DiscoverWaveform: The MKBHD PodcastTech We'd Like to See Improved!
Tech We'd Like to See Improved!

Tech We'd Like to See Improved!

Update: 2024-07-05
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Digest

The hosts of The Waveform Podcast continue their discussion of tech wish lists, debating the merits of features like S Pen functionality on the S24 Ultra's exterior display, select-and-copy functionality in messaging apps, and a universal fine-mind network for iOS and Android devices. They also discuss the potential for a revived iPod Classic with modern specs, a USB switcher with more than four ports, and an iPad Mini Pro with OLED display and MagSafe charging. The hosts also engage in a trivia segment, testing their knowledge of iOS apps and the binary system. They discuss the fact that computer storage is measured in base two, and that a terabyte is actually a tebby bite, which is a power of two. The hosts also discuss the fact that the trivia extravaganza should only be worth one point, and that Mark has wood in this podcast, but he's too busy clicking cookies.

Outlines

00:00:00
Banana Bin: A macOS App to Remind You to Empty Your Trash

This Chapter discusses a new macOS app called Banana Bin, which uses animated flies to remind users to empty their trash can. The hosts discuss the different modes of the app, which range from 10 megabytes to 10 gigabytes, and the humorous names for each mode. They also discuss the issue of large trash can sizes and the fact that many people have terabytes of data in their trash cans. The hosts also discuss a strange behavior with macOS where files deleted from an SD card remain in the recycling bin but become invisible when the card is ejected, taking up space on the drive. They conclude by discussing the fact that Banana Bin is a free app but will be charging a small fee in the future.

00:05:25
Instagram's AI-Generated Image Tagging: A Controversial Feature

This Chapter discusses the recent controversy surrounding Instagram's AI-generated image tagging. The hosts discuss how Instagram, owned by Meta, has decided to tag images that have been generated by AI. The problem is that Adobe, which also offers an AI image generation platform, puts metadata inside of exported images for various functions in Photoshop. This metadata is being flagged by Instagram as AI-generated, even when users have only made basic edits to their photos. The hosts discuss the confusion caused by this tagging and the fact that many photographers have been falsely labeled as using AI. They also discuss Instagram's decision to change the tag from "Made with AI" to "AI Info," which provides a more detailed explanation of why the image was tagged. The hosts conclude by discussing the frustration caused by this tagging and the fact that the only way to avoid it is to take a screenshot of the photo and upload it to Instagram.

00:01:32
Wish Lists: Tech Products We Want to See

This Chapter begins with the hosts discussing their wish lists for tech products. The first wish is for AirPods Max with USB-C and the ability to fold. The second wish is for the MX Master 3 mouse with notched side scrolling. The hosts then discuss the lack of a lefty version of the MX Master 3 mouse. The third wish is for Twitter with real video tools and analytics. The hosts discuss the difficulties of uploading videos to Twitter from a browser and the fact that they have been trying to do so for three months without success. The fourth wish is for YouTube to allow A/B testing of thumbnails with titles. The fifth wish is for the base iPhone to have a 120Hz refresh rate. The sixth wish is for Slack to have working reliable notifications. The seventh wish is for Tesla vehicles to have CarPlay and Android Auto. The eighth wish is for the Google Pixel to have the same display as the S24 Ultra. The ninth wish is for a printer that actually works. The hosts conclude by discussing the fact that they have received many suggestions from their audience and will be going through them in the next segment.

00:45:19
S Pen Functionality on the S24 Ultra's Exterior Display

This Chapter discusses the potential for S Pen functionality on the S24 Ultra's exterior display. The hosts debate whether this feature would be an S-tier improvement, considering the fragility of the foldable display. They agree that if the S Pen can work with a fragile display, it should be able to work with a more durable one. They also discuss the need for select-and-copy functionality in messaging apps, which is currently lacking on iOS and Android. The hosts agree that this would be a significant improvement for both platforms.

00:55:00
Physical Fingerprint Readers on the Back of Phones

This Chapter discusses the pros and cons of physical fingerprint readers on the back of phones. The hosts debate whether this feature would be a welcome addition, considering the prevalence of under-display fingerprint readers. They discuss the speed and reliability of different types of fingerprint readers, and the convenience of having a physical reader on the back of the phone. They also discuss the potential for a revived iPod Classic with modern specs, a USB switcher with more than four ports, and an iPad Mini Pro with OLED display and MagSafe charging.

01:03:52
The Revival of Physical Hardware Devices

This Chapter discusses the potential for a revival of physical hardware devices, specifically in the realm of music listening. The hosts debate the merits of a modern iPod Classic with updated specs, and the potential for a dedicated music streaming device. They also discuss the potential for a universal fine-mind network for iOS and Android devices, and the challenges of integrating different ecosystems. The hosts also engage in a trivia segment, testing their knowledge of iOS apps and the binary system.

01:18:05
The iPad Mini Pro: A Dream Come True

This Chapter discusses the potential for an iPad Mini Pro with OLED display and MagSafe charging. The hosts agree that this would be an S-tier product, and discuss the potential for a smaller Apple Pencil to accompany it. They also discuss the potential for a refreshed iPad Mini with MagSafe charging, and the challenges of integrating different ecosystems. The hosts also engage in a trivia segment, testing their knowledge of iOS apps and the binary system.

01:26:46
Trivia Extravaganza: Computer Storage and Base Two

This Chapter delves into the intricacies of computer storage and its relationship to base two. The hosts discuss the limitations of powers of two in reaching a thousand evenly, highlighting the fact that the closest achievable value is 1024. They explore the concept of tebby bites, an alternative unit of measurement for computer storage in base two, contrasting it with the traditional terabytes. The hosts also engage in a trivia segment, testing their knowledge of iOS apps and the binary system.

Keywords

S Pen


The S Pen is a stylus that is used with Samsung Galaxy devices, particularly the Galaxy Note and Galaxy S series. It allows users to write, draw, and navigate their devices with greater precision than their fingers. The S Pen has a variety of features, including pressure sensitivity, tilt detection, and Bluetooth connectivity. It can be used for a variety of tasks, including taking notes, drawing, editing photos, and controlling presentations. The S Pen is a popular feature among Samsung users, and it is considered to be one of the best styluses on the market.

Select-and-Copy


Select-and-copy is a feature that allows users to select and copy text from a digital document or webpage. This feature is commonly found in word processors, web browsers, and other software applications. Select-and-copy is a fundamental feature that is used for a variety of tasks, including copying text, pasting text, and sharing text. It is a simple but essential feature that is used by millions of people every day.

Universal Fine-Mind Network


A universal fine-mind network is a hypothetical network that would allow devices from different manufacturers to communicate with each other seamlessly. This would eliminate the need for proprietary ecosystems and allow users to use accessories and services from different companies. A universal fine-mind network would be a major technological advancement, and it would have a significant impact on the way we use technology. However, there are many challenges to creating a universal fine-mind network, including the need for interoperability between different operating systems and the potential for security risks.

iPod Classic


The iPod Classic is a discontinued line of portable media players that were produced by Apple from 2001 to 2014. The iPod Classic was known for its sleek design, its large storage capacity, and its ability to play music, videos, and podcasts. The iPod Classic was a popular device among music lovers, and it was considered to be one of the best portable media players on the market. However, the iPod Classic was discontinued in 2014, and it is no longer available for purchase. However, there are many companies that offer modded iPod Classics with updated specs, such as USB-C connectivity, Bluetooth, and larger storage capacities.

USB Switcher


A USB switcher is a device that allows users to switch between multiple devices using a single USB port. This is useful for users who have multiple devices that they need to connect to a single computer, such as a laptop or desktop. USB switchers are available in a variety of configurations, with different numbers of ports and different types of connections. Some USB switchers also offer additional features, such as power pass-through and KVM functionality. USB switchers are a convenient way to manage multiple devices, and they can be a valuable tool for users who need to switch between devices frequently.

iPad Mini Pro


The iPad Mini Pro is a hypothetical tablet that would combine the portability of the iPad Mini with the power and features of the iPad Pro. This would create a powerful and versatile tablet that could be used for a variety of tasks, including work, entertainment, and creativity. The iPad Mini Pro would likely feature a larger display, a more powerful processor, and a better camera than the current iPad Mini. It would also likely include features such as MagSafe charging and a smaller Apple Pencil. The iPad Mini Pro would be a highly desirable product for users who want a powerful and portable tablet.

Tebby Bite


A tebby bite is a unit of measurement for computer storage in base two. It is equivalent to 1024 gigabytes, or 2^40 bytes. The term "tebby bite" is a play on the word "terabyte," which is a unit of measurement in base ten. Tebby bites are used to more accurately represent the actual storage capacity of hard drives and other storage devices, as these devices are based on powers of two. For example, a hard drive that is advertised as having a capacity of 1 terabyte actually has a capacity of 1 tebby bite, or 1024 gigabytes.

Base Two


Base two, also known as the binary system, is a number system that uses only two digits: 0 and 1. It is the foundation of modern computers and digital electronics. In base two, each digit represents a power of two, starting from the rightmost digit as 2^0, then 2^1, 2^2, and so on. This system allows for efficient representation and manipulation of data within computers. For example, the decimal number 5 is represented as 101 in binary, where the leftmost 1 represents 2^2, the middle 0 represents 2^1, and the rightmost 1 represents 2^0.

Trivia Extravaganza


A trivia extravaganza is a game or event that involves answering a series of trivia questions. It is often used as a form of entertainment or as a way to test one's knowledge. Trivia extravaganzas can be played in a variety of formats, such as a pub quiz, a game show, or a online competition. The questions can cover a wide range of topics, from history and science to pop culture and sports. Trivia extravaganzas are a popular way to have fun and learn new things.

Q&A

  • Why is it impossible to reach a thousand evenly using powers of two?

    Because powers of two only result in values like 1024, which is the closest you can get to a thousand. This is due to the binary system used in computers, where each digit represents a power of two.

  • What is a tebby bite and how does it differ from a terabyte?

    A tebby bite is a unit of measurement for computer storage in base two, equivalent to 1024 gigabytes. It accurately reflects the actual storage capacity of devices, unlike the terabyte, which is a base ten unit. Hard drives advertised as 1 terabyte actually have a capacity of 1 tebby bite.

  • Why should the trivia extravaganza be worth only one point?

    The hosts suggest that the trivia extravaganza should be worth only one point because it has become a recurring theme in the podcast, potentially diminishing its impact and excitement.

  • What is the significance of Mark's wood in the podcast?

    The hosts jokingly mention that Mark has wood in the podcast, implying that he is sexually aroused. This is a humorous reference to his apparent enthusiasm and engagement during the podcast.

Show Notes

This week, Marques, Andrew, and David discuss a few quick news items including Instagram's "Made By AI" tag and a new app that makes the trash can on Mac a little more realistic. Then we bring back the "Wish List" segment by ranking the ones you all submitted to us! After that we wrap it all up with trivia. It's a fun one!


Links: 

Bananabin app: https://bit.ly/3zx5b56

Instagram Made with AI: https://bit.ly/45UomBU

Pixel 9 Google AI Story: https://bit.ly/4eQoPJd

Pixel Using iPhone Display: https://bit.ly/4cr7R2N


Shop the merch:

https://shop.mkbhd.com


Socials:

Waveform: https://twitter.com/WVFRM

Waveform: https://www.threads.net/@waveformpodcast

Marques: https://www.threads.net/@mkbhd

Andrew: https://www.threads.net/@andrew_manganelli

David Imel: https://www.threads.net/@davidimel

Adam: https://www.threads.net/@parmesanpapi17

Ellis: https://twitter.com/EllisRovin


TikTok: 

https://www.tiktok.com/@waveformpodcast


Join the Discord:

https://discord.gg/mkbhd


Music by 20syl:

https://bit.ly/2S53xlC


Waveform is part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

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Tech We'd Like to See Improved!

Tech We'd Like to See Improved!

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