Old's Cool — A Retro Tech Podcast

On this week's show, Stephen and Daniel review the new Pixel 11 series and talk about Google's place in the smartphone market. Daniel is a lot warmer on the Pixel 11 than many of his peers, but Google doesn't care either way — it's after bigger fish than tech reviewers.And they discuss this new Luddite Crew, a group of young people who embracing flip phones — or no phones at all. Now this is a movement the guys can get behind!Show notes and links:The trials and tribulations of reviewing a Pixel (9to5Google)Pixel 11 Pro Initial Review: Gemini Intelligence is the highlight, not HiLight (9to5Google)Gen Z's new anti-tech rebellion: making eye contact and listening to each other (Business Insider)Cranky Geeks 1987 - John C Dvorak (YouTube)---Feedback or comments? Email us at theoldscoolcast@gmail.comFind us on Instagram @theoldscoolcast too.

In this week's show, Stephen and Daniel dive into Google's Pixel 11 launch, a successful release that happened right next to the biggest shakeup to its org chart in years. Can Google's Pixel grow its market share in the AI age?---Feedback or comments? Email us at theoldscoolcast@gmail.comFind us on Instagram @theoldscoolcast too.

After a week off, Stephen and Daniel review the new Samsung Galaxy Fold 8 and burn Daniel's terrible taste in DIY phone cases. Plus, the latest AI scandals and trends.Show notes and links:Phones are getting fun (and weird) again - 9to5GoogleEveryone thinks the iPhone Ultra will crush Samsung. They’re wrong - Android Authority---Feedback or comments? Email us at theoldscoolcast@gmail.comFind us on Instagram @theoldscoolcast too.

On this episode, Stephen and Daniel dive into Samsung's recent Unpacked event where it launched the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series. What makes the new Fold 8 so interesting, and why does it matter that it's launching just months before Apple's rumored iPhone Ultra foldable? That's not a rhetorical question, we're asking you.Show notes and links:After using the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, I'm left with one expensive question (Android Authority)Galaxy Z Fold 8 hands-on: This redesign proves Google was right the first time [Video] (9to5Google)This might be the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Fold in their new colors [Gallery] (9to5Google)---Feedback or comments? Email us at theoldscoolcast@gmail.comFind us on Instagram @theoldscoolcast too.

This week, Stephen and Daniel recount OpenAI's highs (GPT 5.6's success) and lows (being sued by Apple) over the past week.Plus, Google's Gemini 3.5 Pro is delayed and the company risks falling too far behind the competition, particularly as Chinese competitors like Moonshot's Kimi K3 are catching up to Fable 5 and GPT 5.6 Sol.Finally, we talk smartphones and the many pressures of competing in the US. With OnePlus closing up shop and Google's Pixel line struggling for market share, are we resigned to a two-horse race?Show notes and links:What Is GPT-5.6? OpenAI's Three-Model Tier System ExplainedThe Wildest Allegations in Apple's Trade Secrets Lawsuit Against OpenAI - TechcrunchGoogle Gemini 3.5 Pro Launch Delayed as Model Falls Short of Internal Goals - BloombergKimi K3: Open Frontier Intelligence — Moonshot AI's 2.8 Trillion Parameter ModelGoogle Releases First Pixel 11 Teaser, Officially Reveals Pixel Glow - 9to5GoogleOnePlus Officially Shutting Down in the US and Europe - 9to5Google---Feedback or comments? Email us at theoldscoolcast@gmail.comFind us on Instagram @theoldscoolcast too.

On this week's show, Stephen and Daniel talk about archiving floppy discs in a digital age; the newest AI models from OpenAI, Meta, and others; Sony's old school Vaio laptops; how AI is destroying the way we teach and learn, particularly in university; and whether generative AI can really make you a better fiction writer. Plus, the best AI benchmark is a pelican riding a bicycle. Seriously.This episode's a long one, and it's all over the place, but it's better for it.Show notes and links:Machine Stories: How LLMs Set My Writing Free - The Yale ReviewBrown Professor Suspects Most of His Class Used AI to Cheat - Inside Higher EdCopy That Floppy! – A Practical Guide to Imaging Floppy Disks for Long-Term Preservation - DigipressBatman: Return of the Joker - Stages 1&5 (Floppy Drives) - MausolfB Music (YouTube)Can AI Keep a Parent Alive? - The New YorkerPelican Riding a Bicycle (AI benchmark) - Simon Willison's Weblog---Feedback or comments? Email us at theoldscoolcast@gmail.comFind us on Instagram @theoldscoolcast too.