The PC Pro Podcast

The team discusses Twitter’s latest travails and the arrival of Meta’s new Threads app; controversy over the use of facial recognition to crack down on shoplifters; and the latest accomplishments of AI researchers. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Synology DVA1622, a NAS appliance with built-in security camera support and machine-learning functions for smart surveillance capabilities.

The team discusses the Australian PM’s surprisingly on-point cybersecurity advice; a new privacy-focused browser from DuckDuckGo; more criticism of the UK’s proposed anti-encryption laws; and how Wimbledon is using AI to analyse player pairings. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Cherry UM 9.0 Pro RGB, a multicoloured microphone aimed at streamers – check out some sample recordings at pcpro.link/347cherry.

The team asks whether Amazon makes it unreasonably difficult for customers to unsubscribe from Prime. We also cautiously welcome quantum breakthroughs from Intel and Microsoft, and ponder Lenovo’s new initiatives aimed at making its laptops greener and more repairable. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Geekom AS 6, a mini-PC with a powerful AMD Ryzen 9 processor.

The team discusses the ongoing protests against changes to Reddit’s API policies, unexpected warnings popping up on WD Red hard drives, and the EU’s threat to break up Google. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the SmallRig video cage kit, a versatile case that lets you attach grips, stands and other photographic accessories to the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

But of course we know what you’re really interested in is Intel’s new monospaced font, and you can download it from here: https://github.com/intel/intel-one-mono

The team discusses Apple’s latest product announcements, including the Vision Pro and the new MacBook Air, Mac Studio and Mac Pro computers. We also try out new AI features in the online Adobe Express productivity suite. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the LG gram SuperSlim, an ultra-thin laptop with a 15.6in OLED screen.

We look into what really happens when electronics are recycled in the UK, why Reddit is getting pricey for some and ask how green HP printers are. The team reminisce about discontinued Amazon services before voting on our Hot Hardware candidate: Viture XR glasses.

View the statement from Safe.AI at: https://www.safe.ai/statement-on-ai-risk

The team discusses Microsoft’s controversial new antivirus measure, an epidemic of broadband cancellations and warnings about AI-generated music. Our Hot Hardware candidate is a 2013 Apple iMac, with a Core i5-4570S CPU and 8GB of RAM.

The team discusses a new technology that could enhance VR experiences with digitally generated smells; casts an eye over the latest products announced at Google’s I/O conference; and tentatively welcomes a new tax on crypto-mining. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Samsung T7 Shield, a high-speed portable SSD that’s designed to survive splashes and bashes.

The team discusses Microsoft’s new plan to design its own CPUs, the UK’s attempts to regulate the fast-growing AI market and how Bluesky Social is challenging Mastodon to become the next Twitter. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Insta360 X3, an action camera with all-round vision and built-in image stabilisation.