The PC Pro Podcast

Microsoft announced that it would be selling companies a $349 black box that's ideal for big rollouts - all you need is a Windows Cloud subscription, a monitor, keyboard and mouse. Jon, Tim and Barry deliver their verdict. Plus all the other highlights from Ignite 2024, Flight Simulator 2024's failure to launch and a business-friendly Moto phone that might just win Tim a hot hardware of the week...

The team discusses the accelerating exodus from Elon Musk’s social media platform, the EU’s latest quarrel with Apple and what’s coming in Wi-Fi 8. Lee Grant also walks us through a quartet of sustainability-related news stories, and our Hot Hardware candidate is the tiny but powerful Mac Mini.

The team asks whether Windows 10 users will pay $30 to keep using the OS for another year, discusses ChatGPT’s new search capabilities and ponders whether Intel’s latest financial losses are anything to worry about. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Apple Thunderbolt 5 cable, a pricey interconnect with a whole lot of bandwidth.

Tim, Rois and Jon dissect all the just-announced products from Apple, particularly the M4 Mac mini, before discussing why email remains such a danger. Plus, regular listener Geoff Campbell nominates a Raspberry Pi case as the Hot Hardware of the week. It went down rather well...

Regular magazine contributor Olivia Whitcroft joins Barry, Darien and Jon as we discuss a new AI tool that can control your PC, proposals to ban smartphones at school and an acrimonious dispute at WordPress. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Krafted Connex, a pocket-sized multi-adaptor that can be used to charge a variety of devices from a regular USB socket.

In the second part of our special live podcast, Barry Collins, Tim Danton, Darien Graham-Smith, Jon Honeyball and Rois ni Thuama look to the future and predict how technology will change the world in the next decade. We also nominate our Hot Hardware picks of the past 30 years, and take questions from the audience on quite a range of themes.

Part one of a special two-part podcast with a live audience to celebrate 30 years of PC Pro. Barry Collins, Tim Danton, Darien Graham-Smith, Jon Honeyball and Rois ni Thuama look back and discuss the most significant tech innovations and events of the past three decades, before pitting their knowledge against audience members in a short, unseasonal quiz.

The team discusses all that’s new in the Windows 11 24H2 update, explores the innards of the latest iPhone and cautiously welcomes the arrests of four individuals believed to be major players in the murky world of ransomware. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max, the biggest and most powerful iPhone ever.

The team discusses a new law that should make it easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions, the latest announcements from Meta’s Connect conference and legal woes for celebrity YouTuber MrBeast. Our Hot Hardware candidate is Intel’s Lunar Lake SoC, which promises new heights of laptop performance and battery life.

The team explore some of the technical explanations to the exploding pagers detonated in the Middle East. We examine Apple's iOS18 efforts to satisfy right to repair legislation then try not exhaust ourselves from the excitement of Microsoft Copilot Wave 2.

Our Hot Hardware candidate for this week is the Honor Magic 3 phone...or..camera with phone...you decide...

The team discusses Apple’s new iPhone 16 handsets, asks whether AI is really stealing jobs and argues over whether kids should be banned from social media. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Netgear Orbi 770, the first home mesh we’ve seen to support Wi-Fi 7’s multi-band MLO capability.

The team discusses the latest launches at IFA, including the new chips that Intel hopes will put it back on the map. We also ask whether the USB Type-A connector is finally on its way out, and whether we need to worry about a new vulnerability discovered in Yubikey security tokens. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the IcyBox IB-180MC-C31, a USB M.2 enclosure that’s every bit as versatile as its name implies.

Before we get to the worst hot hardware ever, you will discover the team's take on Telegram's CEO being arrested in France; non-buying-advice thoughts on Nvidia's latest share price; back doors baked into RFID passes; and discover exactly what the Plaud NotePin is. And then you will be swept up in amazement when Barry pitches a mechanical keyboard that he clearly doesn't like much as Hot Hardware of the Week.

https://www.plaud.ai/products/notepin
https://www.hhkeyboard.com/uk/products/hhkb-studio

The team discusses the untimely death of British tech mogul Mike Lynch, while Elon Musk flounces out of Brazil and Microsoft prepares to roll out its controversial Windows Recall AI feature. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the MSI Cubi NUC 1M, a powerful PC with a compact case and a (reasonably) modest price.

The team eyes up the new Pixel devices launched at Google’s annual “Made by Google” event, asks what Mozilla can do to stay relevant and ponders the news that fresh Windows 11 installations will now have full-device encryption enabled by default. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Keychron K8, a sturdy wireless keyboard with mechanical switches and a charmingly retro colour scheme.

Nicole Kobie joins the podcast to discuss her new book, “The Long History of the Future: Why Tomorrow's Technology Still Isn't Here”. We also discuss the government’s shelving of unfunded plans for an AI supercomputer, Elon Musk’s latest antics and the significance of a US judgment that finds Google used illegal means to maintain its monopoly on web searches. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Inateck BK2007, an affordable keyboard case for the 2024 iPad Air.

The team discusses awkward times for Intel as it sheds jobs and rushes to fix failing chips; we also ponder Reddit’s hard line on AI scraping, and welcome upcoming legal protections aimed at preventing companies from cloning our voices and appearances. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Netgear Nighthawk RS300, a Wi-Fi 7 router that you might actually be able to afford.

The team discusses the global CrowdStrike catastrophe, dissects the official word on Intel CPU hiccups and learns why some NVIDIA graphics cards are no longer cool.

Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Apple Vision Pro.

The team discusses reports of failing Intel processors, meets Samsung’s latest health-inspired wearable and looks forward to a future filled with AI-generated videos and presentations, courtesy of Google. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Unistellar Odyssey Pro Smart Telescope. What, would you have preferred another keyboard?

The team discusses Microsoft’s optimistic claim that all material published online is fair game for AI training; ponders reports of TeamViewer being hacked by the Russians; and looks at who’s still buying commercial antivirus software. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Tapo D230S1, a smart, subscription-free doorbell-cum-camera.

On this week’s podcast we discuss the EU’s legal action against Microsoft for bundling Teams with Office, debate the US government’s banning of Kaspersky Internet Security and look at what the UK’s major political parties are promising – technology-wise – in their election manifestos. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Surface Laptop 7, the flagbearer of Microsoft’s new ARM-powered Copilot+ PC range.

The team ponders rumours of a new, cheaper Apple Vision headset, and debates whether the original Apple Vision Pro has been a flop. We also look at flaky Intel Core i9 processors, welcome the US government’s legal action against Adobe and learn about a new social media platform that’s intentionally populated by AI bots. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Unifi U7 Pro Max, the first business access point we’ve seen with Wi-Fi 7.

The team discusses the latest announcements from Apple’s WWDC conference, while Elon Musk drops his lawsuit against OpenAI and HP laments falling print volumes. Our Hot Hardware candidate is once more a piece of software, viz. the latest edition of Adobe Lightroom.

The team discusses growing security concerns over Microsoft’s new Windows Recall feature, a storm in a toothmug over Oral B’s discontinued smart bathroom products, and Intel and AMD’s latest salvoes in the unfolding TOPS war. As sometimes happens, our Hot Hardware candidate is actually a piece of software, namely the latest release of the free LibreOffice suite.

The team is split over Google's wisdom in selling a smartwatch - plus subscription fee - for kids. Plus, our take on what's going on at OpenAI, why iFixit has broken up with Samsung and what we can learn from the "leak" of Google's search algorithm. And our Hot Hardware candidate is the Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3, a semi-rugged but portable laptop.

Links:
https://blog.google/products/fitbit/fitbit-ace-lte-smartwatch-kids/
https://www.ft.com/content/ccbdff7c-ede3-4d62-968d-189fb0205075
Custom GPTs open for free ChatGPT users - The Verge
HUGE Google Search document leak reveals inner workings of ranking algorithm (searchengineland.com)
Why turning motherboards to jelly could be a sustainability breakthrough thanks to vPCBs | TechFinitive
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqee727vnzmo
Tape is so dead, 152.9 exabytes of LTO shipped in 2023 • The Register
Panasonic Toughbook FZ-55 Full HD Touch Screen Mk3 14" Rugged Windows 11 Pro Notebook. From £2115.00 plus VAT (ultima-computers.co.uk)

The team explores Microsoft’s new Arm-based, AI-focused vision for Windows PCs; we also discuss the postponement of the UK landline switch-off, and ask how worried we should be about old web pages dropping offline. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Pixel 8a, the cheaper, smaller version of Google’s flagship smartphone.

The team discusses the latest announcements from Google’s I/O conference, leaked details of upcoming ARM-based Windows laptops and OpenAI’s new smarter-than-ever large language model. Our Hot Hardware candidate is Barry’s brand-new 13in iPad Pro – the latest M4 model with all the trimmings.

The team discusses Apple’s new M4-powered iPads, Ofcom’s proposals to keep kids safe online and Jack Dorsey’s quiet departure from the Twitter rival he founded. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Pokit Pro, a handy Bluetooth tool that serves as a multimeter, oscilloscope and more.

The team discusses new UK legislation that outlaws insecure default passwords, questions Google’s enormous payments to Apple and learns very little from Tim’s trip to Hungary. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Lenovo Legion Go, a handheld gaming PC that runs full Windows.

The team discusses the latest generative AI features added to Photoshop, considers the prospect of a US-wide ban on TikTok and revisits the eternal debate as to whether 8GB of RAM is enough for a laptop. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Passmark USB Power Delivery Tester, a clever tool that measures just how many watts your USB power supply is really putting out.

The team discusses new adverts popping up in Windows, an attempted deepfake attack on LastPass and the latest AI gaming innovations from Nvidia. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Asus RT-AX57 Go, a fully functional Wi-Fi 6 router that fits in your pocket.

The team discusses Google’s new video presentation tool, AI-based exam marking and how the UK police plan to use facial recognition to crack down on shoplifting. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Gurgle Apps Wi-Fi Word Clock, a fun and (just about) practical project based on the Raspberry Pi Pico W.

The team refuses to talk AI this week, instead focusing on a hack that bypasses hotel door locks, the latest Spotify price rises and why Samsung believes that Bixby is still worth backing. Plus, how much it costs to keep Windows 10 running, 20 years of Gmail and Barry tries to convince the panel that a pair of smart glasses should be Hot Hardware of the Week.

Links mentioned in this week's episode:
https://predr.ag/blog/wifi-only-works-when-its-raining/
https://ee.co.uk/smart-tech/smart-tech/tcl-nextwear-s-plus

And finally, our thanks to Nick Gassman for his much-needed help with the recording!

The team discusses Microsoft's Surface devices with AI capabilities, Oregon's new right-to-repair legislation, Affinity software's acquisition by Canva and X’s upcoming chatbot, Grock. Our Hot Hardware candidate is Seagate's 20TB Exos X20 enterprise hard drive.

To get your hands on a signed copy of Stuart Turton's latest book - The Last Murder at the End of the World - click this link to the Waterstones bookshop.

The team discusses Microsoft’s appointment of a new CEO of AI, the shocking story of a SIM-swapper and the truth about recyclable plastic packaging. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the HP Spectre Fold 17, a tablet-cum-laptop with a huge folding screen that can be yours for just cough-mumble pounds.

The team discusses Apple’s plans to lower the fences on its walled garden, Airbnb’s ban on surveillance cameras and Tim Berners-Lee’s future tech predictions. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Synology BeeStation, a simple, low-cost NAS appliance designed to replace Google Drive and other cloud storage services.

The team discusses a new milestone in Linux adoption, Apple’s bad-tempered compliance with new EU gatekeeping law and the latest spats in the world of AI. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Keychron C3 Pro keyboard; honestly, I can’t remember what’s supposed to be special about this one but Barry loves it.

The team discusses Microsoft’s new chipmaking deal with Intel, and rounds up the latest developments in the world of AI. We also discuss the DoJ’s controversial “white-hat” hacking of infected routers, and Amazon’s new Echo Hub smart-home controller. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Cetaitun Firewall Mini PC, a cheap, compact, silent computer with six Ethernet ports…

And if you like the sound of that, you can buy it here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CJC4J5RC

The team discusses skyrocketing investments in AI and cloud hardware; a collapse of employee morale at Google; and a clever trick that breaks Microsoft’s BitLocker disk encryption. We also ask how worried we should be by reports of electric toothbrushes being absorbed into malicious botnets, and round up the latest developments in right-to-repair legislation. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Ubiquiti UniFi Enterprise 8 PoE, a high-speed Layer 3 network switch costing under £500.

Finally, as promised, here’s a guide to enabling a BitLocker PIN in Windows 11: https://www.elevenforum.com/t/enable-or-disable-bitlocker-to-unlock-os-drive-at-startup-with-pin-and-usb-in-windows-11.4140/

The team discusses the first full reviews of Apple’s Vision Pro headset, new moves to regulate AI abuses, dissatisfaction over the UK government’s security plans and the serious consequences of “swatting”. Out Hot Hardware candidate is the Ubiquiti U7 Pro, the first wireless access point we’ve seen with Wi-Fi 7.

The PC Pro team discuss the implications of Amazon Ring sharing information with the Police and how Apple is reacting to the implementation of side-loading apps onto its devices. We look at Microsoft's planned upgrade of USB4 and chat about HP's plans to turn PCs into a subscription business. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Samsung S24 Ultra

The team discusses a pending lawsuit over ChatGPT’s notorious hallucinations, a mixed reception for Apple’s mixed-reality – sorry, “spatial” – headset, and independent confirmation that Google’s search results are getting worse. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Fairphone Fairbuds XL, an environmentally friendly pair of over-the-ear headphones.

In an on-location special, the team reports back from Las Vegas with their picks of the products and technologies unveiled at CES 2024.

The team is joined by CTA director Brian Comiskey for a look ahead to next week’s CES 2024 expo. We also discuss the technologies and companies that we said goodbye to during 2023, explore the US’ brief Apple Watch ban and consider new features coming to Windows. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the HP Envy Move, a “luggable” all-in-one PC with a 24in screen and a four-hour battery.

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 tablet.

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 of the AirJet laptop cooler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0k46Wnq3Rk

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 these shores.

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 Saturday 21 October 2023 and there are events all over the planet, many of them in the UK. There’s an interactive map so you can find out what is happening in your area: https://openrepair.org/international-repair-day/2023-events/

If you can’t attend in person, Global Fixers are running an online repair cafe on Saturday between 11am and 2pm - https://discord.gg/WZd4xWd

To find other Restart Parties and community repair events in your area, visit: https://therestartproject.org/parties/

Fiona Dear (https://therestartproject.org/about/who-we-are/) is the Co-Director of The Restart Project (https://therestartproject.org)

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.

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/347cherry.

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 in is Intel’s new monospaced font, and you can download it from here: https://github.com/intel/intel-one-mono

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.

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/acer-spatiallabs-view-pro)

View the US Congress Vs. TikTok session here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E-4jtTFsO4

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/product/app-controlled-cat-d11-bulldozer-42131

Try Microsoft Loop here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-loop

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.

Barry Collins and Jon Honeyball report from CES in Las Vegas, discussing the latest news from the world's largest technology show and delivering their verdicts on announcements and demos from Nvidia, Samsung and others.

The team discusses the prospect of rival app stores on the iPhone, a social media misstep for the Raspberry Pi team and a new AI chatbot that could help you renegotiate your bills. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Mercusys Halo H80X, a fast but very affordable wireless mesh.