In this episode, Erik and Kris interview Randall Herd—VP Marketing at Arhket.

Arhket is an AI driven prototyping tools that allows users to quicky get from ideation to prototype through a clever combination of visual wireframing tools and AI prompts.

SHOW NOTES

Arkhet: https://arkhet.app/

*For those interesting a discount on the Arkhet platform, contact Randall on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallherd/

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 Kris and Erik discuss Microsoft's latest report on global AI adoption trends, explore highlights from CES 2026 including LEGO's groundbreaking Smart Bricks, Samsung's triple-folding phone, and AMD's new AI-powered laptop processors. Plus, we check out Repebble's new smartwatches and voice-recording ring.

SHOW NOTES

Zorin OS https://zorin.com/os/ (Linux-based operating system designed as a user-friendly alternative to Windows and macOS, featuring familiar desktop layouts and extended hardware support)

Ollama https://ollama.com/search (Local LLM runtime platform enabling privacy-focused AI model deployment on personal hardware)

Microsoft AI Economy Institute Global AI Adoption Report 2025 https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/corporate-responsibility/topics/ai-economy-institute/reports/global-ai-adoption-2025/ (Comprehensive analysis showing AI adoption reached 16.3% globally with widening divide between Global North and Global South)

Repebble Index 01 https://repebble.com/index (Voice-recording smart ring with button and microphone for capturing thoughts, requiring no charging for years of use)

Repebble Watch https://repebble.com/watch (New e-paper smartwatches including Pebble Round 2 and Pebble Time 2 with long battery life and open-source PebbleOS)

AMD Ryzen AI 400 Series Announcement https://www.amd.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2026-1-5-amd-expands-ai-leadership-across-client-graphics-.html (Next-generation processors featuring 60 TOPS NPU for AI workloads, 12 Zen 5 cores, and enhanced performance for laptops and mini-PCs)

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold Coverage https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-galaxy-z-trifold-hands-on-flexing-is-believing-at-ces-2026-224343480.html (Hands-on coverage of Samsung's triple-folding smartphone with 10-inch display that won Best Overall Product at CES 2026)

LEGO Smart Bricks Star Wars Sets https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/news/2026/december/lego-smart-play-announcement (Interactive LEGO platform featuring Smart Bricks with embedded sensors, speakers, and processors smaller than a LEGO stud, launching March 2026 with Star Wars sets)

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 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