Gadgets are getting weird — and so are iPhone homescreens | The Vergecast

Intro (0s)

• The episode begins with a humorous introduction about a $27 million mansion that is "bad" but also a symbol of the current moment. The hosts discuss the irony of spending such a large sum of money on a property that is ultimately not a good investment.
• David Pierce, one of the hosts, expresses his enjoyment of the story and how it serves as a metaphor for something unknown but significant. He describes it as having the "correct Vibe" for the current moment.
• The hosts introduce the topics for the episode, including the release of Apple betas, a "Gadget Bonanza," and an unsponsored lightning round. They also joke about the possibility of starting a company called "Unsponsored."

Trump (1m25s)

• The attempted assassination of Donald Trump and the subsequent RNC are the biggest stories in the world right now. The shooting itself, the social media response, and the ensuing conspiracy theories are all significant events that highlight the current state of the information environment.
• Social media platforms have seemingly given up on content moderation. This is evident in the lack of attempts to moderate the spread of conspiracy theories and misinformation following the shooting. The platforms are prioritizing other things, like copyright infringement, and seem to have resigned themselves to the fact that harmful information will continue to spread.
• The Republican National Convention saw Trump pick JD Vance as his running mate. This has sparked a lot of discussion about the role of big tech in politics, as Vance is a venture capitalist with ties to the tech industry. His views on breaking up Google and his support for right-wing conspiracies make him a particularly interesting figure to watch in this election.

Apple Betas (17m36s)

• David has been testing out the iOS 18 betas and has experienced some issues with battery life and stability, but he is excited about the new features, particularly RCS messaging on iPhone. RCS allows for higher-quality photos and videos to be sent between iPhones and Android devices, which David believes will reduce the stigma associated with green bubbles in iMessage.
• David is also impressed with the new phone mirroring feature on macOS, which allows users to mirror their iPhone screen on their Mac. However, he notes that the feature is still in beta and has some limitations, such as the inability to resize the window and the lack of full functionality with non-Apple mice.
• Apple has partnered with Tabula to introduce ads in Apple News, which David finds to be a strange and uncharacteristic move for the company. He believes that Apple is increasingly turning to advertising to generate revenue, and this is just the beginning of a trend towards more aggressive advertising across iOS.
• David is also excited about the new math features in the iPad's Notes app, which allow users to handwrite equations and have them automatically solved. However, he notes that the feature is still under development and has some limitations, such as the inability to recognize equations written in a non-standard format.

90s PC Emulator on iOS (36m25s)

• The recent approval of a 90s PC emulator for iOS, specifically UTM, marks a significant shift in Apple's App Store policies. This change is attributed to pressure from the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the European Union, as well as the rise of alternative app stores like AltStore.
• The approval of this emulator allows users to run older operating systems like Windows XP, Mac OS 9, and Linux on their iPhones and iPads. This opens up possibilities for running legacy software and potentially even emulating newer operating systems within these older environments.
• This development signifies a potential threat to Apple's control over the iOS ecosystem. By allowing users to run software outside of the App Store, Apple faces the risk of losing its 30% cut of app sales and potentially losing control over the user experience. This could also incentivize Apple to improve its own operating system and multitasking capabilities to remain competitive.

Gadget Bonanza (41m13s)

• David introduces the concept of "is this anything" gadgets, which are devices that are experimental and may not have a clear purpose or solve a specific problem.
• He describes these gadgets as being driven by a desire to explore new ideas and see if they work, which aligns with The Verge's focus on innovative technology.
• David highlights that this particular week has been particularly abundant in "is this anything" gadgets, which he considers a positive thing, and he is excited to discuss them.

Canon's AI-Powered Cameras (42m7s)

• Canon's new EOS R1 and R5 Mark II cameras feature AI-powered features, including noise reduction and 400% image upscaling. This means the cameras can generate images that are four times larger than the sensor size, based on the camera's understanding of the light hitting the sensor, lens used, and settings. This is a significant development, as it marks the first time a professional camera brand has incorporated such advanced AI features.
• The AI upscaling feature raises concerns about the authenticity of images. While the upscaling is done in-camera, it raises questions about the integrity of the image, as the camera is essentially creating pixels that weren't originally captured. This is similar to the AI-powered image editing tools that have become increasingly popular in recent years.
• The inclusion of AI features in professional cameras raises broader questions about the future of photography. As AI becomes more sophisticated, it will become increasingly difficult to distinguish between real and AI-generated images. This raises concerns about the authenticity of images and the potential for manipulation. The speakers discuss the need for clear labeling and metadata to indicate when AI has been used to edit or generate images.

Samsung's Sketch to Image Feature (49m49s)

• Samsung's new Galaxy Fold and Flip phones have a feature called "Sketch to Image" that allows users to draw on a photo and have the phone generate the drawing onto the image.
• The feature has been tested by journalist Alison Johnson, who found that it can generate surprisingly realistic images, even when the drawing is crude.
• The feature raises concerns about the potential for disinformation, as it allows users to create fake images that are difficult to distinguish from real ones. The speakers discuss the potential for a future where people either trust all images or none, with no middle ground.

Essential's Unusual Phone (55m14s)

• The discussion centers around Essential's second phone, a device that was rumored to be a tall, remote-like phone.
• A prototype of this phone was recently found on eBay, and the speakers are intrigued by its unusual design, describing it as a stack of two iPod Nanos with a full screen.
• The phone's design is seen as potentially "stupid" but also exciting, particularly for its widget-heavy interface, which is reminiscent of a time before TikTok.
• The speakers speculate that the phone might have been intended as a remote control for a larger home automation system, aligning with Essential's original vision of ambient computing.
• The phone's focus on quick information access and minimal scrolling is seen as a refreshing alternative to the current trend of large, unwieldy smartphones.

Lightning Round (57m47s)

• The Apple Watch Click Wheel Case: The hosts discuss a new case for the Apple Watch that adds a physical click wheel, similar to the iPod. They find it interesting but question the price and the need for such a feature.
• Dyson Headphones: The hosts discuss the new Dyson headphones, which are customizable and don't resemble a Bane mask. They are skeptical about the sound quality and the price, questioning the need for Dyson to enter the headphone market.
• Google Pixel 9 Leak: The hosts discuss the recent "leak" of the Google Pixel 9 Pro, which was essentially an official announcement. They find the camera bump to be excessive and question the overall appeal of the phone.
• OnePlus Pad 2 Vibrating Stylus: The hosts discuss the OnePlus Pad 2's vibrating stylus, which is designed to mimic the feeling of writing on paper. They find the feature unnecessary and question the overall value of the tablet.
• The "Is This Anything" Segment: The hosts decide to make "Is This Anything" a regular segment, where they discuss new gadgets and products and determine if they are worth attention.

Comcast's 4K Olympics and Sling TV (1h5m10s)

• Comcast is offering a 4K stream of the Olympics, but only to customers with specific Comcast cable boxes. This is despite the fact that they own Peacock, a streaming service that could easily offer the 4K stream. This move is likely intended to encourage customers to upgrade their cable boxes.
• Sling TV is offering free 4K streaming to a limited number of subscribers in Gainesville, Florida. This is a bold move that could attract new customers, but it is unclear if it will be widely adopted.
• The hosts discuss the potential for YouTube to offer 4K streaming of sporting events on YouTube TV, arguing that it would be a popular feature and that Google has the resources to make it happen.

Sam Altman's $27 Million House Lawsuit (1h11m4s)

• Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, purchased a $27 million house in San Francisco in 2020. However, the house was allegedly built with shoddy workmanship and numerous defects, leading Altman to sue the developers.
• The lawsuit alleges that the developers engaged in financial shenanigans and failed to pay contractors, resulting in sabotage that caused significant damage to the house. The damage included a collapsed gym ceiling, leaking irrigation lines, and a malfunctioning infinity pool.
• The estimated cost to repair the house is over $4 million, highlighting the extent of the alleged negligence and the absurdity of the situation. The lawsuit paints a picture of a luxurious house that was essentially a "lemon" despite its exorbitant price tag.