April 16, 2026

Tech News Weekly 433: A $399 AI Deer That Texts You

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1 hour 15 minutes

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy of The Verge joins Mikah Sargent this week on Tech News Weekly! How AI is helping elders stay independent & provide companionship. How Apple and Google's app stores are pushing users toward deepfake nude apps, per an organization's report. And inside the crazy backstory behind an AI plush companion.

Jennifer talks about Samsung's newest updates to its SmartThings Family Care service and how technology and AI are increasingly being used to help take care of elderly people & provide companionship.

Mikah talks about a report from the Tech Transparency Project that found both Apple & Google's app stores that host & direct users to apps that generate non-consensual nude images of women.

And Victoria Song of The Verge joins the show to share her review of a $399 AI companion and her very unique experience with the device overall.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Jennifer Pattison Tuohy

Guest: Victoria Song

Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly.

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!

Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Sponsors:

zscaler.com/security

Simply CX

...more

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April 16, 2026

Tech News Weekly 433: A $399 AI Deer That Texts You

Listen Later

1 hour 15 minutes

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy of The Verge joins Mikah Sargent this week on Tech News Weekly! How AI is helping elders stay independent & provide companionship. How Apple and Google's app stores are pushing users toward deepfake nude apps, per an organization's report. And inside the crazy backstory behind an AI plush companion.

Jennifer talks about Samsung's newest updates to its SmartThings Family Care service and how technology and AI are increasingly being used to help take care of elderly people & provide companionship.

Mikah talks about a report from the Tech Transparency Project that found both Apple & Google's app stores that host & direct users to apps that generate non-consensual nude images of women.

And Victoria Song of The Verge joins the show to share her review of a $399 AI companion and her very unique experience with the device overall.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Jennifer Pattison Tuohy

Guest: Victoria Song

Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly.

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!

Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Sponsors:

zscaler.com/security

Simply CX

...more