06 Mar 2026
1h 43m

This phone starts fires on purpose

Podcast cover

The Vergecast

This episode of The Vergecast dives into the latest gadget news, focusing on the evolving Android landscape and high-end home entertainment. The hosts discuss unusual phones from Mobile World Congress, including a camping phone with a cigarette lighter and Honor's "robot phone" featuring a gimbal camera. Nilay Patel raves about the Kaleidoscape movie streamer, highlighting the significant quality difference compared to compressed streaming services. Shifting gears, the panel analyzes Google and Epic's settlement, exploring the implications of lower app store fees and Google's potential redefinition of Android. The hosts also touch on the modularity trend in phones and laptops, and the challenges faced by Nothing in a competitive market.

Outlines

Part 1: Introduction, Sponsors, and High-End Tech

Part 2: Mobile World Congress Highlights

Part 3: Legal Battles and Regulatory Debates

Part 4: Gadget Reviews and Niche Hardware

Part 5: Cultural Reflections and Closing

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