In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike break down the rumors surrounding OpenAI’s upcoming “AI agent phone” - a device that could fundamentally change how we interact with technology. But while the idea sounds futuristic, history tells a different story. From operating system challenges to app ecosystem risks, we’ve seen major players like BlackBerry and Windows Phone struggle to compete - and fail. So what makes this AI phone any different? Is this the next evolution of smartphones… or are we watching history repeat itself?

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/why-ai-phones-might-fail-like-blackberry

AI tools have made developers faster than ever - but at what cost? In this episode, Matt and Mike dive into the unexpected side effects of using AI heavily in development workflows. From losing a sense of accomplishment to struggling with focus, trust, and long-term skill retention, they explore how AI might be quietly reshaping not just how we work - but how we feel about our work. Is increased productivity masking deeper problems? And are developers becoming too reliant on AI without realizing it? This is an honest conversation about the trade-offs of modern development - and what we might be losing in the process.

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/whats-happening-to-me-the-negative-side-effects-of-ai

Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

AI is changing everything - especially for junior developers. While many companies are cutting back on entry-level roles, IBM is doing the opposite. In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike explore why IBM is tripling its entry-level hiring in 2026, what that says about the future of software development, and whether this strategy gives them an edge in the AI race. Is this a smart long-term investment - or a risky bet in a world where AI can already write code? If you’re a junior developer (or thinking of becoming one), this might be one of the most important signals in the industry right now.

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/is-ibm-winning-the-ai-race-a-bet-on-entry-level-developers

Web apps, PWAs, and native mobile apps - how do you actually choose what to build? In this episode Matt and Mike break down the real-world tradeoffs between web apps and mobile apps, including hardware access, performance, user friction, monetization, and app store vs web distribution. From instant updates and SEO to GPU-intensive apps and background processes, we explore where each approach shines - and where it falls short. If you're building a product in 2026, this is a decision you need to get right.

‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/web-apps-vs-mobile-apps-choosing-the-right-path-in-2026

Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Wearables are quickly becoming the next recurring revenue stream for tech companies - but are they also becoming our next primary interface? In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike break down the evolution of wearables, from smartphones to smartwatches and fitness rings, and dive deep into the emerging world of smart glasses. With devices like Meta’s Ray-Bans already offering cameras, audio, and AI integrations - and future versions potentially adding heads-up displays (HUDs) - we may be on the verge of a major shift in how we interact with technology. But where do smart glasses actually fit? Are they productivity tools, entertainment devices, or simply another niche like smartwatches? And as AI reduces our need to constantly stare at screens, could wearables become our new “always-on” interface? From digital minimalism to always-connected AI agents, this episode explores whether smart glasses are just another gadget - or the beginning of something much bigger.

‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/are-smart-glasses-the-next-tech-interface

2026 is shaping up to be a strange time to be an engineer. AI is evolving rapidly, competition is higher than ever, and many developers are trying to figure out how to stay relevant and valuable in an increasingly crowded field. In this episode, we break down what we think actually makes an engineer stand out today. Instead of chasing every trend or trying to learn every new framework, we focus on the skills that consistently matter: strong fundamentals, real-world problem solving, the ability to navigate messy codebases, debugging, judgment, communication, and the business side of engineering. We also talk about how AI changes the landscape - not as a replacement for engineers, but as something that requires thoughtful integration, good judgment, and practical implementation skills. Whether you're early in your career or a seasoned developer trying to stay sharp, this episode is about becoming the kind of engineer teams rely on.

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/how-engineers-stand-out-in-2026-skills-that-actually-matter-now

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In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike break down the growing conversation around Project Glasswing, a new cybersecurity initiative from Anthropic. At the center of the discussion is a next-generation AI system referred to as a “Mythos-level” model - a step beyond their previous top-tier models. Instead of releasing it publicly, Anthropic is using Glasswing to test how this model interacts with real-world software systems, particularly when it comes to identifying vulnerabilities. Is Mythos too dangerous to release - or just being handled carefully?

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/is-anthropics-mythos-too-dangerous-to-release

Web development isn’t just about clean code and perfect logic-it’s a deeply human process. In this episode, Matt and Mike explore the creative, messy, and often unpredictable side of building websites and web apps. From client-developer back-and-forth to real-world trade-offs, shifting requirements, and the motivations behind why projects exist in the first place, this episode dives into the parts of development that aren’t written in documentation-but shape every project.

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/ai-can-write-code-but-development-is-still-human

Related Episode: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/writing-code-was-never-the-bottleneck

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