Behind the Bytes

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Abbas, Daanesh and Mike chat weekly about the latest tech trends in the Middle East and beyond.

Behind the Bytes


    • Mar 4, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 45m AVG DURATION
    • 60 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Behind the Bytes

    Samsung S22+ and S22 Ultra Review: The best Android smartphones you can buy right now?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2022 18:56


    We've been using the Samsung Galaxy S22+ and S22 Ultra. Well Abbas and Daanesh got to check them out, Vaibhav didn't. So Vaibhav finds out what the boys thought of the two smartphones. Tune in and let us know your thoughts.

    Apple's upcoming Spring 2022 event

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2022 26:20


    There are strong rumors that Apple will be holding an event early March 2022 and annoucing a new iPhone, a new iPad and some new Macs. Daanesh, Vaibhav and Abbas discuss what products to expect and what product would they really like to see.

    Can the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 compete with the iPad?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2022 17:47


    Along with the new Galaxy S22 line up of phones, Samsung also announced the Galaxy Tab S8 tablet in Ultra, Plus and standard variants. Daanesh, Vaibhav and Abbas discuss the features of Samsung's new tablets and how they compare to the gold standard in tablets- the Apple iPad.

    The Galaxy S22 series is here

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2022 29:17


    Samsung has announced its latest Galaxy S22 series which is made up of the Galaxy S22 Ultra, the Galaxy S22 Plus and the Galaxy S22. We thought this would be the perfect time to put the band together and restart the podcast in 2022. Listen to Daanesh, Vaibhav and Abbas discuss Samsung's latest and greatest mobile phones.

    Ep 204- WWDC 21 thoughts

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2021 42:17


    Abbas, Daanesh and Vaihbhav share their throughs on WWDC21 and talk through the new releases of iOS, iPadOS and MacOS.

    Ep 203- Sony WF-1000XM4 first impressions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2021 9:05


    Daanesh and Abbas receive the Sony WF-1000XM4 truly wireless earbuds and share their first impressions.

    Ep 202- iPad Pro 2021 first impressions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2021 8:04


    In this episode Daanesh and Abbas share their first impressions with the iPad Pro 2021.

    Ep 201- iMac 24-inch first impressions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2021 11:58


    Abbas and Vaibhav received their new M1 based iMacs and talk about it

    Episode #52 - the resurrection

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2019 74:33


    Abbas, Daanesh and Mike are BACK after a year-long hiatus. Nothing much has changed, except everything has changed. They chat about fold-able smartphones, the future of Android and the messy video streaming wars.

    Episode #51 - Drinking the Apple Juice

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2018 48:47


    Apple's got a slew of new phones out and an updated Watch, but does anyone really care? Plus Lenovo's got a new take on workstation laptops, and has an old problem returned to haunt Samsung?

    Episode #50 - Indefinite Hiatus

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2018 52:08


    The big FIVE-OH is a bittersweet episode as it marks over two years of podcasting but also Mike moving on to infinitely cooler climes. But fret not, Abbas brought cake and the lads dig in for one last go around of chat about the Galaxy Note 9, Pixel 3 and why Daanesh can't decide on what laptop to buy. We'll see you when we see you - thanks for listening!

    Episode #49 - Sony Mobile and Oppo woes, Galaxy Note 9 rumours, MS Surface Go opinions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2018 46:50


    Are Sony Mobile and Oppo about to pull out of the Middle East? What is the point of a Bluetooth S-Pen? Who is the Microsoft Surface Go for exactly? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode!

    Episode #48 - iOS 12, Blackberry Key2, Oppo Find X

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2018 48:08


    Apple steps up its mobile operating system game and the lads have differing feelings about the new Blackberry phone. Everyone agrees that Oppo's retractable camera is waaay better than Vivo's.

    Episode #47 - WWDC 2018 and Computex

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2018 46:27


    The lads have some stuff to say about Apple's latest software announcements and the new ASUS ROG phone. Plus, everyone gets real mad at Lenovo.

    Episode #46 - Smartphone Bonanza!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2018 43:01


    Just Abbas and Mike this week as Daanesh is galavanting around the globe. That doesn't stop the lads chatting about all the smartphones they've played around with recently. And, yes, we mean ALL of them. The list includes: Honor 10 Nokia 7 Plus Huawei Mate RS HTC U12+ Plus: Android P chat and future iPhone predictions.

    Episode #45 - Facebook dating will rule the world

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2018 40:47


    The lads discuss the latest Facebook announcements from F8. Fitbit Versa impressions are overall strong. LG G7 ThingQ impressions are overall meh.

    Episode #44 - So, is the the Huawei P20 Pro really that good?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2018 47:09


    The answer is, indeed, yes. The lads chat about Huawei's latest superphone after having used it extensively for the last three weeks. There's also chat about the OnePlus 6, Nest buying Nokia Health and the Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium.

    Episode #43 - The 'Twilight Coloured' edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2018 57:34


    WWDC predictions chat descends into a long and rambling conversation about Apple's longterm content strategy. Everyone is very excited about the leaked colours for the upcoming Huawei P20 Pro. Fitbit are about to release a new smartwatch that may just save them. Abbas is unable to put his phone on silent. We're sorry about that. Bad Abbas.

    Episode #42 - notches, notches, notches

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2018 48:25


    Android P developer preview brings with it support for notches and the lads aren't very happy. The Huawei P20 leaks, however, looks daaamn fine - notch or no.

    Episode #41 - Live from the show floor at Mobile World Congress 2018

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2018 49:10


    Abbas and Mike chat about the latest announcements from MWC in Barcelona direct from the conference. (Excuse the audio quality, the episode was recorded using a smartphone in a noisy convention hall)

    Episode #40 - The BIG four-oh

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2018 49:42


    The calm before the MWC storm... Abbas recounts his travels to the Samsung MENA Forum in Rome. Daanesh isn't convinced by the pricing on the Lenovo Yoga 920. Mike gushes (as usual) about Bang & Olufsen's newest headphones. Other topics of interest: OSN & Netflix joining forces Is Nest officially launched in the UAE? Apple HomePod grey market prices aren't too crazy

    Episode #39 - Smartglasses, smartspeakers and Star Wars

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2018 57:48


    Can Intel's new Vaunt smartglasses prototype hurry up and get to market already?! Apple HomePod reviews are in and Abbas says he still won't be buying one. Daanesh gushes over the admittedly cool Tesla Falcon X launch, and the lads chat about movies for a bit at the end.

    Episode #38 - Is the HomePod DOA? Plus pre-MWC 2018 chat

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2018 56:19


    Abbas explains why he won't be buying an Apple HomePod. Dubai gets AI-powered CCTV cameras. Daanesh speaks passionately about phones with five cameras and convince Mike that they're a good thing. The lads get excited about MWC, even if it's looking a little thin this year.

    Episode #37 - CES 2018 blowout special

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2018 63:26


    While the none of the lads are actually at CES this year, they sure do have a lot of opinions on what's been going on over in Las Vegas. Expect a lengthy chat about TVs, self-driving cars, VR and Linda.

    Episode #36 - 2017 End of Year Roundup

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2017 64:36


    2017 has been a busy year for tech. The lads round up the favourite gadgets and stories from the last 12 months.

    Episode #35 - Hey Siri, what track is playing? SHAZAM!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2017 51:16


    Apple buys Shazam... and we're not entirely sure why. The new iMac Pro is lovely and it's probably only a matter of time until Abbas gets one. Google and Amazon need to calm down and stop feuding. Facebook launches a messenger app to creep on your kids.

    Episode #34 - A plethora of Pixel plaudits

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2017 60:35


    Honestly, this week is just a Google Pixel love-fest. All three of the lads have had serious hands-on time with the Pixel 2 XL and talk about their likes and dislikes. Other topics of note: Mike’s Sonos explainer A couple minutes of Mac whinging

    Episode #33 - Imagining a world where HTC had actually built the Pixel 2 XL. Sigh.

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2017 42:24


    Oh you know we spend a large chunk of the podcast discussing the iPhone X - especially now that both Abbas and Daanesh have had some extensive hands-on time with it. We also ponder the alternate reality where HTC's upcoming U11 Plus was actually the Pixel 2 XL and everything was right in the 2017 smartphone world. Other topics of interest: B&O's Beoplay E8 wireless ear buds are classy but don't fit in Daaneh's ears Mike hates on Bluetooth Abbas fights Sith lords in AR

    Episode #32 - The iPhone X reviews are in and we're more than happy to give our opinions on them

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2017 33:27


    Daanesh is out this week, so Abbas and Mike hold the fort to discuss early reviews of the iPhone X. Rumours swirl about new phones from HTC and Razer and Mike talks about his experience using the FitBit Ionic for a few days.

    Episode #31 - Way too many good phones out there (and all of them marginally flawed)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2017 53:33


    The lads chat about their experiences using the Huawei Mate 10 Pro after a full week with the device. They give props to Motorola for the Z2 Force and its mods and while Apple Pay launched in the UAE this week, no one has tried it because they can't even remember the last time anyone actually used an iPhone. Go figure.

    Episode #30 - Coming at you LIVE(ish) from the Huawei Mate 10 launch

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2017 39:05


    This is it, all the hype has lead to this...the Huawei Mate 10 (and its Pro big brother) is finally announced. The lads give their immediate impressions of the phone after spending a little time with it at the official launch in Munich, Germany.

    Episode #29 - The other GITEX is here and we are far more impressed this time

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2017 44:18


    It turns out that GITEX Technology Week is far more interesting than GITEX Shopper. The lads chat about all the things poised to make Dubai the super city of the future - flying taxis, flying motorbikes, wireless power, airport face-scanning aquariums...the lot! Other talking points: There's a new Blackberry phone... but who is it for? Reports of the iPhone 8 exploding may be greatly exaggerated MATE 10 HYPE REACHES MAXIMUM LEVELS Oh, and Abbas went and preordered something special, but we won't spoil the surprise here...

    Episode #28 - Just about Pixel perfect

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2017 48:22


    This week we're coming at you just moments after Google's Pixel 2 reveal event - expect hot takes on all the new hardware, sadness at the fact that none of it is coming to the Middle East officially, and Mike getting a couple words in about the new Sonos kit.

    Episode #27 - GITEX is here and we're unimpressed

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2017 49:19


    Daanesh returns this week with tales of empty GITEX halls. The UAE iPhone 8 launch fails to impress. What will result of Google buying a big chunk of HTC? Dubai gets smart about electric car subsidies. And Mike gets giddy over new Sonos product leaks. Oh, and we're all really excited about the Huawei Mate 10...have we mentioned that before?

    Episode #26 - All iPhone X everything

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2017 59:24


    Abbas and Mike hash out the spate of Apple announcements that were unveiled this week, including the much-hyped iPhone X.

    Episode #25 - All the Eights, IFA and virgins

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2017 58:12


    We welcome Daanesh (hi!) from Gulf News/GNTech to the Behind the Bytes fold as we tackle the big 8s for 2017 - Nokia 8, Samsung Galaxy Note8 and the incoming iPhone 8. Plus, Mike gives his impressions from his time at IFA in Berlin and Abbas recounts his struggles setting up an account with the recently launched Virgin Mobile.

    Episode #24 - Chat with Omar Kassim

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2017 47:55


    We shake things up a little this week with our first ever guest, Omar Kassim, formerly of Middle East e-commerce giant JadoPado. Omar chats with Abbas and Bhavishya about e-commerce in the region and his latest venture Esanjo, a cryptocurrency real estate startup. Then on the bottom half of the show, Mike shows up and we chat all things MS Paint, Smartphones and AR...y'know, the usual. In this episode we also bid a fond farewell to Bhavishya who is leaving Dubai for more temperate climes. Take care bud, we'll miss you!

    Episode #23 - World WiFi Day!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2017 38:13


    Topics discussed: Rampant OnePlus 5 speculation Mike goes hands-on with the Sony Xperia Touch Mike goes eye-on with the Sony Bravia A1 OLED TV Nokia launches in the UAE but is it enough to make a comeback? Dubai is getting flying taxis by the end of the year but would you actually sit in one? Etisalat and Du are fighting to give you free Eid Wifi Abbas demos why you shouldn’t register with Virgin Mobile - LIVE! The Xbox One X is actually cheaper than the new iPad Pro - think about it

    Episode #22 - Gentlemen, it's been a marathon

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2017 59:06


    WWDC 2017 blowout! tvOS gets Amazon Video and nothing else! watchOS gets some new faces and surfing tracking skills macOS High Sierra: dumb name, cool operating system New MacBooks! New iMacs! THE iMAC PRO IS A BEAST and Abbas wants one VR is coming to Mac, with 100% more Star Wars, get excited! iOS 11: Bahvishya is less excited New iPads! Mike implores you to stop taking photos with your iPad AR on the iPad looks super dope HomePod: dumb name, cool product

    Episode #21 - The Apple Pizza Box

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2017 36:35


    Topics include: How essential is the Essential phone? WWDC 2017 predictions and the Apple Pizza Box Is anyone actually going to buy the new Nokia 3310? Bhavishya pitches a WhatsApp phone Blackberry KEYone vs. Sony Xperia XZ Premium Qualcomm’s crazy new 18-core processor Computex 2017 news

    Episode #20 - Keenwaah Balls

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2017 62:03


    Discussion topics: Google I/O info dump MS Surface Pro continuity reboot HTC U 11 is shiny and squeezable Bhavishya gives an e-commerce masterclass LG’s Wallpaper TV is ridonculous

    Episode #19 - So Handy

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2017 44:50


    Topics include: Du and Dubai Tourism get Handy People need to chill about the Du cinema commercial Abbas has a rude name for Google's mysterious new OS Would you buy an Amazon Echo you can poke at?

    Episode #18 - High noon

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2017 34:39


    Topics: Jado Pado sold and shut down :( We live-podcast the MS Surface Laptop launch Dubai Font is classy Samsung Pay is here and we likey Bites: Milka is the anti Death Chips

    Episode #17 - My Squeezable Sense Companion

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2017 39:00


    Talking points: Abbas gets a sneak peek at the Dubai Mall Apple Store Apple Maps gets traffic info but still no turn by turn navigation, so what's even the point? HTC is set to announce a new phone next month and rumours are they want you to squeeze it Etisalat offering Samsung Galaxy S8 and Huawei P10 phones on surprisingly affordable monthly instalment plans

    Episode #16 - DEATH CHIPS

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2017 53:52


    topics include: A veritable cornucopia of UAE smartphone launches Apple Mac Pro fiasco vs. Apple iPhone leaks There will be blood: Uber and Careem announce cheaper service DID WE MENTION DEATH CHIPS?

    Episode #15 - Abbas got to touch the Galaxy S8 / New Dubai Apple store / Careem free Wi-Fi

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2017 42:24


    Other topic include: Uber's app in the UAE is bad / Abbas' first hand experience with #laptopbanM

    Episode #14 - A bevy of Apple announcements / Hello Bixby? / #laptopban is dumb

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2017 48:46


    Other topics include: Bhavishaya's bout with man-flu / Du mobile data outage / Linksys VELOP mesh Wi-Fi / the poor quality of the Withings Steel HR band

    Episode #13 - Du smart home of the future / Amazon & Souq resume talks / Samsung QLED TVS

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2017 44:43


    Other topics include: Abbas' Android Stockholm Syndrome, if Mike's man-flu legit?

    Episode #12 - Mobile World Congress 2017 MEGAEXPLOSIONEXTRAVAGANZA Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2017 49:01


    Abbas and Mike record live from a hotel room in Barcelona within the relative vicinity of this year's Mobile World Congress. After 3 days of diligently covering all the latest and greatest announcements in the world of mobile communications they discuss the following topics: Huawei P10, Sony Xperia XZ Premium, LG G6, Nokia 3310, Blackberry KeyOne, Samsung Galaxy tablets

    Episode #11 - MWC hype reaches fever pitch / My favourite Oreo is Android / WhatsSnapAppChat

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2017 52:33


    Other topics include: Apple dates a few announcements. Tag Heuer are making another smartwatch because...? The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 returns (kinda)! Mike looks like a rubbish Jony Ive. Japanese cheesecakes are the best cheesecakes.

    Episode #10 - Dubai, city of the future! / digital banking is so lit / wireless iPhone charging

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2017 48:33


    Other topics include: Apple is making reality TV now? Abbas is attacked by boxes (twice!). We eat the healthiest chips known to man.

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