TNW 433: A $399 AI Deer That Texts You - Crazy Lore Behind an AI Companion

TNW 433: A $399 AI Deer That Texts You - Crazy Lore Behind an AI Companion

Author: TWiT April 17, 2026 Duration: 1:15:23

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy of The Verge joins Mikah Sargent this week on Tech News Weekly! How AI is helping elders stay independent & provide companionship. How Apple and Google's app stores are pushing users toward deepfake nude apps, per an organization's report. And inside the crazy backstory behind an AI plush companion.

  • Jennifer talks about Samsung's newest updates to its SmartThings Family Care service and how technology and AI are increasingly being used to help take care of elderly people & provide companionship.
  • Mikah talks about a report from the Tech Transparency Project that found both Apple & Google's app stores that host & direct users to apps that generate non-consensual nude images of women.
  • And Victoria Song of The Verge joins the show to share her review of a $399 AI companion and her very unique experience with the device overall.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Jennifer Pattison Tuohy

Guest: Victoria Song

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Every Thursday, Mikah Sargent gathers with the reporters and writers who are actually on the ground covering the biggest shifts in the industry. This Tech News Weekly (Audio) podcast from TWiT moves beyond the headlines for a deeper conversation about the stories that matter. You’ll hear from the journalists themselves about how a story broke, the nuances that got lost in the initial rush, and what it all might mean for the future. It’s a direct line to the freshest perspectives and context you often miss, helping to make sense of the relentless pace of innovation, policy, and corporate moves. Rather than just summarizing the news, these discussions dig into the how and why, offering a more complete picture of the week in tech. Tune in for a consistently insightful analysis that feels like you’re in the room with the people who know these narratives inside and out. New episodes record live each Thursday, ready to give your understanding of the tech landscape a meaningful edge.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 10

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