Google Gadgets Galore
Uncanny Valley | WIRED12 Touko 2022

Google Gadgets Galore

It’s springtime again, which means developer conference season is in full swing. (Hoo-ray?) This week marks the return of Google I/O, the annual conference for programmers who build apps for Google’s many platforms. But I/O, while technically a software conference, has also long been a launch pad for Google hardware. This year, we saw new phones, new earbuds, a Pixel tablet, and even the oft-rumored Pixel watch.

This week on Gadget Lab, WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu joins us to talk all about Google’s announcements, from hardware to software to voice assistants. We also debate the ideal shape for a smartwatch (which, for the record, is round).

Show Notes:

Read all of our Google I/O 2022 coverage in one place. We wrote about the hardware and software announcements, Assistant, and tablet enhancements for Android. Khari Johnson wrote about Google's new skin tone recognition system for AI. We also have Lily Newman’s roundup of privacy and safety features coming to Android 13. If you missed the keynote address, watch a replay.

Recommendations:

Julian recommends that you should try paying for professional movers if you move, but also get some mover’s insurance. Lauren recommends the book Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe. Mike recommends slip-on shoes for cycling, work, and life.

Julian Chokkattu can be found on Twitter @JulianChokkattu. Lauren Goode is @LaurenGoode. Michael Calore is @snackfight. Bling the main hotline at @GadgetLab. The show is produced by Boone Ashworth (@booneashworth). Our theme music is by Solar Keys.

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Jaksot(426)

Pentagon v. ‘Woke’ Anthropic; Agentic v. Mimetic; Trump v. the State of the Union

Pentagon v. ‘Woke’ Anthropic; Agentic v. Mimetic; Trump v. the State of the Union

This week, the team dives into the feud that has been brewing between Anthropic and the Pentagon — and what it says about how the government interacts with tech companies. Later, Zoë tells us why figu...

26 Helmi 31min

BIG INTV: Melinda French Gates on Secrets: ‘Live a Truthful Life, Then You Don’t Have Any’ (Re-Run)

BIG INTV: Melinda French Gates on Secrets: ‘Live a Truthful Life, Then You Don’t Have Any’ (Re-Run)

On this week’s episode of The Big Interview podcast, the philanthropist sits down with Katie to offer her insights on billionaire donors, kids on phones, and the importance of women’s healthcare.Join ...

24 Helmi 47min

AI Researcher Resignations; Bots Hiring Humans; Evie Magazine’s Party

AI Researcher Resignations; Bots Hiring Humans; Evie Magazine’s Party

This week, Zoë dives into why some researchers at top AI companies have been resigning and publicly voicing their concerns around AI safety. Then, Brian tells us about Rent-A-Human — a website where A...

19 Helmi 30min

ICE’s Secret Expansion Plans; Palantir Employees’ Ethical Concerns; AI Assistants

ICE’s Secret Expansion Plans; Palantir Employees’ Ethical Concerns; AI Assistants

This week, Brian, Leah, and Zoë discuss WIRED’s big scoop on ICE’s startling plans to expand to nearly every state in the US. Then, they unpack Alex Karp’s nearly-hour-long non-response to Palantir em...

12 Helmi 37min

Tech Elites in the Epstein Files; Musk’s Mega Merger; Crypto Scam Compound

Tech Elites in the Epstein Files; Musk’s Mega Merger; Crypto Scam Compound

This week, Brian and Leah dive into the key tech industry figures who show up in the final batch of the Epstein Files. Then, they discuss SpaceX and xAI’s blockbuster merger, and what it says about th...

5 Helmi 35min

BIG INTV: Fallout Director Jonathan Nolan Says He's Still a Techno-Optimist

BIG INTV: Fallout Director Jonathan Nolan Says He's Still a Techno-Optimist

Katie sits down with the Westworld showrunner, Jonah Nolan for a wide ranging conversation about what keeps him coming back to sci-fi storytelling about technology and human nature. After decades of w...

3 Helmi 48min

BIG INTV: Silicon Valley Tech Workers’ Campaign to Get ICE Out of US Cities

BIG INTV: Silicon Valley Tech Workers’ Campaign to Get ICE Out of US Cities

In the wake of the shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti in the streets of Minneapolis, several prominent tech executives attended a private White House screening of Melania, a documentary being released ...

30 Tammi 31min

Minneapolis Misinformation; TikTok’s New Owners; Moltbot Hype

Minneapolis Misinformation; TikTok’s New Owners; Moltbot Hype

In today’s episode, Brian and Zoë are joined by WIRED’s Tim Marchman to discuss the news of the week — including how far-right influencers spread misinformation in Minneapolis, and why TikTok’s US ver...

29 Tammi 35min