The Google era is officially over | The Vergecast

Intro (0s)

• The episode begins with introductions, welcoming Jake Kastrenakes, a Verge executive editor, as a guest. The conversation quickly turns to a previous episode where David Pierce expressed skepticism about pilots using iPad Minis on planes.
• David apologizes for his statement, acknowledging that he was wrong. He explains that he was misinformed about the use of iPads in aviation, particularly the iPad Mini.
• Jake clarifies that pilots do indeed use iPads, especially the iPad Mini, for various purposes, including accessing paperwork and reference materials. He mentions that iPads are even used in flight schools as part of the training process.

Search GPT (3m34s)

• OpenAI has launched Search GPT, a direct competitor to Google Search and Bing. Search GPT aims to provide more comprehensive answers to user queries by pulling information from the internet and presenting it in a more organized and contextualized way.
• Search GPT is still in its early stages, with limited user access and a focus on refining the product. OpenAI is taking a cautious approach, likely due to the potential impact on the search market and the ongoing legal battles surrounding copyright and data scraping.
• The launch of Search GPT highlights the growing tension between traditional search engines and AI-powered alternatives. Google is facing increasing pressure from both competitors and regulators, while Microsoft is aggressively pursuing AI-driven solutions, even if they don't immediately translate to market dominance.
• The episode also discusses the changing landscape of online content and the rise of paid search. Platforms like Reddit are now demanding payment from search engines for access to their data, signaling a shift away from the traditional free-for-all model of web indexing.
• The future of search remains uncertain, but the emergence of AI-powered alternatives like Search GPT is forcing a re-evaluation of how we access and consume information online. The episode concludes with a discussion of the potential impact on publishers, users, and the overall internet ecosystem.

Struggles of Amazon Alexa (31m53s)

• Amazon's Alexa division has struggled to turn a profit despite spending $25 billion over 10 years. The Wall Street Journal reported that Amazon has used accounting tricks to prop up the division, but the lack of a clear vision and a high-level executive champion has led to its decline.
• The article highlights the importance of executive sponsorship for product success. Without someone at the top who truly believes in a product, it is likely to fail, even if it has potential. This is evident in Amazon's history with both Alexa and Kindle, both of which were championed by Jeff Bezos.
• Amazon's approach to Alexa has been criticized for its lack of innovation and focus. The company has released numerous variations of the Echo device, but few have been truly essential or successful. The article suggests that Amazon's attempt to create a platform for ambient computing has failed, and the company is now considering charging for a premium version of Alexa powered by LLMs. However, the authors express skepticism about the success of this strategy, arguing that a slightly better Alexa is unlikely to significantly improve its user base or profitability.

Asus Rogue Ally X (48m18s)

• The speaker expresses a lack of enthusiasm for the Asus Rogue Ally X.
• They indicate that their level of excitement for the device is minimal.
• The speaker's response suggests that they are not particularly interested in the product.

Debating the future of Foldable Phones (48m24s)

• The discussion revolves around the future of foldable phones, specifically the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series. While the technology has improved significantly, the panelists agree that foldable phones are not yet mainstream and require a specific use case to justify their high price.
• The panelists discuss the argument that a foldable phone is essentially a phone that can transform into a tablet, but they question the appeal of Android tablets in general. They believe that Samsung is currently dominating the foldable phone market due to a lack of compelling competition from other manufacturers.
• The panelists also debate the ideal form factor for foldable phones. While some prefer the wider, book-like format, others believe that a phone-like aspect ratio with a larger screen when unfolded is more practical. They acknowledge the challenges of optimizing the tablet experience on the inside while maintaining a comfortable phone experience on the outside.

Samsung's Galaxy Ring (54m13s)

• The Galaxy Ring is a new accessory for the Galaxy Watch that is designed to track health data. While it is lightweight and has a long battery life, it is not as accurate as the Galaxy Watch and is heavily reliant on the Samsung ecosystem.
• The discussion then shifts to the concept of AI-powered health insights, specifically focusing on Samsung's "Energy Score" feature. The hosts express skepticism about the accuracy and usefulness of these insights, arguing that they often provide simplistic and unhelpful advice.
• The conversation moves on to the Asus ROG Ally, a Windows gaming handheld that is praised for its performance and battery life but criticized for its reliance on Windows, which is not optimized for handheld gaming. The hosts compare it to the Steam Deck, suggesting that the ROG Ally might be a better option for those who want to play all their games on a portable device.
• The hosts then discuss the recent disastrous rollout of the new Sonos app and the CEO's apology. They criticize the company's response, arguing that it is too late and does not address the core issues.
• The episode concludes with a discussion about Apple Maps launching on the web. The hosts speculate that this move is a sign that Apple is looking to expand its Maps service into a more comprehensive platform, potentially competing with Google Maps in the local search and advertising market.

Lightning Round (1h17m51s)

• Sports Streaming is Becoming Increasingly Fragmented: The NBA has signed new decade-long deals with Comcast, Disney, and Amazon, leading to a more fragmented sports viewing landscape. Amazon is paying a significant amount for rights, demonstrating their commitment to becoming a major player in sports streaming.
• Streaming Services are Offering Limited 4K Resolution: Disney's new bundle of Disney+, Hulu, and Max is cheaper than buying each service individually, but it only offers 1080p streaming. This is despite the fact that Max, which has the best movie catalog, is notoriously difficult to get in 4K.
• The Rise of the "Where and When to Watch" Rating: The hosts discuss the need for a new rating system for movies that considers where and when it's best to watch them, taking into account factors like theater experience, streaming availability, and even plane seatback viewing.
• The Carplay Debate: David and Nilay are having a formal Carplay debate on the Vergecast, reflecting the growing importance of this feature in the automotive world.
• The Olympics are Difficult to Stream in 4K: The Olympics are starting, but streaming them in 4K is difficult unless you have a specific Comcast cable box. This highlights the challenges of accessing high-quality streaming content.