The Vergecast

Google Zero continues to affect website after website, and publisher after publisher. David and Nilay discuss Google's increased focus on AI, the web companies finally starting to fight back, and whether there's a way forward for Google's pact with the open web. After that, they talk about a big week in AI detection software, which sometimes works and frequently doesn't. Then it's time for the Hype Desk, Brendan Carr is a dummy, the Light Flip, and more.

Further reading:

Google hit with $1 billion fine for breaking EU antitrust rules

Reddit might cut ties with Google as traffic drops.

From the NYT: How Google’s A.I. Search Is Imperiling the Open Web

Google says Gemini now has 950 million monthly users.

Google earnings

China delivers a one-two punch to America’s AI dominance

OpenAI says it accidentally hacked Hugging Face with a new AI system

Substack adds an AI detector to help spot blogs written by no one

Anthropic’s $1.5 billion book piracy settlement approved by judge

Jeff Bezos is getting involved with centering Amazon’s AI in Prime Video

Meta made its own AI detection system. It should have just used Google’s

Ford picks Apple Maps for its next EV platform and updated BlueCruise

Apple’s rumored ‘Upgrade’ program brings lease-to-own pricing for iPhones, Macs, and iPads

iOS code could reportedly let Apple cut off apps when users miss iPhone payments

Framework’s premium laptop is shipping with less RAM

The higher-end prebuilt Framework Laptop 13 Pro now costs $800 more.

The Light Flip is a minimalist flip phone with a point to prove

Judge pauses Paramount’s attempt to buy Warner Bros. Discovery

Paramount’s Warner deal gets conditional approval in the EU.

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(Timestamps are approximate.)

00:00:00 Intro

00:01:00 Claude Reads the Meters

00:04:00 Google Zero and Reddit Deal

00:15:00 AI Overviews Death Spiral

00:25:00 OpenAI Hacks Hugging Face

00:32:00 Substack AI Detector Debate

00:39:00 Prime Video Goes All In

00:44:00 Meta Content Seal Cynicism

00:53:00 Avengers Doomsday

01:03:00 Comic Con And Feige Reset

01:04:00 Brendan Carr Is a Dummy

01:12:00 Ramageddon Hits Framework

01:17:00 Apple Leasing Lockdown

01:21:00 Light Flip Phone Trend

01:26:00 Ford Picks Apple Maps

01:35:00 Paramount Merger Mess

01:35:00 Wrap Up And Plugs
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TikTok is endless. Netflix is already starting the next episode. Who's making time to read a book? Today we're chatting with The Atlantic's Rose Horowitch to discuss her story "The End of Reading is Here" and the role technology plays in reducing how much time — and attention — people have to read long pieces of writing. In a world where we're inundated with more text than ever from social media feeds, AI, and group chats, is it really possible that we're taking in less than before?

Further reading:

⁠The End of Reading Is Here⁠

Subscribe to The Verge for unlimited access to theverge.com, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, and our ad-free podcast feed.We love hearing from you! Email your questions and thoughts to vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11.
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Samsung just kicked off phone season with the new Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, and Z Flip 8, along with two new watches and a look at its smart glasses. David and Nilay talk through all the new devices, Samsung's overall case for foldable phones, and what it'll take for Samsung — or anyone — to convince people to spend $2,000 on a phone.

Further reading:

Samsung’s wider Z Fold 8 feels just right

Samsung’s newest foldable finally feels Ultra

I almost forgot Samsung’s Z Flip 8 was a foldable

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 bet big on battery

Samsung and Google’s smart glasses get two new designs

Subscribe to The Verge for unlimited access to theverge.com, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, and our ad-free podcast feed.We love hearing from you! Email your questions and thoughts to vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11.
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So far, most electric vehicles have looked more or less like cars. But recently, a few companies have looked to another, smaller mode of transport for inspiration. The Verge's Andy Hawkins explains why companies like Amble and Chip are reinventing the golf cart, in the hopes of creating an entirely new kind of street-legal vehicle. As long as the speed limit stays low.

Further reading:

⁠The Light Flip is a minimalist flip phone with a point to prove | The Verge⁠

⁠Anthropic has to pay authors. | The Verge⁠

⁠The cost of GPUs goes far beyond AI data centers | The Verge⁠

⁠Is America ready for this quirky Jeep-looking EV that can park itself?⁠

⁠The ‘G-Wagen of golf carts’ could be the ideal second car⁠

⁠America’s cheapest new EV is smaller than a ping-pong table and tops out at 19mph⁠

⁠Zoox’s purpose-built robotaxi is getting a refresh⁠

Subscribe to The Verge for unlimited access to theverge.com, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, and our ad-free podcast feed.

We love hearing from you! Email your questions and thoughts to vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11.
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Since the beginning of the AI revolution, a few companies have claimed to be building the best and most powerful AI models. All of them were American. More recently, a few Chinese companies seem to have caught up, shipping models that are much cheaper and maybe also just as good. The Verge's Hayden Field and Lauren Feiner join the show to explain how China made so much progress, the threat that progress represents to US companies and the US government, and what might happen next.

Further reading:

⁠China and the US are battling to become the world’s first AI superpower⁠

⁠Trump’s Anthropic shutdown just made the case for non-American AI⁠

⁠China delivers a one-two punch to America’s AI dominance⁠

Subscribe to The Verge for unlimited access to theverge.com, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, and our ad-free podcast feed.

We love hearing from you! Email your questions and thoughts to vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11.
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