What a year this past week has been. While protesters were hitting the streets to combat police violence, most of us were left watching the events unfold on social media. And even without those historic demonstrations, it was a pretty momentous week for Twitter and Facebook, both of which were faced with challenging decisions on handling Donald Trump’s more explosive posts. Devindra and Cherlynn chat with Karissa Bell, Engadget’s Senior Editor focusing on social media, about how Twitter and Face...
Jun 05, 2020•56 min•Ep. 78
No, 5G didn’t start the coronavirus pandemic. But that’s not stopping the current wave of conspiracy theories and anti-5G protests. And despite the science saying otherwise, plenty of people are convinced that 5G is actually hurting them. To figure out why, Cherlynn and Devindra chat with Omer van den Bergh, a tenured professor of Health Psychology at the University of Leuven in Belgium. He’s extensively researched idiopathic environmental intolerance, genuine physical symptoms that arise when s...
May 29, 2020•42 min•Ep. 77
We’re back to a somewhat regular week of news on this episode of the Engadget Podcast. Devindra and Cherlynn tackle the good and bad of Dell’s new XPS and Alienware laptops, before diving into Zocdoc’s telehealth play and what that could mean for our healthcare infrastructure in the future. We also contemplate the utility of VR meetings and therapy sessions, as well as the appeal of a quirky pair of wireless earbuds promising to tailor audio to the shape of your ears. Dell XPS 15, 17 – 1:18 Alie...
May 15, 2020•37 min•Ep. 76
It’s a Microsoft heavy week! This week, Devindra and Cherlynn are joined by Alex Cranz, Gizmodo’s Senior Consumer Tech Editor, to chat about the bevy of new Surface devices. In particular, they explore why the Surface Go 2 and Book 3 are a bit disappointing — it turns out a slight spec bump might not be enough to make them competitive. But hey, at least the Headphones 2 and Earbuds are cheaper than we expected. Surface Go – 1:56 Surface Book 3 – 16:05 Surface Buds/Surface Headphones 2 – 31:47 Li...
May 08, 2020•48 min•Ep. 75
At long last, the new Pixel Buds are here. Two years after the original’s underwhelming debut, Google finally released its true wireless earbuds this week. Engadget senior news editor (and resident audio expert) Billy Steele joined Cherlynn and Devindra to explain why he called these “a revelation compared to the previous model.” The trio also analyze how Google’s earbuds compare to rivals like the AirPods, Jabra Elite 75t and Sony WF-1000XM3, and Billy highlights what we can expect from true wi...
May 01, 2020•47 min•Ep. 74
What if we could track everything happening on Earth in real time? And — even better — what if all of that data was readily accessible? This week, Devindra chats with Lucas Joppa, Microsoft’s Chief Environmental Officer, about the company’s “Planetary Computer” concept, which aims to accomplish just that. Cherlynn also helps break down how other companies like Amazon, Google and Facebook are approaching their own environmental initiatives. While it’s nice to see many tech firms cleaning up their...
Apr 24, 2020•51 min•Ep. 73
Gadget nerds, iPhone diehards and OnePlus fans — lend me your ears. This has been a big week for you. Apple launched a new version of the iPhone SE on Wednesday, while OnePlus unveiled its latest flagships on Tuesday. LG also teased the unexpected name for its upcoming flagship, while Motorola declared April 22nd the day it will show off its first high-end phone in years. On this episode, Devindra and Cherlynn are joined by senior mobile editor Chris Velazco to rip into the glorious phone news t...
Apr 17, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 72
Do you even Quibi, bro? This week, Devindra chats with TechCrunch’s Anthony Ha about Quibi, the mobile video startup from Hollywood producer Jeffrey Katzenberg. Is it any good? (Spoiler: Not really.) And what does it mean for the future of mobile only video? Also, Devindra interviews Alex Garland, the director of Annihilation and Ex Machina, about his new FX series Devs. 2:07 – Quibi is here, but who is it for and does anyone want it? 15:58 – Interview with Alex Garland on his new show Devs 33:2...
Apr 10, 2020•41 min•Ep. 71
We’re weeks into stay-at-home life, and some of us are atrophying. Devindra and Cherlynn have spent the last few weeks looking into how tech has enabled us to work, get medicine, see doctors, find sanity and sustain our mental health from home. This week, our hosts are joined by our brand new commerce editor Valentina Palladino as we discuss the ways tech can help us keep physically active. From home exercise machines to the best activity trackers to places offering free workout tutorials and st...
Apr 03, 2020•58 min•Ep. 70
Half-Life is back! In this episode, Devindra chats with Valve's Kerry Davis and Dario Casali about developing Half-Life: Alyx, and their approach to bringing the beloved franchise into virtual reality.
Mar 30, 2020•26 min•Ep. 69
This week on the show, Devindra and Cherlynn dive into the deserted island life of Animal Crossing and how games can help us all survive being stuck at home. Also, Senior Editor Jessica Conditt describes how Doom Eternal -- a literal romp through hell on Earth -- serves a similarly relaxing roll for her. And producer Ben Ellman nerds out about Cities Skylines. Don't ever say we don't have varied tastes.
Mar 27, 2020•55 min•Ep. 68
On this week's episode, Cherlynn and Devindra explore the rise of telehealth during the global coronavirus pandemic. With Medicare expanding coverage to include telehealth, as well as the attention around Verily's efforts to launch a screening site, the industry is gaining momentum. This outbreak could make telehealth mainstream, and we need to understand its limits and challenges so that proper legislation can be drawn up in a timely manner. It's not all serious conversation; our hosts also div...
Mar 20, 2020•52 min•Ep. 67
Well, we're officially living through a global pandemic, folks. This week, Devindra and Cherlynn chat about how coronavirus is pushing many companies towards remote work and better employee support. (It's just too bad it took a widespread illness to make those things happen.) Will this be the norm moving forward for white-collar jobs? And for a change of pace, they chat about the tech world's war on bezels and the state of software in folding phones. Be sure to stay tuned for some quarantine vie...
Mar 13, 2020•38 min•Ep. 66
This week on the Engadget Podcast, we dive into the many ways the coronavirus is affecting the tech industry, all the while remembering to wash our hands and not touch our faces. It's not quite a pandemic yet, but there's some hope on the horizon, now that social media companies like Facebook are actually trying to fight coronavirus disinformation. And for something completely different, Devindra chats with Ann Druyan (starting at 26:59), the co-creator of Cosmos, on the show's incredible new se...
Mar 06, 2020•43 min•Ep. 65
Samsung’s Galaxy S20 Ultra: Is This Your 5G King? by Engadget
Feb 28, 2020•48 min•Ep. 64
A bunch of things in tech got the proverbial nails slammed into their coffins this week. Andy Rubin's Essential phone company shut down, MWC got canceled due to fears over coronavirus and the Motorola Razr folding flip phone is pretty likely dead on arrival thanks to Samsung's new Galaxy Z Flip. Cherlynn is joined by senior mobile editor Chris Velazco (Devindra is off on vacation, yay!) to talk about their Galaxy phone coverage and commiserate over no longer going to Barcelona.
Feb 14, 2020•41 min•Ep. 63
The logistical and technical debacle of the Iowa Democratic Caucus is exactly why we're not hopeful about online voting in America. This week on the Engadget Podcast, Devindra and Cherlynn chat about what exactly went wrong for Iowa's Democratic Party. The mysterious app from an unknown progressive tech firm was mostly to blame, but it was also helped by some good old fashioned human error. Links: Iowa Democrats say sloppy code led to app failure: https://www.engadget.com/2020/02/04/iowa-democra...
Feb 07, 2020•32 min•Ep. 62
All of our fears around facial recognition technology are coming true thanks to a little known startup called ClearView AI. This week, Devindra and Cherlynn dive into how ClearView works, and what unchecked access to powerful facial recognition means for the future of privacy. (It's good for cops, not so much everybody else!) Also, managing editor Terrence O'Brien joins to break down how Billy Eilish recorded a Grammy-winning album in a spare bedroom. It's all yet another milestone for DIY home ...
Jan 31, 2020•42 min•Ep. 61
Sonos announced that it'll be killing off several of its older devices this week, and its loyal customers aren't taking very kindly to that. This week, Devindra, Cherlynn and Deputy Managing Editor Nathan Ingraham dive into Sonos' plans, and what it says about the future of every connected device. (How's that Pebble treating you?) Also, they discuss how Saudi Arabia hacked Jeff Bezos's phone via WhatsApp. Yes, it's as crazy as it sounds.
Jan 24, 2020•43 min•Ep. 60
This week, Devindra, Cherlynn and Senior Editor Nick Summers take a relaxing break from the madness of CES by diving into some of this week's news, like the trailer for Japan's Super Nintendo World park. They also question the wisdom of Sony abandoning E3 (yet again), and welcome Microsoft's new Chromium-infused Edge browser.
Jan 17, 2020•47 min•Ep. 59
In this special interview episode from CES 2020, Devindra chats with the minds behind Quibi -- founder Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO Meg Whitman, Chief Product Officer Tom Conrad and CTO Ben Post -- to see how it's attempting to disrupt streaming mobile video. Meanwhile, Cherlynn speaks with Lioness founder Liz Klinger about the vibrator that finally got to officially display at CES after years of controversy.
Jan 11, 2020•30 min•Ep. 58
It's that time of the year again, CES! This week, Devindra and Cherlynn discuss some of the best (and worst) things they've seen at the show, including ultraportables, cars and a variety of truly weird stuff. Plus, you'll hear about a strange Westworld dinner that freaked them both out. And be sure to stay tuned for our chat with the noted designer and technologist John Maeda, who gave his thoughts on CES, the bad design choices companies like Samsung make, and discussed his new book, How to Spe...
Jan 10, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 57
To celebrate the arrival of 2020, Devindra and Cherlynn are doing what they do every year: Prepping like crazy for CES. This week, we chat about how the infamous tradeshow has evolved over the years, and the new innovations we're actually looking forward to. And we can't help but dive into the products (and celebrity guests) we're already dreading.
Jan 03, 2020•42 min•Ep. 56
This week, Devindra and Cherlynn tackle the best and worst tech of 2019. Among the winners: Wireless earbuds and premium ultraportables. As for the losers well.... There's a lot to cover. If anything, it seems like this year is a stepping stone towards some real innovation in 2020.
Dec 21, 2019•51 min•Ep. 55
This week, Senior Editor Devindra Hardawar and UK Bureau Chief Mat Smith explore who may need a $52,000 Mac Pro (it's not as crazy as you think!). And when taken together with the 16-inch MacBook Pro and the AirPods Pro, they discuss what this means for Apple's hardware prospects. Is this a sign that Apple is doing a better job of listening to its users?
Dec 13, 2019•24 min•Ep. 54
Another year, another round of Snapdragon processors from Qualcomm. This week, Cherlynn and Devindra dive into the Snapdragon 865 and 765 to see what they tell us about next year's devices. They're faster than before, of course, but they'll also come with a slew of useful new features for smartphones, tablets and even laptops. Of course, they're also built with 5G support in mind -- though not in the way you'd expect.
Dec 06, 2019•40 min•Ep. 53
This week, we discuss the problematic launch of Google's Stadia cloud-based games service. Our senior editor and resident games expert Jessica Conditt joins us to share what she thought of the service, how it fares against Microsoft's Xcloud and what she thinks of streaming games in general. Also, as we head into Thanksgiving, it's time to think about your holiday shopping and the deals you might be able to score for you and your loved ones on Black Friday. We have some tips for that. Plus, the ...
Nov 22, 2019•44 min•Ep. 52
Get ready for the holidays with an in depth look at Engadget’s gift guide! This week, editor in chief Dana Wollman joins Devindra to chat about how we pick the best gadget gifts and some of the wildest choices we’ve made. And of course, we find time to dive into the new 16” MacBook Pro.
Nov 15, 2019•37 min•Ep. 51
Apple TV+ just launched, Disney+ is on the way, and HBO Max is coming next year. This week on the Engadget Podcast, Devindra and Cherlynn explore why these companies are launching their own streaming services and what it all means for consumers. Are they actually worth subscribing to? Is there simply too much to watch?
Nov 08, 2019•36 min•Ep. 50
This week it's all about computers in our ears, or hearables, if you prefer. Apple announced the long-awaited AirPods Pro on Tuesday, but even though they helped popularize wireless earbuds, now just about every tech company has their own pair as well. We chat about what's new with the AirPods Pro, as well as how to find the perfect pair of earbuds for you. Plus, we talk about the state of smartwatches. (Note: This episode was recorded before Google's Fitbit acquisition was confirmed.)
Nov 01, 2019•38 min•Ep. 49
