Product Design Podcasts

Hyperfixed

Hyperfixed & Radiotopia

Ever wonder why certain things just don't add up? Hyperfixed is the show for those who can’t let go of a strange detail until they reach the bottom of it. Hosted by Alex Goldman, this podcast turns seemingly mundane frustrations or oddities into full-scale investigations, peeling back the layers of the digital and physical worlds we take for granted. Whether it’s a computer mouse that stops working because of a corporate server glitch, the curious over-saturation of pretzel kiosks in a transit hub, or the haunting rise of AI-generated obituaries, Hyperfixed finds the deeper, often unsettling story hidden in the everyday. The show excels at connecting these specific curiosities to much larger systemic issues, touching on themes like the erosion of digital ownership, the hidden machinery of the internet, and the strange shortcuts within modern industry. The podcast frequently balances heavy, tech-forward investigations with lighter, human-centric mysteries, such as the bizarre history of ghostwritten book series or a deep dive into an endless horror movie franchise. With a mix of sharp investigative reporting and genuine, open-ended curiosity, Hyperfixed is for the listener who wants to understand why our world functions—or malfunctions—the way it does. It is a thoughtful, inquisitive guide to the quirks, secrets, and systemic absurdities of modern life.

Connected

Relay

Connected is a weekly deep dive into the intersection of technology, Apple culture, and the personal workflows that define how we live and work in the digital age. Hosted by Federico Viticci, Stephen Hackett, and Myke Hurley, the show bridges the gap between high-level industry analysis and the practical realities of using sophisticated hardware and software. Each episode is a candid, long-form conversation that tackles everything from major architectural shifts in operating systems and hardware pricing strategies to the nuances of home networking and data management. Beyond the headlines, the podcast is defined by the unique chemistry and differing perspectives of its hosts. Whether they are debating the intricacies of their annual prediction game, the Rickies, critiquing the latest developer beta releases, or sharing stories about their evolving office setups, the discussion remains rooted in curiosity and critical analysis. You will find a focus on the human side of tech, including the challenges of artificial intelligence, the impact of corporate design decisions, and the sometimes messy but rewarding process of maintaining complex, customized digital ecosystems. If you are interested in the granular details of Apple’s product evolution and the philosophy behind power-user workflows, Connected offers a smart, humorous, and deeply informed perspective on the tech world we navigate every day.

Version History

The Verge

Everything we use today has a secret backstory—a messy, often accidental journey from a prototype in a garage to an iconic fixture in our homes. Version History is a deep dive into the fascinating biographies of the products that have fundamentally shaped our modern lives. Host David Pierce and a rotating roster of expert guests peel back the layers on the gadgets, appliances, and cultural trends we often take for granted, from the rise of the Keurig and the robotic persistence of the Roomba to the monopolistic grip of the Western Electric 500 and the strange, nostalgic chaos of the Furby. This is not just a show about specs and patents. Instead, it is an exploration of the human side of innovation. Each episode examines the friction between bold design visions and the reality of mass production, highlighting the pivot points, failed experiments, and intense debates that define the path of progress. Whether discussing the shift toward the smart home, the evolution of communication tools, or the surprising legacy of a vocoder, the show unpacks how these inventions changed our daily habits and perceptions. If you have ever wondered why a device works the way it does, or how it managed to become a permanent part of your environment, Version History offers a compelling, thoughtful, and often surprising look at the technology that defines our world.

Version History: Ad-Free Edition

The Verge

Every gadget tells a story, but some leave a deeper mark on our lives than others. Version History invites you to pull back the curtain on the technology that defines our modern existence, from the home-transforming robotics of the Roomba to the coffee-culture disruption of the Keurig. Whether we are dissecting the sleek, industry-shifting design of the Nest thermostat or revisiting the complex quest for the ultimate universal remote, we explore how these devices transitioned from ambitious prototypes to household staples. Each week, we bring together a rotating cast of experts and curious minds to investigate the origin stories behind the tech we use every day. We go beyond the spec sheets to look at the human element: the late-night engineering breakthroughs, the stubborn design hurdles, and the unexpected ways these products forced us to rethink our daily routines. Why did some gadgets become iconic status symbols while others struggled to survive a stagnant market? We dig into the friction between convenience and craftsmanship, the philosophy of home automation, and the long-term legacy of the innovations that didn't just ship—they changed the world. Join us for a journey through the evolution of the gear that shaped our living rooms, offices, and habits, as we determine which pieces of history were built to last and which were simply a sign of their time.