The Engadget Podcast

This week, we chat with Senior Editor Andrew Tarantola about Neuralink, Elon Musk’s brain computer interface (BCI) company. The FDA reportedly denied approval for human trials last week—Andy explains why that happened, as well as what BCIs could mean for humans in the future. Also, Cherlynn dives into the accessibility news from Microsoft’s Ability Summit.

What’s going on with Neuralink and BCI tech? – 2:05

Elon Musk goes after disabled Twitter employee, quickly apologizes – 19:52

Microsoft touts new accessibility tech at 2023 Ability Summit – 28:32

Sonos’ Era 300 speaker finally has spatial audio – 35:04

What we think of the Yellow iPhone and a few other colorful gadgets announced this week – 45:25

Working On – 51:49

Around Engadget: the reMarkable Folio is a very pretty e-paper keyboard – 54:28

Pop culture picks – 56:29

This week, our hosts are joined by UK Bureau Chief Mat Smith to dive into the most interesting devices that were announced at Mobile World Congress, which has been happening this week in Barcelona. Are foldables getting more interesting, or are they going to become as stale as regular smartphones have become? Also, just how fast is too fast when it comes to charging? Then, we go over Cherlynn’s review of the Galaxy S23+ and why Microsoft bringing Bing AI to the Windows 11 taskbar isn’t what it seems.

What’s cool at Mobile World Congress with UK bureau chief Mat Smith – 1:22

Hands on with the Oppo Find N2 Flip – 6:44

Motorola’s Rizr is a concept phone with a rolling screen – 21:09

Samsung Galaxy S23+ review: solid, but not outstanding – 31:17

Microsoft brings Bing AI to the Windows 11 taskbar…sort of – 32:43

Meta says it plans to release AR glasses in 2027 – 34:51

US House panel gives Biden the power to ban TikTok – 38:00

Working on – 41:17

Pop culture picks – 42:57

The AI news just won’t stop! This week, Cherlynn and Devindra discuss the latest on Bing AI – Microsoft is loosening up some recent restrictions, following reports of its bad behavior – as well as the rise of ChatGPT stories on the Kindle store. Spotify is also launching its own AI DJ, starring the digitized voice of one of its current hosts. In other news, we discuss Microsoft’s recent agreements with NVIDIA and Nintendo, which could warm regulators towards approving its Activision Blizzard acquisition.

After the Microsoft and Google announcements, AI is suddenly everywhere – 1:17

Microsoft tries to win over regulators by putting Xbox games on GeForce Now – 26:29

Glucose monitoring on the Apple Watch could be coming soon – 28:16

Twitter limits SMS two-factor authentication to Blue users – 30:43

Amazon’s acquisition of One Medical is finished, regulators are still curious – 35:31

No Man’s Sky Fractal VR update is out just in time for PS VR 2 – 39:04

Working on – 42:58

Pop culture picks – 46:10

The PlayStation VR2 is here, and it’s mostly great! But its high price and limited library make it hard to recommend for many gamers. This week, Devindra and Nathan Ingraham dive into our review of the PS VR2, and why our feelings about it are sort of complicated. Also, we discuss why Bing’s AI search is catching a bad attitude, and what Microsoft has to say about it. And be sure to stay tuned for our thoughts on HBO’s The Last of Us as we reach the middle of its first season.

Playstation VR2 review: a great headset that should be cheaper – 1:30

Microsoft apologizes for strange problems with Bing’s ChatGPT service – 23:43

This week in Twitter mess: Elon takes over your main feed – 41:47

Around Engadget: Oppo Find M2 foldable review – 44:35

Pop culture picks (with minor spoilers for The Last of Us) – 50:47

Last of Us spoilers end – 1:01:15

What a wild week chock full of news all over tech! Microsoft and Google both unveiled their AI products for the masses, with Microsoft holding a whole event this week to show off the new Edge and Bing. Google also had an event in Paris and unveiled the first Android 14 developer preview, while OnePlus launched its first-ever tablet alongside a new phone. Cherlynn is joined this week by guest co-host Sam Rutherford to tear into the week’s onslaught of news, and check in to see how we feel about Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra while reviewing it.

Microsoft’s AI event unveils Bing and Edge with OpenAI collaboration – 1:46

Google unveils Bard chatbot, its ChatGPT competitor – 23:48

Mat Smith’s OnePlus 11 review – 29:18

Also coming from OnePlus: a tablet, earbuds and a keyboard – 37:41

Sam Rutherford’s Galaxy S23 Ultra review – 44:38

AI-generated Seinfeld show “Nothing, Forever” banned from Twitch – 55:58

Android 14 developer preview is available now – 58:16

What is even happening with Twitter’s API access? – 1:02:26

Working on – 1:08:08

Pop culture picks – 1:09:06

This week, Cherlynn is joined by guest co-host Sam Rutherford to break down everything Samsung announced at its Unpacked event this week. Are we excited about the first major flagship phones of the year? And how about those confusing new laptops? Also, because we've had a Galaxy S23 Ultra in our possession for about 12 hours, we discussed our early impressions of the new phone. Plus, we take a look at the new Apple HomePod and other news in tech.

Samsung unveils the Galaxy S23, S23 Plus and S23 Ultra – 1:44

The Galaxy Book 3 announcement was so confusing – 20:00

HomePod 2023 review – 33:39

More layoffs in tech: Rivian, PayPal and more – 39:47

OpenAI introduces paid plan for ChatGPT – 44:39

Working on – 52:35

Pop culture picks – 53:45

We’ve finally got new gadgets to review! This week, Cherlynn, Devindra and Engadget’s Sam Rutherford dive into the new 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M2 Max chip. Sure, it looks the same as before, but demanding users may appreciate the performance bump. Also, they discuss where the new M2 Pro-powered Mac Mini fits into Apple’s lineup. And of course, Cherlynn and Sam update us on everything they expect from Samsung’s Unpacked event next week. We’ll get the Galaxy S23, naturally, but rumors also point to new computers too.

MacBook Pro M2 Max review and Mac mini thoughts – 1:26

Samsung Unpacked 2023 preview – 13:02

Other news: Hacker leaks 2019 No Fly list – 27:14

Microsoft announces multibillion dollar investment in OpenAI days after layoffs – 33:45

Scientists found a colony of Emperor penguins after tracking poop markings on satellite images – 43:10

Formovie Theater UST projector and LG CineBeam projector reviews – 47:30

Ayaneo 2 handheld review: Like a Steam Deck, but fancier – 59:00

Pop culture picks – 1:06:14

Apple’s first major announcements of 2023 are here! This week, Devindra and Deputy Editor Nathan Ingraham chat about Apple’s new M2 Pro/Max MacBook Pros and Mac Mini. Sure, they seem like solid upgrades, but did they come too late? Also, we dive into the latest rumors around Apple’s AR and MR headsets, as well as news about cheaper AirPods and new AirPods Max. And in other news, we explore the downside of AI in journalism, as well as another round of layoffs in tech.

Apple announces M2 Pro and Max chips for MacBook Pro and Mac Mini – 1:23

The big HomePod is back from the dead! – 15:34

Apple’s AR headset may be delayed, a cheaper mixed reality headset may be in development – 25:41

Other News: CNet’s AI article problem, Twitter breaks third party apps, and layoffs at Microsoft – 32:11

Working on – 44:44

Pop culture picks – 46:08

The IT Crowd was right! You really should try turning everything off and on again to make it work. This week, Cherlynn and Devindra discuss how the FAA did just that to fix its NOTAM system, which alerts pilots of potential hazards. It turns out a database error was enough to send that system into a spiral, which forced the FAA to ground flights Wednesday morning. But of course, this was just one issue facing air travel in America – we also dive into Southwest’s holiday fiasco, as well as potential transportation alternatives.

FAA grounds planes after NOTAM outage – 1:34

Other News: Microsoft may have given up on the Surface Duo 3 in favor of foldables – 28:23

Biden calls for legislation on social media platforms – 35:31

NASA is funding ideas for a seaplane and faster deep space travel – 38:18

Hyundai’s new EV can “crab walk” into parallel parking spaces – 40:49

Samsung’s first Unpacked of 2023 scheduled for February 1 – 45:13

Pop culture picks – 52:47

CES is on! This week, Devindra and UK Bureau Chief Mat Smith chat about some of the biggest news from the show, including massive upgrades for laptops, wild new TV concepts and two different pee analyzers! As usual, CES is a mix of major news and random weirdness. Senior Editor Karissa Bell also joins to give us her perspective on the ground at the show.

• What to look for at CES 2023 – 1:36
• PC hardware: Intel and AMD release mobile chips, NVIDIA’s 4090 will be in laptops – 3:53
• TVs and home theater tech at CES – 21:03
• Displace’s OLED TV will suction mount to your wall – 24:43
• Accessibility at CES: L’Oréal’s motorized lipstick applicator and Sony’s Project Leonardo PS5 gamepad –49:28
• Weird stuff: Why were there two different pee analyzers at CES? – 51:25
• Other news – 1:05:52
• Karissa Bell’s in-person CES experience – 1:08:24
• Pop culture picks – 1:15:50