Techsploder

Jason Howell sits down with Michael Fisher aka MrMobile in person to explore the nostalgic days of early cell phones, critique current AI trends in smartphones, discuss the challenges of tech content creation, and the impact of tech burn-out.

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• Michael's early experiences with technology and inspiration from shows like Inspector Gadget and Star Trek
• The evolution of mobile phones and the excitement of early cell phone ownership
• The convergence of devices and the rise of smartphones
• Nostalgia for single-use gadgets and purpose-built devices
• The current state of smartphone innovation and AI features
• Skepticism towards AI-driven features in modern smartphones
• The usefulness of certain AI applications like call summaries and voice recording transcripts
• Concerns about AI-generated content and fact-checking
• The shift from hardware improvements to software features in smartphone marketing
• Michael's background in acting and transition to tech journalism
• The influence of Michael's acting background on his video production style
• Michael's thoughts on potentially returning to acting

Watch Michael Fisher on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TheMrMobile

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Jason Howell talks with Scott Johnson, a pioneering figure in tech and culture podcasting, who shares his insights on the gaming industry, building online communities, and balancing family life with content creation.

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• Scott's early experiences with video games and arcades
• The importance of community in podcasting and content creation
• Scott's transition from graphic design to full-time podcasting
• The evolution of gaming technology and its impact on storytelling
• Scott's involvement with Next Generation magazine
• The creation of the Extra Life comic and its compilation book
• Involving family members in podcasting and content creation
• The relaunch of "The Instance" podcast
• Scott's current projects, including a potential zine and children's book

Check out Scott's podcast network: http://www.frogpants.com

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Shannon Morse sits down with Jason Howell to share her experiences as a woman in tech, from building her first computer at age 9 to becoming a respected cybersecurity expert and advocate for women in technology.

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• Shannon's early experiences with technology and computers
• Building her first computer at age 9 with her dad
• Experiences with early internet communities and websites
• Introduction to cybersecurity through music downloading and college experiences
• Joining the Hack5 team and living in the "Hack House"
• Developing a passion for cybersecurity and writing her own segments
• Advocating for women in technology and dealing with harassment
• Comparing experiences with male counterparts in the industry
• Alternative career paths if not in technology (voice acting, floral arrangement, photography, translation)
• Shannon's YouTube channels and current projects

Watch Shannon on Morse Code on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ShannonMorse

Watch Shannon on Sailor Snubs on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/SAILORSNUBS

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Jason Howell sits down with Florence Ion to discuss her evolution in tech journalism, from early writings for Mac|Life to organizing Tamagotchi meetups. They discuss virtual pets, Pokemon, and the future of tech writing using AI.

🔔 Please support our work on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/jasonhowell

- Florence's first professional opportunity in tech (internship at Mac|Life Magazine)

- Using AI in journalism and writing

- Florence's first computer (Macintosh Performa 460)

- Childhood experiences with technology and parental support

- Introduction to Tamagotchi and virtual pets

- The resurgence of Tamagotchi and facilitating meetups

- Pokemon fandom and its role in Florence's household

- Pokemon Go and potential improvements for the Pokemon experience

- Florence's passion for writing outside of technology

Read Flo's work on Gizmodo: https://gizmodo.com/author/florenceion

Listen to the Material podcast: https://www.relay.fm/material

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Jason Howell sits down with Matteo Doni, a familiar voice from All About Android, to discuss his journey through the tech industry and the evolution of mobile technology. From growing up in Milan to running the Tech Travel Geeks YouTube channel, Matteo shares insights on how technology has shaped his life and career.

🔔 Please support our work on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/jasonhowell

- Matteo's background growing up in Milan, Italy

- Early exposure to technology and computers in the 1990s

- The evolution of mobile phones and text messaging in Europe vs. the US

- Matteo's career path in mobile app testing and product development

- The impact of open source software and Linux on Matteo's career

- The origin of the "goats" theme on All About Android

- Matteo's YouTube channel Tech Travel Geeks

- Discussion of retro tech, including old Compaq desktop computers

- The story behind Matteo's online handle "todoleo"

- Oldest piece of technology Matteo still uses

- The significance of the Palm Pre 2 and WebOS

- How smartphones and power banks have improved travel experiences

Watch Tech Travel Geeks on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/techtravelgeeks

Follow Matteo on Twitter: http://www.x.com/todoleo

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Tech veteran Myriam Joire joins Jason Howell to share her fascinating journey from video game audio engineering to tech journalism, and being at the forefront of the birth of the modern smartwatch. Myriam shares invaluable tips on how to foster a successful career in technology and shares the many computers that painted her childhood experience in coding.

🔔 Please support our work on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/jasonhowell

• Myriam's extensive background in video game audio engineering
• Transition from video games to tech journalism
• Experience working at Pebble
• Role in launching successful Kickstarter campaigns
• Journey into tech consulting and crowdfunding
• Early experiences with computers and programming
• Advice on career changes and flexibility

Listen to the Mobile Tech Podcast

Follow Myriam on Twitter

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Sam Abuelsamid works closely with the automotive industry as an analyst at Guidehouse Insights, giving him first-row access to the many ways that technology is influencing modern vehicle design. Sam discusses the spark that led to his career in the automotive industry, his lifelong curiosity in engineering, and his first smartphone.

🔔 Please support our work on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/jasonhowell

• Sam's background and how he got interested in the automotive industry
• The influence of Road and Track magazine on Sam's interest in cars
• The intersection of transportation and technology in Sam's work
• The differences in car brands and models available in Europe versus the US
• Chinese automotive brands and their growing presence in Europe
• Sam's experience as an early adopter of technology, particularly smartphones
• The evolution of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in vehicles
• The evolution of digital photography and Sam's experience with early digital cameras

GuideHouse Insights

Wheelbearings podcast

Sam's articles on Forbes

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Father Robert Ballecer, aka The Digital Jesuit, lives two lives: One as a dedicated Jesuit priest working at the Vatican in Rome, and the other as a lifelong tech nerd. Here he explains why those seemingly different aspects of his life are actually one and the same.

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• Father Robert's experience living in Rome and contrasts with more tech-centric cities
• Father Robert's role in the church and how it relates to his technology work
• Father Robert's childhood interest in technology and parental support
• Early experiences with dumpster diving for computer parts
• Fixing and selling TRS-80 computers
• Running a Bulletin Board System (BBS) as a youth
• Selling refurbished floppy disks through a BBS
• Early experiences with YouTube and content creation
• Monetization of YouTube content and optimization techniques
• Discussion of pre-iPod MP3 players and early consumer tech
• Father Robert's experiences with hacking school computer systems
• Phone phreaking and early hacking experiences
• Father Robert's interest in The Expanse sci-fi series and its realistic technology
• Discussion of fusion technology and energy conversion as potential future developments

Fr. Robert Ballecer on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/padresj

Fr. Robert Ballecer on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DigitalJesuit

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Lamarr Wilson, the "CEO of Unboxings", shares his journey from teaching tech in schools to becoming a wildly popular tech content creator known for his enthusiastic unboxing videos and comedic persona.

🔔 Please support our work on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/JasonHowell

- Lamarr's background and how he got into tech/education

- His early experiences with technology as a child

- Discovering the internet and its impact

- Transitioning from education to creating YouTube content

- The origins of his YouTube channel and initial motivations

- Developing a comedic persona and sense of humor on YouTube

- Shifting focus to vertical video formats like TikTok and Instagram Reels

- Motivations behind the format change and its impact on his career

- The differences in effort between long and short-form content creation

- How he approaches unboxing videos and the "CEO of Unboxings" moniker

- His hopes for future smart home/AI technology advancements

Lamarr Wilson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lamarrwilson

Lamarr Wilson on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOcE8WdQOSeqFczVxGatGKg

Lamarr Wilson on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lamarrwilson

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Join Jason Howell as he delves into the world of design with Liam Spradlin, discussing the subjective nature of design, the impact of generative AI, and Liam's experience creating the "Girasol" typeface.

Please support this podcast on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/jasonhowell

• Design influence in Switzerland
• Material Design and deep personal meaning
• Everything in design is interfacial
• Does AI bypass intentional design?
• Has Material Design achieved its purpose?
• Where Liam's design sense began as a kid
• Liam's Typeface design
• Knowing when a design is done
• Why do we accept bad design in tech?
• Esthetic value of vintage interfaces
• Laim's most cherished technology

Listen to the Design Notes podcast: https://designnotes.fm/

Read Liam's work on Interface Cade: https://interfacecafe.com/

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