In this episode of Tek With Josh, I take a break from current tech news and go back to the company that made me fall in love with smartphones in the first place: HTC. Before phones became uniform slabs of glass, HTC was experimenting, taking risks, and giving users tools that encouraged curiosity and customization.

This isn’t a spec breakdown or a history lesson. It’s a personal reflection on growing up with Windows Mobile, discovering early Android, learning how to root phones, and working retail during some of the biggest smartphone launches of all time. HTC didn’t just make devices — they shaped how many of us learned to use, understand, and care about technology.

What We Talk About

My first experiences with HTC phones during the Windows Mobile era

The T-Mobile Dash, HTC Mogul, Pocket PC devices, and early smartphone experimentation

Why Windows Mobile felt ahead of its time

Playing games, watching videos, and customizing phones before app stores were polished

HTC’s role in launching Android with the G1

The Hero, EVO, and why the EVO felt like a true iPhone competitor

Working retail during major HTC launches and what that era felt like

Rooting phones, custom ROMs, and learning Android from the inside

The Nexus lineup and HTC’s influence on Google hardware

The rise and fall of HTC as a smartphone powerhouse

Why phones today feel less exciting — and what we lost along the way

Why This Episode Matters

HTC represents a time when smartphones felt personal. When hardware experimentation mattered. When learning your phone meant something more than choosing an ecosystem. This episode is about remembering that era — and acknowledging how much modern smartphones owe to a company that no longer gets the recognition it deserves.

Final Thoughts

Phones are more powerful than ever, but they don’t always feel meaningful. HTC made me want to tinker, explore, and truly understand the technology in my pocket. That curiosity stuck — and it’s the reason I still care about tech today.

About Tek With Josh

Tek With Josh is a podcast focused on technology, nostalgia, and thoughtful commentary on the devices and platforms that shape our everyday lives.

Listen, read, and explore more at:

👉 BooksByJosh.com

In this episode of Tek With Josh, I take a close look at Apple’s newly launched Creator Studio plan and explain why it feels different from most subscription offerings we see today.

This isn’t just another bundle of apps. Apple is clearly trying to collapse the entire creative workflow into one connected ecosystem, bringing together video editing, music production, image work, and upgraded productivity tools under a single subscription. At a time when creative software keeps getting more expensive, the pricing alone makes this worth talking about.

I break down exactly what’s included in Apple Creator Studio, including Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage, along with premium features inside Keynote, Pages, and Numbers. I also explain how much these apps cost individually and why the bundle changes the conversation around access to professional tools.

A major focus of this episode is Apple’s iPad strategy. Final Cut Pro for iPad, combined with the Final Cut Cameraapp, introduces a mobile-first workflow where your iPhone can act as a more serious camera and feed directly into your editing setup. For creators recording interviews, podcasts with video, or multi-angle content, this approach can significantly reduce friction between recording and publishing.

I also compare Apple Creator Studio directly with Adobe Creative Cloud, including pricing, app scope, and the tradeoffs between Apple’s tightly optimized ecosystem and Adobe’s cross-platform flexibility. While Adobe still offers unmatched breadth, Apple’s pricing and performance on M-series hardware make this a compelling option for many creators, especially students.

I wrap up by explaining why this is one of the few subscriptions I can actually get behind, particularly for younger creators and students who want access to professional-level tools without spending hundreds or thousands upfront.

What I Cover in This Episode

What Apple Creator Studio is and why it matters

All the apps included in the subscription

Monthly, annual, and student pricing breakdown

Why Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro alone justify the value

Final Cut Pro for iPad and Final Cut Camera integration

Apple Creator Studio vs Adobe Creative Cloud

Apple’s long-term ecosystem strategy for creators

Who this subscription makes the most sense for

Let Me Know

If you’ve tried Apple Creator Studio, I’d love to hear how you’re using it and whether it fits your workflow. Reach out and let me know what stood out to you.

In this episode of Tek With Josh, I reflect on the rise of minimalist tech and the growing desire to simplify our relationship with the devices we use every day. As smartphones become more powerful and more distracting, there’s a renewed interest in technology that does less on purpose and helps us regain focus, presence, and control.

We talk about why modern phones make it so easy to fall back into old habits, the appeal of physical keyboards, notification lights, and intentional design, and whether minimalist devices can realistically coexist with today’s connected world. This episode isn’t about rejecting technology altogether, but about rethinking how we use it and what we actually need from it.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by constant notifications, endless scrolling, or the pressure to always be online, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at what a more intentional tech setup could look like.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why minimalist phones and devices are gaining attention

• The problem with modern smartphone design and habit loops

• Physical keyboards, LED notifications, and tactile feedback

• The balance between staying connected and staying focused

• Using technology more intentionally instead of reactively

Listen & Connect

• Website: https://booksbyjosh.com

• Podcasts: Tek With Josh, Books By Josh Audio Immersion, Manga With Josh

• Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/booksbyjosh

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