MobileViews.com Podcast

In MobileViews 629, Jon Westfall, guest panelist Don Sorcinelli, and I discussed cloud storage policy shifts, new Android based Googlebooks, and Googlebook OS growing pains. I recorded the episode on my new Acer Googlebook 14, though a pre-show Googlebook microphone glitch with a Comica EJOY D10 Pro forced me to rely on the laptop's built-in microphone. We opened with Microsoft’s upcoming M365 storage policy changes for consumer subscriptions, which will cap family plans at a total of 2 TB starting in early 2027 rather than 1 TB per user, raising concerns for families using OneDrive for photo and video backups. I also shared details about ordering Amazon's new Alexa Tablet 8-9 inch model  ($280 list), which runs Google Android with Play Store access, though Don noted that the new aluminum-body device omits the microSD card slot found on older Fire models.

A major segment of the podcast was dedicated to a hands-on review of the Acer Googlebook 14. While Jon and I agreed that the $899 hardware, display, and keyboard are top-notch, the Googlebook OS currently behaves like an early beta release. I walked through several software headaches, including Chrome browser crashes, fillable PDF form fields disappearing during printing (requiring printing on a MacBook Neo instead), graphical Linux applications like Audacity failing to launch, and file syncing quirks in OneDrive. Despite these early adopter bugs, the hardware remains promising with the expectation that  Google continues to refine the platform.

Don provided an enterprise perspective on Windows updates and Surface Pro ARM devices, detailing Microsoft's chaotic September "patch palooza" where over 900 fixes broke Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) functionality and an Alberta timezone preview caused application timing errors. He also explained why enterprise adoption of ARM Surface Pros remains slow due to driver-level incompatibilities with VPNs and security software. We wrapped up with two clever hardware and software hacks from Jon: securing a legitimate Windows 11 Pro license for $7.49 via Groupon for a virtual machine on his M4 MacBook Pro, and using an Uptab adapter recommended by ChatGPT to revive a 2010 27-inch Apple Cinema Display with single-cable USB-C power delivery.

In MobileViews 628, Jon Westfall, Sven Johannsen, and I discussed the retail rollout of the new Google Googlebooks. I shared my frustration over the delivery delay for my pre-ordered Acer model even though it is currently at the delivery company's location less than 20 miles from me, while Sven highlighted sparse local stock at Best Buy locations. The nearest Best Buy with Googlebooks in stock was 240 miles distant from Sven.  We clarified that actual Googlebook pricing ranges from $899 for entry-level models to $1,400 for premium hybrids, with Google committing to a 10-year OS support window through mid-2034 for current Chromebooks. I noted that I chose the $899 Acer unit specifically for its native USI 2.0 stylus support, and we debated iPad desktop replacement workflows versus remote VNC setups.

Our AI software discussion focused on practical workflows and new feature rollouts. I highlighted getting access to Google Notebook's live voice chat on mobile, while Jon shared how he trained his Gemini notebook to generate complete clinical psychology course packages—including MARP slide decks, case study vignettes, and facilitator guides. We also looked ahead to the "rambler" speech cleanup tool built into Googlebook OS and considered Meta's new announcements, including why someone would want a camera-free Ray-Ban audio glasses designed for environmental transparency (instead of just using earbuds with an AI service on a paired phone) and the pocket-sized Muse Charm personal AI device.

We finished up with a discussion of mobile phone network resilience and multi-device service plans. Sven detailed his experience configuring dual eSIMs on Pixel phones to run Google Fi alongside T-Mobile, as well as signing up for the Apple Care Family plan ($49.99/month) to cover 18 devices across his household. I reflected on my reliance on AT&T’s satellite SOS texting during a recent 46.5-hour local power outage which resulted in AT&T wireless service being severely degraded or completely unavailable for several days.

Jon Westfall was not available to record a podcast this week. So, I recorded a very short mini-podcast mostly of mini-rants with the exception of my positive mini-review of the ESR Geo Digital Pencil for the iPad.

In MobileViews 627, Jon Westfall, guest panelist Sven Johannsen, and I convened to discuss our initial impressions of new Apple releases, emerging hardware, and developer updates. We started off discussing Googlebook pre-orders starting on Sept. 21 with rumored prices of $1,000 to $2,000, as well as the new Gemini desktop app for Windows. I noted my interest in the Boox Note Mini C running Android 16 with its powered InkSight stylus, while Jon and Sven discussed using their Kobo and Kindle e-readers for portable reading. Jon also shared ongoing challenges with university students misidentifying professor names and miskeying booking email addresses, prompting him to start building a Copilot Studio scheduling chatbot integrated with Microsoft Teams.

Apple's latest hardware lineup was up next as I shared my experience with the new Apple Watch Series 12 with its included magnetic band and the iPhone 18 Pro, highlighting its identical 4x optical zoom compared to the 5x available in the older 15 Pro Max model. Sven shared his purchases of the Apple Watch Ultra 4, AirPods 5, and an iPhone 18 Pro XL for his wife, while Jon showcased his Apple Watch Ultra 4 with its flexible translucent ocean band and custom ChatGPT-designed watch faces. On the software side, I praised iOS 27's video frame extraction tool and custom EQ settings on AirPods Pro 3, while Sven noted Google's "made you look" external animation feature for entertaining children during photography on foldables.

We then learned about the extensive development and accessibility update that Jon and his AI developer assistants made for his Podium classroom platform, completing a real VPS deployment spanning 88 commits and 91,000 lines across 115 files that added live polls, an audio mixer, and ambient pre-lecture music with Claude acting as a virtual sysadmin. We also touched on cellular options, comparing a secondary $10 Google Fi data line with AT&T's unrestricted roaming in Mexico. Finally, Sven highlighted Meta's initiative providing free Ray-Ban AI glasses to blind veterans to read notes and select clothing, leading into a discussion on AR glasses featuring built-in diopter adjustments for prescription-free use.

Jon Westfall and I are joined by long-time friend and frequent guest panelist Steven Hughes for MobileViews Podcast 626. In this podcast, I start with a brief first-world-problems mini-rant about my wired broadband internet service provider being mostly down for 3 days prior to the podcast (I saw a brief network drop during the podcast but remained on the call - thanks to buffers?). I want to express my sincere gratitude to Jon, Steven, and other friends/panelists who have patiently listened to my podcast rants for nearly 20 years :-). And, thanks to Jon for recording this week's podcast! We did this in case I lost network connectivity and needed to use my phone and LTE/5G to reconnect to complete the podcast session.

In MobileViews 625, Jon Westfall and I started off with hardware updates and a bit of TV Sci-Fi nostalgia. Following a recommendation from Sven Johannsen, I purchased a Satechi Slim EX wireless mouse , though Sven ribbed me because its silver color doesn’t match my indigo MacBook Neo. The mouse's native USB-C dongle prompted us to discuss how USB-A, despite the industry shift, will likely remain a fixture in our adapter bags for a long time. We also celebrated the upcoming 60th anniversary of the original Star Trek series on September 8th, sharing childhood memories of being terrified of Mr. Spock, analyzing Riker’s first-season lack of a beard and Worf's voice changes in The Next Generation, and recommending the Dropping Names with Brent and Johnny, a podcast by ST:TNG stars Jonathan Frakes and Brent Spiner that focuses on general entertainment industry history rather than just Star Trek.

Our software discussion touched on a mix of AI productivity, weather tracking, and backup systems. While monitoring the "hockey-stick" path of tropical storm Lowell south of Hawaii and Karina to the north of Hawaii, I’ve been using Google DeepMind’s Weather Lab using the new "Weather Next 3" model, paired with twice-daily automated reports from Google Spark. In other AI workflows, I’ve been testing Google Pics (an evolution of Nano Banana), which lets users directly edit text and select objects inside AI-generated images, while Jon has been using MARP (Markdown Presentation Ecosystem) to convert Markdown into presentations. We also noted that Windows 10 and 11 now enable automatic cloud backup by default, prompting us to reminisce about our days as mobile MVPs in the early 2000s when Microsoft resisted our pleas to make cloud syncing the default standard.

We wrapped up with predictions for Apple’s September 9th event, which is on a Wednesday this year instead of a Tuesday. Because September 11th falls on a Friday, we speculate that Apple might shift pre-orders to Saturday. Between the rumored foldable iPhone, Watch Series 12, Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5, we debated our upgrade paths. I’m particularly interested in the Watch Series 12 as my 15 Pro battery degrades, but the lack of a telephoto lens on the rumored foldable iPhone is a dealbreaker. However, a rumored iOS 27 feature called "iPhone Handoff" might seamlessly share a single phone number across two devices—a "diabolical" strategy that might just force enthusiasts to buy both a single-screen Pro and a foldable.

Jon Westfall and I welcomed back Sven Johannsen for episode 624 to a number of personal hardware updates. Sven shared his hands-on review of a pair of affordable RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR glasses that provide a 120-inch head-mounted virtual display but require external power and computing. Since it lacks internal batteries, the glasses relies on a connected device like an iPhone or a $100 portable "pocket TV" accessory that runs Google TV. Meanwhile, I shared my latest workaround for my beloved MacBook Neo: a bioluminescent keyboard skin that glows in the dark without drawing power, which helps make the non-backlit keys visible in low-light environments. I also whined (uh, noted) 101 hours and 2 minutes of power outages across 16 incidents this year—falling far below the "five nines" reliability standard. To lobby state legislators about local infrastructure, I’ve been using Google NotebookLM to dynamically analyze my outage spreadsheets directly from linked Google Sheets. Jon detailed how he's leveraging AI agents like Codex as a diligent "junior system administrator" to inventory his home Raspberry Pi servers, document configurations, and even run virtual disaster recovery drills. Jon has also integrated ChatGPT with his Apple Health data to analyze his jogging routine and pinpoint the cause of some recent ankle pain, and he's even using LLMs to flesh out fictional characters for creative writing. We agreed that while some dismiss AI as "social media slop," it becomes incredibly powerful once you find a highly specific use case—like Jon's colleague who used AI to condense a week-long project into just two days. Jon also shared a clever Apple Shortcuts automation that automatically toggles his iPad's Wi-Fi off when he's home to stop background VPN battery drain. We finished up with some speculation on Apple’s upcoming September 9th event, which Jon noted is on a Wednesday this year rather than a Tuesday. We’re keeping an eye out for a rumored "iPhone Ultra" with a third party folding phone case already spotted on Amazon, and Sven is planning to buy the next Apple Watch Ultra. We expressed minor frustration with Google’s Gboard "Rambler" feature, which automatically filters out verbal pauses like "ums" and "ahs" but is restricted to the new Pixel 11, leaving my Pixel 10 Pro out in the cold. Despite the minor upgrade hurdles, we agreed there is still plenty of fun in testing the boundaries of these evolving personal ecosystems.

In MobileViews 623, recorded on August 23, 2026, Jon Westfall and I reunited after a brief summer hiatus. I congratulated Jon on his official promotion to full professor!

The main discussion was my observations and rants dealing with the effects (1st world problems) of Hurricane Lala, which was downgraded to a tropical storm as it passed south of Oahu. While our immediate neighborhood was spared major damage, we experienced an annoying 45.5-hour power outage that instantly killed our wired broadband and degraded local cellular towers. Prior to the storm, I successfully experimented with Google Spark to aggregate emergency updates, but once offline, my only communication lifeline was Apple’s satellite messaging service to stay in touch with Jon and my daughter. While the service worked brilliantly, Jon and I strongly criticized Apple's UI design for hiding the satellite settings until a crisis occurs, which prevents users from familiarizing themselves with the interface beforehand.

My experience with utilities recovery highlighted a massive gap in customer service "situational awareness". I spent days dealing with AT&T and Spectrum customer service representatives who claimed our services were fully active when hundreds of households in our neighborhood were entirely offline. Jon and I agreed that this is a prime use case for AI coordination. Spectrum, in particular, could have resolved problems if it had what I call an Omniscient AI Analyst monitoring incoming service calls and comparing it to declared operational status. In this case, after one of my neighbors was able to escalate a call to a tier 1 technician, it appears that a service call about a mile away had restore service to at least one customer resulting in the entire region being listed fully online. This resulted in a truck roll late at night (kudos to Spectrum for this) that restored service to our area in a few hours.

Related to this AI Analyst concept, Jon recently tested ChatGPT's Codex as a virtual systems administrator on a VPS, finding it incredibly diligent at running backups, simulating disaster recoveries, and analyzing server logs. When traditional digital networks failed us, our most reliable source of hyper-local road conditions and safety information turned out to be our neighborhood postal worker, proving that low-tech human networks still trump broken infrastructure during emergencies.

We finished up the episode with a look at new hardware and physical ergonomics. Jon evaluated the Clicks physical keyboard for the iPhone, praising its build quality but admitting his thumb-typing speed has naturally declined in favor of on-screen typing over the last 15 years. I shared who I made an uncomfortable "ergonomic" split keyboard actually comfortable, I bought inexpensive plastic "laptop feet" to give the keyboard a 15-degree lift on its rear side, and I’m eagerly awaiting a bioluminescent keyboard skin to make the low-contrast keys of my MacBook Neo visible in dim light.

Our thoughts go out to those on the Big Island and other areas who suffered severe losses and who are still dealing with power and water outages a week after the storm. We hope to have our friend Sven Johannsen back on the show next week to talk about his latest hardware purchases.

In MobileViews Podcast 622, I caught up with my good friend Mike Temporale for his first appearance on the show in nearly ten years! We started off with a brief trip down memory lane reflecting on his visit to Hawaii and our past discussions, before discussing how we're both integrating AI into our daily workflows. I shared some of my recent experiments using Google Gemini to auto-generate illustrated frames for my blog and using Adobe Podcast Studio alongside Gemini to automatically build YouTube chapter timestamps from transcript files. Mike had a great real-world story from his summer at his cottage, showing how AI helped his family quickly render design ideas for a cottage awning, calculate costs, and locate local contractors in minutes.

We also spent time talking through the practical realities and failures of current AI tools, including Mike's experience using Microsoft Copilot for employee performance reviews and how it struggles to trace back to its original email sources. From there, our conversation turned to the evolving mobile hardware landscape. We compared our current daily devices—including Mike's experience with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra—and weighed in on the upcoming hardware trends, from memory constraints forcing developers back toward code efficiency to what we hope to see from Apple's eventual entrance into the foldable market.

It was a great, wide-ranging discussion covering everything from 6502 assembly language programming on the Apple II to modern Gemini Spark agents automating my daily tech news briefs. 

We wrapped up with a promise not to wait another decade before the next chat, with plans to reconnect around Canadian Thanksgiving in October. Check out the full episode video and transcript to hear all the details!

For MobileViews 621 I'm joined by longtime friend Jason Dunn filling in as guest co-host. We kicked off by discussing the "moatless" nature of modern AI tools, where hopping between Gemini, Claude, and ChatGPT is easier than ever, though our deep ecosystem preferences often dictate our ultimate choices. This led into a deep dive on note-taking app migrations. Jason shared his recent departure from Evernote after a shocking 171% price hike under its new holding company, Bending Spoons. Using an AI-assisted plugin, he successfully migrated 16 years of data to a local Obsidian vault. I shared my own frustrations with Microsoft OneNote, where basic tasks like syncing handwriting on my Boox e-ink tablet are quietly draining my limited monthly Copilot AI credits, pushing me to explore Obsidian as well.

I noted my initial experience using Google Spark, an autonomous personal AI agent that recently rolled out to Google AI Pro subscribers. This capability was once restricted to the much more expensive Google AI Ultra tier. In my test, I instructed Spark to review the extensive archive of past MobileViews Podcast show notes alongside current technology news platforms. Utilizing the recurring themes from our previous episodes, the agent generates a compiled tech news digest daily at 6:00 PM US Eastern Time, aligning with the conclusion of the standard workday.

A major topic was Jason’s journey into "vibe coding". While initially hesitant, he used AI to build a custom Tampermonkey script that saved his team over 150,000 manual clicks by streamlining a web form. He later used AI to develop a Mac OS tool called "File Time Travel" to fix frustrating video timestamp metadata issues in Google Photos—a highly specific problem that software developers have not addressed. We discussed how AI flips the traditional learning curve on its head, empowering non-developers to create deeply personal, single-purpose software solutions.

We wrapped up by exploring the power of voice-as-input for AI. Jason has been using Whisper Flow, an LLM-powered speech-to-text tool that finally fulfills the broken promises of old software like Dragon Dictate by actually understanding conversational context and complex names. This allows for "ramble coding"—speaking massive, context-rich prompts directly into the AI to generate much better code and outputs. Of course, the AI revolution isn't without its hilariously frustrating bumps; we swapped stories about AI hallucinations, from Microsoft Copilot completely fabricating Yellowstone episode descriptions.