Apple as a Hardware Powerhouse

It's Apple 50 week, so we've got an Apple-filled podcast. First, longtime Apple journalist Jason Snell joins the show to talk about the state of the company as a hardware maker, a software maker, a force for good in the world, and more. Then, blogger and entrepreneur Anil Dash explains why he's worried about the rise of video podcasts, and the role Apple could play to make it better. Finally, The Verge's Allison Johnson helps answer a question on the Vergecast Hotline (call 866-VERGE11 or email ⁠vergecast@theverge.com⁠!) about swapping your phone for a watch. And a tablet. And some other things.

Further reading:

• ⁠Rank the 50 best Apple Products⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Apple in 2025: The Six Colors report card⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Apple turns 50: celebrating five decades of the tech giant⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Apple II Forever!⁠⁠

• ⁠“Wherever you get your podcasts” is a radical statement.⁠

• ⁠Why Apple’s move to video could endanger podcasting's greatest power⁠

⁠Thank you for subscribing to The Verge. We love hearing from you! Email your questions and thoughts to ⁠⁠⁠vergecast@theverge.com⁠⁠⁠ or call us at 866-VERGE11.

00:00 Intro

01:23 Today’s Apple-Focused Lineup

04:22 Apple Hardware Report Card

08:38 Apple Software Trouble Spot

15:48 Design Innovation and Risk

23:22 Ecosystem and Walled Garden

29:20 Brand Values vs Reality

37:29 Next CEO and What’s Next

41:18 Anil Dash on Video Podcasts

42:51 Why Podcasts Stay Open

48:54 Why Video Got Platformized

54:14 Apple Video Podcasts Alarm

01:00:14 Algorithms Versus Openness

01:02:39 Fallback Option For Creators

01:05:48 Is There Hope For Standards

01:11:51 Hotline: Watch Only Life

01:16:44 Apple Watch Edge Cases

01:20:03 Foldables Plus Watch Future

01:23:12 Wrap Up

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