The Engadget Podcast

The keyword for the iPhone 16e seems to be "compromise." In this episode, Devindra chats with Cherlynn about her iPhone 16e review and tries to figure out who this phone is actually for. Also, they dive into Amazon’s Alexa+ event, where they finally learned more about the company’s AI-powered voice assistant. Alexa+ seems useful, but can they trust it?

iPhone 16e Review

Cherlynn gave the iPhone 16e a score of 77 out of 100, with the title "What’s an acceptable compromise?" The phone’s compromises include having only one camera, no MagSafe, and no fast wireless charging. Cherlynn notes that these compromises may not be significant for everyone, but for her, the lack of an ultrawide camera is a major drawback. The phone’s camera performance is also not as good as the regular iPhone 16, especially in portrait mode.

Amazon Alexa+ Event

Amazon announced Alexa+, an AI-powered version of its voice assistant, which will be available for $20 a month or as part of a Prime subscription. Alexa+ will be able to perform more complex tasks, such as ordering groceries or making reservations, and will be able to integrate with third-party services. Cherlynn notes that this is similar to Google’s Duplex feature, which allows users to make reservations or appointments using a virtual assistant.

Interview with Daniel Rausch, Vice President of Alexa

Cherlynn sat down with Daniel Rausch, Vice President of Alexa, to discuss the new Alexa+ feature. Rausch explained that Alexa+ will be able to integrate with tens of thousands of different services and devices, and will be able to perform tasks such as booking reservations or ordering food. He also noted that Alexa+ will be able to navigate websites on behalf of users, allowing them to complete tasks without having to leave the Alexa app.

Pop Culture Picks

Devindra recommends the game Avowed, which he has been playing and enjoying. Cherlynn recommends the documentary series "The Search for Instagram’s Worst Con Artists," which explores the story of Belle Gibson, a woman who claimed to be dying from cancer and profited from her fake story.

Conclusion

The hosts discuss the latest tech news, including the iPhone 16e and Amazon’s Alexa+ event. They also touch on other topics, such as the ethics of AI-powered assistants and the importance of mental health support. The episode ends with a discussion of their pop culture picks and a reminder to listeners to subscribe to the podcast and follow them on social media.