MobileViews Blog

Author: todd

  • MobileViews Podcast 380: iPod 20th anniversary; iPhone 13 Pro; Google Docs @-menu


    First, a thank you and apology to my old friend Jason Dunn for my bungling the audio recording during our podcast last week.

    This week Jon and I are taking a break from our Windows CE 25th anniversary reminiscing to look back at a truly world changing product anniversary

      The Apple iPod was

    1. first announced on October 23, 2001. Became available on Nov. 10, 2001
    2. Jon bought an iPhone 13 Pro because of a great trade-in deal with Verizon. Camera does seem markedly better, which is saying something because the iPhone 12 Pro Max camera was no slouch!
    3. Google Docs universal @ menu

    Available via Google Music Podcasts and Apple iTunes.

  • MobileViews Podcast 379:Reminiscing 25 years of Windows CE/Mobile/Phone with Jason Dunn


    Jon Westfall was unavailable for this podcast. Fortunately, our mutual friend Jason Dunn was available as a guest co-host to reminisce about Windows CE/Mobile/Phone as it nears its 25th launch anniversary (November 1996).

    Unfortunately, something weird happened during the recording process, however. The Audio HiJack audio-flow template that I’ve used to record hundreds of previous podcasts only recorded what Jason said. The good news is that I mostly asked questions and provided a few discussion prompts. Moreover, Jason is an excellent extemporaneous speaker. So, you can guess what I said. I removed the blank audio spaces (silences) during the segments I spoke.

    Way back in Nov. 2010, Jason and I discussed the then new Windows Phone 7 which made a clean break from Microsoft’s older mobile devices and didn’t maintain app compatibility with Windows Mobile 6. Today, we’re looking back even further to Windows CE 1.0 as well as doing a catch-up conversation since his last visit to the podcast in October 2016!

    Available via Google Music Podcasts and Apple iTunes.

  • MobileViews Podcast 378: Guest Frank McPherson; Windows CE 25th anniversary; AirPod 4A400 firmware update & more



    Jon Westfall and I are joined by frequent guest panelist Frank McPherson to reflect on Microsoft Windows CE’s 25th anniversary and Microsoft mobile journey over the decades.

    We also discussed:

    1. My $48 Bluetooth earbuds have two features my Air Pods Pro do not: (1) Over the ear “hooks” so they don’t fall out when walking and (2) a digital display on the charging case that shows the battery charge level for each earbud. It seems like a decent product so far. However, despite having “noise cancellation” in the product name, it does not have such a feature.
    2. New this week: Apple pushes out AirPods firmware, enables “Conversation Boost” – “Apple says Conversation Boost is designed to help people with mild hearing challenges stay more connected in conversations. The feature uses the AirPods Pro’s beam-forming microphones to boost the volume of a person talking in front of you, making it easier to listen to a face-to-face conversation, and there is also an option to reduce ambient noise.” – How much longer until commercial BT headphones replace $$$ hearing aids? — Firware Version 4A400
    3. Also, MacRumors has a massive iOS 15 tips/tricks document – some things I forgot about – drag and drop support greatly improved, square calendar widget (Month view!), iOS password manager now supports 2 factor codes, AR walking mode directions (would be great for cities), background sounds (e.g., rain, other ambient sounds to help improve concentration).

      And something I didn’t realize you could do – when sending a photo in messages, you can search by month/year. Really helps when you know you had a picture you took last March that you want to send someone now.

    Available via Google Music Podcasts and Apple iTunes.

  • MobileViews Podcast 377: iPad mini 6 1st impressions; iOS 15 walking steadiness; Windows CE 25th anniversary



    In this podcast Jon Westfall and I discuss:

    1. Windows CE 25th anniversary year: November 16, 1996
    2. Measure your walking steadiness with your iPhone
      iOS 15 walking asymmetry using iPhone 8 or newer – can help with fall prevention
    3. Setup iPad mini 6 using an iPad mini 5 did not work
      Using an iPhone 12 Pro did
      Restored from iPad mini 5 backup
      Microsoft Teams did not sync data. Uninstalled, installed fresh, signed in – worked
      inherited Bluetooth pairing limited to Apple devices
      Not non-Apple devices, e.g., Anker keyboard
      Fingerprint ID on power button works well
      Wish I could use it from right side in landscape mode
      Smart Folio is nice AND expensive. I wonder how durable it is?
      Can’t see battery level in portrait mode lock screen – block by Touch ID label Can see battery level in landscape lock screen orientation
      iOS 15 “focus” features
    4. iPad mini 6 exhibits ‘jelly scrolling’ display refresh issue
    5. Use Scenarios for 2 iPads: Explain Everything (Collaborative White Board) + Notes on the lectern at work. What are other times when you 2 devices is better than 1 even with multitasking?

    Available via Google Music Podcasts and Apple iTunes.

  • MobileViews Podcast 376: Apple’s Fall 2021 announcements – what we found interesting

    Jon Westfall and I talk about the announcements that Apple made on September 14, 2021 that actually interested us.

    1. iOS/iPadOS 15 available Sept. 20
    2. What Apple didn’t announce on Sept. 14
      No iPhone 13 under display or on power button touch ID
      No Apple Watch Series 7 additional health metrics
      No new AirPod
    3. New iPhone 13 camera features
      Telephoto up from 2.5 to 3x
      Macro (2cm)
      Night mode for ultrawide
      Cinematic mode
    4. iPad mini 6
      Touch ID on top/power button
      No Face ID
      USB-C port
      Center Stage feature from iPad Pro available for front-facing camera
      NO Smart Connector
      Apple Pencil 2
    5. iPad 9th gen
      Smart Connector
      Only Apple Pencil 1 support
      Center Stage
    6. Rumor of new iPad Pro and Airpods 3 in November: What would you need to upgrade iPad Pros

    Available via Google Music Podcasts and Apple iTunes.

  • MobileViews Podcast 375: Guest Don Sorcinelli; team building in a telework world; Apple speculation



    Jon Westfall and I are joined by frequent guest panelist Don Sorcinelli for this podcast. We discuss:

    1. iPhone 13 (rumors)
      Smaller notch
      120MHz ProMotion Display
      Camera improvements (???)
      A15 processor
      5G
      MAYBE – under display Touch ID

      Apple WatchOS 7 (known)
      Family Setup – config Watch for people without an iPhone (e.g., children)
      More customizable watch faces
      Single app can provide more than one complication
      Share faces
      Siri language translation

      iPad mini & iPad 7
      Very little reliable rumors IMO

      AirPods 3

    2. Study of Microsoft employees shows how remote work puts productivity and innovation at risk

      “A new study finds that Microsoft’s company wide shift to remote work has hurt communication and collaboration among different business groups inside the company, threatening employee productivity and long-term innovation.”

    3. Jon’s Rant / Confusion: What do you do with health data? Yes, some actionable advice is easy to tell, but I’m still a bit confused by my Bello belly fat analyzer – it literally hasn’t told me a single thing I couldn’t have already noticed in much lower-tech fashion: a mirror.

    Available via Google Music Podcasts and Apple iTunes.