This Is Only A Test

We have a full crew this week to review the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, unpack John Carmack's talk about the Oculus Quest 2, and dive into the science of Tesla's battery day news. Plus, Norm dons a Hololens 2 and shares some impressions, and we blitz through a whirlwind of pop culture updates.

Jeremy and Norm discuss in-depth the two big tech stories this week: Quest 2 being announced at Facebook Connect and Apple's new iPad and Watch event. We answer questions viewers have about the Quest 2 and brace ourselves for a holiday season of new hardware launches. And just as we finish recording, Sony drops the PlayStation 5 pricing and release dates!

We're joined by science communicator Trace Dominguez this week to discuss the state of the west coast wildfires and what's making the sky turn orange in the Bay Area. Kishore recaps the virtual panels of DragonCon, and Norm wonders how a big budget Dune gets approved. Plus, pricing for next-gen consoles, augmented reality Mario Kart, and the science of brain-machine interfaces. Thanks to Jeff for making this week's theme music!

This week, we talk about Nvidia's long-awaited 3000-series graphics card announcement, Netflix's plan to adapt the Three Body Problem, LEGO's first collaboration with IKEA, and debate the merits of rotoscoping over stop-motion animation. Plus, a new Marvel-themed pinball machine and the hype for Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond! Thanks to Chloe for making this week's theme music!

We break down all the announcments from DC's Fandome event from this past weekend, including the reveal of the new Batman! Plus, Netflix's comforting gaming documentary, the latest in Epic vs. Apple, and the big change for Oculus' annual developer conference. Thanks to Rick in Vermont for making this week's intro music!

Epic takes on Apple in the biggest tech story this week, as the team explains the conflict in a mock trial with advocates for both parties. What's actually at stake for users and developers? Plus, the response to Oculus's terms of service updates, the state of Covid testing, and how a shuffle button would and should work on Netflix. Thanks to Chip McDonald for composing this week's intro music! Keep them coming!

It's just Norm and Jeremy this week to discuss the wave of Microsoft product news, including the Surface Duo launch, Halo Infinite delay, and xcloud on iOS. We also have differing opinions about the new Star Trek Lower Decks show, and our hopes for the VR port of the Hitman trilogy. All that and more on a reverse-order show! Thanks to @lessreverb for creating this week's theme music!

This week, we talk about Disney's decision to release Mulan for purchase on Disney+ and what that may mean for future wide releases while theaters are closed. We also talk about LEGO's grand piano set, PlayStation controllers, and the idea of an Oculus Quest Pro. Plus, Kishore explains the vaccination testing process in an extended moment of science!

We're going reverse order this week, but kick things off with anticipation for the impending launch of the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover slated for early Thursday, and its kit of high-tech gear being sent offworld. We discuss the Oculus headset photo leak, our hopes for Tales from Galaxy's Edge, the Xbox games showcase, and major takeaways from last week's Comic-Con at home. Thanks to Maskil for making our awesome heavy metal theme this week!

On the eve of San Diego Comic-Con at home and the Xbox Games Showcase, we check in to talk about our recent projects upgrading home theater sound systems and building a new PC. We discuss Netflix's big bet on spy thriller franchise, the fate of Tenet, and the significance of 4K 60fps games on next-gen consoles. Plus, what's up with that Oculus Quest render that's been posted online. Thanks to Alex for creating this week's theme music!

We're back after a short break and catch up on big news in the worlds of LEGO, Star Trek, and VR. The gang discusses the different reactions to the Hamilton film, and Norm gushes over two behind-the-scenes documentaries that put a spotlight on high stakes creative endeavors. Plus, a science update on the state of Covid, and the VR mintue!

So much to cover this week as we recap the big annoucements from Apple's virtual WWDC keynote, their impending shift to ARM architecture Mac computers, and the gameplay details of Star Wars: Squadrons. Plus, surprise Batman casting rumors, Mixer shutting down, and a farewell to the Oculus Go headset!

Bill Doran of Punished Props Academy joins us this week to talk about the PlayStation 5 unveiling and games showcase, Comic Con at home happening next month for free, and our excitement for Star Wars: Squadrons! Plus, a lot of VR news and catching up with our favorite foamsmith!

On the eve of the Sony PS5 showcase, we talk about our expectation for the next gen console, rising rumors of Apple's move to ARM for Mac, and our adventures in a VR escape room. Plus, a celebration of esoteric game controllers like the Power Glove, and an interview with The Atlantic's Alexis Madrigal in our Living with Covid segment!

We take a break from our usual coverage to talk about what's going on in the world this week and continue the conversation we had on Still Untitled with Kishore and Jeremy. It's a difficult conversation to have, but thank you for listening and we hope it's helpful for the kind of talks and introspection you might be going through right now.

We're back to the standard segment order in this week's episode, where we talk about the SpaceX crewed Dragon launch (recorded before the mission was rescheduled), HBO Max's launch and plans for Zack Snyder's Justice League cut, and HP's new VR headset unveiled at the Augmented World Expo! Plus, in our new interview segment Living with Covid, Kishore interviews Ian Haydon, a volunteer who took part in the recent clinical trial of Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine candidate.

The reverse-order podcast returns as special guest Devindra Hardawar joins us this week to talk about how the Oculus Quest platform has grown in its first year of release, the release of Half-Life: Alyx workshop tools, and the technologies and use cases for AR glasses that will make them mainstream. Plus, Build 2020 news, new shows we've been watching, and a special science interview segment!

The podcast is flipped on its head this week as we go through our usual segments in reverse order, starting with the VR minute! Norm, Jeremy, and Kishore talk about how they celebrated mother's day, cozy LEGO builds, and the impending release of the Hamilton concert film on Disney+. Plus, hand tracking experiments in VR, Unreal Engine 5 looking amazing, and hype for the upcoming Lower Decks Star Trek show. That and the usual goodness in this week's packed episode!

Jeremy's back from Spring Break as we go over the news from Star Wars day, the Space Force show trailer, upgrades to both Surface and MacBook Pro laptops, and a fully mechanical handheld pong game from the 70s. Plus, updates in a Moment of Science and NASA's announcement of sending a flying robot to Mars as well as filming a Tom Cruise movie in space! What the what?

Will sits in this week as we discuss the rumors that Apple will transition Mac processors away from Intel next year, what the success of Trolls 2 means for theatrical releases, and the groundbreaking specs for Canon's EOS R5 camera. Plus, Star Wars television show news, a swimming dinosaur discovery, and the delightful Animal Crossing-based talk show created by our friend Gary Whitta!