Episode Details

An iPhone survives a 2,600-foot fall, sparking debate on durability and user habits between Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Marty Jencius, Web Bixby, Jim Rea, and Jeff Gamet. A Texas startup launches a telescope-hosting data center, enabling astronomers to control gear remotely under pristine skies. Meanwhile, OpenAI stirs controversy by offering ChatGPT Enterprise to government workers for just $1, and AOL finally ends its dial-up service, marking the close of a digital era.

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Chapters:

[0:00] iPhone falls from plane and survives [2:28] Past stories of dropped phones [4:47] Debate on cases, lanyards, and durability [5:36] Telescope hosting data center in Texas [7:26] Renting vs. hosting telescopes [8:39] OpenAI offers ChatGPT Enterprise for $1 [10:32] Government AI adoption strategies [12:18] AOL finally ends dial-up service [15:35] Reflections on modems, faxes, and internet history [19:17] Reminiscing about AOL, Prodigy, Earthlink, and NetZero [23:38] Vintage modems and retro computing memories

Links:

AirDrop IRL: iPhone 16 Pro falls from plane and keeps filming https://9to5mac.com/2025/08/08/iphone-16-pro-falls-from-airplane-keeps-recording/

This Texas startup built a data center for the night sky with 400 telescopes https://www.fastcompany.com/91377334/this-texas-startup-built-a-data-center-for-the-night-sky-with-400-telescopes

OpenAI is giving ChatGPT Enterprise to the executive branch workforce for $1 https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-is-giving-chatgpt-enterprise-to-the-executive-branch-workforce-for-1-165812036.html

You had mail: AOL finally discontinues dial-up Internet service https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/08/09/you-had-mail-aol-finally-discontinues-dial-up-internet-service

Guests:

Web Bixby has been in the insurance business for 40 years and has been an Apple user for longer than that.You can catch up with him on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, but prefers Bluesky.

Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him on Twitter, by email at embolden@mac.com, on Mastodon at @eabolden@techhub.social, on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast.

Brian Flanigan-Arthurs is an educator with a passion for providing results-driven, innovative learning strategies for all students, but particularly those who are at-risk. He is also a tech enthusiast who has a particular affinity for Apple since he first used the Apple IIGS as a student. You can contact Brian on twitter as @brian8944. He also recently opened a Mastodon account at @brian8944@mastodon.cloud.

Jeff Gamet is a technology blogger, podcaster, a