On the Desk of Brian

Episode 031:Malware, Matches, and Missing Discs

🎙️Episode 031:Malware, Matches, and Missing Discs 🌍 World Cup Economics — Vancouver may lose big hosting matches: $685-729M in costs vs. only $250M projected in tax revenue, per Pique Newsmagazine. ⏳ The Power of Waiting — Fast Company piece argues patience, not constant action, is an underrated leadership trait (see: JFK, Cuban Missile Crisis). 🚨 World Cup Piracy Bust — DOJ seized ~500 illegal streaming domains, per Reuters, which were also exposing users to malware. 📡 Starlink Goes Mobile — Motley Fool reports SpaceX may launch retail mobile service, riding Starlink's ~50% revenue growth. 📺 Silo Season 3 Shakeup — 9to5Mac breaks down big changes, including a blended timeline pulling from two different books. 🏢 Comcast Splits Off NBCUniversal — Engadget: Comcast spinning off NBC, Peacock, Bravo, and Sky, keeping Xfinity. 🎬 Sony Deletes 551 Movies — Nerdist: PlayStation libraries lose 551 films (including Terminator 2) on Sept. 1, no refunds. 💿 End of PlayStation Discs — Physical PS game production ends January 2028; brands like Domino's and KFC mocked the news online. 🏀 Suns Offseason Moves — Arizona Sports recaps: traded for Miles Bridges, signed Kennard, drafted Koa Peat. ⚾ MLB All-Star Week Preview — Philadelphia hosts July 10-14, featuring the Futures Game, Home Run Derby, and All-Star Game. 🏈 Sorsby Banned from CFL — ESPN: CFL won't register Sorsby amid gambling scandal, closing his last pro pathway. 🎓 ASU Heads to London — Arizona Sports covers Sparky's London tour ahead of ASU's Sept. 19 game and new London campus. ---------------------------- Sources: Economics https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/local-news/opinion-the-baffling-economics-of-hosting-the-world-cup-12469937 [https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/local-news/opinion-the-baffling-economics-of-hosting-the-world-cup-12469937] Productivity https://www.fastcompany.com/91563632/the-leadership-skill-no-one-teaches [https://www.fastcompany.com/91563632/the-leadership-skill-no-one-teaches] Technology https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/us-seizes-nearly-400-websites-that-were-illegally-streaming-world-cup-doj-says-2026-06-26/ [https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/us-seizes-nearly-400-websites-that-were-illegally-streaming-world-cup-doj-says-2026-06-26/] https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/06/26/spacex-might-soon-launch-a-starlink-mobile-internet-service-competing-directly-with-att-and-verizon/ [https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/06/26/spacex-might-soon-launch-a-starlink-mobile-internet-service-competing-directly-with-att-and-verizon/] Entertainment  https://9to5mac.com/2026/06/24/silo-returns-next-week-with-three-major-changes-for-season-3/ [https://9to5mac.com/2026/06/24/silo-returns-next-week-with-three-major-changes-for-season-3/] https://www.engadget.com/2203860/comcast-spins-off-nbcuniversal-as-it-exits-media-entirely/ [https://www.engadget.com/2203860/comcast-spins-off-nbcuniversal-as-it-exits-media-entirely/] https://nerdist.com/article/playstation-deleting-551-movies-from-customers-libraries/ [https://nerdist.com/article/playstation-deleting-551-movies-from-customers-libraries/] https://www.playstation.com/en-gb/legal/psvideocontent/ [https://www.playstation.com/en-gb/legal/psvideocontent/] https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/01/physical-disc-production-ending-in-january-2028-for-new-games-releasing-on-playstation-consoles/ [https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/01/physical-disc-production-ending-in-january-2028-for-new-games-releasing-on-playstation-consoles/] https://www.deseret.com/business/2026/07/02/companies-troll-playstation-for-stopping-production-of-physical-discs/ [https://www.deseret.com/business/2026/07/02/companies-troll-playstation-for-stopping-production-of-physical-discs/] Sports https://arizonasports.com/nba/phoenix-suns/2026-phoenix-suns-offseason-how-moves-viewed-so-far [https://arizonasports.com/nba/phoenix-suns/2026-phoenix-suns-offseason-how-moves-viewed-so-far] https://www.mlb.com/phillies/fans/all-star-game [https://www.mlb.com/phillies/fans/all-star-game] https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/49188893/cfl-says-brendan-sorsby-allowed-join-league [https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/49188893/cfl-says-brendan-sorsby-allowed-join-league] https://arizonasports.com/ncaa/arizona-state/arizona-state-football/sparky-trip-asu-london-union-jack-classic [https://arizonasports.com/ncaa/arizona-state/arizona-state-football/sparky-trip-asu-london-union-jack-classic]  ---------------------------- You & I both get a free month of Setapp with a paid subscription: ⁠https://go.setapp.com/invite/f12ydwun⁠⁠ [https://go.setapp.com/invite/f12ydwun%E2%81%A0] If you liked what you heard today, please be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes.  If you want to find me between episodes, I am often on MacVoices Live, which records on Tuesday evenings 8PM eastern, 5PM pacific. Macstock 9’s Digital Pass is now available!  https://macstockconferenceandexpo.com/product/macstock-ix-digital-pass/ [https://macstockconferenceandexpo.com/product/macstock-ix-digital-pass/] Please visit my website, brian8944.com [http://brian8944.com] so you can keep up with all my ongoing and upcoming projects.  You can also contact me there with any feedback you may have.

Episode 030: Coal Is Out, Knicks Are In

🎙️Episode 030:Coal Is Out, Knicks Are In 💡 Economics * 🌞 Solar surpassed coal in U.S. electricity generation for the first time ever in May (12.8% vs. 12.2%), making it the third-largest energy source nationally and the fastest-growing, with 7.8 gigawatts added in Q1 2026 alone. ⚡ Productivity * 📋 AI can help manage overwhelming to-do lists through five prompts: Triage, Eisenhower Matrix, Energy Budget, Ruthless Elimination, and 15-Minute Momentum — each designed to help prioritize, sort, and finally tackle avoided tasks. * 📶 Boost hotspot speeds by switching to the 5GHz band and selecting 5G Auto on your iPhone for faster data without sacrificing connectivity. 📱 Technology * 🍎 AT&T launched an Unlimited iPad Day Pass — $3 for 24 hours of data, first day free, no existing account needed. Requires a cellular, eSIM-capable iPad. * 🚗 iOS 27 brings CarPlay upgrades including parked video playback, audio scrubbing, a Dashboard mini-player, and Siri AI conversation history for iPhone 15 Pro and newer. 🎬 Entertainment * 📺 Fox is buying Roku for $22 billion, combining Roku's 100M streaming households and connected TV platform with Fox's sports, news, and Tubi. Deal closes first half of 2027; Roku stays open for streaming partners. 🏀 Basketball/Suns * 🏆 The New York Knicks are NBA Champions, defeating the Spurs 4-1. No repeat champion since 2019 — will the Knicks buck that trend next season? ⚾ Baseball/D-backs * 💰 Pirates ace Paul Skenes slammed the MLB owners' CBA proposal as "very, very bad," with the Players Association estimating it could cost players $500M. The current deal expires December 1, 2026, and players say they're willing to let games be cancelled. 🏈 Football/Packers * 💚 Minicamp standouts included Lukas Van Ness, MarShawn Lloyd, Josh Whyle, and Isaiah Neyor — with pass rush depth especially critical given Micah Parsons' expected early-season absence. 🎓 College/ASU * 🏈 Texas Tech QB Brendon Sorsby has decided to enter the NFL Supplemental Draft after being at the center of a major eligibility controversy regarding gambling. * 🏀 ASU basketball's Randy Bennett has nearly completed a roster overhaul featuring three 7-footers, eight international players, and a shift to a slower half-court style — with 10 of 14 players having eligibility remaining. ---------------------------- Sources: Economics https://sherwood.news/world/solar-generated-more-power-than-coal-in-the-us-for-the-first-time-ever/ [https://sherwood.news/world/solar-generated-more-power-than-coal-in-the-us-for-the-first-time-ever/] Productivity https://www.earthsattractions.com/what-to-do-when-your-to-do-list-is-too-long/ [https://www.earthsattractions.com/what-to-do-when-your-to-do-list-is-too-long/] https://www.makeuseof.com/i-stopped-setting-up-my-hotspot-the-default-way-and-got-noticeably-faster-speeds/ [https://www.makeuseof.com/i-stopped-setting-up-my-hotspot-the-default-way-and-got-noticeably-faster-speeds/] Technology https://9to5mac.com/2026/06/10/att-launches-new-3-unlimited-day-pass-plan-for-ipad-cellular/ [https://9to5mac.com/2026/06/10/att-launches-new-3-unlimited-day-pass-plan-for-ipad-cellular/] https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/everything-new-coming-to-carplay-with-ios-27/ [https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/everything-new-coming-to-carplay-with-ios-27/] Entertainment  https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/fox-acquiring-roku-1236781308/ [https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/fox-acquiring-roku-1236781308/] Sports https://www.nba.com/news/history-nba-champions [https://www.nba.com/news/history-nba-champions] https://www.sportskeeda.com/baseball/news-there-s-line-going-cross-pirates-ace-paul-skenes-makes-feelings-crystal-clear-mlb-s-first-cba-proposal [https://www.sportskeeda.com/baseball/news-there-s-line-going-cross-pirates-ace-paul-skenes-makes-feelings-crystal-clear-mlb-s-first-cba-proposal] https://thepackerspost.com/these-packers-players-have-stood-out-at-mandatory-minicamp/ [https://thepackerspost.com/these-packers-players-have-stood-out-at-mandatory-minicamp/]  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/big12/2026/06/15/big-12-filing-texas-tech-brendan-sorsby-punishment/90556918007/ [https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/big12/2026/06/15/big-12-filing-texas-tech-brendan-sorsby-punishment/90556918007/] https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/asu/2026/06/09/asu-basketball-roster-news-updates/90463487007/ [https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/asu/2026/06/09/asu-basketball-roster-news-updates/90463487007/] ---------------------------- You & I both get a free month of Setapp with a paid subscription: ⁠https://go.setapp.com/invite/f12ydwun⁠⁠ [https://go.setapp.com/invite/f12ydwun%E2%81%A0] If you liked what you heard today, please be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes.  If you want to find me between episodes, I am often on MacVoices Live, which records on Tuesday evenings 8PM eastern, 5PM pacific. Please visit my website, brian8944.com [http://brian8944.com] so you can keep up with all my ongoing and upcoming projects.  You can also contact me there with any feedback you may have.

Episode 029: Subject to Change

🎙️Episode 029: Subject to Change Economics * 💼 Most Americans retire earlier than planned, often due to health issues, layoffs, or caregiving responsibilities * 📅 Workers expect to retire at 65, but many end up retiring closer to 62 * 🗂️ Experts recommend having a backup retirement plan in case life intervenes Productivity * 🏆 Simon Sinek believes failure is a common thread among the world's most successful people * 📉 Research from Northwestern University suggests failure can increase future success when lessons are learned from it * 🍎 Steve Jobs being ousted from Apple in 1985 before his legendary return is cited as a prime example Technology * 👓 Smart glasses like Meta's Ray-Ban and Oakley models are becoming harder to spot in public * 💡 Look for small lenses near the hinges and recording indicator lights to identify camera-equipped glasses * 🕵️ Some hidden-camera glasses use tiny pinhole lenses, making them even more difficult to detect Entertainment * 🕷️ Spider-Noir starring Nicolas Cage released early on MGM+, then on Prime Video, and features both color and black-and-white versions * 🍎 Apple TV+ has maintained a quality-over-quantity approach over its 6+ years, resisting ads and focusing on creator-driven projects * 🚀 Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 debuts July 23rd on Paramount+, with a focus on supporting characters as the series winds down Sports * 🏀 The NBA overhauled its Draft Lottery system starting in 2027, rewarding competitive play and discouraging tanking * ⚾ MLB is anticipated to expand from 30 to 32 teams around 2032-2033, with Nashville and Salt Lake City as frontrunners * 🏈 An NFL stadium ranking highlights the Commanders, Bears, and Browns as needing upgrades, while Lambeau Field and others are considered untouchable ---------------------------- Sources: Economics https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2026/05/25/early-retirement-job-loss-health-layoffs/90218745007/ [https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2026/05/25/early-retirement-job-loss-health-layoffs/90218745007/] Productivity https://fortune.com/article/simon-sinek-successful-people-failure-hit-zero/ [https://fortune.com/article/simon-sinek-successful-people-failure-hit-zero/] Technology https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/are-you-being-secretly-recorded-heres-how-to-spot-smart-camera-glasses [https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/are-you-being-secretly-recorded-heres-how-to-spot-smart-camera-glasses] Entertainment  https://movieweb.com/spider-noir-mgm-plus-early-release-prime-video-schedule/ [https://movieweb.com/spider-noir-mgm-plus-early-release-prime-video-schedule/] https://www.macworld.com/article/3142153/how-apple-tv-changed-streaming-forever.html [https://www.macworld.com/article/3142153/how-apple-tv-changed-streaming-forever.html] https://www.cinemablend.com/streaming-news/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-season-4-feature-more-varied-stories [https://www.cinemablend.com/streaming-news/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-season-4-feature-more-varied-stories] Sports https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48903380/sources-nba-bog-votes-expand-lottery-disincentivizes-tanking [https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48903380/sources-nba-bog-votes-expand-lottery-disincentivizes-tanking] https://www.thebiglead.com/possible-mlb-expansion-has-2-cities-as-heavy-favorites/ [https://www.thebiglead.com/possible-mlb-expansion-has-2-cities-as-heavy-favorites/] https://www.totalprosports.com/nfl/5-nfl-teams-that-desperately-need-a-new-stadium-and-5-whose-stadiums-are-untouchable/ [https://www.totalprosports.com/nfl/5-nfl-teams-that-desperately-need-a-new-stadium-and-5-whose-stadiums-are-untouchable/] ---------------------------- Interested in subscribing to Setapp?  If so, you & I both get a free month of Setapp with a paid subscription at this link: https://go.setapp.com/invite/f12ydwun⁠⁠ [https://go.setapp.com/invite/f12ydwun%E2%81%A0] If you liked what you heard today, please be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes.  If you want to find me between episodes, I am often on MacVoices Live, which records on Tuesday evenings 8PM eastern, 5PM pacific. Macstock 9’s Digital Pass is now available!  https://macstockconferenceandexpo.com/product/macstock-ix-digital-pass/ [https://macstockconferenceandexpo.com/product/macstock-ix-digital-pass/] Please visit my website, brian8944.com [http://brian8944.com] so you can keep up with all my ongoing and upcoming projects.  You can also contact me there with any feedback you may have.

Episode 028: Talking to Computers and Paying Monthly Forever

🎙️Episode 028: Talking to Computers and Paying Monthly Forever 🧠 Economics: A Federal Reserve article explains how “mental accounting” causes people to treat money differently based on where it comes from, often leading to irrational spending and less awareness of long-term financial goals. 🗣️ Productivity: AI dictation tools like Wispr Flow are changing workplaces by letting people talk naturally to computers instead of typing, boosting productivity but making offices noticeably louder. 💻 Technology: Google is preparing to launch premium AI-powered “Googlebooks” laptops built around Gemini AI and Android, featuring tools like the new “Magic Pointer.” 💳 Apple/App Store: Apple will let users spread annual app subscription costs into monthly payments, though users remain locked into the full year even if they cancel early. 🍽️ Entertainment – The Bear: FX released a bonus episode called Gary that gives emotional backstory and character development ahead of the show’s final season. 🔎 Entertainment – Reacher: Prime Video renewed Reacher for a fifth season before Season 4 premieres after the show’s massive global success. 😂 Not a Sponsor: The comedy segment mocked modern spending habits, AI productivity culture, subscription fatigue, and emotionally exhausting streaming shows. 🏀 Suns/NBA: A Valley of the Suns article argues Phoenix fans should actually feel better after seeing the Thunder dominate multiple playoff opponents following their sweep of the Suns. 🏀 NBA Draft: Multiple mock drafts predict the Suns could target players like Jeremy Fears Jr., Keyshawn Hall, or Trevon Brazile with the 47th pick. ⚾ MLB ABS Challenges: New ABS challenge data shows several MLB hitters, including Josh Naylor and James Wood, are struggling with successfully overturning ball-strike calls. 🏈 NFL Schedule: Yahoo Sports highlighted must-watch NFL games this season, including Packers vs. Bears on Christmas Day and Lions vs. Bills in Buffalo’s new stadium. ---------------------------- Sources: Economics https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/page-one-economics/2026/apr/how-mental-accounting-shapes-our-financial-choices [https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/page-one-economics/2026/apr/how-mental-accounting-shapes-our-financial-choices] Productivity https://www.wsj.com/tech/typing-is-being-replaced-by-whisperingand-its-way-more-annoying-a804fee7 [https://www.wsj.com/tech/typing-is-being-replaced-by-whisperingand-its-way-more-annoying-a804fee7] Technology https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/googlebooks-premium-laptop-gemini-ai-chromebooks-android/ [https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/googlebooks-premium-laptop-gemini-ai-chromebooks-android/] https://appleinsider.com/inside/app-store/tips/how-to-save-on-annual-apple-app-store-subscriptions-with-a-catch [https://appleinsider.com/inside/app-store/tips/how-to-save-on-annual-apple-app-store-subscriptions-with-a-catch] Entertainment  https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a71218002/the-bear-surprise-episode/ [https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a71218002/the-bear-surprise-episode/] https://www.ign.com/articles/reacher-renewed-for-fifth-season-ahead-of-season-four-premiere [https://www.ign.com/articles/reacher-renewed-for-fifth-season-ahead-of-season-four-premiere] Sports https://valleyofthesuns.com/suns-2-astonishing-reasons-root-oklahoma-city-thunder-shai-playoffs [https://valleyofthesuns.com/suns-2-astonishing-reasons-root-oklahoma-city-thunder-shai-playoffs] https://www.si.com/nba/suns/onsi/who-mock-draft-experts-have-phoenix-suns-picking-after-lottery [https://www.si.com/nba/suns/onsi/who-mock-draft-experts-have-phoenix-suns-picking-after-lottery] https://fansided.com/mlb/latest-abs-data-reveals-which-mlb-hitters-are-wasting-challenges [https://fansided.com/mlb/latest-abs-data-reveals-which-mlb-hitters-are-wasting-challenges] https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/2026-nfl-schedule-the-top-10-must-watch-games-of-the-season-includes-many-thanksgiving-and-christmas-matchups-233801749.html [https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/2026-nfl-schedule-the-top-10-must-watch-games-of-the-season-includes-many-thanksgiving-and-christmas-matchups-233801749.html] ---------------------------- If you liked what you heard today, please be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes.  If you want to find me between episodes, I am often on MacVoices Live, which records on Tuesday evenings 8PM eastern, 5PM pacific. Macstock 9’s Digital Pass is now available!  https://macstockconferenceandexpo.com/product/macstock-ix-digital-pass/ [https://macstockconferenceandexpo.com/product/macstock-ix-digital-pass/] You & I both get a free month of Setapp with a paid subscription: ⁠https://go.setapp.com/invite/f12ydwun⁠⁠ [https://go.setapp.com/invite/f12ydwun%E2%81%A0] Please visit my website, brian8944.com [http://brian8944.com] so you can keep up with all my ongoing and upcoming projects.  You can also contact me there with any feedback you may have.

Episode 027: Mixtapes, March Madness, and Mental Breaks

🎙️Episode 027: Mixtapes, March Madness, and Mental Breaks 📦 Economics: Target is going big with next-day delivery, expanding to 50+ metro areas and reaching about 60% of Americans. 🛒 By turning local stores into mini shipping hubs, Target hopes to compete more directly with Amazon and Walmart while giving shoppers faster access to everyday essentials. 🧠 Productivity: Believe it or not, games like Wordle may actually help you work better. 🎮 Research suggests short mental breaks can improve focus, while puzzle-solving keeps your brain sharp through pattern recognition and critical thinking. ☁️ Technology: iCloud+ offers more than just storage. 🔒 Features like Private Relay and Hide My Email boost privacy, while perks such as custom domains, HomeKit Secure Video, Family Sharing, and Apple Invites add extra value for Apple users. 🎬 Entertainment: Ted Lasso returns August 5th on Apple TV+ ⚽ with weekly episodes through October. Meanwhile, the new game Mixtape 🎵 is earning rave reviews for its emotional story about friendship, memories, and growing up. 🏈 Sports: Green Bay’s NFL Draft hosting is still being praised as a smoother experience than Pittsburgh’s recent event, especially thanks to the atmosphere around Lambeau Field. 🧀 Meanwhile, NCAA March Madness is expanding to 76 teams in 2027 🏀, and Arizona State received a massive $10 million donation to strengthen its football program 💰. ---------------------------- Sources: Economics https://www.thestreet.com/retail/target-expands-next-day-delivery-nationwide-to-win-back-shoppers [https://www.thestreet.com/retail/target-expands-next-day-delivery-nationwide-to-win-back-shoppers] Productivity https://www.wric.com/news/can-playing-wordle-increase-productivity-in-the-workplace/ [https://www.wric.com/news/can-playing-wordle-increase-productivity-in-the-workplace/] Technology https://www.popsci.com/diy/icloud-perks/ [https://www.popsci.com/diy/icloud-perks/] Entertainment  https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/28/ted-lasso-season-4-just-got-its-apple-tv-release-date-and-first-trailer/ [https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/28/ted-lasso-season-4-just-got-its-apple-tv-release-date-and-first-trailer/] https://www.ign.com/articles/mixtape-review [https://www.ign.com/articles/mixtape-review] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixtape_(video_game) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixtape_(video_game)] Sports https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/green-bay-packers-analysis/82385/pittsburgh-highlights-just-how-well-green-bay-did-hosting-2025-nfl-draft [https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/green-bay-packers-analysis/82385/pittsburgh-highlights-just-how-well-green-bay-did-hosting-2025-nfl-draft] https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/ncaa/ncaa-76-team-march-madness-bracket-rcna342669 [https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/ncaa/ncaa-76-team-march-madness-bracket-rcna342669] https://arizonasports.com/ncaa/arizona-state-football/asu-donation/3619596/ [https://arizonasports.com/ncaa/arizona-state-football/asu-donation/3619596/] ---------------------------- If you liked what you heard today, please be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes.  If you want to find me between episodes, I am often on MacVoices Live, which records on Tuesday evenings 8PM eastern, 5PM pacific. Macstock 9’s Digital Pass is now available!  https://macstockconferenceandexpo.com/product/macstock-ix-digital-pass/ [https://macstockconferenceandexpo.com/product/macstock-ix-digital-pass/] You & I both get a free month of Setapp with a paid subscription: ⁠⁠https://go.setapp.com/invite/f12ydwun⁠⁠ [https://go.setapp.com/invite/f12ydwun%E2%81%A0] Please visit my website, brian8944.com [http://brian8944.com] so you can keep up with all my ongoing and upcoming projects.  You can also contact me there with any feedback you may have.