The RED iPhone, Mass Effect: Andromeda, and the new iPad

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The Vergecast covers Apple’s new budget iPad and Product Red iPhone, Google’s Android O preview, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S8 and Bixby assistant, a weirdly divisive Apple Clips app, and broader shifts in tablets, notifications, and video games. The hosts repeatedly compare Apple/Google/Samsung strategies, debate whether tablets can evolve beyond Netflix devices, and veer into culture talk about Mass Effect Andromeda, video-game length, and online fandom toxicity.

Main Topics: Apple’s new budget iPad lineup (Priority: 5/5): The hosts discuss the refreshed 9.7-inch iPad, its low price, older hardware choices, removal of the iPad Air 2, and Apple’s apparent strategy of keeping a cheap entry-level iPad while pushing higher-end users toward the iPad Pro. They also question the future of the iPad mini and whether Apple still believes tablets can be a primary computing category. Apple Clips and future AR/social workflows (Priority: 5/5): The team debates Clips as a weird Apple-made video toy that borrows Snapchat/Instagram-style effects without being a true social network. They frame it as either a safe, non-social experiment or an early step toward augmented-reality sharing on future iPhones. Android O and Google’s approach to notifications/background limits (Priority: 4/5): Nat describes Android O’s early features, especially notification snoozing, customizable lock-screen shortcuts, and stronger background-app restrictions. The discussion emphasizes Google’s more flexible notification controls compared with Apple’s weak notification system. Samsung Galaxy S8, Dex, and Bixby (Priority: 5/5): The group reacts to leaks around the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus, with special attention to the fingerprint sensor placement, the Dex desktop mode, and Bixby as Samsung’s voice assistant. They view Bixby as a strategic wedge into voice/IoT rather than a direct Alexa or Assistant replacement. Tablets, Chrome OS, and the future of computing (Priority: 5/5): Dieter argues that Android tablets are too weak and that Google should ship tablets with Chrome OS to offer a better browser and stronger education story. The crew debates whether tablets can become real computers or remain high-quality consumption appliances. Mass Effect Andromeda and broader media/game trends (Priority: 4/5): Megan discusses the game’s animation issues, online harassment directed at a developer, and her deep dive into character creation. The conversation broadens into how modern games and TV seasons are stretching longer and focusing more on mundane, relationship-driven experiences.

Key Arguments: Apple’s cheap iPad is less about pushing a futuristic tablet vision and more about offering an affordable, good-enough device for schools and Netflix/web use. The iPad line only makes sense if Apple accepts that most people won’t pay for Pro hardware and mostly want an inexpensive consumption device. Clips is likely not meant to be a standalone social network; it may be a stepping stone toward making AR content easier to create and share on future iPhones. Android O’s notification and background-app changes are a meaningful quality-of-life improvement, especially compared with Apple’s still-clunky notification system. Samsung’s Bixby is strategically smart because it aims to improve Samsung’s own device interactions and lay groundwork for broader voice control across its product ecosystem. Google should consider Chrome OS tablets because Android tablet apps are still poor on large screens, while Chrome OS offers a better browser-centric model and stronger school adoption potential. Mass Effect Andromeda shows how modern games increasingly blend big sci-fi settings with ordinary social interactions, but the community’s toxicity remains a major problem. Longer games and TV seasons may reflect a larger media trend toward depth and extended engagement in response to attention fragmentation on phones.

Data Points: New iPad price: $329 - The discussion highlights Apple’s newly cheap 9.7-inch iPad as the core notable change. iPad screen size: 9.7 inch - The updated iPad is described as a 9.7-inch model. iPad mini storage price comparison: 128 GB iPad mini now more expensive than the new iPad - The hosts note the mini has become relatively overpriced versus the refreshed entry-level iPad. Android O preview features: 2 main consumer-facing features - Nat says the preview mainly exposes notification snoozing and customizable lock-screen shortcuts. Notification snooze gesture: soft swipe left or right, then tap a clock icon - Nat explains that Android O’s snooze UX is easy to accidentally dismiss instead of snoozing. Galaxy View screen size: 17-inch - Dieter mentions Samsung’s oversized Galaxy View tablet as an odd outlier in the tablet market. Mass Effect quote about playtime: 5 hours - Megan cites a review noting it took hours to get through a major early section of the game before character progression. Mr. Robot extra episodes: 2 extra episodes - The hosts mention the show expanded from 10 to 12 episodes. March 29 announcement date: March 29 - They reference the Galaxy S8 announcement date and jokingly note the deadline for Note 7 jokes. Shark Tank deals: 82 deals - They mention Mark Cuban has invested in 82 Shark Tank deals. Shark Tank investment total: $19 million - The Mark Cuban discussion includes the total amount invested across those deals.

Pivotal Quotes: "“The iPad line finally makes sense.”" — Neil/host discussion: A reaction to Apple’s simplified iPad lineup after the new low-cost model and the continued Pro split. "“What if they made all the parts except the social part?”" — Host discussion of Apple Clips: A summary of Apple’s strategy for Clips as a shareable video tool without being a full social network. "“Bixby is supposed to solve the hardest problem in tech, which is making Samsung’s software easier to use.”" — Dieter: Explaining Samsung’s voice assistant as a usability layer rather than just a cloud assistant.

Implications: The episode frames 2017 as a transitional year: Apple is simplifying products, Google is tightening Android, and Samsung is betting on voice and desktop modes. For listeners, the bigger takeaway is that mobile platforms are still searching for the right balance between consumption, productivity, and new interfaces like AR and voice.