access into rural areas, the technology plights caused by the pandemic, privacy concerns over contract tracing, and the race to 5G. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Android 11 beta / PS5 reveal / Amazon, IBM, and Microsoft ban facial recognition tech for police
Stories discussed this week: Tinder CEO Elie Seidman on finding love during the pandemic It’s hard to figure out how often people without symptoms spread COVID-19 Inside Nextdoor’s ‘Karen problem’ Nextdoor tells community leads to allow Black Lives Matter discussions after exposé Contact tracing programs have to work with local communities to be successful Apple launches $100 million Racial Equity and Justice Initiative Android 11 beta: all the announcements Android 11: conversations, bubbles, and making sense of complexity Five new features Android 11 borrows from the iPhone Android 11 may be the best texting platform if you use multiple chat apps Apple’s virtual WWDC keynote will take place on June 22nd at 1PM ET Apple will announce move to ARM-based Macs later this month, says report Apple pulls podcast apps in China after government pressure The new Sonos app and S2 update are available now IBM will no longer offer, develop, or research facial recognition technology Amazon bans police from using its facial recognition technology for the next year Microsoft won’t sell facial recognition to police until Congress passes new privacy law Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Tinder CEO Elie Seidman on finding love during the pandemic
Tinder and its parent company Match Group have weathered the COVID-19 pandemic relatively well, all things considered. User engagement is up, as is interest around new product features, like video calls. More than six years after its launch, Tinder is finally introducing a one-on-one video calling feature that it says will be heavily moderated for content and safety. At the same time, Tinder CEO Elie Seidman says he and his team are focusing on how to keep young people coming to the app and how they can build digital relationships inside of it, especially as in-person dates slow down.Seidman joins Vergecast host Nilay Patel and Verge senior reporter Ashley Carman for a chat about the future of the platform, how it’ll keep people safe over video calls, and what happens to its Tinder U initiative that it’s focused on for years. Plus, he explains how Joe Exotic might be more important to a relationship than living near each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices