MobileViews.com Podcast

MobileViews 593: CES 2026 wrap-up with guest panelist Frank McPherson

For this podcast,  Jon Westfall and I are joined by guest panelist Frank McPherson to discuss the highlights and "worst of" picks from CES 2026. I shared my recent experience with the new Alexa.com browser interface, which showed impressive "vertical integration" when the AI automatically offered to recreate sunset triggers for my new Amazon Smart Switch. This was a necessary upgrade because Belkin is bricking my old WeMo device at the end of the month, a frustrating trend of "cloud-killing" hardware we've also seen from companies like Google and Nest. We also explored LEGO's "Smart Play" announcement, specifically the Smart Bricks featuring motion sensors and sound synthesizers coming to Star Wars kits in March. While Frank expressed concern that these pre-set sounds might stifle a child's imagination, Jon argued that such immersion helps LEGO stay relevant against competitors like Funwhole.

In the second half of our conversation, we looked at the evolution of e-ink, including the TCL "NextPaper" tablet, which uses 120Hz LCD technology to mimic a paper-like display. Frank explained that he prefers writing by hand on these devices for memory retention, while we debated whether the $2,000 Samsung Trifold is too bulky to be practical. I speculated that the thinness of the iPhone Air could be the precursor to a future Apple foldable. We were also quite interested in mobile accessories from Clicks, specifically the Power Keyboard with an integrated battery that Jon pre-ordered and the Communicator, a purpose-built Android device that restores the physical keyboard and SD card slot. To wrap up, we touched on the return of the Pebble Round 2 with its two-week battery life and Claude AI integration, the stair-climbing Roborock Saros vacuum, and the Rocket Smart Glasses which feature built-in diopter adjustments.

MobileViews 592: Hello 2026. Build vs. buy?

In this podcast Jon Westfall and I discuss our recent experiences with artificial intelligence and consumer technology (as usual these days). We share insights on using Google NotebookLM and ChatGPT to automate content creation, noting that while the tools are becoming more intuitive, interoperability between different ecosystems remains a challenge. We also discuss the "build vs. buy" dilemma in home automation, highlighting how AI-assisted coding makes DIY hardware projects more accessible than ever. We briefly preview the upcoming CES conference, expressing a mix of hope and skepticism regarding whether the event will debut a truly revolutionary product category.

MobileViews Podcast 591: 2025 Retrospective; Broadcasting shifts & the digital divide

In this final "human" podcast of 2025, Todd and Jon discuss the changing landscape of media distribution, internet connectivity, and the year's dominance of Artificial Intelligence.

Episode Highlights:

• The Oscars Move to Streaming: The Academy Awards has signed a deal to move video distribution exclusively to YouTube starting in 2029. Todd notes that many viewers already consume the content via clips on the platform rather than the full terrestrial broadcast.
• The Digital Divide: A look at the 4-6% of US households completely without internet access and the 15-20% lacking fixed broadband. The hosts discuss the lingering presence of DSL compared to cable and fiber.
• Evolving Home Design: Jon highlights a design trend where living rooms are no longer centered around the television, reflecting a shift toward personal consumption on mobile devices rather than communal viewing.
• 2025 Tech Retrospective: The hosts reflect on how AI dominated the conversation throughout the year.
  • Jon's Experiment: Using ChatGPT with memory to create a "cognitive time capsule," documenting his current psychological state and preferences to review in ten years.
  • Todd's Experiment: Using Google NotebookLM to analyze and summarize PDF transcripts of the podcast's history.
• iPadOS 26: Todd notes that despite improved windowing features in iPadOS 26, his personal workflow has remained largely unchanged.

Next Week: Todd plans to release an automated summary created via AI tools to close out the year.

MobileViews Podcast 590: Simplifying Tech Stacks, AI News, and Apple Updates

In this episode, Todd and Jon discuss the latest AI agreements, updates to the Apple ecosystem (OS 26.2), and the history of PowerShell. The core discussion focuses on the "overcomplication issue" facing tech enthusiasts and offers hardware and software tips to simplify daily workflows.

AI & Industry News

• Disney & OpenAI: The Walt Disney Company has reached an agreement to license characters to OpenAI’s Sora.
• Google Labs: Todd joined the waitlist for "Google Disco," a tool that uses "GenTabs" to create interactive web apps and complete tasks using natural language without coding.
• Visual Podcasting: Todd discussed using "Nano Banana Pro" and Gemini to create visual whiteboard summaries for podcast notes.

Apple OS 26.2 Updates

• watchOS 26.2: Features updates to Sleep Scores, which Jon notes can feel "judgmental" regarding sleep quality.
• iPadOS 26.2: Reintroduces multitasking features like slide over and enables "Auto Chapters" for podcasts.
• macOS 26.2: Introduces "Edge Light" (a virtual ring light for video calls) and "low latency clusters" for local AI development on M5 Macs.

Tech History

• PowerShell Origins: Jeffrey Snover, creator of PowerShell, revealed in a blog post that "cmdlets" were originally named "Function Units" (FUs), reflecting the "Unix smart-ass culture" of the era.

Discussion: Simplifying the Tech Stack

The hosts discuss the tendency to overcomplicate setups, such as using Docker for RSS feeds or complex SSO for home use. They recommend the following simplifications:

Hardware

• KableCARD: A credit-card-sized kit containing multiple adapters, a light, and a phone stand to replace carrying multiple cables.
• Presentation Remotes: Use a simple dedicated remote ($20–$30) or repurpose a Surface Pen via Bluetooth instead of relying on complex software solutions.

Software

• Pythonista (iOS/macOS): Run simple local scripts (e.g., GPA calculators) rather than paying for dedicated subscription apps.
• Homebridge: A lighter-weight alternative to Home Assistant for connecting IoT devices (like Sonos) to Apple HomeKit.

Troubleshooting Tip

• Pixel Tablet YouTube Glitch: If the YouTube app on the Pixel Tablet displays unusable, giant thumbnails, the fix is to clear both the app's cache and storage/memory.

MobileViews 589: Apple & Google best of 2025 apps; fav 2025 gadgets; guest Sven Johannsen

In this episode, Jon Westfall and I are joined by frequent guest panelist Sven Johannsen. We dive into the end-of-year wrap-ups: We discuss Apple’s 2025 App Store Awards, with Jon noting that he uses award-winner Strava—though primarily on the Apple Watch rather than its main platform. The conversation also covers Google Play’s Best of 2025 (spanning apps, books, and games) and the latest YouTube End-of-Year Recap.

On the hardware front, the rumor mill is spinning regarding an Apple HomePod with a screen (potentially the "HomePod Touch"), with speculation pointing toward an 11-inch display. The hosts compare smart display pricing, weighing the Echo Show 11” ($194-$219) against the Pixel Tablet and Dock bundle ($250 + $129).

Sven's new accessories are also highlighted, including the DJI Mic Mini at a competitive $80 and the new clip and card versions of Pebblebee Trackers.

Todd’s Segment features the Goovis G3 Max headset, praised for its individual diopter adjustment that allows eyeglass wearers to use the device without custom prescription lenses. The show wraps up with a mention of the Google Pixel 10 Pro and its headline feature: 100x ProRes zoom.

MobileViews 588: Aluminium OS? AI workflows? Fav 2025 gadgets

In this podcast, we discuss:

Google Aluminium OS," a potential merger of Android and ChromeOS designed to bring a premium, AI-first experience to desktop devices. The hosts also explore practical AI applications, discussing significant updates to NotebookLM—such as Deep Research and new source support—and how these tools can be optimized for teaching workflows. This episode also introduces a new segment called "Ctrl-Keep-Delete," a Marie Kondo-style guide for tech enthusiasts looking to declutter their gadget collections.

On the personal front, the conversation turns to "Holiday Pivots," where the hosts share strategies for adapting when seasonal plans fall apart. The episode wraps up with their top gadget picks for 2025: Jon recommends the Plaud NotePin for AI meeting transcriptions, Sven highlights the MuteMe physical button for managing Zoom calls, and Todd endorses the Logitech Flip Folio for iPad productivity.

MobileViews 587: Google AI upgraded; Quick Share; Zotero research assistant; M386 Office mini-rant

I'm trying something different this week. Instead of the usual text summary of the podcast in the blog I used Google Gemini 3 and Google Nano Banana Pro to create an infographic based on the show notes that Jon Westfall and I used for this podcast.

MobileViews 586: Boya Magic Wireless Mics; Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE; low cost Macbook in 2026? Open Broadcast Studio

Jon and I are back after a brief hiatus, and we had a lot to catch up on, starting with our ever-evolving audio gear! I tested out a new budget microphone, the Boya Measureless, which I’m using in a shotgun mode on a tripod. Jon is actually using the same mic in lavalier format. It’s a pretty advanced 4-in-1 mic that even comes with its own charging case and windscreens. I'm glad it’s working out for both of us! Shifting gears, I needed some help rationalizing a recent purchase: the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE. It was a good bundle from Costco, including the S Pen (which uses Wacom EMR technology) and a nice magnetic keyboard case, all for around $500. I was looking for a replacement for my Pixel tablet, which Google is apparently not going to continue developing. I like that the S10 FE is IP68 water and dustproof, has a micro SD slot (I added a 256GB card for 384GB total storage!), and supports both Face ID and fingerprint login. I'm even learning how to use Samsung's additional windowing system on top of the standard Android UI.

We discussed the rumor of a budget MacBook (codenamed J700) possibly coming out in 2026 with the iPhone's A18 Pro processor. I think it would be fantastic in the $499 range, especially for schools and people new to desktop operating systems. We also touched on the mind-blowing news that an AI-written song hit number one on the Billboard country music chart. I remember being wowed by the first all-CGI movie, The Last Starfighter, back in the '80s, and it feels like AI music is on a similar path to becoming normal. Jon then walked me through a cool, old trick for Google Sheets: using the Google Visualization API with a SQL query embedded in a URL to fetch specific data, which he uses for his weekly jokes. Finally, Jon demoed Open Broadcast Studio (OBS), which is a free, versatile tool for broadcasting and recording, offering commercial-level features for mixing audio and video sources.

MobileViews 585: 17 years of this podcast! Free Affinity creative suite. Azure DNS outage. Jon's Discord bot

In this week's episode, Jon Westfall and I kicked things off by discussing "falling back" for Daylight Saving Time and reminiscing about dealing with dark mornings. We then moved on to some podcast milestones. I realized that MobileViews is about to turn 18, with the first episode dating back to November 26, 2008 . We also noted that Jon's 12th anniversary on the show is coming up in December. This got us talking about the early days of podcasting. I recalled listening to pioneers like Adam Curry (the "Podfather") and Adam Christiansen ("The Mac Cast") , and how I was amazed they could produce so much content solo . We contrasted that with today's landscape, which seems dominated by celebrity-hosted shows, and I made sure to thank Jon, as I'm certain the podcast would have ended years ago without him.

We discussed the recently released free Affinity all-in-one creative suite for MacOS, which both Jon and I had previously purchased, becoming a free all-in-one app on the Mac following its acquisition by Canva. We also chatted about the recent Microsoft Azure outage , which briefly gave me trouble accessing a file on OneDrive , and shared a laugh about how "it's always DNS". On the AI front, I shared a song I generated with Suno AI called "DNS Blues" and we discussed the news of an AI artist, Xenia Monet, debuting on the Billboard charts. Jon shared his own impressive AI project: in about 30 minutes, he used ChatGPT to build a Python-based Discord bot that can serve up Disney trivia, psychology questions, or bad jokes pulled from his 12-year spreadsheet archive.

MobileViews 584: Microsoft Journal? ChatGPT Atlas browser. Apple M5 products. Copilot Groups

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".