Nintendo’s Switch 2 is here — sort of | The Vergecast

Nintendo Switch 2 Announcement and Speculation

• The Nintendo Switch 2 has been announced, with a three-minute video and a press release confirming its existence, but details are scarce (1m10s).
• The new console is bigger, with a larger screen, although the exact size is not specified, and has smaller bezels (1m29s).
• The Joy-Con controllers are slightly different, with a new attachment method, and are black and bigger, with some triggers also being larger (1m32s).
• A new button and a new port next to the headphone jack have been added to the console (3m17s).
• The kickstand has been redesigned, with the potential to hold the console at multiple angles, which is an improvement over the original Switch's kickstand (3m35s).
• A new Mario Kart game has been teased, with a brief glimpse in the announcement video, potentially featuring increased multiplayer capacity (2m22s).
• The new Mario Kart game is significant, as it would be the first new game in the series since the Wii U, with the Switch's version being a port (2m46s).
• The announcement of the Switch 2 is in line with expectations, with no major surprises or innovations (2m14s).
• The improved kickstand on the OLED version of the Nintendo Switch makes it the best version of the console for that reason (3m54s).
• The new Switch model's Joy-Con controllers connect slightly differently, with a port or protrusion that they slot into, which may alleviate concerns about them sliding down (4m5s).
• Some people are worried that the new connection mechanism could be prone to breaking, but it appears not to stick out far enough to be breakable unless intentionally broken (4m21s).
• The Joy-Con controllers might have a new mouse-like functionality, as seen in the trailer where they snap to their covers and zoom around like a mouse (4m42s).
• This potential new functionality could be related to previous leaks about the console having mouse-like features, and it might enable more 3DS games to be ported to the Switch (5m15s).
• The addition of mouse-like functionality could also make the Switch more appealing for PC games that are now portable due to the Steam Deck (5m43s).
• The new trailer for the Switch is very different from the original 2017 trailer, which focused on the console's lifestyle and multiplayer aspects (6m4s).
• The lack of a major hardware overhaul in the new Switch model might mean that Nintendo will have to focus on reinventing games and software to make the console feel exciting (6m48s).
• Despite the lack of significant changes, Nintendo has still managed to sell a large number of Switch consoles, and the new model may not need major changes to be successful (7m0s).
• The Nintendo Switch has sold well, and there's no need for Nintendo to reinvent the wheel, as they know what works (7m16s).
• Even with the new Switch, there will likely be a long transition period to get games that only play on it, similar to the PS5 and Xbox Series (7m43s).
• The new Switch will have backward compatibility, but with some limitations, as not all games from the original Switch will transfer over (8m9s).
• Physical and digital copies of some games from the original Switch will be playable on the new Switch, but the exact limitations are unclear (8m17s).
• Games that may not be compatible with the new Switch include those that rely on specific hardware, such as Nintendo Labo and Ring Fit Adventure (8m29s).
• The lack of backward compatibility for certain games may be due to the need for developers to make adjustments to support the new hardware (8m52s).
• The only game shown for the new Switch was a potentially new Mario Kart game, which was a surprise given the expectation of more game announcements (10m7s).
• The lack of game announcements is not unusual for Nintendo, as they have a history of revealing games gradually (10m19s).
• Nintendo's approach to game announcements is likely due to their focus on quality and timing, rather than trying to generate hype (10m40s).
• Nintendo has announced a new Switch console, but details about its release, price, and specifications are scarce, with more information promised in a Direct presentation in April (10m47s).
• The announcement has been compared to the launch of the Wii U, which was marred by confusing messaging, but Nintendo has since become more precise in its messaging and is likely releasing information in stages to avoid mistakes (11m13s).
• The first message from Nintendo is that the new console is essentially a bigger Switch, aiming to reassure fans that it is not a radical departure from the original (11m54s).
• One notable omission from the announcement is information about the processor, which is a key concern for many fans who want to know if the new console will be more powerful than the original Switch (12m12s).
• The lack of information about the processor has been met with criticism, but it is possible that Nintendo is intentionally withholding this information to avoid clouding its message and to focus on the fact that the new console is an upgraded Switch (13m10s).
• The announcement has been seen as somewhat passive-aggressive, with Nintendo seemingly saying that fans will buy the new console regardless of the details, and that it does not need to reveal everything at once (13m56s).
• The new console's ability to run more powerful games is a key concern for many fans, and this information will likely be revealed in the upcoming Direct presentation (12m48s).
• The power of the new Nintendo console, referred to as the Switch 2, may not be a significant concern as it only needs to be slightly more powerful to run games like Fortnite, and Nintendo is known for doing more with less (14m16s).
• The main concern is whether the console can handle games like Kingdom Hearts without relying on cloud streaming, which was not a great experience (14m56s).
• The naming of the console as the Switch 2, rather than something like the Super Switch or Switch Advance, is seen as a clear and simple message that informs buyers that it is the next step in the console's evolution (15m22s).
• This naming approach is in contrast to other companies like Xbox, which has had a more complicated naming scheme, and PlayStation, which has used a more straightforward approach (17m20s).
• The simplicity of the Switch 2 name is seen as beneficial, especially for buyers who are not familiar with video games, as it clearly communicates that it is the next generation of the console (16m38s).
• The use of a simple numeral after the console name is a first for Nintendo, and it may be seen as a way to emphasize that the Switch 2 is a new and improved version of the original console (15m37s).
• The Switch 2's naming approach is also seen as a way to avoid confusing buyers, unlike the Nintendo DS, which had multiple names and variations that were hard to distinguish from one another (16m44s).
• Nintendo's approach to the Switch 2 is seen as a demonstration of the company's confidence in its original design, with the new console being an incremental improvement rather than a radical departure from the original, (17m35s).
• The Switch 2 was announced without prior warning, unlike Nintendo's usual practice of pre-announcing its Direct events, (18m2s).
• The new console features improved hardware, including a better kickstand that allows for more versatile use, (18m43s).
• The Switch 2's design can be seen as an admission of mistakes made with the original console, but overall, Nintendo's viewpoint is that its approach is correct, (18m52s).
• The Switch 2's upgrades are comparable to the incremental improvements seen in iPhone updates, such as the iPhone 12 to 13, (19m3s).
• Some users may be disappointed that Nintendo did not make more significant changes to the console, but others may appreciate the focus on improving existing features, (19m15s).
• One desired feature that was not addressed is faster Wi-Fi, which would improve online gaming performance, (19m35s).
• Despite the initial reveal, there is still time for Nintendo to announce additional features or surprises before the console's release on April 12, (20m2s).
• Nintendo is known for its ability to surprise and innovate, and it is possible that the company will reveal new features or projects that are not directly tied to the console, (20m20s).
• Any potential surprises may be related to experimental projects, such as Labo, rather than core features of the console, (20m37s).
• Nintendo is expected to continue taking unconventional approaches to gaming, but it's likely that the Switch 2 won't have any major, built-in gimmicks that could potentially go sideways, as seen with Microsoft's past attempts (21m0s).
• The PlayStation has been successful by focusing on playing games with a controller, and Nintendo has also taken a similar approach with the Switch, building a straightforward device with optional accessories (21m34s).
• The Switch's initial gimmicks, such as the HD Rumble, were not forced upon developers and didn't end up being widely used, and it's likely that the Switch 2 will have similar optional features that can be ignored if needed (22m0s).
• StreetPass is expected to return, and there have been requests for the return of PictoChat, a feature from the Nintendo DS (22m30s).
• The Switch 2 launch is not over yet, and there are expected to be more announcements, possibly in February or April, including a potential Gaming Direct or Games Focus Direct (23m0s).
• The price of the Switch 2 is expected to be around $400, with some speculation that it could be higher depending on the specs, but it's unlikely to be over $450 (23m33s).
• Nintendo is a family-friendly company that works with families on a budget, and they tend to avoid pricing people out, which is why a price point of $600 or higher is unlikely (24m17s).
• The price of the Switch 2 is expected to be around $400, considering adjusted inflation and the cost of computer chips, but it needs to remain affordable (24m33s).
• An alternative possibility is that the Switch 2 could be priced at $300 or $350, which would be impressive (24m44s).
• The original Switch may not disappear immediately, and it's possible that Nintendo will continue selling it alongside the Switch 2 for a while (24m55s).
• A significant question is how quickly the old Switch will become deprecated, and whether games will be exclusive to the Switch 2 or have reduced capabilities on the original Switch (25m7s).
• Andrew thinks the Switch 2 will be priced at less than $400, considering Nintendo's strategy of using cheaper technology to keep costs low (25m30s).
• If the Switch 2 is priced at $400, Nintendo may reduce the price of the original Switch to a very low price to increase sales and beat the PS2's lifetime sales (26m4s).
• Putting the original Switch at a very low price could lead to a significant increase in sales, despite its age (26m24s).
• Some issues with the original Switch include the loss of the dock cable, Wi-Fi chip problems, and joycon issues, which could be addressed in the Switch 2 (26m45s).
• A new, highly anticipated game may be released with the Switch 2, similar to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild with the original Switch, with possibilities including Mario Kart or Pokémon (27m26s).
• The discussion revolves around the Nintendo Switch 2, with potential launch titles including Legend Z, Legend Za, or a new 3D Mario game, but none seem as significant as a Pokémon or Zelda release in terms of cultural impact (27m39s).
• The new 3D Mario game might be a system seller, but it doesn't feel as big as a Pokémon release, which is comparable to Zelda in terms of cultural significance (27m58s).
• The Mario franchise occupies a significant space in gaming culture, with the recent movie making over a billion dollars, despite receiving mixed reviews (28m16s).
• The conversation shifts to the Nintendo Switch 2, with the hosts still unsure about the details of the console, including its capabilities and features (28m44s).
• The importance of AI in graphics processing is highlighted, particularly in relation to the Switch 2, with the hosts expressing interest in learning more about the console's AI capabilities, including DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) (29m14s).
• The hosts take a break, with the conversation set to continue, including discussions on TikTok and other topics (29m36s).

TikTok Ban and Potential Outcomes

• Shopify is a platform that allows users to create their brand, open a business, and make their first sale, with features such as customizable templates, easy management of growth, and help with shipping, taxes, and payments from a single dashboard (31m12s).
• Addie Robertson is a resident expert who was teaching how to pronounce the correct name of a new TikTok competitor, which is actually called "Little Red Book" (32m2s).
• The potential TikTok ban is now two days away, and there are various possibilities on what might happen, including a delay in the ban (33m1s).
• One possible outcome is a 270-day extension for TikTok to either divest or be banned, as proposed by Senator Ed Markey (33m51s).
• Another possibility is an executive order by Trump to delay the ban by 60 or 90 days (34m1s).
• Addie Robertson thinks that kicking the can down the road for 90 days is a plausible outcome, but passing a whole new law in three days seems unlikely (34m17s).
• There are other factors at play in the political universe, including Inauguration Day, which may affect the outcome of the TikTok ban (34m52s).
• There are rumors that TikTok may be banned or required to divest, with the Supreme Court's ruling pending, and the outcome depends on the court's decision, which has been delayed for several days (34m57s).
• The divestment requirement is unclear, but it may involve ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, reducing its ownership stake to below 20% to satisfy the US government's concerns (36m18s).
• Reducing ByteDance's ownership stake to 20% may not necessarily address national security concerns, as the company could still have a "back door" to access data (36m54s).
• The idea of reducing ownership stake to 20% is seen as a potential solution, but it may not be enough to alleviate concerns about data access and national security (36m30s).
• The situation is complicated by the fact that no one wants to take responsibility for finishing the "project" of resolving the TikTok issue, with Trump, Biden, Congress, and the Supreme Court all having different interests and priorities (37m46s).
• The Chinese government and ByteDance are likely to make apocalyptic pronouncements about the potential ban, rather than revealing any ongoing talks or negotiations (38m10s).
• The situation is further complicated by the fact that Biden's administration may be experiencing buyer's remorse and trying to find a way to delay the ban (38m0s).
• Trump's administration wants to find a way to satisfy the Chinese government's concerns while also addressing national security concerns, potentially by shuffling ownership around (35m41s).
• There's a possibility that TikTok might performatively go away on the 19th to prove how bad it would be if the app was gone, rather than slowly degrading over time (38m25s).
• This move could be a flex by TikTok to make a point and make people miss the app for 24 hours before returning on inauguration day (38m57s).
• Hosting services, including Oracle, would have to cease working with ByteDance, making it possible that TikTok's services could be disrupted regardless of the outcome (39m22s).
• The situation is uncertain, and anything could happen, with a possible answer coming from the Supreme Court, which has taken longer than expected to issue a pronouncement (39m39s).
• There's a possibility that Trump might not enforce the law, and app stores would have to play chicken to see if they would comply with the rules (40m2s).
• If Trump issues an executive order saying he won't enforce the law, companies might resume business as normal, but there's still pressure on them due to the risks involved (40m33s).
• The tension for companies comes from the risk of trusting Trump's loyalty, the possibility of being held in contempt of court, and the potential risks of not complying with the law (40m59s).
• Even if Trump says he won't enforce the law, platforms and app stores might still consider it too big a risk and remove TikTok (41m24s).
• As the CEO of Google, Sundar Pichai would have to weigh the risks and make a decision on whether to comply with the law or follow Trump's executive order (41m33s).
• Google has the technical power to manipulate search results, as seen when searching for TikTok, which instantly redirects to YouTube Shorts, making it seem like TikTok never existed (41m54s).
• Instead of switching to more stable platforms like Instagram or YouTube Shorts, some users have turned to Chinese apps like Little Red Book (also known as Red) and Lemon8, which have copied TikTok's features (42m36s).
• Lemon8 is owned by ByteDance, the same parent company as TikTok, and both apps present similar risks as TikTok (42m59s).
• The shift to these Chinese apps may be a temporary reaction to the potential ban on TikTok, with users experimenting during the summer break (43m11s).
• The trend has also led to an increased interest in learning Mandarin to use these apps, with some users going as far as to discover and join existing Chinese social media platforms like ATU (43m56s).
• Unlike other apps, Red and Lemon8 do not separate their Chinese and international audiences, allowing for direct interaction between users from different countries (44m27s).
• The success of TikTok's algorithm has not been replicated by American companies like YouTube and Instagram, despite their attempts to copy the platform (44m58s).
• Chinese companies, particularly ByteDance, have been successful in creating apps that offer similar experiences to TikTok, with some apps being nearly identical, which is puzzling as it seems they have figured out a secret to the system that others have not (45m25s).
• The algorithm used by TikTok is effective in providing users with content they enjoy, with some speculating that it may not be entirely AI-driven, but rather involves human curation behind the scenes (47m17s).
• Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts have struggled to replicate the success of TikTok's algorithm, with users often being shown content that is not relevant to their interests (45m52s).
• YouTube, despite having a vast amount of declarative information about users' interests, has struggled to provide accurate recommendations for its Shorts feature, which is frustrating for users who have been using the platform for years (46m16s).
• The effectiveness of TikTok's algorithm may be due to its ability to optimize for a different metric than other social media platforms, such as Instagram, which constantly struggles to balance political content and news (48m8s).
• The user base of TikTok may also play a role in the algorithm's success, with users producing content that is more engaging and relevant to their interests (48m35s).
• Some speculate that TikTok's algorithm may be tuned to prioritize certain types of content, such as entertainment, over others, such as news or educational content (48m26s).
• The success of TikTok's algorithm has led to conspiracy theories, with some speculating that it may be driven by human curation rather than AI (47m7s).
• TikTok's success can be attributed to its ability to start from scratch and build something new, especially during the pandemic when people were looking for an escape, and its dance challenges suddenly made sense (48m44s).
• The platform's novelty and difference from existing social media platforms worked to its benefit, allowing it to do things differently without having to unlearn existing habits (49m27s).
• Instagram's attempt to replicate TikTok's success with "Reels" has been met with criticism, with many users viewing it as just a copy of TikTok (49m44s).
• Throwing out the rule book and doing things differently, like TikTok did, can have advantages, and Instagram could learn from this approach (49m56s).
• During the pandemic, many people, including the author, opened up TikTok and found it immediately engaging, with the app's algorithm able to diagnose their interests and preferences accurately (50m0s).
• Instagram Reels, on the other hand, doesn't quite have the same effect, and the author suggests that Instagram could do more to figure out who its users are and tailor the experience to them (50m15s).
• There is a possibility that Elon Musk could save TikTok by buying a stake in the company, which would allow ByteDance to divest and own less of TikTok (50m41s).
• Elon Musk's wealth, influence, and connections to China make him a potential candidate to buy a stake in TikTok, although his ties to the Trump Administration could be a complicating factor (51m15s).
• The possibility of Elon Musk buying a stake in TikTok is not impossible, and it could be a way for the company to navigate its current challenges and find a new path forward (51m48s).

Social Media Algorithms and Competition

• A potential sale of TikTok to Elon Musk is being considered, with some thinking it's a terrible idea, but it might be possible due to Musk's ability to raise money and his palatability to the Chinese government (52m4s).
• Two major impediments to the sale are TikTok's enormous expense and China's lack of interest in selling, but Elon Musk might be the only person capable of solving both problems (52m27s).
• The potential acquisition would be a test of inertia, as TikTok is notoriously moderated and focused on positivity, which is the opposite of what Elon Musk is interested in (52m59s).
• The TikTok community's reaction to the acquisition would be interesting, as the platform is known for its silos and focus on positivity, which is different from Musk's vision for social media (53m44s).
• There is no version of TikTok that can be divested and still feel like the original platform, so the upside of the acquisition is that it would continue to be TikTok with a large user base (54m1s).
• However, people may be willing to switch to other platforms, as seen with the number of people who signed up for an app with a Chinese name in the American App Store (54m25s).
• Other platforms, such as X, have lost users, and it's possible that TikTok could lose users as well if it's acquired by Musk (54m46s).
• The acquisition would be an interesting comparison to other platforms, such as Mastodon, Threads, and Blue Sky, which have experienced booms in user growth (54m56s).
• TikTok's appeal is partly due to its video editor, which allows users to create high-quality videos easily, and this feature is a huge part of its success, making it harder to copy than other social platforms (55m27s).
• The combination of TikTok's features, including its algorithm and video editor, makes it challenging for other platforms to replicate its success (56m10s).
• TikTok has also expanded into other areas, such as book publishing, through its popularity of book talk, which, although not a killer app, adds to its diverse offerings (56m42s).

Free Speech Coalition V Paxton and Age Verification

• The Supreme Court case, Free Speech Coalition V Paxton, revolves around a Texas law requiring websites with more than a third adult content to implement rigorous age-gating and display warnings about the negative effects of porn (57m25s).
• The law was initially blocked by a district court due to concerns about requiring users to provide identifying information to access sensitive content, particularly during a time when Texas is cracking down on LGBT people (58m4s).
• The fifth circuit court later overturned the block, applying a low standard for considering speech, and the case has now been taken up by the Supreme Court, which heard arguments on the matter (58m22s).
• The free speech argument surrounding age verification has come up in various cases, primarily in the late 90s and early 2000s, where it was determined that any burden on accessing speech-related content must have a compelling interest and be the best solution, with no more narrow or less onerous system available (58m52s).
• The argument for making age verification unconstitutional is that it adds a barrier to accessing speech for both children and adults, and that there has never been a system that is both rigorous enough to not be trivially circumvented and does not create significant security and privacy risks (59m34s).
• Age verification systems can range from simple and ineffective, such as entering a birthday, to more secure but problematic, such as linking a government-issued ID to a system, which can lead to hacking and exposure of personal information (1h0m6s).
• The Supreme Court previously determined that content filtering is a better option for preventing children from accessing adult content, rather than burdening everyone with a system that creates privacy and security risks (1h1m1s).
• The question now is whether content filtering is still a better approach, 20 years after the initial decision, and what standard should be applied to evaluate whether age verification chills speech (1h1m30s).
• The Supreme Court is considering whether to send the case back to be decided based on a different standard, and whether the internet and age verification have changed enough to reconsider the compelling interest in protecting children from adult content (1h2m0s).
• The recent Tech-related hearings in the US have shown progress in discussing the real issues affecting people, with the exception of TikTok, which is perceived to be in trouble due to concerns over National Security and data harvesting by the Chinese government (1h2m27s).
• The cases of TikTok and PornHub are somewhat connected, as they both involve pitting two government interests against each other: National Security vs. speech rights and protecting minors vs. everybody else's rights (1h2m46s).
• In the case of TikTok, the National Security risk of the Chinese government harvesting data or pushing covert propaganda is being weighed against the speech rights of the company and its users (1h3m3s).
• In the case of PornHub, the compelling State interest in protecting minors from accessing adult content is being weighed against everybody else's rights (1h3m30s).
• The current moment in the US feels like a nexus of children and National Security concerns, which are being used to justify changes to speech law (1h4m10s).
• The First Amendment has produced side effects that make many people mad, leading to a re-evaluation of its importance and whether it's worth the problems it causes (1h4m21s).
• The question is whether the US is ready to start tearing down the First Amendment piece by piece to solve other problems, or if it's worth keeping despite its flaws (1h4m42s).
• Europe's tech regulation and different speech framework are being looked at as a possible alternative, but with mixed results (1h4m55s).
• The Supreme Court's leaning on the TikTok case seems clear, but the outcome of the PornHub case is still uncertain, with many people unsure of how it will be decided (1h5m12s).
• Justice ELO's quote about Pornhub being one of the covered companies has been widely discussed, but its implications are still unclear (1h5m35s).

PornHub and First Amendment Discussion

• A discussion about PornHub and its content, including essays and educational material, took place, with some arguing that it has intellectual value and should have speech protections, while others claim it is worthless and harmful to kids (1h5m46s).
• The lawyer in the case raised the point that there is sexual health content on PornHub, including a woman who creates video essays and teaches things, and makes money from the revenue share (1h6m45s).
• The economics of PornHub's revenue share model were discussed, with some suggesting it may be a viable option for content creators, even comparing it to TikTok (1h6m54s).
• Richard was asked for his thoughts on PornHub, but instead discussed an app called Shaho, which allows users to see what it's like without the First Amendment, and warned about the potential for Chinese spying (1h7m9s).
• The conversation was interrupted by a break, with a message from LinkedIn about hiring and recruitment, highlighting the benefits of using their platform to find high-quality candidates (1h7m37s).
• Another message from a sponsor, One Password, discussed the importance of password security and the risks associated with having multiple passwords and variants, promoting their solution for protecting devices and employee identities (1h8m46s).

Sonos Leadership Changes and Tech Industry Discussion

• The discussion shifts from policy to gadgets, with a mention of remembering drones and 3D printers, which were once expected to be widely adopted but didn't quite live up to the hype (1h10m35s).
• The conversation moves on to Sonos, where the CEO, Patrick Spence, stepped down, and other executives left the company due to a poorly received app update that didn't work as expected (1h11m17s).
• Tom Conrad, a quietly fascinating person in tech, has taken over as interim CEO of Sonos, but seems to be acting as a permanent CEO, having worked at various notable companies such as Pandora, Snapchat, and Quibi (1h12m15s).
• Tom Conrad's background includes being at Pandora for 10 years during the online music revolution, working as VP of product at Snapchat, and being the chief product officer at Quibi (1h11m55s).
• The change in leadership at Sonos comes after the company released an app update that didn't work, highlighting the importance of providing a system that works as expected for users (1h11m26s).
• Sonos is undergoing significant changes, with its product officer and chief commercial officer leaving the company, which may indicate that the company is retrenching after expanding into new areas such as headphones and TV space, but this change in leadership may not be a good sign for the company's future (1h12m48s).
• Sonos' expansion into new areas may have been a mistake, as the company was already successful with its multi-room audio systems, but the market has changed with Google and Amazon improving their audio systems, making Sonos' products less special (1h12m59s).
• Sonos' decision to release headphones may have been a factor in the company's recent struggles, including an app fiasco that burned its goodwill, making it less likely for people to consider Sonos as a reliable option (1h14m50s).
• Sonos' reputation for producing high-quality products that work well is worth a lot to people, and the company's recent struggles may have damaged this reputation, making it harder for the company to recover (1h15m33s).
• Sonos' focus on multi-room audio is its core business, unlike other tech companies such as Google and Apple, which may not be as invested in this area, but Sonos' recent struggles may have compromised its ability to deliver a good experience for its customers (1h15m57s).
• Nintendo's competitors couldn't replicate the company's unique offerings, but Nintendo seems to have squandered this advantage, making it challenging to regain the trust of longtime users (1h16m4s).
• A supposed slim iPhone 17, possibly called the iPhone 17 Air, might replace the plus model with lower specs, featuring a distinct design and potentially higher price point despite lower specs than the Pro model (1h16m46s).
• The rumored iPhone 17 Air's slim design may be a step towards creating foldable iPhones and iPads, as reported by Mark Gurman for Bloomberg (1h18m11s).
• The decision to create a slim iPhone is seen as unnecessary, as users often put their iPhones in cases, negating the benefits of a thinner design, and may be driven by the desire to create a new product rather than addressing actual user needs (1h18m31s).
• The introduction of an iPhone Air model could lead to a future lineup that includes an iPhone Air Pro Max, which is seen as an absurd possibility that might drive users to switch to Android (1h19m18s).
• The concept of making devices thinner, such as iPhones, is not always desirable, as some users prioritize battery life over thinness, and making devices thinner may lead to users purchasing larger cases, which defeats the purpose of thinness (1h19m31s).
• A potential solution to increase iPhone sales is to create a device with a longer battery life, such as two days, without changing other features, which could lead to an upgrade super cycle (1h19m50s).
• Phone companies have not tested this theory, and instead focus on making devices thinner, which may not be a priority for all users (1h20m25s).
• Apple's focus on thinness may be influenced by the phone case industry, with companies like OtterBox potentially benefiting from the trend of thinner devices (1h20m49s).

Tubi Streaming Super Bowl and Other News

• Tubi, a free streaming service, will be streaming Super Bowl 59 for free, which is a significant deal due to its large user base and advertising-based platform (1h21m30s).
• Tubi does not typically require an account to watch content, but users will need an account to watch the Super Bowl on the platform (1h22m38s).
• Tubi has a large library of content, including older shows and movies, making it a viable option for users looking for free streaming services (1h22m1s).
• Fox does not have a premium streaming service, so it is using the Super Bowl to promote Tubi, a free streaming service, as it cannot charge for 2B, a move to get people into the ecosystem (1h22m47s).
• During the last Super Bowl, Fox ran an ad where Tubi took over the stream, making it seem like viewers were watching Tubi instead of the Super Bowl, and this time they are making a big play to promote Tubi (1h23m31s).
• Viewers can watch the Super Bowl for free using an antenna, but if they don't have one, they can use Tubi (1h23m54s).
• Using an antenna is a good idea, as it is easy to set up and works well, although it may be ugly and require sticking it to a window (1h24m7s).
• Tubi is expected to experience traffic spikes during the Super Bowl, which will be a test for the service (1h24m23s).
• Kendrick Lamar and Drake are involved in a feud, with Kendrick Lamar accusing Drake of certain things in a song last year and recently calling him a pedophile at a free concert in LA (1h24m59s).
• Drake has filed a legal petition against his label, Universal Music Group, and Spotify, accusing them of promoting Kendrick Lamar's song using illegal means such as paying DJs and using bots to drive up view numbers (1h25m41s).
• Drake has pulled one legal petition and filed another, although the details of the new petition are not specified (1h26m6s).
• A federal lawsuit has been filed against Universal Music Group (UMG) by Drake, claiming that a song is defamatory, with accusations that are not true and that UMG knows they're not true (1h26m9s).
• The lawsuit alleges that UMG used the song to affect negotiations with Drake on his record deal and to promote the track, which may have involved using bots to juice plays and other tactics (1h26m31s).
• Drake is not suing Kendrick Lamar, the artist who created the song, but rather UMG, claiming that the label's actions were probably illegal (1h27m2s).
• The lawsuit touches on the open secret in the music industry of using bots and other tactics to promote songs, which is a common practice but not often publicly acknowledged (1h27m14s).
• The lawsuit does not currently include Spotify or iHeart Radio, who were previously mentioned in the dispute, but it is possible that they could be added later (1h27m40s).

Blue Origin Rocket Launch and Private Space Industry

• Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos's rocket company, has successfully launched its New Glenn rocket, which is a significant achievement for the company after a decade of development (1h28m10s).
• The launch of the New Glenn rocket makes Blue Origin a real competitor to SpaceX, which has been the dominant player in the private space industry (1h28m50s).
• Blue Origin's reusable rocket technology is similar to SpaceX's, which helps to reduce the cost of launches and is a key part of SpaceX's business model (1h29m8s).
• Many companies, including SpaceX's Starlink, Amazon, and the Kuiper Satellite Internet constellation, are working on launching satellites into space, which requires the ability to launch frequently and have reusable rockets, a technology that has seen significant progress but still faces challenges (1h29m30s).
• The development of reusable rockets is crucial for companies like SpaceX, which aims to go to the Moon and Mars, and has made significant progress despite facing delays and setbacks (1h29m48s).
• The recent launch of a rocket by a company other than SpaceX, although not entirely successful, marks a huge step forward and illustrates the progress made in the private space industry (1h30m14s).
• The technology for launching rockets into space is becoming more commoditized and available, leading to a "rising tide moment" where new companies are emerging, and the competition in the private space industry is expected to accelerate (1h30m46s).
• The private space industry is dominated by a few tech billionaires, including Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, who have similar plans to launch internet into space and have the resources to invest in these ventures (1h31m30s).
• The motivations of these tech billionaires, including Bezos' idea of building a clock that lasts forever, are seen as typical of the wealthy elite, who have the means to pursue ambitious projects (1h31m50s).
• The conversation about the private space industry is ongoing, and there is much more to discuss, with many news and tech developments on the horizon (1h32m24s).

The Vergecast Show Information

• The Vergecast has a show scheduled for Tuesday, which has mostly been recorded already due to the holiday weekend, allowing the team to take some time off (1h32m46s).
• The show will have updates and the team will discuss more about the topic in the following weeks (1h32m53s).
• The Vergecast is a production of The Verge and the VOX media podcast Network (1h33m16s).
• The show is produced by Will Porough, Eric Gomez, and Brandon Kieffer (1h33m20s).
• Listeners can give feedback by calling 866 Verge 111 (1h33m12s).