Input/Output – Details, episodes & analysis

Sadly, the Input/Output podcast is going on indefinite hiatus, so this is the last episode for the foreseeable future….

Google recently launched its Stadia gaming platform on iOS and iPadOS, making it the first major game-streaming service available for Apple's ecosystem. To work around Apple's App Store regulations, the company has been forced to produce a progressive web app – and it works perfectly. Input editor Ryan Houlihan and editor in chief Joshua Topolsky join us to discuss the news. And later: Nintendo’s relationship with its fans has been on a slow downward spiral as of late. In 2020, despite booming fan culture, Nintendo has kept its most vocal customers at arm’s length through legal maneuvers and an army of PR people, according to a recent Input story by Samuel Polay. Ryan and Joshua talk about this turn of events.

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The rapper Lil Nas X famously purchased the instrumental for his No. 1 hit “Old Town Road'' through the site BeatStars. The rise of sites like BeatStars and TrakTrain, where musical beats are bought and sold, has changed the way the music business works forever. Writer Seth King recently explored this paradigm shift for Input. He stops by the show to talk about his piece. And later: The once-maligned footwear company Crocs had a huge year, collaborating with everyone from the brand Chinatown Market to the musician Bad Bunny. But it took a collaboration with designer Nicole McLaughlin to get Input news writer Ian Servantes fully onboard with the plastic clogs. Ian joins us to discuss.

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Imaginative TikTokers have created, in bits and pieces, Ratatouille the Musical, based on the 2007 Pixar animated film about a rat named Remy’s efforts to become a chef. Input news writer Matt Wille is a huge fan of Ratatouille the Musical and wrote a piece on how it came about — and why it deserves a Tony Award. He joins us to discuss. And later: The Nike shoe known as the Freddy Krueger SB Dunk is the greatest sneaker that never was. Input news writer Ian Servantes stops by to tell the tale of a shoe that, after being canceled in 2007 due to a cease and desist letter, went on to become a cultural phenomenon. Read more on inputmag.com/inputoutput.

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A Netflix subscription is now the worst value in streaming, according to an Input piece by Samuel Polay, co-host of the podcast Culture Vacuum. He writes that the quality of Netflix’s offerings are not the issue; it’s that the company continues to lag behind competitors by failing to offer the highest quality picture to all of its customers. Samuel joins us to discuss. And later: Outgoing FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s legacy will be defined by the body’s controversial repeal of net neutrality. But what can we expect from a Biden administration FCC? In short: Net neutrality will be back, and the internet will be cheaper. Input news writer J. Fergus stops by to talk about some of the changes in store come 2021.

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Comcast first introduced a data cap on home internet service back in 2012, and in 2016 the company expanded it to 27 out of the 39 states in which it operates. Customers were able to avoid caps for years in Northeastern states where Comcast competes against cap-free Verizon Fios, but Comcast now says the party will end in 2021 as it extends the limits to all customers, regardless of location. Input editor Ryan Houlihan, editor in chief Joshua Topolsky, and news editor Craig Wilson join us to discuss. And later: While campaigning, President-elect Joe Biden expressed dismay at Facebook’s propensity for letting misinformation thrive. Now the social network is reportedly planning an apology tour of sorts to suck up to Biden and try to avoid being broken up. Ryan, Joshua, and Craig discuss this turn of events.

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Apple has released a new MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini, and none of them have Intel processors inside. Instead, they’re powered by Apple’s own M1 chip, part of a previously announced move away from processors made by Intel. Input senior reviews editor Ray Wong and card stories editor James Pero recently took a look at the new machines. James joins us to discuss. And later: The Nest Audio speaker will blow your mind, according to Ray Wong. He reviewed Google's newest Assistant-powered smart speaker and found the sound to be excellent at all volume levels. Ray joins us to talk about the new device.

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YouTube recently announced that due to 2020’s horribleness, it’s skipping its annual Rewind highlights video. This gave writer Ralph Jones an excuse to look back at YouTube Rewind 2018, the most disliked YouTube video of all time. Input editor Ryan Houlihan and editor in chief Joshua Topolsky join us to discuss Ralph’s piece. And later: Thanks to the pandemic, this summer saw the world’s hypebeasts quarantined at home with nowhere to flex — and nowhere to turn but comfier shoes. Thus, the rise of so-called dadcore fashion like Crocs. Writer Giovanna Osterman recently explored this trend for Input. Ryan and actual dad Joshua discuss fatherly fits.

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Photos of the orange skies caused by the recent wildfires in the West reminded many of the imagery from the movie Blade Runner 2049. Input news writer Andrew Paul argues that it’s well past time to accept that we are, more or less, living in the dystopian future that the Blade Runner movies predicted. He joins us to discuss. And later: Even considering our worst moments, humanity’s relationship with technology is still much too awkward to achieve dystopia, according to Input news editor Cheyenne MacDonald. The world today, she writes, is shaping up to be a lot more like the B horror movie Chopping Mall than it is a sci-fi classic like Blade Runner. Cheyenne swings by the show to share her thoughts.

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Special-edition phones usually mean little more than a logo slapped on the back. But OnePlus’s 8T Cyberpunk 2077 Limited Edition — a partnership with the hotly anticipated video game — is so much more, according to Input senior reviews editor Ray Wong. He joins us to discuss. And later: YouTubers can’t stop destroying the iPhone 12. Apple's claim that the iPhone 12 is more resilient than predecessors has prompted online reviewers to indulge in extreme stress-testing, which has involved everything from hammers to drops from great heights. Input card story editor James Pero joins us to talk about this trend.

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Amazon is expanding its in-garage delivery program for Prime users. The company’s smart door program, myQ, was initially limited to a few dozen cities in the U.S. but now it could go live for thousands. The idea is to cut down on package theft but also fight back Covid-19 transmission. Input editor Ryan Houlihan and editor in chief Joshua Topolsky join us to discuss whether you should give Amazon access to your garage. And later: The Nintendo Switch's popularity shows no signs of waning. The company recently said that it sold 12.53 million units of its record-breaking Switch console worldwide in the six months between April and September of this year. Ryan and Joshua talk about what Nintendo is doing right.

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