The PC Pro Podcast

The team discusses the UK’s plans to recognise and regulate cryptocurrencies, Microsoft’s new ARM-powered mini-PC and a big drop in Meta’s share price as it continues to throw money at the “metaverse”. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Pinecil V2 soldering iron.For details of Jon Honeyball’s upcoming talk at the Centre for Computing History, see http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/69477/TechTalk-Jon-Honeyball-The-Internet-and-how-we-got-it-all-so-wrong-Thursday-9th-February-2023/

The team discusses the latest feature update to Windows 11, a new release of Firefox that includes a PDF editor, and yet another confusing update to the USB standard. As happens from time to time, our Hot Hardware candidate is actually a piece of software, namely Adobe Lightroom 2023.

The team catches up with the long-running saga of Elon Musk’s Twitter purchase, discusses the closure of Google’s Stadia cloud gaming service and ponders an enforced switch to USB Type-C for future iPhones. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Apple Watch Ultra, Apple’s biggest and most expensive wearable yet.

The team discusses a splurge of new hardware from Amazon, search updates from Google and Adobe’s pricey acquisition of design rival Figma. And, as DALL-E 2, the AI-based image-generation tool, opens its doors to all comers, we consider it for the coveted title of Hot Software of the Week.Read more about Google’s new search features: https://blog.google/products/search/search-on-2022/Check out Barry’s first creations with DALL-E 2: https://bigtechquestion.com/2022/09/29/online/dalle-2/

The team discusses what’s new in the Windows 11 22H2 update, asks whether Ethereum’s big move away from mining has genuinely saved energy, and ponders the implications of a major security breach at Uber. By popular demand, our Hot Hardware candidate is the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 G1, the first laptop we’ve seen with an AMD Ryzen Pro 6000-series CPU.

The team discusses an eco-friendly revolution in cryptocurrency, Google’s abandonment of the next Pixelbook, new challengers for Microsoft Office and a warning that a future AI could eliminate humanity. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Asus Zenbook 17 OLED Fold, a 17in folding laptop with, you guessed it, an OLED screen.

The team discusses Apple’s latest iPhone and Watch upgrades, some long overdue updates to Twitter and reports of problems with the integrated computer platform that underpins the UK’s legal system. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Samsung G950 Odyssey Neo G9 monitor – an ultrawide 49in screen that’s ideal for really big Excel spreadsheets, and perhaps the odd game as well.

The team discusses a decidedly old-school cyber-attack that involves sending infected USB flash drives through the post; a move to end passwords for good; and a controversy over “phantom” traffic police who exist only in navigation apps. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Sony Xperia 1 IV, a shiny smartphone with a high-end camera and a 4K OLED screen.

The team discusses new ransomware attacks on critical UK services, what’s new in Android 13 and a restaurant that’s run completely by robots. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Logi Dock, an all-in-one desktop dock that handles both peripherals and communications.

The team discusses the latest phones and watches from Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event, Amazon’s acquisition of Roomba manufacturer iRobot and Epson’s self-destructing printers. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Plume HomePass, a mesh Wi-Fi system that comes with an annual subscription.… and if you wish to watch the all-star Excel championship as described by Lee Grant, you can find the video at https://www.fmworldcup.com/product/all-star-bundle/