In this episode Kris provides a long-term review of the iPhone Air, our co-hosts discuss Time Magazine's person of the year—The AI Architects—and Erik discusses how to run AI locally using Ollama. SHOW NOTES TIME: Person of the Year 2025 — AI Architects https://time.com/7339685/person-of-the-year-2025-ai-architects/ (Overview of TIME’s 2025 Person of the Year selection, highlighting AI builders shaping technology and society) Ollama (Official) https://ollama.com/ (Main site for Ollama, a local LLM runtime focused on privacy and performance) Shep Bryan on Ollama https://www.shepbryan.com/blog/ollama (Practical breakdown of Ollama, how it works, and use cases from a developer perspective) CONTACT Website:examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host  Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca Website: krishans.ca

In this episode, Erik discusses Linux has never quite become the everyday desktop operating system, despite powering much of the modern Internet and having a passionate community behind it. He explores what has held Linux back from mainstream adoption, and looks at how the end of Windows 10 support is pushing people to explore alternatives. Erik highlights Zorin OS, a Linux distribution designed to feel instantly familiar to Windows users, and explains why it might be the most compelling option yet for anyone user older hardware that is not compatable with Windows 11. SHOW NOTES Statcounter: Desktop OS Market Share Worldwide https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/desktop/worldwide/ (Global operating system usage data, including Linux’s current ~3 percent share) Linux Today: Microsoft Continues to Cite Linux as Proof It Is Not a Monopoly https://www.linuxtoday.com/infrastructure/microsoft-continues-to-cite-linux-as-proof-it-is-not-a-monopoly/ (Historical context on Microsoft using Linux’s existence during antitrust scrutiny) Ars Technica: New Project Brings Strong Linux Compatibility to More Classic Windows Games https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/11/new-project-brings-strong-linux-compatibility-to-more-classic-windows-games/ (Explains Proton, SteamOS momentum, and why Linux gaming is suddenly viable) Zorin OS Blog: Introducing Zorin OS 18https://blog.zorin.com/2025/10/14/zorin-os-18-has-arrived/ SavvyNik (YouTube): Zorin OS 18 Overview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni-JXsp0Vtw (Visual demo of Zorin’s UI and Windows-like workflow) Microsoft: Windows 10 End of Support: October 14, 2025 https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-home-and-pro (Official end-of-life documentation for Windows 10) Microsoft Learn: Windows 11 Requirementshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/windows-11-requirements Ubuntu Documentation: Linux Hardware and Driver Support Overview https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HardwareSupportComponents (Context on device compatibility challenges that shaped Linux adoption) GNOME Blog: Online Accounts and Cloud Integration in GNOME https://blogs.gnome.org/ (Background on the online accounts integration used by distros like Zorin) LibreOffice: LibreOffice for Windows, macOS, and Linux https://www.libreoffice.org/discover/libreoffice/ (Open-source Office alternative recommended for Windows switchers) Obsidian: A Powerful Notes App for Linux and Beyond https://obsidian.md/ (Cross-platform note-taking tool mentioned as a OneNote replacement)

In this episode, Erik dives into why prompting AI is hard, especially for those of us who have spent twenty years being trained to search the web with short, concise queries. He unpacks the shift from keyword-driven search habits to the more detailed, creative instructions AI systems require, and explains what this new “prompt literacy” means for everyday users, educators, and anyone working with modern AI. SHOW NOTES OpenAI: Best practices for prompt engineering with the OpenAI API Palantir: Best Practices for Prompt Engineering System in Motion: Why is prompting for image generation so difficult? Nielsen Norman Group: How AI Is Changing Search Behavior One Useful Thing: Working with AI: Two Paths to Prompting CONTACT Website:examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host  Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca Website: krishans.ca

In this episode, Erik talks about the rise of Agentic Web Browsers. These "next generation" web browsers are the new hotness, and companies like OpenAI, Perplexity, and Microsoft claim they can save you time by doing tasks on your behalf. But do they actually work? What are the risks of letting an AI control your browser? SHOW NOTES Consumer Reports: Should You Use an AI Browser Like ChatGPT Atlas? ChatGPT Atlas browser Microsoft Edge Copilot Mode TIME STAMPS 00:00:00 - Intro00:03:35 - What are agentic web browsers?00:13:15 - Consumer reports agent browser comparison00:23:22 - Tips00:29:07 - Wrap up CONTACT Website:examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host  Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca Website: krishans.ca

This episode was originally published on September 8, 2023 (Episode 60), during the AI hype cycle. What is still true today? Does Amazon still want to own the AI highway? Is higher education and business responding to ChatGPT the same way today? --- Examining is a technology-focused podcast that dives deep. Our co-hosts, Erik Christiansen and Kris Hans examine the technology industry, branding, productivity, and education, and provide practical tech tips. As we make this transition to "Examining" we will be updating our various account links, so please bear with us. SHOW NOTES YouTube: This video is titled “YouTube” and is available on the YouTube platform Harvard Business Review: How to Prepare for a GenAI Future You Can’t Predict ZDNet: 75% of businesses are implementing or considering bans on ChatGPT Slate: Amazon Web Services isn’t trying to win the A.I. race. It wants to own the road CONTACT Website:examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host  Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca Website: krishans.ca (Show notes created with help from Bing Chat AI)

This episode was originally published on February 1, 2022. In this episode, Kris and Erik return after their Winter break 'sabbatical.' Kris gives an update on the latest books he's read on work productivity, specifically those that force us to rethink how we work. Our co-hosts also discuss their work resolutions/goals for using technology and being productive.SHOW NOTESBooks*The Four Hour Work Week - Tim Ferriss*ReWork - Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson*Remote - Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson*Make Time - Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky Tools mentioned*Pinboard*IFTTT*Day One*No code toolsEDTECH EXAMINED CONTACT:Website: edtechexamined.comEmail: hey@edtechexamined.comTwitter: @EdTechExaminedTEAM INFORMATIONErik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-HostWebsite: erikchristiansen.net Twitter: @egchristiansenBlog: tech-bytes.netKris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-HostWebsite: krishans.caTwitter:  @KrisHansMarket Grade: marketgrade.comChristopher Hoang, Audio Producer & Sound EngineerWebsite: chrishoang.ca

In this episode, Kris and Erik discuss the legacy of Windows 10 (successes and controversies), Windows' evolution, how to get an extra year of Windows 10 support for free, and our favourite Windows features. SHOW NOTES Bloomberg: Apple is enticing Windows 10 users to switch to Mac/iPad Paul Thurrott: Windows 10 Legacy Lex Fridman podcast: Dave Plummer interview (former Microsoft veteran) Dave’s Garage: Dave Plummer’s YouTube channel on PC/software history, deep dives into hardware, retro hardware, and interviews with industry legends. Steven Sinofsky's book: Hardcore Software: Inside the Rise and Fall of the PC Revolution TIPS Engadget: Get extended Windows 10 support for free! Reddit: Hidden/lesser-known Windows features TIME STAMPS 00:00:53 - Reflection on Windows 00:06:02 - Legacy of Windows 10 00:25:54 - Apple going after Windows 10 users to switch 00:27:22 - Get a year of Windows 10 support for free! 00:32:01 - Favourite Windows features 00:41:54 - Wrap up CONTACT Website: examining.ca
X: @examiningpod
LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/company/examining

TEAM INFORMATION Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host
Website: erikchristiansen.net
X: @egchristiansen Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host
Website: krishans.ca
X: @KrisHans

In this episode, Erik and Kris discuss the new Sora 2 video generator from OpenAI and a startling Wired report about how public and government information was gathered from satellites using only $800 worth of equipment. SHOW NOTES Sora 2 AI video generator Wired: Satellites are leaking the world's secrets TIME STAMPS 00:02:51 - Sora 2 AI video generator 00:22:49 - Satellites are leaking the world's secrets (Wired) CONTACT: Website: examining.ca X: @examiningpod LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/company/examining TEAM INFORMATION: Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net X: @egchristiansen Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca X: @KrisHans

This episode was originally published September 21, 2021. ---- In this deep dive episode, Kris and Erik discuss Cal Newport's most recent book "A World Without Email." Newport argues that email and messaging apps (asynchronous communication) have led to what he calls "the hyperactive hive mind." Newport explains that email is taking up too much of our time at work and proposes several solutions to make us more efficient.SHOW NOTESKey concepts:*Email is abused and we spend too much time writing emails*We often offload our brains using email. It's easier to ask questions via email than find answers ourselves.*Email, like physical mail and instant messaging, is a form of asynchronous communication. *Our work has become more reactive than proactive. Newport says email and messaging apps have led to the "hyperactive hive mind" approach to work.*Boundaries around email can be implemented on a personal basis (i.e. Deep Work strategies), but real change has to be institutional (processes and expectations).Other books by Cal Newport:*Deep Work*Digital MinimalismTools for collaboration:*Trello*ITP Metrics EDTECH EXAMINED CONTACT:Website: edtechexamined.comEmail: hey@edtechexamined.comTwitter: @EdTechExaminedTEAM INFORMATIONErik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-HostWebsite: erikchristiansen.net Twitter: @egchristiansenBlog: tech-bytes.netKris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-HostWebsite: krishans.caTwitter:  @KrisHansMarket Grade: marketgrade.comChristopher Hoang, Audio Producer & Sound EngineerWebsite: chrishoang.ca

In this episode, Erik and Kris do their Fall 2025 productivity tips roundup and summarize some advice from author David Pink. They also compare sleep tracking apps, cover some mindblowing Microsoft data centre news, and share some early impressions of the new Apple Watch SE 3. SHOW NOTES AutoSleep app Streaks habit tracking Daniel Pink's advice Schedule Dr appointments in the morning Delay drinking coffee in the morning Showering in the morning vs evening (pros and cons) Morning vs evening exercise "Caffine naps" The "fresh start" effect Calendar scheduling hacks: Time blocking and batching Benefits of a paper planner for time blocking Logging time spent on priority activities helps build accountability Apple Watch workout friends (motivation) 2/5 minute rule: If it takes 2 minutes or less, it’s better to just do it now Permission to be rubbish (Greg McKeown) Built-in dictation feature in Microsoft Word Microsoft: Inside the world’s most powerful AI datacenter PC Magazine Apple Watch SE 3 review TIME STAMPS 00:01:33 - Autosleep App vs Apple Sleep Score 00:08:35 - Daniel Pink's productivity advice 00:23:13 - Co-host productivity hacks and apps 00:42:59 - Microsoft's mega datacenters 00:47:37 - Apple Watch SE 3 impressions 00:53:05 - Wrap up CONTACT: Website: examining.ca X: @examiningpod LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/company/examining TEAM INFORMATION: Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net X: @egchristiansen Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca X: @KrisHans

Following up on episode 74 on the September 2025 Apple event, Erik and Kris discuss Apple’s newly released operating systems for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and macOS. This year brings perhaps the largest design overhaul since 2013’s iOS 7. Across all its operating systems, Apple has introduced a new concept, “Liquid Glass,” a new material and design philosophy that is both new and old. The co-hosts talk about how Liquid Glass is both different and familiar, comparing it to the original macOS and Windows 7, and also review the major feature changes in each operating system. SHOW NOTES Apple’s introduction of Liquid Glass for WWDC 2025 Six Colors Blog operating system reviews iOS 26 review iPadOS 26 review WatchOS 26 review macOS 26 Tahoe review Apple operating system standards on Figma (and other platforms) Steve Jobs introduces Mac OS X, 2000 part 2 and part 3 Windows 7 design principles (transparency) TIME STAMPS 00:03:46 What is Liquid Glass? 00:13:20 What’s old is new again 00:29:17 iOS 26 00:38:41  iPad OS 26 00:47:08 macOS 26 Tahoe 00:53:37 The future of Liquid Glass CONTACT: Website: examining.ca X: @examiningpod LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/company/examining TEAM INFORMATION: Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net X: @egchristiansen Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca X: @KrisHans

In this episode, Kris and Erik break down the September, 2025 Apple event. Apple launched a new iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, the iPhone Air, new Apple Watches (Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3), and AirPod Pro 3.  SHOW NOTES: Watch the Sep 2025 Apple event PCMag: You Probably Missed These 7 iPhone Announcements at the Apple Event MacRumors: Apple Says iPhone Air is Another Step Towards ‘Singular Piece of Glass’ The Verge: The eight biggest announcements during Apple’s iPhone Air event The Verge: Apple barely talked about AI at its big iPhone 17 event CONTACT:Website: examining.caX: @examiningpodLinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/company/examiningTEAM INFORMATION:Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-HostWebsite: erikchristiansen.netX: @egchristiansenKris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-HostWebsite: krishans.caX: @KrisHans

SHOW NOTES: Bloomberg Law: Anthropic Judge Blasts Copyright Pact as “Nowhere Close to Done” Reuters: Anthropic Agrees to Pay $1.5 Billion to Settle Author Class Action Tom’s Guide: Claude AI Will Start Training on Your Data Soon — Here’s How to Opt-Out Before the Deadline Futurism: Sam Altman Says Dead Internet Theory Is Coming True Wolfram Media: What Is ChatGPT Doing and Why Does It Work? CONTACT:Website: examining.caX: @examiningpodLinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/company/examiningTEAM INFORMATION:Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-HostWebsite: erikchristiansen.netX: @egchristiansenKris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-HostWebsite: krishans.caX: @KrisHans

In this episode, Kris and Erik discuss AI Agents. They cover what they are, how they operate, and the pros and cons of having these agents roaming the Internet. SOURCES The Verge: AI agents are science fiction not yet ready for primetime Microsoft: Copilot and AI Agents OpenAI: Introducing ChatGPT Agent CONTACT Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-HostWebsite: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host WebsiteWebsite: krishans.ca

SHOWNOTES "AI Coding Tools Could Bring Us the 'One-Employee Unicorn'": Fast Company "Chamath Palihapitiya tweet about not studying code": X (formerly Twitter) "Interview with Ray Kurzweil": Intelligent Machines Podcast "Microsoft Thinks AI Colleagues Are Coming Soon": Fast Company "Your Politeness Could Be Costly for OpenAI": TechCrunch "Adobe Introduces 'Created Without Generative AI' Label": Fast Company "Not Made by AI Logo Pack": NotByAI.fyi "How People Are Really Using Generative AI in 2025": Harvard Business Review (HBR) "Infographic: How People Are Using Generative AI": HBR "Studies Show AI Can Dull Your Thinking Skills—Here’s How It Can Also Sharpen Them": Fast Company "GPT-4 Prompting Guide": OpenAI Cookbook "A Practical Guide to Building AI Agents (PDF)": OpenAI CONTACT Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host WebsiteWebsite: krishans.ca (Show notes and timestamp images developed with help from ChatGPT)

The State of Apple Daring Fireball: https://daringfireball.net/2025/03/something_is_rotten_in_the_state_of_cupertino HEY World: https://world.hey.com/dhh/age-is-a-problem-at-apple-f7ae6eca AI Discussion Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ClaudeAI/comments/1d4h1h9/claude_versus_chatgpt/ Featured Media IMDb (Buy Now documentary): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34350086/ ⌚ Pebble Watch Returns RePebble: https://repebble.com/ CNET: https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/pebble-watch-returns-it-might-be-exactly-what-the-smartwatch-landscape-needs/ CONTACT Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host WebsiteWebsite: krishans.ca (Show notes and timestamp images developed with help from ChatGPT)

Quantum Computing Breakthrough from Microsoft Microsoft News: Microsoft’s Majorana-1 Chip Carves New Path for Quantum Computing Nature: Microsoft’s Quantum Computing Bet: Topological Qubits Finally Arrive Popular Mechanics: Majorana-1 Topological Qubit Could Revolutionize Quantum Computing ChatGPT 4.5 (For Pro Users) TechRadar: ChatGPT 4.5 is Here for Pro Users Now and Plus Users Next Week – and I Can’t Wait to Try It Reuters: OpenAI Rolls Out GPT-4.5 to Some Paying Users, Expand Access Next Week One Useful Thing: The End of Search, the Beginning of Research (Related analysis on AI-driven research) Our experience with deep research: Erik’s deep research question is still running after a couple of days. Inc: Microsoft Says Workers are Already Using AI to Lighten Workloads, at Risk to Their Own Brainpower iPhone 16E (Assessment of Reviews) Wired: Apple iPhone 16E Review John Gruber: Daring Fireball’s Take on the iPhone 16E Framework Desktop Polygon: Framework Desktop: Gaming Specs, Price, and Where to Buy The Verge: Framework Desktop Announcement – Price, Release Date, and Details The End of Skype Microsoft: The Next Chapter – Moving from Skype to Microsoft Teams CONTACT Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host WebsiteWebsite: krishans.ca *Show notes and timestamp images developed with help from ChatGPT 4o

SHOW NOTES The Verge: How DeepSeek Crashed the AI Party The Wall Street Journal: Six Takeaways From a Monumental Week for AI Nature: How China Created AI Model DeepSeek and Shocked the World Fortune: Researchers Had a '100% Attack Success Rate' vs. DeepSeek Microsoft WorkLab: Research Proves Your Brain Needs Breaks TWiT.tv: Marc or Marx? CONTACT Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host  Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca

News Articles * Inc.: AI Isn’t Magic, and It Isn’t a Strategy Either* Ars Technica: It’s Remarkably Easy to Inject New Medical Misinformation into LLMs* Reuters: OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle to Invest $500 Billion in AI, Trump Says* MobileSyrup: OpenAI's Operator Can Browse the Web and Perform Actions for You* Daring Fireball: Siri Is Super Dumb and Getting Dumber Tips* Ars Technica: Home Microsoft 365 Plans Use Copilot AI Features as Pretext for a Price Hike* Thurrott: Microsoft 365 Personal and Family Plans Get New Copilot Features and a Price Increase Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host  Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website Website: krishans.ca

In this episode, we explored the latest tech highlights of 2025, covering Nvidia's advancements, the rise of AI devices and applications, Microsoft's recall issues, and Apple's innovations with Silicon and the Vision Pro. We wrapped up with a lighthearted tangent on decluttering projects, diving into how we organize our lives amidst all this tech! Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host  Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website Website: krishans.ca Show notes created with help from ChatGPT 4. The transcript is AI-generated. Please excuse any errors.