The AI garage door mystery | The Vergecast

Intro (0s)

• The Vergecast podcast is discussing various news topics, including the launch of Search GPT, a competitor to Google built into Chat GPT by Open AI, and Apple's announcement of AI-powered search in iOS 18.1 (19s).
• Meta is also announcing AI-powered search, and Apple has released new Macs, which will be discussed later in the podcast when Joanna Stern joins (25s).
• The hosts are excited to discuss the news, including earnings and a lightning round, and will save the Apple conversation for later (39s).
• Search GPT is being framed as a search feature within Chat GPT, and the hosts are surprised by how much it resembles what they would have imagined a search product from Open AI would look like (52s).
• Open AI has been signing publisher deals, including one with Fox Media, the parent company of The Verge, in preparation for the launch of Search GPT (1m33s).
• The launch of Search GPT is significant for Open AI, as it gives Chat GPT real-time information, addressing a major limitation of the platform (1m58s).
• Open AI has chosen to integrate Search GPT into Chat GPT, rather than launching it as a separate product, which is seen as an interesting decision (2m8s).
• The hosts think the idea of Search GPT is straightforward and useful, although Open AI is making some exaggerated claims about its capabilities (2m31s).

OpenAI vs Google (2m40s)

• Google and OpenAI are approaching the same problem from different directions, with Google focusing on being an answer engine and OpenAI starting with free-form chat, and they are arriving at different user interface designs (2m40s).
• Google's core thesis is to deliver answers to users' questions through search, but it's still a structured process, whereas OpenAI is adding structured information to its chat interface (2m53s).
• OpenAI's approach appears to be more web-friendly, with features like citations and links to original sources, making it a better citizen of the web than Google (4m11s).
• A demo of OpenAI's search feature showed a user asking for backyard renovation ideas, and the AI delivered a summary of an article from The Spruce, along with images and a sidebar with citations and links to similar content (4m32s).
• The demo highlighted OpenAI's efforts to surface content in a way that is honest about the web and respectful of publishers, with features like logos, favicons, and links to original sources (5m33s).
• Publishers are taking notice of OpenAI's approach, with some, like The Atlantic, seeking influence over how their content is presented in search results as part of their licensing deals (6m48s).
• The shift towards more transparent and respectful content presentation is seen as a positive development, especially for publishers who feel they gave up too much to Google in the past (7m0s).

AI's Impact on Content Creation (7m14s)

• The current state of AI is being questioned, as millions of GPUs are being used to run AI models, yet the most cutting-edge AI in the world can only come up with basic ideas, such as creating a seating area, incorporating outdoor lighting, and adding a fire pit, when asked for great ways to fix up a backyard (7m26s).
• This is compared to the experience of searching for the same information on Google a few years ago, which would yield over-SEO articles with affiliate links, providing a worse experience for users (8m2s).
• The innovation in AI-powered search engines may be as simple as presenting basic ideas in a nicer experience, without the clutter of ads and irrelevant information (8m13s).
• Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is traveling the world to raise billions of dollars to build chip fabs, which raises questions about the cost and feasibility of running AI-powered search engines (8m31s).
• The answer to whether AI-powered search engines are just a slightly cleaner interface on top of the same information is likely "yes", with many companies, including Google, Bing, and OpenAI, working on improving the search experience (8m44s).
• The question of how to monetize AI-powered search engines remains unclear, with OpenAI only rolling out its new search feature to paid ChatGPT users for now (9m22s).
• Running AI-powered searches in real-time is expensive, especially when it comes to getting real-time information from the internet, which is a harder problem to solve computationally (9m35s).
• The effectiveness of AI-powered search engines at scale is still to be seen, but they may provide a better experience for users by pulling out relevant information and presenting it in a more user-friendly way (9m50s).
• The idea of AI-powered search engines is not just about providing a better interface, but also about making it easier for users to find the information they need, such as pulling out a specific piece of information from a support document (10m17s).
• The example of using AI to find ways to fix up a backyard is slightly better than what you would get by clicking on web pages on Google, but it's still a basic idea (10m36s).
• Reviewing search engines is a challenging task, and it's interesting to try to evaluate the effectiveness of AI-powered search engines (10m52s).
• Google is given a score of 7 out of 10, indicating the need to evaluate tools to address how people use them, and the current system is driven by a monopoly player that incentivizes the entire economics to make content that people will click on once a year, resulting in a system loaded with ads and clickbait (11m2s).
• The tension between Open AI and publishers is evident in the design of the AI garage door, which may say more about the design than Open AI would like, and is also happening with Meta, which is working on a search engine to reduce reliance on Google and Bing (11m51s).
• Meta's search engine is partly driven by the success of its AI, which has 500 million monthly active users, and the desire to reduce reliance on Google and Bing, and having real-time internet information allows for new capabilities with Chat GPT (12m2s).
• The best-case scenario for Open AI would be a system that doesn't feel like search at all, but rather a giant new capability of real-time information that opens up new possibilities for Chat GPT, but this also raises concerns about lawsuits from publishers (12m29s).
• Open AI's design, which includes big links on the right side, is a compromise to appease publishers and avoid lawsuits, and the game is now about doing deals with Open AI to get in the list and get money, rather than doing SEO to get to the top of the rankings (13m13s).
• The rise of AI has created a feeling that search is now a competitive market, and if the Google antitrust case goes a certain way, it could lead to new opportunities for other search engines, including Meta, to become the default search engine on iOS and Android (13m55s).
• The market for web search is opening up due to a combination of regulatory efforts and the existence of AI, as well as Google search having plateaued, creating conditions for change in web search (14m40s).
• The current incentives for creators and publishers are to put new information on platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube, where they can make money, rather than on the web (15m8s).
• Early bloggers were motivated by a desire to express themselves and share their ideas, rather than making money, but this model is no longer sustainable for many creators (15m48s).
• The idea of making a business out of creating content on the open web is becoming less viable, as interfaces are being subsumed and it's difficult for smaller creators to compete with larger companies that have the resources to make deals with AI companies like Open AI (16m33s).
• Even if a creator is able to get their content included in a chatbot like ChatGPT, they may not have the lawyers or resources to negotiate a deal with Open AI, limiting their ability to reach a wider audience (16m41s).
• The result of these changes could be a media ecosystem that resembles the one that existed before the internet, with a few large, free outlets and many smaller, paywalled publications (17m7s).
• This could lead to a situation where many creators are only able to reach small, niche audiences, and are forced to rely on paywalls or other forms of direct support to make a living (17m20s).
• Some creators, like Casey Newton, have been successful with paid newsletters or other forms of direct support, but these models are not scalable for everyone (17m33s).
• The future of the media ecosystem may be characterized by a few large, free outlets and many smaller, paywalled publications, with limited opportunities for creators to reach a wider audience (18m10s).
• The internet has become reordered into paywalls, making it difficult for smaller players to compete, with algorithms controlling what content is shown to users (18m34s).
• The difference between the unknowable TikTok algorithm and the unknowable editor who decides what content to publish is a matter of which rules are in place and how transparent they are (18m54s).
• The idea that the internet is too big for any one player to control is no longer true, with new interfaces making it clear how hard it is to succeed without the support of a large algorithm or entity (19m14s).
• The YouTube algorithm has created an environment where tech channels struggle to reach a female audience, with many channels having a predominantly male viewership (20m26s).
• This is not a reflection of reality, as data from other sources shows that women are interested in tech and make a significant portion of technology purchasing decisions (20m45s).
• The algorithmic truth of YouTube is that channels must fight to reach a broader audience, and it is hoped that increased transparency and discussion will lead to change (21m20s).
• The rise of AI search and distribution algorithms may lead to a resorting of the media landscape, allowing smaller players to succeed without having to chase scale (21m34s).
• The Facebook video era was marked by a focus on scale, which was a major miss for smaller creators, and it is hoped that the new landscape will be more favorable to them (21m49s).
• A shift in the way information is presented online is happening, where AI can read and make sense of written content, potentially allowing for more diverse and unique content to be created, but also posing the risk of creating a divide between small to medium-sized paywall media and mass algorithmic media, with an unclear middle ground (22m4s).
• Google has launched a new feature in Google Maps called "Ask Maps" that uses AI search, specifically Gemini search, to answer questions based on Google Maps data, allowing users to ask more complex and natural language questions (22m40s).
• The "Ask Maps" feature can be used to find specific types of places, such as kid-friendly restaurants or places with outdoor seating, by asking questions in natural language, rather than relying on filters and menus (24m12s).
• This feature has the potential to be more useful and efficient than traditional search methods, such as Yelp, which often require users to select multiple filters and sift through numerous listings (24m57s).
• The use of AI in search, such as in "Ask Maps", raises questions about bias and how to address these issues, but also has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with information online (24m44s).
• The goal of AI search is to understand natural language and communicate in a more naturalistic way, allowing users to ask questions and receive answers in a more intuitive and human-like way (25m12s).

The Struggle with Smart Home Notifications (41m2s)

• Smart home sensor notifications can be noisy and overwhelming, with some users receiving multiple notifications a day for mundane events like a back door opening and closing, and AI is expected to help sort through these notifications and provide only the necessary information (41m3s).
• However, current AI-powered notification systems often fail to provide useful summaries, instead providing a list of all events, which can be seen as a demonstration that these systems don't actually know what they're talking about (41m50s).
• A specific example of a smart garage door notification system is mentioned, which provides a helpful summary of the door's activity, but this is seen as not particularly useful as it's just stating the obvious (42m12s).
• The question is raised whether users need to know every detail of their smart home's activity, and whether these notifications are actually providing any useful information or just creating noise (42m46s).
• The user mentions that they don't need to know every time their family members enter or exit the house, and that these notifications can be seen as a "little corner case" that is not particularly useful (43m2s).
• The user also mentions that they have an emotional attachment to smart home notifications, especially when they're away from home, as they provide a connection to their family and children (43m41s).
• The idea is proposed that a yearbook of smart home notifications could be created to track a child's activities and milestones, with a slideshow of notifications set to music (44m25s).
• The conversation touches on the idea that AI-powered notification systems will improve over time, with Craig Federighi mentioning that it's a "decade-long arc" to getting it better (44m53s).

AI Summaries: More Confusing Than Helpful? (45m9s)

• AI-powered summaries for notifications, such as emails and text messages, were initially found to be amusing but ultimately proved to be more confusing and distracting, leading to them being turned off (45m18s).
• The summaries often failed to convey the intended message or tone, making it seem like a high-stakes situation when it was not, and were not effective in saving time as users would still read the full message anyway (45m48s).
• However, AI summaries may be useful for emails, where a large portion of messages only require acknowledgement of their existence or a brief status update (46m29s).
• The use of AI summaries for text messages made the user a worse texter, as they relied on the summaries to understand the message and often failed to respond properly, leading to the feature being turned off (47m3s).
• A personal experience with a long text message from the user's mom was summarized by the AI as "reflecting on life, expressing gratitude, and wishing a safe trip home," which was found to be humorous and was shared with the mom, who responded by saying she could have been shorter (47m53s).
• A notable feature in iOS 18 is the ability to schedule messages to be sent later, which can help users avoid instant responses and make them more responsive while also signaling unavailability for a conversation (48m21s).
• The feature's UI is considered flawed, as it requires users to dig through the menu to schedule a message, unlike Slack's simpler approach of holding down the send button (48m40s).
• The scheduled message feature can help users manage their messages more efficiently, especially when dealing with a large number of incoming messages that require only a simple response (49m51s).
• The feature can also help users avoid getting into lengthy conversations when they are not available, by sending a response that indicates they are busy but still responsive (49m45s).
• The AI-powered notification summaries in iOS 18 are considered less useful, as they do not effectively help users manage their notifications and prioritize important messages (50m11s).
• Apple's Priority Notifications feature is designed to help users prioritize important notifications, but its effectiveness is uncertain, as it has not been used extensively (50m39s).
• The feature did work effectively in one instance, prioritizing notifications from family and group chats over less important notifications during a video shoot (50m52s).

iOS 18.1 Features (51m12s)

• The discussion revolves around the use of iOS 18.1 Apple intelligence features, with notifications being the most widely used due to their prominent display (51m12s).
• The writing tools and image tools are not as popular, partly because they are not as easily accessible, and some users, like the participants, prefer not to rely on AI for writing tasks (51m21s).
• The target audience for the writing tools may not be professional writers, but rather individuals who can benefit from assistance with writing tasks (51m41s).
• The list and summarization tool in the Notes app has been found to be helpful, but it can also introduce errors, such as adding bullets to existing dashes, which is a problem that basic algorithms in Microsoft Word solved years ago (52m6s).
• The call recorder with AI transcription has been found to be very good, and it can also be used to transcribe voice memos and dump them into Notes (52m42s).
• The summary feature, which is part of Apple intelligence, has been found to be not very good, but the transcription feature, which is not an Apple intelligence feature, is very handy and has been available since iPhone 13s (52m54s).
• OpenAI's Whisper, an AI-powered transcription tool, has been found to be very good, but it can also be inaccurate in certain cases, such as in hospitals (53m14s).
• AI transcription systems have improved significantly and are now on average better than the worst human transcriptions, but they should not be relied upon 100% (53m33s).
• Apple intelligence is not leading the summarization game, but many speech-to-text and basic summarization tools have become quite good (54m5s).
• The transcription feature in Apple devices uses an on-device AI model, but it is not part of Apple intelligence, and similar functionality can be found in other tools (54m17s).
• The addition of a call recorder in the phone app is a useful upgrade to iOS, although it has been available on other phones for a long time (55m25s).
• The developer betas of iOS 18.2 are out, which has caused a mix-up in what people are looking at and talking about, with more interesting features like visual intelligence and ChatGPT integration (55m35s).
• The review process for phones without Apple intelligence has been a topic of discussion, with some wondering if they should be re-reviewed now that it's available (55m58s).
• A significant addition in iOS 18.1 is the ability to add a Wi-Fi widget to the control center, which has been a long-awaited feature (56m42s).
• The control center is seen as a way for Apple to offer customization options to users, although it's unclear how long this will last (57m19s).
• The ability to customize the control center has led to some users creating unique and potentially ugly layouts, with some joking that the iPhone can finally be made to be brown (57m54s).
• The discussion revolves around iOS 18.1 and Apple intelligence, described as a "baby step" (58m3s).
• Craig had an interview with Joanna, which is recommended to be watched for more information (58m6s).
• Craig's garage door opener situation is a topic of interest and will be discussed further (58m12s).

New Mac Mini (58m15s)

• Apple has released new products, including the Mac Mini with an M4 chip, which is small and has the same volume as the outgoing Mac Mini but is taller. (58m38s)
• The new Mac Mini has three Thunderbolt 4 ports on the back and two USB-C ports on the front, but lacks an SD card reader. (1h1m9s)
• The new MacBook Pros have M4 Pro and M4 Max chips, and the iMac has an M4 chip, with new colors available on the iMac. (58m19s)
• Apple Intelligence is supposed to surface important notifications, but it has been interrupting the show with non-essential notifications, such as a chain of moms discussing trick-or-treating. (58m59s)
• One of the hosts has systematically turned off most notifications, except for texts from people responsible for the life of their child. (1h0m9s)
• The Mac Mini is considered the most exciting news, and one of the hosts is considering upgrading their M1 Mac Mini to the new model. (1h0m42s)
• The new Mac Mini is priced at $599, making it an attractive option for those looking to upgrade. (1h0m36s)
• The new Mac Mini is smaller than the previous model, but its size is not a concern, especially for those who plan to use it as a replacement for their current Mac Mini, taking up slightly less space (1h1m35s).
• The power button being located on the bottom of the Mac Mini is not a problem, and it's not a significant issue for most users (1h2m0s).
• The Mac Mini still costs $599, comes with 16 gigs of RAM, and features an M4 chip, making it a great value for the price (1h2m28s).
• The Mac Mini has most of the desired I/O, including a net port and HDMI, making it a suitable computer for many users (1h2m46s).
• Apple has shifted its focus from trying to reinvent Macs to simply making good computers, which is a positive change (1h2m56s).
• The lack of innovative ideas in the Mac lineup might be a sign that Apple is focusing its innovative efforts elsewhere (1h3m20s).
• Some users may be inconvenienced by the power button's location, particularly those who deploy Mac Minis in racks or other hard-to-reach places (1h3m51s).
• Many people turn off their Macs daily, which is not the intended use, and some are upset about the power button's location, but it's not a significant concern for most users (1h4m21s).
• The Mac Mini's design and marketing have shifted to appeal to a broader audience, with Apple showcasing it as a modular and versatile device that can fit into various environments and lifestyles (1h5m41s).
• The Mac Mini is often used in server racks, but Apple's marketing suggests it is targeting a different demographic, such as individuals who work from home and value aesthetics (1h5m46s).
• The idea of turning off a computer when not in use is not a common practice, and some people prefer to keep their devices on and use software to restart them (1h4m52s).
• Cold booting a Mac can take a while for it to become fast again, and some users notice a slowdown due to startup items (1h6m14s).
• The concept of having a dedicated computer room or library room is seen as outdated, and the idea of turning off a computer every time it's not in use is not practical for many users (1h6m34s).
• The Mac Mini's new marketing approach feels different from its previous reputation as a utility computer, and it's now being presented as a mainstream Mac that's part of a lifestyle (1h7m5s).
• The shift in marketing may be a response to the post-pandemic work-from-home trend, where people are investing in desk setups and looking for a Mac that can fit into their lifestyle (1h7m32s).
• The Mac Mini is being positioned as a solution for those who want to upgrade their home workspace with a modular and stylish device (1h7m56s).
• The computer setup has become a lifestyle computer, with people building desk setups and wanting them to be beautiful, and this has led to a change in the market, with people spending all day watching movies in these setups, making the computer room now every room (1h8m9s).
• The discontinuation of the 27-inch iMac led to people opting for a Mac Mini and a big monitor, as the best alternative, with some choosing the Studio Display or a cheaper 27-inch display (1h8m36s).
• The Mac Mini and a big monitor became a popular option for those who wanted an iMac competitor, with the Studio Display being a more expensive option, and some people opting for a cheaper 27-inch display (1h9m1s).
• The 27-inch iMac was popular among some users, who were disappointed when it was discontinued, and were looking for alternatives, such as the Mac Mini and a big monitor (1h8m40s).
• Apple gave a rare on-the-record statement saying they would not be making another 27-inch iMac, which led to people looking for alternative options (1h9m34s).
• Some users, like Roger, wanted a new desktop but were not willing to spend $2,000 on the Mac Studio, and instead opted for an iMac and a display from a company like Samsung (1h9m47s).
• The process of upgrading from an old iMac to a Mac Mini and a new monitor was seen as a good option, as the monitor could be kept for a long time and the computer could be upgraded as needed (1h10m25s).
• Some people are holding onto their old 27-inch iMacs, with plans to turn them into monitors, as the panel is the same as the one in the Studio Display, which has not been meaningfully updated by Apple (1h11m3s).
• The idea of turning old iMacs into monitors is seen as a viable option, with some people planning to do so, and even considering hosting a "party" to do so (1h10m54s).
• The iMac has an M4 chip, is very colorful and thin, and has a 24-inch screen, which may be a limiting factor in its appeal, as a 27-inch screen could attract more buyers, but would likely increase the price by around $500, potentially killing the value proposition of the device (1h11m21s).
• The iMac is often used as a family computer or in reception areas at doctor's offices, and its affordability is an important factor in its appeal, making it a plug-and-play option that requires no additional peripherals (1h11m59s).
• The iMac's design and color options, including purple, suggest that it serves a different kind of user than other Macs, and its limited size options may be a deliberate choice to maintain its value proposition (1h12m41s).
• The Mac Mini is seen as the go-to Mac desktop for lifestyle use, while the iMac is more of a utility computer for specific use cases, such as reception areas (1h12m55s).
• The iMac's appeal lies in its simplicity and ease of use, making it an attractive option for those who want a hassle-free computing experience, but its limitations and lack of customization options may be a drawback for some users (1h13m25s).
• The decision to offer the iMac in purple, but not other Macs, may be due to Apple's desire to reserve the "pro" label for larger screens, which would not come in purple, as professionals are perceived to require more screen real estate (1h13m55s).
• The discussion touches on the idea that children may be given Chromebooks for school, leading to a consideration of whether a desktop computer like the iMac would be a suitable option for home use, potentially reviving the concept of a "computer room" (1h14m31s).

Apple's Smart Home Display Rumors (1h16m38s)

• There's a rumor that Apple is working on a smart home display, which may have a design similar to the iMac G4, with the display on an arm. (1h16m38s)
• The question is what Apple can do with a smart home display that hasn't been done by other companies, aside from having it be made by Apple. (1h17m25s)
• The usefulness of smart home displays is uncertain, as many people use audio-based interfaces like Sonos or their phones to control their smart homes. (1h17m50s)
• One potential use for a smart home display is to view camera feeds, but there's a limit to how many feeds can be integrated into HomeKit and the Home app. (1h18m7s)
• The smart home market is currently chaotic, with many different operating systems and devices that don't always work together seamlessly. (1h18m37s)
• For Apple to succeed in the smart home market, they would need to make HomeKit extremely compatible, open, and closed at the same time, which is a difficult task. (1h19m4s)
• One person's experience with HomeKit is that it requires bridging devices through third-party services like Hoobs, which can be unreliable. (1h19m49s)
• The discussion revolves around home automation systems, specifically HomeKit, and middleware adapters like Homebridge and Hoobs, which allow unsupported devices to integrate with HomeKit. (1h20m5s)
• Hoobs is a commercial fork of Homebridge, and there is a bit of an open-source rivalry between the two, with many plugins working on both platforms, possibly even created by Apple engineers. (1h20m46s)
• Homebridge is used to run various devices, including a Ring doorbell and a Honeywell thermostat, on a Raspberry Pi, making them accessible through HomeKit on a phone. (1h21m7s)
• The issue with replacing these devices with Matter-compatible accessories is that there is no upside, especially for devices like the Honeywell thermostat, which would require replacement with a new Matter thermostat. (1h21m33s)
• Homebridge is considered more stable than Hoobs, and it can be installed on the same Raspberry Pi as Hoobs, making it a viable alternative. (1h21m51s)

Joanna's Garage Door problem (1h22m2s)

• Chamberlain, the dominant garage door opener company in the United States, has canceled its HomeKit support and broken the MyQ API, forcing users to pay a subscription fee for MyQ, making it difficult for users to integrate their garage door openers with smart home systems (1h22m7s).
• The best hack to solve this problem is to use a little adapter, mostly made by a company called Mir Ross, which is a relay with a Wi-Fi chip that connects to HomeKit and pushes the button on the garage door (1h23m36s).
• To install the adapter, users need to wire it into their garage door opener, find the screws, plug it into the terminals, and run a sensor wire to the door itself, which can be a complicated process (1h24m29s).
• Craig Federighi, the person in charge of software at Apple, uses Siri to open his garage door, but the process of getting to that point is complicated, and it is likely that he has an old HomeKit-integrated garage door opener (1h24m57s).
• The situation with garage door openers is an example of the complexity of the smart home market, where companies like Chamberlain can break APIs and force users to pay subscription fees, making it difficult for users to integrate their devices (1h22m38s).
• The use of adapters and hacks to make smart home devices work together is common, but it can be frustrating for users who just want to be able to control their devices with ease (1h22m49s).
• The dream of being able to drive away from home and say "Siri, close the garage" is not yet a reality for many users, due to the complexity of the smart home market and the need for adapters and hacks (1h22m53s).
• There are only a few possible explanations for Craig's garage door opener with HomeKit integration, including a secret model, a custom-engineered HomeKit garage door opener, a HomeBridge, or a discontinued MyQ HomeKit Bridge or a Miro adapter (1h25m35s).
• The garage door opener with HomeKit built-in is rare, and it's unlikely that such a product existed seven years ago (1h26m15s).
• The possibility of a LiftMaster or similar product with HomeKit integration is being explored, and listeners are being asked to help verify its existence (1h26m27s).
• Craig's garage door opener is a mystery, and it's unclear how it integrates with HomeKit, leading to speculation about its features, such as a light display (1h26m47s).
• Craig is being invited to come on the show to explain how his garage door opener is integrated with HomeKit (1h27m8s).
• The options for Craig's garage door opener are narrowed down to a custom-engineered HomeKit garage door opener, a discontinued MyQ HomeKit Bridge, a HomeBridge, or a Miro adapter (1h27m29s).
• The MyQ HomeKit Bridge is no longer a viable option since it was discontinued and doesn't work with the API (1h27m43s).
• The problem of garage door openers not integrating with HomeKit is a common issue, and awareness needs to be raised about it (1h28m11s).
• A simple solution to the problem is a button, which has been available for decades (1h28m28s).
• A consulting company is being started to help people integrate their garage doors with HomeKit, with Craig as the first client (1h28m33s).
• The notifications in the podcast were not important and were not a priority, all of which were from Liam, the producer, asking to stop talking about the garage door (1h29m1s).
• The discussion about reducing interruptions in Apple intelligence was mentioned, with a comment that Apple intelligence is not very intelligent (1h29m11s).
• Joanna was thanked and invited to come back again soon, but it was joked that she can't come back until she figures out if her listeners want her to return (1h29m19s).
• The decision to invite Joanna back was left to the listeners and the AI, which would figure out which notifications to send her (1h29m27s).
• Joanna jokingly asked the AI to come to her house to fix her garage door (1h29m31s).

Lightning Round (1h29m41s)

• A conversation about garage door openers went on for an extended period, making Joanna late for her child, who she only experiences through smartphone notifications, and making the show run longer than expected (1h29m41s).
• Netflix has launched a new feature called "Moments" that allows users to link to specific parts of a TV show or movie, which is seen as a fascinating development given Netflix's previous aversion to social interaction with its product (1h30m28s).
• The "Moments" feature is considered a significant step for Netflix, as it has historically been difficult for users to share or screenshot content from the platform, especially on mobile devices and TV devices (1h31m6s).
• Despite the feature being seen as a minor development, it is interesting to note that Netflix is engaging more with society and exploring new ways to interact with users, which could potentially lead to more significant changes in the future (1h31m55s).
• Netflix has been positioning itself as a premium version of YouTube, and the "Moments" feature could be seen as a step towards creating a more social and interactive experience for users (1h32m11s).
• A potential conspiracy theory is that Netflix could launch a TikTok-style app that allows users to flip through clips and discover new content, which could be a game-changer for the platform (1h32m48s).
• The "Moments" feature could potentially be used to create a library of clips that users can browse through, which could become a key feature of the Netflix homepage (1h33m9s).
• A theory is proposed that Netflix should start playing a clip that everyone likes to get users to watch a movie or show, and they should pay a consulting firm to implement this idea (1h33m16s).
• The idea is inspired by the fact that the writer watched the movie "In Time" with Justin Timberlake after seeing many 60-second clips of it on TikTok, showing a connection between TikTok and streaming services (1h33m56s).
• The writer believes that there should be a "watch on Netflix" button next to every TikTok video, similar to the "listen on Spotify" button, to make it easier for users to access content (1h34m45s).
• Tony Fadell, a well-known figure in the tech industry, was at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference, where he discussed AI and criticized Sam Altman, saying that people are using AI without knowing how it works (1h35m18s).
• Tony Fadell emphasized the importance of transparency in AI, particularly when it comes to data and hallucinations, to avoid disasters (1h36m10s).
• The writer notes that they love Tony Fadell, but also mentions that someone in their Slack conversation pointed out that Fadell's statement was interesting, but the writer doesn't elaborate on this point (1h36m25s).
• A discussion about AI and its current state is mentioned, comparing it to spending billions of dollars to build Bluetooth without knowing what the headphones will look like, highlighting the uncertainty and risks involved in AI development (1h36m52s).
• Tony's views on AI are referenced, with a mention of his book on leadership, and a clip where he makes a statement that sparks a reaction, with Sam Altman responding with strong words (1h36m31s).
• The acquisition of Nest by Google is mentioned as a disaster, and how it threatened Google for other reasons (1h37m16s).
• A story about playing Madden on Twitch with Tim Walls is shared, highlighting the high stakes and intricacy of the game, with a mention of a prediction coming to pass and an interception being thrown (1h37m45s).
• The difficulty of the new Madden game is emphasized, with a personal anecdote about playing the game almost every night and winning a GameCube in a Madden tournament (1h38m26s).
• A campaign event where Tim Walls played Madden is described as the riskiest campaign event seen, with a Vikings fan trying to gun into Justin Jefferson and immediately throwing an interception (1h38m43s).
• The conversation touches on an election on Tuesday and a package of election-related content, including a fiery endorsement that caused a lot of feelings on the internet (1h39m17s).
• A mention of net neutrality and a hearing that took place is made, highlighting the intersection of politics and technology (1h39m41s).
• The history of endorsements includes supporting Obama in 2012 and Biden in the last election, but not endorsing Hillary or Trump in 2016, with the writer expressing regret over the outcome (1h39m50s).
• The writer reflects on the nature of systems, including the legal system and Congress, which are not predictable like computers, and how this is a key aspect of covering policy (1h40m30s).
• The writer's approach to explaining the importance of democracy and its unpredictability was to describe the system and highlight the role of actual people in making it work (1h41m12s).
• The writer's article received a positive response, with the most comments on any article since switching to Coral, and mostly respectful engagement from the audience (1h41m42s).
• The writer is proud of the audience for taking the article seriously and engaging with the topic, despite the spicy headline (1h42m6s).
• The writer mentions another article by Gabby Delv about tech leaders cozying up to Trump, which is available in the show notes (1h42m36s).
• The conversation concludes with a reflection on the importance of having a platform and a team to support one's work, citing the need for an art department, editors, and a website to produce high-quality content (1h43m39s).
• The discussion highlights the trend of people leaving their jobs to become independent creators on various platforms, and the importance of supporting former colleagues who have started their own ventures (1h43m14s).
• The Verge published a presidential endorsement on the same day as a new Mac Mini release, showcasing the platform's ability to cover a wide range of topics (1h44m15s).
• The conversation emphasizes the value of using a platform to share important information and to encourage audience engagement, with a call to action to go vote in the US elections (1h44m44s).
• The Verge cast is a production of The Verge and the Vox Media Podcast Network, produced by Liam James, Will Porough, and Eric Gomez (1h45m9s).
• The show invites listeners to share their thoughts and feedback by calling 866 Verge 111 (1h45m4s).