Apple rumors, wireless headphones and No Man’s Sky

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: A sprawling Vergecast fill-in episode centers on Apple’s rumored September hardware changes—especially the iPhone 7’s missing headphone jack, possible bundled dongles or Lightning EarPods, a force-touch home button, and a likely dual-camera Plus model—while also debating the Apple Watch 2, a future all-glass iPhone, and the upcoming MacBook Pro touch strip. The panel then pivots to Sony/Microsoft’s new console-iteration strategy, No Man’s Sky’s “beautiful monotony,” wireless workout headphones, and a VR headset roundup, mixing serious product analysis with jokes and sponsor parody.

Main Topics: Apple’s rumored iPhone 7 changes (Priority: 5/5): The panel spends the most time unpacking rumors around the iPhone 7: removal of the headphone jack, what Apple might include in the box, whether the phone gets Lightning EarPods or a dongle, and whether consumers are ready for a forced transition to Bluetooth/wireless audio. Force-touch home button and iPhone design direction (Priority: 4/5): They discuss a pressure-sensitive home button with haptic feedback, comparing it to Mac trackpads and Android implementations, and speculate that it could remove the last moving part and help with waterproofing. Apple Watch 2 and future Apple hardware (Priority: 4/5): The group debates a rumored Apple Watch refresh with GPS and a faster processor, plus speculation about an all-glass iPhone and the possibility that the older Watch could be kept on sale at a lower price. MacBook Pro redesign rumors (Priority: 3/5): They cover the expected MacBook Pro with an OLED touch strip, Touch ID, and a more customizable function area, while expressing skepticism that it solves real needs better than improving battery life, weight, or portability. Console iteration: PlayStation Neo and Xbox One S (Priority: 4/5): The conversation shifts to the future of consoles as iterative, phone-like products, debating whether Sony and Microsoft are moving toward more frequent hardware updates, 4K support, VR readiness, and broader backward compatibility. No Man’s Sky and procedural generation (Priority: 4/5): The panel gives a nuanced take on No Man’s Sky: visually impressive and conceptually ambitious, but sometimes repetitive and more enjoyable as a shared internet experience than as a traditional objective-driven game. Audio, VR, and gadget recommendations (Priority: 3/5): The episode briefly covers Lauren’s workout headphone review picks, a Chinese lightweight VR headset (Dlodlo), and broader questions about whether wireless audio, VR, and dongles improve daily usability enough to justify their drawbacks.

Key Arguments: Apple is unlikely to ship an iPhone without some audio solution in the box; the most plausible outcome is Lightning EarPods plus an expensive dongle rather than a pure Bluetooth-only package. Consumers are not ready for a sudden forced switch to wireless headphones, so Apple would likely stage the transition to protect usability and profit margins. A force-touch home button would be meaningful if it uses precise haptics like the MacBook/Apple Watch, and it may be part of a move toward waterproofing by removing moving parts. An all-glass phone could be motivated by design competition with Samsung and by wireless-charging or connectivity advantages, but it remains highly speculative. The Apple Watch can probably support all-day life with room to spare, so adding GPS and a faster processor may be realistic even if always-on display remains difficult. The MacBook Pro OLED touch strip is only compelling if it becomes truly customizable; otherwise, battery life and portability are more valuable improvements. Sony and Microsoft appear to be shifting from six-year console generations to a more iterative model, closer to smartphones or PCs, especially to support VR and 4K. No Man’s Sky’s strength is exploration and emergent sharing rather than clear objectives; its procedural generation can feel magical but also repetitive. Wireless workout headphones should be judged on fit, durability, battery life, and ease of use rather than pure fidelity. VR hardware is still struggling with comfort, content, and price, but smaller, lighter headsets could improve adoption if they solve fit and immersion issues.

Data Points: Apple event date rumor: September 7 - Panel repeatedly references this as the expected Apple announcement date. Wireless headphone market shift: Wireless headphones outsold wired headphones in the U.S. last quarter - Cited to argue consumers are gradually moving toward wireless audio. JLab Epic 2 price: $100 - Lauren’s top pick for wireless workout headphones. Plantronics Backbeat Fit price range: $75–$80 - Lauren’s runner-up choice in the workout headphone review. Casper mattress offer code: verge - Sponsor read for Casper in the middle of the episode. Casper return policy: risk free / free shipping and free returns - Highlighted in the ad copy for the mattress sponsor. Dlodlo VR headset price: about $550–$560 - Dan describes the lightweight sunglasses-style VR headset. No Man’s Sky planets: 18 quintillion - Used to describe the scale of the game’s procedural universe. Sony/Microsoft console sales cycle: every year or two vs. every five or six years - Discussed as a possible future shift in the console market. Apple adapter price: $9.99 - Mentioned as precedent for Apple pricing a tiny dongle/adapter expensively. Apple Watch battery observation: about 35%–40% remaining at day’s end - Used to argue there may be room for extra features like GPS. Workout headphone testing cadence: at least 3 workouts per pair - Lauren explains how thoroughly she tested the headphones. HP cloud laptop pricing: starting at $219 - Referenced in a lightning-round product mention.

Pivotal Quotes: "I think they're going to put a lightning version of earpods in the box and then sell a dongle for $29." — Lauren Good: Prediction about the iPhone 7’s audio accessories if the headphone jack is removed. "There's no way they do that." — Multiple speakers: Refrain used repeatedly in response to extreme Apple rumor speculation, especially around neck buds and packaging. "No Man's Sky is, I'm going to say it's a game, but it's not really." — Chris Plant: Summary of the game’s exploration-focused, low-objective design.

Implications: If these rumors are accurate, Apple and console makers are both pushing users toward more frequent hardware transitions and accessory dependencies. That could reshape expectations around upgrades, audio, VR, and 4K, but only if the new experiences feel clearly better than what they replace.