Podcast Summary
Discussing new tech releases and staying informed: Samsung's Note 20 Ultra, Blackberry's return, Canva for quick content creation, AI capabilities for productivity, COVID-19 vaccine development, remote learning challenges, accurate science reporting, Mary Beth Greggs' Antivirus newsletter, ongoing Apple vs Samsung debate, racial justice movement coverage
Technology is constantly evolving to make our lives easier and more productive. During this week's Vergecast, the team discussed various new tech releases, including Samsung's Note 20 Ultra and the return of Blackberry. They also highlighted the importance of staying informed about COVID-19 and the upcoming vaccine development. For those who struggle with writer's block or creating presentations, Canva was introduced as a solution. With AI capabilities, users can generate content and presentations quickly and efficiently. This can save time and increase productivity, leading to greater satisfaction. Another topic touched upon was the ongoing debate between Apple and Samsung, with reviews of their latest devices. The team also discussed the challenges of remote learning and the importance of accurate science reporting during the pandemic. Mary Beth Greggs' new science-based COVID-19 newsletter, Antivirus, was introduced as a valuable resource for staying informed and separating fact from fiction in the midst of misinformation. The Verge is committed to covering the racial justice movement and other important issues, so stay tuned for more content on their website. In essence, technology continues to advance and adapt to our needs, and it's essential to stay informed and make the most of these tools to enhance our productivity and knowledge.
The size debate: Big screens vs. portability: The Note 20 Ultra's large 6.9-inch screen offers benefits like improved gaming and productivity, but comes with challenges like the need for a case and a high price point.
The size of smartphones, specifically the Note 20 Ultra, is becoming a significant consideration for users. The larger screens offer more functionality, making smaller devices seem less appealing. The Note 20 Ultra's size, in particular, is impressive, with its 6.9-inch screen, and it even surpasses the size of a tablet, making it a viable alternative for some users. However, the size comes with its challenges, such as the need for a case to protect the camera bump and the high price point, which makes carrying it around without protection less practical for most people. Despite these challenges, the larger screen offers benefits like improved gaming experiences and productivity, making the size debate a personal preference.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra's camera outperforms Galaxy S20 Ultra: The Note 20 Ultra's ultra-wide and telephoto lenses provide better performance than the S20 Ultra, resulting in sharper images with less noise at maximum zoom and improved dynamic range in ultra-wide shots.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra's camera setup, particularly the ultra-wide angle and telephoto lenses, outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra in certain situations. The discussion highlighted the challenges faced during filming a review video, specifically when trying to capture handwritten notes on the phone's screen. The speakers noted the significant camera bump, which they referred to as a "promontory," and praised the improved dynamic range in the ultra-wide shots. They also noted that while the telephoto lens has a lower megapixel count on the Note 20 Ultra compared to the S20 Ultra, it performs better in reasonable zoom levels, and the Note 20 Ultra produces sharper images with less noise than the S20 Ultra at maximum zoom. Overall, the speakers found the Note 20 Ultra's camera capabilities to be a significant improvement, especially for everyday use and Instagram-worthy shots.
Telephoto lenses: The next frontier for smartphone cameras: Telephoto lenses in smartphones enable clear images from a distance, enhancing photo opportunities at events or even for spying. Recent advancements include Huawei's folded periscope optics and Samsung's 108-megapixel sensor, offering high-quality professional-grade photography.
Telephoto lenses are becoming an essential feature in smartphone cameras, offering users the ability to capture clear images from a distance. The speaker shared his personal experience of missing out on a photo opportunity due to his phone's lack of zoom capabilities. He believes that telephoto lenses are the next frontier for smartphones, making it possible for users to take high-quality photos at sporting events, concerts, or even spy on their neighbors (though he does not endorse the latter). He also praised the advancements in telephoto technology, such as Huawei's folded periscope optics, which have improved significantly in recent years. The speaker also mentioned the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra's 108-megapixel main sensor, which offers a high level of detail and sharpness, making it a valuable tool for professional-quality photography. Overall, the speaker's enthusiasm for telephoto lenses in smartphones highlights the ongoing competition among tech companies to provide users with the best possible camera experience.
Impressions of Samsung phone's selfie camera: Despite concerns over unrealistic selfies, user was impressed by stylus and video features, including 8K recording and image stabilization
Despite having issues with the selfie camera's skin smoothing feature on a Samsung phone, which made the images look unrealistic and "hammy," the individual was still impressed by the phone's other features, particularly the stylus and video capabilities, such as 8K recording, which offered significant latitude and image stabilization for improved video quality. While the selfie camera may not be a deal-breaker for everyone, the other features might still appeal to potential buyers, especially those who prioritize the use of a stylus or high-quality video recording.
8K video on smartphones: Niche feature with benefits and challenges: 8K video on smartphones offers higher resolution but comes with tight framing, limited frame rates, larger file sizes, and the need for a capable screen. Consider if the benefits outweigh the limitations before investing.
The 8K video capability on high-end smartphones like the Samsung Note 20 is a niche feature for specific use cases. While it offers the potential for higher resolution and the ability to crop and reframe footage later, it also comes with challenges such as tight framing, limited frame rates, and larger file sizes. The average consumer may not have a screen capable of displaying 8K content, and may not need the extra resolution for their everyday video needs. Therefore, it's essential to consider whether the benefits of 8K video outweigh the limitations before investing in a phone solely for this feature. Additionally, the high storage requirements for 8K video should also be taken into account.
Galaxy Note Series' Notes App Shines: Samsung's matured Notes app offers a superior note-taking experience, ad-free, on the Galaxy Note series, despite some downsides like smaller screen size, plastic back, and lower resolution on the Note 20.
Despite Samsung's software backsliding in some areas, their Notes app continues to shine. The app has finally reached a level of maturity and functionality that makes it a compelling reason to use the Galaxy Note series. The app is ad-free, and its native note-taking experience is superior to many other offerings. While the Note 20 Ultra may have more premium features, the regular Note 20 is a more affordable option that still delivers a solid note-taking experience, albeit with a smaller screen size, a plastic back, and a lower resolution. The lack of a higher refresh rate display on the Note 20 is a notable downside, especially given its price point. Overall, the Galaxy Note series and its Notes app have come a long way, offering a top-tier note-taking experience that is worth gushing about.
Investing in a high-end phone can lead to a better user experience: High-end phones offer superior features like display quality and camera capabilities, and Samsung's commitment to Android updates adds value. While budget options are great, consider the importance of advanced features when making a purchase.
While there are budget-friendly options like the Pixel 4a and the Samsung A51 that offer great value, spending $1,000 on a high-end phone like the Samsung Note20 Pro or the OnePlus 8 Pro is worth it due to their superior features, especially when it comes to display quality and camera capabilities. Samsung's commitment to providing three years of Android updates for certain models also adds to their appeal. The speakers discussed their personal experiences and reviews of various phones, expressing their surprise at the underperformance of some high-priced models and the impressive capabilities of more affordable options. They also highlighted the importance of considering the value of features like high refresh rate displays and advanced camera systems when making a purchase. Overall, the consensus was that while budget options are great, investing in a high-end phone can lead to a significantly better user experience.
Samsung's stemless open ear design caters to bikers' needs: The Samsung stemless open ear headphones are a game-changer for bikers, providing awareness of surroundings while allowing for podcasts or music, with no stem interference from helmets or other obstacles.
The Samsung stemless open ear design was an exciting discovery for a biker who prioritizes staying aware of his surroundings while listening to podcasts or music. He appreciated the lack of a stem, which prevented helmet straps and other obstacles from interfering. However, he was puzzled by the philosophy behind Samsung's active noise cancellation, which he found to be different from traditional noise-canceling headphones. He noted that the wind noise while biking was a factor he hadn't fully explored in his reviews. The biker also expressed interest in using the headphones for noise cancellation at home to block out unwanted sounds, such as a persistent bird noise. Overall, the Samsung stemless open ear design met some of his specific needs as a biker, but the active noise cancellation feature was less clear in its benefits to him.
Discussing the effectiveness of Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro's noise cancellation feature: Despite having active noise cancellation, the open ear design of Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro may not effectively block out noise. Price and potential risks of adding moving parts were discussed.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro have active noise cancellation technology, but in practice, it may not be effective due to the open ear design and lack of a proper seal. This was a topic of discussion during a team meeting while reviewing the product, and it was noted that the price was unexpectedly low given the feature. Some speculated that this could be a first-generation attempt at open ear noise cancellation, with potential improvements in the future. However, concerns were raised about the potential risks of adding a moving part, like an air bladder, to the earbud design. Samsung's decision to change the name from "beans" to "Galaxy Buds Pro" was also discussed, with some expressing disappointment that the company did not fully embrace the bean concept. Google's continued support for the Pixel Buds was also mentioned, with software updates and new color options adding functionality and appeal to the product. Overall, the conversation highlighted the ongoing evolution of wireless earbud technology and the trade-offs between design, functionality, and user experience.
Pixel Buds Pro filter out external sounds and alert users to important sounds: Google's Pixel Buds Pro use attention alerts to block distractions while keeping users informed of their surroundings, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 offers a premium design but comes with a higher price tag and limited app selection.
Google's Pixel Buds Pro are designed to improve the user experience by filtering out external sounds and alerting users when important sounds occur. This feature, called attention alerts, is intended to make the earbuds more effective at blocking out distractions while still allowing users to stay aware of their surroundings. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is Samsung's latest high-end smartwatch, offering a more premium design with a stainless steel body and mechanical rotating bezel. While it does offer some minor upgrades, it comes with a significantly higher price tag than its predecessor, the Galaxy Watch Active 2. Despite its improved design, some users may find it too large for their wrists, and the lack of a wide range of third-party apps and the underwhelming performance of Bixby are common criticisms of Samsung smartwatches.
Users want more advanced software and hardware for better smartwatch experience: Users seek faster response times, essential features, and improved voice assistant functionality in smartwatches, expressing concerns over future updates and design changes.
Users value convenience and functionality when it comes to smartwatches, and current offerings from Samsung and Fitbit leave room for improvement. Users frequently use voice assistants like Siri and Google Assistant to control their smartwatches for tasks such as setting timers and controlling home appliances. However, response times and limitations of these voice assistants can be frustrating. Additionally, the lack of essential features like mapping software and physical buttons can detract from the user experience. The upcoming Fitbit acquisition by Google and the potential removal of physical buttons from the Fitbit Versa 3 have users concerned about the future of smartwatches for Android users with smaller wrists. Overall, there is a desire for more advanced software and hardware to make smartwatches more versatile and user-friendly.
Android users face limitations in smartwatch market: Android users struggle to find a fully-featured smartwatch that seamlessly integrates with their phones, with Samsung's Versa being the best option but still falling short of ideal
The market for smartwatches for Android users is currently limited, with few options passing the test for comfort, functionality, and seamless integration with Android phones. The speakers discussed their experiences with Apple Watch, Samsung's Versa, Fitbit's smartwatches, and even an experimental Nubia Watch. While some found workarounds to use iMessage on Android phones, others accepted the limitations of fitness trackers like Withings. The consensus was that Android users are left wanting a more fully-featured smartwatch experience, and Google's Wear OS has yet to deliver on its early promise. Samsung's Versa was praised for mostly figuring it out, but it still fails the "sweater test" for some users. The Nubia Watch, with its flexible screen and sci-fi design, was admired but considered impractical for everyday use. Ultimately, Android users must choose between a more limited watch with great battery life or a larger, more feature-rich watch with compromises. The smartwatch landscape for Android users remains a work in progress.
Maximize vacation experiences with Viator: Viator offers guided tours, activities, and excursions for unforgettable trips with real reviews, free cancellation, and 24-hour support.
Making the most of your vacation experiences goes beyond just booking flights and hotels. Viator, a platform offering guided tours, activities, and excursions, can help ensure you have unforgettable trips. With over 300,000 travel experiences available, real traveler reviews, free cancellation, and 24-7 customer support, Viator is a valuable tool for planning vacations. Meanwhile, in the business world, companies like Epic and Apple continue their ongoing dispute, with Apple threatening to remove Epic from its developer program due to non-compliance with guidelines. Despite the potential financial implications, Epic has yet to relent, and the situation remains unresolved. In the end, whether you're planning a vacation or running a business, it's crucial to stay informed and adapt to new situations.
The debate over Uber and Lyft's driver classification and capitalism's effects: Uber and Lyft's fight for their business model intertwines with the larger issue of capitalism's impact on companies and workers, ultimately affecting consumers.
The ongoing debate between Uber and Lyft's classification of drivers as employees or contractors, and the larger issue of capitalism and its effects on businesses, were discussed during the podcast. Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber's CEO, expressed his belief in the capitalist system and the need for change to prevent the same issues from persisting. Uber and Lyft's fight for their business model is intertwined with the larger issue of capitalism and its impact on companies and workers. Apple's immense wealth and Epic's billion-dollar status highlight the financial power these companies possess to engage in lengthy disputes, ultimately leaving consumers as the ones affected. The discussion also touched upon the issue of selfie cameras with hidden screens, which raises the question of what level of compromise consumers are willing to accept. Overall, the podcast highlighted the interconnectedness of various issues, from the gig economy to capitalism, and their impact on everyday life.
Blackberry's New Focus: Corporate Use and Physical Keyboard: Blackberry's upcoming phone targets corporate users with a physical keyboard, but success depends on exclusivity deals with carriers and delivering a high-quality product.
People's attachment to specific phone features varies greatly. While some prioritize high-resolution selfies and uninterrupted screens, others value physical keyboards and corporate functionality. The upcoming Blackberry phone, set to release in 2021, aims to cater to the latter group with its focus on corporate use and a physical keyboard. However, concerns arise regarding potential exclusivity deals with carriers. The promise lies in the manufacturing partnership with Foxconn's FIH division, which has a successful track record of producing well-made, affordable Nokia phones. Ultimately, the success of the new Blackberry phone will depend on its ability to meet the unique needs of its target audience and deliver a high-quality product.
Challenges for BlackBerry labeled phones with physical keyboards: Despite having good hardware, TCL's BlackBerry labeled phones faced market challenges due to physical keyboards limiting their functionality and hindering their appeal as multi-functional devices in a market dominated by larger screens and touchscreens.
TCL's BlackBerry labeled phones faced challenges in the market despite having good hardware and traditional keyboards. The main reason for this was that the phones' keyboards made them less effective for the majority of smartphone functions beyond messaging. As technology advanced, smartphones became multi-functional devices with larger screens, and the physical keyboards hindered these capabilities. The odds of a company finding a significant market for such phones are slim, as shown by TCL and BlackBerry's experiences. However, there might still be a small niche for these phones, but it's uncertain if a company will be able to capitalize on it. The discussion also touched upon how larger screens enable more functionalities and how the preference for larger phones has grown over time.
Embracing Multiple Options in Technology: Learn from the past and provide consumers with choices in tech, including phones with multiple app stores and smaller designs with external 5G antennas.
Just as there are multiple app stores and various input methods like touch screens, styluses, and physical keyboards that cater to different user preferences, we should embrace the idea of having multiple options in technology, including phones with multiple app stores and smaller designs with external 5G antennas. The tech industry can learn from the past, such as Palm's successful approach, and provide consumers with choices that cater to their individual needs. Additionally, for those interested in cameras, be sure to check out Becca's YouTube channel, Full Frame, for camera-related content. And don't forget to subscribe to The Verge's YouTube channel for more tech news and updates.
