The Minus Sixteen Podcast

The BRUTAL truth of the YouTube Algorithm & looking back at WWDC Ep. 89

In this episode of Minus 16, we were joined by Sam Beckman, so we took the chance to delve into the intricacies of the YouTube landscape, discussing the impact of the algorithm on video performance, the challenges of expanding content beyond our established niches, and the considerations we make when deciding to working with a sponsor or brand.
 
We spoke about the financial pressures creators face and the balance between passion and audience expectations and the various and unexpected roads our content journeys have taken us.
 
Daniel has finally taken the plunge and got himself a MacBook Pro. What have his first impressions been, and will he stick with it? Of course, we reflect on WWDC too. Was it a hit or miss?
 
Sam speaks about the differences between dealing with the App Store versus Google’s Play Store from a developers point of view. Oh - and there have been some massive chages to CapCuts terms and conditions that you should hear about!
 
Get in touch: david@talkingtechandaudio.com
Check out the new website: https://talkingtechandaudio.com
 
 
#wwdc #apple #samsung #iphone16e #iphone #iphone #youtube #contentcreator
 
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:14 Navigating content creation and audience expectations
04:08 Brand collaborations and view count guarantees
10:40 The business of YouTube
12:24 Navigating brand collaborations
14:17 Exploring new content: the shift in channel direction
17:42 The challenge of audience expectations
23:01 The evolution of influencers: from niche to broad appeal
26:41 Content creation: balancing passion and audience demand
37:27 The evolution of content creation
39:21 Changing lanes - the risks involved
40:15 Daniel’s MacBook Pro experience
44:06 Mac vs Windows
46:16 The future of tech and content creation
51:05 Reflections on passion and authenticity in tech
52:12 WWDC insights and Apple’s direction
01:02:38 The privacy dilemma: Apple's stance
01:05:25 The consumer's perspective
01:08:15 Developer insights: App Store vs. Google Play
01:11:25 The CapCut controversy
01:13:24 Closing thoughts…

WWDC 2025 - anticipations and the current state of Apple Ep. 88

David and Alex discuss the upcoming WWDC event and the anticipated features from Apple, including AI integration, a new gaming app, Live Translation, a significant overhaul to the UI, and the renaming of the OS. We also chatted about the new features and the very latest rumours about what to expect at the upcoming WWDC. Is this the most important keynote ever for Apple? The stakes are high!
 
We chat about Apple's current management and lack of innovation. With all the legal challenges and competition in the tech industry, what will the implications of these changes be for users and the overall tech landscape moving forward?
 
A/B testing of both thumbnails and titles is finally coming to YouTube, so we vent about what’s more important - the title or the thumbnail. And with VEO3 now out, what is the future for us as creators?
 
Get in touch: david@talkingtechandaudio.com
Check out the new website: https://talkingtechandaudio.com
 
 
#wwdc #apple #samsung #iphone16e #iphone #iphone #youtube #contentcreator
 
Chapters
00:00 Navigating the challenges of content creation
03:11 Sponsorships and collaborations in the digital space
06:00 The evolution of YouTube channels and growth strategies
08:54 Balancing creativity and commercial demands
12:02 The importance of quality content and brand relationships
14:59 Future aspirations and strategic partnerships
17:59 Exploring new technologies and trends
21:06 Preparing for upcoming content and events
23:35 Apple's upcoming features and changes
26:12 WWDC 2025 anticipations and Apple's current state
28:46 Apple's management and innovation concerns
32:33 The impact of legal challenges on Apple
36:44 wMore WWDC ’25 predictions and user interface overhaul
40:35 AI integration and the all-new gaming app
52:15 AI battery management
54:24 Apple's visionOS-inspired UI
56:58 WWDC expectations
01:00:42 YouTube thumbnail strategies and a/b testing
01:06:55 The importance of thumbnails vs titles
01:11:15 AI’s impact on content creation
01:14:35 The future of AI in video production

Samsung S25 Edge, CarPlay Ultra, and WWDC - what you need to know! Ep. 87

The Samsung S25 Edge, CarPlay Ultra and WWDC were all up for discussion on this episode…
 
Will there be a shift in smartphone design, as the era of thin phones comes back, and will they challenge the foldables? We’ve asked for change, and now we are finally seeing it, but what’s the Samsung Edge been like to live with? Daniel tells us firsthand.
 
Apple finally unveiled CarPlay Ultra, so David takes a deep look into that and gives us his thoughts on why car makers have been so reluctant to adopt to using it. And what’s coming at WWDC…we’ll cover that properly next time, but we have some early thoughts and predictions.
 
While Alex was on holiday, it gave him time to reflect on the phones he uses every day and what features make him decide what phone to reach for.
 
And what is happening with YouTube and views? They seem all over the place - has something changed, and what makes a video pop and take off?
 
We also discuss the balance between work and enjoyment while travelling, the significance of pushing creative boundaries, and the joy of connecting with viewers through our content. 
 
Get in touch: david@talkingtechandaudio.com
Check out the new website: https://talkingtechandaudio.com
 
 
#apple #samsung #samsunggalaxy #iphone16e #iphonese #iphone#iphone #youtube #contentcreator
 
Chapters
00:00 YouTube challenges and content planning
00:10 Current tech trends and future predictions
01:55 The Samsung S25 Edge
06:56 The shift in smartphone design and consumer expectations
09:54 The future of thin phones vs. foldables
12:33 Real-world usage: balancing work and leisure
22:01 Navigating the mid-range smartphone market
26:50 Focus on usability in tech
27:52 Navigating the smartphone landscape
30:07 The arrival of CarPlay Ultra
33:39 Anticipating WWDC and iOS redesigns
37:23 YouTube trends and creator challenges
45:24 Experimenting with content strategies
51:31 The power of reflection in content creation
54:15 Learning from analytics and viewer engagement
57:08 Creating content while travelling: balancing work and enjoyment
01:00:06 Pushing creative boundaries: shooting outside the comfort zone
01:05:07 The joy of sharing and connecting through content

Samsung's S25 Edge and Apple's legal battles - is this the end of the App Store? Ep. 86

As ever, in this podcast, we set about discussing the latest developments in the tech world, first focusing on the upcoming launch of Samsung's S25 Edge.
 
Then we chat about the ongoing legal troubles faced by Apple. We look at the implications of Apple's anti-competitive practices and how these could affect the company's business model moving forward. Are the best days behind Apple, and what will now become of the App Store? The world of tech landscape is changing before our eyes, and we talk over the accountability of the big tech players, the dangers of monopolies and how they need to be policed, and the future of smart home technology.
 
Daniel visited an event last week showcasing the future of the Smart Home and how Samsung sees it playing out.
 
Then we touched on the challenges of content creation in the quieter times and how it actually allows you to expand your content portfolio.
 
Get in touch: david@talkingtechandaudio.com
Check out the new website: https://talkingtechandaudio.com
 
#apple #samsung #samsunggalaxy #iphone16e #iphonese #iphone#iphone #youtube #contentcreator
 
Chapters
00:00 Samsung's upcoming launch of the S25 Edge (we think)
02:15 Apple's courtroom drama
08:18 Apple's anti-competitive practices
11:13 Is Apple's business model at risk?
17:11 Apple: navigating legal challenges
20:01 The importance of big tech accountability
22:13 The dangers of monopolies
26:18 The Samsung Smart Home
32:31 Samsung vs. Apple
35:49 Making content when things are quieter
Apple, Samsung, S25 Edge, court case, anti-competitive practices, tech news, YouTube, smartphone innovation, business model, Epic Games, Big Tech, accountability, monopolies, smart home technology, Samsung, Apple, content creation, legal battles, app store, ecosystem

Why Samsung’s One UI 7 missed the mark - lessons MUST be learned! Ep. 85

Alex is sunning himself in Brazil, so it’s just David and Daniel who start by delving into the world of tech, focusing on the performance issues of One UI 7 and where it all went wrong for Samsung over the past few months. Have the latest updates helped? Daniel explains…
 
We chatted about the latest rumours about iPadOS and iOS, what new features they may bring, and how they might look. The discussion then shifts to YouTube, reflecting on its growth as a content platform and how we started to watch content and what made us think we might want to try it ourselves.
 
We shared anecdotes about our early experiences with YouTube and how it influenced our content creation journeys, especially during COVID. Also, who are the creators we look up to? Who inspires us, and what is this current theme of 'dunking' on other channels all about?
 
Authenticity was touched on, and we talked in detail about how important we find that in the content we both make and watch. There are some rumoured new changes coming to how YouTube may display videos on your homepage feed that could have major implications - we talk over whether we think they are good for creators or not.
 
Then we chatted about cameras as David has just bought a new lens for his Canon, and what lenses Daniel may be looking to upgrade to next. Finally, we spoke about the importance of having a dedicated studio space and the freedom and creativity that brings...
 
 
Get in touch: david@talkingtechandaudio.com
Check out the new website: https://talkingtechandaudio.com
Watch the Trent from Punchy video: https://www.youtube.com/c/themactime?sub_confirmation=1
 
#apple #samsung #samsunggalaxy #iphone16e #iphonese #iphone#iphone #youtube #contentcreator
 
Chapters
00:00 Rainy days in Queensland
02:27 The new website
05:59 Tech Updates: One UI 7 and performance Issues
09:03 YouTube's evolution 
12:03 Samsung vs. Apple: audio fix issues 
15:01 The aesthetics of technology
24:18 The Future of Apple OS - what we can expect
35:11 YouTube as a family viewing platform
44:50 The COVID effect - how YouTube benefited
48:03 The Vlog revolution & lifestyle channels
50:58 The importance of authenticity in content creation
54:06 The creative process and getting inspiration from other creators
58:05 The impact of AI on content creation
01:01:06 A dedicated creative space - the benefits
01:04:56 Investing in quality equipment for better content
01:07:59 Community engagement

The £3000 iPhone could be coming - what effects will tariffs have on our tech? Ep. 84

In this episode of Minus Sixteen, we discuss various topics, including the challenges of technical setups, the release of One UI 7, smartphone durability issues, the pressures of content creation, the impact of tariffs on smartphone pricing, and the evolution of smartphone camera technology.
 
We chat about how these factors influence our work as tech creators and jump into the nuances of video production, focusing on the importance of selecting the right camera gear, particularly lenses, and the impact of audio and lighting on video quality. We discuss the significance that scripting and presentation techniques have on making effective content.
 
We also touch on the implications that tariffs will have on tech products and how companies might adjust pricing strategies in response to these economic factors. That led us on to the subject of corporate responsibility, environmental concerns, privacy issues, and the challenges of content creation on platforms like YouTube where creators face difficulties in gaining traction for diverse content due to algorithmic changes. We talk about our strategies for engaging audiences and the importance of adapting to trends in technology and social media in general.
 
And then we looked at how Apple navigate government demands for data access while maintaining user privacy. The discussion also delves into the evolving landscape of YouTube, where creators face difficulties in gaining traction for diverse content due to algorithmic changes.
 
Get in touch: david@talkingtechandaudio.com
 
#apple #samsung #samsunggalaxy #iphone16e #iphonese #iphone#iphone #youtube #contentcreator
 
00:00 Content Creation Pressures and Quality vs. Quantity
01:18 The Impact of Tariffs on Smartphone Pricing
04:09 Camera Technology: Need vs. Want
07:23 Log Video Recording and Smartphone Capabilities
17:07 Choosing the Right Camera Gear
22:20 The Importance of Lenses and Accessories
28:23 Scripting and Presentation Techniques
35:22 Understanding Tariffs and Their Impact on Tech
40:18 The Future of Pricing in Tech Products
41:16 Corporate Responsibility and Environmental Concerns
43:56 Privacy and Data Protection Challenges
46:12 YouTube Algorithm and Content Creation Challenges
54:16 Navigating Content Diversification and Audience Engagement
56:58 Future Plans and Content Strategy

Apple can’t hide - but has the AI bubble ALREADY burst? Ep. 83

Definitely one of our best - this is what podcasting should be about!
 
We started off by thinking that there may not be much to chat over - but how wrong we were! We got the ball rolling by chatting over the expansive choices there are now available in the Android market and the giant strides they’re making in catching up the brand leaders.
 
That gave way to what was supposed to be a chat about WWDC which was announced this week, however, that rapidly gave way to a pretty heated chat about about AI and what we all think it’s future will be. It’s clear Apple is a little lost right now, and it seems our overarching view was that Apple needs to find back their passion.
 
After we all calmed down a little, we then spoke about our various studio spaces and Daniel’s move that will mean soon he will have his first dedicated studio space - exciting times ahead, for sure!
 
Honestly, this episode is one we know you’ll enjoy!
 
Get in touch: david@talkingtechandaudio.com
 
#apple #samsung #samsunggalaxy #iphone16e #iphonese #iphone#iphone #youtube #contentcreator
 
00:00 Intro
01:39 Let’s talk about Android
03:35 What phones are popular in Australia
05:39 How much does Android UI vary from phone to phone?
09:23 Daniel’s long-term thoughts on the Samsung S25 Ultra
11:43 Missing the S Pen
12:19 Alex and his current daily
15:50 Alex and his dodgy iPhone 16 Pro
17:05 Everything works…it just works!
18:45 David the iPhone 16e and leading the simple life
21:21 The iPhone 13 mini - still a gem!
23:35 Daniel and his two phones - and the poll!
24:28 WWDC 2025 - our thoughts
25:27 AI - is it all it’s cracked up to be?
33:15 Apple can’t hide
39:24 The tech world waiting for the next big thing…
42:41 Apple missing passion
43:00 Samsung’s far from blameless
44:40 Studio chat
47:47 Daniel and his studio plans
50:45 Alex nearly gave up!
52:25 Mental wellness and not getting defeated
54:54 The difference between working with sponsors
56:15 Making the most of your studio space
58:55 Daniel’s new camera
59:50 Always learning
60:00 The Mac mini is still on Daniel’s mind

Staying sane! Tom Buck explains Ep. 82

A bonus episode of Minus Sixteen this week - Alex & David are joined by audio buff Tom Buck.
This is one we’d been waiting for - and Tom didn’t fail to deliver. We cover the real side of YouTube and life as a creator. 
Tom chats over the risks of going solo, why he took his enthusiasm podcast on to YouTube, preserving mental health as a creator and channel memberships.
It’s all here - if you are into audio, gear, tech and want to become a creator, this episode is for you.
Get in touch: david@talkingtechandaudio.com
00:00 Intro
03:43 Going full time
05:01 Tom and the risks of going self-employed
08:15 Tom on Adsense and revenue in general
12:21 Being objective with content
17:10 Tom’s take on working with sponsors
20:55 Audio podcasts versus YouTube views & stats
23:25 Why Tom took his podcast to YouTube
26:56 Mental welfare as a creator
30:45 Tom and the content pipeline
32:32 Live-streaming
34:44 Channel memberships
40:50 YouTube viewers becoming podcast viewers
44:05 Tom on finding his ‘voice’ on YouTube 
47:13 Tom experimenting with his gear & gadgets
50:43 Tom on scripting
53:23 Not being too perfect…
57:20 YouTube viewing habits change