Tech Backlog: Pixel Fold, Tablets, and Charging Standards
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i
This episode dives into the curious Lenovo Yoga Book 9i, a dual-screen laptop that functions as a fun piece of experimental tech. While the origami-style design and dual-screen form factors are innovative, the hosts express skepticism about its daily practicality, citing issues with software compatibility and UI restrictions.
YouTube Gaming & TikTok Now
The team explores YouTube's move into casual gaming within their platform, questioning if it will mirror the temporary success of Netflix Games or be quickly abandoned. The discussion also touches on the decline of TikTok Now (a BeReal clone) and broader trends, such as Clubhouse, noting that many social features initially seen as "disruptive" are often relegated to niche use cases or phased out as code bloat.
Pixel Tablet & Pixel Fold
Deep discussions on Google's recent hardware launches:
• Pixel Tablet: Praised for its implementation as a home hub, though the expensive, lackluster speaker dock and missing Wi-Fi chip in the dock are significant drawbacks.
• Pixel Fold: A fascinating piece of hardware that is currently best used closed. The hosts discuss the risks of the screen protector, the lack of independent home screen layouts for inner/outer displays, and its exceptional software compared to Samsung's folding alternatives.
EV Charging Revolution
A major shift is occurring in the automotive industry as manufacturers transition to Tesla's NACS charging standard.
"This news is a win for everyone, I believe."
Key takeaways include:
• Ford, GM, Rivian, and Volvo have committed to moving to the NACS port by 2025.
• This move will likely alleviate the current issues with fragmented EV charging infrastructure.
• Many third-party charging companies are following suit, standardizing the network across North America.
Trivia and Odds & Ends
- Phone Focus: A brief positive look at the Zenfone 10 as an ideal small-form-factor Android phone.
- Trivia: A lively segment covering Apple's early conference history (originally named the Apple Independent Software Developers Conference) and the history of YouTube Gaming.