This week’s TWiT is a little scattershot as far as topics are concerned, but that’s mostly because of the great crew this week that includes John C. Dvorak, Baratunde Thurston, Brian Brushwood, and Felicia Day. The big topic to start things off is the Apple iOS4 stable jailbreak, which Leo somehow convinces Brian to perform on his own iPhone live on the show. Luckily, no iPhones were harmed in the production of this program.
The update to the Amazon Kindle series allows for a brief dive into the perennial topic of eReaders and the merits of a backlit reader like the iPad versus those of an E Ink reader. The TWiT crew also briefly hits on Palm’s filing for the trademark for the name “Blackpad”, which suggests RIM’s attempt at a tablet device.
With Baratunde on the show, it’s no big surprise that the mention of the Flipboard app for the iPad gets a bit of discussion. Due to the fact that he produces copy for a lot of tech websites, Flipboard is a little aggrevating because it scrapes content from different publishers without permission. John cuts in to say that Flipboard will get sued out of existence as son as it makes money, which everyone is quick to agree with.
Cell phone eavesdropping, iPhone 4 jailbreak, $150 Android tablet at K-Mart, longer YouTube videos, and more.
Runtime – 1:51:28
Links → | web | mp3 | iTunes | Zune | rss |
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
I'm starting to like TWiT. But the host-doing-the-adverts thing is weird. I've got to trust him one moment, then snap out of it for a second.
I've never had a problem with Leo's ads. He only promotes stuff he really believes in and uses (for the most part), but I can see how this isn't readily apparent to new listeners.
I accept the ads simply for the great sound quality their dollars buy. Also, there is a huge difference ethically between advertizing for Ford Motor Company or Winamp, which Leo does compared to hawking Cas4Gold and Reverse Mortgages, which Leo does not do.
I have no ethical problem with adverts or the products advertised. (Actually, it's great you can get money advertising relevant products.) But he does sound like a salesman. It's just jarring to me the way he goes from host to advertiser.
Btw, I didn't not like it before. I started listening since the show Jeff Gerstmann was on.
Just as a difference in opinion, I thought it'd be worth pointing out that I kind of prefer that he goes into "advertiser" mode, so I know there's an ad going on. I prefer salesman to "paid off editorial".
From the use of the word "advert" I am guessing you are from the UK or somewhere else in the Commonwealth. In the USA it has always been common for radio hosts to read ads live during the show. Leo started on radio and he still does a radio show so he is just doing what he's always done. So to us in the USA it sounds just like any radio show.
I'm from the UK, and I didn't know that. I guess it makes sense then. Thanks for clearing that up.