About this episode
Starting a wireless carrier is easier than you might think. So is building a half-decent Android phone! But doing all the things Trump Mobile promises, at the price and on the schedule it says, seems awfully close to impossible. While Nilay's out, David and Jake chat with The Verge's Dominic Preston about what we know about Trump Mobile and the T1 Phone, why everyone wants to be a wireless carrier, and what it would actually take for this to work out. After that, David and Jake talk through some big news in the TV world, and the streaming takeover that appears to be happening faster all the time. Finally, in the lightning round, it's time for some brief FCC news, a check on the state of Siri, big questions about the ad-rich future of WhatsApp, a look at the new fediverse feed in Threads, and some thoughts on the Framework Laptop 12. Further reading: Trump Mobile launches $47 service and a gold phone Who is really behind the Trump Mobile T1 phone? Trump Mobile is a bad deal What is the deal with the Trump Mobile T1 Phone? What do Alabama, California, and Florida have in common? How Donald Trump and Ryan Reynolds can easily sell you phone plans Even Klarna is launching a mobile phone service now SmartLess Mobile | Don't get outsmarted. Get SmartLess Mobile. Eric trump interview Trump is giving TikTok another ban extension Vivo wants its new X200 Ultra smartphone to replace your camera Streaming is eating cable and broadcast TV’s lunch. | The Verge From Nieman Lab: For the first time, social media overtakes TV as Americans’ top news source Max will show autoplaying video previews suggested by AI Senate confirms Trump’s FCC pick, Olivia Trusty Apple’s upgraded Siri might not arrive until next spring WhatsApp is officially getting ads WhatsApp’s rollout of ads will change the app forever Signal says it won’t add AI or ads like WhatsApp. | The Verge Reddit will help advertisers turn ‘positive’ posts into ads Senate passes GENIUS stablecoin bill in a win for the crypto industry Threads is adding fediverse content and search to its feeds Framework Laptop 12 review: plastic fantastic | The Verge Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices