344: A Fistful of Videogames

346: Are Steam Sales Even That Good?

Jul 5, 20261h 23mSummary

The hosts dive into the recent developments surrounding the Steam Machine, starting with the peculiar story of a high-end, unauthorized companion cube case manufactured by Dbrand. Despite the project involving significant investment in injection molding and production prototypes, the hosts reveal that it was ultimately canceled after Valve intervened regarding intellectual property concerns. The discussion highlights the audacity of the move, noting how rare these few existing units have become in the enthusiast market. Beyond the hardware drama, the hosts provide a comprehensive review of the Steam Machine itself. They emphasize the thoughtful engineering behind the device, specifically its quiet thermal performance, compact form factor, and overall ease of use as a living room console. They share insights into the setup process, the strategic hardware choices made by Valve to ensure stability, and the potential for it to serve as a versatile gaming and emulation hub. Throughout the conversation, the hosts contrast the machine’s console-like experience with the complexities of traditional home-built PCs, ultimately framing the device as a compelling, albeit expensive, addition to the growing ecosystem of Valve hardware.

345: I Covered This On My Livejournal

Jun 28, 20261h 12mSummary

In this episode of Brad & Will Made a Tech Pod, host Will takes center stage for a solo cold open to share his initial impressions of Valve’s latest hardware. He discusses the polished, console-like experience of the device, noting its ease of use, efficient power management, and impressive build quality, which he compares favorably to previous handheld efforts. He highlights how the system stays out of the user's way, allowing for a seamless gaming experience that feels distinct from traditional PC environments. Following the hardware discussion, Will welcomes guest Flo, a senior writer at PCMag and expert in the mobile tech space. The two delve into the shifting atmosphere of developer conferences like Google I/O and WWDC. They explore how these events have evolved from gatherings of true believers into more complex industry spectacles increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence. The conversation touches on the integration of AI agents like Gemini into Android, the changing demographics of the tech industry, and the growing influence of social media content creators in professional press spaces. It is a wide-ranging discussion on the current state of consumer technology and the challenges of reporting on a rapidly transforming digital landscape.

343: Siri Lives on Dynamic Island

Jun 14, 20261h 13mSummary

In this episode of Brad & Will Made a Tech Pod, the hosts open with a troubleshooting tale from Will, whose car steering wheel electronics experienced a sudden failure. The incident sparks a wider conversation about the modern over-computerization of vehicles and the reliability of complex internal network buses. Following the automotive detour, the discussion shifts to Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). The hosts analyze the latest software updates, describing the release as a Snow Leopard-style refinement period focused on performance and usability rather than flashy new gimmicks. They explore Apple’s decision to address common user grievances, such as the widely criticized "liquid glass" design language from the previous year. The duo highlights the company’s efforts to improve transparency sliders, unify window corner geometries, and streamline UI consistency, suggesting that Apple is increasingly sensitive to feedback from social media. The hosts also touch upon the evolving format of Apple's presentations, the implications of leadership transitions, and the ongoing challenge of maintaining high production standards in a post-Steve Jobs era. The episode rounds out with reflections on the state of software development and the importance of prioritizing stability over relentless feature expansion.