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.