Why Big Tech can't quit smart glasses

The life-changing magic of touching stuff

Jul 7, 202634 minSummary

In this episode of The Vergecast, host David Pierce sits down with author and professor Ian Bogust to discuss his book, The Small Stuff, which explores the concept of dematerialization—the gradual loss of direct, sensory contact with the physical world. Bogust argues that modern life, shaped by technology and convenience, has drifted away from the tactile experiences that once defined our daily existence, such as handling physical tickets or navigating the mechanical apparatuses of our homes. Rather than advocating for an impractical rejection of technology or a return to pre-digital life, Bogust introduces the concept of gratification. He suggests that by consciously paying attention to small, ordinary sensory encounters—whether it is the texture of a phone case or the warmth of a freshly dried towel—individuals can foster a deeper, more meaningful connection to their environment. The conversation challenges the idea that one must choose between digital convenience and physical presence. Instead, Bogust proposes that we can maintain our relationship with the world by simply becoming more mindful of the everyday interactions we already have, ultimately finding balance in an increasingly dematerialized digital age.

We finally have a Trump Phone | The Vergecast Livestream

Jul 6, 202640 minSummary

In this episode of The Vergecast, the hosts dive into the long-awaited arrival of the Trump Phone, specifically the T1 Gold model. After tracking its development for months, the team finally gets their hands on the device to test its performance, build quality, and overall purpose. The hosts discuss how the phone is surprisingly unremarkable, noting it feels like a standard, mid-range Android device with older components and a design heavily reminiscent of previous HTC hardware. Despite the branding, the phone is stripped back to a nearly stock Android experience, featuring very few pre-installed applications beyond Truth Social and a telehealth app. The conversation highlights the irony that, despite its political branding, the phone itself seems like an afterthought to the actual business model: the Trump Mobile cell service. The team explores the device's technical shortcomings, including its lack of optical image stabilization, its underwhelming camera performance in low light, and the absence of any long-term software update support. Ultimately, they conclude that the device is a fundamentally unserious product, serving more as a branding stunt than a competitive piece of modern mobile technology.

Our favorite tips for logging off

Jul 3, 202629 minSummary

In this episode of The Vergecast, host David Pierce gathers his team to share practical and creative strategies for disconnecting from technology, particularly for those whose professional and personal lives are deeply intertwined with screens. The hosts acknowledge that while complete digital abstinence is often unrealistic, introducing deliberate friction can significantly reduce mindless device usage. Key insights include designating a specific "technology zone" in the home to prevent reflexive checking, and reaching a communal agreement with family or friends to avoid the "cascading effect" of everyone gravitating toward their phones. Several contributors emphasize the effectiveness of external barriers, such as letting a phone battery die intentionally, removing non-essential notifications, or using library books with strict deadlines to foster a more focused reading habit. The discussion also explores alternative methods for engaging with the world, such as using dedicated cameras instead of smartphones for vacation photos to avoid digital distractions, or switching to whimsical, low-information watch faces. Ultimately, the team highlights that disconnecting is less about willpower and more about intentionally re-engineering the environment to prioritize real-world connection and offline experiences.

The video game disc is dead

Jul 2, 20261h 41mSummary

In this episode of The Vergecast, the hosts dive into a wide-ranging discussion about the shifting landscape of the gaming industry and the increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence in hardware. The conversation opens with a focus on the decline of physical media, noting that as companies lean further into digital ecosystems, the dream of owning a tangible game collection is becoming a relic of the past. The hosts analyze the broader implications of this trend, questioning whether the move away from physical discs and the rise of live-service titles are driven by actual consumer demand or simply by corporate efforts to turn gaming into a perpetual, engagement-driven shopping mall. The discussion continues with an examination of the current state of console gaming, particularly the financial and strategic challenges facing Microsoft and Sony. The hosts explore the potential future of hardware, including rumors of new handheld devices, and debate whether the gaming industry’s current trajectory can sustain itself until major releases like GTA 6. Finally, the episode shifts to the intersection of AI and productivity, touching on new, specialized hardware for coders and the growing debate over whether natural language and voice input will fundamentally change software development or remain a niche experiment.

Rivian’s last chance to take on Tesla

Jul 1, 202634 minSummary

The Vergecast explores the critical juncture facing electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian as it attempts to transition into the mainstream automotive market. The hosts discuss the company's current position, highlighting that the upcoming R2 vehicle is being positioned as a potential turning point for the brand. Amidst a challenging regulatory landscape, fluctuating EV demand, and the loss of significant tax credits, Rivian faces intense pressure to scale production and achieve profitability. A key focus of the episode is the R2, which represents the company’s efforts to offer a more accessible, lower-cost vehicle to a broader consumer base. The hosts reflect on the inherent difficulties of automotive manufacturing, drawing parallels to the early struggles of Tesla. Furthermore, the discussion touches on Rivian's strategic partnerships, such as its software collaboration with Volkswagen and its involvement in autonomous vehicle development. These ventures are examined as essential survival tactics, raising questions about whether Rivian will ultimately cement its identity as a successful independent car manufacturer or evolve into a specialized software and technology provider for the broader automotive industry. The conversation underscores the high stakes for Rivian as it navigates these complex economic and operational hurdles.

Meet The Onion's new and improved InfoWars

Jun 30, 202638 minSummary

In this episode of The Vergecast, the host sits down with comedian and writer Tim Heidecker to discuss a unique cultural crossover: The Onion’s acquisition of the conspiracy-theory platform InfoWars. Following the legal fallout that saw Alex Jones ordered to pay over a billion dollars in defamation damages to the families of Sandy Hook victims, the satirical news site stepped in to take control of the digital infrastructure. Heidecker, who serves as the creative director for the revamped project, outlines his vision for the relaunch. He explains that while the initial phase of the new InfoWars serves as a direct parody of Jones and his brand of alarmist, conspiratorial media, the long-term goal is to transition into a broader platform for experimental comedy. Drawing inspiration from the interconnected nature of Adult Swim, Heidecker aims to build a consistent, voice-driven network. The discussion also touches on the ethics of satire in an era where reality often feels stranger than fiction, and the importance of using this platform to keep public attention on the harm Jones caused, with a portion of the project’s revenue directed toward the affected families.

Our vibe coded projects that actually work

Jun 29, 202633 minSummary

In this episode of The Vergecast, host David Pierce gathers colleagues Jake Kasternakis and Hayden Field to discuss their personal experiences with "vibe coding"—a process where non-programmers use AI tools like Claude to build custom software for their daily needs. The discussion centers on the creative freedom and practical utility of building one’s own tools, while also acknowledging the chaotic, buggy, and sometimes security-heavy reality of the current AI development landscape. The hosts showcase several projects they have built, ranging from a specialized meeting-note assistant and a custom Gmail-label dashboard to a habit tracker with gamified rewards. Throughout the conversation, they explore the "toothbrush test"—the idea of building something useful enough to be used daily—while also reflecting on the irony of creating highly polished, personalized software that comes with bizarre quirks, such as overriding system keyboard shortcuts or having unresolved security vulnerabilities. Ultimately, the team highlights that while these tools are tailor-made for their individual workflows, the process of building them offers unique insights into the challenges and potential of the evolving AI-assisted development era.

Of course Meta thinks gambling is the future

Jun 26, 20261h 23mSummary

The Vergecast discusses the fascinating disconnect between Meta’s internal corporate turmoil and its dominant, lucrative position in the advertising industry. Reporting from the Cannes Lions advertising festival, the hosts explore how Meta functions as a load-bearing pillar of the modern internet economy, despite the company’s apparent lack of original product innovation and internal struggles with morale and organizational structure. The conversation highlights Meta's tendency to adopt successful engagement mechanics from competitors—such as their recent shifts toward episodic television-style content and AI-driven creator tools—rather than inventing new ones. The hosts analyze the paradox of Mark Zuckerberg’s leadership: while Meta’s advertising business generates massive revenue, the company seems driven by a relentless, somewhat desperate ambition to control a platform of its own, separate from the shifting sands of external social trends. Furthermore, the episode touches upon the broader landscape of the creator economy and the corporate shifts within Vox Media and its partners. Ultimately, the hosts examine how Meta remains a polarizing, incredibly powerful, and often misunderstood entity that continues to shape digital life while seemingly struggling with its own corporate identity and cultural coolness.

How to train your data

Jun 25, 202626 minSummary

In this episode of The Vergecast, host David Pierce sits down with Alex Reisner, a staff writer at The Atlantic, to explore the critical and often opaque world of AI training data. The conversation delves into why the datasets used to build models like ChatGPT and Claude are considered the core competitive advantage of AI companies, yet remain shrouded in secrecy. Reisner explains his process of reverse-engineering these models by analyzing research papers and monitoring open-source communities to identify the massive, often unauthorized, collections of books, music, and web content being ingested. The discussion highlights the tension between the academic origins of AI research and the current, profit-driven reality of the industry. Pierce and Reisner explore the reliance on entities like Common Crawl and the pervasive role of YouTube in feeding AI development. They also challenge the notion that synthetic data—data generated by AI itself—will solve the industry's hunger for information, citing the phenomenon of model collapse. Ultimately, the episode questions the long-term sustainability of current data-harvesting practices and discusses the emerging trend of companies paying creators specifically to produce content for future AI training.

Google's new speaker and your smart home questions

Jun 24, 202635 minSummary

In this episode, the hosts dive into a wide-ranging discussion on the evolution of the smart home, anchored by their hands-on experience with the new Google Home speaker. They explore whether Google’s latest hardware indicates a genuine, long-term commitment to the smart home ecosystem, especially given the transition toward integrating Gemini AI. The hosts suggest that while the device offers impressive sound quality for its size, its success depends on Google’s ability to prioritize core smart home functionality alongside its AI ambitions. The conversation shifts to the broader landscape of the smart home, including an insightful look at the role of AI in appliances and thermostats. They address why consumers often feel hesitant about the "AI-ification" of household devices that are expected to last for years, emphasizing the importance of local control and interoperability. The hosts also examine the significance of Matter, noting that it holds the most potential for companies like IKEA to simplify their product integration across various platforms. By balancing the excitement for new AI capabilities with a practical focus on reliability, the hosts provide a thoughtful perspective on the future of connected living.