The Vergecast: Ad-Free Edition

Today on the flagship podcast of the console wars: 02:42 - David Pierce chats with Verge senior editor Tom Warren about the five-day trial between Microsoft and the FTC that will determine the future of its $68.7 billion proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard.  FTC v. Microsoft: all the news from the big Xbox courtroom battle Has Xbox really lost the console wars?  Microsoft exec was ready to ‘go spend Sony out of business’ to strengthen Xbox 35:00 - Policy reporter Makena Kelly joins the show to explain what Congress is trying to do to address child safety online.  Texas bans kids from social media without parental consent New bill would add mandatory age verification to social networks 1:03:07 - The Verge’s Allison Johnson and Dan Seifert discuss our Google Pixel Fold review, and how it stacks up against other foldables and flippables.  Google Pixel Fold review: closing the gap  The Pixel Fold shows how far ahead Samsung’s folding phones are  Motorola Razr Plus review: the right moves Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Verge's Nilay Patel, Alex Cranz, and David Pierce discuss the vibe shift that is happening on social media and the communal internet.Further reading: Instagram’s upcoming Twitter competitor shown in leaked screenshots Facebook, Fosstodon & The Fediverse Daring Fireball: Not That Kind of 'Open' Daring Fireball: More on Preemptively Blocking Facebook’s Imminent ActivityPub Entry It's September, Forever Mark Zuckerberg agrees to Elon Musk cage match challenge  Reddit removed moderators behind the latest protests before restoring a few of them Reddit says it’s ‘not acceptable’ for communities to go NSFW in protest Google Pixel Tablet review: the dock makes all the difference Apple reportedly has fitness features for the Vision Pro we haven’t seen yet Easily replaceable phone batteries might be back, and I’m here for it Gary Vaynerchuk is 'petrified' of Slack TikTok COO V. Pappas has reportedly quit Microsoft is hiking the price of Xbox Series X and Xbox Game Pass DPReview will live, actually — under new ownership Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on the flagship podcast of open-source lightbulbs: David Pierce chats with Verge investigations editor Josh Dzieza about his story detailing how humans matter far more to AI development than we may have thought.Inside the AI Factory: the humans that make tech seem humanLater, smart home reviewer Jennifer Pattison Tuohy explains why we're probably getting the idea of a “smart home” all wrong. Smart homes for smart people How microgrids and smart homes are shaping our energy-independent future Every device that works with Matter What is a smart home, and do you need one? How to pick a smart home platform From brilliant to basic, here are our smart home setups Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Verge's Nilay Patel, David Pierce, Alex Cranz, and Jay Peters discuss all the news about the API changes infuriating Redditors, as well as takeaways from Jay's interview with Reddit CEO Steve Huffman.Later on the show: will the Apple Vision Pro replace the TV?Further reading: Reddit CEO Steve Huffman isn’t backing down: our full interview Reddit CEO Steve Huffman: Reddit ‘was never designed to support third-party apps’ Reddit crashed because of the growing subreddit blackout Reddit CEO tells employees that subreddit blackout ‘will pass’ How Reddit set itself up for a fall Google is getting a lot worse because of the Reddit blackouts The Apple Vision Pro might be a TV, but it won’t replace the TV Steve Jobs Showing off Macintosh to Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Kenny Scharf in 1984 ~ Vintage Everyday In the bid to grow at all costs, Instant Pot is cooking itself and has filed for bankruptcy Live Nation-Ticketmaster to disclose full ticket prices upfront  Twitter sued for $250 million by music publishers over ‘massive’ copyright infringement The Meater smart meat thermometer now supports the iPhone Dynamic Island and Live Activities. Instagram’s status update now includes what song you’re listening to It’s not just you: Steam suddenly looks nice Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on the flagship podcast of suddenly private subreddits: 01:45 - David Pierce and Nilay Patel call up Christian Selig, who runs the popular Reddit app Apollo, to talk about the changes to the platform that have infuriated Redditors, and what it means for the future of Reddit.  Reddit’s API updates: all the news about changes that have infuriated Redditors  More than 6,000 subreddits have gone dark to protest Reddit’s API changes Apollo’s developer on Reddit’s new API changes, and why users revolted 46:15 - Then, David talks with deputy editor Alex Heath about Meta’s reaction to the new Apple Vision Pro headset, and that new Twitter competitor the company is launching. Here’s what Mark Zuckerberg thinks about Apple’s Vision Pro Instagram’s upcoming Twitter competitor shown in leaked screenshots 1:09:54 - After that, senior reviewer Monica Chin joins the show to discuss her review of Apple’s new 15-inch Macbook Air. Apple MacBook Air 15-inch review: exactly what was asked for1:33:24 - Keep listening for this week’s Vergecast hotline question.  www.babylist.com  https://www.youtube.com/c/DadVerb Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Verge's Nilay Patel, David Pierce, and Alex Cranz discuss all the updates to Apple's iOS, macOS, watchOS, and iPadOS announced at WWDC this week.Later, Verge senior correspondent Liz Lopatto joins the show to explain the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) suing crypto exchanges Binance and Coinbase, and what it means for the future of crypto.Further reading: Apple WWDC 10 biggest announcements: Vision Pro, MacBook Air, iOS 17, and more watchOS 10 is bringing back widgets in a big way Apple’s iPadOS 17 adds personalized lock screen and interactive widgets Apple’s Siri will soon handle multiple smart home commands Apple’s iPadOS 17 adds personalized lock screen and interactive widgets Apple announces iOS 17 with StandBy charging mode and better autocorrect  Standby is a new iOS 17 feature for your iPhone that could be great for Apple Home users Online age verification is coming, and privacy is on the chopping block Hands-on with the new 15-inch MacBook Air  Apple announces macOS Sonoma with game mode and support for desktop widgets Mac Pro with M2 Ultra first look: boy, that’s a big chip All the features Apple didn’t mention in its WWDC 2023 keynote The SEC is suing crypto giant Binance, here’s all the details The SEC is trying to freeze Binance’s assets The SEC sues crypto exchange Coinbase for breaking US securities laws Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Vergecast's Nilay Patel, David Pierce, and Dan Seifert are challenged to a game of tech trivia by Waveform's Marques Brownlee, Andrew Manganelli, and David Imel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Apple's campus, The Verge's Nilay Patel, David Pierce, Alex Cranz, and Dan Seifert discuss the long-rumored Apple Vision Pro that was announced this week at WWDC.Later, Marques Brownlee, Andrew Manganelli, and David Imel of the Waveform podcast join the show for a lightning round of everyone's favorite WWDC announcements.Coming soon: the Vergecast and Waveform team challenge each other to trivia!Further reading: Apple WWDC 10 biggest announcements: Vision Pro, MacBook Air, iOS 17, and more Apple Vision Pro is Apple’s new $3,499 AR headset Apple announces visionOS, the operating system for its Vision Pro headset Apple Vision Pro first look: the mixed reality future is (almost) here I wore the Apple Vision Pro. It’s the best headset demo ever. Optic ID will unlock Apple’s new Vision Pro headset  Apple’s Vision Pro headset will turn you into a digital avatar when FaceTiming Everywhere Apple imagines you’ll use its $3,500 Vision Pro headset  Apple’s new VR headset will feature over 100 Apple Arcade games at launch Disney Plus and VR sports games are coming to Apple Vision Pro Microsoft Word, Excel, and Teams are all coming to Apple’s new Vision Pro headset What’s so ‘pro’ about Apple’s Vision Pro headset? The Vision Pro headset is really Apple’s first TV Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Verge's David Pierce, Alex Cranz, and Adi Robertson discuss Meta's new Quest 3 VR headset that was announced ahead of Apple's WWDC event, which is widely believed to showcase an Apple headset.Deputy editor Dan Seifert joins the show to discuss the rest of the WWDC rumors and theories.Further reading: Meta announces its Quest 3 VR headset, which will cost $499.99  The biggest announcements from Meta's Quest Gaming Showcase  Apple’s mixed reality headset: all the reports about the rumored AR / VR headset Apple’s VR headset might run tweaked versions of iPad apps WWDC 2023: what to expect at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference Apple might announce ‘several’ Macs at WWDC  The Motorola Razr Plus' new cover screen is a big deal  Amazon Echo Pop review: Alexa for less Hot foldable summer is here, and there are good reasons to get excited Range Rover’s next luxury add-on: A car seat that vibrates to music The ultimate “what is a photo?” gadget.   Lisa's Final Act: how Apple invented its future by burying its past  Kid Cop Returns (Again and Again) Email us vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on the flagship podcast of third-party operating systems: The Verge's David Pierce chats with Laine Nooney, author of The Apple II Age: How The Computer Became Personal. Later, lead video producer Will Poor chats with David about The Verge's new documentary Lisa’s Final Act: How Apple invented its future by burying its past.To end the show: a hotline question. How to transfer playlists from Spotify to Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, or TidalEmail us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. We'll be answering a question every Wednesday! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices