361 Podcast

All did not 'go well' and the episode was not published between Christmas and New Year. Thank you to editor Mark who continues to fix broken audio with patience far beyond what we deserve. This week the team cover topics they missed during 2023 and catch-up on listener's emails: * Beeper Mini: Why is there a market for an iMessage on Android? (update: it's effectively been abandoned since recording). * Apple Watch Ultra 2: - Ben likes his, especially the bigger / brighter screen. * Mark's email about our mobile network episode: Questions whether much brand loyalty is based on out-of-date perceptions from earlier in their life. Rafe says it's very hard for brands to move customers' perception of them. * 'Brain stuff'. * New year's resolutions: Brain training, checking your subscriptions, Zoe health stuff and time blocking * Matt's email on Social Media: Do we believe in the everything app? We'll come back to the Humane AI pin and ChatGPT. Get in touch! Let us know your thoughts or topics you'd like to hear about in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/), Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast) (if you must) or Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@361podcast) (preferred).

This week the team discuss electric vehicles as 'mobile adjacent' technology: Ewan recounts his experience of EV-based car clubs in Denmark and Teslas in Saudi Arabia. Rafe brings the stats on growth of the EV market and paralells to the smartphone industry we've tracked for the life of 361. Ben recounts his experiences as a first-time EV owner and the planning the purchase of a second. The team also talk about how the arrival of EV cars has made them re-evaluate which brands are 'best'. Get in touch! Let us know your thoughts or topics you'd like to hear about in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/), Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast) (if you must) or Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@361podcast) (preferred).

This week the team go back to their roots and talk about mobile networks: Ewan is deeply underwhelmed with the offerings of the UK's mobile network operators, having spent time living and working around Europe and the Middle East. He's especially unimpressed with network availability on major transport links, having had almost-ubiquitous access to 5G coverage in the places he worked and travelled. Rafe's got some OFCOM data (because of course) that suggests things aren't as bad as Ewan thinks. He also notes that there are some rural areas with good 5G coverage, so people's experience will be very dependent on location. He does, however, acknowledge that new legislation has been required to help network operators upgrading existing masts (where planning restrictions had previously blocked them). Ben is surprised that the perceivable-quality of mobile network service hasn't changed in the 2 years since we last covered it on 361, except for a price reduction. He's also frustrated that network 'quality' so frequently causes problems even where signal 'strength' is reportedly good. He's also surprised by Rafe's suggestion that mobile networks might prefer their own customers to other MVNO operator's customers. The team also discuss the growing market of app and eSIM-based providers that offer cheaper access to mobile operators when overseas. Get in touch! Let us know your thoughts or topics you'd like to hear about in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/), Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast) (if you must) or Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@361podcast) (preferred).

This week the team talk about money, finance, 'fintech' stuff and the products we use: Rafe's been using 'helpful' tools including HM Revenue and Customs' app to manage his tax and NS&I's app to check for Premium Bond wins. He's also tried the 'green' debit card Tred. Ewan's also been big on Open Banking for money management trying Plum to setup rules and games to encourage saving. [Rafe says "also look at similar apps like Emma and Snoop"]. Ben still uses You Need a Budget and virtual debit cards from Monzo. He's also using Monzo's built-in 'round-up' feature to save 'passively'. He's also using Chip which offers a (sort of) savings product marketplace. The team wonder where 'the Monzo of credit cards' is and question if 'buy now, pay later' is the same thing, talk about mortgages for a bit, and consider if 'packaged bank accounts' are popular again. Get in touch! Let us know your thoughts or topics you'd like to hear about in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/), Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast) (if you must) or Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@361podcast) (preferred).

This week the team consider that we might be at the "money ruins everything" stage of social media (eh, Reddit?). Rafe speculates that 'social' media is now driven more by advertising than friendship groups. We also talk about 'dark social', rafeblandford.com (Rafe's personal website) and remember Jaiku. Ben re-tells the 'Nazi Bar' story (https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Nazi_bar) often cited as an example of how 'unmoderated' speech excludes people and isn't really 'free'. We use: * Ewan: LinkedIn and BeReal. * Rafe: Reddit, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok (but only in read-only). * Ben: Reddit, LinkedIn (grudgingly), Instagram (even more grudingly) and Mastodon (in hope). Ewan's still on the road. This week he's in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. [Producer's note: This episode was recorded before Meta announced Threads. Content scheduling is hard.] Get in touch! Let us know your thoughts or topics you'd like to hear about in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/), Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast) (if you must) or Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@361podcast) (preferred).

This week Ewan's back on the road and tests the new 361 mobile recording setup. The team reflect the state of their smarthomes, it's not good... at all. The team discuss the various smarthome systems they use, the changes made since last season and how their attitude to setting up smart-home tech has changed over time. Reliability's certainly been a problem, but have new standards like Matter improved things? Rafe also has a bird-shaped surprise or two for the team. Listener questions this week: * What do you use for USB-C charing when traveling? * Do you have any smarthome cameras and would you recommend them? * What smarthome platform have you chosen to use and why? * Do you use any long-range smarthome devices? Get in touch! Let us know your thoughts or topics you'd like to hear about in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/), Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast) or Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@361podcast).

After a short (18 month) break the team are back, well rested and ready to discuss Apple's big 'virtual reality / augmented reality' announcement at their global developer conference. The team discuss: How does Apple's Vision Pro device compare to others? Is Apple 'doing' the metaverse now? Can we say 'foveated rendering' with a straight face? What is 'spatial computing' for? Will people be willing to wear these headsets? Get in touch! Let us know your thoughts or topics you'd like to hear about in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/), Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast) or Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@361podcast).

Happy Christmas Special! The team gather at the (definitely real) Blandford Manor for the annual drinks party and a look back over 10 years of this nonsense as they stumble upon (and through) the 361 archive. Clips played in this episode are from: Smartphone convergence, the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play & a tiny bit of Dom Joly (https://www.361podcast.com/s01e01) 361 Degrees, the making of... (https://www.361podcast.com/s01e03-sup) The Great App Store Debate: Fab or Fad? (https://www.361podcast.com/s01e03) Roaming ranting... (https://www.361podcast.com/s01e08) Apple is the next Nokia (https://www.361podcast.com/s02e09) 361 Live "Mobile Question Time" Part 1 (https://www.361podcast.com/s03e06) Can Facebook make money from mobile? (https://www.361podcast.com/s03e04) Ewan wants a better phone than you... (https://www.361podcast.com/s03e03) Ubuntu Mobile: What and why? (and again, why?) (https://www.361podcast.com/s04e09) What's the place for Smartwatches? (https://www.361podcast.com/s10e04) It's a very Echo Christmas (https://www.361podcast.com/s14e02) The on-demand economy & #RubRafe (https://www.361podcast.com/s13e05) As ever (but especially for these episodes) our thanks to Mark Cotton (https://twitter.com/mcfontaine) for the buttery smooth audio, Sarah for content far better than we deserve, and the rapidly expanding 'cast'. Thank you all for indulging us.

In a dramatic break with 10 years of tradition, the team share their Christmas gift suggestions actually in time for purchase before Christmas (it will never catch-on). Suggestions range from £5 to £500 including: Cases and bags Bluetooth trackers Books Voice assistants Noise cancelling headohones Computer accessories Something Rafe describes as a 'solar powered novelty' Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week the team recap topics from earlier in the season including: * Curve being blocked by Creation Credit cards - a listener asks if we still want to use Curve * JP Morgan launches Chase-branded banking in the UK - we try it out in its earliest (and still very limited) form * Amazon's Astro robot - will we add Amazon's $999 robot to our smarthome security setup? * 15 minute delivery - Rafe updates us on some very high profile ads and promotions in London as the firm's give-away some of their investors' money * Android 12.1 will (probably) add native support for folding devices * Sky launches 'Glass' a smart internet-connected TV that you can pay for monthly Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week the team break our '1 question, 3 answers' format to look at the subject of flexible screens: Why would you buy one? Are they any good? Should Apple make one? We're definitely agreed that - at last - they are worth considering, but beyond that it's more hope than science. And Rafe mentions some Nokia concept devices from years ago... you'd expect nothing less. Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week the team consider all the new ways mobile tech has entered our lives due to Covid and consider which might be here to stay. From apps that use Bluetooth to calculate risk of exposure to a virus to QR codes for 'test and trace', not all the ideas are new but public awareness (and adoption) have hugely changed. Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week the team look back over (more than) 10 years of mobile, remembering the apps they used before they cam mainstream and sharing top-tips learned along the way, including apps for connectivity, personal finance, news, productivity and a lot of recommendations. Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week the team return to their '1 question, 3 answers' format to answer a combination of listener questions: How do we choose smart-home tech or brands based on security and privacy? Ben, Ewan and Rafe each give their best answer... The only rule being that they can't agree with any previous answer. Also, having tested the Getir delivery app in the last episode the team try to order #RafeRations again this week to compare 'delivery in minutes' shopping apps Zapp (promised 20 minute delivery, took 16), Weezy (promised delivery in 'minutes', took 23) and Gorillas (promised delivery 10 minute delivery, took 25). Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

Due to the 'unique' way 361 is produced, this episode was recorded approximately 2 months before release. This week the team discuss app-based on-demand shopping services that promise to get things to you in minutes. We try Getir which promises to deliver a range of groceries within 13 minutes. Also, this week (while we wait for our delivery) the team catch-up on: The new Amazon Echo Show 10 (the one that turns to face you). Does it work and is it useful to have a screen on an Echo? The Samsung Frame TV's smart home integration. Hue's new wall switch module which (finally) lets you control the smart bulbs with built-in wall switches. Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast). Leave us an iTunes podcast review, tell us (by email or Twitter) and Rafe will send you an exciting (and probably concrete-themed) postcard. Special thanks to our editor Mark Cotton who put in a super-human amount of extra work on this episode.

Recorded 10 years to the day from our first ever episode, the team tackle a listener question from last season, should they continue to buy Sonos audio devices for their home? The question is prompted by the recent outcry when Sonos attempted to end support for their original device range with an ill-judged trade-in scheme that insisted on destroying working hardware. Ben, Ewan and Rafe each give their best answer... The only rule being that they can't agree with any previous answer. Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week the team discuss the wider impact of Apple's spring product announcements: Is Apple Card family sharing a sign they will respond to criticism more directly from now on? What's the purpose of launching podcast subscriptions if not to make profit? How does Apple exploit the 'unfair advantage' of a billion iPhones around the world to make AirTags beat the competition? How is Apple's approach differing to its competitors? Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast). Leave us an iTunes podcast review, tell us (by email or Twitter) and Rafe will send you an exciting (and probably concrete-themed) postcard.

This week as we return to our 20th season and our 10th year, the team discuss: What excited us since we recorded season 19, including Lego, government websites (no really) and robot vacuum cleaners (honestly). The rise of Clubhouse, an 'audio' social network, to prominance and its popularity. Whether audio is a product or a feature and the Clubhouse clones springing up in other apps. Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast). Leave us an iTunes podcast review, tell us (by email or Twitter) and Rafe will send you an exciting (and probably concrete-themed) postcard.

Obviously recorded before Christmas, despite our attempts to style it out, the team discuss the highlights and lowlights of 2020 from a 'tech' perspective inspired by The Verge's article "Bad Year, Good Gadgets". We discuss homeworking, changing expectations, what worked (and didn't) as we worked from home, and some unusual sources of inspiration. We also look forward to 2021, excited at the prospect of leaving the house again, and anticipating how trends like AI, Apple's new processors and further cross-over of tech from the mobile space to consumer electronics will change everything. Keep listening to the end too for the latest installment of the rural estate soap opera of everyday landed-gentry we're calling 'The Blandfords'. Thanks for listening in 2020. We'll be back after a short break.

This week the team 'gather' at the Blandford Manor Christmas party to: Exchange and recommend gifts Share suggestions for last-minute gifts that can be bought and delivered online Discuss tips, apps and hacks for managing Christmas on 'expert mode' Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast). Extended until New Year's Eve: Leave us an iTunes podcast review or post one to social media; Send us the link and tell us your address (by email or Twitter DM); and Rafe will send you an exciting (and probably concrete-themed) postcard. We'll also be sending out 'Secret Santa' gifts and a limited-edition Blandford Estate mug to a few lucky reviewers.

This week we tackle another '1 question, 3 answers', combining requests from listeners who asked for advice on reading, books and the written word. Ben, Ewan and Rafe each give their best answer... The only rule being that they can't agree with any previous answer. Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast). Extended until Christmas: Leave us an iTunes podcast review, tell us (by email or Twitter) and Rafe will send you an exciting (and probably concrete-themed) postcard. One lucky reviewer could also win the last ever Blandford Estate limited-edition mug.

This week the team discuss: The state of voice assistants and the devices we use at home. How Amazon's Alexa, Google's Assistant and Apple's Siri perform and their strengths and weaknesses. The future of voice assistants - are they a passing fad or destined to be built into everything? Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast). Extended until Christmas: Leave us an iTunes podcast review, tell us (by email or Twitter) and Rafe will send you an exciting (and probably concrete-themed) postcard. One lucky reviewer could also win the last ever Blandford Estate limited-edition mug.

This week we tackle another question in our new '1 question, 3 answers' format. Combining requests from several listeners who asked for advice on: Wearable devices that don't look masculine? A great 'first' smart watch? Which is the 'best' smart watch? Wearables that aren't for sport? Ben, Ewan and Rafe each give their best answer... The only rule being that they can't agree with any previous answer. Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast). Also, 'leave us a podcast review and Rafe will send you a postcard'... Leave us an iTunes podcast review, tell us (by email or Twitter) and Rafe will send you an exciting (and probably concrete-themed) postcard. One lucky reviewer could also win the last ever Blandford Estate limited-edition mug.

This week the team discuss: Subscription services from XBox to washing machines and Volvos to magazines, we look at how many firms are experimenting with providing their services as subscriptions. Long-term reviews on our most important working from home kit, including desks, chairs, screens, lights and more. What turned out to work well and what would we recommend? Video conferencing tips for people working from home. We discuss tips for better video calls and some interesting experiments in making video conferencing work better. We also launch our 'leave us a podcast review and Rafe will send you a postcard' campaign (the PR team are still working on the name). Leave us an iTunes podcast review (https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201859#more), tell us (by email (https://www.361podcast.com/contact) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast)) and Rafe will send you an exciting (and probably concrete-themed) postcard. One lucky reviewer could also win the last ever Blandford Estate limited-edition mug (https://www.instagram.com/p/BG6AW9JqmFp/). Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week we tackle another question in our new '1 question, 3 answers' format. Long-time listener @martineyles (https://twitter.com/martineyles) asks: I see lots of rollout of 5G going on, but there are still populated areas where I can't get any data coverage at all. Other listeners wrote in to ask if 5G handsets were good buys. We combined them all into a single question: Is 5G worth it? Ben, Ewan and Rafe each give their best answer... The only rule being that they can't agree with any previous answer. Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week the team discuss: Apple's early-Autumn (OK, 'Fall') announcements including their new Fitness+ service and One bundle (plus some new iPads and Watches). The things we've crowdfunded and kickstarted, including Ewan's tendency to be the kiss of death to any business he backs. Also, are these campaigns about more than fundraising now and are they worth backing? App recommendations - inevitably shaped by spending more time at home - the new services we're finding useful. This episode was recorded before the merger of Crowdcube and Seedrs was announced (https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/05/crowdcube-and-seedrs-agree-to-merge-creating-a-significant-private-equity-marketplace/). Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week we tackle the first question in our new '1 question, 3 answers' format. Twitter user @monkeyandweasel (https://twitter.com/monkeyandweasel) asks: Will Fortnite (Epic) win against Apple, and what will be the impact? Ben, Ewan and Rafe each give their best answer... The only rule being that they can't agree with any previous answer. Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

We're back and as we start our 19th season (and is it 8th or 9th year...?) the team discuss: How robots, clever sensors and AI are revolutionising some unexpected industries Taking health and fitness apps to the next level with machine learning An update on how our automated homes have responded to us being.. well... home more. Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

It's the last episode of the season and in an extended episode the team discuss: Why we're abandoning out Tik Tok trial and the ongoing concerns with the platform's approach to privacy. The apps (and 'not apps' in Rafe's case) that we're using as we spend more time at home. Our online 'identities' via websites and profiles. Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week, in addition to Rafe Blandford's pet duck (please use the official #duckfollowup hashtag for follow-up), the team discuss: Apple's annouced Macs running on its own ARM-based chips dubbed 'Apple Silicon'. Wirecard, the fintech world's 'secret' plumbing that suddenly became very visible when a UK financial regulator forced it to stop its services. HEY (yes, it's all capitals...) the 'opinionated' email service from the team behind Basecamp Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week the team discuss: Follow-up on photo back-up, Disney+, budget syncing, news, 'good' screens and more. Ewan's success with 'photo healing' on his iPhone and iPad that enabled him to 'fix' and share photos 'in the moment. Our hopes for WWDC, incluing what Apple might announce and the effect on teh mobile industry that might have. Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week the team discuss: Listener follow-up on robot vacuum cleaners (including finding one under your hotel bed), mobile banking and a cool personal finance app recommendation. How we - definitely not health and fitness enthusiasts - are trying to use apps to keep fit (or at least a bit fitter) during lock-down and working from home. We talk about apps to try and when to use them. Backing-up important photos, including how to use the cloud but retain access to your most valuable photos if the service you use breaks or stops working. Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week the team discuss: Using the excellent Watchsmith app to customise the Apple Watch beyond Apple's built-in widgets (called complications). How can you use layouts that change during the day and what is the future of presenting our own custom-data? Lenovo's announcement of a new Smart Frame digital picture frame that will be launched (and discounted initially) via IndieGoGo. Lenovo don't need to fund the product this way (traditionally why this platform's been used), but plan to recruit early adopter users to feedback on its development. How old is the oldest data you're hanging onto (we look at email and photo archives) and why? Have services like Gmail made us digital pack rats and is there any value in archiving 20 years of email or hundreds of gigabytes of email? Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

Many thanks to Mark, the Audio Wrangler (https://about.me/mcfontaine), our editor for the last 5 years. Here's to the next 5 (and sorry for all you put up with). This week the team discuss: The best microphones for video conferencing whilst home working - What works best from home for both comfort and performance, what products have the team chosen and some pitfalls to avoid. Satya Nadella's observation that Covid-19 has produced "2 years digital adoption in 2 months" - How has this rapid change in working arrangements for many been a "massive forced experiment" and what behaviour changes might be permanent? Real-time banking and money management - How some FinTech products and challenger banks are now providing real-time data to connected services, and how this makes money management quicker and more effective. Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week the team discuss: Amazon Echo accessories. Amazon's range looks baffling from the outside, including gaming buttons and a microwave oven. What do they make, why and is any of it any good? Covid-19 apps. As governments around the world look to technology to help manage the Covid-19 crisis how do the various solutions being developed differ and will people trust a Google / Apple partnership over their local public health officials? Til Tok. What is it? No really, what is it and why is Rafe so keen we try it. We're coming to this social media phenomenon late, but it's far from clear (to us) what it all means and how it's different from what came before. Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

The team celebrate 9 years of podcasting together and discuss: Ben's (ongoing) smart lighting disaster. How Philips Hue hasn't turned out to be the perfect smart lighting solution, a serious (known) product defect and how complex it all gets when deployed in large numbers. Walking and way-finding apps that are helping us enjoy the outdoors when we can. How to go beyond Google Maps to explore the footpaths around our homes with specialist mapping apps and guided routes. The best video calling and conferencing apps for working from home. What do the team use and what should you consider when choosing? Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week the team discuss: The networking and connectivity challenges of setting up a home office. What can you do if your new desk has terrible WiFi coverage or you need something faster, but don't want to run new cabling? The team talk options, including using TV cabling you may already have installed. How we're 'self improving' during lock-down. Given the restrictions, what can we do that makes the most of not commuting (or going out at all). The team recommend options they're trying. The iPad Magic Keyboard. It's heavy and expensive, but is it... good? Yes. Yes, it is. We'll tell you why. Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week the team discuss: Ewan's new job and his family's move to Oman. Turns out he could find somewhere less convenient than Denmark to live. How we've upgraded our workspaces to equip them for an extended period of working at home. We talk about ergonomics, productivity and kit that will remain useful if / when things get back to 'normal'. Options for 'budget' robot vacuum cleaners as Ewan picks a Eufy (made by popular tech accessory maker Anker) device for his new home. Can something without AI mapping and clever sensors be 'good enough'? The launch of Disney+ and how it's changed the landscape of streaming services. Is the content catalogue enough to overcome some of the lack of polish on their apps? Will we all need given all the shows and brands Disney owns? And can Disney somehow get its original content to benefit from the live venues it also operates? Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week the team discuss: A German artist's (successful) attempt to 'hack' Google Maps traffic data with a cart of 2nd hand phones, tricking the mapping service into reporting a traffic jam on an empty road. Customer 'outrage' at Sonos's announcement that some older devices will soon be unsupported and prevent newer devices from receiving upgrades if used together. This came shortly after the firm was criticised for 'bricking' devices people chose to recycle. The announcement of the end of mobile handset manufacturing under the Blackberry brand. The team reminisce about the firm at their best and how Blackberry changed mobile email. Also, hear Mark the editor for the first time ever in a 'behind the scenes' live edit session. Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week the team discuss: Why everyone should have a robot vacuum cleaner, the difference between radar and camera-based navigation and how to choose. Also virtual walls, cameras that can spot pet poo and automated mops. Our two recommended models of noise cancelling over-ear headphones and the joy of reducing noise fatigue when travelling or working in open-plan offices. Ewan's 'terrible' (this is not a consensus view, to be fair, especially by Ewan) choice to buy his children a Dell desktop PC. The challenges of first-time 'chargeable car' ownership and how Ben's chosen his new car charger. Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

See Rafe fully committing to a visual gag in an audio medium (https://www.instagram.com/p/B6i0h6xp-Ne/?utm_source=ig_web_copylink) on Instagram. Ben, Ewan and Rafe recap some of the big themes we've covered this year and some new news including smarthome, 999 (911) emergency response, Apple's Express Transit, streaming content discovery, the (new) Motorola Razr, gear bags and home networking.

This week the team discuss: A complex suspected GPS hack in the port of Shanghai that has experts and researchers baffled. Has someone developed the ability to manipulate GPS signals and, if so, who? Apple's Express Transit mode has arrived in London allowing travellers to pay for Transport for London tubes, busses and trains without unlocking your phone. This is doubly useful when paired with a smart payment option like Citymapper Pass. Christmas gift ideas with a techy (ish) slant, including for the younger people in your life (like Rafe). Let us know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week the team discuss: eSIMs and buying data packages when overseas direct to your handset. Rafe buys one from a 'global eSIM store' when travelling to India and it works rather well... The 2019 folding Motorola Razr which attention-grabs with a clever screen and nostalgia for the original Razr design. At £1500 can this attractively designed (but mid-spec) handset attract buyers? Apple TV+ and big-tech's move into 'content'. As the TV streaming wars heat-up what has Apple got to offer? (spoiler: right now, just a pile of money for Hollywood) Let the team know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week the team discuss: Apple's new Airpods Pro and Amazon's Echo Buds. How do they compare and what's the future for smart assistant-enabled headphones? Hackers that have discovered a way to make untraceable calls across mobile networks and the police response. Phone cameras vs 'real cameras'. Have we reached the stage now where only the pros are better off with an SLR? Does the advent of computational photography on phones make them superior? Let the team know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week the team discuss: Google's new Nest Aware offering, AI-based analysis of home security camera in the cloud. Ewan's tempted by the low price but he's heavily invested in Arlo devices. Monzo's withdrawal of it's 'Plus' premium account offering (for now). The start-up bank's acknoweldged the product (and subsequent changes) wasn't popular with customers, but Ben and Rafe signed-up. Whether it's worth buying 5G devices at the moment... Do handsets really benefit from the speed increase and what else might encourage the team to invest in operators' new offerings in the UK (but sadly, not in Denmark yet). Let the team know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week the team discuss: Ikea's new SYMFONISK speakers powered by Sonos. Cheaper, but similarly specced to the Sonos One are these good value for consumers and a good idea for Sonos? Ewan (and others') concern that Facebook (and Google... and Amazon...) are recording our typed and spoken conversations to target advertising to us. Requested by a listener, our opinions on the UK, US and Australian governments' requests to firms like Facebook to build 'backdoors' into their messaging products' encryption. Let the team know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week the team discuss: Ewan's robot lawn mower (RIP - it didn't survive the winter) which cost about the same as a small car, but less than a Danish gardener. The iPhone 11 and tough questions like "is it good" and "should you buy it"? (spoilers: yes, but probably) Bags, rucksacks and briefcases which Ben is adamant are a valid and useful subject of discussion. He and Rafe school Ewan. Let the team know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

After an extended break the team are back with a new(ish) format and recording arrangements. This week the team discuss: - Ben's new home networking setup as he replaces the Apple equipment he's used for years. In the spirit of always making a simple job difficult he's selected Ubiquiti's 'prosumer' products. - The 'Huawei problem' that is part cyber security and part trade war. The team discuss the difference between the firm's infrastructure equipment (like that for 5G under scrutiny for its security) and its consumer devices. - Rafe's review of Citymapper's multi-mode transit pass for London which he's been using for several months. Let the team know your thoughts on these subjects or anything you'd like to hear covered in future via the website (https://www.361podcast.com/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/361podcast).

This week the team discuss the return of Palm with the, er, "Palm" companion device. Is this a new category of device and could they really replace our smartphones sometimes?

This week the team talk about self-driving cars, Ewan's recent briefing by Waymo in 'the valley' and how autonomous vehicle technology will change the world (probably). Corrections In the episode Ben says that iD Mobile (https://www.idmobile.co.uk) is 'operated by Three'. That's not correct - whilst it uses Three's network, the mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse (https://www.carphonewarehouse.com) is behind it.

The team discuss the tech they've added to their 'smart homes' since last year's challenge. They discuss what stayed and the new items that have been added.