MobileViews.com Podcast

In this podcast, Jon Westfall and I discuss several new technology releases and personal experiences with gadgets. They talk about Google's plans to integrate AI features into the Chrome browser to improve security and search functionality. Nothing Ear (3) earbuds, which have an interesting feature where the charging case can be used as a microphone. AirPods Pro (3), noting the magnetic case and the new ear tips, and he and Ogasawara compare the sound quality of various microphones. Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses with a heads-up display and gesture control, but express frustration over the limited availability and the requirement to get a demo at a few select stores. We also briefly touch upon the new iPhone Air, speculating that it is a test run for a future foldable iPhone. Mac OS 26 update and its effect on the VO2 Max calculation, which has led to inconsistent readings for users. The podcast ends with a nostalgic discussion of their favorite Windows CE devices. I talked about my first Windows CE device: The HP 320LX Handheld PC. Jon discussed his first "real" smartphone, the HTC Himalayas, and his all-time favorite, the HTC Kaiser or Titan II, praising its form factor and features.

On this week's podcast, my co-host Jon Westfall and our buddy Sven Johannsen joined me. We started by discussing the recent trend of journaling apps, including the new Microsoft Journal , which Jon thinks looks like a stripped-down version of OneNote. Jon mentioned he still uses the dedicated Day One app but wished that "on this day" features came with trigger warnings. I also talked about my experience testing OpenAI's new ChatGPT Atlas Browser ; while it's fast , Jon was annoyed because it requires you to set it as the default browser to get extended limits. We also covered the new Samsung Galaxy XR headset , which, like the Vision Pro , is still far too expensive for me at around $1,800.   While Apple's new M5 products were announced, none of us are planning an upgrade. I noted that I'm still interested in the rumored future MacBook Pro if it includes a touch screen - something Sven thinks is unnecessary. We also shared our experience with the new Microsoft Copilot Groups ; we used it to prepare for the show, but when we returned the next day, our entire chat history had vanished. Sven showed off a very versatile and affordable Moft Dynamic Folio for his iPad , and Jon detailed his recent home automation upgrades, including a new LNDU smart lock that offers six different ways to unlock , such as an offline, time-based one-time-passcode feature. Finally, Jon about a dancing pickle that Sven saw at Hallmark, does actually sing "I'm sexy and I know it".

In this week's MobileViews Podcast 583, I was joined by Jon Westfall and Don Sorcinelli to discuss several current topics in personal technology. We began with a report that Apple may release a MacBook Pro with an OLED touch screen in 2026. While I am interested in the concept based on my positive experiences with Windows touch screen laptops, Jon and Don expressed some skepticism about the utility of a touch screen on a non-convertible device. We also covered Google's new "Recovery Contacts" feature, an account security option that allows you to designate a trusted person to help you regain access if you're locked out.   The second half of the show focused on the rapid evolution of AI. Jon shared how he has been using Google's NotebookLM in his college classes to create study guides and quizzes from open educational resources, effectively replacing publisher-provided supplements. I discussed how the new integration of the Nano Banana imaging model into NotebookLM significantly improves its ability to create narrated slideshows with relevant visual examples. This led to a broader conversation about the concept of "AI as a platform," prompted by Walmart's new partnership with OpenAI that allows users to make purchases from within the chat interface. We concluded by discussing the rush by all major tech companies to integrate AI into their products and the potential long-term implications of these new platform and business models. 

This week, Jon Westfall and I are joined by our good friend, Don Sorcinelli, for MobileViews 582, where we had a lot to cover, particularly about saying farewell to things. This includes the impending sunset of Windows 10, which I’m sad to see go, especially after I already decided to wipe one of my last Windows 10 devices and install Ubuntu Linux on it. As usual, I had a few “mini-rants,” chief among them being the stability issues I'm experiencing after the latest iOS and watchOS updates. I'm seeing really bad battery life on my phone and, worse, my AirPods Pro 3 and Powerbeats Pro 2 have become unstable, giving me static or losing audio entirely. I also finally figured out why my Raspberry Pis won’t power up with my nice Gan chargers—they only deliver 3 amps, but the Pi requires 5 amps, a specification I am disappointed I did not check years ago. We wrapped up with our ongoing segment on favorite and least-favorite Windows CE and Windows Mobile devices. While Jon and I have our preferences, Don surprised us by naming the non-touch Windows Mobile smartphone, the HTC Excalibur (T-Mobile Dash), as his favorite, largely due to its pocketability and durability. I had to point out that the Dash was one of the few phones that fit perfectly in the notoriously tiny chest pockets of my aloha shirts back in the day. His least favorite was the Palm Treo, which he found heavy and clunky. The conversation naturally led us to Windows Phone, and I reiterated my belief that it ultimately failed because the essential daily tools didn't migrate from Windows Mobile 6 to Windows Phone 7, which was a "humongous problem" for developers and users alike.

Jon Westfall and I are joined by frequent guest panelist Sven Johannsen for podcast 581. First, we dove into our mini-series on remembering Windows mobile operating systems, with Sven defending his favorite: Windows Phone. He loved its unique tiled UI and the superb Nokia Lumia 1020 hardware, especially its 41-megapixel camera (amazing for a phone released in 2013) and its colorful design. Jon and I, however, preferred the earlier Windows Mobile due to its broader app selection and the sheer variety of manufacturer devices and various models with physical keyboards. Speaking of hardware, I mentioned Amazon's recent event where they announced new Echos and Kindles—including a color Kindle Scribe—but no new Fire HD tablets, which I'm still waiting for as an affordable Android alternative. I also shared my short-lived experience with the new Google app for Windows, which I uninstalled immediately after it tried to download my entire Google Drive to search locally. Jon also shared his recent, non-flashy but impactful tech purchase: an upgrade to a Ubiquiti Dream Router SEVEN with a U6 extender. He noted how much better his home network is now that it supports his 60-70 IoT devices, and he encouraged listeners to consider upgrading their own aging router equipment for better performance, Wi-Fi 6/7 support, and improved features like easier network isolation. We wrapped up with a brief discussion of the handy, feature-rich, and affordable nature of some of the low-end Windows Phones, like the $40 model available at Walmart, which offered a camera, FM radio, and GPS with free offline maps thanks to Nokia's Here We Go navigation system.

In MobileViews Podcast 580, Jon Westfall and I discussed a bunch of new tech, starting with the Raspberry Pi 500+. I'm excited about this new keyboard computer because, unlike its predecessor, it features a mechanical keyboard and, most importantly, an NVMe SSD slot for faster performance, moving beyond the slow SD card. I still haven't figured out what I'd actually do with one, but the specs are impressive! I also shared my experience with the Amazon Alexa Plus early access, noting that my older Echo Dot and Echo Flex were surprisingly supported, though the new female default voice has some annoying vocal fry. I'm also looking forward to Google's experimental Google app for Windows, hoping it delivers the AI PC experience that Microsoft's Surface Pro 11 hasn't quite fulfilled. Finally, I touched on the rumor of Google merging Chrome OS and Android, a move that I hope combines the best of both platforms, especially for tablets. Jon Westfall brought up the topic of the things that have sparked "tech joy" for him over the past year. He is particularly excited about the continuing evolution of AR/VR glasses, mentioning Meta's new glasses and the potential for an Apple Vision "amateur." He sees these as a fantastic way to facilitate human communication, especially for those of us who struggle to remember names and details. Jon is also very enthusiastic about the Large Language Models (LLMs), specifically their use as a "junior assistant" for tasks like drafting his promotion portfolio at work and serving as a quick "junior developer" for software prototypes. This is a great way to handle tedious work! I seconded the excitement around AI by mentioning the fun I've had with Google AI Pro's photo and video tools on my Pixel 10 Pro. We then wrapped up with a mini-rant about a poorly designed Bluetooth scale and some interesting reading recommendations, including a LinkedIn article by Ed Margulies about fear of change when trying to be a change agent in the enterprise and another about Roblox and the skins market in modern gaming.

In the latest Mobile Views podcast, Todd Ogasawara and Jon Westfall discuss Apple's recent product announcements, focusing more on software than hardware. They note that the new operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS, are where users will see the most significant changes, with updates scheduled to be released on September 15th. The new operating systems have a "liquid glass" design, which changes the overall look and navigation. They also touch on the new iPhone "Air," which they theorize may be a precursor to a foldable phone, as it is a result of Apple's research and development for foldable technology.   They also share their thoughts on other new products and features. Ogasawara and Westfall express disappointment that the new AirPods Pro did not include an LCD display case or a thermometer, features they were hoping for. Ogasawara also discusses his experience with the Google Pixel 10 Pro's AI features, including the built-in thermometer. They also talk about the new sleep score feature on watchOS 26 and the upcoming hypertension detection. Finally, they express their frustration with the lack of progress in phone technology, reminiscing about a time when new features like GPS and Wi-Fi were added every year, and they suggest that people who upgrade every two or three years will find the changes more exciting than those who upgrade annually.

In episode 577 of the MobileViews podcast, Todd Ogasawara and Jon Westfall dive into a lively and wide-ranging discussion on recent tech developments, frustrations, and personal experiments. The episode kicks off with reflections on the Google Pixel 10 Pro and XL, highlighting their impressive computational photography features—especially the 100x ProRes zoom—and the new Pixel Snap (MagSafe-like) charging support. The duo also critiques Microsoft’s confusing app design choices, particularly within the Microsoft 365 mobile experience, and laments the decline of Surface and Duo devices. Apple and Google’s alternating dominance in the tech news cycle is a recurring theme, with both hosts expressing mixed feelings about hardware reliability and innovation across platforms. The conversation takes a playful turn as Todd and Jon explore the quirks of macOS wallpaper rotation, the long-awaited Instagram iPad optimization, and the curious behavior of Amazon’s Fire tablets. Jon shares his growing GitHub repository of useful Python scripts, including tools for photo redaction and LMS reporting, while Todd muses on AI’s growing influence and the potential of thermal sensing in upcoming Apple devices. They wrap up with speculation about the upcoming Apple event, interest in AirPods Pro 3 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, and a brief update on Hurricane Kiko near Hawaii. 

Todd Ogasawara, Jon Westfall, and Sven Johannsen discussed  the widespread alerts about a Google data breach urging Gmail password changes, which Todd noted he had not personally received despite seeing numerous reports. The conversation quickly moved to their personal tech upgrades, with both Todd and Sven having recently acquired new Pixel phones—Todd upgraded from a Pixel 7a to a Pixel 10 Pro, and Sven opted for a Pixel 10 Pro XL. They praised the Pixel 10 line's advanced AI features, including the ProRes 100x digital zoom, which Todd found "shockingly good" and "fantastic" for capturing distant details with clarity, even if tech blogs might deem it "fuzzy". Other impressive AI integrations include Live Translate, which Todd's wife found amusing in its word choices, and Call Notes for transcribing phone conversations. Todd also highlighted the benefit of a one-year Google One AI Pro subscription that came with his Pixel and applauded the new Pixel Snap feature, confirming its compatibility with Apple MagSafe chargers. Further expanding on accessories and broader tech, Todd expressed excitement about the Pixel 10 Pro's new temperature-taking capability, useful for both body and object temperatures. He also shared his experience with the Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, MagGo, Slim), an ultra-slim, Qi2 Certified 15W Max MagSafe-compatible portable charger with a 5,000mAh capacity. Despite being marketed primarily for iPhones, Todd found it worked with his Pixel, appreciating its design and color, though he observed lower-than-expected charging wattage with both his Pixel and iPhone. Sven recommended the Doohoeek Updated Charging Case for Oura Ring 4 & 3 Charger, a portable wireless power station featuring a 1000mAh battery that converts the official wired charger into a convenient portable solution, providing up to five full charges for the Oura Ring. Jon, an Oura ring user, weighed in on the practicality of such a case, also mentioning the recent controversy surrounding Aura's partnership with Palantir and concerns about consumer data privacy. The discussion also touched upon the desire for easier switching between mobile ecosystems and the evolving understanding of AI's capabilities and limitations.

In a recent podcast, Todd Ogasawara and Jon Westfall discussed several notable updates and new gadgets in the tech world. Google Photos is rolling out new AI-powered creative tools, including "Photo to video," which animates still pictures into short video clips, and "Remix," capable of transforming photos into various art styles like anime or 3D animations. These features will be accessible through a new "Create tab" in the Photos app. Additionally, the Blood Oxygen feature has returned to Apple Watch models (Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2) in the U.S. after a U.S. Customs ruling, with sensor data now processed and calculated on the paired iPhone. The conversation also touched upon a new accessory, the Spigen Snapzip (MagFit) EDC Pouch Organizer, a mini-backpack designed for MagSafe-compatible iPhones, offering versatile storage for small essentials and multiple carrying options, including a carabiner for attachment to a belt or backpack. The discussion further explored the broader implications of artificial intelligence, particularly concerning Isaac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics. These foundational laws, which dictate that robots must not harm humans, must obey human orders (unless conflicting with the first law), and must protect their own existence (unless conflicting with the first or second law), were considered for modern AI models. The hosts noted that when asked about adhering to these laws, AI models were "uniformly against it," often citing the vagueness of the rules. One AI, ChatGPT, even provided a hypothetical analysis, estimating that enforcing these laws could significantly increase electricity consumption, ranging from a 1-10% rise for a "basic rule stack" to a dramatic 200-1000% increase for advanced "simulation world modeling". This highlights the complex ethical and practical challenges in implementing such safeguards for increasingly sophisticated AI.

n their latest "MobileViews 574" podcast, hosts Todd Ogasawara and Dr. Jon Westfall navigated through significant tech news and offered practical advice. A notable development discussed was the discontinuation of AOL's dial-up internet access on September 30, 2025, marking the end of an era for the once-pioneering service. The conversation also touched upon Microsoft's decision to retire its Microsoft Lens app from iOS and Android devices, effective September 15, 2025, with full support ending November 15. Todd, who uses Lens to de-skew photos of doodles and whiteboards, is now seeking alternatives, with suggestions including Microsoft 365 Copilot app, OSS Document Scanner, Genius Scan, and Google Lens. This led to a humorous digression about the differing "personalities" of AI tools like Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini.   Shifting to essential tips, Dr. Westfall provided a comprehensive "back-to-school tech roundup" for students. Key recommendations included USB drives with encrypted partitions for secure and compatible file transfer, and small thermal printers such as the Phomemo M04AS for quick, inexpensive prints like QR codes or notes. A Belkin 2-in-1 MagSafe Wireless Charging Dock was suggested for convenience, supporting iPhone's StandBy mode. For car-owning students, a portable jump starter (like the NOCO Boost GB40) and a mobile tire inflator (such as the DENVIX Tire Inflator) were highlighted as essential safety tools that also function as power banks and lights. Practical, inexpensive items like a packable rain hat (e.g., Soxbang Waterproof Bucket Rain Hat) and a towel were also recommended for unexpected weather. Finally, both hosts emphasized the critical need for a backup plan for all critical technology, leveraging cloud storage and considering extended warranties, along with the "three-day rule" for assignments to mitigate stress. This last point was underscored by observations about some students' reluctance to even use two-factor authentication for campus email due to perceived inconvenience.

Todd Ogasawara and Jon Westfall covered a range of interesting topics, from real-world natural disasters to the cutting edge of AI development and personal tech. Todd shared his recent experience during a statewide tsunami alert in Hawaii, triggered by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia. While initial information was well-managed, he highlighted significant issues with traffic chaos during evacuation and a concerning lack of information post-wave impact. On the technology front, Todd discussed Google Notebook LM, praising its ability to create succinct summaries and slideshows with voiceovers from source material. He also introduced Google Opal, a new experimental tool from Google Labs that allows users to build and share powerful AI mini-apps using natural language and visual editing, describing it as a "step beyond Visual Basic" for accelerating AI prototyping and workflows. Jon Westfall also shared his recent tech purchases and an exciting new project. He acquired an 8Bitdo Micro Bluetooth Gamepad, a pocket-sized mini-controller weighing just 24.8 grams with 16 buttons. Its versatility allows it to function as a game controller for Switch, Android, and Raspberry Pi, or as a keyboard mode device for various applications, including as a remote for his new Kobo Libra Colour eReader. The Kobo Libra Colour features a 7" E Ink Kaleido™ 3 color display and Kobo Stylus 2 compatibility for colorful mark-ups and note-taking, with notebooks backed up to Kobo Cloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive. Jon also unveiled his open-source project, Uncle John's Bank, a self-hostable banking system for parents and kids designed to teach financial literacy, notably incorporating daily compounding interest and Certificates of Deposit (CDs). This sophisticated project was developed remarkably fast (75 hours) thanks to extensive use of OpenAI Codex, which integrated directly with his GitHub repository, even writing developer documentation. However, Jon noted a peculiar issue where GitHub Copilot (AI) reviewing Codex (AI)-generated code sometimes caused new problems, suggesting limitations in AI-to-AI code interaction. Finally, Jon shared intriguing results from asking various AIs (Google Gemini, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Anthropic Claude) for investment advice, observing their diverse recommendations and risk appetites.

Todd Ogasawara and Don Sorcinelli delved into several recent developments in personal technology, starting with Apple's new offerings. They discussed AppleCare One, a simplified coverage plan launched on July 23, 2025, which allows customers to protect up to three Apple products for $19.99 per month, with options to add more devices. This plan bundles all AppleCare+ benefits, including unlimited accidental damage repairs, 24/7 expert support, battery coverage, and extends theft and loss protection to iPad and Apple Watch. Don highlighted this as a "win-win" for both Apple and consumers, offering both simplicity and potential cost savings over individual plans. The conversation then shifted to Todd's experience with the iPadOS 26 public beta. He noted significant improvements in the new windowing system, which provides desktop-like functionalities such as closing, minimizing, resizing, and tiling app windows. New apps like Journal and Phone are now available on iPad, and a macOS-style menu bar has been introduced. Todd also explored the Local Capture feature, enabling native audio and video recording on iPadOS/iOS 26 devices, which, while useful for content creation, only records the user's side of the conversation in a call.   Beyond Apple, the discussion covered crucial software updates and market observations. Todd highlighted a new feature in Adobe Podcast Studio that allows users to edit video by simply editing its transcribed text, significantly simplifying the process of cutting and rearranging video segments. They clarified a common misunderstanding about Microsoft Authenticator: while its password manager functionality is being removed by August 1, 2025, the multi-factor authentication (MFA) feature will remain active, with a push towards passkeys as a more secure login method. From an enterprise IT perspective, Don shared insights into the marked improvements in Microsoft Intune's support for Mac OS management, a development that streamlines device administration for companies striving for a "single pane of glass" solution across diverse operating systems. Finally, they observed the landscape of the US Android phone market, noting its overwhelming dominance by Samsung and Google Pixel, with other brands like Motorola having a very limited presence, largely influenced by carrier offerings and marketing strategies

For MobileViews Podcast 571, I'm joined by guest co-hosts Sven Johannsen and Don Sorcinelli. We discuss: Matson, Hawaii’s largest ocean cargo carrier, has ceased accepting electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles for transport to and from the islands due to mounting safety concerns over lithium-ion battery fires at sea, a move expected to severely impact Hawaii's car market. In a brighter tech development, RapidRAW, a new open-source RAW image editor, was introduced as a high-performance, lightweight alternative to Adobe Lightroom®, impressively developed by an 18-year-old with Google's Gemini AI models and boasting GPU-accelerated processing and AI masking. Meanwhile, Google’s NotebookLM, an AI-powered personalized research assistant, was praised as a "game-changer for productivity" due to its source-grounded nature that minimizes "hallucinations"; it proves valuable for streamlining tasks, managing finances, and facilitating passive learning via "Audio Overviews" generated from user-fed sources. Its enhanced NotebookLM Plus offers higher limits and a 50% student discount, complemented by new curated "featured notebooks" on expert topics like Shakespeare. Beyond specific applications, broader shifts in operating systems include Google’s potential merger of Chrome OS and Android into a unified platform, and advancements in tablet interfaces like Apple’s iPadOS 26 developer beta with its touch-first windowing capabilities, alongside the anticipated Android desktop mode (similar to Samsung's Dex) for lightweight travel setups, though consistent user concerns about effective file management across these diverse platforms persist. Finally, the Oura Ring was highlighted as a screen-less fitness tracker alternative, capable of monitoring parameters like pulse and oxygen, and suitable for restricted environments due to its lack of Wi-Fi/cellular/microphones/cameras.

The "MobileViews 570" podcast, featuring Todd Ogasawara and Dr. Jon Westfall on July 13th, 2025, tackles a crucial theme: "Die by the IoT". This isn't just a catchy title; it's a deep dive into the frustrating reality of smart devices becoming obsolete due to company decisions. John Westfall shared his dismay over Belkin's WeMo smart home devices, including a light switch he uses, losing support on January 31st, 2026, less than three years after some models were last sold. He suspects a recent sale he took advantage of was due to its impending discontinuation. This echoes his prior experience with iHome ISP5 smart plugs, whose service was discontinued years ago, though they luckily retained functionality via Apple HomeKit compatibility. Todd resonated with this, recalling a sub-$50 purple NAS-like device that became inaccessible when its cloud service was unexpectedly shut down. Both hosts strongly agreed with the sentiment of an Ars Technica article, "Belkin shows tech firms getting too comfortable with bricking customers stuff," expressing their frustration with the dependency on cloud-based services and the expectation that products should last more than two or two and a half years. They also noted that even major players like Microsoft (Azure IoT) and Google (Cloud IoT) have been closing their IoT services for developers, leaving developers in a tough spot. A potential solution, as suggested by John, could be for companies to release the code for discontinued devices to the "geeky IoT community" for ongoing support. Beyond the looming threat of device obsolescence, Todd and John explored the evolving landscape of AI and exciting new gadgets. Todd discussed Perplexity's Comet AI browser, noting its current requirement for a $200/month Perplexity subscription for full access, though a waitlist for a free version exists. They lamented the challenge of discerning the utility of various AI services like Copilot, Gemini, and ChatGPT due to their constantly changing and inconsistent features. Todd primarily uses Google's Gemini, which he recently leveraged to find a "way fun" method to import a photo of his line drawing into Procreate for digital coloring underneath the lines. John, on a more creative note, is co-authoring a musical titled "Happy Apocalypse" with AI. He also highlighted the practical application of AI, using his Plod Note Pin (or transcribing Teams recordings via Plod) to summarize dissertation student meetings, proving highly useful for both himself and the student's progress reports. The podcast also delved into some compelling new hardware. John enthusiastically shared his experience with the Kobo Libra Color 2 e-reader, which boasts a color E Ink display, a stylus (sold separately), and native connectivity to Google Drive and Dropbox, offering a flexible, non-Amazon alternative to his old Kindle Oasis. He particularly praised the stylus's paper-like feel on the E Ink display, with low latency, making it ideal for note-taking, marking up, and highlighting. Meanwhile, Todd acquired a low-cost Arturia MiniLab 3 MIDI controller, a USB-C powered device with drum pads, sliders, knobs, and velocity-sensitive keys, which works well with GarageBand. John also recently picked up the Wand Company Star Trek Original Series Tricorder, noting its high quality, functional disks, and voice recorder. Other brief mentions included Todd's anticipation for iPad OS 26's public beta, his past experiences with the Microsoft Spot Watch, John's inexplicable phone time zone glitch, Todd's interest in an E Ink touchpad concept for computer keyboards, and his fondness for the now-removed MacBook Pro Touch Bar. The episode wrapped up with the hosts looking forward to future tech discussions and adventures.

Todd Ogasawara is joined by guest co-hosts Sven Johannsen, and Don Sorcinelli. They explore the upcoming iPadOS 26 public beta and the evolving utility of tablets, debating their role in productivity versus laptops. The also discuss new tech accessories, such as a Logitech Flip Folio and a portable Sodi keyboard with a touchpad, alongside practical uses for location-tracking devices like AirTags and Pebble's alternatives. Furthermore, the Todd expressed his disappointment with Google's Chromebook update policies. Don highlights the critical importance of third-party application security updates, recommending tools like Home Updater and Action1 for managing them. Finally, they discuss the strained partnership between OpenAI and Microsoft, a novel e-ink display for touchpads, and Sven notes the limitations with Apple's Continuity Camera and Sidecar features.

In this podcast, Jon Westfall and I discuss: How ChatGPT & other LLMs are influencing the academics' word choices Microsoft changing the Blue Screen of Death to the Black Screen of Death AI Slop Subscription fatigue More on the AI divide: Advanced AI features behind paywalls Device AI divide: You need the "right" kind of consumer computers for many AI features Brief audio switching/comparison between the Comica Ejoy mic (what Todd uses for most podcasts), the Tongveo 4K webcam mic, and the M4 Apple Macbook Air built-in microphone

In "Mobile Views 567," Todd Ogasawara and Jon Westfall discuss various tech topics, starting with Ogasawara's review of a new 4K webcam with stereo speakers and AI-powered digital zoom and voice tracking, which he is very pleased with.  They then delve into a "rant" about the ongoing debate regarding tablets, specifically the sentiment that iPads should be more like Macs.  Both speakers express their disagreement with this idea, with Westfall highlighting that many people, including himself, have valid use cases for tablets that differ from laptops or phones.  They liken this to past skepticism surrounding smartwatches and the need for a monthly calendar view in older versions of Windows Mobile, suggesting a fundamental misunderstanding of diverse user needs by some tech enthusiasts and developers.  The conversation also covers Ogasawara's experience with Adobe Project Indigo, a free photography app for iPhone that shoots in raw format, and the release of Android 16.  Todd cautions against purchasing unbranded budget Android tablets due to a lack of OS and security updates.  Finally, they brainstorm ideas for future "bionic devices" and "smart jewelry," expressing a desire for more innovative wearables beyond current fitness trackers.  These concepts include a Vision Pro with an integrated battery, AR smart glasses with built-in vision correction and recording, and advanced bone-conducting headphones.

In this podcast, Jon Westfall and Todd Ogasawara discussed Apple's latest Worldwide Developers Conference announcements, noting a significant "tone shift" towards developers. While consumer-oriented features for iPhones, iPads, and macOS devices were unveiled, the speakers highlighted Apple's clear targeting of developers. A key takeaway for developers was the ability to integrate Apple's on-device Large Language Model (LLM) into their applications without incurring API fees or requiring a data connection. Jon Westfall, who is developing an app that creates tours from tagged photos, plans to leverage this LLM to generate descriptive text and titles for locations and images. The podcast also delved into several new features. iPadOS is receiving a substantial update with improvements to multitasking, including Stage Manager 2.0 for better window management and the introduction of a menu bar. The Journal app, currently on iPhone, will be coming to iPad. A more Mac-like Files app is also expected, though concerns were raised about its integration with third-party cloud services and local storage schemes. Other anticipated features include a Preview app for iPadOS, local audio capture for video conferencing, studio-quality audio recording for AirPods Pro 2 and possibly AirPods 4, a phone app for macOS, and wrist flick gestures for managing calls on watchOS. The speakers also touched upon "liquid glass" visual effects, the "workout buddy" feature in Apple Fitness, the continued lack of significant updates for Siri, and the potential for background tasks to slow down iPads.

In this podcast, Jon Westfall and Todd Ogasawara discuss a range of tech topics, starting with Todd's ongoing struggles to update his 2019 HP Envy 360 laptop to Windows 11 or Google FlexOS due to processor incompatibility, leading him back to Linux. He notes the quirks of Linux, like his Bluetooth mouse not working with Linux Mint but functioning fine with Ubuntu. The conversation then shifts to the recent ability to use Apple Find My in South Korea as of June 1st, 2025, dispelling previous assumptions about privacy laws preventing its use there. Jon shares amusing anecdotes about using AirTags for unexpected insights, such as detecting activity near his office over the weekend. The duo also delves into rumors about upcoming AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 features, including camera control, sleep detection, and new head gestures for answering calls and dismissing notifications. Jon observes that many people, especially younger generations, wear AirPods constantly, even when not listening to anything, which could drive the development of these features. They express both excitement and skepticism about the rumored iPadOS 26 menu bar and hope for significant improvements to Stage Manager, citing issues with external monitor usage. Finally, they touch upon the evolving landscape of AI in coding, with Jon sharing his experiences using OpenAI's Codex for debugging and code explanation, likening the AI's persistent "help" to a "code therapist". They ponder the increasing integration of AI into everyday tech and humorously speculate about a future where AI becomes so prevalent it might "leave" humanity behind.