Can Meta still make the metaverse?

Key takeaways

Meta is shifting its focus from the metaverse to AI, raising questions about its long-term strategy and identity.
Sonos is in a recovery process after the app debacle, seeking to regain customer trust while developing new products.
Effective management of business cards in the digital age is essential, and several apps can assist, with Adobe Scan being a recommended option.

Summary

The State of Meta

This section discusses the current state of Meta, focusing on the company's fluctuating focus and direction, moving away from its original metaverse aspirations towards AI initiatives. The hosts analyze Mark Zuckerberg's recent remarks about masculinity at Meta and the implications of internal changes within the company. Alex Heath, an insider and reporter, elaborates on the chaos within the organization and the mixed messages being sent regarding its future strategies, especially concerning AR and VR developments.

Challenges for Sonos

The podcast explores Sonos's tumultuous year, primarily stemming from the disastrous launch of its new app and how that has impacted the perception of the company and its products. Chris Welch joins the discussion to provide insights into the fallout from the app launch, examining the leadership changes occurring, including CEO Patrick Spence's departure. Despite the upheaval, the potential for new products, including a streaming box codenamed "Pinewood," is highlighted, along with the lingering questions about how Sonos will regain its reputation.

Advice for Business Card Management

A listener's question regarding managing business cards leads to a discussion about the current state of digital contact management. The hosts share insights on various apps for scanning and organizing business cards, lamenting the loss of once-integrated features in phone camera systems. Practical solutions are discussed, including the Adobe Scan app as a credible option for managing business card information, underlining the importance of having efficient tools in our increasingly paperless society.

Show notes

This episode is all about companies in flux. First, we chat with The Verge's Alex Heath about all things Meta — whether the company is still serious about the metaverse, why its AI plans seem to be going so well, what "OG Facebook" really means, and what headsets to expect this year. After that, The Verge's Chris Welch takes us through the last year at Sonos, from the disastrous app launch to the pretty good headphones that were totally derailed by the disastrous app launch. Can the company get it together in order to launch its next big swing, a set-top box codenamed Pinewood? Finally, we answer a question on the Vergecast Hotline all about business cards. Because, yes, it's 2025, but sometimes you still need a place to put a business card.
Further reading:

Mark Zuckerberg tells Meta employees to ‘buckle up’ in internal meeting

Meta says this is the make or break year for the metaverse

Meta’s Ray-Bans smart glasses sold more than 1 million units last year

Meta’s AR / VR hardware roadmap through 2027

Meta CTO says the company is working to ‘catch’ leakers

Zuck wants to bring the “OG Facebook” back.

The Sonos app fiasco: how a great audio brand nearly ruined its reputation

Sonos CEO Patrick Spence steps down after disastrous app launch

Sonos’ interim CEO hits all the right notes in first letter to employees

Sonos Arc Ultra review: don’t call it a comeback (yet)

Sonos Ace review: was it worth it? | The Verge

After a bruising year, Sonos readies its next big thing: a streaming box

Adobe Scan

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