Sadly, the Input/Output podcast is going on indefinite hiatus, so this is the last episode for the foreseeable future…. Google recently launched its Stadia gaming platform on iOS and iPadOS, making it the first major game-streaming service available for Apple's ecosystem. To work around Apple's App Store regulations, the company has been forced to …

The rapper Lil Nas X famously purchased the instrumental for his No. 1 hit “Old Town Road'' through the site BeatStars. The rise of sites like BeatStars and TrakTrain, where musical beats are bought and sold, has changed the way the music business works forever. Writer Seth King recently explored this paradigm shift for Input. He stops by the show …

Fitness+ is Apple’s new fitness subscription service, which pairs an Apple Watch with video workouts delivered on an iOS device or Apple TV. Input senior reviews editor Ray Wong has been working out with Fitness+ and, much to his surprise, he loves it. He joins us to discuss. And later: The Arcwave Ion is a sleek new sex toy that gives the male ana…

Facebook recently purchased a series of full-page newspaper advertisements directed at Apple — an attack on the iPhone maker's new ad-tracking policies. Facebook’s newspaper ads reiterate CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s claims that Apple’s tracking policies will hurt small businesses most. Input editor Ryan Houlihan and editor in chief Joshua Topolsky join u…

In the spring, Harley-Davidson’s electric bicycle offshoot, Serial 1, will release two e-bike platforms, the minimalist Mosh and the commuter-friendly Rush. Input news editor Craig Wilson recently got to try out the bikes. He joins us to discuss. And later: The Anker PowerHouse II 400 mobile generator delivers enough juice to power a fridge and you…

Input guides editor Evan Rodgers recently published a holiday gift guide full of ultralight titanium stocking stuffers – everything from a knife to an iPhone 12 case. He joins us to talk titanium. And later: Looking for a holiday present for an eco-conscious person who likes to zip around? Good news! Input news editor Craig Wilson has assembled a g…

Apple is closing out 2020 with one more thing: AirPods Max. The new over-ear headphones are available in five colors and feature active noise-cancellation, spatial audio, and 20-hour battery life. They also cost a whopping $549 and come in a ridiculous-looking bra-shaped case. Input editor Ryan Houlihan and editor in chief Joshua Topolsky join us t…

The PlayStation 5’s widely mocked design comes with at least one advantage over the new Xbox: Its big side panels are easily removable and perfect for customization. Samuel Polay, co-host of the podcast Culture Vacuum, recently wrote an Input guide to painting your PS5 without destroying it. He joins us to discuss. And later: There are too many emo…

GMC’s Hummer — once a symbol of gross excess — is getting an eco-conscious makeover. Beginning in fall 2021, you’ll be able to buy an electric version of the hulking vehicle, though it won’t be cheap. Input news editor Craig Wilson stops by to talk about the new Hummer EVs and what we can expect. And later: BMW recently unveiled the iX SUV, formerl…

Conspiracy theorists claim Faraday cages will “protect” your router against 5G, so lots of people are buying the cages on Amazon. In turn, those customers are complaining that the devices are ruining their Wi-Fi signal. Meanwhile, Amazon doesn’t seem to care and continues to sell the Faraday cages. Input editor Ryan Houlihan and editor in chief Jos…

Imaginative TikTokers have created, in bits and pieces, Ratatouille the Musical, based on the 2007 Pixar animated film about a rat named Remy’s efforts to become a chef. Input news writer Matt Wille is a huge fan of Ratatouille the Musical and wrote a piece on how it came about — and why it deserves a Tony Award. He joins us to discuss. And later: …

A Netflix subscription is now the worst value in streaming, according to an Input piece by Samuel Polay, co-host of the podcast Culture Vacuum. He writes that the quality of Netflix’s offerings are not the issue; it’s that the company continues to lag behind competitors by failing to offer the highest quality picture to all of its customers. Samuel…

Comcast first introduced a data cap on home internet service back in 2012, and in 2016 the company expanded it to 27 out of the 39 states in which it operates. Customers were able to avoid caps for years in Northeastern states where Comcast competes against cap-free Verizon Fios, but Comcast now says the party will end in 2021 as it extends the lim…

Apple has released a new MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini, and none of them have Intel processors inside. Instead, they’re powered by Apple’s own M1 chip, part of a previously announced move away from processors made by Intel. Input senior reviews editor Ray Wong and card stories editor James Pero recently took a look at the new machines. Jam…

YouTube recently announced that due to 2020’s horribleness, it’s skipping its annual Rewind highlights video. This gave writer Ralph Jones an excuse to look back at YouTube Rewind 2018, the most disliked YouTube video of all time. Input editor Ryan Houlihan and editor in chief Joshua Topolsky join us to discuss Ralph’s piece. And later: Thanks to t…

Photos of the orange skies caused by the recent wildfires in the West reminded many of the imagery from the movie Blade Runner 2049. Input news writer Andrew Paul argues that it’s well past time to accept that we are, more or less, living in the dystopian future that the Blade Runner movies predicted. He joins us to discuss. And later: Even conside…

Special-edition phones usually mean little more than a logo slapped on the back. But OnePlus’s 8T Cyberpunk 2077 Limited Edition — a partnership with the hotly anticipated video game — is so much more, according to Input senior reviews editor Ray Wong. He joins us to discuss. And later: YouTubers can’t stop destroying the iPhone 12. Apple's claim t…

Amazon is expanding its in-garage delivery program for Prime users. The company’s smart door program, myQ, was initially limited to a few dozen cities in the U.S. but now it could go live for thousands. The idea is to cut down on package theft but also fight back Covid-19 transmission. Input editor Ryan Houlihan and editor in chief Joshua Topolsky …

Which new phone takes better night photos, Google’s Pixel 5 or Apple’s iPhone 12? Input senior reviews editor Ray Wong recently put them in a head-to-head test. He joins us to reveal the winner. And later: Forget the iPhone 12! The hottest phone of 2020 is the BlackBerry Classic. It was made in 2014, doesn't have many working apps, and it totally r…

The Xbox Series X is here, and it’s a gaming monster. Input senior reviews editor Ray Wong recently wrote an overview of what’s being touted as the most powerful console ever created. He joins us to talk about whether you should choose a new Xbox or the next-gen PlayStation 5. And later: Infinite Objects is a New York-based company that sells limit…

A large "Stop the Steal" Facebook group, ostensibly set up to protest the election count, got a surprise rebrand late last week. Some prankster or pranksters changed the name of the group to “Gay Communists for Socialism,” infuriating the page’s pro-Trump users. Input editor Ryan Houlihan and editor in chief Joshua Topolsky join us to discuss this …

The new Chromecast with Google TV, a $50 streaming device, improves on earlier models with the inclusion of a remote control. It also comes with a slick new TV interface for discovering content. Input senior reviews editor Ray Wong wrote a glowing review of the new Chromecast. He joins us to discuss. And later: Due to the pandemic, movie theaters a…

Saying goodbye to your loved ones is already hard enough, but that feeling is magnified online — especially when the news of someone’s death comes unexpectedly via apps like Facebook or Twitter. Rae Witte recently wrote an Input piece about how we process death on social media. She joins us to discuss. And later: Sharing a video of a person’s suici…

The release of the open-world, action-adventure title Cyberpunk 2077 has been bumped back yet again, this time to December 10. The latest delay has spurred death threats against the game’s developers. Input editor Ryan Houlihan and editor in chief Joshua Topolsky join us to discuss this sorry state of affairs. And later: Apple is reportedly devotin…

Instagram, which just celebrated its 10th anniversary, is the most important thing that ever happened to sneaker culture, according to writer Rae Witte. In a recent piece for Input, she explains how the app changed streetwear forever – for better and for worse. Rae joins us to talk about her article. And later: The Swiss footwear brand On Running r…

The Surface Laptop Go is a fantastic surprise, according to Input senior reviews editor Ray Wong. With a touchscreen, a great keyboard, and a real OS, Microsoft’s $700 Laptop Go is the new college laptop. It’s a way better value than an iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard combo that costs $1,350. Ray joins us to discuss. And later: Mercedes-Benz first show…

Influencers are buying empty shopping bags from high-end brands like Hermes and Pandora to pretend that they’re rich. And the people who resell the used, disposable bags are making good money, according to an Input article by writer Chris Stokel-Walker. Input editor Ryan Houlihan and editor in chief Joshua Topolsky join us to discuss this phenomeno…

The new Netflix comedy series Sneakerheads centers on a family guy named Devin and his quest for a pair of legendary sneakers. Input senior editor Edgar Alvarez recently interviewed series creator Jay Longino about the show’s origins and more. Edgar joins us to discuss. And later: Nearly four decades after the birth of the Air Jordan, the namesake …

As the technology has gotten cheaper, there’s been an explosion of deepfake porn videos – clips in which people's likenesses are digitally inserted onto other people’s bodies. Right now, the targets are mostly female celebrities. But deepfakes are coming for regular people soon. Input news writer J. Fergus joins us to discuss. And later: The porn i…

Twitter and Facebook recently made controversial editorial decisions to reduce the spread of a disputed New York Post story about presidential candidate Joe Biden’s son Hunter. Republicans accused the platforms of censorship, and Twitter later reversed course. Input editor Ryan Houlihan and guides editor Evan Rodgers join us to talk about these pre…

Apple is releasing four new iPhone 12 models: the 12 Mini, the 12, the 12 Pro, and the 12 Pro Max. But which one should you choose? Do you even need a new iPhone at all? Input senior reviews editor Ray Wong joins us to talk about the new family of iPhones and what you can expect from each of the models. And later: For the past 50 years, writer and …

Facebook recently announced it will ban all Pages, Groups, and Instagram accounts linked to the QAnon conspiracy movement. This marks a big step up from the company’s previous policy to ban them only when violence was discussed. Input editor Ryan Houlihan and editor in chief Joshua Topolsky join us to discuss Facebook’s long overdue move. And later…

Google recently released details about its upcoming Pixel 5 and 4a 5G. They’re mid-range phones that don’t compete head-on with the iPhone 11 on tech specs. But they do have one camera feature that even the iPhone 11 Pro doesn’t: Night Sight for portrait mode. Input senior reviews editor Ray Wong joins us to discuss. And later: Virtual reality spec…

Nike and Supreme continue to do limited-edition product drops because they only care about hype, not making you happy, argues Input news writer Ian Servantes. Those brands should take a lesson from Telfar, which favored accessibility over scarcity by putting its coveted Shopping Bag up for pre-sale. Ian joins us to discuss. And later: Input senior …

Brian Armstrong, CEO of the cryptocurrency company Coinbase, recently outlined the startup’s decision to remain “laser focused on achieving its mission” by avoiding any and all socio-political conversations. Armstrong subsequently released an in-house email outlining a voluntary severance package to any workers uncomfortable with this policy. Input…

No one in hip-hop is better at leveraging their personal brand outside of music than Travis Scott, writes Input news writer Ian Servantes. But Scott’s collaborations, most notably his recent high-profile deal with McDonald’s, are devoid of meaning. Ian joins us to explain. And later: The black metal duo Buzz Lightyear recently released a song calle…

When Samsung announced the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, with its spiffy new laser autofocus, Input guides editor Evan Rodgers figured it was a good bet to buy one. But he was sorely disappointed with the device’s camera system. It’s a problem, he writes, that stems from Samsung’s entire imaging philosophy. Evan joins us to explain. And later: The forthcom…

Reality TV stars Brody Jenner and Scott Disick recently came under fire for promoting the Gradient app, which lets you see what you’d supposedly look like as a different race. Naturally, Input editor Ryan Houlihan and editor in chief Joshua Topolsky are disgusted by this digital blackface. They join us to discuss. And later: Ikea is debuting its ve…

Tesla recently unveiled new battery tech that will help its vehicles go further while costing less. The automaker said that it will be building these next-generation batteries itself. It also revealed Tesla’s Model S Plaid, which CEO Elon Musk said would be “the fastest production vehicle ever.” Input news editor Craig Wilson stops by the show to d…

Google is looking to upend the U.S. college education system with its Google Career Certificates program, which will train people for in-demand jobs in only six months without saddling them with mountains of debt. The company says that when it comes to hiring, it will treat these certificates as the equivalent of a four-year degree. Input news writ…

Sony recently announced that the PlayStation 5 will officially go on sale November 12 in the U.S. and other select territories for a starting price of $399. The company also announced a number of console-exclusive games. But Input editor Ryan Houlihan and editor in chief Joshua Topolsky aren’t super-excited for the PS5. They join us to discuss why.…

Apple recently unveiled its Apple Watch Series 6, which boasts a blood oxygen monitor, a two-and-a-half-times brighter display, and four new colors. It also introduced the more affordable Apple Watch SE, the iPad Air 4, and Apple One, a bundle of the company’s most popular services. Input senior reviews editor Ray Wong joins us to talk up all the n…

Kanye West recently raised eyebrows by praising Nike products, specifically Jordans and the new ISPA Road Warrior, even though he’s currently under contract with Adidas. Kanye’s “vocal yearning for Nike” – a company the musician was once in partnership with – “is yet another indicator of how far Adidas has fallen behind,” writes Input news writer I…

On this episode of Input/Output, we discuss news that will delight gamers and infuriate social media users. Microsoft's next flagship console, the Xbox Series X, will launch November 10 and retail for $499. The smaller, less powerful Series S will retail for $299. In addition, Microsoft will offer both the Series X and the Series S for a monthly fe…

Input senior reviews editor Ray Wong recently reviewed Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds Live. His verdict: these bean-shaped wireless earbuds are damn cool even though the noise cancellation is pretty weak. Ray stops by the show to talk about them. And later: Allbirds, the sustainability-focused, direct-to-consumer footwear brand, is popular with tech bro…

Nintendo is celebrating the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. with a bonanza of goodies. Most exciting of them are an updated version of the Game & Watch handheld and new Mario titles for the Switch, including an augmented reality kart game. Input editor Ryan Houlihan and editor in chief Joshua Topolsky join us to discuss. And later: Two new fo…

The Baltimore electronic musician Dan Deacon recently released his original score for Well Groomed, an HBO documentary about the colorful world of competitive dog grooming. To mark the occasion, Dan spoke to Input about the gear he used to make the soundtrack. Dan joins the podcast to discuss the album and life during lockdown. And later: The queer…

The Lego Nintendo Entertainment System is “the coolest toy of 2020,” raves senior reviews editor Ray Wong in a review for Input. This 2,646-piece brick set replicates an NES, a controller, and an old-school CRT TV (complete with moving diorama). Ray joins us to geek out about it. And later: The Ordinary Sausage YouTube channel features an anonymous…

Reports have emerged that Nintendo is planning to release an “upgraded” Switch in 2021. Input senior reviews editor Ray Wong recently wrote about why it doesn’t make sense to put out a rumored 4K “Switch Pro.” Input editors Ryan Houlihan and Craig Wilson join us to discuss Ray’s piece. And later: YouTuber Elliot Coll is the Game Boy’s very own Dr. …

Do you hate your favorite band’s latest song? If you’re listening on Spotify, that track might be a fake. It turns out that Spotify’s third-party distribution platform is flawed, allowing scammers to impersonate popular artists for weeks on end, stealing thousands of streams in the process. Writer Landon Groves joins us to discuss. And later: The s…