We’re very bullish on the handheld future of gaming. But we’re not bullish on the new ROG Xbox Ally. The Verge’s Sean Hollister joins the show to explain why this Xbox-branded device barely feels like an Xbox, and why it’s definitely not a threat to the Steam Deck, before he and David debate whether the future of Xbox is even in good hands. After that, The Verge’s Hayden Field walks David through a couple of important recent studies, asking the same basic question: is AI making us dumb? Finally, Sean returns to answer a question from the Vergecast Hotline (call 866-VERGE11 or email vergecast@theverge.com!) about hybrid computers, which are an extremely 2012 idea and also maybe the future of computing. But probably not. #Vergecast #Technology #Podcast 0:00 Intro 2:02 The Xbox Ally and Ally X with The Verge's Sean Hollister 06:01 Xbox Ally and Ally X Pros and Cons 11:13 First User Experience: Windows Setup Frustrations 12:53 Why Steam Deck Still Wins on Simplicity 13:15 UI/UX Disappointments 15:45 How They Compare to Other Devices 16:31 Would You Buy It Over Other Handhelds? 18:31 Is Microsoft's Vision for Handheld Gaming Even Possible? 21:12 Why the PC Console Ecosystem “Works” (Sort Of) 24:45 Microsoft's Strategic Crossroads: What's Next? 25:56 Nintendo Switch 2 and Third-Party Games 28:43 Should I Buy a Steam Deck? (Handheld Buying Advice) 34:08 Segment 2: AI Is Making Us Stupid? 36:09 AI/Brain Study and Results 38:24 What Did the Research Actually Find? 44:47 How Tech and AI Change Cognitive Skills 54:19 Is Losing Old Skills Bad or Just Different? 58:45 Who Should Take Responsibility for Tech’s Effects? 01:01:10 Faking Book Reports & How Teachers Are Adapting 01:03:08 Can AI Be a True Learning Tool? 01:10:28 Vergecast Hotline Subscribe: http://goo.gl/G5RXGs Like The Verge on Facebook: https://goo.gl/2P1aGc Follow on Twitter: https://goo.gl/XTWX61 Follow on Instagram: https://goo.gl/7ZeLvX Follow on TikTok: http://bit.ly/42VeCVU Watch The Vergecast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/40RFRkg The Vergecast Podcast: https://bit.ly/3WQDexZ Decoder with Nilay Patel: http://apple.co/3v29nDc More about our podcasts: https://www.theverge.com/podcasts Read More: http://www.theverge.com Community guidelines: http://bit.ly/2D0hlAv Wallpapers from The Verge: https://bit.ly/2xQXYJr Shop our Verge merch store here: https://bit.ly/4kPCmEc Subscribe to The Verge: https://bit.ly/3FT6n5S Subscribe to The Vergecast on YouTube, new episodes on Tuesday and Friday: https://bit.ly/3I6nJtz If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may receive a commission without exerting any influence on editorial content. For more information about our ethics policy, visit: https://www.theverge.com/ethics-state...