This Is Only A Test

This week, we get hyped for E3, the impending release of Deadpool 2 and Solo, and a new LEGO roller coaster set. Plus, the baffling audio clip phenomenon dividing social media, visits to the Beta store, and hacking digital assistants with words you can't hear. Hope to see some of you at Maker Faire this weekend!

With Google IO, Microsoft Build, and Facebook F8 all happening within a week of each other, there's lot to talk about on this week's show. We discuss the implications of Google's new AI efforts, Oculus' new prototype VR headset, and Nintendo online service plans. Plus, more details about our trip to see the NASA InSight mission rocket launch!

We save the Infinity War discussion and spoiler-talk for the end of the podcast, and kick things off with discussion of the just-released Oculus Go headset. There's also Star Trek news, details from F8, and excitement for the next Star Wars animated series. Plus, we're hopefully going to see a rocket launch!

On the day before Infinity War's release, the gang gathers to recount the past 10 years of Marvel cinematic universe movies, learn the origin of Kishore's love of Thanos, and hear about some highlights from the Replica Prop Forum showcase. Plus, the VR Minute and thoughts on Nintendo Labo. (Apologies for the bad audio for the 30 minutes of the podcast--our audio recorder stopped recording so we only had camera microphone audio.)

This week, we hear about Norm's trip to Monsterpalooza, the downfall of competitive arcade gamer Billy Mitchell, White Castle's take on Impossible burgers, and a really intriguing Nintendo Switch patent. Plus, hype for the impending Insight Lander launch!

As Mark Zuckerberg testifies to congress, we get together to talk about Facebook privacy concerns, this past weekend's Silicon Valley Comic Con, the new Solo trailer, and more! Plus, a moment of science and the VR minute!

We're finally able to talk about Ready Player One, and the gang as expected has different reactions. (Red light behind Kishore means spoilers are in play!) We also talk about the death of Steam Machines, new Intel chips, and spider science. Plus a quick VR minute!

On the eve of the Ready Player One premiere, we recap all the VR experiences we saw at GDC, discuss Apple's iPad for education event, hear about Kishore's trip to the MARS conference, and get outraged by a Disney/Pixar twitter tournament. Plus, Norm's trip the The Void's Star Wars experience.

Professional maker of things Zach Radding joins us this week to talk about Facebook's privacy problems, the Game Developers Conference, Avengers: Infinity War trailer impressions, and the demise of Toys R Us. Plus, the VR minute!

We pay tribute to the life and work of Stephen Hawking, get envious of the Westworld experience at South by Southwest, discuss the first Ready Player One reviews, and scratch our heads at a silicon valley startup that has to kill its clients.

The gang talks about their hands-on time with the Nintendo Labo maker kits, a recent trip to an amazing escape room, and the latest Star Wars news. Plus, controversy with movie posters, car news for Geneva, and being locked out of your phone for almost 50 years.

Will Smith is in the house this week as a guest in place of Jeremy, and we chat about his latest eSports adventures, the exciting conclusion to the Winter Olympics, and news from Mobile World Congress. Plus, the VR minute and a moment of science!

We review Black Panther without spoiling any details, discuss some toy news from this year's Toy Fair, hear about Kishore's recent roadtrip, and look at the specs of Qualcomm's new VR headeset. Plus, a big change to Google search that startled us.

Norm and Jeremy talk about their recent adventure on a homemade mini-boat, Kishore shares the most impressive science photos he's ever seen, and we discuss the potential of autonomous drones that can sense the world. Plus, a ton of hype for movies coming out this weekend!

We're still taking in all the awe and imagery of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy launch, so we dive into what we know about the historic launch and the publicity surrounding it. Plus, our thoughts on this year's Superbowl ads, Netflix's Cloverfield release, Apple Homepod reviews, and Deepfakes. So much happened this week!

On the eve of Apple's big earning report, the gang discusses the upcoming changes to iOS, The Boring Company's flamethrower sale, and two new film trailers starring Paul Rudd. Plus, Kishore makes us all try the new Diet Coke flavors...for science!

Norm's back from New Zealand this week to share some stories about aerial photography, and the gang discusses Nintendo Labo, reckless Apple rumors, and Amazon's experimental grocery store. Plus, GPU shortages, Duke Nukem, and a Moment of Science!

Norm is still away at WETA workshop in New Zealand, so Kishore and Jeremy are joined by TekThing co-host Shannon Morse to discuss the Great CES blackout of 2018 (12:40), her hands-on impressions of the new Vive Pro (22:15), the potential Studio Ghibli themepark (1:09:40), and to celebrate Shake Shack expanding to San Francisco, we rank our favorite chain burgers (1:12:00). And yes, Kishore is still reeling from the huge Diet Coke announcement. Check out Shannon on TekThing (https://www.youtube.com/tekthing) and Hak5 (https://www.hak5.org/shows/threatwire). And special shout out to Danica Chan for designing our new podcast set!

Norm is away in New Zealand, so Kishore and Jeremy are joined by game development legend Mike Mika of Other Ocean Interactive. We chat about the Vive Pro and other VR announcements from CES, the pre-blackout most interesting hardware at CES so far, and its award season, so we hand out the 1st ever Tested awards for our favorite media, games, and hardware of 2017. RIP Tested transition music.

The team returns from holiday break to talk about Apple's recent phone battery controversy, watching Top Gun in a virtual reality theater, and test driving a Tesla Model 3! Plus, why we love the newest season of Black Mirror.