The PC Pro Podcast
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302 episodes
The team discusses Microsoft's Surface devices with AI capabilities, Oregon's new right-to-repair legislation, Affinity software's acquisition by Canva and X’s upcoming chatbot, Grock. Our Hot Hardware candidate is Seagate's 20TB Exos X20 enterprise hard drive. To get your hands on a signed copy of Stuart Turton's latest book - The Last Murder at the End of the World - click this link to the Waterstones bookshop https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-last-murder-at-the-end-of-the-world/stuart-turton/9781526673992.
The team discusses Microsoft’s appointment of a new CEO of AI, the shocking story of a SIM-swapper and the truth about recyclable plastic packaging. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the HP Spectre Fold 17, a tablet-cum-laptop with a huge folding screen that can be yours for just cough-mumble pounds.
The team discusses Apple’s plans to lower the fences on its walled garden, Airbnb’s ban on surveillance cameras and Tim Berners-Lee’s future tech predictions. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Synology BeeStation, a simple, low-cost NAS appliance designed to replace Google Drive and other cloud storage services.
The team discusses a new milestone in Linux adoption, Apple’s bad-tempered compliance with new EU gatekeeping law and the latest spats in the world of AI. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Keychron C3 Pro keyboard; honestly, I can’t remember what’s supposed to be special about this one but Barry loves it.
THE TEAM DISCUSSES THE LATEST PRODUCT LAUNCHES AT MWC IN BARCELONA, THE END OF APPLE’S LONG-RUMOURED ELECTRIC CAR PROJECT, AI CODING PREDICTIONS AND A CHOCOLATE-THEMED DISASTER IN GLASGOW. OUR HOT HARDWARE CANDIDATE IS THE MILLENNIUM FALCON MULTI-TOOL, A COMPACT MULTI-TOOL IN THE SHAPE OF – WELL, YOU FIGURE IT OUT.
The team discusses Microsoft’s new chipmaking deal with Intel, and rounds up the latest developments in the world of AI. We also discuss the DoJ’s controversial “white-hat” hacking of infected routers, and Amazon’s new Echo Hub smart-home controller. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Cetaitun Firewall Mini PC, a cheap, compact, silent computer with six Ethernet ports… And if you like the sound of that, you can buy it here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CJC4J5RC
IN A WEEK WHERE MARK ZUCKERBERG DECLARES THE META QUEST 3 IS BETTER THAN THE APPLE VISION PRO, THE TEAM - ROIS, JON, BARRY AND TIM - BEG TO DISAGREE. PLUS, WHY PROVING THAT YOU’RE THE CREATOR OF BITCOIN IS TRICKY, BARRY’S TAKE ON OTTER’S ATTEMPT TO USURP COPILOT IN TEAMS AND BARRY ATTEMPTS TO PERSUADE EVERYONE (INCLUDING HIMSELF) THAT THE LENOVO THINKPAD X1 FOLD 16 SHOULD BE HOT HARDWARE OF THE WEEK.
The team discusses skyrocketing investments in AI and cloud hardware; a collapse of employee morale at Google; and a clever trick that breaks Microsoft’s BitLocker disk encryption. We also ask how worried we should be by reports of electric toothbrushes being absorbed into malicious botnets, and round up the latest developments in right-to-repair legislation. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Ubiquiti UniFi Enterprise 8 PoE, a high-speed Layer 3 network switch costing under £500. Finally, as promised, here’s a guide to enabling a BitLocker PIN in Windows 11: https://www.elevenforum.com/t/enable-or-disable-bitlocker-to-unlock-os-drive-at-startup-with-pin-and-usb-in-windows-11.4140/
The team discusses the first full reviews of Apple’s Vision Pro headset, new moves to regulate AI abuses, dissatisfaction over the UK government’s security plans and the serious consequences of “swatting”. Out Hot Hardware candidate is the Ubiquiti U7 Pro, the first wireless access point we’ve seen with Wi-Fi 7.
The PC Pro team discuss the implications of Amazon Ring sharing information with the Police and how Apple is reacting to the implementation of side-loading apps onto its devices. We look at Microsoft's planned upgrade of USB4 and chat about HP's plans to turn PCs into a subscription business. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Samsung S24 Ultra
The team discusses a pending lawsuit over ChatGPT’s notorious hallucinations, a mixed reception for Apple’s mixed-reality – sorry, “spatial” – headset, and independent confirmation that Google’s search results are getting worse. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Fairphone Fairbuds XL, an environmentally friendly pair of over-the-ear headphones.
In an on-location special, the team reports back from Las Vegas with their picks of the products and technologies unveiled at CES 2024.
The team is joined by CTA director Brian Comiskey for a look ahead to next week’s CES 2024 expo. We also discuss the technologies and companies that we said goodbye to during 2023, explore the US’ brief Apple Watch ban and consider new features coming to Windows. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the HP Envy Move, a “luggable” all-in-one PC with a 24in screen and a four-hour battery.
It’s time for the PC Pro podcast's festive quiz: Darien Graham-Smith takes the chair and subjects podcast regulars Barry Collins, Tim Danton, Lee Grant, Jon Honeyball and Rois Ni Thuama to a thorough grilling on the big tech stories of 2023.
The team is in a reflective mood, discussing the key AI developments of 2023, including how its use is crossing into the legal world. We celebrate landmark Right to Repair victories and chat about how fibre broadband has powered the work-from-home revolution. We ask why Spotify is laying of 17% of its workforce and look at VR for Xbox Cloud Gaming. Hot hardware for this week is the TCL NXTPAPER 11 tablet https://www.tcl.com/uk/en/tablets/tcl-nxtpaper-11.
The team discusses new proposals for age verification on adult websites; a security threat affecting almost every Windows and Linux computer; predictions of doom for the Firefox browser; and the latest developments in quantum computing. Once again we have two Hot Hardware candidates – a tiny pocket spot welder and a compact torch capable of beaming out a dazzling 4,000 lumens.
In a packed show, the team discusses topics including Samsung’s acquisition of smart music streaming service Roon, British Library data leaking onto the dark web, a possible fraud investigation into Elon Musk and some unfortunate misdirection in Google Maps. As if that weren’t enough, we look at two Hot Hardware candidates – the Dremel 3-in-1 Multi-Vise and the Divoom Timebox. And here’s the video of the AirJet laptop cooler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0k46Wnq3Rk
The team discusses a turbulent weekend for OpenAI’s senior management, new developments in the battle of blue vs. green messaging bubbles, and Google’s latest moves to put pressure on ad-blockers. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Honor Pad X9, a big-screen Android tablet costing just £140.
The team discusses the big announcements from Microsoft’s Ignite conference, including new in-house chips for Azure, a name change for Bing Chat and custom apps for Copilot Studio. We also consider Meta’s call for parental controls in app stores and Google’s new experiment in allowing users to annotate search results. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Eero Max 7, the first Wi-Fi 7 mesh to reach these shores.
The team discusses the first indications of how the UK’s online safety measures will be enforced; the launch of new user-configurable GPT bots; and discontent over Apple’s dubious RAM claims. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Bambu Lab P1P, an affordable and easy-to-use 3D printer.
The team discusses steps towards the global regulation of AI systems, Apple’s new “scary fast” M3 Macs and criminal charges for the SolarWinds CISO who was at the helm during a disastrous cyberattack. Our Hot Hardware candidate is VisiWave Site Survey 7, a nifty tool for mapping out wireless network coverage.
The team asks whether Microsoft was right to abandon its mobile phone platform; looks forward to faster ARM chips for Windows; and ponders new efforts to defeat fake reviews. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 – it’s been out for a little while, but have we grown to love it?
The team is joined by Fiona Dear of the Restart Project to discuss the upcoming International Repair Day; we also consider plans to offer GCSE exams on laptops and Qualcomm’s new Android chip based on the open-source RISC-V architecture. Our Hot Hardware candidate is an iPhone 12 Mini, originally released in 2020 but newly acquired by real-worlder Lee Grant. LINKS: International Repair Day is on Saturday 21 October 2023 and there are events all over the planet, many of them in the UK. There’s an interactive map so you can find out what is happening in your area: https://openrepair.org/international-repair-day/2023-events/ If you can’t attend in person, Global Fixers are running an online repair cafe on Saturday between 11am and 2pm - https://discord.gg/WZd4xWd To find other Restart Parties and community repair events in your area, visit: https://therestartproject.org/parties/ Fiona Dear (https://therestartproject.org/about/who-we-are/) is the Co-Director of The Restart Project (https://therestartproject.org https://therestartproject.org/)
THE TEAM DISCUSSES GOOGLE’S PLAN TO PHASE OUT PASSWORDS, PROPOSALS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE TRUSTWORTHINESS OF AI-GENERATED IMAGES AND A NEW OS THAT PUTS YOUR PERSONAL PC IN THE CLOUD. OUR HOT HARDWARE CANDIDATE IS THE ACER CHROMEBOOK PLUS 515, ONE OF THE FIRST CHROMEOS LAPTOPS TO BEAR THE NEW “PLUS” BRANDING.
The team discusses a competition probe into Amazon and Microsoft’s cloud services, new phones and software from Google, and an unusual upgrade that converts an Intel laptop to AMD. As happens from time to time, our Hot Hardware candidate is a piece of software, namely the AI-powered Arc Max browser.
The team discusses the latest product releases and updates from Microsoft’s AI and Surface event – plus all the news from Meta Connect. Meanwhile, a major bank bans cryptocurrency payments and the Raspberry Pi 5 makes its debut. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Rolling Square AirCard, an Apple-compatible location tag that fits in your wallet.
The team discusses product chief Panos Panay’s departure from Microsoft, the latest software and device launches from Amazon and mixed news on tech sustainability. Our Hot Hardware candidate is Linksys’ Velop Pro 6E, the cheapest Wi-Fi 6E mesh currently on the market.
The team discusses a critical bug in a popular online image format, a ransomware attack that shut down a string of major hotels, and the latest news from Apple’s “Wonderlust” event. Our Hot Hardware candidate is Adobe Firefly, the AI-powered image-generation tool that’s now fully built into Photoshop.
The team discusses the UK government’s climbdown on banning end-to-end encryption, a welcome change in Windows 11 and the prospect of Apple’s first iPhone with USB Type-C charging. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Geekom Mini IT 13, a compact and powerful PC for a very modest price.
This week the team is joined by airline pilot Gavin Hall to discuss the recent collapse of the UK’s air traffic control system. We talk about Elon’s plan to add voice calling to X and Apple’s sudden support for Right to Repair. Additionally we look at the new Fairphone 5 and reveal why it can be so hard to order a McFlurry. Our hot hardware this week is the WiPry Clarity from Oscium.
