Solid State Podcast

Episode 18 - What’s in the box... Apple M2 MacBook Air

Often enough when it comes to consumer electronics, the equation is pretty simple… when the “next generation” comes out it should be better, faster, stronger and probably a little more expensive. But, we tell ourselves credit-card-in-hand, it’s worth it for the “new one”, right?
All kidding aside, that very rough math normally holds up whether it’s the latest phone, the biggest new TV, or the shiniest smart watch. With this year’s much-anticipated MacBook Air refresh, though, things just don’t feel that “cut and dry”, with it’s predecessor hanging out on the Store page right alongside with an often-discounted price tag to boot. 
This week, we’re hands-on with Apple’s newly minted M2 MacBook Air and dive through all of its updates, upgrades, and occasionally controversial features.
And in the end, that simple equation from earlier is met with an equally age-old question… is it worth it?

Episode 17 - The many faces of Android

The history of technology and gadget culture is one of debates and ideologies… “VHS or Betamax”… “I’m a Mac, and I’m a PC”… “Red vs. Blue”…
Today, though, no such standoff may be more present or far-reaching than that of iOS versus its age-old nemesis… Android…
But just saying something “runs Android” is kind of like saying a car “has an engine”… there are countless shapes, sizes, and takes on features that in a lot of ways vary based on the badge on the back of the device. 
So this week let’s take a look at what can only be described as the “many faces of Android”, and see which might suit you best?  

Episode 16 - The thing about High Quality Audio

On this show, nothing is ever quite good enough… we can’t help ourselves! Battery life can always be longer, load times can definitely be shorter, and in the case of this week’s episode the clear, crisp audio can always be refined just that little bit more…
Audio tech is every bit as much a “gadget” as your Xbox or Surface Pro, and really transcends so much of our gear because, at the end of the day, what good is a 4K Ultra-HD Blu-Ray if you can barely hear the action on screen? 
It’s time to deep dive the world of the aptly named (and priced) “High Quality Audio” tech, while trying not to spend our entire year’s budget in a single episode of browsing and wishful thinking…

Episode 15 - Parts Bin: Meta Quest news, Apple’s M2 MacBook Pro, and Atari Turns 50

If you’ve been with us since the beginning, you’ve probably at least figured out we’re just a little bit passionate about the tech we talk about each week…
And for better or for worse, we figured the only thing better than one piece of tech to chat on is… maybe three or four?
Okay, we admit it, you’re in for a bit of a roller coaster this week as we take a brisk run through the latest going on at Meta... first reactions to Apple’s “new” M2 MacBooks Pro… Atari celebrates 50 years… and finally wrap it up with some “what’s in the box” action with Asus’ new Zephyrus G14… 
All that, and maybe even a few other bits sprinkled in because we can’t help ourselves… welcome to our very first Solid State “Parts Bin” episode…

Episode 14 - The thing about Subscription Services...

The words “click to subscribe” may be one of the more immortalized of this generation… let’s face it, it’s everywhere!
Most of the time it’s a hook… to ensure that content garners someone’s attention not just once, but hopefully many times down the road…
But if we take a step above the “harmless” transaction of subscription… the economies in question quite literally change the moment actual currency enters the equation…
Yep, we’re talking subscription services this week… from the ubiquitous red envelop in every mailbox on your street (once upon a time) to vacuum-packed food cooked with a button-press so simple maybe you should have just had it cooked for you and delivered in the first place? 
So this week let’s take stock of where those credit card charge are actually going in $9.99 increments, while remembering to go hit “subscribe” on this show while you’re at it?

Episode 13 - Solid Bytes on... Digital Security

If you’ve listed to this show for more than a minute, you know we love this tech and the possibilities it opens up to the world every day…
But as with quite literally everything else in life, all of that wonder and amazement comes at the price of responsibility and an imperative to try and stay one half-step ahead of those out to do you harm… be it for profit, hate, or sadly even simple boredom…
We strive to keep it positive here on Solid State, and in the end this week is no different, so join us as we take a first of probably many looks at getting the most out of that tech while also keeping you, your family, and your work safe in an ever-evolving digital world…

Episode 12- Apple WWDC 2022

This week on the Solid State Podcast, it’s the one you’ve all been waiting for, if what you’ve been waiting for is a pair of mostly brand new laptops… that you can’t buy yet…
A tour de force of highly sought-after features for your phones, tablets, and computers… that you can’t download yet…
And a thousand-dollar “solution” to the Studio Display’s basically un-usable webcam…
It’s an over-sized episode that’s even willing to be broken up into 4 easy installments at 0% interest…
Let’s dive right in, it’s time to take a walk through Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference 2022…

Episode 11 - iPod... a History

Throughout tech, there have been category-defining products since Day Zero…
A lot of Nintendo Switch owners remember their first Game Boy, performing a web search is too commonly called “Googling”, but very few have both disrupted an industry AND held onto relevance long after their sales fell off the proverbial cliff…
Today, we’re here to bit adieu to an old friend, while also considering how it’s been sticking with us for the long haul all along… 
True, Apple has finally shuttered the sale of it’s last branded “iPod”, but let’s take a look at it’s past, affirm it’s impact on the present, and admit that maybe iPod’s effect will carry well into our future…

Episode 10 - My first PC... a History

First’s are really important… first car, first job, even your first high-score on Space Invaders.
But for us, equally important were our first PCs. They weren’t flashy, fast, or necessarily made from compatible parts, but they were ours.
Looking back we owe a whole lot of who we are today professionally and even personally to those trusty machines, so today we’re giving them the moment in the podcast spotlight they deserve.
Taking more of a sprint down memory lane, it’s time to reminisce about our very own First PCs…

Episode 9 - Google I/O 2022

In a world where our largest companies are effectively the scale of some entire countries, it’s a true statement when people refer to I/O as Google’s own “State of the Union”... 
Countless departments, teams, and visions colliding, inviting us to see through the haze of rhetoric and showmanship, attempting to piece together Google’s grand strategy for market dominance...
But it’s that very strategy that, too many, has appeared to elude Google for such a long time. Countless abandoned products, roads not taken, and big bets that delivered nothing short of vaporware...
This years I/O, though, seemed to feel a little different… and not just because some people were finally attending in person... but a thread could almost be seen, woven through each of the products, platforms, and feature announcements.
Let’s dive in both feet then, and see what lie’s ahead for Google, Android, and beyond at I/O 2022.