The PC Pro Podcast

The team discusses the Australian PM’s surprisingly on-point cybersecurity advice; a new privacy-focused browser from DuckDuckGo; more criticism of the UK’s proposed anti-encryption laws; and how Wimbledon is using AI to analyse player pairings. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Cherry UM 9.0 Pro RGB, a multicoloured microphone aimed at streamers – check out some sample recordings at pcpro.link/34...

The team asks whether Amazon makes it unreasonably difficult for customers to unsubscribe from Prime. We also cautiously welcome quantum breakthroughs from Intel and Microsoft, and ponder Lenovo’s new initiatives aimed at making its laptops greener and more repairable. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Geekom AS 6, a mini-PC with a powerful AMD Ryzen 9 processor.

The team discusses the ongoing protests against changes to Reddit’s API policies, unexpected warnings popping up on WD Red hard drives, and the EU’s threat to break up Google. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the SmallRig video cage kit, a versatile case that lets you attach grips, stands and other photographic accessories to the iPhone 14 Pro Max. But of course we know what you’re really interested...

The team discusses Apple’s latest product announcements, including the Vision Pro and the new MacBook Air, Mac Studio and Mac Pro computers. We also try out new AI features in the online Adobe Express productivity suite. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the LG gram SuperSlim, an ultra-thin laptop with a 15.6in OLED screen.

We look into what really happens when electronics are recycled in the UK, why Reddit is getting pricey for some and ask how green HP printers are. The team reminisce about discontinued Amazon services before voting on our Hot Hardware candidate: Viture XR glasses. View the statement from Safe. AI at: https://www.safe.ai/statement-on-ai-risk

The team discusses the latest revelations from Microsoft’s Build conference, a slow start for Wi-Fi 7 and a major win for right-to-repair advocates. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Motorola Moto G13, a dirt-cheap phone that’s good enough to be your daily driver.

The team discusses Microsoft’s controversial new antivirus measure, an epidemic of broadband cancellations and warnings about AI-generated music. Our Hot Hardware candidate is a 2013 Apple iMac, with a Core i5-4570S CPU and 8GB of RAM.

The team discusses a new technology that could enhance VR experiences with digitally generated smells; casts an eye over the latest products announced at Google’s I/O conference; and tentatively welcomes a new tax on crypto-mining. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Samsung T7 Shield, a high-speed portable SSD that’s designed to survive splashes and bashes.

The team discusses Microsoft’s new plan to design its own CPUs, the UK’s attempts to regulate the fast-growing AI market and how Bluesky Social is challenging Mastodon to become the next Twitter. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Insta360 X3, an action camera with all-round vision and built-in image stabilisation.

The team discusses the blocking of Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision, accusations of shady spyware features in the Edge browser, and a new UK law that would clamp down on fake reviews and free trials that silently turn into paid subscriptions. Our Hot Hardware candidate is three bottles of beer costing £79 – courtesy of Elon Musk.

The team discusses the backlash against the UK government’s anti-encryption plans, Reddit’s plans to charge for API access and the death of the computer magazine – in the US, at least. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Panasonic ToughBook 40, a laptop you can take into the jungle with you.

The team discusses the future of 5G in the UK, the BBC’s illuminating interview with Twitter CEO Elon Musk and a new VPN that’s helping Russians evade censorship. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the NUC 13 Pro, Intel’s latest and greatest small-box PC.

eng||This week, Western Digital’s security incident goes under the microscope and the team talk about the investigation into Amazon and Microsoft’s place in the market. We briefly discuss the latest happens at Twitter and ponder what happened to Virginmedia’s service this week. Our Hot Software candidate is Midjourney 5 (take a look: https://www.midjourney.com)

This week the team discuss the upcoming changes to Microsoft Teams with a genuine Microsoft MVP as well as what happened when TikTok appeared before US Congress. We catch up with the latest attempts to regulate AI and mark the passing of technology legend, Gordon Moore. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Acer SpatialLabs View Pro monitor (take a look: https://www.acer.com/gb-en/monitors/spatiallabs...

The team catches up with the latest developments in AI, asks whether we’d trust a web browser made by Amazon, and warns that screenshots might reveal details you thought you’d cropped away. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Lego Technic Cat® D11 Bulldozer 42131, an assemble-it-yourself app-controlled scale model of a construction icon. Check out the Lego bulldozer here: https://www.lego.com/en-gb/...

The team discusses the brand-new GPT-4 AI platform, WhatsApp’s threats to quit the UK, the collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank and the risk of critical communications being cut off in the event of a power cut. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Poly Studio, a portable all-in-one teleconferencing system.

The team asks whether recent launches and projects are making Microsoft exciting again, bewails the state of the British semiconductor industry and explores the idea of putting datacentres on the moon. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Philips 27B1U7903, which turns out to be a 4K monitor with mini-LED backlighting.

The team discusses the latest products unveiled at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, rumours of what could be in Windows 12, and how Amazon is penalising authors whose works pop up on pirate sites. Our Hot Hardware candidate is more of a hot service this week, as Barry sings the praises of the Nvidia GeForce Now Ultimate game-streaming platform.

The team discusses new paid-for verification programmes at Instagram and Facebook; the latest fallout in the AI revolution; and the rise of domestic robots. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Yubikey 5Ci, a security key that provides effortless two-factor authentication.

The team discusses what’s new with AI conversations and creations, ponders yet more layoffs in the tech sector, and asks whether Windows is sharing too much information. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16, a very pricey gaming laptop with a mini-LED display. And here's that brutally frank video from the Thunderbird team: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoLb6aHakno

The team discusses Microsoft and Google’s race to offer AI-powered web searching, the latest craziness at Twitter and a big change coming in Android 14. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Jackery Explorer 1500 Pro Portable Power Station, a solar-powered 1.5kWh battery pack for all your clean energy needs.

The team discusses the key product launches at Samsung’s Unboxed event, some shocking financial results from Intel, a big week for ChatGPT and dampened expectations for Sony’s upcoming virtual reality headset. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Sony Cinema Line FX30, a professional-grade film-making camera in a compact body.

The team discusses a big week for AI, outages at Microsoft and Apple’s latest move to break away from Google. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Intel NUC 11 Essential, a £150 mini-PC designed for always-on duties.

The team discusses big job cuts at Microsoft, new computers and processors from Apple, Nick Cave’s verdict on AI-generated lyrics and the latest arguments over the UK’s Online Safety Bill. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the NOCO GB40, a kiloamp Li-Ion battery pack for jump-starting your car.

The team discusses the best of CES, new requirements for gigabit internet in UK homes and the possibility of a new digital currency to operate alongside the pound. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Aranet4, a smart carbon dioxide detector.