Podcast Summary
The VergeCast returns to CES 2023 with live daily shows and discusses Nintendo's Super Mario Run: The VergeCast is back at CES 2023 with live daily shows, featuring discussions on the latest gadgets and interviews with executives. They also shared their thoughts on Nintendo's Super Mario Run, which marks their entry into mobile gaming with simplified auto-running gameplay and a constant internet connection.
The VergeCast is returning live to Twitter for CES 2023 with a 90-minute video show each day from January 4th to 6th. The team, including Paul Miller, Dieter Bohn, Megan Frick, and others, will be discussing the latest gadgets and interviewing executives. Additionally, Nintendo's Super Mario Run game was released for the iPhone, marking their first entry into mobile gaming. The team shared their initial impressions, noting the game's commitment to Nintendo's UI design and its simplified, auto-running gameplay. The game requires a constant internet connection and offers different modes, including World Tour, competitive racing, and kingdom building.
Exploring the Mario Universe: Building a 'Mario Kingdom': The Mario universe is a complex and intricate world with ongoing debates among fans about various aspects, including the roles of different games and characters, canon status, and target audience.
The discussion revolved around the concept of building up a "Mario kingdom" and the role of different games and characters within it. The speakers compared it to the Super Mario World map, where players can place down structures like houses for characters to live in. Luigi was mentioned as an example, living in a mushroom house. The group debated the canon status of certain games and Luigi's haunted mansion. They also discussed the target audience for Super Mario Run and its requirement for an internet connection. The speakers expressed their opinions on the game, comparing it to other Mario titles and mobile games. In essence, the conversation highlighted the complexity and intricacy of the Mario universe and the ongoing debates among fans regarding various aspects of the franchise.
Super Mario Run's Replay Value and Internet Connection Requirement: Despite offering replayability and new paths, Super Mario Run's value is questioned due to its internet connection requirement and limited replay value for some players. Nintendo's first iOS game saw success due to Apple's marketing efforts, but concerns remain about their place in the evolving console market.
Super Mario's debut on iOS, while fast-paced and replayable, raises questions about its value and necessity. The game, which features pause buttons and various paths to explore, is meant to be replayed but may not offer significant replay value for some players. The internet connection requirement, while intended to prevent piracy, is seen as unnecessary and intrusive. The game's success is attributed to Nintendo's first entry into the iOS market and Apple's marketing efforts. However, some question whether Nintendo is keeping up with the changing console market, which has seen companies focusing on upgraded consoles and backward compatibility. Overall, while Super Mario Run is a casual and enjoyable game, its impact and long-term appeal remain to be seen.
Nintendo's Innovative Approaches to Gaming: Nintendo pushes gaming boundaries with unique devices and business models, sometimes with mixed results, but their successes keep audiences captivated.
Nintendo continues to experiment with innovative gaming devices and business models, sometimes with mixed results. They've tried various approaches, such as motion controls, handheld consoles, and even a hybrid console like the Switch. Some of these efforts, like the Wii U's tablet controller and the 3DS's 3D feature, didn't resonate with consumers. However, other experiments, like the NES Classic Edition, have been successful. Nintendo seems to thrive on taking risks and keeping people guessing, even if the outcome is uncertain. The success of the Switch and its Mario app shows that when they get it right, they can still captivate audiences. However, they need to be careful not to overcharge for additional content or updates, as this could turn off consumers. Ultimately, Nintendo's strategy is to keep pushing boundaries and offering unique gaming experiences, even if it means taking some risks along the way.
Starbucks Super Mario Run promotion sparks conversation on security and Star Wars: Starbucks' Super Mario Run promotion sparks discussions on security concerns of Touch ID and excitement for Star Wars: Rogue One, with varying levels of enthusiasm for different franchises.
The Super Mario Run promotion at Starbucks involves exchanging QR codes to gift the game to others, sparking a conversation about security and the potential vulnerabilities of Touch ID. The group also discussed their anticipation for the new Star Wars film, Rogue One, with some expressing skepticism about expanding the Star Wars universe into a Marvel-style superhero universe. Additionally, the team shared their personal preferences for various franchises, with some expressing more enthusiasm for Star Wars and others for Marvel or Stargate. Despite differing levels of excitement for Rogue One, they agreed that it's important to keep an open mind and enjoy the current offerings in the Star Wars universe.
Maintaining balance in Star Wars storytelling: Disney must avoid overly complex stories, unique visuals, prevent formulaic franchise, and strike balance between new elements and legacy.
While Disney's approach to the Star Wars franchise involves discarding previous expanded universe content and starting fresh, it's important that they avoid creating an overly complex and interconnected storyline with too many characters and maintain unique visual styles for each movie to prevent the franchise from becoming formulaic. Additionally, there's a risk of remaking the original trilogy movies, but it's likely that this will happen after the current content has run its course. The comparison to Marvel's approach to storytelling was made, but it's crucial to remember that Star Wars is not just a collection of standalone stories, but rather a cohesive universe with a rich history. The challenge for Disney is to strike a balance between introducing new elements and respecting the legacy of the franchise.
Mashing up old ideas in entertainment and tech: Companies and creators blend old and new ideas to create unique experiences in entertainment and tech, leading to innovation and growth
Innovation and remixing old ideas are common in various industries, from entertainment to technology. For instance, the idea of mashing up classic franchises like Super Mario and Star Wars is not new, and it can lead to unique and exciting experiences. In the tech world, companies like Google are spinning off their self-driving car units into separate entities, such as Waymo, to focus on specific projects while still being under the larger company's umbrella. The entertainment industry also offers opportunities for learning and growth, as seen in Masterclass's screenwriting course with Aaron Sorkin. By providing access to expert instruction and a supportive community, these platforms enable individuals to develop their skills and pursue their passions. Ultimately, both entertainment and technology continue to evolve, blending old and new ideas to create engaging experiences for audiences.
Tech companies face challenges in building self-driving cars from scratch: Tech giants like Google and Apple struggle with the complexities of the auto industry, including manufacturing, supply chain, and dealer relationships, when attempting to build self-driving cars from scratch. Instead, they focus on developing self-driving software for third-party vehicles.
Tech companies like Google and Apple, despite their resources and ambition, have encountered significant challenges in building self-driving cars from scratch. Instead, they are shifting their focus towards developing self-driving software for third-party vehicles. The complexities of the automobile industry, including manufacturing capabilities, supply chain, and relationships with dealers, are proving to be obstacles for these tech giants. Even companies like Tesla, which have made progress in the industry, are experiencing production delays and challenges at scale. The car industry's reliance on decades of experience and the inability to simply "snap your fingers" and create a car are making it a difficult nut for tech companies to crack. The auto industry's volatility and the fact that a car can't be easily replaced with a software update also contribute to the challenges.
Race to Perfect Self-Driving Cars: Google, Uber, and Tesla Lead the Way: Google and Uber are pushing forward with self-driving car projects, despite safety concerns, believing they will reduce human error accidents and deaths.
The automobile industry is heavily relying on technology and partnerships with tech companies to advance their self-driving car projects. Google and Uber are major players in this field, with Google making a move to expand their self-driving car program and Uber unveiling their second phase in San Francisco. However, Uber faced controversy when one of their self-driving cars was caught on camera running a red light, raising questions about the safety and readiness of these autonomous vehicles. Despite this setback, both companies, along with Tesla, believe that self-driving cars will lead to fewer accidents and deaths caused by human error. The race to perfect this technology continues, with the Consumer Electronics Show and Detroit Auto Show expected to provide further insights in the new year.
Regulatory Challenges in Self-Driving Car Industry: Uber faces scrutiny for not following regulations, GM pushes testing in Michigan, Waymo tests cars without steering wheel, Tesla's Autopilot not full self-driving, Regulations and definitions unclear, Uber disregards regulations for consumer access
While various companies, including Uber, GM, and Waymo, are making progress in self-driving technology, they face regulatory challenges. Uber is under scrutiny in California for not obtaining the required automated driving permit and paying the associated fees, leading to a standstill in their testing. GM, on the other hand, is pushing forward with testing self-driving Chevy Bolts in Michigan. Waymo, a subsidiary of Google, has already tested a car without a steering wheel or pedals on public roads. Tesla is also in the mix with its Autopilot system, but it's not yet considered full self-driving. The lack of clear definitions and regulations in the self-driving space adds to the complexity. Uber's approach of disregarding regulations and focusing on consumer access stands out among the competition. The industry is making strides, but the path to full self-driving cars is filled with regulatory hurdles and ongoing debates over definitions.
The race for self-driving technology between Uber and traditional automakers: Uber aims to disrupt the industry by offering self-driving ride-hailing before others, but societal impact and safety concerns remain uncertain. Ford is trying to adapt as a mobility company, but lacks Uber's network. Success depends on consumer trust and societal integration.
The race for self-driving technology between companies like Uber and traditional automakers is heating up, with Uber aiming to disrupt the industry by offering a ride-hailing service using self-driving cars before others. However, the human element and societal impact of self-driving cars, as well as safety concerns, remain uncertain and a topic of ongoing debate. Ford, among other car companies, is trying to rebrand itself as a mobility company to adapt to this shift, but it lacks Uber's established network and reputation. Ultimately, the success of self-driving cars will depend on consumer comfort and trust in the technology, as well as how it integrates into our lives and society. The announcement of one self-driving car company spinning off and focusing on this technology two years ago went relatively unnoticed, highlighting the ongoing uncertainty and cautious approach towards this innovation.
Navigating the Future of Self-Driving Cars: As self-driving cars become more common, we'll need to adapt to new interfaces and communication systems. Manufacturers are working towards standardization, but education and collaboration will be key to overcoming skepticism and compatibility issues.
The transition to self-driving cars will require a significant shift in how we interact with our vehicles and their technology. Current car interfaces can be confusing, and as self-driving cars become more common, we'll need to retrain ourselves to use them effectively. The car industry is making strides towards creating a standardized system for self-driving cars to communicate with each other, but it's up to the manufacturers to implement these changes. Despite these advancements, there's still a significant portion of the population that's skeptical or uncomfortable with the idea of self-driving cars. It may take time and education to change their minds and make self-driving cars a mainstream mode of transportation. Additionally, the idea of different car companies using different self-driving platforms could lead to compatibility issues, much like how different smartphone operating systems can cause issues when using certain apps or features. Overall, the shift to self-driving cars will bring about new challenges and opportunities, and it will be important for manufacturers, regulators, and consumers to work together to make the transition as smooth as possible.
A Unique Gift Experience: Sock Club: Sock Club offers high-quality, American-made socks with exclusive designs and stories, making for a versatile and ongoing gift option.
Sock Club offers a unique and thoughtful gift experience, delivering high-quality American-made socks with exclusive designs and background stories every month. The sock designs are created specifically for each month, making it an exciting and ongoing gift that keeps on giving. It's not just a sock of the month club, but a "story of the month" club, as each sock comes with its unique name and design story. The socks are made from premium cotton sourced from the southeastern United States and are designed and knit in Austin and North Carolina. Sock Club offers a variety of gifts for men, women, and children, making it a versatile and perfect gift option for various recipients. The club also offers printable membership certificates for last-minute holiday shoppers, allowing you to write a personalized message to your loved ones. The ongoing nature of the gift makes it more exciting and meaningful than a one-time gift. Sock Club's socks are a delightful and comfy gift experience for the holiday season. While discussing other topics, it was mentioned that the Apple TV app is not yet a complete solution for streaming services, as it lacks Netflix, Amazon, and most cable networks due to licensing and fee issues.
Navigating the Complexity of Modern TV Viewing: The fragmented TV viewing landscape with numerous streaming services and devices requires a more user-friendly and intuitive solution to help viewers easily access and manage their content.
The modern TV viewing experience has become complex and fragmented due to the proliferation of streaming services and devices. The speaker, Megan, shares her personal experience of navigating various platforms like Netflix, Chromecast, Apple TV, and cable, and expresses her frustration with the lack of a unified and intuitive solution. She also touches upon the issue of default settings on streaming devices and the challenge of keeping up with an overwhelming amount of content. Despite these challenges, Megan continues to explore different options to find the best viewing experience for her needs. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for a more streamlined and user-friendly approach to TV streaming and content consumption.
Competing Streaming Services Fragment Content Access: Consumers need multiple subscriptions for preferred shows, making content access fragmented. Finding good content amidst abundance is also a challenge.
We're living in a time of abundant content, but accessing it can be fragmented and confusing. Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime are competing by offering unique content separately, without merging with each other. This means consumers often need multiple subscriptions to access their preferred shows. The discussion also touched upon the challenge of finding good content amidst the abundance, with the example of the poorly received "Two Broke Girls" episode. Additionally, the conversation included a brief mention of Apple's AirPods, with some reservations about their design and cost.
The appeal of new and exclusive tech vs. reliable and affordable alternatives: People value convenience and exclusivity of new tech, leading to high demand and reselling, but also appreciate reliable and affordable alternatives like classic headphones.
People value convenience and exclusivity when it comes to technology, leading to high demand and reselling of new gadgets like Apple's AirPods and Spectacles. The speaker shares his personal experience of wanting to buy AirPods but being unable to due to their high demand and reselling price. He also mentions his preference for traditional over-ear headphones, like the Port-of-Pro, which are more affordable and reliable. Despite their open design, he doesn't find them bothersome when using them around others. The speaker also touches upon the nostalgia and appeal of classic tech, as seen with the continued popularity of Port-of-Pro headphones despite their age. Overall, the discussion highlights the enduring allure of new and exclusive tech, as well as the value of reliable and affordable alternatives.
The Joy of Anticipating Future Tech: The VergeCast hosts find joy in simple things and anticipation for future tech, despite not being able to buy certain items.
Despite the challenges of not being able to buy certain desirable items, the hosts of The VergeCast find joy in the simple things and the anticipation of future technological advancements. Paul Miller reflects on his inability to obtain AirPods and other popular gadgets, but also shares his desire for a red bread basket charger and a battery suitcase. The episode also features a promotion for Mailchimp, an email marketing platform used by 14 million people daily to connect with customers and grow businesses. The VergeCast will be returning live from CES in January 2023, with a beautiful set, guests, and live demos. The hosts are excited to share their experiences and reactions to the latest technology trends on Twitter Live. Overall, the discussion highlights the excitement and anticipation surrounding new technology, even when faced with the challenges of not being able to obtain certain items right away.
Discovering Vergast Live, a daily podcast with unique hosts: Listen to Vergast Live daily on various platforms for an entertaining podcast experience with unique hosts and leave reviews on iTunes
Vergast Live, a new podcast hosted by Matt Rechles, Paul Miller, Andy J. Hawk, and Megan Nicolette, airs every day at CS430PM Pacific, 730 Eastern time on various platforms including Twitter (@Verge), Snapchat, and Instagram. The hosts encourage listeners to tune in and leave reviews on iTunes, where other popular podcasts like Control Out Delete with Walt Mossberg, The Lauren Goode Show to Embarrassed Ask, The Karis Swisher Show Recode, Decode, and The Peter Kafka Show Recode Media can also be found. Each host has a unique Twitter handle, with Matt (@mattrechles), Paul (@futurepaul), Andy (@andyjhawk), and Megan (@megannicolette\_2T) providing their handles for followers to connect with them. Megan's Twitter handle, in particular, is a nod to her quirky personality and a request for privacy while wearing headphones. The podcast promises to be unlike anything else and a blast for listeners.
