Welcome to tech in 2025, where everything's made up and the numbers don't matter. Nilay, David, and The Verge's Jake Kastrenakes start the show by running down the latest tariff news, the uncertain future facing tech companies of all sizes, and what we're learning so far about how they're responding. After that, the hosts talk about a big week in AI news, including Meta's sketchy benchmark numbers and the latest damning reporting about the future of Siri. Finally, in the lightning round, it's time for America's favorite podcast within a podcast, Brendan Carr is a Dummy, along with some news about the TikTok ban and the Pixel 9A. And then some more tariff numbers, because they just never stop.
Further reading:
The Vergecast was nominated for a Webby, which means we can win a Webby People’s Voice Award and that’s voted online by you! So we’d love your support. You can vote at the link:https://bit.ly/3DXFgpN)
Sony adds three new speakers to bass-boosted ULT Power Sound lineup)
Sony seemingly bakes tariff penalty into its new US TV pricing)
Samsung’s The Frame Pro was never going to be cheap — and it isn’t)
Trump’s tariffs are officially in effect, including 104 percent on China)
China retaliates with additional 50 percent tariff on US goods)
Trump announces a ‘90-day pause’ on tariffs outside of China)
Trump believes iPhones can be made in the US, says White House)
Apple quickly shipped 600 tons of iPhones to ‘beat’ the new tariffs)
Trump triples tariffs on low value packages from China and Hong Kong)
Framework stops selling some of its cheapest laptops due to Trump tariffs)
Framework will open US preorders for Laptop 12 after all: tomorrow, starting at $549.)
Framework raised prices and then un-raised them an hour later because of Trump)
Price hikes, idled factories, layoffs: how car companies are responding to Trump’s tariffs)
Arduboy creator says his tiny Game Boy won’t survive Trump’s tariff)
Trump’s latest tariffs may set the smart home industry back)
Nintendo boss on Switch 2 and tariffs: ‘we are actively assessing what the impact may be’ )
Trump’s tariffs ‘pause’ could help Nintendo ship more Switch 2s)
Musk calls Trump’s trade chief ‘dumber than a sack of bricks.’)
Amazon plays catch-up with new Nova AI models to generate voices and video)
Shopify CEO says no new hires without proof AI can’t do the job )
Most Americans don’t trust AI — or the people in charge of it)
Samsung is finally releasing Ballie, its rolling home robot)
Sam Altman and Jony Ive’s AI project could involve a screenless device.)
Trump Is Now Mandating His Cabinet/Loyalist Wear "Trump Golden Bust" Pins)
From Ars Technica: The speech police: Chairman Brendan Carr and the FCC’s news distortion policy )
From Variety: FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez Sounds Alarm Over Trump Administration’s ‘Absolute Pattern of Censorship and Control’)
From the FCC: Spectrum Is Back—Again!)
FCC eyes major satellite rule revamp in spectrum-sharing shakeup)
Trump’s TikTok delay is ‘against the law’ top Senate Intelligence Democrat says)
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