MobileViews.com Podcast

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  • 4.8 (4)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

MobileViews Editor Todd Ogasawara discusses mobile technology hardware and software

  1. 4D AGO

    MobileViews 596: E-ink & OneNote, AI Market Tremors, and the Hyflex Classroom

    We recorded MobileViews 596 a day early on February 7, 2026, mostly to stay ahead of the weather. I’m currently under a flood watch in Hawaii, while Jon Westfall has been dealing with the aftermath of an ice storm in Mississippi. We spent some time comparing the "quality" of our power outages—I’ve had five short ones recently, while Jon’s neighbors dealt with a single, brutal nine-day stretch. In my retirement, I’ve started using mechanical keyboards—I have several now. Surprisingly, I broke my first keycaps ever this month on a Royal Kludge board. The stems on the "O" and "3" keys actually cracked. I’ve been replacing them with a set of Warmier PBT shine-through keycaps, doing about three a day so it doesn't feel like a chore. Jon is still rocking a 15-year-old Apple keyboard, but I’m trying to convince him to try a 75% mechanical layout with a volume knob. We had a discussion about the recent tech stock dip following Anthropic’s new Claude plugins. Major players like Microsoft and Oracle saw massive hits, and I can't help but wonder if CEOs are overreacting to AI's current capabilities. I see a parallel to the "Advanced Intelligent Networking" (AIN) of the late 80s. Back then, we were told visual "drag-and-drop" programming would replace coders, but that path failed because non-techies didn't account for error conditions or governance. Jon agreed, noting that while the sky is changing, it isn't necessarily falling, and companies may soon regret the mass layoffs they've justified in the name of AI. My Boox Note Air 5C journey continues. I recently picked up a Staedtler Noris Digital Jumbo stylus. It looks just like a traditional pencil and features a digital eraser on the end. Interestingly, erasing with the physical end of the stylus is actually faster than hitting "undo" on an e-ink screen. My current workflow involves syncing my daily doodles from the native Boox app to OneNote as PDFs, though I’m still struggling with how OneNote for Android handles the mixture of handwriting and text. Jon shared his progress on a mobile "Hyflex" setup for his psychology classes at Delta State. He’s using a combination of gear to allow students to participate in-person, synchronously online, or via recording. One software highlight he mentioned is Better Display (the $21 Pro version), which allows for a picture-in-picture view of an extended display. It’s a lifesaver when the classroom projector is positioned at an awkward angle behind the presenter. Finally, Jon is planning his hardware roadmap for the year. He’s debating between a DIY Linux box for local LLM work, a Unify storage appliance, or waiting for a Mac Mini with an M5 chip. Personally, I’m keeping an eye on the rumor mill for a touchscreen MacBook—I might actually buy one if it ever surfaces.

    45 min

  2. FEB 2

    MobileViews 595: Boox Note Air5 C e-ink tablet; dealing with long power outages; & more

    After a severe winter storm in the mainland US last week, Jon Westfall is back to join me (Todd Ogasawara) for MobileViews Podcast 595. Note: this week's Google Nano Banana Pro generated frame around the screenshot of Jon and me "decided" to hallucinate components of the Onyx Boox Note Air5 C home screen (like a phone icon and the entire top info-bar) despite the fact that I provide an actual screenshot of my Note Air5 C home screen :-) We kick off the podcast with storm-related tech notes, including lessons learned about external batteries and the effects of power surges on IoT devices. On the gear front, Jon shared his creative solution for a broken Xbox headset by replacing it with a Twelve South AirFly Pro and a lav mic, allowing him to use his existing AirPods. We also discussed, what else, AI, and the intriguing concept of OpenClaw Moltbook, a "social network" for AI agents, and the challenge of "AI slop" drowning science publishing. We also noted that my Google One 2TB subscription now includes the Gemini Plus tier, which is better defined in our reference notes as the Gemini AI Pro (Advanced) plan that bundles with the 2TB storage. The featured device this week is the Onyx BOOX Note Air5 C color e-ink Android OS 15 tablet that I bought recently. Our deep dive explores the mindset of e-ink users, often seeking a minimalist, distraction-free tool and embracing "mindfulness" in their writing. I compare the Air5 C to my only previous e-ink experience (a 2010 Kindle) and the non-e-ink TCL NXTPAPER (which I am considering to purchase). While acknowledging known issues—like the case and the display’s color limitations—the appeal lies in rethinking note-taking in retirement, the low friction of a digital pen, and the ability to use apps from the Google Play store.

    56 min

  3. JAN 19

    MobileViews 594: Color e-ink tablets deep dive with Frank McPherson & Sven Johannsen

    I sat down for MobileViews Podcast 594 with my longtime friends Sven Johannsen and Frank McPherson. Our usual co-host, Jon Westfall, was away, but we had plenty to cover, ranging from the bite-sized future of entertainment to a massive deep dive into the world of color E-ink tablets. We kicked things off by discussing a fascinating trend in East Asia: micro dramas. Specifically, a TikTok subsidiary called Pine Drama is producing miniseries with episodes lasting only 30 to 90 seconds. These "video comic strips" are designed to be highly addictive, and while I have a short attention span, I’m curious to see if this ultra-short format translates well to global audiences. On a more serious note, we touched on a security vulnerability called Whisper Pair. This bug affects several major Bluetooth headset brands—including Sony, Google, JBL, and Jabra—allowing for potential location tracking if an attacker is within 14 meters. If you use earbuds from these brands, I recommend checking the specific lists online to see if your hardware is vulnerable. I’ve been testing Google Gemini’s personal intelligence features lately, which are surprisingly good at "buttering you up" by knowing your interests in Star Trek or Star Wars. This led to a broader discussion about the AI Divide. With subscriptions like Gemini Pro or Copilot Pro costing around $20 a month, we are quickly moving toward a society of "haves and have-nots" regarding high-level tech tools. We also noted how this digital divide manifests in the real world. The heart of our conversation was a deep dive into color E-ink tablets, led by Frank, who has become a true connoisseur of the medium. We compared several major players in the market: Frank emphasized that for him, writing is about memory and engagement during meetings. While an iPad has more utility, E-ink offers reflective technology that is easier on the eyes and provides a battery life that lasts for days rather than hours. After hearing Frank's breakdown, I’m strongly leaning toward the Boox Note Air 5C. It’s available on Amazon for about $530 and includes a stylus that uses Wacom EMR technology, meaning I won't even need to charge the pen.

    1h 14m

  4. JAN 12

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

    For this podcast,  Jon Westfall and I are joined by guest panelist Frank McPherson to discuss the highlights and "worst of" picks from CES 2026. I shared my recent experience with the new Alexa.com browser interface, which showed impressive "vertical integration" when the AI automatically offered to recreate sunset triggers for my new Amazon Smart Switch. This was a necessary upgrade because Belkin is bricking my old WeMo device at the end of the month, a frustrating trend of "cloud-killing" hardware we've also seen from companies like Google and Nest. We also explored LEGO's "Smart Play" announcement, specifically the Smart Bricks featuring motion sensors and sound synthesizers coming to Star Wars kits in March. While Frank expressed concern that these pre-set sounds might stifle a child's imagination, Jon argued that such immersion helps LEGO stay relevant against competitors like Funwhole. In the second half of our conversation, we looked at the evolution of e-ink, including the TCL "NextPaper" tablet, which uses 120Hz LCD technology to mimic a paper-like display. Frank explained that he prefers writing by hand on these devices for memory retention, while we debated whether the $2,000 Samsung Trifold is too bulky to be practical. I speculated that the thinness of the iPhone Air could be the precursor to a future Apple foldable. We were also quite interested in mobile accessories from Clicks, specifically the Power Keyboard with an integrated battery that Jon pre-ordered and the Communicator, a purpose-built Android device that restores the physical keyboard and SD card slot. To wrap up, we touched on the return of the Pebble Round 2 with its two-week battery life and Claude AI integration, the stair-climbing Roborock Saros vacuum, and the Rocket Smart Glasses which feature built-in diopter adjustments.

    1h 5m

  5. JAN 5

    MobileViews 592: Hello 2026. Build vs. buy?

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

    33 min

  6. 12/22/2025

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

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

    37 min

  7. 12/15/2025

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

    In this episode, Todd and Jon discuss the latest AI agreements, updates to the Apple ecosystem (OS 26.2), and the history of PowerShell. The core discussion focuses on the "overcomplication issue" facing tech enthusiasts and offers hardware and software tips to simplify daily workflows. AI & Industry News Disney & OpenAI: The Walt Disney Company has reached an agreement to license characters to OpenAI’s Sora. Google Labs: Todd joined the waitlist for "Google Disco," a tool that uses "GenTabs" to create interactive web apps and complete tasks using natural language without coding. Visual Podcasting: Todd discussed using "Nano Banana Pro" and Gemini to create visual whiteboard summaries for podcast notes. Apple OS 26.2 Updates watchOS 26.2: Features updates to Sleep Scores, which Jon notes can feel "judgmental" regarding sleep quality. iPadOS 26.2: Reintroduces multitasking features like slide over and enables "Auto Chapters" for podcasts. macOS 26.2: Introduces "Edge Light" (a virtual ring light for video calls) and "low latency clusters" for local AI development on M5 Macs. Tech History PowerShell Origins: Jeffrey Snover, creator of PowerShell, revealed in a blog post that "cmdlets" were originally named "Function Units" (FUs), reflecting the "Unix smart-ass culture" of the era. Discussion: Simplifying the Tech Stack The hosts discuss the tendency to overcomplicate setups, such as using Docker for RSS feeds or complex SSO for home use. They recommend the following simplifications: Hardware KableCARD: A credit-card-sized kit containing multiple adapters, a light, and a phone stand to replace carrying multiple cables. Presentation Remotes: Use a simple dedicated remote ($20–$30) or repurpose a Surface Pen via Bluetooth instead of relying on complex software solutions. Software Pythonista (iOS/macOS): Run simple local scripts (e.g., GPA calculators) rather than paying for dedicated subscription apps. Homebridge: A lighter-weight alternative to Home Assistant for connecting IoT devices (like Sonos) to Apple HomeKit. Troubleshooting Tip Pixel Tablet YouTube Glitch: If the YouTube app on the Pixel Tablet displays unusable, giant thumbnails, the fix is to clear both the app's cache and storage/memory.

    37 min

  8. 12/08/2025

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

    In this episode, Jon Westfall and I are joined by frequent guest panelist Sven Johannsen. We dive into the end-of-year wrap-ups: We discuss Apple’s 2025 App Store Awards, with Jon noting that he uses award-winner Strava—though primarily on the Apple Watch rather than its main platform. The conversation also covers Google Play’s Best of 2025 (spanning apps, books, and games) and the latest YouTube End-of-Year Recap. On the hardware front, the rumor mill is spinning regarding an Apple HomePod with a screen (potentially the "HomePod Touch"), with speculation pointing toward an 11-inch display. The hosts compare smart display pricing, weighing the Echo Show 11” ($194-$219) against the Pixel Tablet and Dock bundle ($250 + $129). Sven's new accessories are also highlighted, including the DJI Mic Mini at a competitive $80 and the new clip and card versions of Pebblebee Trackers. Todd’s Segment features the Goovis G3 Max headset, praised for its individual diopter adjustment that allows eyeglass wearers to use the device without custom prescription lenses. The show wraps up with a mention of the Google Pixel 10 Pro and its headline feature: 100x ProRes zoom.

    45 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

MobileViews Editor Todd Ogasawara discusses mobile technology hardware and software

Information

  • Creator
    Unknown
  • Years Active
    2008 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2011-2013 Todd Ogasawara. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    MobileViews.com Podcast