MobileViews.com Podcast

MobileViews 577: More Pixel 10 Pro, Apple event rumors, Confusing Microsoft design choices; Kiko

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. 

MobileViews 575: Why do LLMs dislike Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics?

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.

MobileViews 574: AOL's Dial-Up Farewell, Microsoft Lens Retirement, and Essential Back-to-School Tech & Survival Tips

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.

MobileViews Podcast 573:A Tsunami of tech topics + Uncle Jon's Bank for Parents & Kids

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.

MobileViews 572: iPadOS 26, AppleCare One, Adobe Editing & Android Phone Market Shift

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

MobileView 571: No EVs for Hawaii? RapidRAW image editor; NotebookLM; iPadOS 26 beta; Oura Ring

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.

MobileViews 569: Guest co-hosts Don & Sven: Waiting for iPadOS 26; Logitech Flip Folio; Sodi Foldable Keyboard; E-ink touchpad prototype; old Chromebooks; keeping PC apps up to date

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.

MobileViews 568: Everything is AI Now: - Slop, Speech, & Subscriptions

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

MobileViews Podcast 567: Trying out a new 4K conference cam

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.

MobileViews 566: WWDC 2025 & Father's Day

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.