Category Archives: podcast

MobileViews Podcast 485: Amazon/Comixology rant; Using a sub-$100 Android tablet; and more


Steven Hughes, Sven Johannsen, Todd Ogasawara, & Jon Westfall

Jon Westfall and I are joined by frequent guest panelists Steven Hughes and Sven Johannsen for this podcast. Note that (roughly) the first half of the podcast was recorded using Adobe Podcast Studio beta. We encountered a technical issue at that point and switched to using Microsoft Teams and Rouge Amoeba Audio Hijack to record the second half.

  • YouTube now able to ingest audio-only podcasts using RSS. The MobileViews Podcast is now available on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@ToddOgasawara/podcasts
  • Surprised that Apple offered AppleCare+ warranty extensions
  • Todd Has been using a sub-$100 Android tablet. The experience is a good one if you manage expectations.
  • Todd received notice that he has access to Google NotebookLM but this does not appear to be availablle for his use
  • Todd’s rant: Amazon turning off the Comixology app on December 4 forcing users to use the less comicbook friendly Kindle app.
    Amazon is killing off its Comixology app in true supervillain fashion

    Note: I was fortunate to have been able to invite and host Comixology co-founder David Steinberger at the 2010 ThinkMobile conference (see photo here). Amazon bought Comixology in April 2014.

    Comixology co-founder David Steinberger at the September 2010 ThinkMobile conference.

  • Adam Savage CT scan of USB-C cable why Apples Cable costs $130

Available via Google Music Podcasts and Apple iTunes.

YouTube Podcasts channel

MobileViews Podcast from Audible.com

MobileViews Mini-podcast 40: Guest Philip Mow and Dr. James Young – robotics & UAVs. Mic test in a restaurant

Dr. James Young (left), Todd Ogasawara (center), Philip Mow (right)

In this mini-podcast Todd Ogasawara is joined by Philip Mow (Phil) and Dr. James Young (Jim) to test the SPKPAL USB-C microphone in a Greek Marina restaurant.

Audio recorded directly from the mic to an iPhone 15 Pro Max using the Just Press Record app. The audio volume recorded using the SPKPAL mic was a little low. However, the combination of Adobe Podcast Enhance service and Audacity corrected this in post-production. The first minute of the podcast was recorded using the iPhone 15 Pro Max built-in microphone. The remainder of the podcast was recorded using the SPKPAL micorphone.

The discussion topics focused on Jim’s post-retirement interests of robotics and UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).

The “podcast studio” setup in the restaurant

Gyro plate from Greek Marina

Jim Young’s robot

Available via Google Music Podcasts and Apple iTunes.

YouTube MobileViews Podcast channel

MobileViews Podcast from Audible.com

MobileViews mini-podcast 39: Outdoor recording using a low-cost SPKPAL USB-C cardioid mic


SPKPAL USB-C microphone


In this mini-podcast, I tested a low-cost ($40) SPKPAL USB-C cardiod mic to record audio outdoors in order to learn if it might be usable to record a group (more than two people) podcast in a environment with noticeable ambient sound (wind, traffic, other people).
The first half (about 3 minutes) of the podcast is the raw audio recording. In truth, I amplified the volume. However, no other post-processing was performed. The second half of the podcast is the same audio post-processed by Adobe Podcast Enhance.
Generally speaking, I’m pleased with the sound quality of both parts of the audio (unprocessed and processed) and plan to use this mic to record an in-person podcast soon.

Available via Google Music Podcasts and Apple iTunes.

MobileViews Podcast from Audible.com

MobileViews Podcast 483: A tale of Apple Watch Ultra woe


iPadOS 17 audio redirect


In this podcast, Jon Westfall and I discuss:

  • Todd learned that the Yealink UH37 headset mutes itself if its boom mic is raised vertically
  • iPad external display defaults to HDR after iPadOS 17 update
  • iPadOS 17 lets you direct audio to the iPad’s speakers instead of non-existent or weak display speakers when using HDMI/USB-C for video out
  • Apple Journal app in the App Store but only downloadable and usable if you are using iPadOS 17.2 (currently in beta)
  • What not to expect during Apple’s Oct. 30 “Scary Fast” event
  • Rumor: A $700 MacBook in 2024?
  • Rumor: An $800 Apple assistant? HomePod + iPad Mini
  • Jon’s tale of Apple Watch Ultra 2 heat woe

Available via Google Music Podcasts and Apple iTunes.

MobileViews Podcast from Audible.com

MobileViews Podcast 482: A discussion with Dr. David Lassner, President of the University of Hawaii

Todd Ogasawara (left). Dr. David Lassner (right).

I had the privilege of speaking with Dr. David Lassner, President of the University of Hawaii, to record this podcast during lunch on October 27, 2023. We discussed his amazing career at the university, the technology changes we saw and worked on over the decades with a focus on distance learning technology and the rollout of broadband services to enable enhanced Internet access.
We also had a brief Mobile Food Views discussion after enjoying our lunch at Big City Diner in Kaimuki.

Lunch at Big City Diner

Available via Google Music Podcasts and Apple iTunes.

MobileViews Podcast from Audible.com

MobileViews Podcast 481: Apple Pencil 0.5? Not all USB-C extension cables are equal; Air Pods 2 adaptive noise cancellation quirks

In this podcast, Jon Westfall and I discuss:

  • Using Google Meet to provide video while recording the podcast audio using Adobe Podcast Studio beta
  • Inexpensive 3rd party pop shield for Todd’s Yealink UH37 headset
  • The 2023 Apple Pencil USB-C. Aka Apple Pencil 0.5
  • Differences in case designs for the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s Action Button
  • USB-C extension cable quirks
  • Jon’s Apple Watch 9 Ultra impressions
  • Jon’s comments about Air Pods Pro 2 adaptive noise cancellation quirks
  • 9to5Google: Google Photos now always backs up RAW images and shows in main grid

Available via Google Music Podcasts and Apple iTunes.

MobileViews Podcast from Audible.com