Overview of It’s Like Photoshop, But Free!
This episode of the Waveform Podcast (Vox Media Podcast Network) — hosted by Marquez, Andrew, and David — covers a mix of hardware news, software shifts, niche music gear, and a long, techy trivia/game segment. Major items: Nothing Phone 3A Lite controversy, Canva’s acquisition move making Affinity apps free, first look at Samsung’s trifold prototype, Teenage Engineering’s new EP40 “Rhythm & Ting” sampler, Fairphone’s US expansion, Motorola’s ultra-thin Edge 70, and an absurd Soldier Boy hardware rebrand story. The show closes with an extended “Before and After” trivia/game and several tech trivia answers.
Key topics discussed
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Nothing Phone 3A Lite
- Correction: 3A Lite uses 50MP wide + 8MP ultrawide + 2MP macro (not the CMF2 Pro’s 50MP telephoto).
- Community backlash over preinstalled Meta apps (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, etc.) and company responses claiming performance/power benefits and that the apps will be removable later.
- Discussion: whether preinstalled popular apps still count as “bloatware.”
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Affinity + Canva
- Canva acquired Affinity and has made Affinity’s Photo, Designer, and Publisher into a single app and unlocked them for free.
- Canva will keep advanced AI/generative features behind Canva Premium (subscription), using free Affinity as a funnel to paid Canva customers (especially businesses).
- Practical effect: creators can now do professional-level work without subscription costs (paired with free DaVinci Resolve), though AI/advanced features may still require paid Canva.
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Samsung trifold reveal
- First hands-on/behind-glass images shown: closed ~6.7" exterior, open ~10" tablet interior.
- Thick bezels noted; hosts debated how much bezel thickness matters.
- Folding approach (trifold hinge geometry) explained; speculation about limited regional release, multiple staged embargoes, and battery/component tradeoffs.
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Teenage Engineering — EP40 “Rhythm & Ting”
- New sampler in the EP series (EP40) with reggae-inspired sample pack and artist collabs; proceeds to hurricane relief.
- New features vs previous EP133: SuperTone synth engine (several synths), live-looping/performance mode, a walkie-talkie-style mic with effects (chipmunk/robot/lo-fi), and doubled memory (128 MB).
- Aesthetic and collectibility angle; Teenage Engineering’s distinctive product and pricing culture discussed.
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Fairphone coming to the U.S.
- Fairphone’s Fairbuds XL and Fairphone 6 making moves into Amazon/US carrier discussions. Emphasis on repairability and modular part replacement (camera module anecdote).
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Motorola Edge 70
- Very thin phone (about 5.99 mm) using silicon-carbon battery tech with a ~4,800 mAh pack.
- Concerns: preinstalled apps and ads (dynamic recommended app folder, full-screen ads on lock screen) despite price ~ $920.
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Soldier Boy hardware resell scandal
- Soldier Boy Flip: celebrity-branded rebrand of the Retroid Pocket Flip 2, sold at ~double the price; Retroid denies authorizing rebrand. Hosts ridicule the obvious white-label sticker approach and call out the recurring pattern of celebrity rebrands/dropshipping scams.
Main takeaways
- Free Affinity + free DaVinci Resolve make low-cost, high-quality content creation more accessible; however, expect premium AI tools to be gated behind subscriptions (Canva Premium).
- Preinstalled apps remain a sore point — companies may defend them on performance grounds or revenue subsidies, but consumers still consider many preloads bloatware.
- Samsung’s trifold is real and interesting, but will likely be slowly teased, region-limited, and a chunky product overall; bezel reactions vary among reviewers.
- Niche hardware (Teenage Engineering) continues to appeal via design and playful limitations — a strong community and collectible factor.
- Be skeptical of celebrity-branded hardware; verify manufacturer authorization and check the actual device vendor before buying.
Notable quotes & insights
- “Two-megapixel third camera sensors are the biggest scam of the 21st century” — quoted from an old Nothing executive tweet (used to highlight the 3A Lite macro camera controversy).
- “You can basically make any creative project now for completely free” — hosts noting the practical creator stack: phone content + DaVinci Resolve + Affinity.
- On preinstalled apps: “The definition of bloatware is apps that are installed that I didn’t want and are just taking up space.”
Action items / recommendations
- If you’re starting a channel or doing content creation: try the free stack (Affinity + DaVinci Resolve) before committing to subscriptions.
- Check a phone’s baseline software (preinstalled apps, removable/unremovable system apps) before purchase if privacy/space are concerns.
- If you’re tempted by celebrity tech products, verify provenance and check for manufacturer authorization to avoid overpriced rebrands.
- Consider Fairphone if repairability and sustainability are priorities — it’s moving toward official US availability.
Trivia & games highlights (answers)
- Samsung’s version of LTPO is called HOP — Hybrid Oxide and Polycrystalline silicon (HOP).
- BIOS = Basic Input/Output System.
- IP67 is the rating for dust-tight and protected from submersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes (trivia mentioned in game).
- Teenage Engineering’s first product: a lamp (early product/lamp anecdote from the company).
- The episode featured an extended “Before and After” tech trivia game (creative tech mash-ups and steals).
Products & companies mentioned (short list)
- Affinity (Photo / Designer / Publisher), Canva, DaVinci Resolve
- Nothing Phone 3A Lite, CMF Phone 2 / CMF2 Pro
- Samsung trifold prototype (unannounced product glimpses)
- Teenage Engineering EP40 “Rhythm & Ting” (sampler)
- Fairphone 6, Fairbuds XL
- Motorola Edge 70 (silicon-carbon battery)
- Retroid Pocket Flip 2 / Soldier Boy Flip controversy
- 1Password (sponsor), Shopify (sponsor), Monarch Money, Grammarly (sponsors)
If you want, I can produce a one-paragraph TL;DR for social sharing or pull out timestamped highlights for each major topic.