Friction-maxxing and the rebirth of physical media

AI may be the only way to save obsolete tech

This week, Stephen and Daniel dive into the choppy waters of AI writing, and whether it's ever OK to consume AI-made media. And how AI-based coding tools may be the only way to fix obsolete machines that lack proper documentation. Plus, is the Pope a friction-maxxer? Feedback or comments? Email us at theoldscoolcast@gmail.com [theoldscoolcast@gmail.com] Find us on Instagram @theoldscoolcast [https://www.instagram.com/theoldscoolcast,] too. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Friction-maxxing and the rebirth of physical media

On this week's show, Stephen and Daniel dive into their childhoods full tape decks and portable CD players, their shared love of MiniDiscs, and how today's rise of friction-maxxing is bringing them all back (well, except maybe MiniDiscs). Plus, Daniel shares a deep dark secret he's never shared before, and Stephen tell us about his time as a DJ. Feedback or comments? Email us at theoldscoolcast@gmail.com [theoldscoolcast@gmail.com] Find us on Instagram @theoldscoolcast [https://www.instagram.com/theoldscoolcast,] too. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

I'm a Pisces and you're a Gemini (model)

This week on the show, we dive into the many, many announcements from Google I/O 2026, including new Gemini models, how ads will inevitably end up in Google's AI products, and whether the singularity is nigh (derogatory). Plus, our feelings on reality TV and 90s daytime television. We miss you, Bob Barker. Get your pets spade or neutered! Resources & Links: * Everything Google Announced at I/O 2026: Gemini, Search, Android XR & More [https://9to5google.com/2026/05/19/google-io-2026-news/] - 9to5Google * Google's AI Search Is the New Ad System [https://matthiasott.com/notes/ad-infinitum] - Ad Infinitum * Google I/O 2016 Keynote: All the Highlights and Announcements [https://www.theverge.com/2016/5/18/11701030/google-io-2016-keynote-highlights-announcements-recap] - The Verge Feedback or comments? Email us at theoldscoolcast@gmail.com [theoldscoolcast@gmail.com] Find us on Instagram @theoldscoolcast [https://www.instagram.com/theoldscoolcast,] too. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Googlebook can't be real, can it?

This week on the show, Stephen and Daniel dive into wonderful world of Google's Android Show, where they discuss the Googlebook; Android 17's Agentic AI transformation; and whether AI art is ever actually satisfying. Plus, a primer on cognitive surrender, and why Daniel always finds himself getting existential at around the three-quarter mark of every episode. AI-generated time stamps: 02:02 - Geopolitical headlines: Elon Musk, China, and the semiconductor ghost town 10:17 - Android’s latest: What Google announced last week and the significance of the Pixelbook upgrade 14:34 - Google's Gemini AI: Automating everyday tasks and system-wide AI integration 16:54 - The evolving interface: Background AI automation and user experience dilemmas 20:31 - Ambient computing and privacy fears: When AI starts 'knowing' too much 26:19 - The rise and fall of Apple's AI ambitions and Siri’s future 28:48 - Practical AI: From organizing photos to making your newsletter easier 30:10 - Deepfakes and AI-generated avatars: Ethical questions and emotional reactions 33:01 - Cognitive surrender: When we start trusting AI over our own thinking 35:12 - The ethics of AI art, fan creations, and the uncanny valley 41:24 - Nostalgia trip: Remembering early laptops like PowerBooks and ThinkPads 44:34 - How AI transforms niche content creation and micro-podcasts 51:17 - The long game: AI's role in consumer devices and the future of multitasking 55:20 - Will AI replace creative jobs? Perspectives on art, audio, and design 58:07 - Google’s new Google Book platform: A premium take on Chromebooks and ecosystem integration 64:10 - Hardware dreams: Combining the power of smartphones, Chromebooks, and desktop modes 65:50 - The dangers of AI-automated shopping and personal assistants 71:26 - Podcast consumption: Long form, background listening, and future trends 73:00 - Wrapping up: Reflections on trust, nostalgia, and the path ahead Resources & Links: * Everything Announced at The Android Show I/O Edition 2026 [ https://9to5google.com/2026/05/12/the-android-show-2026/] - 9to5Google * Why does the Googlebook exist? [https://www.theverge.com/report/929374/google-googlebook-laptops-aluminium-os-questions-concerns-ai-gemini] - The Verge * I used the Motorola Razr Fold for a week, and I think it's the best foldable [https://9to5google.com/2026/05/14/motorola-razr-fold-first-impressions-hands-on/] - 9to5Google * Is AI Coming for Our Thinking? Behold the Age of 'Cognitive Surrender' [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/social-trends/article-is-ai-coming-for-our-thinking-behold-the-age-of-cognitive-surrender/?intcmp=gift_share] - The Globe and Mail Feedback or comments? Email us at theoldscoolcast@gmail.com [theoldscoolcast@gmail.com] Find us on Instagram @theoldscoolcast [https://www.instagram.com/theoldscoolcast,] too. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

AI can't solve your laziness problem

In this week's episode, Stephen and Daniel delve into the evolution of fitness trackers by looking at the Fitbit Air; Google’s new universal AI-powered health platform; and the negative implications of smart glasses with cameras. Plus, Daniel gets addicted to vibe coding (it was only a matter of time) and Stephen teaches us how to bowl like a pro. AI-generated timestamps and descriptions: * The transition of Fitbit into Google's AI-powered health ecosystem and its impact on data interoperability (timestamps: 1:06 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA7WAwV_uTY&t=66s]–2:04 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA7WAwV_uTY&t=124s]) * The significance of device flexibility and unified health data across platforms like Apple, Fitbit, and Google (timestamps: 2:27 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA7WAwV_uTY&t=147s]–4:35 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA7WAwV_uTY&t=275s]) * The challenges of translating raw health data into actionable insights, especially for casual users (timestamps: 8:04 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA7WAwV_uTY&t=484s]–10:50 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA7WAwV_uTY&t=650s]) * Personal routines and sleep hygiene, and how sleep tracking tech continues to improve (timestamps: 21:38 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA7WAwV_uTY&t=1298s]–26:38 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA7WAwV_uTY&t=1598s]) * Privacy concerns with wearable recording devices, including Ray-Ban Meta glasses and legal gray areas (timestamps: 33:56 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA7WAwV_uTY&t=2036s]–37:27 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA7WAwV_uTY&t=2247s]) * The recent restrictions on portable power banks on airplanes, lithium-ion fire risks, and historical context with Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 (timestamps: 39:36 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA7WAwV_uTY&t=2376s]–43:02 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA7WAwV_uTY&t=2582s]) * The influence of nostalgia and market dynamics on device pricing and the resurgence of retro tech (timestamps: 47:42 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA7WAwV_uTY&t=2862s]–47:57 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA7WAwV_uTY&t=2877s]) * Innovative app development via AI assistance and security considerations of auto-generated and publicly accessible code (timestamps: 48:24 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA7WAwV_uTY&t=2904s]–52:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA7WAwV_uTY&t=3120s]) * The potential oversaturation and design uniformity of AI-generated web and mobile apps (timestamps: 52:26 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA7WAwV_uTY&t=3146s]–53:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA7WAwV_uTY&t=3210s]) Follow us on Instagram @oldscoolpod [https://www.instagram.com/@oldscoolpod] Send us feedback, comments and show suggestions @ theoldscoolcast@gmail.com [theoldscoolcast@gmail.com] Thanks for listening! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.