The real cost of the PS5 Pro | The Vergecast
14 Sep 2024 (4 days ago)
Intro
- The hosts of the podcast discuss advanced ray tracing technology.
- There is speculation among viewers about whether one of the hosts is using a green screen.
- The hosts talk about the possibility of using volumetric video technology to create more realistic backgrounds.
Apple's iPhone Launch
- Apple's iPhone launch generated less interest than the PS5 Pro announcement, possibly because of a perceived lack of innovation and a "sloppy" software rollout.
- There is a sense that Apple may have lost its way, with some critics suggesting the company is too focused on releasing products without a clear vision or purpose.
- The FDA approved the hearing aid features for the AirPods 2, which is considered a significant development.
PS5 Pro announced
- The PS5 Pro is essentially a GPU upgrade for the PS4, featuring a larger GPU, improved ray tracing, and an AI upscaling technology similar to Nvidia's DLSS.
- The PS5 Pro is priced at $700, does not include a disc drive, and requires an $80 accessory for physical media playback.
- The absence of a built-in disc drive in the PS5 Pro, despite its "pro" designation and higher price point, has sparked debate among consumers and tech enthusiasts.
Sony vs Microsoft: The Console War
- Sony has first-party games such as Astrobot, The Last of Us, and Spider-Man that are visually impressive, have excellent gameplay, and utilize the unique features of the PlayStation controller.
- Microsoft's strategy is to focus on being a platform for "everything else" in gaming, aiming to bring the PC gaming experience to consoles.
- Despite having a lead with its first-party titles, Sony is now adopting a similar strategy to Microsoft, aiming to compete in the same space and potentially blurring the lines between the two platforms.
The PS5 Pro's Vision and Market Strategy
- The PlayStation 5 is the dominant console choice for most consumers.
- Sony will likely offer a discounted PlayStation 5 to appeal to price-conscious consumers.
- Sony is capitalizing on a consumer segment willing to spend more by offering a higher-priced PlayStation 5 Pro.
Microsoft's Struggle with Xbox Identity
- Microsoft has been betting for years that a significant shift is about to occur in the gaming industry, impacting how games are played, where they are played, and their architectural design.
- While Microsoft remains convinced that this shift is imminent and is becoming impatient for it to transpire, Sony is content with the current state of the industry and the substantial profits it generates.
- Microsoft's attempts to distance the Xbox brand from being solely focused on high-quality gaming have been met with criticism, with some arguing that a stronger emphasis on exclusive, high-quality games, similar to Sony's strategy, would be more beneficial.
Phil Spencer's Memo
- Microsoft CEO, Phil Spencer, wrote a memo to employees announcing the elimination of approximately 650 roles within the company.
- Spencer acknowledged that there have been both good and bad days, characterizing the layoffs as a "bad day".
- The layoffs are part of a post-acquisition restructuring and business management strategy to minimize disruption and optimize team performance.
Google's Desktop Windowing on Android Tablets
- Google has released a developer preview of desktop windowing for Android tablets.
- The new feature allows users to freely resize and move windows, similar to a desktop operating system.
- This update is expected to benefit foldable Android devices, such as the Pixel Fold, by providing a more versatile computing experience.
Kamala Harris's Earrings Conspiracy
- JD Vance lives near one of the speakers, and the speaker discovered this because a park near their house was closed due to its proximity to Vance's house.
- Kamala Harris' earrings were the subject of a conspiracy theory that alleged she was wearing headphones and being fed answers during a debate.
- The company that allegedly made Harris' "headphone" earrings is a Kickstarter company that has not shipped any products, and the CEO has said he can neither confirm nor deny that Harris is wearing their product.
Huawei's Tri-Fold
- Huawei has released a new tri-fold smartphone, the Mate XT Ultimate Design.
- The phone costs $2,800, which is $300 more than a 16-inch MacBook Pro.
- The phone has 250 GB of storage.
Future of Folding Phones
- Gizmo China and other Chinese publications released hands-on videos of the Huawei Mate X3, a new folding phone.
- Folding phones are becoming more iterative in their development, similar to how the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold has progressed.
- The US smartphone market is dominated by Apple and Samsung, making it difficult for other companies to enter the market.
Pixel Watch 3 Review
- Foldable phones are becoming more about software, use cases, and details rather than just the hardware.
- There is a video circulating online that shows a foldable phone with a third screen that expands the UI when unfolded.
- Google appears to be confident in its products, which is a change from previous years.
Google's Antitrust Issues and Internal Conflicts
- Google's hardware, particularly the Pixel devices, has found a groove with good hardware and a clear software thesis, even if it was potentially influenced by the emergence of ChatGPT.
- Google faces antitrust scrutiny with its search engine declared a monopoly and is currently on trial for its adtech stack, with internal documents revealing a ruthless business approach focused on market dominance.
- While Google's hardware division seems to be finding its footing, its core business model, primarily advertising, is under threat with accusations of stifling competition and providing a poor user experience, potentially leading to significant legal challenges.
The Lightning Round
- The U.S. government is proposing new rules for vehicle safety that would use crash test dummies to simulate the impact of vehicles on pedestrians.
- Meta has revealed the design of WhatsApp and Messenger, which will soon be interoperable with other chat networks due to EU regulations.
- Google has developed an AI tool called NotebookLM that can generate podcasts from documents, including scientific papers and meeting notes.