The Engadget Podcast

If you're feeling anxious about AI and what it means for the future of humanity, you should watch The AI Doc: Or, How I Became an Apocaloptimist. As I noted in my review, the film aims to deliver some clarity amid all the AI hype with a plethora of interviews from AI CEOs, boosters, and critics. Now that it's in theaters, we sat down with the film's Oscar-winning director, Daniel Roher (Navalny), to dive deeper into his complicated feelings around AI.    

Mark Hachman, senior editor at PCWorld who covers Windows and PC trends, breaks down Microsoft's Windows 11 reset. He explores how Copilot overreach alienated users. Short, punchy takes on taskbar changes, restoring familiar desktop behavior, and whether Windows can refocus on stability over flashy AI.

NVIDIA started an online firestorm this week when it announced DLSS 5 at its GTC conference. The company claims it's meant to deliver "photorealistic" lighting and materials in games by using neural processing. But it differs considerably from previous versions of DLSS, which were focused on using machine learning to upscale lower resolutions and generate additional frames. To help us break this down, Anshel Sag, VP and principal analyst at Moor Insights and Strategy joins us to discuss his experience with NVIDIA's DLSS 5 demos. Also, we dive into what's next for Xbox with Project Helix.   NVIDIA announced DLSS 5, the disgust was immediate (with Anshel Sag from Moor Insights & Strategy) – 0:51 Arizona attorney general sues Kalshi for operating an illegal gambling business – 36:22 Polymarket users threaten the life of a reporter at The Times of Israel over accurate reporting – 36:59 Apple announces AirPods Max 2 with improved noise cancellation – 44:33 Elon Musk’s xAI faces class action suit over facilitating CSAM – 47:38 Samsung stops selling Galaxy Z TriFold after 3 months because components got too expensive – 51:22 Around Engadget: Apple Studio XDR review, Dell XPS 16 review – 53:49.346 Listener Mail: Stick with iPhone on Linux? And are there any good Android tablets? – 55:41 Pop culture picks – 58:46

Roberto Baldwin, sustainability editor at SAE International, explains the current EV landscape and used-EV buying tips. He and the hosts discuss how rising gas prices change behavior. They cover charging safety, battery health and which mainstream EVs and tech are worth considering.

Spencer Ackerman, investigative journalist and author focused on national security, joins to unpack Anthropic’s clash with the U.S. Department of Defense and AI’s role in modern warfare. They discuss how Claude was still used by the Pentagon, ethical and contractual tensions, and the risks of AI-enabled targeting and surveillance. The conversation situates tech decisions within broader geopolitical and military contexts.

They unpack a major leadership change at Xbox and worry about AI-first corporate moves. They explore Samsung’s new Galaxy S26 lineup and a novel privacy display that blocks nearby snooping. The conversation also touches on AI in defense, a trading controversy tied to a creator’s team, and Discord’s delayed age checks.

They break down Mark Zuckerberg’s dramatic testimony and the courtroom moments around Instagram’s design. They dig into the global RAM shortage and who might survive or fold because of it. There’s talk of Meta’s rumored smartwatch and Apple and Google hardware rumors. A leaked Ring email sparks a discussion about surveillance and privacy risks.

A deep dive into Moltbook, a Reddit‑style social network where AI agents converse and mimic community culture. Exploration of OpenClaw, an open‑source agent platform that can access apps and local systems. Discussion of security risks, authenticity of agent posts, and the practical costs of running personal agents. Broader tech news touches on Anthropic ads, SpaceX moving xAI, and Alexa Plus updates.

Karissa Bell, Engadget senior reporter covering tech policy and platforms, breaks down prediction markets and why betting on everything feels like turning reality into a casino. She also digs into TikTok US’s rocky launch, its new ownership structure, data and censorship worries, and how users reacted to feed outages and algorithm retraining.

Cherlynn Low, Managing Editor at Engadget, dives deep into the intriguing concept of an Apple AI pin that seems to be in the works. She and Devindra dissect the rationale behind Apple’s sudden interest in this emerging trend, pondering its possible features and the privacy issues it might raise. They also explore how an AI pin would stack against existing wearables like smart rings and Apple Watch. With the AI landscape evolving rapidly, they question whether Apple is under pressure to keep up with competitors.