The Verge's Nilay Patel, Alex Cranz, Richard Lawler, and James Vincent discuss the popularity of ChatGPT. Also: the FTC sues Microsoft to block its Activision Blizzard purchase, Apple is adding end-to-end encryption to iCloud backups, and some gadget news. Further reading: ChatGPT proves AI is finally mainstream — and things are only going to get weirder The FTC is suing Microsoft to block its Activision Blizzard purchase Microsoft reaches 10-year deal with Nintendo for Call of Duty EU sets December 28th, 2024, deadline for all new phones to use USB-C for wired charging The race to build a better Twitter Twitter Blue will reportedly cost more from iPhones to offset ‘hidden 30 percent tax’  Apple is adding end-to-end encryption to iCloud backups   Apple claims a new iMessage can alert you if state-sponsored spies are eavesdropping Tim Cook and Joe Biden came to Arizona to announce plans for American-made chips  Huawei’s latest smartwatch has hidden earbuds inside The $949 price for Dyson’s air-purifying headphones is more absurd than the device itself  Coros Apex 2 and Apex 2 Pro review: slightly short of great Amazon Echo Auto (2nd gen) review: smaller but not smarter How CoinDesk’s FTX scoop left a hole in its corporate overlord Sonos and Ikea made a floor lamp speaker that could be perfect for surround sound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on the flagship podcast of mounting TVs way too high in the hospital room: The Verge's David Pierce chats with Russell Brandom about the state of US broadband, and what we learned from 22,000 people’s internet bills. David also talks with Verge managing editor Alex Cranz about the Amazon Kindle's 15th anniversary, why the Kindle has been so successful, and maybe also why it hasn’t done more. Keep listening for Alex's review of the Kindle Scribe. Email us at [email protected] or call us at 866-VERGE11, we'd love to hear from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Producer Hadley Robinson reports on the often uncertain world digital creators find themselves in trying to make a living on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Should platforms pay creators directly? Are creator funds even good? Creators and experts tell us what they have found behind the curtain and what it's like to chase the dream of making a living as a digital creator. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Verge's Nilay Patel, Alex Cranz, and Alex Heath discuss this week in Elon Musk, everything that went wrong with FTX, and the latest gadget news. Further reading: Why some tech CEOs are rooting for Elon Musk  A Twitter executive got a court injunction to prevent Elon Musk from firing her Another major ad agency recommends pausing Twitter ad campaigns  Elon Musk is delaying Twitter’s paid verification to avoid Apple’s 30 percent cut Elon Musk says Apple has ‘threatened to withhold Twitter’ from the App Store Elon Musk says Tim Cook told him Apple ‘never considered’ removing Twitter  Elon Musk is dragging Apple into the culture wars  Elon Musk claims Neuralink is about ‘six months’ away from first human trial   Here’s everything that went wrong with FTX Sam Bankman-Fried Interview: Read the Transcript - The New York Times  Kensington made a new wireless version of its SlimBlade trackball mouse  The Genki Covert Dock Mini lets me put an entire gaming system in my purse  Now the Apple Watch Ultra can actually be your diving computer  Anker’s Eufy lied to us about the security of its security cameras   Canoo repurposed its bubbly electric pickup truck for the US Army Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we spend more time in digital spaces, our avatars are becoming part of our personality. And digital creators and influencers are becoming part of our culture. Producer Gina Pollack join's The Verge's David Pierce with stories about why advertisers love digital creators, why a dancing hot dog will never leave your brain, and what the creator industry is learning from mascots. Next time you’re scrolling through your Instagram feed, keep your eyes peeled — not everyone’s as human as they look. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices