Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast

Is This Humanoid Robot Worth $20,000?

October 31, 2025

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  • Initial sales for the new, ultra-thin iPhone Air are reportedly weak, leading Apple to drastically cut production forecasts, echoing past struggles with niche iPhone models like the Mini and Plus. 
  • The highly publicized Neo humanoid robot, priced at $20,000, appears to rely heavily on teleoperation rather than true autonomy, highlighting the current industry challenge of selling unfinished AI products based on future potential. 
  • Adobe Max introduced significant AI-powered quality-of-life updates across its creative suite, including generative fill options using Google's Nano Banana model in Photoshop and advanced image selection tools in Lightroom. 
  • The Nothing Phone 3A Lite appears to be a rebranded CMF Phone 2 Pro with a glass back and Nothing's design language, despite Nothing recently assuring the community that LockGlimpse ad features would be opt-in only, as it is enabled by default on the new device. 
  • David expressed significant excitement for the Boox Palma 2 Pro e-reader, noting its color E-Ink display, SIM card capability, and seamless pen experience, though he found the lack of an integrated pen holder on the case annoying. 
  • The chaotic blind Halloween candy ranking resulted in Ooze Tube Liquid Candy being unanimously ranked as the best candy (Number 1), while the Bubble Juice candy was ranked as the worst (Number 12). 
  • The blind Halloween candy ranking resulted in a chaotic list where Ooze Tube Green Apple Flavor was ranked number one, despite the hosts noting that flipping the list would make it better. 
  • The trivia segment revealed that the Vivo X5 Max, released in late 2014, held the record for a 4.8mm thickness, while the Moto Z was a close but incorrect guess. 
  • The NBA/Google partnership trivia question yielded multiple correct answers, including Steph Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Kelsey Plum (WNBA), with the hosts noting that Kevin Durant was an expected but incorrect answer. 

Segments

Halloween Costumes Reveal
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(00:01:23)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts revealed their Halloween costumes, including David as a ‘fishing scam’ and Marques as ‘Gru’ from Despicable Me.
  • Summary: David created his costume by sticking fishing scams onto a Moment fishing vest and hat. Marques dressed as Gru, requiring an accompanying Minion (Ellis). Adam modified a pirate costume by adding VHS tapes to become a ‘movie streaming’ pirate, while Andrew dressed as Arc Browser, represented by a skeleton.
iPhone Air Sales Update
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(00:05:27)
  • Key Takeaway: Apple is reportedly cutting iPhone Air production to less than 10% of the original forecast due to lower-than-expected sales.
  • Summary: The iPhone Air is positioned as a more expensive, thinner, but less capable device than the base iPhone 17, leading to lower initial enthusiast adoption compared to the Pro models. The hosts noted this situation mirrors the short lifespan of previous niche models like the iPhone Mini and iPhone Plus. Anecdotally, some hosts observed many iPhone Airs in New York City, suggesting perception might differ from reported sales figures.
Neo Robot Reality Check
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(00:18:37)
  • Key Takeaway: The Neo humanoid robot’s promotional video heavily features teleoperated tasks, with only two clips explicitly labeled as autonomous, raising doubts about its immediate utility for the $20,000 price.
  • Summary: The Neo robot is advertised to perform household chores autonomously but was observed in a demo being 100% teleoperated by a remote user via a VR headset. The company admits early adopters will be crucial for generating the necessary training data to achieve true autonomy, essentially beta-testing the AI in their homes. Concerns were raised about the robot’s inability to handle sharp objects and its water sensitivity, despite videos showing it watering plants.
Adobe Max AI Feature Updates
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(00:38:24)
  • Key Takeaway: Adobe Max introduced generative model selection in Photoshop’s Generative Fill and advanced image recognition features in Lightroom, such as assisted culling and reflection selection.
  • Summary: Lightroom now features assisted culling to automatically select the best photos based on criteria like blinking or exposure, and it can automatically remove sensor dust. Photoshop allows users to select different generative models, including Google’s Nano Banana (Gemini), which excels at character consistency and virtual camera angles. Harmonize in Photoshop automatically adjusts dropped-in PNGs to match the lighting and color of the host image.
Microsoft Copilot Easter Egg
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(00:46:26)
  • Key Takeaway: Microsoft’s Copilot assistant now includes a hidden Easter egg where tapping the default AI character transforms it into the infamous Clippy.
  • Summary: The new 3D character personifying Copilot, Miko, can briefly turn into Clippy upon repeated interaction. The hosts expressed frustration that Microsoft does not offer Clippy as a persistent, selectable option, given that nostalgia sells well for the company.
Spooky Trivia and Ad Reads
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(00:48:19)
  • Key Takeaway: A trivia question asked listeners to identify the phone released in late 2014 with a depth of only 4.8 millimeters, which is thinner than the current iPhone Air.
  • Summary: Before the trivia, David mentioned that the Affinity Suite iPad apps were temporarily free due to a Canva announcement. The trivia question sets up the next segment, focusing on historical thinness in smartphone technology.
Miro and Zapier Ad Reads
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(00:52:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Miro AI transforms disparate data into usable diagrams and briefs, while Zapier integrates AI into business processes via over 7,000 integrations.
  • Summary: Miro’s innovation workspace utilizes Miro AI to convert elements like sticky notes into diagrams, product briefs, and prototypes quickly. Zapier empowers businesses to automate tedious tasks using AI across 7,000 integrations for revops, marketing, sales, and HR. Both services aim to let computers handle routine tasks so humans can focus on their strengths.
iPhone Mini Battery Check
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(00:54:15)
  • Key Takeaway: Ellis’s iPhone 12 Mini, unplugged at (7:45) AM, showed 52% battery life at (12:15) PM after four and a half hours of use.
  • Summary: The hosts conducted an impromptu battery life check on their phones, starting the segment by asking Ellis for his status. Ellis reported his iPhone 12 Mini was at 52% after four and a half hours of use, including an extended commute. David’s battery life was determined to be 56%.
Nothing Phone Hierarchy Analysis
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(00:55:10)
  • Key Takeaway: The Nothing Phone 3A Lite is the budget version of the budget line from the budget company CMF, creating a complex hierarchy of budget devices.
  • Summary: The segment detailed the increasingly layered budget structure of Nothing’s offerings, culminating in the Nothing Phone 3A Lite, priced around 249 Euros (approximately $290). The hierarchy places the Nothing Phone 3 at the top, followed by the 3A Pro, 3A, 3A Lite, and then the CMF Phone 2 Pro.
CMF Phone 2 Pro Rebrand
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(00:57:47)
  • Key Takeaway: The Nothing Phone 3A Lite shares identical core specifications (chip, display, button layout, battery) with the CMF Phone 2 Pro, differing mainly in branding and back material (glass vs. plastic).
  • Summary: The Nothing Phone 3A Lite and the CMF Phone 2 Pro are essentially the same hardware, with the Nothing version featuring a glass back instead of the CMF’s plastic, screw-off back. The hosts noted that the 3A Lite’s design, including a single white notification LED (Glyph interface), is aesthetically preferred by some over the CMF model.
LockGlimpse Default Setting Controversy
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(01:02:38)
  • Key Takeaway: The Nothing Phone 3A Lite ships with the LockGlimpse feature—which displays changing lock screens potentially containing ads—enabled by default, contradicting a recent company statement that the feature would be opt-in only.
  • Summary: LockGlimpse, a lock screen feature that cycles content, was found to be active upon setting up the new Nothing device, despite Nothing’s recent public assurance that it would require user opt-in. This feature, combined with pre-loaded apps like TikTok, is presumed to be a cost-saving measure to keep the price competitive with the CMF Phone 2 Pro.
Boox Palma 2 Pro E-Reader Deep Dive
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(01:04:47)
  • Key Takeaway: The Boox Palma 2 Pro is a high-spec E-Ink device featuring a color Kaleido 3E display, 8GB of RAM, 128GB storage, and a SIM card tray, priced at $400 plus $30 for the pen and case bundle.
  • Summary: David detailed the Palma 2 Pro’s capabilities, including its ability to use cellular data via a SIM tray, making it closer to a phone than a traditional e-reader. The device boasts a large 3,950 mAh battery and instantaneous feedback when using the included Inksense Plus pen, which magnetizes securely to the folio case.
Spotify CEO Torrenting Past Trivia
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(01:10:52)
  • Key Takeaway: Daniel Ek, the CEO of Spotify, briefly served as the CEO of an unnamed torrenting company in 2006.
  • Summary: The hosts shared a piece of trivia confirming that Spotify CEO Daniel Ek held the CEO position at a torrenting company during 2006. This fact was verified by the hosts after initial disbelief, highlighting an unexpected background for the music streaming executive.
T-Mobile iPhone 17 Pro Offer
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(01:12:51)
  • Key Takeaway: T-Mobile is offering the new iPhone 17 Pro on them with an eligible trade-in in any condition, potentially saving customers up to 20% compared to other major carriers.
  • Summary: The advertisement promoted the iPhone 17 Pro, highlighting its powerful performance and ultimate pro camera system. T-Mobile claims significant savings over competitors when trading in an old device, regardless of its condition, for the new iPhone.
Halloween Candy Blind Ranking
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(01:14:13)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts began a chaotic, collaborative blind ranking of 12 Halloween candies, requiring consensus on placement without knowing future items.
  • Summary: The final segment involved ranking 12 pieces of Halloween candy, starting with Dots, which was placed at rank five out of twelve. The process required the hosts to agree on the ranking of each candy immediately after tasting it. The ranking quickly became contentious, especially regarding polarizing candies like Candy Corn and Dots.
Ranking: Dots, Almond Joy, Laffy Taffy
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(01:16:43)
  • Key Takeaway: Dots were ranked 5th, Almond Joy 6th, and the Wildberry Banana Laffy Taffy was placed near the bottom at 10th due to its excessive chewiness.
  • Summary: Dots were placed at rank five, with some hosts noting they were better than remembered but not top-tier. Almond Joy landed at rank six, causing disagreement as some preferred it higher despite not loving coconut. Laffy Taffy was ranked 10th, primarily penalized for being difficult to chew and getting stuck in teeth.
Ranking: Dark Chocolate Orange & Baked Beans
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(01:24:38)
  • Key Takeaway: The Terry’s Dark Chocolate Orange was controversially placed at 8th due to one host’s dislike of dark chocolate, while Boston Baked Beans were placed at 9th.
  • Summary: The Terry’s Dark Chocolate Orange, a large format candy, was ranked 8th, significantly lower than expected by some due to the dark chocolate component. Boston Baked Beans, described as candy-coated peanuts, were placed at 9th, narrowly avoiding the bottom slots.
Ranking: Edible Bubble Juice
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(01:34:21)
  • Key Takeaway: The edible Bubble Juice candy, which requires blowing bubbles and catching the liquid, was ranked 12th (last) due to its unpleasant taste and burning sensation.
  • Summary: The Ooze Tube Liquid Candy, which is green apple flavored and meant to be consumed by catching the bubbles, was deemed the worst candy. Tasting the liquid directly caused a burning sensation in the throat, leading to its placement at the bottom of the list.
Finalizing the Cursed Candy List
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(01:40:54)
  • Key Takeaway: The final consensus ranking placed Ooze Tube Green Apple Flavor at Number 1, T-Berry Gum at Number 2, and Bubble Juice at Number 12.
  • Summary: The final ranking placed the Ooze Tube Green Apple Flavor as the best candy, followed by T-Berry Gum at number two, and Candy Buttons at number three. Milk Duds were placed 11th, just above the Bubble Juice at 12th, solidifying what the hosts called the ‘most cursed candy list ever.’
Ranking Final Candy Reactions
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(01:42:28)
  • Key Takeaway: The Ooze Tube Green Apple Flavor was declared the number one candy in the chaotic blind ranking.
  • Summary: The hosts reacted to the final placement of the Ooze Tube Green Apple Flavor, which tasted like a melted green apple Jolly Rancher. They reviewed the final compiled list of 12 ranked candies, noting that better candies like Kit Kat and Reese’s were left unranked. The ranking process was criticized for filling the bottom slots early, forcing poor placements on better items.
Alternative Candy Rankings Revealed
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(01:44:25)
  • Key Takeaway: One host revealed their personal, non-blind ranking where Dots was number one and Ooze Tube was ranked tenth.
  • Summary: A host detailed how they would have ranked the candies without the blind constraint, placing Dots first and Titzerole (Orange Titsuroll) second. This alternative ranking placed the Ooze Tube at tenth place, despite it not being tasted by that host. The segment highlighted the difference between forced ranking and genuine preference.
Spooky Trivia: Thin Phone Record
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(01:46:02)
  • Key Takeaway: The Vivo X5 Max holds the record for a 4.8mm thickness phone released around December 2014.
  • Summary: The trivia question focused on the thinnest phone released around December 2014 with a thickness of 4.8 millimeters. The correct answer was the Vivo X5 Max, although Moto Z (5.2mm thick) was a common incorrect guess. The score update showed Andrew leading with nine points, Marques with eight, and David with five.
Spooky Trivia: Google NBA Deals
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(01:48:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Steph Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo are NBA superstars with current Google deals, specifically related to Fitbit.
  • Summary: The second trivia question asked for NBA superstars currently holding a deal with Google, accepting multiple answers. Correct answers included Steph Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo, with the specific deal mentioned being related to Fitbit. Kelsey Plum (WNBA) was also cited as a correct answer, though the question specified NBA.
Episode Wrap-up and Next Month
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(01:51:06)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts concluded the episode by planning to eat the unranked, higher-quality candies and announced the next monthly theme as ‘Tech Temperance’.
  • Summary: The crew planned to enjoy the remaining, higher-quality candies like Kit Kats, Reese’s, and Hershey’s after the chaotic ranking. They thanked listeners for sticking through ‘Tektober.’ The following month’s theme was tentatively named ‘Tech Temperance’ or ‘Tech Vember’.