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Hotline: Folding phones in cars, EVs in Mexico

The Vergecast

28m
Transcript

Original podcast

Summary

Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.

In this hotline episode of The Vergecast, host Travis Larchuk and transportation editor Andrew Hawkins dive into listener questions about cars, technology, and mobility. They tackle topics ranging from using foldable phones like the Galaxy Z Fold in stripped-down electric vehicles like the Slate Truck, to the frustrations of modern wireless charging pads conflicting with massive phone camera bumps. The discussion also covers consumer preferences around in-car navigation versus Apple CarPlay, the manufacturing and software strategies behind EV startups like Fisker, and why the Mexican car market is becoming a hotbed for new Chinese vehicle brands. It is a practical and entertaining look at where automotive design and consumer tech awkwardly intersect.

  • Consider using a direct USB-C cord instead of built-in wireless charging pads if phone camera bumps prevent proper charging. 8:37
  • Look to neighboring markets like Mexico and Canada to observe how quickly Chinese automotive brands are gaining market share. 28:26
  • Automakers are increasingly building navigation apps natively into vehicles to integrate real-time electric vehicle battery and driving data. 15:04

Chapters

  1. 0:02
    Episode Intro and Host Introductions

    Hosts introduce the episode and explain the format of the hotline Q&A.

  2. 0:42
    90 Seconds Segment – Meta, Discord, McDonald’s Ads

    A quick news roundup covering Meta’s upcoming glasses, Discord’s age estimation, and McDonald’s ad pilot.

  3. 2:00
    Support and Ad Spots

    Multiple sponsor messages from Amazon Prime, Horizon 3, and AMEX Corporate.

  4. 3:00
    Hotline Intro – Andrew Hawkins Joins

    Andrew Hawkins is introduced as the transportation editor to answer listener questions.

  5. 4:00
    Question 1 – Foldable Phone as Car Console

    Listener asks if a Galaxy Z Fold could serve as a console in a stripped‑down electric truck.

  6. 6:00
    Question 2 – Wireless Charger Height Issue

    Listener complains about Tesla’s wireless charger not fitting newer phones with camera bumps.

  7. 8:00
    Question 3 – Car Maps and Native Navigation

    Listener questions the need for Apple CarPlay when native maps could be better integrated.

  8. 12:00
    Question 4 – EV Golf Cart and Fisker Lessons

    Listener asks why no company is simply assembling off‑the‑shelf parts into a viable EV.

  9. 14:00
    Question 5 – Mexican Market and BYD Presence

    Listener suggests exploring Mexican EV market and BYD’s competition with Tesla.

  10. 18:00
    Wrap‑Up and Closing Remarks

    Hosts thank listeners, encourage feedback, and provide contact info.

Highlights

  • 4:08

    Foldable Phones in Carsinsight

    The hosts discuss a listener's idea to use a Galaxy Z Fold as the main console screen inside the bare-bones Slate electric truck. Andrew Hawkins notes that this BYO approach could actually fit the philosophy of a stripped-down EV.

  • 8:37

    Wireless Charging Frustrationsinsight

    A listener points out that newer phone camera bumps lift devices too high off built-in car wireless chargers to work properly. Andrew Hawkins agrees that plugging in with a traditional cable is often the more reliable workaround.

  • 12:27

    The One Map Dieharddebate

    The hosts read from a listener who claims they only care about good maps rather than full Apple CarPlay integration. Andrew Hawkins explains how automakers are responding by partnering directly with tech companies for native map software.

  • 20:57

    Fisker's Downfall Explainedstory

    Addressing a listener question about Fisker's bankruptcy, Andrew Hawkins explains that the failed EV startup tried to do too much in-house, including proprietary software, rather than relying fully on established outside suppliers and contract manufacturers like Magna.

  • 27:02

    The Mexican Car Marketdata

    A listener suggests looking at Mexico to preview upcoming automotive trends in North America. Andrew Hawkins notes that Mexico and Canada are quickly becoming saturated with competitive Chinese electric vehicles that face strict entry barriers in the United States.

Quotes

  • “Hands down, bicycle. It's the most efficient. It's the one that will leave you feeling better about your life and your choices.”
    Unnamed speaker · 3:41
  • “The whole concept of it is like, you know, strip out everything that you possibly can strip out from an electric vehicle, except for, you know, all the basics.”
    Unnamed speaker · 5:35
  • “I think that the solution, while inelegant, is just plug it in.”
    Unnamed speaker · 10:40
  • Amazon Prime 2:23–2:29
  • Deepgram Flux TTS 3:19–3:23
  • Horizon 3 17:49–18:03
  • Amex Corporate 19:00–19:04
  • The Home Depot 31:06–31:30

About this episode

Transportation editor Andrew Hawkins is here to answer your questions about the confluence of cars and gadgets. Could a folding phone replace a dashboard display? What to do about the iPhone Pro Max not fitting the Tesla's built-in wireless charger? And we hear from a listener who -- shockingly -- doesn't care about CarPlay. Further reading: The car of the future is an EV golf cart 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 [email protected] or call us at 866-VERGE11. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

0:00
28:01

6,059 words · 11 speakers

Topics

  • The Verge
  • Slate Truck
  • Fisker
  • BYD
  • Meta
  • Tesla
  • Magna
  • Rivian
  • Android Auto
  • Chevrolet

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