Techtember Tech Roundup: Google, Polestar, and iPhone

Techtember Overview

This episode of the Waveform podcast covers a wide range of topics, heavily influenced by the arrival of September, which the hosts call Techtember. The conversation spans from bizarre corporate partnerships to in-depth predictions about the upcoming Apple event.

The Google Play Store and New Content

Google is introducing an original video series called the Play Report directly into the Google Play Store.
• The hosts express significant skepticism regarding the longevity of this feature, comparing it to other deprecated Google services.
• There is speculation about whether this integration will become a permanent fixture or be shut down within the year.

Automotive Tech: Polestar Phone and Tesla Spoon

Polestar Phone: The hosts discuss the announcement that Polestar is partnering with the Chinese brand Meizu to release a branded smartphone. The goal is to improve the synergy between the vehicle's OS and the user's mobile device.
Tesla Cybertruck Spoon: A bizarre marketing collaboration in China resulted in a $4 limited-edition Cybertruck spoon. Despite Elon Musk initially labeling the reports as fake news, it was confirmed to be a legitimate promotional item, highlighting the iconic status the unreleased truck has achieved in pop culture.

Apple Event Predictions

The bulk of the episode focuses on the highly anticipated iPhone 15 event. Key expectations include:

• USB-C Transition: Widely seen as inevitable, the shift from Lightning to USB-C is the most anticipated hardware change for the entire iPhone 15 lineup.
• Titanium Frame: There is strong speculation that the Pro models will shift from stainless steel to a titanium frame, offering a lighter weight and improved durability.
• Action Button: The potential replacement of the classic mute switch with a customizable physical button is a major topic of debate among the hosts.

"I think that was the one good use of reverse wireless charging... charging earbuds and smartwatches."

The Pixel Pass Graveyard

Google has officially discontinued Pixel Pass, a subscription bundle that included hardware financing, YouTube Premium, and Google One.
• The hosts criticize the timing, as this discontinuation leaves early adopters just months away from their scheduled upgrade cycle without the promised benefit.
• This move serves as a cautionary tale about relying on Google's long-term product support.