Episodes
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Google just added the "Take Notes for Me" feature to the consumer version of Google Meet if you have a Google AI Pro or AI Ultra subscription. This was previously only available to Google Workspace group subscriptions. I opted to turn on the feature for this and future podcasts. You can find this Google Meet generated summary on MobileViews.com.
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With episode 616, recorded on June 28, 2026, we marked the halfway point of the year with a deep dive into a term that I previously dismissed but am now on-board with: "Microslop"—a term for the frustrating decline and fragmentation of Microsoft's ecosystem. The Microsoft 365 Copilot app, which recently stripped out its scanning function, turned a previously simple task into a multi-step ordeal. It is particularly ironic that Copilot continues to hallucinate, even suggesting I use the retired Office Lens app for scanning, seemingly unaware of its own company's product retirements. Consequently, I’ve pivoted to Genius Scan, a fast and purposeful alternative that offers a far better experience for digitizing my daily doodle project sketches.
Jon, meanwhile, has been putting two impressive new hardware gadgets through their paces. He’s been testing the Insta360 Luna Ultra, a gimbal camera featuring a clever detachable screen that doubles as a remote control, allowing him to film himself while managing tracking and settings from a distance. He also showcased the Kodak Zink Slim Printer, a pocket-sized device that creates color adhesive stickers using zero-ink, heat-sensitive paper—perfect for adding instant color photos to a physical journal. While these gadgets provide plenty of utility, the broader tech landscape is facing a sobering shift: AI-driven demand for components is causing shortages in RAM and SSDs, leading to significant price hikes for devices like the MacBook Neo, which is expected to jump in price from $599 to $699.
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I opened with a "mini-rant" about the frustrations of the USB-C ecosystem and aparent power requirement issues with a new Acer USB-C external LCD display. We also observed possible tangible effects of "AI scarcity," noting that Google Meet recordings and Alexa Plus responses are taking significantly longer to process, likely due to the processing demands of modern AI models. This scarcity sparked a conversation on new social norms in the AI age, specifically regarding the etiquette of AI agents (like Read.ai) attending meetings and the "cat-and-mouse game" of recording lights on smart glasses.
Jon shared a major shift in his productivity workflow by moving to Obsidian, a "Swiss Army knife" of note-taking. By using Codex to convert 20 years of WordPress entries and Day One journals into Markdown files, he has created a future-proof, portable "vault" that avoids proprietary databases. We also discussed the release of Android 17, which introduced an interesting "Screen Reactions" overlay feature but also caused frustration by resetting permissions for tablet casting and photo galleries.
To wrap up, Jon provided a field report on his DJI Neo 2 drone, which successfully tracked him during a 20mph e-bike ride. Despite suffering its first high-speed crash into a tree, the lightweight drone proved remarkably durable, surviving the impact with no visible damage. We also touched on a few tech trends, including Gen Z's growing rejection of Silicon Valley's vision in favor of "dumb" tech like flip phones and repaired iPods
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In MobileViews 614, Jon Westfall and I were joined by frequent guest panelists Sven Johansson, and Don Sorcinelli discuss the highlights from Apple’s recent Worldwide Developer Conference—or, as it we call it: the "Apple AI Conference". We also discussed the branding shift as my Google One 2TB plan was officially rebranded to Google AI Plus, signaling a broader industry trend toward AI-centric subscriptions. Don shared his experience with the Dreambeans experiment from Google Labs, which acts as a "really good sketch artist" by creating eerily accurate daily comic strips of your life based on calendar data and search history. This led to a deeper debate on the privacy vs. utility trade-off, contrasting Apple’s "private cloud compute" architecture with Google’s data-heavy personalization. The conversation turned to the shifting economics of AI, which I’ve dubbed the "drug dealer model". Companies are moving away from subsidized usage toward granular credit systems; for instance, Microsoft Copilot now consumes credits for simple tasks like opening large files or syncing handwriting. Despite these costs, "vibe coding" remains a game-changer. I shared how I used Google AI Studio to build a custom tool that summarizes the Techmeme River news feed and reads it back to me using an AI-synthesized voice, a task that took less time than brushing my teeth. Jon and I also lamented the current state of Siri, wishing it could handle multiple commands simultaneously rather than the current "one-step-at-a-time" limitation. We closed out with a look at the hardware horizon and a bit of tech nostalgia. While rumors swirl about AirPods with built-in cameras to help the user "see" the world, I was disappointed by the lack of any hints regarding a desktop Mac Neo. Our parenting discussion highlighted the iPad as the gold standard for managed digital access for toddlers, with Don choosing a strict "kiosk mode" approach to build good habits early. Finally, we reminisced about the original Microsoft Barney doll and the early days of Microsoft Flight Simulator (in context of the new Flight Simulator in Google Earth).
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In MobileViews 6136, Jon Westfall and I tackled the increasingly complex world of AI ecosystems. I shared my early impressions of Google Labs’ "Dream Beans," an interesting daily briefing tool that uses AI to generate an illustrated summary of topics it thinks you'll find interesting based on your activity. While the illustrations are very nice looking and the content relevant, the app is currently very phone-centric, lacking the landscape orientation optimization I’d expect for a tablet experience. I also noted that Google AI Pro remains a solid value for me at $20 a month.
A major portion of the episode was dedicated to my "credit crunch" rant regarding Microsoft Copilot. I discovered that Microsoft’s 365 family plan only provides 60 AI credits per month, and the "intentional use" policy is aggressive. According to Copilot itself, credits can be consumed simply by opening the app, syncing handwriting from an e-ink tablet to OneNote, or even having the AI suggest a grammar fix you don't actually use. This led me to explore Obsidian as a OneNote alternative, as it offers free handwriting plugins without the credit overhead. Jon suggested a sustainable path forward: using AI to build offline scripts or tools that perform data manipulation locally to avoid recurring token costs.We also looked at the hardware horizon, specifically Microsoft’s announcement of Project Solera—AI-powered badges and desktop displays—and the new Nvidia RTX Spark PCs,. These machines are purpose-built for local AI, boasting a petaflop of performance to run personal agents offline. Finally, with Apple WWDC just around the corner, we shared our hopes for the long-promised "personal context" updates to Siri. Jon is also eagerly awaiting his pre-ordered Clicks communicator and keyboard, while I continue to hold out hope for a MacBook Neo with a backlit keyboard and a desktop Mac Neo. Whether it’s navigating "vibe coding" loops or managing AI budgets, it’s clear that the "magic math" of the AI industry is starting to meet the reality of the bean counters.
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Jon Westfall and I welcomed back our long-time friend Don Sorcinelli, who hasn’t been on the show since last October (podcast 583). Don shared his deliberate "low-tech" approach to entertaining his two-year-old granddaughter, opting for traditional toys over tablets to encourage focus and avoid the "out" that screen time provides. This sparked some fun tech nostalgia, as I recounted my own experiences as a dad of a toddler trying "interactive" toys like the light-sensing Microsoft Barney and the giant yellow Microsoft EasyBall trackball—both of which proved that sometimes, simpler is better.
A major theme of this episode was the shifting economic reality of AI. Don, ever the healthy skeptic, compared the current AI hype to the dot-com bust and the "magic math" of non-GAAP reporting. We discussed the "tokens vs. humans" trade-off, noting that as companies like Google and OpenAI move toward token-based pricing, the cost of farming out thinking to AI may soon exceed the cost of hiring a human. I’ve been finding ways to outsmart these limits by using standard LLMs to "interview" me and generate highly efficient Codex prompts, which usually get the job done on the first try.
We also tackled some serious infrastructure and software headaches. I’m currently dealing with expiring Secure Boot certificates on some of my no-name PC boxes—a situation Don rightly called a "mismanaged" disaster on Microsoft's part, given the lack of clear documentation and the bugs causing BitLocker prompts. On a more positive note, my 8GB MacBook Neo continues to impress me with its efficiency, proving that tight optimization can often trump raw specs. We wrapped up with a look at the future of Nvidia ARM-based processors for Windows and a strange sighting during my daily walk: a fiber optic cable hanging at neck height between utility poles, a reminder that even high-tech infrastructure can have very physical (and dangerous) failures
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Jon Westfall and I were joined by frequent guest panelists Frank McPherson, and Sven Johannsen to discuss the announcements from the recent "Gemini I/O" and Android shows. I kicked off the episode with a real-world tech success story: the Google app on my Pixel devices provided a magnitude and epicenter alert for a 6.0 earthquake in Hawaii that occurred 200 miles away. I felt a relatively mild rumble but thought it was a feral pig bumping the side of my home. Much of our hardware discussion focused on the Google Book, a premium AI-first device running the "Aluminium" (Android-based) OS. We speculated that Google is positioning this to compete with the high-demand MacBook Neo, which is currently so popular that rumors suggest Apple may release a spec-bumped "Neo 2" to address chip shortages and stay ahead of the competition.
On the software and AI front, we looked ahead to Android 17 and its new "Rambler" feature for Gboard, which uses AI to filter out "ums" and "ahs" from voice transcriptions. I shared my experience with Gemini Pro’s voice cloning, which was "scary good" at mimicking my voice with minimal training, while Frank voiced skepticism about Wear OS 7 replacing tiles with widgets, fearing it's a step backward for round-screen usability. The episode also served as a warning about the dangers of auto-updates; Jon shared how a Ubiquiti router update broke his HomeKit setup—requiring an SSH command to fix—and I recounted a corrupt OneDrive for Mac update that forced me to roll back to its previous version using Time Machine.
We wrapped up with a demonstration from Sven, who demonstrated his new Pixel Fold 10's unique feature in Google Meet that allows for a split-view using the front and back cameras simultaneously. This "double-vision" mode allows a caller to show their face while also providing a high-resolution view of their surroundings, which we agreed would be a game-changer for remote tech support or traveling. d there is still plenty of innovation happening in the Android ecosystem.
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I started off the podcast by noting that I'm testing yet another budget-friendly microphone, the Boya CastMic G30, which features a gaming-style "glow" that led us into a deep dive on the recently announced Googlebook and its Battlestar Galactica Cylon-like Glowbar. Announced at a pre-Google I/O Android Show, the Googlebook is an AI-first, Android-based premium device positioned above the Chromebook. While its Cylon-esque "glow bar" is a fun aesthetic touch, I’m skeptical about its potential price point; if it creeps above $599, it might make more sense to buy a MacBook Neo, especially given Android's historical struggle with landscape-oriented tablet apps. We also touched on the future of Android Auto, which is introducing "immersive navigation" with Lane Advisory guidance to help drivers with select supported cars with front cameras navigate multi-lane roads in real-time.
The second half of our conversation turned toward the cognitive impact of AI. We debated a recent study claiming that using AI for even ten minutes can impair brain performance, particularly in solving math problems. Jon Westfall, drawing on his background as a cognitive scientist, was skeptical of the study’s protocol, while I noted the striking similarity to the "brain mush" warnings I heard about calculators fifty years ago. We wrapped up by discussing how to "smooth over" the friction in our personal hobbies. For Jon, this means a "buy once, cry once" philosophy with high-quality tools like professional knitting needles. For me, retirement has brought a surprising fascination with the mechanics of pencil sharpeners, where I’ve discovered that investing in a high-quality long-point sharpener is often the key to enjoying the simple act of doodling on paper. Whether it's using AI to remove "ums" and "ahs" from speech via Gboard’s new Rambler feature or whittling a pencil to perfection, we agreed that the right tool fundamentally changes the experience
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In MobileViews Podcast 609, Jon Westfall and I discuss the evolving landscape of AI tools and consumer technology. I start by highlighting that the Google AI Plus subscription is now shareable via the Google One family plan, which I consider a helpful step in bridging the "AI divide" for households. Then we revisit the recurring topic of the rising trend of "vibe coding," with Jon explaining how he used AI to generate a custom workout-tracking web page to completely replace a subscription fitness app he had been using. We discuss how this newfound accessibility to coding could threaten small companies that rely on micro-subscriptions for minor app features, while also warning of the severe security risks of amateur coders leaving hardcoded secrets on platforms like Replit and Lovable. Additionally, I noted using Google's NotebookLM to cross-reference our 2026 podcast transcripts with the Techmeme River news, which surfaced highly relevant updates for us, like the extended FCC deadline for foreign-made drones and routers.
Jon and I also explore the practical and social implications of AI in the workplace, particularly focusing on an article I found about the trend of "whispering" to AI instead of typing happening in offices. Jon shares how rambling to ChatGPT's voice mode for five minutes helps him rapidly prototype structured op-ed pieces, essentially using it as a highly effective sounding board and editor. However, we both point out that this shift toward voice interactions makes open-plan offices—an environment I already strongly dislike—even more distracting, making modern workspaces resemble call centers. To round out the episode, we tackle a few persistent societal myths. Jon draws on his background teaching educational psychology to debunk the concept of preferred learning styles, and I acknowledge that the popular 10,000 steps a day health goal is largely an outdated pedometer marketing gimmick, even though I still try to hit that target to stay active.
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In MobileViews 608, I spent some time venting about Microsoft's new "Windows K2" effort to fix the performance and reliability issues in Windows 11—a move that feels long overdue considering, as Jon Westfall noted, the current OS uses React for the start menu rather than native forms. I also shared a warning about expiring secure boot certificates coming in June 2026, which may require manual registry fixes for those whose hardware doesn't receive automatic firmware updates. On the hardware front, my iPhone 15 Pro's battery health is dipping, but I’m hesitant about replacing it with the rumored iPhone Fold. While the larger form factor is appealing, rumors suggest it may lack Face ID and a telephoto lens, both of which are dealbreakers for my mobile photography and daily convenience.
Jon shared a surprising shift in his workflow: returning to paper notebooks during meetings to improve interpersonal engagement, while using a Plaud Note device for the actual transcription. He also showcased his latest "vibe coding" success, building a card game app called "Pierogi Palace" in just 48 hours using ChatGPT and Codex to handle everything from the rule set to App Store screenshots. Meanwhile, I offered a mini-rant about Microsoft 365 Copilot, which has turned the once-simple task of scanning my daily doodles into a frustrating five-click process compared to the old, streamlined Microsoft Lens app.
Looking ahead to Google I/O, we discussed the rumored "Aluminium OS," an AI-first operating system that aims to merge Chrome OS and Android. We wrapped up with some tech nostalgia, reflecting on the days when the original iPhone and Windows Phone 7 lacked built-in screenshot features—a sharp contrast to today's AI tools that can generate entire apps in a weekend. I also gave a shout-out to my 2019 Anker Bluetooth keyboard, which still works perfectly for my iPad Mini typing needs, proving that some hardware really is built to last.
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Jon Westfall and I kicked off episode 607 with the news that Tim Cook is stepping down as Apple’s CEO to become Chairman, with John Ternus taking the helm this September. We speculated that his leadership might usher in a full "Neo" ecosystem—budget-friendly iPads and iPhones—that could finally bring the cost of a complete Apple setup under $1,500 for students. Jon is already leaning into this student-centric future by using NotebookLM to "chunk" his 75-minute lectures into digestible videos and activities, a strategy that is saving him hours of summer prep.
I spent some time on a "mini rant" about the state of budget Android tablets; while you can find great hardware for under $150, these devices almost never receive security or OS updates, effectively making them disposable e-waste. On the infrastructure side, the "router apocalypse" continues as the FCC's ban on foreign-made hardware looms, though Amazon Eero recently secured an exemption through October 2027. To prepare for a post-exemption world, I’m preparing to experiment with OpenWrt on an old travel router.
We wrapped up with a look at the startling 2026 price hikes for storage—where a SSD drive that cost $350 last year is now nearly $1,000—and a discussion of encouraging maker culture for young people. We debated whether encouraging preteens to use 3D printers and AI coding tools like Codex is better than traditional hobbies, reflecting on the Heathkits and "dangerous" chemistry sets of my own youth.
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In this podcast, Jon Westfall and I discussed the FCC's ban on foreign-made routers, noting that Netgear received a unique exception until October 2027. This led us to consider the merits of "rolling your own" router using OpenWrt and a supported consumer WiFi router, or a Raspberry Pi to maintain better control over home gateways. I’ve also started testing the new Gemini Mac OS app, which features a convenient global shortcut and the ability to analyze any active window on your desktop. While its Google Photos integration still struggles with "snout ID" for pet photos, its local file handling makes it a powerful addition to my daily toolkit.
We also tackled the 8GB RAM debate, finding that the MacBook Neo performs remarkably well for most users because Apple optimizes its OS for its hardware so efficiently. We compared this to the increasingly bloated experience of Windows 11, which forces users to have 16GB or more of RAM. Jon shared his experience upgrading to Google One AI Pro to leverage NotebookLM for his university courses, transforming long lectures into concise, AI-generated study materials. He even demonstrated the value of paid AI tiers by building a custom Strength Tempo Trainer web app in just 20 minutes using Codex. We discussed the "AI divide" comparing free AI tiers to paid ones. Finally, I’ve found Alexa Plus surprisingly useful for troubleshooting Amazon specific and Echo device glitches through its browser-based interface.
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In this podcast Jon Westfall and I were joined by our long-time friend Steve Hughes, who returned to the show after a long period of heavy travel. I used the opening of the show to test a new Boya CM40 condenser microphone, comparing its sound quality to my MacBook’s built-in mic, my 4K USB camera, and my AirPods. It is always fun to play with new toys..
I have become a massive fan of NotebookLM and the new notebooks feature within Google Gemini,. I recently fed hundreds of our podcast show notes and blog posts into a Gemini notebook to see how it handled the data. We discussed how this technology is becoming popular in academia as a tool for students to engage with material, though it poses a significant threat to the textbook industry by easily creating the same supplemental materials publishers charge for,. I’ve even been using it to build animated video presentations and conduct additional research, which are features included in the $20-a-month AI Pro subscription,.
Our conversation turned toward the concept of "digital sovereignty," a movement in the European Union to reduce dependency on U.S. tech giants. We looked into the history of open-source office suites, from StarOffice to the current fragmentation of LibreOffice,. Interestingly, the EU is now looking toward "EuroOffice," a fork of OnlyOffice (which itself has roots in Latvian and Russian development) to replace Microsoft Office. Steve, Jon, and I debated whether this would be a cleaner transition than past attempts, especially as corporate customers grow increasingly annoyed with the "nickel and diming" of subscription services,.
Jon and I revisited the "technology gap" we see in students who have grown up exclusively on Chromebooks. Many struggle with the basic concept of a file structure or how to actually download a file to a specific directory. My own daughter recently joked that Windows is for "old people," which signals a shift Microsoft should be wary of. However, Jon shared a positive note on the democratization of app development. He built a purpose-built fitness timer for his strength training in just 20 minutes using AI,. While this "one-two punch" of AI interviewing and coding is powerful, I cautioned against the "Microsoft Access problem"—the risk of non-programmers building mission-critical tools that lack documentation or error-checking,.
On the hardware front, Jon shared his first impressions of the MCON controller, a slider-style mobile gaming device that features a built-in MagSafe stand. While the buttons are a bit small for some, its "pocketability" makes it a strong contender for travel,. Steve updated us on the Sea Otter Classic, essentially the "CES for bikes," highlighting new e-bike motors that are rejuvenating the industry,. We also touched on the EV market, specifically the Scout SUV and its move toward a range-extending motor. Steve even noted a great practical tip: using an EV as a reverse-load power source to keep a refrigerator running for up to two weeks during a blackout.
Listen to the full podcast to hear Steve's story about meeting will.i.am at CES.
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Jon Westfall and I were joined by Sven Johannsen for MobileViews Podcast 604. We spent a good portion of the show reflecting on a major milestone: Apple turned 50 on April 1st. Beyond the nostalgia, we dove into Google's latest AI subscription changes and some clever new hardware gadgets..
I’ve been getting a lot of mileage out of Google AI Pro, and they recently gave their subscription service more value by bumping the storage from 2TB to 5TB for the same $200-a-year price. One of the most impressive new features is NotebookLM’s cinematic video creation, which I used to analyze and summarize 18 years of our own podcast history. We also discussed Google Flex OS, which now offers a three-dollar bootable USB stick for people who want a low-barrier way to try Chrome OS on their existing hardware.
We shared our "origin stories" with Apple, and it was a fun look back at how the technology evolved:.
I also recounted my favorite customer service story from 2010, where an email to Steve Jobs' office resulted in me getting a launch-day iPad despite a UPS delivery delay—and UPS actually made its first-ever Saturday delivery in my region just to get it to me and other iPad pre-order customers..
We revisited the MacBook Neo. While critics focus on the 8GB RAM limit, the build quality is miles ahead of the "plasticky, bendy" Chromebooks that dominate the budget market. Jon noted that his students are the real target for this device; they want to be in the Apple ecosystem but often can't afford the Pro models, making the $499 education price a potential game-changer.
We closed out the episode with discussions of the WiFiPorter Sven bought to provide guests to his home with a seamless guest WiFi connection and the MCON magnetic transforming game controller that Jon recently purchased.
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For MobileViews 603, recorded on March 29, 2026, I decided to return to my classic Blue Yeti Nano microphone, which I used for hundreds of episodes in years past. Much of our hardware discussion this week centered on my ongoing fascination with the MacBook Neo. I discovered that while it officially only supports one external display, you can effectively run a three-screen setup by using an iPad as a wireless third display through the MacOS Sidecar feature. This configuration, utilizing Mac OS Continuity, allows me to control the iPad using the MacBook's keyboard and mouse, creating a highly functional workstation without the need for extra cables. Jon has adopted a similar workflow in his classroom, using an iPad alongside his MacBook to handle student attendance while presenting his slides. On the software side, we discussed the release of iOS 26.4, which introduced a "Playlist Playground" feature in Apple Music on mobile devices. This tool uses AI to generate playlists from simple text prompts, and it serves as an excellent discovery tool for investigated genres where you might not be an expert. Looking further ahead, we looked at reports that iOS 27 may finally allow Siri to integrate with third-party AI chatbots like Gemini or ChatGPT. Since neither of us is a major fan of the current Siri, being able to choose a preferred chatbot would be a welcome change. As we approached Apple’s 50th anniversary as an incorporated entity on April 1st, I reflected on the history of "tiny teams" in technology. While modern projects often involve hundreds of people, many of the most foundational tools—such as Apple DOS, CPM, and VisiCalc—were built by just one or two individuals. For instance, Paul Laughton built the first disk operating system for Apple in just 35 days by himself. We even saw this principle in action this week with Jon’s new project, "Different Enough". He built this statistical testing website using GitHub Pages, TypeScript, and React in just 90 minutes. His secret was using ChatGPT to "interview" him about his requirements before generating a prompt for OpenAI Codex to build the final application. We followed up on the Adobe Podcast video test from last week; while the speaker identification worked well for the transcript, I had to boost the output volume significantly in post-production because it was surprisingly low. Jon also shared a bug he encountered with the Plaud Note platform, which misidentified a speaker by tagging the same student profile 20 times across different meetings with different students.. On a more aesthetic note, I shared Casio’s announcement of a Japanese Lacquer Edition calculator. It is such a beautiful piece of craftsmanship that I’m now hoping Apple considers a lacquer edition for their MacBook line.
What I found truly remarkable was that Jon was able to build a working model in only 90 minutes. He used what he calls a "one-two punch" with AI tools:
The Interview: He first used regular ChatGPT to "interview" him about his specific requirements and ideas.The Build: Once the requirements were fleshed out, he had the AI write a high-quality prompt for OpenAI Codex, which then built the actual application using TypeScript and React.The project is currently hosted on GitHub Pages, which Jon set up so that the site automatically rebuilds and deploys in about a minute every time he pushes a change to his repository. To make the tool more accessible, he included real-world examples, such as independent t-tests for tutoring programs and chi-squared independence tests for marketing surveys
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Jon Westfall and I (Todd Ogasawara) started the podcast with a technical experiment. We recorded the first portion of the show using Adobe Podcast’s new video recording feature. While the service is included in my $100-a-year Adobe Express Premium subscription, Jon found the interface a bit "sparse and sad" compared to our usual Google Meet setup, noting a significant amount of wasted screen space and a lack of customization for guests. However, from a producer's standpoint, the ability to record each participant on an individual video and audio track is a huge win for post-production editing, especially when one of us has unexpected background noise. Adobe Podcast also has the ability to generate transcripts in various formats. I am still finding the MacBook Neo to be an incredibly fun device to use, even though I already own a more powerful M4 MacBook Air. This week, I dug into some of its hardware limitations, specifically regarding the two USB ports. While Apple officially states the Neo only supports one external display through its single USB 3.0 port, I learned that hubs supporting DisplayLink technology might actually allow for a dual-display workaround. I also discovered a power quirk: the Neo's USB 2.0 port only delivers 2.5 watts of power, which wasn't enough to spin up an external DVD/CD drive I tested, whereas the 3.0 port handled it perfectly. I've really started thinking of the Neo as the ultimate iPhone companion—much like the handheld PC companions of thirty years ago. On the app side, I’ve been testing the "Playlist Playground" feature in the Apple Music beta. It uses Apple Intelligence to create playlists based on text prompts, and while it's not perfect, it’s a great discovery tool that intelligently filters for songs actually licensed on the platform. Jon is also navigating the Apple ecosystem with his new app, Tempo Pilot, which is currently in the App Store review process. We discussed Apple's recent decision to restrict apps like Replit that facilitate "vibe coding" on-device, as they violate long-standing rules against apps changing their own behavior unexpectedly. We closed out the podcast with a discussion about a BBC report about grandparents being "glued to their phones". It sparked a conversation about isolation and the unique Generation Jones cohort (born 1954–1965) that I fall into—a group that missed the social upheavals of the early 60s but became the first senior citizens to be truly digitally connected. We even shared some childhood stories about our names; Jon revealed he shortened "Jonathan" to "Jon" in third grade specifically to avoid learning how to write the full name in cursive. Check out the full episode to hear more about my USB power tests and Jon's experience using AI to prep his app for the App Store review.
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In this episode, Todd Ogasawara and Dr. Jon Westfall dive into weathering long power outages, hands-on impressions of new tech hardware, and the magic of modern software development workflows.
Surviving the Hawaii Storms and Tech Infrastructure FailuresTodd shared his experience dealing with a severe storm system that swept through Hawaii, knocking out power for roughly 138,000 customers. The 36-hour outage put local infrastructure to the test.
The Good: Hawaiian Electric (HECO) deserves credit for vastly improved communication during the crisis, providing necessary updates.The Bad: The cell phone providers struggled. T-Mobile (and consequently Google Fi) went down within 10 to 14 hours, and AT&T followed shortly after. This highlights an ongoing issue with insufficient battery backups at cell sites.The Workaround: To keep lifeline devices running, Todd relied on multi-function devices with large batteries built into devices like portable fans and tire inflators.Drone Regulations and Video Editing HacksThanks to some expert advice from previous guest Sven Johansson regarding weight limits and non-commercial trust certificates, Jon is flying his new DJI Neo 2 legally. A standout feature for travelers is that the Neo 2's three-battery charging station can act as a reverse charger for other devices.
On the production side:
Apple Creative Suite: Jon noted that educators and students can get the Apple Creative Suite (including Final Cut Pro and Logic) for just $30 a year. He used Final Cut to successfully reduce background noise on drone footage.Adobe Podcasts: Todd discussed Adobe Podcasts' new video recording feature. It records individual video and audio tracks locally for each participant, allowing for much easier syncing and enhancement compared to traditional methods.Hands-On with the MacBook NeoTodd provided his initial thoughts on his new Apple MacBook Neo. He opted for the $699 model in Indigo, which includes a 512GB SSD and a fingerprint sensor. Note: All aspects of this podcast including recording, editing, and publishing was performed using the MacBook Neo.
The "iPhone Companion": Reminiscent of the old Windows CE "PC companion" devices, the MacBook Neo serves as an excellent companion to the iPhone for those integrated into the Apple ecosystem.Hardware Impressions: Despite a lack of a fan, the aluminum unibody device runs incredibly cool under everyday loads, contrasting sharply with older Intel-based Macs. It also features a solid keyboard and a highly responsive fingerprint reader.The Verdict: It successfully replaces both an aging Chromebook and a 2019 Intel MacBook Pro as a reliable, everyday lower-end access device. While tech power-users might complain about its limitations, it is perfect for its target audience.Modern Coding & WWDC WishlistsJon has been exploring modern AI coding methods using OpenAI's Codex tool, Git version control, and Apple's Xcode Cloud for immediate compiling. For veterans who started programming in assembly language or Unix, today's continuous deployment pipelines feel like absolute magic.
Looking ahead to Apple's WWDC in June, Jon shared his primary wish: an "all-you-can-read" subscription service for Apple Books and Audiobooks. Additionally, early signs point to iOS 27 being a refinement-focused update, similar to the legendary Mac OS X Snow Leopard release.
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Jon Westfall and I were joined by frequent guest panelist Frank McPherson who was on the podcast with me way back in 2008.
Frank first joined us all the way back on Podcast #2 on Nov. 28, 2008, when the hot topic was the T-Mobile G-1—the very first Android phone. Jon hopped on board with Podcast 69 on Dec. 22, 2013, to discuss the transition from Windows Mobile/Phone to other platforms and Microsoft Project Siena.
We also mentioned frequent guest panelists Sven Johannsen and Jack Cook on Podcast 109 in Feb. 2015, discussing the state of Windows Phone two years before it was discontinued.
Our discussions included Apple's upcoming 50th anniversary on April 1, my anticipating the delivery of the new "budget" MacBook Neo A18 Pro powered laptop, Frank's skeptic's few on "what is low cost?", and the Google March 2026 Pixel Drop. A key part of our discussion was how Android devices extend seamlessly to connected displays. This feature was previously enabled only in developer mode but is now a standard capability.
Frank had some specific thoughts about Android desktop mode on his blog. I noted that while my Pixel 10 Pro supports this, I was disappointed to find that neither the Pixel Tablet nor the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE does.
Jon showed off his latest project: an Elecrow e-Ink screen which will be a remotely programmable office door sign. We also discussed the Elecrow CrowView Note, which is an interesting portable monitor with keyboard that functions as a "phone-to-laptop" device (somewhat reminiscent of the old Celio REDFLY Mobile Companion).
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In MobileViews Podcast episode 599, panelists Jon Westfall and I (Todd Ogasawara) are joined by frequent guest panelist Sven Johannsen. We start off with thoughts on the new Google Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image), with Todd noting its impressive capabilities. I also shared a recent AI experiment where he fed his 100-song Apple Music Replay All Time list to Google Gemini Pro to generate a playlist for a brisk two-mile walk. The AI successfully curated a 12-song list in the 114-124 BPM range, remarkably close to my average heart rate during a brisk walk, pulling in tracks by his favorite artists that weren't even on the original list.
Next, we discussed Apple's upcoming multi-day March product announcement event. I noted my amusement over tech pundits already debating the performance merits (or lack thereof) of the rumored A18 Pro budget MacBook. Sven brings some smart home tech to the table, discussing the Matter-enabled EVE Motion sensor and the frustrations involved in setting it up outside of the native EVE or Apple Home ecosystems. They also touch on the DJI Neo 2 drone, highlighting that a smartphone is required for initial setup and reminding listeners about the necessary FAA TRUST Certificate for recreational flyers.
Finally, we took a nostalgic turn, pondering what we lost when media went digital. Jon discusses his recent eBay purchases of old, inexpensive CD box sets—not just to rip hard-to-find tracks, but to reclaim the physical artwork and ephemera that used to accompany music. This leads to a broader reflection on physical media, including coffee table books, and Todd’s perspective on the tangible value of ownership as a comic book collector.
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Jon Westfall and I (Todd Ogasawara) covered several major industry updates and rumors this week:
Apple's Upcoming Events: We discussed the rumors surrounding the Apple March 4 launch event, including the highly anticipated A18 Pro budget MacBook, which is expected to bring fun colors and a more accessible price point.Google's Latest Offerings: We touched on the Google Gemini Lyria 3 music creation feature. I was able to try it out a couple of times. Additionally, we looked at the news that Google launched a Snapseed camera for iPhone, bringing pro manual controls and retro film effects to iOS.E-Ink Troubleshooting: Boox Note Air5 CI provided an update on the Boox Note Air5 C and a frustrating e-ink lag problem when using Microsoft OneNote. This writing lag is a known issue. The current solution when dealing with OneNote's infinite scrolling is simple but annoying: don't write near the very bottom of the display. Note that this specific issue doesn't seem to happen on the iPad or conventional Android tablets—it is strictly an e-ink quirk.
Workplace Feedback, "Vibe Working," and OneNoteWe moved into a deeper discussion about evaluating work and the ongoing challenges of providing workplace feedback. Jon has been evaluating the work of his peers lately in OneNote, and to say it's not going well would be an understatement. We debated whether the fault lies with the tool itself or the user, leading into a wider conversation about the lack of attention to detail in professional environments.
This tied perfectly into the difficulty of giving feedback to coworkers, especially when unreadable formatting or poorly optimized code directly impacts your own workflow. Finding that reasonable middle ground to deliver criticism without causing unnecessary friction remains a constant challenge.
We introduced some new terms to frame this phenomenon, comparing Mark Zuckerberg's old "move fast and break things" mantra against the reality that carelessness often speaks directly to competency. We coined phrases like Minimally Viable Product / Deliverable, Vibe Working, and Generation AI to describe these modern workplace dynamics.
