The PC Pro Podcast

The team discusses the UK’s proposed changes to cookie consent, Twitter’s new long-form “Notes” feature and a milestone for virtual reality as tech giants club together to form the Metaverse Standards Forum. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the LG Gram 16, a large but lightweight laptop that comes with a standalone second screen.

The team asks whether Google’s AI is truly sentient, says goodbye to Internet Explorer and boggles at the potential of machine-generated art. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the RealYou EMF shield, a lightweight cover that blocks radio transmissions from your router because who needs Wi-Fi anyway? Check out The Verge’s feature on the amazing capabilities of the DALL-E 2 image-generation tool: https:...

The team discusses the big announcements from Apple’s WWDC event, new EU regulations that require all consumer gadgets to charge via USB Type-C and a steep price hike for Ring smart doorbells. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the D-Link Eagle Pro AI R15, a fully featured Wi-Fi 6 router costing just £55.

The team discusses Dyson’s new plans for domestic robots, Samsung’s bid to dethrone the Apple M1 processor and the latest announcements from Microsoft’s Build 2022 conference. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Allegro Network Multimeter 500, a small box that can reveal the darkest secrets of a corporate network.

The team discusses rumours of new Apple devices, and a controversial change in policy for app subscriptions. We also ask whether playing video games could be good for young brains, and welcome Mastercard’s new fully biometric payment system. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Huawei MateStation X, an all-in-one PC with a huge, high-quality touchscreen.

The team discusses the latest announcements from Google’s I/O event, warns about a serious new vulnerability affecting Apple processors, and ponders a new NFT that supposedly can’t ever lose its value. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Microsoft Surface Adaptive Kit, a set of stick-on accessories designed to make your laptop more accessible. Order your own Surface Adaptive Kit here: https://pcpro....

The team discusses Sonos’ plans to launch its own voice assistant, the latest USB updates and new NFTs vying for attention in a shrinking market. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Logitech Lift, a novel mouse with an ergonomic upright design. Watch David Lynch’s seminal “Third Place” PlayStation 2 advert: https://youtu.be/Laf9vpJMDjA

The team discusses Elon Musk’s costly and controversial acquisition of Twitter, a new era for iPhone repairs and a mass exodus of Netflix customers. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Las Vegas Convention Centre Loop, a new tunnel opened by Elon Musk's Boring Company.

The team discusses HP’s plans for a laptop with a foldable screen, looks ahead to Wi-Fi 7 and ponders the success – or otherwise – of Windows 11. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Netgear Nighthawk MR5200 mobile router, a battery-powered 5G hotspot that provides truly wireless internet access.

The team discusses a possible shock takeover at Twitter, the latest rumblings over cryptocurrencies and an AI that could soon be marking kids’ homework. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Huawei MateBook E, an aggressively affordable alternative to the Microsoft Surface Pro.

The team discusses the latest new features coming to Windows 11, Elon Musk’s new role at Twitter, the UK’s plans for cryptocurrency and Google’s latest attempts to protect your privacy. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the HP Omen 45L, a gaming desktop with a built-in cryo-chamber for powerful cooling. Remarks on the future of cryptocurrency in the UK by John Glen, Economic Secretary to the Treasury:...

The team discusses concerns over kids on social media; the shocking tale of an undisclosed flaw in Wyze security cameras; and a new law that could force iMessage and WhatsApp to work together. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Røde NTH-100, the Australian audio specialist’s first ever headphones. Read Bitdefender’s full report into the Wyze Cam security debacle: pcpro.link/587wyze

The team discusses a subtle change in how Windows 11 behaves on unsupported hardware; questions the security and transparency of the prime minister’s communications; and discovers the truth about the new Apple Mac Studio’s performance. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Surface Laptop Studio, Microsoft’s new take on the convertible laptop.

The team discusses the UK government’s new proposals to keep the internet safe, the unwelcome appearance of advertisements in Windows and the latest tech fallout over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Out Hot Hardware candidate is the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500, the first standalone Wi-Fi 6E router to reach our Labs.

The team discusses the new hardware unveiled at Apple’s “Peek Performance” event, a dramatic hack attack on Nvidia and controversy over a hidden performance-management feature on Samsung phones. Out Hot Hardware candidate is the Vissles V84, a mechanical keyboard with hot-swappable keys.

The team discusses the tech industry’s responses to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a warning from gaming luminary Sid Meier and the latest announcements from the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Elgato Stream Deck 2, a programmable controller that can streamline almost any task.

The team discusses Intel’s newest range of laptop chips, how sport and sex are moving into the Metaverse and the end of 3G. Our Hot Hardware candidate is Samsung’s newest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S22 Ultra. The BBC’s exposé of the lack of child protections in the Metaverse: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-60415317

How do you protect children when they’re using online platforms such as Roblox? Jon, Tim, Lee and Barry tackle this contentious issue, before giving Chrome OS Flex a workout, pouring cold water on a BCS “call” to extend the life of smartphones to ten years, and discussing Starlink’s loss of 40 satellites. Finally, our Hot Hardware candidate - the Amazon Echo Show 15 - gets something of a roasting.

The team discusses the new products unveiled at Samsung’s “Unpacked” event, Microsoft’s belated move to properly block macros in Office and a kerfuffle over Meta’s apparent threat to pull out of Europe. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Netgear Orbi WiFi 6E, a mesh system with support for the new 6GHz networking standard.

The team discusses the controversial case of a man facing prison for a tasteless tweet; the WWF’s planned move into NFTs; and a mysterious new laptop that promises to do away with physical connectors. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Astro Slide 5G, a classic 1990s-style PDA with a modern Android operating system. Check out the unlikely Craob X laptop for yourself: http://craob.com

The team discusses rumours of a new Google AR headset, the latest breakthroughs in quantum computing, an initiative from the UK government to help small businesses shore up their security and some good news – at last – for Intel. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Logitech POP Keys, a keyboard with customisable emoji keys. And if you want to buy the Microsoft Surface Duo for £679 while stocks last,...

The team discusses airline safety fears over 5G telecoms, Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision and Intel’s apparent plans to launch a new dedicated Bitcoin-mining chip. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Ubiquiti Switch Pro Aggregation, a huge Layer 3 switch at a remarkable price.

The team discusses a chip shortage affecting Canon’s printer cartridges, the arrival of PCI-E 6 and a new way of identifying cyberattacks from their electromagnetic signatures. Editor Tim Danton delivers his first-hand impressions of CES 2022, and our Hot Hardware candidate is the GeoFlex 340, a low-cost convertible laptop. Featured link: That Microsoft Surface SE repair video – https://youtu.be/f...

The team discusses our pick of the new gadgets unveiled at CES 2022, plus Intel’s newest family of chips, the end of BlackBerry messenger phones, a novel way to charge your TV remote control – and the latest developments in smart tractors.

It’s time for our annual festive quiz! Join the team as we put our knowledge of technical matters and current affairs to the test. You can also enter our prize contest to win a free copy of BullGuard Premium Protection (RRP £69.99) or editor-in-chief Tim Danton’s book The Computers That Made Britain. Just visit http://pcpro.link/pod574 , answer the question and submit your details before 6pm on Fr...