Ultralight titanium gifts for the holidays / The best battery-powered bikes, scooters, and more

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.Read more on inputmag.com/inputoutput.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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. Read more on inputmag.com/inputoutput.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fitness+ is Apple’s new fitness subscription service, which pairs an Apple Watch with video workouts delivered on an iOS device or Apple TV. Input senior reviews editor Ray Wong has been working out with Fitness+ and, much to his surprise, he loves it. He joins us to discuss. And later: The Arcwave Ion is a sleek new sex toy that gives the male anatomy female orgasms. Intrepid Input editor Ryan Houlihan tried out this gadget, which uses what’s called Pleasure Air technology, and loved it. He swings by to talk about how it felt. Read more on inputmag.com/inputoutput.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Facebook recently purchased a series of full-page newspaper advertisements directed at Apple — an attack on the iPhone maker's new ad-tracking policies. Facebook’s newspaper ads reiterate CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s claims that Apple’s tracking policies will hurt small businesses most. Input editor Ryan Houlihan and editor in chief Joshua Topolsky join us to discuss Facebook’s PR move. And later: During Facebook’s recent end-of-the-year meeting, company executives revealed a number of plans for upcoming tech ventures, including a neural sensor designed to translate users’ thoughts into action. Much of the meeting was dedicated to re-upping Facebook’s commitment to artificial intelligence development. Ryan and Joshua talk about how this cannot be a good thing. Read more on inputmag.com/inputoutput.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the spring, Harley-Davidson’s electric bicycle offshoot, Serial 1, will release two e-bike platforms, the minimalist Mosh and the commuter-friendly Rush. Input news editor Craig Wilson recently got to try out the bikes. He joins us to discuss. And later: The Anker PowerHouse II 400 mobile generator delivers enough juice to power a fridge and your laptop, all for the very reasonable price of $400. Input guides editor Evan Rodgers recently tested out the Powerhouse II for a couple of weeks and came away impressed. He swings by to talk about his review. Read more on inputmag.com/inputoutput.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Input guides editor Evan Rodgers recently published a holiday gift guide full of ultralight titanium stocking stuffers – everything from a knife to an iPhone 12 case. He joins us to talk titanium. And later: Looking for a holiday present for an eco-conscious person who likes to zip around? Good news! Input news editor Craig Wilson has assembled a gift guide featuring the best battery-powered personal transportation devices: scooters, bikes, skateboards, and monowheels. He swings by to discuss.Read more on inputmag.com/inputoutput.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apple is closing out 2020 with one more thing: AirPods Max. The new over-ear headphones are available in five colors and feature active noise-cancellation, spatial audio, and 20-hour battery life. They also cost a whopping $549 and come in a ridiculous-looking bra-shaped case. Input editor Ryan Houlihan and editor in chief Joshua Topolsky join us to discuss Apple’s latest product. And later: Rumors have been swirling that Sony is working on a new portable PlayStation console that would compete with Nintendo’s Switch platform. While it’s very tempting to imagine a follow up to the legendary PSP and the wildly underrated Vita, executives at Sony would have to be completely out of their minds to do this, argues Ryan in a piece for Input. Ryan and Joshua talk about the rumored next-gen PSP. Read more on inputmag.com/inputoutput.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The PlayStation 5’s widely mocked design comes with at least one advantage over the new Xbox: Its big side panels are easily removable and perfect for customization. Samuel Polay, co-host of the podcast Culture Vacuum, recently wrote an Input guide to painting your PS5 without destroying it. He joins us to discuss. And later: There are too many emoji, and it has to stop. So argues Input editor in chief Joshua Topolsky in a recent piece for the site. A few years back, he says, something sort of horrible began: We just kept making emoji for pretty much everything. He worries that we’re reaching a moment when our emoji will become too literal, too obvious. Joshua stops by to talk about this issue. Read more on inputmag.com/inputoutput.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GMC’s Hummer — once a symbol of gross excess — is getting an eco-conscious makeover. Beginning in fall 2021, you’ll be able to buy an electric version of the hulking vehicle, though it won’t be cheap. Input news editor Craig Wilson stops by to talk about the new Hummer EVs and what we can expect. And later: BMW recently unveiled the iX SUV, formerly known as the iNext, an all-electric “sports activity vehicle” that will act as a sort of template for future electric vehicles produced by the German auto giant. The new SUV offers a sleek, minimalist design and a 300-mile range. Input card story editor James Pero joins us to discuss. Read more on inputmag.com/inputoutput.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Conspiracy theorists claim Faraday cages will “protect” your router against 5G, so lots of people are buying the cages on Amazon. In turn, those customers are complaining that the devices are ruining their Wi-Fi signal. Meanwhile, Amazon doesn’t seem to care and continues to sell the Faraday cages. Input editor Ryan Houlihan and editor in chief Joshua Topolsky join us to discuss. And later: A police reform bill passed in the Massachusetts House and Senate could make Massachusetts the first U.S. state to ban facial recognition by cops. The bill, which still requires the governor’s signature to become law, could inspire other states to follow suit. Ryan and Joshua talk about the news. Read more on inputmag.com/inputoutput.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.