The PS5 Pro made us sit closer to the screen | The Vergecast

Domain names, past behavior, and upcoming tech discussions

• The Vergecast podcast is considering a hard pivot from politics to the buying and selling of domain names, a topic the hosts find fascinating (15s).
• The hosts discuss the idea of starting a domain arbitrage business and potentially finding a sponsor for it (1m3s).
• A specific domain name will be discussed later in the podcast, and the entire .DOO TLD is vanishing, which is a big story due to its use by crypto and AI startups (1m12s).
• David Pierce owns a few domain names, which he purchased during a "shopping phase" but has since forgotten about, and they are slowly expiring (1m53s).
• David Pierce bought a domain for his wife Anna as a birthday gift, creating a website that serves as a love letter, but she hasn't looked at it in years (2m6s).
• The hosts reflect on their past behavior and how they would often be mean to each other, including a story about owning the domain tobacco.com and trying to prank a friend (2m45s).
• The podcast will also discuss new Mac and mini products, the PS5 Pro, and upgrades to the Matter standards (3m22s).

Trump's re-election and its impact on tech policy

• The discussion shifts to the recent news in America, mentioning the upcoming release of Jeep's first electric vehicle (EV) in December (3m33s).
• The conversation also touches on the recent election, with Donald Trump winning again, and how this will impact tech policy decisions (3m55s).
• The big companies and their CEOs are familiar with Trump's approach to tech policy and are already reacting, with some writing congratulatory notes, such as Jeff Bezos, and others, like Tim Cook, likely to be concerned about tariffs on the iPhone (4m33s).
• Elon Musk is also mentioned as wanting sideloading to happen on the iPhone, which he believes will help reduce censorship (4m42s).
• The discussion highlights the competing interests of tech billionaires and how this will lead to a lot of stories being covered, including the impact of tariffs on products not made in the United States (5m0s).
• The conversation also recalls the last time Trump tried to move technology manufacturing to the United States and how it didn't work out, with buildings in Wisconsin remaining empty (5m9s).
• The repeal of a rule that imposed privacy regulations on ISPs is also mentioned as one of the first things that happened during Trump's previous term (5m29s).
• Brendan Carr is mentioned as a character who will likely be in the spotlight again, advocating for the FCC to be in charge of section 230 (5m41s).
• The discussion concludes that the show will cover the world as it stands, including the people and characters involved, without dwelling on Trump's tweets (6m19s).

Tech companies, government, and political agendas

• The conversation also touches on how the show has learned to distinguish between what's real and what isn't, especially in a political situation where the volume of information is high (6m32s).
• Tech companies, particularly big ones, are becoming increasingly central to the running of the government and its interests, with examples including Elon Musk's involvement in the Trump campaign, and this intermingling of tech and politics will have significant ramifications for regular people that need to be covered and understood (6m57s).
• The Google Anti case, where Google pays Apple to be the default, is an example of how tech companies' interests can be influenced by government actions and political agendas, with Apple likely wanting the new Trump DOJ to drop the antitrust case, while Andreessen Horowitz wants it to be pursued to allow sideloading of crypto apps onto the iPhone (7m54s).
• The presence of a Palm OS emulator on the iPhone is a result of government action, highlighting the connection between government decisions and the products people use (8m30s).
• The Trump Administration's interests are not aligned with those of tech companies, leading to potential conflicts and changes in the products people use, which will be covered in the show (8m50s).

New Macs and Mac Mini review

• The Mac Mini, made by Foxconn, now costs $5,000 due to 20% tariffs, but a joke about it being made by hand in one's bedroom has layers, referencing a factory in North Carolina (9m37s).
• The latest Macs were announced last week, including the M4 Mac Mini and MacBook Pro 14, with reviews available, including Chris Welch's review of the Mac Mini, which was very positive, making the reviewer consider buying one despite not needing it (10m19s).
• The Mac Mini is considered to be what was hoped for, with its smaller size being a notable feature, allowing for more flexibility in terms of placement and storage on a desk (10m37s).
• The performance of the Mac Mini is good, and it has a lot of value, especially considering its price of $600 (11m22s).
• Some users have expressed a desire for the front ports to be Thunderbolt instead of regular USB-C, but the back ports are Thunderbolt (11m28s).
• The base model of the Mac Mini comes with 16 gigs of RAM, which is a significant advantage, as previous models required expensive upgrades to reach this amount (11m58s).
• The upgrades for the new MacBooks and Macs are considered to be overpriced, with the cost of upgrading a single Mac Mini to 32 gigs of RAM and 512 gigs of storage being comparable to buying two base model Mac Minis (12m31s).
• The base model of the Mac Mini is considered to be the best value in the entire Mac lineup, and it is the model that most people should buy (11m50s).
• Apple is also selling outgoing computers, such as the M2 Airs and M3 errors, in 16 gig base configurations for the same price, which is seen as a positive move (14m2s).
• The extra 8 gigs of RAM in the new Mac models is a significant upgrade, and the cost of adding this extra RAM seems to be minimal for the company, as evidenced by the fact that the base model now comes with 16 gigs of RAM (14m15s).
• The debate about whether to buy the latest model or the previous one at a lower price is complicated, especially when considering the performance increase from one generation to the next, but the increase from 8 gigs to 16 gigs of RAM is meaningful (14m19s).
• The argument that the fast disc speed makes the need for more RAM less important is not true, as having only 8 gigs of RAM can still cause issues, but it is sufficient for most people (15m12s).
• Having 16 gigs of RAM as the base is important, and it will make the computer last longer, especially for those who want a machine that will last forever (15m32s).
• The new M2 Mac models with 16 gigs of RAM will be very compelling, especially when the price drops, and even older models with 16 gigs of RAM will last a long time (15m55s).
• The M1 MacBook Air is now available at a lower price, but it's not recommended for AI tasks, and it's expected that the M2 model with 16 gigs of RAM will be available at a similar price point in the future (16m21s).
• The M3 MacBook Air with 16 gigs of RAM is a good option for those who want a new computer, and it's available for around $1,000, making it the best value in computing right now (16m51s).
• The Mac Mini is also a good option, and the fact that 16 gigs of RAM is now the base model makes it more appealing, as it reduces the need to configure and add more money to the base price (17m19s).
• The fact that the base model now comes with 16 gigs of RAM is proof that the extra RAM didn't cost the company much, and it was previously just a way for the company to make more money (17m32s).
• The discussion revolves around the decision to spend extra money on a touch ID keyboard, with the advantage of having Touch ID being a significant factor, especially for those who never turn off their devices, as the power button is located at the bottom (17m43s).
• The use of an Apple Watch can also eliminate the need for Touch ID on a Mac, as it can be used to unlock the device, making Touch ID less necessary for login purposes (18m12s).
• The MacBook Pro has been improved with the addition of correct ports, more performance than the Air, and meaningful differentiation from the base model, making it a good computer in its own right (18m44s).
• The base model MacBook Pro now starts at $1,599, offering a clear upgrade from the Air in terms of price and performance, including battery life (19m34s).
• The improvements to the MacBook Pro make it an attractive option for those who prefer the Pro line, but may not be enough to sway those who prefer the Air, as the differences between the two are now more clearly defined (19m47s).
• The M series chips and display configurations now offer enough differentiation between models, making the Pro line more meaningful and distinct from the Air (20m41s).
• Apple's product lineup has become more differentiated, with clear distinctions between the Air, Mini, Studio, and Pro models, making it easier to explain the options to consumers (21m34s).
• The M4 Pro is a meaningful improvement over the Air, particularly for tasks like video editing and photo editing, without being too expensive (21m6s).
• The supply chain mastery of Apple allows them to create reasonable gaps between their products, making the lineup more manageable (21m27s).
• The Mac lineup now includes a consumer desktop (iMac), a consumer laptop (Air), a professional desktop (Studio), and a professional laptop (Pro), which is the cleanest the lineup has felt in a long time (22m21s).

Repurposing old iMacs

• The iMac is no longer a major topic of discussion, and some people are considering repurposing their old iMacs as displays by pairing them with a Mac Mini (22m47s).
• There are many people with old, functionally useless iMacs that are still good displays, and some are looking for ways to repurpose them (23m10s).
• The idea of starting a side business to help people fix and repurpose their old iMacs has been proposed, with the potential for a community-driven effort (23m22s).

Amazon Kindle Color and Scribe issues

• Amazon has released a new lineup of Kindles, including the Kindle Color, but the details are not particularly exciting (23m54s).
• Amazon's Kindle colorsoft has been criticized for its poor color quality, with users noticing a faded yellow band at the bottom of the screen, and the company's response to the issue has been seen as inadequate (24m12s).
• The colorsoft's issues are surprising given Amazon's history of incremental improvements to the Kindle line, with the new paper white being a recent example of a well-received update (25m30s).
• The paper white's improvements, such as faster page-turning speed, are seen as typical of Amazon's approach to updating the Kindle line, with users expecting small but reliable improvements (25m50s).
• In contrast, the colorsoft's problems, including the lack of a dark mode and a delayed shipping date, have led to negative reviews and a perception that Amazon has not executed well on this product (25m1s).
• The colorsoft's issues are particularly notable given Amazon's control over the Kindle ecosystem, with users locked into the company's DRM system and reliant on Amazon for content (26m53s).
• The upcoming release of a new Kindle, the Scribe, with AI-powered features, may provide an opportunity for Amazon to redeem itself and demonstrate its ability to innovate and improve the Kindle line (27m1s).
• The colorsoft's problems have raised questions about Amazon's manufacturing process and quality control, with the company's response to the issue being seen as insufficient (27m20s).
• The Kindle Scribe has a problem with a yellow bar appearing on the screen, which is more noticeable in photos than in real life, but still a significant issue (27m30s).
• Amazon has acknowledged the problem and is trying to fix it, although it's unclear whether it's a hardware or software issue (28m1s).
• The company has been contacting customers who left bad reviews and is offering refunds or replacements for affected devices (27m50s).
• Amazon claims to be making adjustments to prevent the issue in new devices, and customers who notice the problem can contact customer service for a replacement or refund (28m49s).
• The issue has led to a delay in shipping, with delivery times currently showing two weeks from now, as Amazon appears to have frozen shipping while they try to fix the problem (29m6s).
• The Kindle Scribe's launch was highly anticipated, with many people excited about the device's color display, particularly comic book fans and graphic novel enthusiasts (29m32s).
• The device's price, $280, is significantly higher than the Paperwhite, making the yellow bar issue a major disappointment for customers who were looking forward to the device (28m34s).
• The issue has also led to a low rating on Amazon, with the device currently having 2.6 stars (28m34s).

PS5 Pro review

• Sean Hollister reviewed the PS5 Pro, which is Sony's new game console that is essentially a PS5 with more storage, a bit more memory, and a substantially faster GPU, with a 62% increase in Teraflops and 45% increase in rendering performance (32m23s).
• The PS5 Pro also features AI upscaling, allowing for a "best of both worlds" experience where games can run at a higher resolution or smoother frame rate, depending on the game (32m55s).
• The PS5 Pro is compatible with existing PS5 games, and if they have been patched to support the PS5 Pro, they will look better or run smoother (33m23s).
• The console costs $700 and has a distinctive design with a "little rib on the side" and a "racing stripey thing" (33m35s).
• There are potentially three types of games for the PS5 Pro: games that are not aware of the PS5 Pro's existence, games that have been upgraded to support the PS5 Pro, and games that are specifically designed with the PS5 Pro in mind (33m47s).
• Sean Hollister tested the PS5 Pro by playing Bloodborne and walking closer to the screen to see the increased resolution, then walking backwards to see when the difference was no longer noticeable (31m52s).
• The PS5 Pro does not have exclusive games, and Sony has not indicated that there will be any, with exclusive titles likely being saved for the PS6 (34m40s).
• Although there are no PS5 Pro exclusive games, there are PS5 only versions of games that offer a better experience than their PS4 counterparts when played on a PS5 (35m30s).
• Some PS5 games have an unlocked frame rate, allowing them to run better on more powerful hardware without the need for patches (36m2s).
• Games with unlocked frame rates can take advantage of the PS5 Pro's increased power, but this also depends on the TV's capabilities, such as variable refresh rate (36m45s).
• To fully benefit from the PS5 Pro's enhancements, a high-end TV with features like variable refresh rate, HDR, and OLED is recommended, and the viewer should sit close to the screen (37m52s).
• The market for the PS5 Pro's enhancements is limited, and it is not recommended for most people, especially those without a high-end TV and a suitable viewing setup (37m32s).
• The PS5 Pro is best used with a 4K monitor, such as a 32-inch OLED monitor, which provides a beautiful display and a gaming experience similar to a gaming PC (38m13s).
• Using the PS5 Pro with a monitor requires sitting closer to the screen, unlike traditional console gaming where the console is placed in an entertainment center and played from a distance (38m35s).
• The PS5 Pro offers a hassle-free gaming experience, similar to the Steam Deck, which also provides a convenient and user-friendly gaming experience without the need for complicated setup or maintenance (38m52s).
• The PS5 Pro competes more with gaming PCs than with the standard PS5, offering a more powerful and feature-rich gaming experience, although at a higher price point (39m25s).
• The PS5 Pro's performance is comparable to a mid-range gaming PC, but without the need to run Windows or deal with complicated ports and setup (39m38s).
• Sony has ported many games to PC, but the quality of these ports can vary, with some games experiencing bugs or performance issues, as seen in the example of The Last of Us Part One (40m3s).
• The PS5 Pro offers faster loading times and a more seamless gaming experience compared to PC, with the example of The Last of Us Part One loading in under 30 seconds on the PS5 Pro, but taking over a minute to load on PC (40m44s).
• The value of the PS5 Pro depends on individual gaming needs and preferences, with some users finding it worth the investment for its convenience and performance, while others may not see the value in upgrading from a standard PS5 (41m30s).
• The PS5 Pro's upgrade may not be noticeable for casual gamers, but it could be meaningful for Uber fans of competitive games, such as Call of Duty or fighting games, especially if they have a 120 Hz mode and lowered latency from inputs (41m57s).
• To make the PS5 Pro a worthwhile upgrade, it would need to offer features like unlocked frame rate and resolution options, as well as the ability to use a mouse and keyboard, essentially making it a gaming PC (42m47s).
• The idea of the PS5 Pro as a gaming PC is similar to Microsoft's dream of a PC, and it makes more sense as an upgrade compared to the PS4 Pro, which offered obvious reasons to upgrade, such as 4K resolution (43m40s).
• The PS4 Pro's 4K resolution was achieved through checkerboard rendering, but it was not noticeable at a distance, making it a worthwhile upgrade at the time (44m31s).
• In contrast, the PS5 Pro's upgrade is more noticeable when sitting closer to the screen, within 8 feet, to see the difference (44m41s).
• The PS5 Pro's improved graphics are noticeable in games like Final Fantasy 7, which looks better than on the PS5, especially in 60 Hz mode (43m29s).
• The PS5 Pro offers 4K and HDR, and the user prefers playing in higher resolution mode over higher performance mode, which is the trade-off they are willing to make (45m25s).
• The PS5 Pro is positioned to compete with mid-range gaming PCs, offering simplicity, speed, and a better library of optimized games, making the $700 price tag seem less expensive (45m40s).
• The console does not come with a detachable disc drive, which is seen as a strange omission for a "pro" product, and the user had to special order the disc drive (46m13s).
• The detachable disc drive is hard to find, but the user eventually found one at Walmart and had it delivered the next day (46m48s).
• The disc drive clips on easily and makes the console look like an original PS5, and it is smaller, quieter, and not too warm (47m9s).
• The user is using the PS5 Pro as a foot warmer while recording, and it is warm but not too hot, and it is quieter than the original Steam Deck (47m20s).
• The PS5 Pro still does not support Dolby Vision, which is a feature the user wants for playing Blu-rays, and they would consider buying a new PS5 Pro with a disc drive if it had this feature (47m54s).
• The user recently bought a Samsung OLED TV, which does not have Dolby Vision, and they are happy with their purchase (48m6s).

Nintendo Switch successor and backwards compatibility

• Nintendo has been releasing unexpected announcements, such as an alarm clock and a music app, instead of the expected announcement of the Super Nintendo Switch, also referred to as the Switch successor, which has been creating excitement and anticipation among fans and journalists (49m3s).
• The music app announcement was met with initial excitement, but quickly turned into disappointment when it was realized that it was not the announcement of the new Switch, with some people even claiming to have been misled by Nintendo (49m30s).
• Andrew Webster, a journalist, was particularly excited about the possibility of the Switch announcement and had even made plans to write about it, but was left disappointed when the music app was announced instead (49m28s).
• Nintendo also announced the launch of a museum, which Andrew Webster received an invite to, but it was not related to the Switch (49m57s).
• The actual Switch news came in the form of a tweet from Nintendo's president, Shuntaro Furukawa, which announced that the Switch successor would be backwards compatible with Switch games, but this was not a formal announcement and was instead buried in a financial briefing (51m7s).
• The tweet was unexpected and was released on Election night, catching many people off guard, including journalists who were tracking the election returns (50m41s).
• The announcement was seen as a clever move by Nintendo, as it was able to generate excitement and attention without making a formal announcement (50m14s).
• Nintendo announced that the console coming after the Switch will be able to play Switch games, which is unusual for the company as it typically doesn't support backward compatibility with its previous consoles (52m8s).
• The original Nintendo Switch launched in 2017 with a limited lineup of 12 games, but it eventually grew to have one of the largest libraries of any console ever released (52m31s).
• The upcoming console's ability to play Switch games could be beneficial for consumers who have a hybrid library of physical and digital games, allowing them to continue using their existing library (53m53s).
• However, it's unclear if the new console will have a cartridge slot, which could affect how users access their existing physical games (53m2s).
• The importance of preserving and emulating games is also a concern, as it's not clear how the new console will handle these issues (54m6s).
• The expectation for backward compatibility and the ability to access existing libraries is becoming more common, similar to how apps work on iPhones (54m18s).
• Nintendo has a history of inconsistent backward compatibility, with some consoles supporting previous games and others not (54m49s).
• The company's portable consoles have generally been good at supporting previous games, such as the Nintendo DS Light being able to play DS and Game Boy Advance games (55m20s).
• Nintendo's approach to backwards compatibility is inconsistent, with some consoles supporting games from previous generations, while others do not, and occasionally they stop supporting older games altogether (55m39s).
• The GameCube had a Game Boy Player attachment that allowed playing Game Boy games, so it's possible Nintendo might release a similar solution for playing older games on newer consoles (55m58s).
• Nintendo has a history of releasing unusual peripherals, such as the Nintendo robot, which could push buttons on the console (56m16s).

Nintendo's actions against YouTubers and emulation

• The company is taking action against YouTubers who stream games and discuss game preservation, with a particular focus on one YouTuber, Russ Crandle, who runs the channel Retro Gamecore (57m2s).
• Russ Crandle is known for advocating against piracy and showing off genuine Switch cartridges in his videos, but Nintendo is targeting him despite this (57m31s).
• Crandle's content includes making backups of games and putting them onto flashcards, which Nintendo does not want to be publicized (57m54s).
• Nintendo's actions against Crandle seem unusual, given his audience and reputation as an educator, and it's unclear why the company is targeting him specifically (58m23s).
• The situation is part of a larger issue with Nintendo and YouTube, with the company using copyright to target specific individuals and channels (59m0s).
• Nintendo has been issuing copyright strikes to YouTubers who show Nintendo Switch games running on emulators, particularly on PC and Steam Deck, indicating the company is less tolerant of people cutting into its current-gen console profits (59m18s).
• The company has generally left alone those who create emulators for older Nintendo consoles, such as the Game Boy, SNES, and N64, but is now targeting Switch emulators and games (59m41s).
• The issue began when YouTubers started showing the latest Switch games, including The Legend of Zelda, running on PC at high resolutions, which may have led viewers to consider playing the games on PC instead of the Switch (1h0m13s).
• Nintendo started sending notices to YouTubers who showed Switch games on Steam Deck, and some creators voluntarily removed their content to stay on good terms with the company (1h1m7s).
• The situation escalated when Nintendo went after the emulators themselves, including Yuzu and Ryujinx, which were allegedly testing their software on leaked games, including a new Zelda title (1h2m0s).
• The emulators were taken down, but forks of the software still exist in the darker regions of the internet, and the creators are trying to keep a lower profile (1h2m40s).
• The process of dealing with copyright claims on platforms like YouTube can be challenging, especially for solo creators, as it often involves expensive and complicated procedures (1h3m3s).
• A YouTuber, crle, who creates retro game content, is facing a copyright claim from Nintendo and is considering whether to fight it, but the process is expensive and hard (1h3m18s).
• The YouTuber initially said he was 70% likely to fight the claim, citing fair use, but later became less certain, saying it was 50/50, due to the complexity and cost of the process (1h3m42s).
• Independent creators often lack the infrastructure and resources to deal with copyright claims, unlike larger media companies that have lawyers and a reputation to protect (1h4m23s).
• The decision to fight a copyright claim can be difficult for solo creators, who may not have the resources to afford the fight, even if they believe they are in the right (1h5m4s).
• Emulator developers have also faced similar challenges, with many deciding not to fight Nintendo's claims due to the cost and exhaustion of litigation (1h5m35s).
• Nintendo's strategy appears to be to make the fight so costly and exhausting that emulator developers will decide not to fight, rather than taking them to court (1h5m28s).
• Litigation can be exhausting, with Nintendo likely to request extensive documentation and involvement of all contributors, making it difficult for volunteer projects to defend themselves (1h6m0s).
• The United States primarily relies on copyright law to handle disputes, which can be a blunt instrument, as seen in YouTube's approach to copyright strikes, where three strikes can result in account termination (1h6m36s).
• Nintendo does not directly serve copyright strikes; instead, YouTube's platform feature allows for a three-strikes policy to police creators and avoid potential lawsuits from companies like Nintendo (1h6m54s).
• The system is called notice and takedown, as outlined in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and is used by various platforms, including YouTube (1h7m44s).
• YouTubers often encounter copyright issues when discussing the topic, making more people familiar with copyright law than local speed limits (1h7m59s).

iMac G4s as monitors and domain name discussion

• Emulation is at a crossroads, with Apple recently allowing retro game emulators on the iPhone platform, despite potential technical legality concerns (1h8m25s).
• A new board allows users to turn old iMac G4s into monitors, with some people, like Wes Davis, already utilizing the technology to repurpose their 20-year-old devices (1h9m20s).
• The iMac G4s have become expensive due to their aesthetic value as beautiful furniture, with some considering them worth displaying as decorative pieces (1h9m37s).
• The discussion will continue with a lightning round, potentially including news on sponsored content and domain name topics (1h8m59s).
• Dharmesh Shah, the CTO of HubSpot, bought the domain name chat.com for $15.5 million and sold it two months later for a profit, donating $250,000 of the profit, with the exact sale price unknown (1h10m24s).
• The domain name chat.com now leads to Chat GPT, which has not been rebranded and is still a separate entity (1h11m14s).
• The purchase of chat.com highlights the importance of websites and domain names in the world, with domain names being expensive and highly sought after (1h11m46s).

Chat.com sale and OpenAI's future

• Dharmesh Shah, the CTO of HubSpot, bought the domain name chat.com for $15.5 million and sold it two months later for a profit, donating $250,000 of the profit, with the exact sale price unknown (1h10m24s).
• The domain name chat.com now leads to Chat GPT, which has not been rebranded and is still a separate entity (1h11m14s).
• The purchase of chat.com highlights the importance of websites and domain names in the world, with domain names being expensive and highly sought after (1h11m46s).
• Dharmesh Shah may have received shares of OpenAI as part of the sale, which is notable given that OpenAI is not yet a public company but is expected to become one (1h12m15s).
• A tweet by Dharmesh Shah includes a prompt for Chat GPT that helps users estimate the sale price of chat.com and the percentage of the sale that was in shares of OpenAI (1h12m23s).
• Chat GPT is not struggling for brand recognition and is already integrated into iPhones, making the need for the chat.com domain seem like "pure vanity" (1h12m56s).
• As OpenAI becomes a for-profit company, it is expected to become more consumer-friendly in various ways (1h13m16s).
• OpenAI is being surpassed by other companies, such as Apple, in building better products around Chat GPT (1h13m29s).
• Google is doing more interesting things on top of Gemini, and companies like Anthropic are building better consumer products on top of Claude more quickly than Open AI, despite Open AI typically being first to the underlying technology (1h14m0s).
• The ability to put a simple domain name on a billboard can be powerful, as seen with chat.com being more understandable than open.com or chat GPT (1h14m37s).
• Chat.com sounds like a 1990s website, but it is a good brand that explains itself better than other AI products like Claude (1h15m14s).
• The domain name chat.com was likely sold for $20 to $30 million, with 25 to 50% of that amount in Open AI shares, according to Chat GPT's analysis (1h15m43s).
• The valuation of Open AI has increased significantly since the domain name purchase, making it a good investment (1h16m10s).
• Chat GPT is a well-known brand that people understand, and it is unlikely to be renamed to just "Chat" (1h16m27s).
• The brand recognition of Chat GPT is similar to that of Kleenex, which is a well-known brand that has become genericized (1h16m40s).
• The concept of a brand becoming so big that people start associating knockoff products with the original product is discussed, using Kleenex as an example, where people refer to any tissue as "Kleenex" regardless of the actual brand (1h17m48s).

Matter smart home standard update

• The Matter smart home standard is discussed, with the latest update being Matter 1.4, which has been two years in the making and still lacks support for security cameras (1h18m20s).
• The Matter standard refers to each smart home ecosystem as a "fabric", such as Apple HomeKit or Amazon Alexa, and the latest update includes multi-admin support across fabrics, allowing devices to be easily shared between different ecosystems (1h19m8s).
• This update means that users can set up devices in one ecosystem, such as Apple Home, and easily connect them to another ecosystem, such as Alexa, without having to set them up again (1h19m44s).
• The Matter standard was created to make smart home devices compatible with multiple ecosystems, but until now, devices were only compatible with one ecosystem at a time (1h20m28s).
• The update is seen as a positive step forward, but the standard still has limitations and is not yet fully realized (1h20m30s).
• Matter, a smart home standard, has made progress by introducing "Enhanced Multi-Admin" which allows for the bridging of multiple Thread networks into one, enabling compatibility between different devices and platforms such as HomeKit and Amazon Alexa, but it is unclear whether it will import existing room and device settings (1h20m56s).
• The Enhanced Multi-Admin feature is part of Matter's "Fabric Sync" which aims to make different smart home devices work together seamlessly, but its effectiveness remains to be seen (1h22m19s).
• According to a Connectivity Standards Alliance spokesperson, new devices added to a fabric can be automatically added to other platforms, but it is unclear whether the correct name and location of the new device will be automatically transferred (1h22m42s).
• The development of Matter is ongoing, with the goal of creating a unified smart home system where devices from different manufacturers can work together, but it is taking time and may not be compatible with existing devices (1h23m3s).
• The slow progress of Matter's development is making it difficult for consumers to invest in smart home products, as they are uncertain about their compatibility and future support (1h23m41s).
• The discussion also touches on the topic of smart garage door openers, with some users recommending the Ratggo product (1h24m6s).
• A hack called "Raco Rage Against the garage opener" allows users to bypass the Chamberlain Security Plus protocol, which is a DRM-protected button on Chamberlain garage door openers, and Joanna is considering ordering one of these hacks (1h24m11s).

Nvidia GeForce Now streaming cap and cloud gaming concerns

• Nvidia, a company that made $16.6 billion in pure profit last quarter, has decided to cap the game streaming hours on its GeForce Now cloud gaming service at 100 hours per month, starting January 1st, 2025, for new users, and 2026 for existing users (1h24m57s).
• Existing users and Founders members, who were promised a certain quality of streaming for life as long as they maintain their monthly dues, will not be affected by the cap (1h25m56s).
• The cap is expected to mainly affect "whales," or heavy users, who are likely to be Nvidia's most vocal and passionate supporters (1h26m36s).
• Nvidia's decision to cap streaming hours without offering an option to pay for unlimited streaming is seen as a puzzling move, and some suggest that the company should focus on making better, more efficient chips instead (1h27m20s).
• The uncertainty surrounding cloud gaming is a major concern, with many potential issues such as connection quality, home networking gear, server distance, game availability, and data caps, which can deter people from signing up for cloud gaming services (1h28m38s).
• A list of concerns was previously outlined, including what if the connection isn't good enough, what if the home networking gear isn't good enough, what if the user lives too far away from the servers, and will the service have the games they want to play (1h28m38s).
• The lack of transparency from companies about the performance of their cloud gaming services and potential outages is also a concern, leading to uncertainty and mistrust among potential users (1h29m10s).
• Despite the potential benefits of cloud gaming, the uncertainty and concerns surrounding it may lead some people to prefer traditional gaming methods, such as buying a console or PC and playing games offline (1h29m36s).
• The success of GeForce Now, a cloud gaming service by Nvidia, is uncertain, as while it generates revenue, it may also be a costly endeavor due to the massive hardware and infrastructure investments required (1h29m58s).
• Nvidia's decision to cap GeForce Now usage at 100 hours per month raises questions about the usage patterns of heavy users, with speculation that the top 1% of users may be playing an extremely large number of hours per month (1h30m34s).
• Some people are using their devices for an excessive amount of time, with some users being online for 102 hours, prompting concerns about data caps and potential workarounds for activities like Bitcoin mining (1h30m51s).
• The discussion touches on the topic of Nvidia's survival as a company and the potential impact of data caps on their business (1h31m19s).
• Data caps are becoming a concern again, with the possibility of the FCC implementing new regulations (1h31m22s).

Conclusion and outro

• The conversation is concluded, and the hosts invite listeners to visit their website, verge.com, for more content and to tune in next week for another episode (1h31m37s).
• The Vergecast is a production of The Verge and Vox Media Podcast Network, produced by Liam James, Will Porough, and Eric Gomez (1h31m58s).
• Listeners are encouraged to give feedback by calling 866 Verge one1 (1h31m53s).