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

If you enjoyed this episode, consider subscribing and leaving a review—it helps the show reach more listeners.

Rumors and renders of a foldable iPhone are starting to feel more serious, but does that mean it’s something worth buying? In this episode of Tek With Josh, I break down why Apple’s rumored iPhone Fold could be a major moment for the company, and why I personally wouldn’t buy one at launch.

Drawing from experience using both Apple devices and foldable phones, I talk through Apple’s history with first-generation products, the real-world tradeoffs of foldables, and why price, battery life, durability, and software maturity matter more than form factor hype.

This isn’t an anti-Apple take. It’s an honest look at what a first-gen iPhone Fold would likely offer, who it might actually be for, and why waiting could be the smarter move.

In this episode:

Why Apple entering the foldable market is a big statement

Apple’s track record with first-generation hardware

Foldable phone tradeoffs: battery, cameras, durability, and software

Why price could be the biggest barrier to adoption

Why I won’t be buying the first iPhone Fold

Who a foldable iPhone might actually make sense for

If you enjoy thoughtful, real-world tech discussions without the hype, make sure to follow Tek With Josh for weekly episodes.

Last-Minute Tech Gifts

Real Tech Gifts Without the Gimmicks

In this episode of Tek With Josh, Josh breaks down last-minute tech gift ideas that actually make sense. No sponsored picks, no gimmicks, and no throwaway tech that ends up forgotten in a drawer.

This episode is designed to stay evergreen, focusing on categories of tech that are genuinely useful — whether you’re shopping for someone else or just upgrading your own setup.

What’s covered in this episode:

Everyday productivity tech that improves work and creative workflows

Portable charging solutions for home, travel, and daily carry

Wireless charging options that reduce cable clutter

Headphones and earbuds across multiple budgets and ecosystems

Smartphone picks for both Android and iOS users

Desk and workstation upgrades that simplify connections

Small, affordable tech accessories that make great stocking stuffers

Entry-level audio gear for gaming, streaming, and podcasting

Why this episode works year-round:

MSRP pricing is discussed in USD instead of sale prices

Recommendations are based on personal use and real-world experience

Categories stay relevant beyond the holiday season

Ideal for last-minute shoppers and thoughtful tech buyers

If this episode helped you out, make sure to follow or subscribe to Tek With Josh so you don’t miss future episodes.

You can find Josh’s other podcasts, writing, and projects at booksbyjosh.com.

Overview

In this nostalgic episode of Tek with Josh, Josh takes you back to the golden age of smartphones and breaks down the four devices that defined their eras: BlackBerry OS, Palm OS, iOS, and Android. These weren’t just popular phones — they were the ones that hit different and truly shaped what we know as modern mobile tech.

Drawing from firsthand experience working in the wireless industry during these launches, Josh shares stories, specs, and moments that you probably forgot about… or never knew happened. From BBM and push email to Palm’s gesture-based interface and early cloud backup, plus the iPhone 4’s game-changing design and Samsung’s feature-packed Galaxy S4, this episode is a full tour through smartphone history.

📌 Key Topics & Highlights

📱 BlackBerry OS Era

• Why BlackBerry was the business phone

• The beauty of the physical keyboard

• BBM: The original iMessage

• Push email and the iconic BlackBerry data plan

• The BlackBerry Pearl vs. Curve vs. 8300 Series

• Early smartphone limitations: no Wi-Fi, cameras, or touchscreens

📱 Palm OS & The Palm Pre

• Palm OS roots from the 90s

• Beaming contacts and apps through infrared

• HotSync vs. ActiveSync vs. BlackBerry Device Manager

• The Palm Pre launch story: lines, hype, and being part of the event

• Palm inventing:

– Wireless updates

– Built-in cloud backup

– Card multitasking

– Gesture navigation

• Why WebOS died, and how it lives on through LG TVs

📱 iPhone 4 — The Modern Smartphone Blueprint

• Why the iPhone 4 was such a massive leap over the 3GS

• Retina display and the shift to premium materials

• The leak that exposed the entire phone before launch

• Antennagate explained

• Front-facing camera + the birth of FaceTime

• The moment Apple changed the smartphone design language forever

📱 Samsung Galaxy S4

• Samsung’s rise from “number two” to Android king

• Why the S3 was good… but the S4 was legendary

• 1080p AMOLED screen in 2013

• Expandable storage, removable battery, and feature-packed TouchWiz

• Group Share: Samsung’s pre-SharePlay era innovation

• Why the S4 was the peak “fun era” of Android

🎙️ Personal Stories

• Josh’s time working for Sprint during major phone launches

• Being part of the Palm Pre media preview

• Using BlackBerry as a young rep and experiencing push email

• Carrying spare batteries before power banks existed

• That unforgettable moment when Apple reinvented the smartphone

💬 Why These Phones Still Matter

• Each device introduced a feature we now take for granted

• They pushed the industry forward in completely different ways

• They represent a time when smartphones were exciting, unique, and experimental

🔗 Josh’s Other Content

If you enjoyed this episode, check out Josh’s other podcasts:
Books by Josh Audio Immersion & Manga with Josh

Read more tech posts and writing at booksbyjosh.com
Support Josh on Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/booksbyjosh

In this Holiday 2025 episode of Tek with Josh, Josh delivers a detailed and real-world comparison of iOS vs Android OS for anyone choosing a new smartphone. As someone who uses both an iPhone 17 Pro Max and a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, Josh breaks down what each mobile operating system does better—from everyday performance and apps to battery life, customization, and ecosystem features. If you’re researching iPhone vs Android, Apple vs Samsung, or simply deciding which phone to buy next, this episode provides clear insights based on more than a decade of hands-on use with both platforms.

Topics Covered:

Apple / iOS Advantages

Why Josh uses the iPhone as his primary device

Strength of the Apple ecosystem (MacBook, iPad, AirPods, HomePods)

iMessage vs RCS and messaging reliability

App performance and exclusive apps (Instagram, Blackmagic Camera, Final Cut, Scrivener)

iOS setup experience and seamless device transfers

Limitations of iOS: file management, multitasking, and third-party app restrictions

Android OS Advantages

Customization options: widgets, launchers, themes, icon packs

Samsung Work Profile for business vs personal separation

Foldable phones and true multitasking

Android fast charging (80W–100W) and high-refresh-rate displays

New battery technologies like silicon-carbide

Gaming and emulation benefits

Downsides: bloatware, duplicate apps, inconsistent experiences on budget phones

Devices & Tech Mentioned

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold (Z Fold 7 series)

HTC G2 / HTC Hero

OnePlus 3T

Nexus 6P

Samsung Galaxy S8+

MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, iPad Pro, AirPods Pro, HomePods

Key Takeaways

iPhone is best for users who want a polished ecosystem, reliable apps, and simple setup.

Android is best for users who want customization, fast charging, foldables, and gaming flexibility.

Budget Android phones often suffer from bloatware and lower performance.

iOS offers excellent long-term updates and app quality, while Android offers freedom and flexibility.

The right platform depends on your tech needs and how you use your phone daily.

Services, Apps, and Platforms Mentioned

Apple Music, Apple Books

Google Play Books, YouTube Music, Google Movies

Delta emulator (iOS)

3DS emulators (Android)

Josh’s Books (by Joshua A. Rodriguez)

Private Eye: The First Adventure of Jason Streak

Still Here Somehow: Poetry From A Dark Place

More at booksbyjosh.com

Connect & Support

If you found this iOS vs Android comparison helpful, follow Tek with Josh on your favorite podcast platform. New episodes cover smartphones, tech reviews, and honest breakdowns of the devices you use every day.