HTML All The Things - Web Development, Web Design, Small Business

Kimi K3 is a massive new open AI model with 2.8 trillion parameters, native vision and a one-million-token context window. Its creator claims it can compete near the frontier of coding, reasoning and knowledge work - but its potential goes far beyond benchmark scores. In this Web News, Matt and Mike discuss what happens when companies can operate powerful AI without depending entirely on OpenAI, Anthropic or another hosted provider. Could open models lower costs and unlock better AI products, or will their customizable guardrails create new safety and regulatory concerns? Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/kimi-k3-brings-frontier-ai-into-the-open

Modern browsers have evolved dramatically over the past two decades, quietly absorbing many features that once required custom JavaScript or third-party libraries. In this episode, Matt and Mike explore native browser capabilities including form validation, accordions, dialogs, popovers, lazy loading, and responsive images. Along the way, they discuss why letting the browser handle more of the work can improve accessibility, performance, maintainability, and the overall developer experience - without becoming dogmatic about JavaScript. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/javascript-isnt-always-the-answer-native-browser-features-every-developer-should-know Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Should you ship your app as soon as it's functional, or keep building until users love it? In this episode, Matt and Mike explore the difference between a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and a Minimum Lovable Product (MLP), and why that distinction matters more than ever in the age of AI-assisted development. We discuss feature creep, validating ideas with real users, trusting your instincts as a founder, and how to balance shipping quickly with building something people genuinely want to use. Whether you're creating an app, SaaS, game, or startup, this conversation is packed with practical lessons on building products that solve real problems and keep users coming back. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/growing-your-app-from-mvp-to-mlp

Remote work isn't simply about working from home - it's about building systems that let people do their best work without constant meetings or interruptions. In this episode, Mike shares nearly a decade of experience leading asynchronous engineering teams, discussing what separates successful async companies from those that struggle. We explore why trust, written communication, documentation, and intentional collaboration matter far more than online status indicators. We also discuss hiring for self-direction, onboarding remote employees, balancing autonomy with accountability, and why async work isn't the right fit for everyone. Whether you're leading a startup, managing a remote engineering team, or hoping to land your next remote job, this episode explores what successful async work actually looks like. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/how-to-build-an-async-remote-team-that-actually-works Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes. We hope you enjoy!

Sony has announced that beginning in 2028, new PlayStation games will no longer be released on physical discs. While much of the discussion has focused on digital ownership and game preservation, we explore a different question: what does the loss of physical media mean for gaming culture? From collectors and preservationists to streamer backgrounds, game stores, and shelves filled with iconic box art, physical games have become symbols of gaming itself. As the industry moves toward an all-digital future, are we losing more than just discs? Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/what-happens-when-physical-games-disappear

Artificial Intelligence is advancing faster than ever, but can it actually be made safe? In this episode, we explore the evolution of AI from today's Narrow AI systems to the theoretical future of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and Superintelligence. Along the way, we discuss AI alignment, control, bias, security, transparency, and the growing challenges researchers face as AI capabilities continue to accelerate. We also examine concerns raised by AI safety researcher Dr. Roman Yampolskiy and compare them with current safety approaches from organizations like Google DeepMind and NIST. Whether you're a developer, tech enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of AI, this episode provides a practical introduction to one of the most important conversations in technology. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/ai-safety-from-narrow-ai-to-superintelligence Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

The price of consumer electronics keeps climbing, and it may not be slowing down anytime soon. Using Valve's new Steam Machine as a case study, we examine how the ongoing RAM pricing crisis and AI-driven demand for hardware are reshaping the consumer electronics market. From gaming PCs and consoles to smartphones and local AI hardware, we discuss why prices are rising, what it means for consumers, and whether affordable tech is becoming a thing of the past. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/consumer-electronics-are-getting-gutted

Matt Diamante joins the show to discuss modern SEO, social media growth, and building an audience in the age of AI. We explore how he grew his following to over 600,000 people, why he fired his largest client to focus on content creation, and what businesses need to do to stay visible as search evolves beyond traditional Google rankings. We also discuss AI Overviews, personal branding, content strategy, and whether SEO still has a place in an increasingly AI-driven web. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/seo-social-media-and-building-an-audience-w-matt-diamante

For years, SaaS companies seemed untouchable. Now, investors have wiped trillions of dollars from software stocks as AI agents become capable of building functional clones of popular products in minutes. But are these fears justified? In this episode, Matt and Mike break down the growing panic around AI and SaaS. They explore why investors believe AI could destroy software moats, why tools like Claude Cowork and other AI agents are causing concern, and whether the market is overestimating how easily software companies can be replaced. They also discuss the hidden costs of replacing SaaS with internal AI-generated tools, the importance of integrations, maintenance, security, support, and why switching costs may be a stronger moat than many investors realize. Is SaaS actually dying, or is Wall Street pricing in a future that may never arrive? ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/the-2-trillion-ai-panic-is-saas-really-dead Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

In this edition of the Web News we address one of Mike's recent statements where he advised anti-AI workers to "shut up" in the face of a pro-AI workplace. He stated that you should not be bringing up your AI concerns to workplaces that are bullish on AI, especially during the difficult job market that developers and other tech workers find themselves in. This statement came with some harsh criticism from commenters, some of whom believe that you should not be covering up your own concerns and beliefs in order to keep a job that you disagree with. Matt and Mike revisit Mike's previous statement, and debate this topic surrounding a detailed comment left by a viewer. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/would-you-risk-your-job-to-oppose-ai-debate

Artificial intelligence may live in the cloud, but the infrastructure powering it exists in the real world. As companies race to build hyperscale AI data centers, communities are raising concerns about power consumption, water usage, housing pressures, environmental impacts, and the strain on local infrastructure. In this episode, Matt and Mike break down what data centers actually are, how AI is changing their scale and requirements, and why the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure has become one of the most controversial technology stories of the decade. Are AI data centers worth it, or are the costs starting to outweigh the benefits? Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/are-ai-data-centers-good-or-bad Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Anthropic has released Claude Fable 5, a Mythos-level AI model with built-in safeguards designed to route certain high-risk prompts to older models instead. As AI capabilities continue to accelerate, are AI companies creating systems they no longer fully trust? We discuss AI safety, prompt routing, technical debt, and whether this approach can scale as future models become even more powerful. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/anthropic-released-an-ai-it-doesnt-fully-trust

Most conversations about AI focus on job displacement, but a different story is unfolding at the same time. As companies rush to adopt AI, entirely new roles are appearing to bridge the gap between powerful models and real-world business problems. In this episode Matt and Mike explore emerging careers like Forward Deployed Engineers, AI Generalists, Prompt & Evals Engineers, and the growing need for developers who can rescue and maintain AI-generated applications. Are these temporary jobs created by a rapidly changing industry, or early signs of what the future workforce will look like? Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/ai-isnt-just-taking-jobs-its-creating-weird-new-ones Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

In this edition of Web News, Matt and Mike debate whether AI coding agents are starting to reverse the no-code revolution. Inspired by a recent article about a company abandoning its no-code website and returning to code, the conversation explores how tools like OpenAI Sites, Cursor, and other agentic workflows are changing the way websites are built. Are platforms like Webflow, Wix, and Squarespace facing a new challenge, or will they evolve alongside AI? From agency workflows and client expectations to the future of frameworks like React and Next.js, this episode dives into one of the biggest shifts currently happening in web development. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/ai-vs-no-code

When you launch a website, how long should you expect it to last? Two years? Five years? Ten? The answer depends on what you mean by "last." A website can remain online and technically functional for years while quietly becoming harder to maintain, slower to evolve, less effective at generating leads, or increasingly out of touch with a company's brand and customers. In this episode, Matt and Mike explore the real lifespan of modern websites. They break down the difference between replacing a website because you want to versus because you have to, discuss how technical debt, security, performance, SEO, and changing business needs can force a rebuild, and examine whether modern architectures like headless CMSs, design systems, and component-based development are helping websites stay relevant longer than ever before. Whether you're a developer maintaining client projects or a business owner wondering if your website is due for an upgrade, this episode will help you understand the signs that a website is reaching the end of its useful life - and what to do about it. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/how-long-do-websites-last-and-when-should-you-replace-them Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

For years, technology kept adding new categories to our lives. First it was the desktop computer, then the laptop, smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, wireless earbuds, game consoles, and now smart glasses and AI-powered wearables. The problem is that every new category comes with its own price tag, upgrade cycle, and growing expectation that we'll keep up. In this edition of the Web News we're discussing the rising cost of consumer technology, whether the average person can realistically afford this expanding portfolio of devices, and how consumers should think about spending in an era where tech feels more expensive than ever. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/the-middle-class-cant-keep-up-with-tech-anymore

AI skepticism might be one of the most valuable developer skills right now - but only if it doesn't turn into stubbornness. In this episode, Matt and Mike discuss the growing divide between developers who reject AI entirely and those who trust it far too much. They explore why blindly accepting AI-generated code can create serious problems in production, why refusing to adapt can hurt your career, and where experienced developers still provide the most value. From architecture and security to maintainability and product-specific context, this episode breaks down the increasingly important role of human judgment in AI-assisted development. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/ai-coding-hype-is-starting-to-crack Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Modern web design is everywhere right now - gradients, floating cards, oversized hero sections, glassmorphism, micro animations, dark mode… and increasingly, every site is starting to feel the same. Even AI-generated websites seem to default to the same handful of design trends and layouts. But is that actually a problem? In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike discuss whether “modern” automatically means “better,” why so many websites are converging toward the same aesthetic, and whether usability, branding, and originality are starting to get lost in the process. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/why-does-every-website-look-like-a-saas-app

In this episode, Matt and Mike break down why traditional CSS learning often falls short - and what actually works instead. From building muscle memory and understanding layout behavior to avoiding common beginner mistakes like over-nesting and fighting the layout, this episode is all about practical, real-world CSS skills. We also explore hands-on learning scenarios like navbars, hero sections, blog layouts, and forms-plus a simple framework you can use to improve your CSS faster. And in the age of AI, we discuss why practical CSS knowledge is still essential for debugging and building production-ready designs. If you've ever felt stuck between “knowing CSS” and actually building with it, this episode is for you. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/you-know-css-so-why-cant-you-build-anything Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Google just unveiled a major expansion of Gemini across Android, and it feels like the company is trying to redefine what Android actually is. Instead of functioning as “just” a mobile operating system, Android is increasingly becoming an AI-powered platform layer that sits across phones, wearables, cars, TVs, and more. In this edition of the Web news, Matt and Mike discuss Google's latest Gemini announcements, the new AI-driven Android experience, what features actually look useful, and whether this shift changes how developers and users interact with devices moving forward. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/android-isnt-just-an-operating-system-anymore

GitHub has had a rough few months, with outages, service degradations, Copilot interruptions, and even a merge queue bug that affected real pull requests. In this episode, Matt and Mike look at what's been happening with GitHub, why developers rely on it so heavily, and whether the rise of AI-assisted coding is putting even more pressure on one of the most important platforms in modern software development. Is this just normal growing pain for critical infrastructure, or a warning sign that developers should rethink how much trust they place in a single platform? Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/what-is-going-on-with-github Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

AI isn't just changing how developers write code - it's changing what developers watch, what creators make, and what platforms reward. Traditional web development tutorials used to dominate developer education online, but now AI-focused content often gets more attention because it feels faster, more exciting, and more connected to job security. In this episode, Matt and Mike discuss the growing shift toward AI coding content, whether developers are skipping important fundamentals, and what this means for the future of web development education. They also explore the pressure creators face to pivot toward AI content and whether traditional coding tutorials are becoming less relevant in the algorithm-driven creator economy. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/are-web-dev-tutorials-dying  

The entry-level developer job market is sending mixed signals in 2026. On one hand, reports suggest that employment among younger developers has dropped significantly - fueling concerns that AI and automation are squeezing out junior talent. On the other hand, major companies are actively increasing their hiring of entry-level engineers, citing long-term industry health and the growing importance of AI fluency. In this episode Matt and Mike break down what's really happening with junior developer jobs right now. From the so-called “entry-level squeeze” to companies doubling down on early-career hiring, they explore whether this is a true crisis - or just another shift in how developers enter the industry. They also dive into what junior developers should actually be focusing on in today's market, including the balance between strong coding fundamentals and AI proficiency, and how new developers can position themselves to stand out in an increasingly competitive landscape. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/the-junior-developer-job-market-in-2026-crisis-recovery-or-both Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike break down the rumors surrounding OpenAI's upcoming “AI agent phone” - a device that could fundamentally change how we interact with technology. But while the idea sounds futuristic, history tells a different story. From operating system challenges to app ecosystem risks, we've seen major players like BlackBerry and Windows Phone struggle to compete - and fail. So what makes this AI phone any different? Is this the next evolution of smartphones… or are we watching history repeat itself? Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/why-ai-phones-might-fail-like-blackberry

AI tools have made developers faster than ever - but at what cost? In this episode, Matt and Mike dive into the unexpected side effects of using AI heavily in development workflows. From losing a sense of accomplishment to struggling with focus, trust, and long-term skill retention, they explore how AI might be quietly reshaping not just how we work - but how we feel about our work. Is increased productivity masking deeper problems? And are developers becoming too reliant on AI without realizing it? This is an honest conversation about the trade-offs of modern development - and what we might be losing in the process. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/whats-happening-to-me-the-negative-side-effects-of-ai Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

AI is changing everything - especially for junior developers. While many companies are cutting back on entry-level roles, IBM is doing the opposite. In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike explore why IBM is tripling its entry-level hiring in 2026, what that says about the future of software development, and whether this strategy gives them an edge in the AI race. Is this a smart long-term investment - or a risky bet in a world where AI can already write code? If you're a junior developer (or thinking of becoming one), this might be one of the most important signals in the industry right now. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/is-ibm-winning-the-ai-race-a-bet-on-entry-level-developers

Web apps, PWAs, and native mobile apps - how do you actually choose what to build? In this episode Matt and Mike break down the real-world tradeoffs between web apps and mobile apps, including hardware access, performance, user friction, monetization, and app store vs web distribution. From instant updates and SEO to GPU-intensive apps and background processes, we explore where each approach shines - and where it falls short. If you're building a product in 2026, this is a decision you need to get right. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/web-apps-vs-mobile-apps-choosing-the-right-path-in-2026 Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Wearables are quickly becoming the next recurring revenue stream for tech companies - but are they also becoming our next primary interface? In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike break down the evolution of wearables, from smartphones to smartwatches and fitness rings, and dive deep into the emerging world of smart glasses. With devices like Meta's Ray-Bans already offering cameras, audio, and AI integrations - and future versions potentially adding heads-up displays (HUDs) - we may be on the verge of a major shift in how we interact with technology. But where do smart glasses actually fit? Are they productivity tools, entertainment devices, or simply another niche like smartwatches? And as AI reduces our need to constantly stare at screens, could wearables become our new “always-on” interface? From digital minimalism to always-connected AI agents, this episode explores whether smart glasses are just another gadget - or the beginning of something much bigger. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/are-smart-glasses-the-next-tech-interface

2026 is shaping up to be a strange time to be an engineer. AI is evolving rapidly, competition is higher than ever, and many developers are trying to figure out how to stay relevant and valuable in an increasingly crowded field. In this episode, we break down what we think actually makes an engineer stand out today. Instead of chasing every trend or trying to learn every new framework, we focus on the skills that consistently matter: strong fundamentals, real-world problem solving, the ability to navigate messy codebases, debugging, judgment, communication, and the business side of engineering. We also talk about how AI changes the landscape - not as a replacement for engineers, but as something that requires thoughtful integration, good judgment, and practical implementation skills. Whether you're early in your career or a seasoned developer trying to stay sharp, this episode is about becoming the kind of engineer teams rely on. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/how-engineers-stand-out-in-2026-skills-that-actually-matter-now Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.  

In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike break down the growing conversation around Project Glasswing, a new cybersecurity initiative from Anthropic. At the center of the discussion is a next-generation AI system referred to as a “Mythos-level” model - a step beyond their previous top-tier models. Instead of releasing it publicly, Anthropic is using Glasswing to test how this model interacts with real-world software systems, particularly when it comes to identifying vulnerabilities. Is Mythos too dangerous to release - or just being handled carefully? Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/is-anthropics-mythos-too-dangerous-to-release

Web development isn't just about clean code and perfect logic-it's a deeply human process. In this episode, Matt and Mike explore the creative, messy, and often unpredictable side of building websites and web apps. From client-developer back-and-forth to real-world trade-offs, shifting requirements, and the motivations behind why projects exist in the first place, this episode dives into the parts of development that aren't written in documentation-but shape every project. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/ai-can-write-code-but-development-is-still-human Related Episode: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/writing-code-was-never-the-bottleneck Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike dive into the surprising return of keyboard phones. With devices like the Titan 2 Elite and Clicks Communicator gaining traction, physical keyboards are suddenly back in the spotlight. But this isn't just nostalgia. As digital minimalism grows, more people are pushing back against endless doomscrolling and touchscreen fatigue. Could keyboard phones offer a more intentional, focused mobile experience? Or is this just another short-lived trend riding on retro hype? Matt also reflects on his long-standing love of keyboard phones and whether modern smartphones have done enough to pull him away - or if the tactile typing experience still has a place in 2026. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/the-return-of-the-keyboard-phone-is-blackberry-back

Everyone online is bragging about running 50, 100, even 500 AI agents at once - but is any of that actually making the work better? In this episode Matt and Mike unpack the growing trend of “agent overload” and why more AI doesn't always mean better results. From losing context in your codebase to creating fragile, overcomplicated systems, we explore how chasing scale with AI can quietly hurt your productivity. Instead of spinning up endless agents, the real opportunity might be slowing down and focusing - using AI to go deeper, not wider. If you've ever felt like your workflow is getting noisier instead of more effective, this episode is for you. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/youre-using-too-much-ai-and-its-hurting-your-work Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Microsoft says it's listening. After years of complaints about Windows 11 - from missing features to a growing focus on AI integrations like Copilot—Microsoft has published a new blog post committing to improving the core Windows experience. But is this a real shift, or just another promise? In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike break down what Microsoft actually said, what it means for developers and everyday users, and whether Windows 11 is finally getting the attention it needs. Is this the course correction Windows users have been waiting for - or is it too little, too late? Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/microsoft-commits-to-fixing-windows-11

AI coding tools are evolving incredibly fast - but the user experience may not be keeping up. In this episode, Matt shares his first experience trying Codex on Windows and how a simple attempt to generate a classic Snake game quickly turned into a confusing experience filled with permission prompts, unclear setup steps, and rapidly draining usage credits. This sparks a larger discussion about whether AI development tools are moving so quickly that UX is being left behind. In this episode Matt and Mike discuss the gap between tools like ChatGPT and more advanced coding environments like Codex, why developer tools can still feel intimidating even with AI doing the coding, and how today's AI ecosystem feels a lot like the early days of crypto - powerful but sometimes chaotic. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/trying-codex-for-the-first-time-was-confusing Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike take a look at a rare piece of good news in the tech industry - software engineering job postings are on the rise. After years of layoffs, hiring freezes, and constant speculation about AI replacing developers, this shift feels like a breath of fresh air. But how meaningful is it? Are companies actually hiring again, or are more job postings simply creating the illusion of recovery? Matt and Mike break down what this data really tells us, why job postings don't always equal job offers, and how AI may be reshaping hiring expectations rather than eliminating roles altogether. They also discuss economic uncertainties, shrinkage in specific dev areas (ie game development), and draw comparisons to pre-pandemic job posting numbers. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/dev-job-postings-are-rising-but-is-it-enough Mentioned good news episode: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/some-good-news-for-web-developers

Are websites dead? Is SEO even worth it anymore? With AI-generated answers, Google's AI overviews, and tools that can build entire sites in seconds, it's easy to think the traditional web is on its way out. But is that actually what's happening? In this episode, Matt sits down with agency owner Nat Miletic to talk about what they're seeing firsthand in the world of web development and client work. From niche sites to WordPress to the future of organic traffic, they break down what's changing - and what's not. If you're a developer, freelancer, or agency owner wondering where things are headed, this is a grounded, real-world look at the impact of AI on websites and SEO. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/are-websites-dead-agency-owner

AI tools can now write code, scaffold entire apps, and even manage parts of the development process - but if building software is easier than ever, why aren't we seeing a flood of wildly successful new products? In this episode Matt and Mike explore the idea that writing code was never actually the biggest bottleneck in building software. Instead, the real challenges lie in figuring out what to build, who to build it for, and how to get people to actually use it. They discuss the hidden work behind successful products - including product management, marketing, stakeholder alignment, and navigating real-world complexity like infrastructure, edge cases, and legacy integrations. If AI can help us write code faster than ever, what does that mean for developers, founders, and the future of building software? Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/writing-code-was-never-the-bottleneck Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

AI coding tools are evolving quickly - and the latest generation of “agentic” development tools are changing how developers interact with their codebases. In this edition of the Web News, Mike introduces Matt to Claude Code for the first time. While Matt already uses tools like ChatGPT to assist with coding, he hasn't yet adopted the newer workflow where AI agents can plan, generate, and modify entire projects directly from the terminal. During the episode, Mike walks through a live demo of Claude Code by attempting to generate a brand-new website for the HTML All The Things podcast and blog. Along the way, they explore features like plan mode, discuss how agent-based tools approach software development, and examine how these tools compare to more familiar AI assistants. Throughout the demo, Matt reacts in real time - asking questions, challenging assumptions, and trying to understand how these modern AI development workflows actually fit into a real developer's process. If you've been hearing about tools like Claude Code, Codex, or AI coding agents and wondering how they actually work in practice, this episode offers a firsthand look at the experience of using them live. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/trying-claude-code-for-the-first-time  

A lot of developers say you should learn a framework from its official documentation - but is that actually a good way to learn React when you're still a beginner? In this episode, Matt breaks down his experience working through the official React docs, including the Quick Start guide, the Tic-Tac-Toe tutorial, and the “Thinking in React” section. Along the way, he talks about where React starts to click, where the docs shine for beginners, and why understanding project structure, state, and component hierarchy matters so much when you're trying to move beyond vanilla JavaScript. In this episode Matt and Mike discuss whether the official React documentation is enough for beginners, how React's learning materials compare to more guided tutorials, and what parts of the docs are especially helpful when you're trying to build real understanding instead of just copying code. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/can-i-learn-react-using-the-official-documentation Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Working with clients is a normal part of running a web development agency - but every once in a while you encounter a client who refuses to budge, even when their approach is actively hurting their own project. In this edition of the Web News, Matt Lawrence and Mike Karan discuss one of the most frustrating realities of agency life: stubborn clients who become convinced they've already diagnosed the problem. Whether it's a client insisting their website traffic issues are caused by technical SEO instead of weak content, or pushing for changes that won't actually improve results, these situations can quickly derail projects. Matt and Mike break down why these situations happen, how developers can redirect the conversation without damaging the client relationship, and practical strategies for dealing with clients who won't listen. If you work with clients - whether as a freelancer, agency owner, or developer inside a company - you've likely run into this scenario before. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/when-clients-ignore-your-advice

The web development industry has felt pretty turbulent lately - AI disruption, layoffs, hiring freezes, and endless doom-scrolling. So in this episode, we're flipping the script. There's actually some genuinely good news happening in web development right now. From developer job numbers quietly ticking back up, to Nvidia's internal AI experiment showing productivity gains without eliminating roles, to Interop 2026 launching with all major browser vendors aligned on compatibility - the industry may be stabilizing more than it seems. We also talk about how AI is making our jobs easier (yes, really), why frameworks like React, Vue, and Svelte have matured into stable foundations, and why the “AI bias” toward certain tools is starting to disappear. In this episode Matt and Mike cut through the noise and highlight what's actually going right in web development - and why this might be one of the best times to adapt rather than panic. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/some-good-news-for-web-developers Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Block just laid off nearly 4,000 employees - cutting its workforce almost in half - and CEO Jack Dorsey says it's not because the company is struggling. In this edition of the Web News, we break down Jack's X post explaining the decision and what it signals about AI-driven productivity, flatter teams, and the future of tech companies. Is this a one-off restructuring - or the beginning of a major shift in how companies are built? Matt and Mike also discuss how to remain ready for market changes and how to avoid the fear of what seems like career-level existential threats. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/what-do-the-block-layoffs-mean-for-the-industry

As I dive deeper into React and AI-assisted development, I've realized something uncomfortable - my JavaScript fundamentals weren't as solid as I thought. In this episode Matt and Mike revisit ES6 and modern JavaScript concepts like let vs var, const and mutability, arrow functions, this binding, destructuring, and more. We also explore how frameworks and AI tools can add layers of abstraction that quietly distance us from core fundamentals. If you're working with React, Svelte, or modern tooling, this episode is a reminder that mastering JavaScript fundamentals is still one of the best investments you can make as a developer. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/upgrading-my-javascript-fundamentals-es6-and-beyond Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Are mobile apps really “dead”? With the rise of AI-generated micro apps and vibe coding tools like Google Opal, some believe users will stop downloading traditional apps and instead generate exactly what they need on demand. But is that realistic? In this edition of the Web News, Matt breaks down the growing narrative around AI-generated apps and questions whether everyday consumers actually want to prompt-engineer their own tools. He explores the hidden costs of app generation - bug fixing, long-term maintenance, shared user experiences, and platform longevity - and explains why general-purpose apps aren't disappearing anytime soon. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/mobile-apps-are-not-dead

AI tools are becoming a core part of modern development workflows—but they come with serious risks most developers aren't thinking about. In this episode, Matt and Mike break down five AI security threats that are already happening in the real world. From prompt injection attacks and rogue AI agents with access to your email, to runaway API bills and poisoned models slipping into your stack - these aren't hypothetical problems. If you're using AI in production, in your codebase, or inside your company workflows, this episode will help you understand what can go wrong - and how to protect yourself before it does. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/5-ways-ai-can-blow-up-in-your-face

The pace of AI model releases is becoming almost impossible to follow. In just two weeks we saw GPT-5.3-Codex, GPT-5.2 updates, Gemini 3 Deep Think upgrades, Claude Opus 4.6 with a 1M context window in beta, Qwen3-Coder-Next, GLM-5, MiniMax M2.5, Cursor Composer 1.5, and even Kimi 2.5 just outside the window. This isn't a quarterly product cycle anymore - it's a daily arms race. In this episode Matt and Mike break down what this acceleration means for developers, open source, frontier labs, and the broader industry. Are we witnessing healthy innovation, or unsustainable velocity? At what point does this stabilize - if it ever does? If you're trying to build, learn, or compete in AI right now… this conversation is for you. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/ai-competition-is-out-of-control

Most website project delays aren't caused by bad code - they're caused by communication and decision-making issues. In this episode, Matt and Mike flip the script and talk about how clients can be better partners to their web developers. From vague feedback and false urgency to scope creep and decision-by-committee, we break down the most common developer pet peeves, why they matter, and what small communication changes can dramatically reduce costs, speed up timelines, and improve final results. This isn't about blaming clients - it's about understanding how modern web projects actually work. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/how-to-be-a-good-client-to-your-web-developer Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

As AI tools and instant search become more embedded in our daily workflows, it's getting easier to outsource our thinking instead of working through problems ourselves. In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike discuss whether AI is making us lazier thinkers, how constant access to answers is changing problem-solving habits, and why struggling with a problem might still be an important skill to protect. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/we-dont-think-anymore

In this episode Mike and Matt discuss how code review is becoming one of the most important developer skills as AI takes on more of the actual code writing. With AI generating larger and denser pull requests, reviewing code effectively has become harder - and more critical - than ever. They break down the real cognitive limits humans face when reviewing code, including how many lines can realistically be reviewed at once and why reviews should be timeboxed to avoid missed issues. The conversation focuses on how to anchor reviews around what truly matters in a codebase, such as security, performance, testing, reliability, and user experience. Mike and Matt also share practical tips for becoming a better code reviewer, including creating checklists around critical paths, doing multiple review passes, encouraging smaller cascading PRs, and relying on tools like linters, formatters, and AI to handle nits. They wrap up by exploring how AI can assist with code reviews - summarizing diffs, identifying risky areas, and generating edge cases - while leaving final decisions and tradeoffs firmly in human hands. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/code-reviews-are-more-important-than-ever Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

AI is still in its “build at all costs” phase, but the pressure to turn a profit is growing fast. With reports suggesting OpenAI could burn through billions in 2026, the question becomes clear: how does AI actually make money? We dig into subscriptions, potential future monetization models, and the looming threats of regulation, copyright, and data access. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/the-ai-monetization-problem-nobody-has-solved-yet