Picking the perfect portable console | The Vergecast

Intro and bathroom renovation update (0s)

• David Pierce is recording the podcast from his newly renovated bathroom.
• He apologizes for the construction noise and chaos on previous shows.
• Despite the ongoing touch-ups, he is excited about the functional bathroom.
• He plans to spend a significant amount of time in the bathroom due to the investment.

Gaming hardware conundrum (1m6s)

• David describes his inconsistent gaming habits, with periods of intense play followed by breaks.
• He enjoys sports games like Madden, NBA 2K, FIFA, and Fortnite for their flexibility and accessibility.
• David finds it challenging to engage with games like Elden Ring due to their demand for extended play sessions.
• He expresses satisfaction with his current PS4 Pro setup but desires a new gaming experience.
• David discusses the recent focus on handheld consoles on the show and his interest in their portability.
• He mentions his increased travel and the desire to play games during transit and in different locations.
• David seeks a handheld console that allows him to play games while relaxing on the couch or outdoors.
• He acknowledges his uncertainty about choosing the right handheld console.

Steam Deck vs. Alternatives (4m3s)

• David seeks a portable gaming console for travel, with FIFA (EA Sports FC) as a non-negotiable game.
• The Steam Deck, while initially considered, faces issues running FIFA.
• A Windows handheld with a larger battery is expected soon but may have other problems.
• David prefers minimal setup and tweaking of the device.
• Xbox Cloud could be an option, as FIFA online play on release day is not a priority.
• The Steam Deck excels as the best handheld gaming device, while Windows handhelds have various issues.
• Microsoft's lack of significant Windows improvements affects Windows-based handheld performance.
• Rumors suggest a potential Xbox handheld running Windows, but Microsoft would need substantial changes to compete with the Steam Deck.
• EA Games, especially FIFA, often encounters issues on the Steam Deck due to DRM app changes.
• Cloud gaming services like Game Pass and PlayStation Plus can be used on the Steam Deck, but streaming quality can be unreliable outside of stable internet connections.
• Remote streaming of consoles works well within the same house but becomes unreliable over the internet.
• Combining the Steam Deck with Game Pass offers both online and offline gaming options for reliable gaming on the go.
• The Nintendo Switch is a good portable console for Nintendo games but is nearing the end of its life cycle and may not be worth buying now.
• The Steam Deck provides more versatility, customization, and a wider range of games, including PC titles, but may not excel at Nintendo games.
• Buying a PS5, PS Vita, and Steam Deck can offer the best of both worlds but would be more expensive.
• PlayStation streaming on the Steam Deck is optimized with a wired Ethernet connection for the PlayStation and a good internet connection.
• The Chiaki for Deck app enables PlayStation game streaming to the Steam Deck, but remote streaming works best within the same household.
• EA Sports FC, the successor to FIFA, might eventually come to the Steam Deck, potentially resolving FIFA-related issues.
• EA has a reputation for prioritizing money over user experience and usability.
• Connecting the Steam Deck to a large screen for console-like play requires a dongle or dock.

Final Decision and setup tips (33m34s)

• The Steam Deck is a portable gaming console that can be tricky to set up.
• Check the compatibility of your desired games on the Steam software before purchasing a Steam Deck.
• Some popular games, such as Mass Effect and the new college football game, may not work well on the Steam Deck due to compatibility issues.
• Game streaming can solve compatibility issues for some games, but it is not yet a perfect solution.
• Sean and Alex from The Vergecast discussed picking the perfect portable console but did not provide a complete solution.

Wearables microphone test (37m45s)

• Microphones are important for voice-activated devices and AI assistants.
• Earbuds and face gadgets like smart glasses have microphones.
• Vergecast is testing the microphones of various face gadgets.
• V-song has many face gadgets, including Meta Quest 3, Vision Pro, Meta smart glasses, and Amazon's Echo frames.
• Vergecast will test the microphones of these gadgets.
• Vergecast will conduct an ambitious microphone test involving various face gadgets.
• The test will assess how the microphones sound during phone calls.

Razer Anzu smart glasses mic test (40m18s)

• The Vergecast hosts tested various smart glasses, including the Anzo, Rayband Meta, Apple Vision Pro, and Meta Quest 3.
• The hosts criticized the Meta smart glasses' charger for not being a standard USB-C port and being difficult to use.
• The hosts acknowledged that the audio quality of the smart glasses may be inferior to the podcast's microphone due to Bluetooth connectivity and microphone placement.
• The Anzo smart glasses were criticized for having poor microphone quality, comparable to being on speakerphone with the phone placed far away.
• The hosts tested the Bose Frames, which are glasses that function as headphones with blue light lenses, marketed for office productivity and improved sound quality for phone calls.
• The Bose Frames have clear sound with minimal background noise but a flatter sound profile compared to AirPods, making the voice less prominent in the mix.
• The team plans to further test the Bose Frames in noisier environments to assess their performance in different conditions.

Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses mic test (47m3s)

• The microphone quality of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses is significantly better than the previous model.
• The microphone is positioned near the nose, which captures the user's voice clearly.
• The glasses have five microphones, but the one near the nose bridge is primarily responsible for capturing the user's voice.
• The sound quality is excellent, with minimal compression or background noise.
• The glasses are more convenient to pair with a phone than a computer due to Bluetooth connectivity issues.
• The reviewer prefers the Meta smart glasses over the Razer ones for their superior sound quality and proximity to the user's voice.
• The hosts are discussing portable gaming consoles.
• They will compare the Meta Quest and the Vision Pro headsets.
• The Meta Quest is more popular, so they will start with that one.
• Setting up the Meta Quest may take around 45 minutes.

Meta Quest 3 mic test (51m6s)

• The Meta Quest 3 has built-in microphones for calls with good audio quality, comparable to the Meta Ray-Bans but not as good as wired earbuds.
• Logging into calls on the Quest 3 can be inconvenient, especially with two-factor authentication and forgotten passwords.
• Andrew from Vergecast would not normally allow someone to join wearing a headset, indicating a technology failure.
• There are simpler options for calls, such as using a phone, rather than struggling with a headset.

Apple Vision Pro mic test (56m15s)

• The Vision Pro headset has impressive noise cancellation and audio quality.
• The audio sounds clear and central, as if the speaker is right next to the listener.
• FaceTime audio calls using the Vision Pro provide excellent sound quality, making it feel like the other person is in the same room.
• The Vision Pro's video quality, however, is not as impressive.
• The hosts discuss the features and drawbacks of various portable gaming consoles.
• The Nintendo Switch is praised for its versatility and wide range of games, but its small screen and lack of 4K output are seen as drawbacks.
• The Steam Deck is considered a powerful handheld gaming PC, but its large size and potential for overheating are seen as drawbacks.
• The Logitech G Cloud is seen as a more affordable option, but its limited game selection and lack of physical controls are seen as drawbacks.
• Ultimately, the best portable console depends on individual preferences and needs.

Comparing AirPods and smart glasses (59m13s)

• The Razer and Zoo smart glasses, priced at around $40, outperformed the AirPods Pro in terms of microphone quality during calls.
• The Meta smart glasses had better sound quality but were significantly more expensive at $250.
• The Meta smart glasses were found to be useful for multitasking while taking calls, such as listening to music or being on hold with customer service.
• The Meta Quest 2 is a high-quality and usable portable console, but it is more expensive at $500.
• The $50 Anus are a solid and more affordable choice, but they may not be as high-quality as the Meta Quest 2.
• The Vergecast team is open to receiving questions from listeners about technology, especially "teeny tiny Tech Mysteries" that they may be able to help solve.

Vergecast Hotline: future of smart glasses (1h5m4s)

• North Focals were smart glasses with a laser projector that displayed information in the wearer's right eye but faced challenges such as high cost and display adaptation issues.
• Google acquired North, despite its complicated history with smart glasses like Google Glass.
• The future of smart glasses may lie in heads-up display (HUD) technology that projects information onto the wearer's face.
• Voice control, widgets, and smartwatches have advanced, potentially contributing to a useful interface for smart glasses.
• Companies like Meta are also developing new wearables and control methods.
• The challenge lies in creating a product that effectively combines these elements and appeals to consumers.
• Current smart glasses models have limited functionality and are not worth the extra cost compared to regular glasses.
• The main challenge in developing smart glasses is finding the right balance between providing useful information and avoiding overwhelming the user with notifications.
• Companies like Google, Meta, and Brilliant Labs are investing in smart glasses research and development, focusing on creating glasses that look and feel like regular glasses while offering additional features.
• While there are no must-have smart glasses on the market yet, advancements in technology warrant keeping an eye on developments in this field.