Author: todd

Jon Westfall and I (Todd Ogasawara) start this podcast with a brief discussion of Windows 10 Technical Preview 2 (build 9926), discuss some recent software changes (Microsoft Outlook for iOS & Android, Microsoft Office for Android, and the newly free Google Earth Pro for Windows and Mac). Then we discuss 3D design and printing with expert Emil Reyes (website: iZEDZO!).

Jon’s mobile app pick: Memoir for iOS

Jon Westfall and I (Todd Ogasawara) spend the first couple of minutes of this podcast reviewing some of many announcements Microsoft made in the past week.

• Windows 10 Technical Preview 2 build 9926 (ref: Thurrott.com What’s New? and Visual Tour)
• Surface Hub
• HoloLens
• Universal apps
• No Windows RT 10 update?
• MSFT bought Revolution Analytics (R based company). Although the firm started up in 2007, it has a bit of history since its CEO is Norman Nie who co-created SPSS in the 1960s. (ref: Wired.com)

Then, we’re joined for the remainder of the podcast speaking with my friend Warren Loos who experienced a disk drive disaster that led him to use the services of a hard drive recovery firm …and…more. Warren had a Drobo multi-drive backup system, used Apple’s Mac OS/X Time Machine automated backup system, and used the Crash Plan cloud backup service. So, what perfect storm led to what at first appeared to be the loss of terabytes of photographs? Listen and learn. It is a cautionary tale for those of us who “think” our backup plans are sufficient. I know I need to rethink how my backups of family photos and the like are done today and how they should be done going forward.

For the first MobileViews podcast of 2015, Jon Westfall and I (Todd Ogasawara) assembled a variety of topics and products to discuss:

• Top download apps from iTunes in 2014 (Ref: MacRumors)
• Monster Digital On-The-Go USB 16GB Storage. Thumb drive with micro-USB instead of full size connector.
• T-Mobile pre-paid plans cheaper than to mostly identical post-paid plans.
• Apple Pay
• Essential Apps over Travel: GasBuddy (To know where the cheapest gas was on my route), Google Voice (No cell reception at my in-laws), Transmit by Panic (Same company that makes Coda) – mobile FTP/SFTP client, didn’t have to pull out the laptop as much!)
• Evernote Scanable for iOS
• App Pick of the Week: Jon: Pocket Informant (Can be overkill but set up right and it takes up less space than icons for Calendar, ToodleDo, Reminders, & Contacts)

In this final podcast for 2014, Jon Westfall and I (Todd Ogasawara) rant a bit about technologies that took a long time to arrive and a couple that still aren’t here yet.

• Video sharing from device to device
• Automated backup systems for Microsoft Windows
• Why don’t I have an electronic driver’s license yet?
• Why am I still paying so much for medical care?!?
• Why don’t fast food restaurants do online ordering like Pizza and sub shops do?
• Why is touch Office for Windows 8/10 taking so long?

UI-less UIs

App picks
Todd – Brushstroke for iOS + its 99 cent illustrations add-on pack
Jon – Spritz Speedreading Apps

Year-end mentions

• Best of iTunes
• Google Play – Best of 2014
• Google infographic – 2014 Google Play
• New Google app for iOS
• Chromecast Guest Mode – Android only
• Android only – watch full season of some TV shows for free on Hulu+

Jon Westfall and I (Todd Ogasawara) have some choice comments about the major operating system upgrades in 2014. Android Lollipop, Apple iOS 8, and Apple OS/X Yosemite all get stinging commentary. How bad is it? I refuse to upgrade my iPad 2 to iOS 8. I am waiting for Apple to fix 8.1.1 before I upgrade my iPhone 6+. I’ve got a Mac that won’t go to Yosemite until it looks a bit more stable. And, Android 5.0 Lollipop turned my 1st generation Nexus 7 tablet into a slug. So,the Nexus 4 is staying at 4.4.

I have some comments about Microsoft’s Windows 10 Technical Preview too. But, it gets a pass because it is a beta release. You know the saying: If you play with beta, expect to get burned.

On a positive note: Jon has some kind words about Adonit’s customer service related to a problem he had with a Jotscript Bluetooth stylus purchased last year (2013). He also notes it is on sale right now over at ThinkGeek.

I have a few comments about the Alcatel pre-paid Android C1 phone running Android 4.2 and mention the Amazon Fire TV Stick that started shipping to the first wave of buyers in November.

And, finally, Jon has a bit of a “I told you so” moment in talking about the failed Amazon Fire Phone.