On the Desk of Brian

Brian

Pull up a chair and take a look at what’s on the desk. Each episode of On the Desk of Brian delivers quick takes and thoughtful commentary on a rotating mix of tech, sports, productivity, entertainment, and economics. With a casual, curious tone and a dash of wit, Brian shares ideas and insights meant to inform, inspire, and occasionally entertain. Whether you’re an educator, a tech enthusiast, a gamer, a sports fan—or just someone who enjoys a smart variety show—you’ll find something worth picking up.

  1. Jun 11

    Episode 029: Subject to Change

    🎙️Episode 029: Subject to Change Economics 💼 Most Americans retire earlier than planned, often due to health issues, layoffs, or caregiving responsibilities📅 Workers expect to retire at 65, but many end up retiring closer to 62🗂️ Experts recommend having a backup retirement plan in case life intervenesProductivity 🏆 Simon Sinek believes failure is a common thread among the world's most successful people📉 Research from Northwestern University suggests failure can increase future success when lessons are learned from it🍎 Steve Jobs being ousted from Apple in 1985 before his legendary return is cited as a prime exampleTechnology 👓 Smart glasses like Meta's Ray-Ban and Oakley models are becoming harder to spot in public💡 Look for small lenses near the hinges and recording indicator lights to identify camera-equipped glasses🕵️ Some hidden-camera glasses use tiny pinhole lenses, making them even more difficult to detectEntertainment 🕷️ Spider-Noir starring Nicolas Cage released early on MGM+, then on Prime Video, and features both color and black-and-white versions🍎 Apple TV+ has maintained a quality-over-quantity approach over its 6+ years, resisting ads and focusing on creator-driven projects🚀 Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 debuts July 23rd on Paramount+, with a focus on supporting characters as the series winds downSports 🏀 The NBA overhauled its Draft Lottery system starting in 2027, rewarding competitive play and discouraging tanking⚾ MLB is anticipated to expand from 30 to 32 teams around 2032-2033, with Nashville and Salt Lake City as frontrunners🏈 An NFL stadium ranking highlights the Commanders, Bears, and Browns as needing upgrades, while Lambeau Field and others are considered untouchable ---------------------------- Sources: Economics https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2026/05/25/early-retirement-job-loss-health-layoffs/90218745007/ Productivity https://fortune.com/article/simon-sinek-successful-people-failure-hit-zero/ Technology https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/are-you-being-secretly-recorded-heres-how-to-spot-smart-camera-glasses Entertainment  https://movieweb.com/spider-noir-mgm-plus-early-release-prime-video-schedule/ https://www.macworld.com/article/3142153/how-apple-tv-changed-streaming-forever.html https://www.cinemablend.com/streaming-news/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-season-4-feature-more-varied-stories Sports https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48903380/sources-nba-bog-votes-expand-lottery-disincentivizes-tanking https://www.thebiglead.com/possible-mlb-expansion-has-2-cities-as-heavy-favorites/ https://www.totalprosports.com/nfl/5-nfl-teams-that-desperately-need-a-new-stadium-and-5-whose-stadiums-are-untouchable/ ---------------------------- Interested in subscribing to Setapp?  If so, you & I both get a free month of Setapp with a paid subscription at this link: https://go.setapp.com/invite/f12ydwun⁠⁠ If you liked what you heard today, please be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes.  If you want to find me between episodes, I am often on MacVoices Live, which records on Tuesday evenings 8PM eastern, 5PM pacific. Macstock 9’s Digital Pass is now available!  https://macstockconferenceandexpo.com/product/macstock-ix-digital-pass/ Please visit my website, brian8944.com so you can keep up with all my ongoing and upcoming projects.  You can also contact me there with any feedback you may have.

    14 min
  2. May 28

    Episode 028: Talking to Computers and Paying Monthly Forever

    🎙️Episode 028: Talking to Computers and Paying Monthly Forever 🧠 Economics: A Federal Reserve article explains how “mental accounting” causes people to treat money differently based on where it comes from, often leading to irrational spending and less awareness of long-term financial goals. 🗣️ Productivity: AI dictation tools like Wispr Flow are changing workplaces by letting people talk naturally to computers instead of typing, boosting productivity but making offices noticeably louder. 💻 Technology: Google is preparing to launch premium AI-powered “Googlebooks” laptops built around Gemini AI and Android, featuring tools like the new “Magic Pointer.” 💳 Apple/App Store: Apple will let users spread annual app subscription costs into monthly payments, though users remain locked into the full year even if they cancel early. 🍽️ Entertainment – The Bear: FX released a bonus episode called Gary that gives emotional backstory and character development ahead of the show’s final season. 🔎 Entertainment – Reacher: Prime Video renewed Reacher for a fifth season before Season 4 premieres after the show’s massive global success. 😂 Not a Sponsor: The comedy segment mocked modern spending habits, AI productivity culture, subscription fatigue, and emotionally exhausting streaming shows. 🏀 Suns/NBA: A Valley of the Suns article argues Phoenix fans should actually feel better after seeing the Thunder dominate multiple playoff opponents following their sweep of the Suns. 🏀 NBA Draft: Multiple mock drafts predict the Suns could target players like Jeremy Fears Jr., Keyshawn Hall, or Trevon Brazile with the 47th pick. ⚾ MLB ABS Challenges: New ABS challenge data shows several MLB hitters, including Josh Naylor and James Wood, are struggling with successfully overturning ball-strike calls. 🏈 NFL Schedule: Yahoo Sports highlighted must-watch NFL games this season, including Packers vs. Bears on Christmas Day and Lions vs. Bills in Buffalo’s new stadium. ---------------------------- Sources: Economics https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/page-one-economics/2026/apr/how-mental-accounting-shapes-our-financial-choices Productivity https://www.wsj.com/tech/typing-is-being-replaced-by-whisperingand-its-way-more-annoying-a804fee7 Technology https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/googlebooks-premium-laptop-gemini-ai-chromebooks-android/ https://appleinsider.com/inside/app-store/tips/how-to-save-on-annual-apple-app-store-subscriptions-with-a-catch Entertainment  https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a71218002/the-bear-surprise-episode/ https://www.ign.com/articles/reacher-renewed-for-fifth-season-ahead-of-season-four-premiere Sports https://valleyofthesuns.com/suns-2-astonishing-reasons-root-oklahoma-city-thunder-shai-playoffs https://www.si.com/nba/suns/onsi/who-mock-draft-experts-have-phoenix-suns-picking-after-lottery https://fansided.com/mlb/latest-abs-data-reveals-which-mlb-hitters-are-wasting-challenges https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/2026-nfl-schedule-the-top-10-must-watch-games-of-the-season-includes-many-thanksgiving-and-christmas-matchups-233801749.html ---------------------------- If you liked what you heard today, please be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes.  If you want to find me between episodes, I am often on MacVoices Live, which records on Tuesday evenings 8PM eastern, 5PM pacific. Macstock 9’s Digital Pass is now available!  https://macstockconferenceandexpo.com/product/macstock-ix-digital-pass/ You & I both get a free month of Setapp with a paid subscription: ⁠https://go.setapp.com/invite/f12ydwun⁠⁠ Please visit my website, brian8944.com so you can keep up with all my ongoing and upcoming projects.  You can also contact me there with any feedback you may have.

    16 min
  3. May 14

    Episode 027: Mixtapes, March Madness, and Mental Breaks

    🎙️Episode 027: Mixtapes, March Madness, and Mental Breaks 📦 Economics: Target is going big with next-day delivery, expanding to 50+ metro areas and reaching about 60% of Americans. 🛒 By turning local stores into mini shipping hubs, Target hopes to compete more directly with Amazon and Walmart while giving shoppers faster access to everyday essentials. 🧠 Productivity: Believe it or not, games like Wordle may actually help you work better. 🎮 Research suggests short mental breaks can improve focus, while puzzle-solving keeps your brain sharp through pattern recognition and critical thinking. ☁️ Technology: iCloud+ offers more than just storage. 🔒 Features like Private Relay and Hide My Email boost privacy, while perks such as custom domains, HomeKit Secure Video, Family Sharing, and Apple Invites add extra value for Apple users. 🎬 Entertainment: Ted Lasso returns August 5th on Apple TV+ ⚽ with weekly episodes through October. Meanwhile, the new game Mixtape 🎵 is earning rave reviews for its emotional story about friendship, memories, and growing up. 🏈 Sports: Green Bay’s NFL Draft hosting is still being praised as a smoother experience than Pittsburgh’s recent event, especially thanks to the atmosphere around Lambeau Field. 🧀 Meanwhile, NCAA March Madness is expanding to 76 teams in 2027 🏀, and Arizona State received a massive $10 million donation to strengthen its football program 💰. ---------------------------- Sources: Economics https://www.thestreet.com/retail/target-expands-next-day-delivery-nationwide-to-win-back-shoppers Productivity https://www.wric.com/news/can-playing-wordle-increase-productivity-in-the-workplace/ Technology https://www.popsci.com/diy/icloud-perks/ Entertainment  https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/28/ted-lasso-season-4-just-got-its-apple-tv-release-date-and-first-trailer/ https://www.ign.com/articles/mixtape-review https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixtape_(video_game) Sports https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/green-bay-packers-analysis/82385/pittsburgh-highlights-just-how-well-green-bay-did-hosting-2025-nfl-draft https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/ncaa/ncaa-76-team-march-madness-bracket-rcna342669 https://arizonasports.com/ncaa/arizona-state-football/asu-donation/3619596/ ---------------------------- If you liked what you heard today, please be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes.  If you want to find me between episodes, I am often on MacVoices Live, which records on Tuesday evenings 8PM eastern, 5PM pacific. Macstock 9’s Digital Pass is now available!  https://macstockconferenceandexpo.com/product/macstock-ix-digital-pass/ You & I both get a free month of Setapp with a paid subscription: ⁠⁠https://go.setapp.com/invite/f12ydwun⁠⁠ Please visit my website, brian8944.com so you can keep up with all my ongoing and upcoming projects.  You can also contact me there with any feedback you may have.

    12 min
  4. Apr 30

    Episode 026:Rebuilds, Resets, and Rising Costs

    🎙️Episode 026:Rebuilds, Resets, and Rising Costs Economics 💰 • Six figures is becoming the new “comfortable” baseline in many major U.S. cities 🏙️💸 • A simple “Sunday reset” habit is linked to earning about $25K more per year 📅📈 Productivity 🌞 • Just 20 minutes of daily sunlight can boost mood, energy, sleep, and brain health ☀️🧠 Technology 🤖 • About 20% of U.S. workers say AI is already automating parts of their jobs ⚙️📊 Entertainment 🎬 • A new Star Trek movie is in development, hitting the reset button on the franchise 🚀🎥 • Xbox Game Pass gets cheaper—but new Call of Duty titles will be delayed on the service 🎮⏳ Not a Sponsor 🙃 • “Sunday Reset” could make you richer—but the “Sunday Spiral” is way more relatable 😅📉 Sports 🏀⚾🏈 • The Warriors may be heading for a rebuild as Steve Kerr’s future looks uncertain 🔄🏆 • MLB viewing is a mess—Yankees are hardest to watch, Rockies are the easiest 📺⚾ • The DOJ is investigating NFL media deals over rising costs and streaming fragmentation ⚖️🏈 • NFL Network may soon be bundled into ESPN’s streaming service 📡📦 • Arizona State lands transfer guard Joel Foxwell as part of its rebuild 🔱🏀 ---------------------------- Sources: Economics https://www.visualcapitalist.com/mapped-the-salary-needed-to-live-comfortably-in-u-s-cities/  https://www.fastcompany.com/91528296/workers-who-do-a-sunday-reset-may-make-25000-more-a-year  Productivity https://www.realsimple.com/time-outside-every-morning-benefits-11948929  Technology https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/ai-automation-replacement Entertainment  https://parade.com/news/star-treks-movie-future-gets-surprise-update  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38781408/?ref_=fn_t_23 https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/21/microsoft-game-pass-ultimate-subscription-price-cut.html Sports https://www.thebiglead.com/steve-kerr-not-expected-to-return-as-coach-after-leading-warriors-to-4-nba-titles/ https://awfulannouncing.com/mlb/ranking-local-broadcast-accessibility-best-worst-yankees-rockies.html  https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/09/doj-investigating-nfl-media-rights-antitrust.html https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/nfl-network-expected-available-unlimited-subscribers-start-2026-season.html  https://devilsindetail.com/sun-devils-land-starting-point-guard-in-transfer-portal  ---------------------------- If you would like to support my work, please consider becoming a patron on patreon.com/brian8944  You & I both get a free month of Setapp with a paid subscription: ⁠https://go.setapp.com/invite/f12ydwun⁠⁠ If you liked what you heard today, please be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes.  If you want to find me between episodes, I am often on MacVoices Live, which records on Tuesday evenings 8PM eastern, 5PM pacific. Please visit my website, brian8944.com so you can keep up with all my ongoing and upcoming projects.  You can also contact me there with any feedback you may have.

    15 min
  5. Apr 16

    Episode 025: Burgers, Bezos, and Bondi Blue

    🎙️Episode 025: Burgers, Bezos, and Bondi Blue • 🍔 McDonald’s may be shifting from hype-driven menu drops to everyday value as limited-time items lose their impact • 📦 Amazon quietly powers a massive ecosystem—from Twitch to Whole Foods to MGM—far beyond just online shopping • 🧠 Most people are good—but recognizing the few harmful actors early can protect teams, trust, and productivity • 🍎 Apple imagined colorful computers decades before the iMac, showing how long-term vision shapes future innovation • 🚀 Apple’s biggest reinventions—from iMac to Apple Silicon—reshaped tech, media, and its entire ecosystem • 🚦 A proposed “white light” traffic signal could let self-driving cars coordinate traffic and reduce congestion • 🪐 For All Mankind Season 5 explores Mars independence, human drama, and the next phase of space exploration • 📺 NBA playoffs tip off April 18 with streaming options across ESPN, ABC, Peacock, and Prime Video • 🏈 The 2026 NFL Draft runs April 23–25 with full coverage on ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network ---------------------------- Sources: Economics https://www.thestreet.com/restaurants/mcdonalds-latest-menu-missteps-could-have-a-major-domino-effect https://www.bgr.com/2130328/major-brands-owned-by-amazon/ Productivity https://bookoftheday.nextbigideaclub.com/p/most-people-are-good-a-few-are-dangerous Technology https://www.techradar.com/pro/1979-was-the-year-apple-dreamed-of-multi-colored-macs-but-it-had-to-wait-nearly-20-years-before-the-release-of-the-iconic-imac-g3 https://www.macworld.com/article/3100281/7-apple-inventions-that-reinvented-apple.html https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/infrastructure/a70832576/fourth-color-traffic-light-white-science/ Entertainment  https://www.rogerebert.com/streaming/for-all-mankind-season-5-apple-tv-review-2026 Sports https://www.nba.com/playoffs/2026 https://www.pcmag.com/news/how-to-watch-the-2026-nba-playoffs-start-without-cable https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2026/03/22/when-is-nfl-draft-date-2026-time-schedule/89236887007/ ---------------------------- If you would like to support my work, please consider becoming a patron on patreon.com/brian8944  You & I both get a free month of Setapp with a paid subscription: ⁠https://go.setapp.com/invite/f12ydwun⁠⁠ If you liked what you heard today, please be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes.  If you want to find me between episodes, I am often on MacVoices Live, which records on Tuesday evenings 8PM eastern, 5PM pacific. Macstock 9’s Digital Pass is now available!  https://macstockconferenceandexpo.com/product/macstock-ix-digital-pass/ Please visit my website, brian8944.com so you can keep up with all my ongoing and upcoming projects.  You can also contact me there with any feedback you may have.

    17 min
  6. Apr 2

    Episode 024: Convenience Has a Cost

    🎙️Episode 024: Convenience Has a Cost 💳 BNPL lets shoppers split payments over time—convenient 📱 but still debt that requires caution. 🪙 Arizona will phase out pennies, using rounding to 5¢ ⚖️ to speed checkout and cut costs, though critics worry about small price increases. 🗄️ NAS tips: label drives 🏷️, back up configs 💾, use QR cheat sheets 📲, enable alerts 🚨, and organize cables 🔌 for smoother recovery. 🗒️ Discord works as a note app 🧠 using private servers, channels, search, pins, and cross-device syncing. 🎨 Creativity is a habit 🔁—small daily practice builds skill, reduces stress, and boosts flexibility. ☀️ Solar roads struggle with efficiency, durability, and cost 🚧⚡ despite early hype. 🍏 Apple leans into “Think Different” again 🎯, blending legacy branding with ecosystem growth. ⚾ MLB viewing in 2026 is fragmented 📺 across MLB.TV, Apple TV+, Peacock, and ESPN. 🎮 Forza Horizon 6 sets Tokyo as a massive, detailed open world 🏙️🚗. 😂 BNPL “Not a Sponsor” jokes about stacked payments turning into financial chaos 💳😅. 🏀 NBA expansion draft lets new teams pick unprotected players while existing teams protect key rosters. ⚾ MLB 2026 adds earlier Opening Day, Rivalry Weekend, and major events 🌸🔥. 🏈 ASU WRs show depth and competition, signaling offensive improvement 💪. ---------------------------- Sources: Economics https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/page-one-economics/2026/jan/buy-now-pay-later-a-credit-alternative https://hoodline.com/2026/03/hobbs-gives-pennies-the-boot-as-arizona-stores-start-rounding-cash/ Productivity https://www.howtogeek.com/simple-nas-upgrades-that-cost-almost-nothing/ https://www.makeuseof.com/discord-is-secretly-one-of-the-best-note-taking-apps-ive-ever-used/  https://bookoftheday.nextbigideaclub.com/p/creativity-is-a-habit-not-a-talent  Technology https://www.bgr.com/2121938/why-solar-roadway-projects-failed-worldwide/ https://www.macworld.com/article/3082226/at-50-apple-really-is-starting-to-think-different.html Entertainment  https://mashable.com/article/how-to-watch-mlb-2026-streaming-guide https://www.ign.com/articles/forza-horizon-6s-tokyo-city-is-so-big-and-detailed-that-it-had-its-own-development-team-ign-first Sports https://www.totalprosports.com/nba/how-nba-expansion-draft-work-key-rules-explained/ https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-releases-2026-schedule-opening-day-kicks-off-earlier-than-ever-rivalry-weekend-returns-more-dates/ https://www.si.com/college/arizonastate/sun-devils-wide-receivers-make-undeniable-first-impression-spring- ---------------------------- If you would like to support my work, please consider becoming a patron on patreon.com/brian8944  You & I both get a free month of Setapp with a paid subscription: ⁠https://go.setapp.com/invite/f12ydwun⁠⁠ If you liked what you heard today, please be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes.  If you want to find me between episodes, I am often on MacVoices Live, which records on Tuesday evenings 8PM eastern, 5PM pacific. Macstock 9’s Digital Pass is now available!  https://macstockconferenceandexpo.com/product/macstock-ix-digital-pass/ Please visit my website, brian8944.com so you can keep up with all my ongoing and upcoming projects.  You can also contact me there with any feedback you may have.

    22 min
  7. Mar 19

    Episode 023: Coffee, Chips, and Consumer Psychology

    🎙️Episode 023: Coffee, Chips, and Consumer Psychology 📚 Reading Habits – Leisure reading has dropped about 10% since 2003, but small daily habits like reading 10–15 minutes can help rebuild the routine. 💰 The Decoy Effect – Businesses use a third pricing option to nudge consumers toward a more profitable choice. ☕ Rising Coffee Prices – Coffee prices have more than doubled since 2020, largely due to climate-driven heat stress on crops. ⚡ Coffee & Productivity – Moderate coffee consumption may improve alertness, mood, and even social connection. 😴 Falling Asleep Faster – People who sleep quickly often manage stress well and keep consistent sleep routines. 💻 AI in Apple Notes – Upcoming updates may allow hands-free note creation and organization through Siri and AI. 🚀 Apple’s M5 Chips – The new M5 Pro and M5 Max promise major gains in CPU, graphics, and AI performance. 🖖 Star Trek Pause – For the first time in over a decade, no Star Trek series are currently in production. 🎮 Next Xbox – Microsoft is developing Project Helix, a next-gen console blending PC and console gaming. ⚾ Druw Jones & Team Netherlands – He qualifies for the Dutch team through his father’s birthplace, Curaçao. 📺 Friday Night Baseball – Apple TV+ resumes weekly MLB doubleheaders starting March 27. 🧀 Packers Ticket Policy – Season-ticket holders who repeatedly resell seats could lose them. ---------------------------- Sources: Education https://www.popsci.com/health/how-to-rebuild-your-reading-habits/ Economics https://www.thecooldown.com/outdoors/coffee-price-increase-reason-climate-change/ https://www.earthsattractions.com/decoy-effect-pricing-strategy/ Productivity https://www.earthsattractions.com/international-coffee-day-coffee-morning-routine-mental-health/ https://www.yourtango.com/self/specific-traits-of-people-who-fall-asleep-instantly Technology https://www.talkandroid.com/520540-youll-never-take-notes-the-same-way-again-after-this-surprising-update/ https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/03/apple-debuts-m5-pro-and-m5-max-chips/ Entertainment  https://nerdist.com/article/no-star-trek-tv-production-or-greenlit-first-time-since-2015/ https://mashable.com/article/microsoft-confirms-project-helix-next-gen-xbox-gaming-console Sports https://www.sportskeeda.com/baseball/news-why-american-druw-jones-playing-netherlands-world-baseball-classic-all-need-know-outfielder-s-dutch-connection-4aa84891 https://9to5mac.com/2026/03/11/major-league-baseball-on-apple-tv-returns-soon-heres-whats-coming/ https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/packers-warn-season-ticket-holders-who-repeatedly-resell ---------------------------- If you would like to support my work, please consider becoming a patron on patreon.com/brian8944  You & I both get a free month of Setapp with a paid subscription: ⁠https://go.setapp.com/invite/f12ydwun⁠⁠ If you liked what you heard today, please be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes.  If you want to find me between episodes, I am often on MacVoices Live, which records on Tuesday evenings 8PM eastern, 5PM pacific. Macstock 9’s Digital Pass is now available!  https://macstockconferenceandexpo.com/product/macstock-ix-digital-pass/ Please visit my website, brian8944.com so you can keep up with all my ongoing and upcoming projects.  You can also contact me there with any feedback you may have.

    24 min
  8. Mar 5

    Episode 022: Stream, Sleep, Score

    🎙️Episode 022: Stream, Sleep, Score 📚 Education: AI is changing how we assess learning—focus on thinking, reasoning, and the learning process, not just the final product. 🛒 Economics: Hawaii, Alaska, and several mainland states top the list for high grocery bills due to geography, labor, and infrastructure. 📝 Productivity: Handwritten to-do lists reveal habits, stress management, and thinking styles that digital lists can’t capture. 📖 Technology: E-readers may help you fall asleep faster than paper books by reducing physical and cognitive effort. 🎬 Entertainment: Amazon’s Fire TV gets a sleek redesign, and Apple TV streams big-name sports to restaurants and bars. 🎮 Gaming: Xbox names AI-focused executive Asha Sharma as new CEO, signaling a tech-driven shift in leadership. ⚾ Sports: MLB removes on-screen ball/strike indicators and introduces new rules; Diamondbacks could see realignment. 🏈 College Football: Detroit’s GameAbove Sports Bowl canceled amid declining attendance and playoff-era changes. ---------------------------- Sources: Education https://www.fastcompany.com/91496903/its-time-to-rethink-assessment-for-learning  Economics https://www.worldatlas.com/society/10-u-s-states-with-the-highest-grocery-bills.html  Productivity https://parade.com/living/traits-of-people-who-write-to-do-lists-by-hand-according-to-psychologist Technology https://www.androidpolice.com/e-readers-better-for-sleep-than-traditional-books-researcher-claims/ Entertainment  https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/amazons-fire-tv-redesign-is-rolling-out-today-150000988.html https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/02/19/apple-tv-f1-mls-mlb-streaming-reach-expands-to-bars-restaurants https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xboxs-leadership-shift-proves-it-the-gamer-era-is-over-ai-runs-the-show-now Sports https://www.thebiglead.com/mlb-announces-that-they-will-no-longer-show-if-a-pitch-is-a-ball-or-strike-during-game-broadcasts-with-abs-taking-over/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/berniepleskoff/2026/02/24/major-league-baseball-adds-three-new-rules-for-2026-season/ https://arizonasports.com/mlb/arizona-diamondbacks/realignment/3612009/ https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/02/10/detroit-bowl-game-canceled-college-football-motor-city-gameabove-sports-quick-lane/88613177007/ ---------------------------- If you would like to support my work, please consider becoming a patron on patreon.com/brian8944  You & I both get a free month of Setapp with a paid subscription: ⁠https://go.setapp.com/invite/f12ydwun⁠⁠ If you liked what you heard today, please be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes.  If you want to find me between episodes, I am often on MacVoices Live, which records on Tuesday evenings 8PM eastern, 5PM pacific. Macstock 9’s Digital Pass is now available!  https://macstockconferenceandexpo.com/product/macstock-ix-digital-pass/ Please visit my website, brian8944.com so you can keep up with all my ongoing and upcoming projects.  You can also contact me there with any feedback you may have.

    22 min

Ratings & Reviews

About

Pull up a chair and take a look at what’s on the desk. Each episode of On the Desk of Brian delivers quick takes and thoughtful commentary on a rotating mix of tech, sports, productivity, entertainment, and economics. With a casual, curious tone and a dash of wit, Brian shares ideas and insights meant to inform, inspire, and occasionally entertain. Whether you’re an educator, a tech enthusiast, a gamer, a sports fan—or just someone who enjoys a smart variety show—you’ll find something worth picking up.