Topic: Smartphone App

The hosts evaluate the Dog Dazer II, a handheld device that emits a 25 kilohertz tone to deter dogs. They debate the feasibility of creating a smartphone app version versus a dedicated high-quality keychain device using a piezo speaker. A potential Kickstarter campaign is proposed as a way to bring a branded version to market.

The 2020 Iowa caucus is described as a "fiasco" due to the failure of a new smartphone reporting app developed by Shadow Inc. Despite warnings from cybersecurity experts about the lack of transparency and testing, the Iowa Democratic Party proceeded with the technology. The failure led to significant reporting delays and a viral clip of a precinct leader being hung up on by the party hotline while live on CNN.

EasyJet has transitioned to a mandatory online check-in system, heavily incentivizing the use of their smartphone app for boarding passes. This shift creates difficulties for travelers without smartphones or those concerned about app-based tracking. Furthermore, many modern hotels have removed printers and business centers, forcing guests to email documents to front desks for physical copies.

Windows Phones remain surprisingly prevalent in Italy, appearing at car rental agencies and restaurants despite the platform's lack of modern app support. This trend is attributed to local economic conditions where many residents prioritize basic texting and internet functionality over expensive iPhone hardware. Users reportedly accept the lack of updates as a functional reality for their daily communication needs.

Senators Chuck Schumer, Harry Reid, and others are pressuring Apple to remove apps that alert drivers to DUI checkpoints. John C. Dvorak argues in his column that these apps actually make people drive safer and that the government is overstepping by interfering with mobile commerce.