Engadget Podcast Reviews iPhone 17 Air and Unveils Meta Ray‑Ban Smart Glasses
Key Points
- Sam Rutherford reviews the iPhone 17 Air, highlighting its thin design and battery performance.
- Discussion of the iPhone 17 Pro as a substantial upgrade and the base iPhone 17’s broad appeal.
- Meta Connect 2025 introduces Ray‑Ban Display smart glasses, sparking debate on wearable tech strategy.
- A potential TikTok partnership framework is reportedly in place.
- The U.S. may license ByteDance’s original recommendation algorithm.
- Rumors circulate about a touchscreen MacBook Pro from Apple.
- Podcast wraps up with quick tech news and cultural picks.
In the latest Engadget podcast, senior writer Sam Rutherford discusses the newly released iPhone 17 Air, assessing its thin design, battery performance, and how it fits within the broader iPhone 17 lineup, including the iPhone 17 Pro and the base model. The episode also covers Meta's Connect 2025 keynote, highlighting the introduction of Ray‑Ban Display smart glasses and speculating on their market impact. Additional topics include a developing TikTok partnership framework, potential U.S. licensing of ByteDance's original algorithm, and rumors surrounding a touchscreen MacBook Pro. The show wraps up with quick news bites and cultural picks.
iPhone 17 Air and the Rest of the Lineup
Engadget’s podcast opens with senior writer Sam Rutherford sharing his hands‑on experience with the iPhone 17 Air. He notes the phone’s notably thin profile, describing it as a purposeful design choice that does not compromise durability. Battery life is examined, with Rutherford providing his observations on real‑world usage. The discussion then expands to the iPhone 17 Pro, which he characterizes as a more substantive update than its name might suggest, and the base iPhone 17, which he calls a great fit for a wide audience.
Meta Connect 2025 and Ray‑Ban Display Smart Glasses
The conversation shifts to Meta’s Connect 2025 event, where founder Mark Zuckerberg announced the Ray‑Ban Display smart glasses. The hosts debate whether the glasses represent a genuine shift toward wearable computing or a strategic move to reduce reliance on smartphones. They evaluate the glasses’ design, display capabilities, and potential ecosystem integration.
Tech Industry Side Stories
Beyond the flagship products, the podcast touches on a few peripheral developments. A framework for a TikTok deal is reported to be in place, hinting at future collaboration possibilities. Additionally, the United States may license ByteDance’s original algorithm, a move that could influence content recommendation dynamics. Rumors about a touchscreen MacBook Pro also circulate, prompting speculation about Apple’s next laptop direction.
Quick News and Culture Picks
The episode concludes with brief coverage of other tech headlines, followed by the hosts’ personal picks for pop‑culture moments. Listeners receive a concise roundup of the week’s most noteworthy tech stories, all sourced from Engadget’s editorial team.