The PC Pro Podcast

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...

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...

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 th...

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 S...

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.

The team discusses plans to float chip designer Arm on the Nasdaq stock exchange; the latest twist in Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision; and a report suggesting that 40% of workers will need AI training in the coming years. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, the company’s latest, shiniest, most waterproof Android tablet.

Real-World contributor Rois Ni Thuama joins the podcast as we discuss reports of defective SanDisk SSDs, Google and Amazon’s latest plans for generative AI and the legal fallout from recent data breaches in Northern Ireland. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5, a clamshell-style smartphone.

The team discusses a concerning spate of institutional data leaks, asks whether Facebook really affects your mental health, and raises an eyebrow at Zoom’s demand for employees to start coming into the office. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Hak5 Packet Squirrel Mark II, a pocket-sized network-monitoring device.

The team discusses Intel’s return to profitability, warnings that a discarded printer could leak your Wi-Fi password, and an under-the-bonnet refactoring for Chrome OS. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Asus RT-AX59U, a compact Wi-Fi 6 router that’s crammed with high-end features for a very reasonable price.

The team discusses the new products launched at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event, the abrupt renaming of Twitter and the potential dangers of overheating e-bike batteries. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Audio-Technica AT2020USB-XP, a USB microphone aimed at podcasters, streamers and anyone else wanting to capture high-quality vocal recordings.

The team discusses Microsoft’s AI-powered Copilot service, a new type of wireless networking based on infrared light, and the unexpected consequences of Netflix’ crackdown on password sharing. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Ubiquiti WiFiMan Wizard, a tiny portable Wi-Fi scanner that works with an iPhone to analyse and troubleshoot network connections in any location.

The team discusses a potentially significant resignation in the emerging XR market, says farewell to Intel’s diminutive NUC platform, and looks back over a huge first week for Threads. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Inventr.io Adventure Kit 2, a pack of components that introduces kids to electronic engineering through a series of hands-on challenges themed around a thrilling space adventure.

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.