The video game disc is dead

Things don't look great for console and game makers right now. With Xbox and PlayStation sales flagging, Microsoft preparing for big layoffs in its gaming division, and the price of everything on the rise, maybe it makes sense to save money where you can. You know, like making discs? David and Nilay discuss the end of the physical video game, before wondering whether Microsoft might be getting ready to get rid of Xbox altogether. After that, they talk about the new wave of hardware for AI coders, and the ongoing attempt to replace your laptop keyboard with... something, plus the latest iPhone 18 rumors and leaks. Finally, it's time for the Hype Desk, Brendan Carr is a Dummy, some breaking SpaceX phone news, and some truly wild BMW headlights. Further reading: Sony is killing all physical PlayStation game discs Xbox testing disc-to-digital feature that digitizes a physical game collection Xbox weighs canceling Blade game and shuttering Arkane  Xbox: “We’re not reducing our overall investment in games.”  Sony’s next-gen PlayStation will go ‘beyond the living room’  PlayStation and Xbox hardware had a tough May.  Xbox prices spike another $100 or more With GTA looming, consoles are getting expensive at the worst possible time 007 First Light’s developer lays off staff but claims its next franchise will continue Rockstar workers push to unionize ahead of GTA VI’s launch OpenAI is teasing new hardware… for Codex  Here’s a photo of OpenAI’s Codex hardware.  iPhone 18 Pro ‘drop test’ leaks get yanked from X  Leaked iPhone 18 Pro photos reportedly wound up on the dark web   A future Qi standard could bring 50W wireless charging to more devices.  Exclusive | SpaceX Showed Investors Prototype of Elon Musk’s New AI Device - WSJ Comcast is splitting in two The Supreme Court stops Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship WhatsApp is launching usernames: here’s how to reserve yours  Supreme Court allows firing of FTC commissioners, ends agency independence  Subscribe to The Verge for unlimited access to theverge.com, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, and our ad-free podcast feed. We love hearing from you! Email your questions and thoughts to vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11. (Timestamps are approximate.) 00:00:00 Intro 00:02:00 Book Pitch and Grill Week 00:04:00 Discs Are Dying 00:08:00 Live Service Shopping Malls 00:11:00 Microsoft Xbox Layoffs Talk 00:16:00 Console Sales Slump and Prices 00:20:00 PlayStation Beyond Living Room 00:24:00 OpenAI Codex Macro Keyboard 00:27:00 Voice Coding and Verification Loops 00:31:00 Dictation Hype and AI Limits 00:39:00 iPhone 18 Pro Leak Mystery 00:44:00 Battery Life Tradeoffs 00:48:00 Fast Wireless Charging Heat 00:52:00 CarPlay Beta Workarounds 00:56:00 Netflix Horror Unhinged 01:03:00 Cozy Repair Game Restory 01:06:00 Brendan Carr is a Dummy 01:16:00 SpaceX AI Phone Rumors 01:22:00 Grok OS App Problem 01:25:00 Comcast Splits In Two 01:33:00 WhatsApp Username Land Grab 01:35:00 BMW Headlights Go Bananas 01:40:00 Wrap Up And Plugs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices