The Vergecast Switch, Xbox, and the portable future of games
408 snips
Jun 13, 2025 
Joining the conversation is Jake Kastrenakes, a staff writer at The Verge, known for his insights on tech trends. They dive into the exciting launch of the Switch 2, now the fastest-selling console, and explore Microsoft's strategy for its new handheld Xbox devices. The discussion teases out the evolving landscape of portable gaming. They also tackle AI's influence on web traffic and the future of smartphones, all peppered with humor and sharp critique of corporate media behaviors.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Web as AI Application Platform
- The web is evolving into an application platform powered by browsers like Dia that integrate AI assistants.
- AI agents could manage tasks across web apps, shifting how users interact with software.
Limits and Potential of Agentic AI
- Fully agentic AI that performs complex web tasks isn’t reliable or enjoyable yet.
- Current AI automation is evolving to create new apps by mashing APIs, likened to a Web 2.0 revival.
Separating AI Tool vs. Companion
- AI is effectively used in coding and tool building but human-like chatbot relationships remain problematic.
- AI-powered chatbots for social interaction require more thought on their purpose and impact.
