The Symbiotek Podcast

AT&T Buys T-Mobile, Amazon's Cloud Drive, Google Drops QR Codes

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:44:11 -0700

AT&T Buys T-Mobile, Amazon's Cloud Drive, Google Drops QR Codes

Ep. 59 "iPad 2, Motorola v. Samsung"

Sat, 05 Mar 2011 09:08:11 -0800

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne and Chris chat about the launch of the iPad 2, Motorola vs. Samsung as Android leaders, and more!

Topics Discussed

Motorola, Samsung and Android
iPad 2 thoughts
Intel's Thunderbolt interface, AKA Lightpeak

Featured Music

M83, "Teen Angst"; Sidhe, "Amethyst Caverns" (from the Shatter game soundtrack)

Ep. 58 "Google on a roll: Nexus S, Chrome OS, eBooks"

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 13:21:36 -0800

News Discussion

Google's big week!

Nexus S coming
Chrome OS netbook stuff
Ebook store
Google Maps update looks CRAZY good

Wikileaks talkRun down

Playstation Android phone gets benchmarked
Notion Ink Adam Android tablet up for preorder
BlackBerry PlayBook tablet updates
Looxcie

Featured Music

"The Grid", "Derezzed", "Finale" - Daft Punk, Tron Legacy Soundtrack

Ep. 57 "The Nexus S, iPhone 4's overdesign flaws"

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:58:02 -0800

Ep. 56 "Apple goes back to the Mac, Google TV impressions"

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 21:19:08 -0700

The Macbook Air!

Ep. 55 "Verizon iPad, Google Earnings, Windows Phone 7 launch"

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 21:15:42 -0700

Discussion Highlights

    * (02:39) Apple announces "Back to the Mac" event, and also explains that come November, the iPad will be available in Verizon Wireless stores. We explain why it actually might be a better deal.
    * (14:45) But why announce on the 14th? To Steal Google's earnings thunder.

    * (14:45) Google is earning billions and showing phenomenal growth - but on more than just Search. We get into why this is important for them, even if the average consumer doesn't care.
    * Google's also diversifying on some other fronts:
          o Renewable Energy
          o Cars that drive themselves

    * (24:15) Windows Phone 7 - The New Kid on the Block.
          o Is it too late for MS?
          o How will they differentiate themselves in what seems to be a crowded mobile space? Answer? The HUB.
    * (44:00) What the heck is Free Public WiFi? And how come whenever I join it, it never works!?! NPR broke it down, and we absolutely crush it into little digestible bits.
    * (59:08) The Rundown!
          o (50:40) Logitech Revue does not support over-the-air HD TV. You need Cable!
          o (52:30) Google has a car which drives itself!
          o (57:40:) New Unbuntu is out - and Chris is excited.
          o (1:01:32) Virgin Mobile MiFi is not quite sold out, so get one soon if you want a wireless hot-spot with no contract.
          o (1:03:01) Chris's Awesome Announcement. Congratulate the guy people.

Featured Music

    * Music: M83 "Teenage Angst, Running into Flowers", The Prodigy "Colours"

Ep. 54 "Microsoft buying Adobe, Logitech's Revue, BlackBerry PlayBook & Verizon iPhone"

Sun, 10 Oct 2010 16:41:25 -0700

Discussion Highlights

(02:39) MS in talks with Adobe. Is this about acquisition or just how to compete with Apple?
(21:09) Google TV! The Logitech Revue is the first set-top box powered by Google TV. Pricing and feature-set have been announced. What does it mean to Google and more importantly, what does it mean to you?
- $299 for the box & keyboard remote control.
- $129 for the miniature remote which uses Logitech's Harmony technology.
- $150 for the Logitech optional WebCam.
- Free Android and iPhone remote control apps.
(37:33) Resurgence of the Verizon iPhone Rumour, and why it seems to matter more this time:
- White iPhone 4's delay could be to Apple ramping up on CDMA iPhone 4 production
- Qualcom's CDMA antenna technology mentioned as a piece of phone for the Verizon network
- Verizon mentions that their LTE network will be in certain major US cities by the end of 2011 - exactly what would be needed to put all of the functionality of the current iPhone on Verizon.
- The concrete bullet points are reminiscent of the buzz before the iPad announcement.
(47:13) Amazon to launch their own marketplace for the sale and distribution of Android Apps. Is this more Android cannibalization? Or is it exactly what Google's mobile platform needs?
(51:10) The Blackberry Playbook: Enterprise's dream device? Or vaporware desperation from the complacent grandfather of smartphones which doesn't want to be left behind?
(59:08) The Rundown!
- (59:13) GDGT investigates & evangelizes an iPhone 4 problem which they see as the next AntennaGate
- (1:04:29) LaTimes reports that Red Light/Traffic Camera's don't stop accidents and they don't earn the city money.
- (1:07:11) Graphene could change the world here in the 21st Century the same level silicon did in the 20th Century.
- (1:12:28) Moore's Law is in effect, but we wanna see higher specs! We love our quad cores and Nihalem technology, but where's the 5ghz CPU!?!

Featured Music

Music: M83 "Teenage Angst, Running into Flowers", The Prodigy "Colours"

Ep. 53 "Twitter Exploit, Facebook Down, The Age of Streaming Media (Vimeo, Youtube, Netflix)"

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 01:04:47 -0700

Discussion Highlights

(03:50) Twitter Mouse-Over Exploit. How'd it happen? Repercussions?
(12:47) Twitter in the long run - Security & Monetization (Chris breaks it down)
(19:33) Facebook goes down...and the US sees a productivity uptick along the lines of the Arsenal of Freedom.
(25:44) YouTube & Vimeo have HTML5 players, and Vevo's App gets an update. Let's not forget Netflix on iPhone
(25:44) Netflix launches in Canada. What does this mean for content in the living room? Blockbuster finally falls and we take apart the media giant's colossal fall (Redbox)
(43:43) Apple changes it's iOS developer agreement again - this time it's for the better. Google Voice apps get accepted, and Apple allows for a VLC player app.
(56:24) A Preview of Windows Phone 7 - Chris & Dwayne were hands on with the test devices.
(1:02:32) Video and Casual gaming - then and now, a Chris Burnor perspective (read: MineCraft)
(1:09:25) The Rundown!
- (1:09:32) www.planetmichael.com - A Michael Jackson Massively Multiplayer game
- (1:03:31) Transform your pizza box into plates! Saves some papr/cardboeard people!
- (1:13:16) TuneUp - organize your music collection, automgically.
- (1:17:33) Devindra goes over the Venturebeat DEMO conference with an emphasis on E-Fuel and Card 2.0.
- (1:21:08) iPhone Awareness app will save hipsters' lives.
- (1:24:05) Mint - the Roomba-type robot that will mop your wood floors.

Featured Music

Music: My Morning Jacket -- One Big Holiday, Mahgeetah, Steam Engine

Ep. 52 "New iPods, Apple TV, Ping, New Tablets, Cutting the Cable Cord"

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:10:49 -0700

: The Age of Digital Streaming Has Arrived

Welcome to Episode 52 people, where Apple reigns the conversation! Apple drops new iPods, iTunes 10 and a new Apple TV. Ping falters as Apple forgets to add their Genius tech. The team gets into how to get the hell off the narcotic that is the cable We also speak about some tablet updates. And then, there's The Rundown.

Subscribe via iTunes or via RSS (for other media players), stream it with the player below, or download the episode. As always, you can email us at symbiotekpodcast@gmail.com.

Discussion Highlights

(02:50) Apple's September 1st Event - Announcements and significance.
- (08:19) The iPod Touch as a gaming platform: Epic Citadel & Apple's Entertainment Competition
- (17:52) Ping (and it's problems) - Apple's new "Social" network, but not really.
- (22:36) Apple TV 2010 - Netflix, iTunes, AirPlay, FOX+ABC rentals, but no Hulu and no Apps.
(33:39) Ready to free yourself from the Clutches of Cable?
- (33:40) We start by looking at Boxee (platform) & Boxees's upcoming Boxee Box by D-Link.
- (40:24) Roku Player - $99 for 1080p, Netflix, Pandora, ABC+FOX rentals, & Hulu, but no DLNA.
- (42:12) Google TV attempts to evolve TV - Apps, Netflix, full Flash support(YouTube) & built into your cable service without the clutter of many set-top boxes. Maybe DLNA
- (46:34) X-Box 360 - ESPN3.com, Netflix, DLNA, MS Media Rental & Purchasing, but no 1080p divx streaming support.
(49:06) The Fall and Winter will be full of Tablets (Christmas time):
- Samsung Galaxy Tab (based of the Galaxy S), Notion Ink Adam update, and why Google may be choosing Chrome over Android for tablets
- Archos is back too - with 5 separate tablets - "how do you tab?"
(58:25) The Rundown!
- (58:29) Virgin Mobile's no-contract, $40/mo., unlimited data plan, MiFi (On Sprint's Network)
- (1:03:31) New Skype Beta allows for 10-person simultaneous video chat? This is crazy!
- (1:05:36) Google purchases Social Deck - a social game developer.
- (1:06:28) The JooJoo Saga - Judge throws out many of Arrington/TechCrunch's Complaint claims. When will this Tale be over!?

Featured Music

Music: Hans Zimmer - Mombasa, Dream Within A Dream, from Inception OST

Ep. 51 "Realtime Search, Gmail Phone Calls, Digg 4, MPEG-LA & More Facebook Places"

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:33:48 -0700

Discussion Highlights

(02:17) Facebook Places Vs. Google Places. Both are aiming for local advertisers. Which tech giant's strategy will succeed?
(17:47) Google's Gmail Voice Call allows users to make calls from a web browser... to a real phone. Without paying. What's Skype to do?
(22:01) Realtime Search! What is it and why are Yahoo and Google making moves in this area?
- Google's Realtime Search Update
- Yahoo's Realtime Search Update (OneRiot)
- Blekko's New Search Tactics (Customized Searches)
(33:55) The New Digg.com: Digg 4.x Can Kevin Rose save one of the pillars of Web 2.0?
(40:20) MPEG-LA's new plans for the H.264 Codec: It's Free. Sort Of.
(53:13) The Rundown!
- (53:22) Facebook gives Hacker News/Y Combinator start-up's "VIP treatment."
- (1:00:16) Diaspora's almost here. Chris has the updates.
- (1:05:20) Finally, a "stovetop" heating surface for the 21st Century.
- (1:10:27) Nike patents automatically lacing sneakers and finally, we've been brought Back to the Future! (2!)

Featured Music

Music: Shiro Sagisu - Magma Diver, Barefoot in the Park (from the Evangelion soundtracks)

Ep. 50 "Facebook Places, Intel buys McAffee, Startups In NYC"

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 23:57:16 -0700

The big Five-Oh! Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris go on about Facebook's newly launched Places feature and whether it's worth abandoning traditional geo-location social networks. They also head into the Intel purchase of McAffee, using the available data to look at where Intel's heading a decade into the Third Millenuim. And then, of course, there's the Rundown-- this week, the three take time to explore New York's rapidly growing tech scene.

Subscribe via iTunes or via RSS (for other media players), stream it with the player below, or download the episode. As always, you can email us at symbiotekpodcast@gmail.com.

Discussion Highlights

(02:18) Facebook launches "Places." How does it stack up to 4Square, GoWalla, and the previous late entry, Twitter?
- (07:49) And what are the privacy issues?
(26:06) Intel Spends all of its cash on virus-scan software maker McAffee, but WHY?! The guys use the available data to make sense of it all, and spark a discussion on the ethics of tech & a free market.
The Rundown!
- (50:44) New York as New Tech's Rising Star? Why now? Kelly Sutton has some valid points for NYC over SF.
- (58:12) Yahoo - Bingified. Finally.

Featured Music

Music: Neon Indian, "Psychic Chasms", "Mind, Drips."

Ep. 49 "Google, Verizon, and Net Neutrality"

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 19:25:13 -0700

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris chat about Google and Verizon's plan for an "open internet", foreign countries threatening to ban BlackBerries for security reasons, and the death of the Plastic Logic Que ereader.

Discussion Highlights

(04:15) Google and Verizon talk net neutrality
(30:10) BlackBerry comes under fire from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, India, and more
(40:55) The death of the Plastic Logic Que ereader
The Rundown!

(51:21) Samsung backs up Galaxy S Android phones with plenty of accessories
(57:05) How to get Amber Alerts for lost kids texted to you
(1:01:00) Apple TV now iTV, a few more potential details emerge

Featured Music

Sex Bob-omb -- "We Are Sex Bob-omb", "Threshold" -- from the Scott Pilgrim Soundtrack

Ep. 48 "Wikileaks, Android Announcements & Watching the Watchers"

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 22:53:16 -0700

Discussion Highlights

(02:47) Consumer tech and law enforcement. What happens when citizens start watching the watchers?
- (15:22) Law enforcement isn't ready to give up the privilege of having the infrastructure of evidence on their side.
- (22:55) As society catches up with tech, is the response to citizen surveillance one that goes too far?
(29:26) BP gets caught using doctored photos of their Gulf Oil Spill clean-up efforts-- not by experts, but by tech enthusiasts. The Pro-Sumer has finally arrived.
- (37:36) www.ErrorLevelAnalysis.com! Like playing sleuth? Take your browser there, the tech is a great treat.
(44:14) Wikileaks - What is it? Who runs it? What's its impact? Why is this new media technology the greatest thing to happen to old media in a long, long time.
- (55:50) So what makes Wikileaks different from any other user/fan-based site which hosts illegal content?
- (59:10) So what's the link to Journalism again? We spell out how they affect how you get your news.

(1:04:53) Finally some Android Tablets are coming down the pike. (Follow-Up of story from last week)
- Asus Drops Windows for Android Based Eee Pad Tablet
- HP Moves to TradeMark "PalmPad"

(1:14:08)The Rundown!
- (1:04:24) Microsoft's New Slogan, "Be What's Next." Will it help? Does it really matter? Patrick is out for blood, and wants Ballmer ousted.
- (1:20:47) Boxee Box hardware finalized, but bizarre as it may sound, it might be too late for it to take off given the imminent release of GoogleTV hardware. Then again, you'd still need cable for GoogleTV. We lay it out.
- (1:33:15) Symbiotek Green: Lincoln's MKZ mid-sized luxury sedan is now available as a Hybrid-- but instead of charging more, it will costs the exact same amount of money as the traditional V6. When Hybrids are dollar for dollar the same outset cost as traditional vehicles, will the promise of cheaper payments at the pump help them fly out of showrooms?
- (1:44:40) BioTech - Rat Lungs regenerated by scientists. Scientists GREW a pair of lungs. Fifth Element, here we come!
- (1:49:49) Patrick Speaks out on Education and Anti-Intellectualism. Get some of the former and throw away the latter!
(1:57:49) Easter Egg: 15 seconds of ridiculum....

Featured Music

Radiohead, Studio Kid A: "National Anthem,;" "Idioteque;" and Scala covering Radiohead from the music from the Original Motion Picture Soundrack: “Creep.”

Ep. 47 "Apple AntennaGate, E-Fuse on Droid X"

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:26:31 -0700

Discussion Highlights

(01:39) Apple's Anti-Recall
- It's gonna cost Apple some MONEY as they give away many a bumper case
(27:16) The Droid X

Impressions
Specs
Efuse? What the What?

(49:55)The Rundown! (50:14) End of Nexus 1(53:28) Why haven't there been any Android Tablets launched?(59:21) Michael Arrington's new Robot...and why it costs more than the JuJu. (64:19) Renewable Energy for Cell Phone Towers? Sign us up!

Featured Music

Escaflowne, Music from the Original Series Soundtrack: “Cubic;” "Flying Dragon;' & “Dance of Curse”

Ep. 46 "On the death of Microsoft's Kin, iPhone 4 antenna troubles"

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:02:40 -0700

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris chat about the unsurprising demise of Microsoft's Kin phones and the many internal details that have leaked out about it, as well as the iPhone 4 antenna issue.

Discussion Highlights

(01:39) Microsoft kills the Kin

Engadget's rundown on what happened, Ars Technica's rundown
Mini-Microsoft's compilation of insider info

(31:58) Our thoughts on iPhone 4's antenna issuesThe Rundown!

(48:52) Solar powered planes
(52:45) Lucasfilm upset about laser replicas
(55:23) Microsoft's Instaload battery tech

Featured Music

Them Crooked Vultures "Dead End Friends"; Ryuichi Sakamoto "Self Portrait"

Ep. 45 "iPhone 4 impressions, Amazon's expanding cloud"

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 12:18:16 -0700

In the first episode of Symbiotek's second season, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss their impressions of the iPhone 4, Amazon's state of affairs inspired by its Woot purchase, and how technology may be used in future World Cups.

Discussion Highlights

(06:48) Our iPhone 4 impressions

We compare it to the Evo 4G, Samsung Galaxy S, and iPad

(44:14) On Amazon's Woot purchase, and its expanding cloud

Including how Zappos, IMDB, and Audible fits into Amazon's gameplan

(1:10:08) On FIFA's use of technology in the World Cup, and how that may change The Rundown

(1:23:00) Seagate launches 3TB external hard drive
(1:29:38) Blockbuster gets delisted from the NY Stock Exchange
(1:34:10) Hulu introduces Hulu Plus premium service
(1:39:45) Bloomberg says Verizon iPhone coming early next year
(1:45:28) Google buys travel data company ITA

Featured Music

Bad Dudes and the One Ups - Chronotorious, Star Stealing Girl, Cave Girl - from Chronotorious and Time & Space

Ep. 44 "The Apple Empire Strikes Back (WWDC, iPhone 4, iOS4, iAd)"

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 23:48:10 -0700

Discussion Highlights

(01:52)Apple's WWDC Overview
1. (03:40) iPhone 4, design, features, and, new technology development history.
  - (22:00) Looking at the iPhone 4 hadrware and projecting it onto the iPad 2 (speculation station)
  - (27:00) iMovie on the iPhone. Apple shows advanced software that steps away from the keyboard and mouse paradigms.
  - (30:42) Apple & AT&T-- the relationship under strain?
  - (39:08) A call to Congress to conform wireless network standards across 4G (LTE) and changes to the AT&T data plans
2. (46:50) Apple's iAd and competitiveness: A breakdown.
  - (50:35) Apple block's AdMob
  - (51:55) What Ads are to the web
  - (52:41) The debate on whether or not iAd is anti competitive or not.
  - (59:55) The Safari 5 tie-in and the lack of B2B platform support.

(1:11:27) The Rundown!
- (1:11:30) iPad 3G/AT&T security breach
- (1:18:30) China Raises Wages So Prices for their goods may Rise:
- (1:24:46) Tested show us a really, really, useful How To: Utils for ripping your data off the cloud
  - Flickr, Google Docs, Word Press, and even Tumblr

Featured Music

Music: M83 - Teen Angst, Run Into Flowers, Gone (Live)

Ep. 43 "Microsoft's decline, Asus %26 MSI unveil tablets- (Guest- Patrick Roanhouse from the Plan8 podcast)"

Sun, 06 Jun 2010 18:30:40 -0700

Discussion Highlights

The Decline of Microsoft? (in 6 parts)

(03:18) Microsoft has a lower Market Cap (numbers of shares multiplied by share price) than Apple.
(06:40) The death of the Courier revisited- MS is lacking innovation! And great talent is leaving because of it.
(09:50) Google rejects Microsoft Windows as an acceptable operating system for their employees.
(19:37) The Kin phones and why they're a symbol of a company out of touch.
(27:01) Steve Jobs came back..but Bill Gates went away. Was that the beginning of the decline?
(31:20) There is hope. It's called the X-box. X-Box live and X-Box's Netflix implementation are nice.

(42:00) Asus, MSI finally unveil their tablets!

(50:33) TechCrunch Disrupt, why it was awesome, and why Yahoo!'s CEO told Arrington to !@!)#! off. There's also Solutu winning the start-up battlefield. Their tech is Loooooooong overdue.
(1:09:12) The Rundown! Can We do each story in 5 min or less?

(1:09:12) AT&T changes pricing. Why and does it help consumers?(FAIL ;-)
(1:18:55) We learned of a radical update to the Apple TV device. And we're excited (FAIL)
(1:23:25) First HTML 5 video player @ www.videojs.com. Plays Web>M, H.264, and a whole lot more. (SUCESS!)
(1:25:23) Internet Explorer IX & it's MSDN tests show it's TOTALLY HTML 5 Comaptible. AT LAST PEOPLE!! (SUCESS!)
(1:27:43:) Steve Jobs says iPad will replace personal's computer. Patrick goes into Apple's patent portfolio to explain the integration between iPad and Personal Computer. (Yes, apple invented PCs...why they make fun of the term now, we may never know) (SUCCESS!)
(1:30:55) The Dell Streak will cost $500 people. And it's unlocked in the US. Patrick thinks it's like Steak. A delicious mini tablet wonderful yummyt-bone. Dwayne disagrees. And Don't listen to Devindra - Dwayne wears Levis 527 boot cut jeans. And he's insecure.

MUSIC! Sleigh Bells - Tell 'Em, Crown on the Ground, Rill Rill

Check us out on http:www.symbiotkpodcast.com people!

Ep. 42 "Google IO and artificial life"

Thu, 27 May 2010 18:57:54 -0700

(02:40) Google IO -- The Google developer conference-- mind-blowing item by mind blowing item.

(06:00) What made Google IO feel different (the difference between Google & Apple)?
(13:47) Deep into Google TV
(32:09) YouTube "Lean Back"

(33:39) Android 2.2: Froyo - Up to 5x Faster than Android 2.1

(47:33) Chris calls out a disctiontion: Apple's a design Company while Google's an engineering company.
(49:47) Google Mobile Adsense
(50:58) Diggs at Apple by Google IO speakers. Apple is the reason why Android is so robust.
(58:05) Google's Android Marketplace (Music Store + Androd App Station)
(58:38) Google Wave, Google Translate as an Android App and real-time subtitles.

(1:05:01) The artificially created cell. Are Cylons next!?!

(1:12:20) Moore's Law for Biotech? Moore's Law at all?

(1:16:43) Have Tesla and Toyota Struck a deal? News on the upcoming Model S.(1:25:00) The Rundown!(1:25:11) Apple ready to sell 24 million 4th generation iPhone devices at launch(1:28:45) Google allows for 3rd party gmail apps. (1:31:21) WebM/VP8 already threatened by MPEG LA patent pool.(1:39:00) MetaFilter uses the power of social networking to save some young Russian immigrants from human traffickers. (1:42:21) The 4Chan effect revisited(1:44:30) 30th Anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back. Geek out!!!!

Featured Music

My Morning Jacket - One Last Holiday, Mahgeetah, Steam Engine

Ep. 41 "Android sales surpass iPhone, Facebook backlash grows"

Tue, 18 May 2010 23:19:00 -0700

(02:57) The Rise of Android - Google takes the No. 2 spot in smartphone sales for Q1 2010.
(16:39) Sprint announces release date for HTC Evo 4G - June 4, 2010.
(23:03) More Facebook Backlash - Early De-Dopters (we told ya so) and the Uncanny Valley of FB Privacy.
(35:16) And Facebook's got multiple technical glitches to sort out.
(40:20) Even social game giant Zynga may leave Facebook! But why?

(50:00) The Music Revolution - is it here yet? How some bands are using Web 2.0 tech to make it without the recording industry.
(58:12) Remembering the most excellent and righteous term: WebMaster
The Rundown!
(1:00:56) Eco Eco Eco -- China's poop-powered meat factory (no joke!)
(1:06:15)Europe Finds Clean Energy in Trash.
(1:08:41) Obsolete phone boxes saved by rise of the electric vehicle (via Do the Green Thing)
(1:11:03) Microsoft announces October 2010 launch date for Natal.
(1:15:38) Blippy Users Streaming $1.5 Million in Purchases Per Week

Featured Music

– Shiro Sagisu, Various Artists, (from the Neon Genesis Evangelion Soundtrack - "Both of You, Dance Like You Want to Win!")

Ep. 40 "Facebook privacy issues, Skype group video chat, and the Droid Incredible"

Tue, 11 May 2010 21:09:27 -0700

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss their issues with Facebook's F8 announcements, and what they mean for our privacy. They also discuss Skype's upcoming group video chat feature, and Chris tells all about his new Droid Incredible.

Discussion Highlights

(02:20) Chris tells us why he loooves his Droid Incredible
(29:45) Facebook's F8 announcements, and our growing privacy concerns
(59:25) Skype's announces group video chat, and why that's sort of a big deal
(1:12:45) The New York Times reports on the war against wind energy
The Rundown!

(1:30:19) Ellen apologizes for making fun of Apple
(1:33:20) Google Maps shows you how to avoid Arizona
(1:35:00) Open Street Maps -- the Wikipedia for maps
(1:38:10) Google adds Wave embed API, Twitter creates tool for embedding tweets

Featured Music

Sidhe – Kinetic Harvest, Argon Refinery, Amethyst Caverns (from the Shatter game soundtrack)

Ep. 39 "HP buys Palm, Microsoft kills its Courier tablet"

Tue, 04 May 2010 20:33:36 -0700

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris chat about HP's purchase of Palm, lament the loss of Microsoft's Courier tablet, and discuss Apple's purchase of the personal assistant app Siri.

Discussion Highlights

(02:00) HP buys Palm!

And also cancels its Windows 7 tablet

(27:40) Microsoft's Courier tablet project is dead(42:45) Microsoft licenses patents to HTC(51:05) Apple shuts down Lala and purchases SiriThe Rundown!

(1:11:50) Steam hits Mac on May 12
(1:15:40) Environmental stories: What the Icelandic volcano can teach us about nuclear war,and the Gulf oil spill
(1:26:30) Rutgers lab studies female orgasm through brain imaging

Featured Music

Bad Dudes - Chronotorious, Castle Rock, Cave Girl - from Chronotorious, a Chrono Trigger remix album

Ep. 38 "Gizmodo's Lost iPhone Fiasco, Blippy's Privacy Fail, Dell's Killer Smartphones"

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 19:39:53 -0700

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris chat about Gizmodo's next-gen iPhone scoop, Blippy inadertently revealing user's credit card numbers, and Dell's new killer Android and Windows Mobile smartphones, Thunder and Lightning.

Discussion Highlights

(03:00) Gizmodo's next-generation iPhone fiasco
(26:00) Blippy's privacy trouble: User credit card numbers on Google
(33:50) Dell strikes with Thunder and Lightning, high-end Android and Windows Phone 7 smartphones
(50:20) Chris chats about his smartphone buying experience
The Rundown!

(1:03:30) Fusion Garage may have sold only 64 Joojoos (we are not surprised)
(1:08:20) Android Eee tablet may be coming soon
(1:10:30) The hazards of 3D TV
(1:14:45) Someone gets Android running on an iPhone
(1:08:40) AMD releasing cheap six-core CPUs

Featured Music

Yoko Kanno - Get 9, Flying Low, Smile - Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex OSTs

Ep. 37 "Twitter grows up, Microsoft unveils Kin youth phones"

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:14:38 -0700

Discussion Highlights

(03:15) Twitter Chirp 2010 Conference
- (03:34) Revenue Model for Twitter - contexual advertising via sponsored tweets within user's individual streams.
- (06:59) Twitter's location-based services - where are people tweeting from? What's Twitter POI?
- (14:04) Questions - where will vendors/advertisers take these ads and how will they make them relevant?
- (15:23)Twitter is here to stay as Library of Congress begins archiving tweets.
- (22:49) Twitter acquires Tweetie.
(35:51) Microsoft Kin announced. Project Pink, Danger-based social-minded smartphones. Feh.
- (36:28) Devindra attacks the Kin 1. Why is the design whack? And what does it have to do with the Razzle?
- (40:10) What the Kin is lacking. Did Microsoft get the demographic wrong?
(51:58) TANGENT! Mobile Games? Does Nintendo have to worry about Apple? And why doesnt KIN have any games?
(59:16) Last.fm kills full length track streaming. What gives? We figure out what's going on in the CBS-owned, online music Mecca.
(1:05:26) Apple's refreshed 2010 MacBook Pro line of laptops. What's right for you? Stick w/ the Core 2 Duo or move forward to the i5 and i7 configurations?
(1:16:04) The Run Down!Tech Meetups, and why we love…or hate them
- (1:16:15) The real robot that can fold your clothes, and GM's new humanoid robot designed for NASA. Why humanoid? It's so creepy...
- (1:23:16) Opera Mini released on the iPhone. Most downloaded app of the last few days, but is that enough? We break it down.
- (1:29:44) iPhone OS 4.0 follow up - developer backlash.
- (1:40:49) HTC Incredible to debut this week. Chris has been salivating and has details.
- (1:48:23) P alm is up for sale and is taking offers this week.
- (1:55:20) US government finally admits most piracy estimates are not at all true.

Featured Music

The Prodigy – Phoenix, Omen, Colours.

Ep. 36 iPad Impressions, iPhone OS 4.0, Tech Meetups

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 22:40:00 -0700

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris chat about their first impressions with the iPad (hands on) , their excitement and dismay at the April 8th iPhone OS 4.0 announcement, and, on a more social note-- what they get out of meet-ups, tech or otherwise. This episode was recorded on April 09, about 5 days after the release of the iPad)

Subscribe via iTunes or via RSS (for other media players), stream it with the player below, or download the episode. You can email us atsymbiotekpodcast@gmail.com.

Discussion Highlights

(02:16) First hands on impressions of the iPad. It's snappy! But is it what we expected?
- (08:25) Seton Hill University adopts iPad as mandatory for students AND lowers tuition.
- (14:19) The Flash Wall - Why is Apple beating up on Adobe?
- (21:54) Movement in the Tablet space More than iPad? iPad Nano?
(25:25) iPhone OS 4.0 - Multitasking! Folders! GameCenter! Enterprise Support! Is it everything we've ever dreamed of? Or should it have been there in 2009?
- (51:53) AT&T/T-Mobile/Verizon- Which platform is best for smartphones? The Age-Old battle is waged between Dwayne and Chris
- (54:52) iAd - Monopolistic? Or truly trying to innovate in the mobile space?
- (63:17) Enterprise Support in iPhone OS 4.0
(1:04:33) How's GDGT doing? We talk about their coverage of iPhone OS 4.0 announcement and how the site's grown since we previewed it back in mid 2009
(1:10:28) Adobe vs. Apple, Round 2: In Defense of Adobe. Is Apple locking down their appliances?
- (86:35) Alternatives do exist, and real people want them.
(1:32:55) Tech Meetups, and why we love...or hate them
- (1:39:41) Easter Egg: Black people ski! (random aside re: www.soulboarder.com)
(1:45:20) The Run Down
- People wanna buy Palm...HTC rumoured to want them.

Featured Music

Tarou Iwasaki - Mogura wa Mogura..., Believe in Me Who Believes in You, "Libera me" from hell (from the Gurren Lagaan original soundtrack)

Ep. 35 "iPad reviews, April fools day annoyances, more Facebook privacy fail"

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:57:08 -0700

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris chat about the first iPad reviews, their issues with April fools day tech stories, and yet another massive privacy breach by Facebook, plus one that's yet to come. (Note: This episode was recorded on April 1, before the release of the iPad)

Discussion Highlights

(02:00) On the first iPad reviews, and what we expect from the iPad launch
(16:30) The Notion Ink Adam tablet, perhaps the best upcoming iPad alternative, and Asus's tablet plans
(27:45) Why we're sick of April fools day stories like TechCrunch's
(39:10) Facebook privacy fail: E-mail addresses made public, automatic Facebook Connect coming soon
The Run Down!

Featured Music

The Oneups - Isle Delfino, Koopa Beach, Bossa de Link (from The Oneups Volume 1)

Ep. 34 "Google goes uncensored in China, Sprint's first 4G phone, Nintendo's 3DS"

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 22:59:56 -0700

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss Google's move towards uncensored search in China, Sprint's first 4G phone (the HTC Evo 4g), Nintendo's upcoming portable system the 3DS, and more!

Discussion Highlights

(02:15) Google search goes uncensored in China
(19:03) GoDaddy leaves China as well
(26:51) Google wins EU trademark search case
(38:40) The HTC Evo 4G, Sprint's first 4G smartphone
(53:54) No Nexus One announcement for Verizon at CTIA? Plus thoughts on Nexus One sales.
(1:05:41) Nintendo announces the 3DS , the successor to the DS
(1:10:00) The new wave of 3D in theaters. Is this the future of cinema? Are there enough screens to support it?
The Rundown

(1:27:50) Enso's zenPad 5" Android tablet already shipping
(1:29:22) Joojoo to start shipping on March 25? ( Update: They're shipping and scheduled to arrive on March 29 for some)
(1:31:47) Opera mini updates: Submitted to Apple App Store , awaiting approval
(1:37:40) Amazon drops IE6 support
(1:38:36) Chicken wing shortage in Buffalo?!
(1:41:00) Kindle app unveiled for iPad
(1:44:05) On Photoshop's cool new "Content Aware Fill" feature
(1:49:00) Chris has trouble with contact lenses

Featured Music

Them Crooked Vultures - Dead End Friends
The National - Ada
My Morning Jacket - Mahgeetah
Ryuichi Sakamoto - Self Portrait

Ep. 33 "Apple and Google Fight, Windows Phone 7 Series Netflix and Marketplace Details"

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:09:55 -0700

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris chat about the increasing animosity between Apple and Google, new details on Netflix support and the Marketplace in Windows Phone 7 Series, and the National Broadband Plan. (Please note: This episode was recorded before the full National Broadband Plan was announced)

Discussion Highlights

(03:15) Apple vs. Google, fight!
(34:00) Windows Phone 7 Series updates: Netflix support , and Marketplace details
(47:20) Chatting about the National Broadband Plan
The Rundown!

(1:00:07) Twitter's @Anywhere feature
(1:08:52) Joojoo tablet updates
(1:13:45) iPad preorder numbers
(1:17:20) Chris boycotts Apple
(1:24:53) Hacker News stops indexing Google, Bing, and other search engines
(1:30:37) Google Maps gets bike directions

Featured Music

Fatboy Roberts – Spaceslug Lullabye, Brutality, Kobayashi Maru (from GEEK: REMIXED pt. 1)

Ep. 32 "Apple sues HTC, Microsoft Project Pink phones coming to Verizon"

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:26:18 -0800

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss Apple's surprise HTC iPhone patent lawsuit, Microsoft potentially bringing its secret Project Pink phones to Verizon, and more!

Discussion Highlights

Sex.com up for sale
HTC's Legend and Motorola's Devour share a useful battery/SIM slot
The Playstation 3's timeclock error
On Conan O'Brien's twitter account

Featured Music

Shiroh Sagisu - Magmadiver, Both Of You, Dance Like You Want To Win!, Barefoot in the Park (from Neon Genesis Evangelion OST 1 and 2)

Ep. 31 "The Dell Mini 5, Bloom Energy's Box, Google's Trouble with the EU"

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 22:38:38 -0800

In this massive edition of the Symbiotek podcast, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss the Dell Mini 5, Bloom Energy's fuel cell Box, nuclear power, Google's trouble in the EU, and Palm's fate after they announced low earnings.

Discussion Highlights

The Dell Mini 5
Bloom Energy's fuel cell Box
On nuclear power today
Google's bad week: EU antitrust charges , Italian court targets Google execs
On Palm's future following its low revenue warnings
The Rundown:

Scientology kicked off of Twitter
School gets FBI probe after spying on students
The world's first 3-D bio-printer -- for manufacturing human tissue and organs
Nvidia's Optimus mobile graphics tech

Featured Music

The OneUps/OneUp Studios - Wings of Time, Green Hill Zone, Star Stealing Zone, Field of Time (from Time and Space - A Tribute to Yasunori Mitsuda and The OneUps Vol. 2 )

Ep. 30 "Windows Phone 7 Series, Wired's Tablet Demo, and Google Buzz Backlash"

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:36:13 -0800

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss Windows Phone 7 Series, Android tablets and other news from the Mobile World Congress. They also chat about Wired's tablet interface demo, as well as the backlash from Google Buzz.

Discussion Highlights

(03:45) Windows Phone 7 Series announced
(24:51) On Android, and Android tablets
(37:55) Wired's tablet interface demonstration
(59:30) New York Times' internal turf war on tablet pricing
(1:06:07) On Google Buzz's backlash
The Rundown

(1:27:35) ReadWriteWeb article confuses Facebook users
(1:33:30) Sony was asked by Google to build the Nexus One, and they refused

Featured Music

My Morning Jacket - One Big Holiday, Mahgeetah, Steam Engine

Ep. 29 "On Google Buzz and Google Fiber"

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:00:46 -0800

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss some major announcements by Google: Buzz, and a plan to deliver fast fiber Internet in the U.S. They also chat about a potential Opera release for the iPhone, and more!

Discussion Highlights

(02:12) Google Buzz!
(33:30) Google announces a gigabit fiber roll out
(53:06) Opera teases Opera Mini for the iPhone
The Rundown

(1:10:08) Iran blocks Gmail
(1:14:45) Asus announced Eee Pad for June

(1:21:30) What we've been watching, reading, etc.

Featured Music

The Prodigy - Phoenix, Omen, Colours

Ep. 28 "Touch-screen Tablet Madness"

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:32:55 -0800

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss Amazon's potential purchase of touch-screen start-up TouchCo, the Joojoo starting production, the Chrome OS tablet, and more!

Discussion Highlights

(02:10) Amazon said to have bought touch-screen startup Touchco, and what this means for a touch-screen Kindle
(25:45) Joojoo in production (or so they say)
(41:00) Chrome OS tablet concept pics
The Rundown

(49:22) Wall Street Journal paywall updates
(52:32) Engadget disables comments, Daring Fireball gets comments
(1:00:56) Google dropping IE6
(1:06:00) HTML 5 video update: H.264 video codec going royalty free until 2016

Featured Music

The OneUps –Punch Out , Koopa Beach, Bossa De Link

Ep. 27 "Enter the Apple iPad"

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:47:56 -0800

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris chat about the Apple iPad announcement, Mozilla's trouble with HTML 5, the Google Voice web app, and more!

Discussion Highlights

(02:06) Our thoughts on the Apple iPad
(42:32) Mozilla's issue with HTML 5 and H.264
(57:28) Google Voice gets a web app
The Rundown

(1:04:10) Toyota's recall
(1:07:52) Apple's stock dip and rebound thanks to the iPad
(1:10:27) Tech talk from the State of the Union

Featured Music

Sidhe - Kinetic Harvest, Argon Refinery, Amethyst Caverns (from the Shatter game soundtrack )

Ep. 26 "Windows Mobile 7 Coming Soon?, 3D in the Living Room, App Stores Aren't for Everyone"

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:56:45 -0800

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss the rumors about Windows Mobile 7 launching sooner than we expected, the uselessness of 3-D in the living room, why app stores don't belong on everything, and more!

Discussion Highlights

(02:15) Windows Mobile 7 rumors
(28:53) Our thoughts on 3-D in the living room
(45:45) Why app stores aren't for everyone , Amazon adds an app store to the Kindle
(56:12) Car tech from the Detroit Auto Show
The Rundown

(1:14:00) France and Germany advise their citizens not to use Internet Explorer
(1:19:11) New York Times announces a paywall for 2011

Featured Music

Yoko Kanno - "Get Low", "Some Other Time", "Smile" - from Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

Ep. 25 "Tech Helping Haiti, Google and China, Airport Security Tech"

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:35:10 -0800

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss how tech is helping in Haiti after the earthquake, Google's recent spat with China, and the new full body scanners that we'll soon be seeing in U.S. airports.

Discussion Highlights

(02:30) The Red Cross's text donations, and other tech helping Haiti
(19:07) Google threatens to leave China
(44:20) Full body scanners and airport security
(62:32) Google adds more storage options and location based features
(1:11:15) CES topics: The Boxee Box, and Plastic Logic QUE

Featured Music

Fatboy Roberts - Spaceslug Lullabye, Brutality, Kobayashi Maru (from GEEK: REMIXED pt. 1)

Corrections

Google's new storage options aren't really the "G: Drive" we've wanted, despite what I said in that segment. I do think that it's a huge sign that a G: drive is coming within the next year to support Chrome OS. - Devindra

Ep. 24 "Nexus One Announced, Pondering the Apple Tablet and HP's Slate"

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:08:45 -0800

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss the official announcement of Google's Nexus One phone, the increasing Apple tablet rumors, and more stories from CES.

Discussion Highlights

(03:20) Google's Nexus One announcement
(29:49) Tablets! Apple, HP's Slate, and more

Featured Music

Sidhe - Kinetic Harvest, Amethyst Caverns (Shatter Game Soundtrack)

Ep. 23 "Backupify, Facebook Privacy Fail, Who Should Buy Yelp?"

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 21:50:21 -0800

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss Backupify and how it can help you back up your online presence, why Facebook's recent privacy changes stink, the fallout from Google's attempted Yelp purchase, and more!

Discussion Highlights

(02:15) Backupify, and why you may want to backup data already on the cloud
(20:24) Facebook's privacy fail
(45:46) Google tries to buy Yelp, and should Yelp stay independant
(55:45) New York users can't buy the iPhone on AT&T's website

Featured Music

Philip Glass - The Grid
Explosions in the Sky - Catastrophe and the Cure
Ennio Morricone - Un Amico

Notes

Shortly after recording this episode, New York users were once again able to purchase iPhones from AT&T's website.

Ep. 22 "The Google Phone, Fake Steve Jobs' Operation Chokehold, FTC Sues Intel"

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:10:27 -0800

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris chat about the Google Phone (AKA the Nexus One), Fake Steve Jobs' Operation Chokehold, the FTC suing Intel, and more!

Discussion Highlights

(02:14) The Google Phone/Nexus One
(31:15) Fake Steve Jobs' Operation Chokeold
(58:30) The EU's Microsoft browser antitrust case dropped
(1:07:06) FTC sues Intel for antitrust activity

Featured Music

Sidhe - Kinetic Harvest (Shatter Game Soundtrack)
OneUp Studios - The Fighting Priest (From Time & Space, a tribute to Yasunori Mitsuda)
Yasunori Mitsuda - Melkaba (From Xenogears Creid album)

Ep. 21 "The Joojoo, Apple Buys Lala, Craigslist Gone Evil?"

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:33:39 -0800

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss the announcement of the Joojoo (and further their discussion of the Crunchpad's end), Apple buying Lala, Craigslist killing Yahoo Pipes access, and more!

Discussion Highlights

(02:50) The Joojoo
(29:00) Craigslist kills Yahoo Pipes
(44:15) Chrome gets extensions, and what that means for Firefox
(1:03:23) Apple buys Lala

Featured Music

Radiohead - Weird Fishes
The National - Ada
Ryuichi Sakamoto - Self Portrait

Ep. 20 "Google DNS, Comcast Buys NBC, the End of the Crunchpad"

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 09:15:17 -0800

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss what Comcast buying NBC could mean, Google's recently announced DNS service, the tragic end of the Crunchpad, and more!

Discussion Highlights

(05:55) Comcast wants to buy NBC
(23:28) Google DNS
(43:30) A variety of privacy issues involving Sprint, Verizon, and Yahoo
(1:09:25) Lamenting the end of the Crunchpad
(1:17:10) The Windows black screen of death, another tech blogging fail

Featured Music

OneUp Studios - Wings of Time, Star Stealing Girl, Field of Time. From Time & Space, a tribute to Yasunori Mitsuda

Ep. 19 "Google Chrome OS, Apple's Issues, Twitter Lists, Flash 10.1 Gets Sexy"

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:56:47 -0800

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss the implications of Google's Chrome OS announcement, rant about Twitter lists and their future ad plans, and update us on Apple's situation with disgruntled developers. They also discuss the nifty new features in Flash 10.1.

Discussion Highlights

(02:55) Twitter lists and future ad plans
(23:13) The Pirate Bay tracker is down, and why that doesn't matter
(30:00) Palm's Web OS stops synching with iTunes
(38:46) Apple's recent developer issues
(51:25) Flash 10.1 adds a lot of cool stuff, including Bittorrent-like video distribution
(1:02:50) Google's Chrome OS and how it can change computing

Featured Music

The One Ups - Punch Out, Green Hill Zone, Chrono Trigger

Ep. 18 "Facebook iPhone App Dev Leaves, Wall Street Journal May Leave Google"

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:28:27 -0800

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss the impact of the Facebook iPhone developer giving up on iPhone apps, Rupert Murdoch talks about taking the Wall Street Journal out of Google's index, Google buys mobile application advertiser AdMob, and more!

Featured Discussion

(03:17) Facebook App dev Joe Hewitt gives up on the iPhone
(20:00) We discuss the rumor of a Verizon and potentially world-compatible iPhone in 2010
(33:25) Rupert Murdoch wants to take the Wall Street Journal off of Google
(40:13) Google buys AdMob
(57:55) Intel pays AMD $1.25 Billion to end antitrust

Additional Notes

AppleInsider has updated info on our discussion regarding the potential Verizon iPhon. It looks to be Verizon only now, with a world phone following later.

Featured Music

The OneUps - Isle Delfino, Koopa Beach, Bossa De Link

Ep. 17 "Motorola Droid Launches, AT&T Goes Sue Happy"

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:45:51 -0800

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris chat about the Motorola Droid launch, AT&T suing Verizon and Google, and tech bloggers making a huge deal over a piece of plastic that could be part of the next iPhone.

Discussion Highlights

(02:45) Discussing the Droid launch
(20:07) AT&T goes sue happy with Verizon and Google
(41:50) Does a piece of plastic deseve to be news?

Featured Music

Yoko Kanno - Get9 (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex OST)
Yoko Kanno - Smile (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex OST)

Ep. 16 "Google Maps Navigation, Looking Back on Android Year 1, Windows 7 Launches"

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:11:01 -0800

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss Google's just-announced Maps Navigation application for Android 2.0, and look back on Android's first year. They also chat a bit about the Windows 7 launch.

Discussion Highlights

(02:30) On Google Maps Navigation and Android year one
(41:14) Discussing the Windows 7 launch

Featured Music

Philip Glass - The Grid, A Drive in the Country, Movement 1; Concerto Fantasy

Ep. 15 "New Apple Hardware, the Motorola Droid, and 10/Gui"

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:44:09 -0700

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss Apple's recent hardware announcements (and focus on the Magic Mouse), the Motorola Droid and Verizon's attempts to market against Apple, and the new 10/Gui project, an attempt to redefine desktop interaction.

News Discussion

(02:50) The Magic Mouse and Apple's new hardware
(29:22) The Motorola Droid and Verizon's new anti-iPhone ads
(51:36) The 10/Gui project and how it redefines the desktop interface

Featured Music

Radiohead - Weird Fishes
Explosions in the Sky - Catastrophe and the Cure
Ryuichi Sakamoto, Jaques Morelenbaum, Paula Morelenbaum - Bim Bom

Ep. 14 "Microsoft's Sidekick Fail, T-Mobile's Project Dark, and Walmart's Cellphone Plan"

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:55:48 -0700

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris chat about the massive Sidekick outage, cloud-based file storage solutions, T-Mobiles "Project Dark" plan to revamp their business, and Walmart's deal with Tracfone to start their own cellphone service.

News Discussion

(02:06) The Great Sidekick Outage of 2009
(24:20) Cloud-based backup solutions: Ubuntu One, Dropbox, etc.
(36:00) T-Mobile's "Project Dark/Black" business revamp
(51:04) Walmart joins up with Tracfone for unlimited no-contract cellphone plans

Featured Music

White Rabbits - Percussion Gun
Ryuichi Sakamoto - Self Portrait

Ep. 13 "Emerging Technologies: Tablets, Multitouch Mice, and More"

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:14:18 -0700

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss the upcoming tablet wars by comparing Microsoft's Courier project to Apple's rumored new tablet, and take a look at some new multitouch mice from Microsoft Research. We also chat a bit about the new FTC blogger rules.

Topics Discussed

(02:20) Microsoft's Courier vs. Apple's whatevertheheck
(34:10) Multitouch concept mice from Microsoft Research
(56:15) On the FTC blogger rules

Featured Music

Mogwai - Glasgow Mega-Snake
Shiro Sagisu - Barefoot in the Park (Neon Genesis Evangelion 1 OST)

Ep. 12 "Internet Freedom and the Trouble with Craigslist"

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:26:54 -0700

In this episode Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss the potential move towards network neutrality by the FCC, the JUSTICE Act which could roll back telecom immunity, and expound on their many issues with Craigslist.

Topics Discussed

(02:44) FCC pitches for network neutrality
(39:30) The JUSTICE Act and its affect on telecom immunity
(49:54) The trouble with Craigslist

Featured Music

Anamanaguchi - Jetpack Blues, Sunset Hues
Yoko Kanno - Flow (Brain Powerd Soundtrack)
Ryuichi Sakamoto - Self Portrait

Ep. 11 "Mobile Media Extravaganza"

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:04:27 -0700

In this episode of the Symbiotek Podcast, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss the launch reception of the Zune HD, Sony's announcement of a new Walkmen, and HP's Dream Screen tablet. They also chart the spread of the Kanye meme, and discuss the many different ways information spreads today.

Topics Discussed

(02:50) The Zune HD Launch
(33:00) Sony's New Walkmen
(53:27) HP's Dream Screen
(1:06:30) The spread of the Kanye meme

Featured Music

Sweet Electra - Love You More
The National - Ada
Ryuichi Sakamoto, Jaques Morelenbaum, Paula Morelenbaum - Bim Bom

Ep. 10 "Apple's Announcements, Palm's Pixi, Twitter's Growing Pains"

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:44:45 -0700

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss the announcements from Apple's recent press conference, Palm's announcement of the Pixi, Twitter spam bots, and the banning of Twitter by pro sports.

Topics Discussed

(02:00) Apple's Announcements:iPod Nano gets a camera?!
(34:50 Palm's Pixi Announcement
(52:24) Twitter spam bots getting smarter?
(1:08:00) Pro sports banning Twitter

Featured Music

Yoko Kanno - Get9 (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex OST)
Yoko Kanno - Flying Low (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex OST)
Yoko Kanno - Smile (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex OST)

Ep. 9 "Mobile Audio Extravaganza"

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:37:11 -0700

In this episode of the Symbiotek Podcast, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris dive into the mobile audio sphere with a discussion on NPR's new iPhone app, the Real Rhapsody app, and Google Listen. We also discuss Digsby and its recent privacy issues, and why Chris and Devindra are moving back to Trillian.

Topics Discussed

(2:33) NPR's iPhone App
(30:45) Rhapsody's iPhone App
(40:55) Google Listen on Android
(56:51) On Digsby's privacy issues and moving to Trillian

Featured Music

White Rabbits - Percussion Gun
Ennio Morricone - Un Amico

Ep. 8 "Everybody Loves the Zune HD"

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:22:10 -0700

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss the surprising positive reception for the Zune HD, and delve into the utility of removable batteries vs. the increased efficiency of sealed batteries.

Featured Music

Mike Patton - (Crank 2 Soundtrack) Sweet Cream Redux
Ryuichi Sakamoto - Neo Geo

Symbiotek Bonus Ep. "The New Media" (Guest: Eugene Ahn from the People You Don't Know Podcast)

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:42:17 -0700

Dwayne and Chris are joined by Eugene Ahn from the People You Don't Know Podcast to discuss his show, e-book readers, and pontificate on the "new media".

Music Used

Anamanaguchi - Jetpack Blues, Sunset Hues
Vangelis - Spotkanie Z Matka

Ep. 7 "Everyone Gang Up on Google"

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 22:25:04 -0700

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss Apple's Google Voice rejection (and all of the controversy surrounding that), Yahoo's new search agreement with Microsoft, and the declining quarters for Sony and Nintendo. We also delve into how Apple, Microsoft, and Yahoo are beginning to take aim against Google.

Topics Discussed

(4:44) Apple rejects Google Voice
(31:40) Yahoo teams up with Microsoft Bing for search
(52:00) More on Google and the forces aligning against them
(1:01:58) Sony and Nintendo's quarterly profits fall

Music Used

Anamanaguchi - Jetpack Blues, Sunset Hues
Joe Hisaishi - Deep Sea Ranch (from Ponyo on the Cliff)
Joe Hisaishi - Opening (From Nausicaa)

Ep. 6 "Chrome OS vs. Microsoft Gazelle"

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:49:49 -0700

Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss the announcement of Google's Chrome OS, and how Microsoft's recent Gazelle announcement fits in. We also bring up the Crunchpad, and why Chrome OS is exactly what Michael Arrington has been dreaming of.

Topics Discussed

(02:50) Google's Chrome OS
(28:39) Microsoft Gazelle
(45:20) The Crunchpad

Featured Music

Mogwai - Glasgow Mega-Snake
Clint Mansell - Welcome to Lunar Industries (Moon Score)
Shiro Sagisu - Barefoot in the Park (Neon Genesis Evangelion 1 OST)

Ep. 5 "The Choice Engine"

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:13:08 -0700

In this episode Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris chat about Hunch and the new trend in decision making search sites, the future of RFID in cellphones, and the new royalty rate deal for Internet radio sites.

Topics Discussed

(02:36) Hunch and other decision making search engines
(29:52) RFID in cellphones, and what it means for us
(45:15) Internet radio sites settle on new royalty rates

Featured Music

Does It Offend You, Yah? - Dawn of the Dead
Moby (feat. Patti Labelle) - One of these Mornings
Camping - She Says

Ep. 4 "GDGT, Blizzard Gimps Starcraft 2, and Microsoft's Commercials"

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:30:29 -0700

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss the launch of the new gadget social network, GDGT, try to figure out why the heck Blizzard removed LAN play from Starcraft 2, and delve into a discussion of Microsoft's latest commercials.

Topics Discussed

(01:45) GDGT launches
(17:35) Blizzard removes LAN play from Starcraft 2
(41:20) Microsoft's recent commercials

Featured Music

Mike Patton - (Crank 2 Soundtrack) Sweet Cream Redux
Diggi Dis and Josha Morse - 2 Step of Gold
Ryuichi Sakamoto - Neo Geo

Ep. 3 "Applications on the Web + Google Wave"

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:04:35 -0700

We dig through the Symbiotek archives to unearth a discussion on our increasing reliance on web applications and services, microblogging clones, and Google Wave.

Topics Discussed

(02:10) Are web applications making desktop apps irrelevant?
(26:02) On Twitter and other microblogging services
(42:04) Google Wave and what it means for the future of communication on the web

Featured Music

Anamanaguchi - Jetpack Blues, Sunset Hues
Amon Tobin - One Day in My Garden

Ep. 2 "Twitter and the Iran Election + The DTV Transition"

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:31:06 -0700

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss the impact of Twitter (and other social media sites) on the fallout from the Iran election. They also chat about the long-awaited digital TV transition, and what it could mean for the future of television.

Topics Discussed

(00:48) Twitter and the Iran Election
(24:20) The Digital TV Transition

Music Used

Anamanaguchi - Jetpack Blues, Sunset Hues
Yoko Kanno - Some Other Time
Vangelis - Spotkanie Z Matka

Ep. 1 "Pilot"

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:49:11 -0700

In the first episode of the Symbiotek podcast, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris chat about the "summer of smart phones" with the Pre launch and iPhone 3GS announcement, as well as dive into what they liked from E3.

Topics Discussed

(00:49) "The Summer of Smart Phones?" A discussion on the Palm Pre, iPhone 3G S, and how smart phones are changing the landscape of mobile communication.
(43:50) E3 retrospective