Todd Ogasawara and Jon Westfall discussed:

Amazon YOur Books (beta)

Microsoft Office Insider

Viewing Apple Spatial Video without a Vision Pro?

Netflix What We Watched spreadsheet

Smartphone deals

Apple settles Family Sharing subscriptions lawsuit

Integrating Google Gemini with R

Jon's new Anker 633 Power Bank experience

Jon's 10th year co-hosting the MobileViews podcast!

Todd Ogasawara and Jon Westfall discuss:

iPhone 15 Pro Max "dead" display scare

Trying a vertical mouse for the first time

Google Gemini in Google Bard

Google NotebookLM with Gemini generally available

Who can affort Microsoft 365 Copilot at $30 per month?

Biopic about singer Edith iaf will use AI to recreate her speaking voice

Todd's musing of the day: Will people stop using question marks when writing because AI chatbots do not require them?

Jon's tip: Cast Apple Preview edit to an iPad or iPhone for touch editing

In this podcast Todd Ogasawara speaks with Google Customer Engineering Manager Steve Lujan and Google Enterprise Architect Daniel Liu about real-world applications of Google's various established AI products/services such as Document AI, Vision AI, and Contact Center AI. They also discuss the Google Gemini general model AI that launched just a day before this podcast was recorded (launch date = Dec. 6, 2023).

Note: During the podcast I (Todd) said that Google Bard was reporting that Gemini was not available for me yet. However, after post-processing the audio for this podcast, I tried again and was told:

Google Gemini is already available for Google Bard!

As of December 7, 2023, you can access a specifically tuned version of Gemini Pro within Bard.

Todd Ogasawara is joined by guest co-host Sven Johannsen for this podcast. They discuss some of the favorite new 2023 gadgets (and a few disappointments). The favs include: A 2nd generation Amazon Echo Show 8 (not the new 3rd gen), low-cost GaN chargers, low-price mini-soundbars, combo tablet stand/docks, Google Pixel Tablet, BougeRV Car fridge, ThruNite EDC Flashlight  Archer Mini, and Canon EOS T7.

Todd Ogasawara and Jon Westfall and joined by frequent guest panelists Steven Hughes and Sven Johannsen for this podcast. They discuss:

YouTube now able to ingest audio-only podcasts using RSS. The MobileViews Podcast is now available on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@ToddOgasawara/podcasts

Surprised that Apple offered AppleCare+ warranty extensions

Todd Has been using a sub-$100 Android tablet. The experience is a good one if you manage expectations.

Todd received notice that he has access to Google NotebookLM but this does not appear to be availablle for his use

Todd's rant: Amazon turning off the Comixology app on December 4 forcing users to use the less comicbook friendly Kindle app.

Adam Savage CT scan of USB-C cable why Apples Cable costs $130

In this mini-podcast Todd Ogasawara is joined by Philip Mow (Phil) and Dr. James Young (Jim) to test the SPKPAL USB-C microphone in a restaurant. Audio recorded directly from the mic to an iPhone 15 Pro Max using the Just Press Record app.

The discussion topics focused on Jim's post-retirement interests of robotics and UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).

In this mini-podcast, I tested a low-cost ($40) SPKPAL USB-C cardioid mic to record audio outdoors in order to learn if it might be usable to record a group (more than two people) podcast in a environment with noticeable ambient sound (wind, traffic, other people).

The first half (about 3 minutes) of the podcast is the raw audio recording. In truth, I amplified the volume. However, no other post-processing was performed. The second half of the podcast is the same audio post-processed by Adobe Podcast Enhance.

Generally speaking, I'm pleased with the sound quality of both parts of the audio (unprocessed and processed) and plan to use this mic to record an in-person podcast soon.

Todd Ogasawara and Jon Westfall and joined by frequent guest panelists Steven Hughes, Sven Johannsen, and Frank McPherson to kick off the month-long MobileViews Podcast 15th anniversary. The discussion topics include

MobileViews Podcast 482 guest U. of Hawaii President David Lassner's surprise announcement of a personal $1,000,000 donation to be awarded to graduate students working i AI/Machine Learning/Data Science in service to the environment or humanity.

Microsoft Windows CE support ends after a 26 year run

Farewell to Apple's MacBook Pro Touch Bar

Looking back at discussion items from Nov./Dec. 2008

Sven's rant: People who grumble about the Apple M-series computers "only" supporting one external displayl

The "reality" of Apple's Scray Fast "shot on an iPhone" event

Disposing electronic waste (e-waste)

In this podcast, Todd Ogasawara and Jon Westfall discuss:

Todd learning that the Yealink UH37 headset mutes itself if its boom mic is raised vertically

iPad external display defaults to HDR after iPadOS 17 update

iPadOS 17 lets you direct audio to the iPad's speakers instead of non-existent or weak display speakers when using HDMI/USB-C for video out

Apple Journal app in the App Store but only downloadable and usable if you are using iPadOS 17.2 (currently in beta)

What not to expect during Apple's Oct. 30 "Scary Fast" event

Rumor: A $700 MacBook in 2024?

Rumor: An $800 Apple assistant? HomePod + iPad Mini

Jon's tale of Apple Watch Ultra 2 heat woe

I had the privilege of speaking with Dr. David Lassner, President of the University of Hawaii, to record this podcast during lunch on October 27, 2023. We discussed his amazing career at the university, the technology changes we saw and worked on over the decades with a focus on distance learning technology and the rollout of broadband services to enable enhanced Internet access.

We also had a brief Mobile Food Views discussion after enjoying our lunch at Big City Diner in Kaimuki.