Tech hosts admit iPhone Duo score was not final
Reviewers at The Verge debate whether their 7/10 rating for Apple's new dual-screen device holds up against its tablet-like design.
By Lorenzo Patterson ·
The Vergecast hosts David and Nilay Patel challenged their own review of the iPhone Duo on Thursday. They argued the device should have been classified and scored as an iPad rather than a smartphone. The podcast hosts noted that their initial 7 out of 10 rating was not always the score they had planned.
The debate centers on the device's dual-screen design. David and Nilay questioned whether the outer display represents the worst iPhone ever made. They cited John Gruber of Daring Fireball, who suggested the device feels more like a tablet. The hosts asked if the product would be viewed more favorably if Apple had simply named it the iPad Duo.
The reviewers acknowledged the device is a new concept. They discussed how the phone might change over time. The central question for their audience is whether the Duo will ever become the primary phone for all users. The hosts agreed it is easy to see how the product will improve.
Beyond the iPhone Duo discussion, the episode covered a major cybersecurity flaw in the PHP programming language. The hosts described the issue as a significant event for the web. They also addressed the rise of AI shopping agents, specifically Muse agents, and their impact on retail interactions.
Other topics included a critique of FCC chair Brendan Carr and a planned reboot within Netflix. The hosts also reviewed confusing news regarding Google's Gemini platform. The episode concluded with a discussion on vibe-coding creators and the recent launch of the flying Tesla Roadster.
Source: The Verge
