The Vergecast

Apple's best product ever

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Key takeaways

  • Apple's 50 best products were ranked based on reader votes, with a significant discussion on the implications of product success and impact.
  • Current trends in AI focus on enterprise applications, reflecting a shift towards practical implementation.
  • The return of the Hype Desk adds a fun dynamic to discussions about tech products, emphasizing excitement about innovation.
  • The discussion on Brendan Carr's commentary highlights ongoing concerns around regulatory practices in technology.
  • Increased prices for tech products due to global shortages emphasize the rapidly changing economic landscape affecting consumers.

Summary

Introduction and Ranking Apple Products

The episode starts with hosts David Pierce and Nilay Patel announcing the topic of discussion: ranking the 50 best products Apple has created. They highlight the process of gathering votes from Verge readers and their personal reflections on Apple's product history.

Current AI Trends and Enterprise Software

The hosts cover the latest AI news, emphasizing the shift toward enterprise software. They discuss notable recent developments with OpenAI and its significant funding, projecting concerns regarding the future direction of AI products.

Highlights of the Apple 50 Rankings

The hosts delve into the rankings, sharing various opinions and their perspectives on individual Apple products. They debate what should be considered the best Apple product, while also addressing how their views align with reader votes.

The Hype Desk Returns

The episode reintroduces the Hype Desk segment, where the hosts bring enthusiasm to discussions on emerging trends and products in tech, with a light-hearted approach to product hype and recent innovations.

Brendan Carr is a Dummy Segment

In this comedic segment, the hosts critique FCC member Brendan Carr, summarizing his blunders and emphasizing the implications of his outspoken views on regulating content and technology markets.

Raspberry Pi and Price Hikes

The episode concludes with the hosts discussing price increases in the technology market due to global shortages and economic pressures, citing examples such as Raspberry Pi and PS5 prices rising. They highlight the impact on consumers and the challenges of maintaining affordable tech.

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Show notes

We love a ranking here on The Vergecast, and it’s time for the hardest one yet: David and Nilay compare notes on the 50 best products Apple has ever made, and see how their answers stack up to the many, many voters on The Verge this week. Before that, though, it’s time for a bit of AI news — surprise, it’s enterprise software! — and the comeback of the Hype Desk. After all that, and after the rankings, we do a round of Brendan Carr is a Dummy, talk about the fediverse, and repurpose our old iMacs.

Vote for The Vergecast in the Webby Awards! A vote for The Vergecast is a vote that Brendan Carr is a dummy, that buttons are good, and that party speakers rule the world. Voting is open until April 16.  ⁠https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/podcasts/shows/technology⁠

Further reading:

⁠OpenAI’s big numbers: $122 billion funding round, 900 million weekly ChatGPT users. ⁠

⁠Why OpenAI killed Sora ⁠

⁠I think Google is taking a couple digs at OpenAI about Sora. ⁠

⁠Apple’s third-party Siri Extensions could lead to an AI App Store. ⁠

⁠Microsoft’s new ‘superintelligence’ game plan is all about business⁠

⁠OpenAI acquires TBPN | OpenAI⁠

⁠Apple turns 50: celebrating five decades of the tech giant ⁠

⁠Everything is iPhone now ⁠

⁠Steve Jobs and the greatest run of products in tech history ⁠

⁠How the invention of QuickTime changed computers forever ⁠

⁠The triumphs and failures of Apple without Steve Jobs ⁠

⁠The Apple product that really changed the industry: the MacBook Air ⁠

⁠Apple at 50: a visual history ⁠

⁠The origin story of Apple’s long-running relationship with Foxconn ⁠

⁠Apple’s long, bitter App Store antitrust war ⁠

⁠Snazzy Labs' iMac - Studio Display Mod Guide⁠

⁠Flipboard Surf launches social websites combining Bluesky, Mastodon, RSS, and more⁠

⁠These Raspberry Pi price hikes are no joke ⁠

⁠Today is the final day to save up to $150 on a PS5 before the price goes up ⁠

⁠Sony temporarily suspends memory card sales due to shortages ⁠

⁠The White House has an app now, and Trump wants you to report people to ICE on it ⁠

⁠What’s inside the White House app? ⁠

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