HTML All The Things - Web Development, AI, and Developer Careers

In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike dive into the surprising return of keyboard phones. With devices like the Titan 2 Elite and Clicks Communicator gaining traction, physical keyboards are suddenly back in the spotlight. But this isn’t just nostalgia. As digital minimalism grows, more people are pushing back against endless doomscrolling and touchscreen fatigue. Could keyboard phones offer a more intentional, focused mobile experience? Or is this just another short-lived trend riding on retro hype? Matt also reflects on his long-standing love of keyboard phones and whether modern smartphones have done enough to pull him away - or if the tactile typing experience still has a place in 2026. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/the-return-of-the-keyboard-phone-is-blackberry-back

Everyone online is bragging about running 50, 100, even 500 AI agents at once - but is any of that actually making the work better? In this episode Matt and Mike unpack the growing trend of “agent overload” and why more AI doesn’t always mean better results. From losing context in your codebase to creating fragile, overcomplicated systems, we explore how chasing scale with AI can quietly hurt your productivity. Instead of spinning up endless agents, the real opportunity might be slowing down and focusing - using AI to go deeper, not wider. If you’ve ever felt like your workflow is getting noisier instead of more effective, this episode is for you. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/youre-using-too-much-ai-and-its-hurting-your-work Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Microsoft says it’s listening. After years of complaints about Windows 11 - from missing features to a growing focus on AI integrations like Copilot—Microsoft has published a new blog post committing to improving the core Windows experience. But is this a real shift, or just another promise? In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike break down what Microsoft actually said, what it means for developers and everyday users, and whether Windows 11 is finally getting the attention it needs. Is this the course correction Windows users have been waiting for - or is it too little, too late? Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/microsoft-commits-to-fixing-windows-11

AI coding tools are evolving incredibly fast - but the user experience may not be keeping up. In this episode, Matt shares his first experience trying Codex on Windows and how a simple attempt to generate a classic Snake game quickly turned into a confusing experience filled with permission prompts, unclear setup steps, and rapidly draining usage credits. This sparks a larger discussion about whether AI development tools are moving so quickly that UX is being left behind. In this episode Matt and Mike discuss the gap between tools like ChatGPT and more advanced coding environments like Codex, why developer tools can still feel intimidating even with AI doing the coding, and how today’s AI ecosystem feels a lot like the early days of crypto - powerful but sometimes chaotic. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/trying-codex-for-the-first-time-was-confusing Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike take a look at a rare piece of good news in the tech industry - software engineering job postings are on the rise. After years of layoffs, hiring freezes, and constant speculation about AI replacing developers, this shift feels like a breath of fresh air. But how meaningful is it? Are companies actually hiring again, or are more job postings simply creating the illusion of recovery? Matt and Mike break down what this data really tells us, why job postings don’t always equal job offers, and how AI may be reshaping hiring expectations rather than eliminating roles altogether. They also discuss economic uncertainties, shrinkage in specific dev areas (ie game development), and draw comparisons to pre-pandemic job posting numbers. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/dev-job-postings-are-rising-but-is-it-enough Mentioned good news episode: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/some-good-news-for-web-developers

Are websites dead? Is SEO even worth it anymore? With AI-generated answers, Google’s AI overviews, and tools that can build entire sites in seconds, it’s easy to think the traditional web is on its way out. But is that actually what’s happening? In this episode, Matt sits down with agency owner Nat Miletic to talk about what they’re seeing firsthand in the world of web development and client work. From niche sites to WordPress to the future of organic traffic, they break down what’s changing - and what’s not. If you’re a developer, freelancer, or agency owner wondering where things are headed, this is a grounded, real-world look at the impact of AI on websites and SEO. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/are-websites-dead-agency-owner

AI tools can now write code, scaffold entire apps, and even manage parts of the development process - but if building software is easier than ever, why aren’t we seeing a flood of wildly successful new products? In this episode Matt and Mike explore the idea that writing code was never actually the biggest bottleneck in building software. Instead, the real challenges lie in figuring out what to build, who to build it for, and how to get people to actually use it. They discuss the hidden work behind successful products - including product management, marketing, stakeholder alignment, and navigating real-world complexity like infrastructure, edge cases, and legacy integrations. If AI can help us write code faster than ever, what does that mean for developers, founders, and the future of building software? Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/writing-code-was-never-the-bottleneck Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

AI coding tools are evolving quickly - and the latest generation of “agentic” development tools are changing how developers interact with their codebases. In this edition of the Web News, Mike introduces Matt to Claude Code for the first time. While Matt already uses tools like ChatGPT to assist with coding, he hasn’t yet adopted the newer workflow where AI agents can plan, generate, and modify entire projects directly from the terminal. During the episode, Mike walks through a live demo of Claude Code by attempting to generate a brand-new website for the HTML All The Things podcast and blog. Along the way, they explore features like plan mode, discuss how agent-based tools approach software development, and examine how these tools compare to more familiar AI assistants. Throughout the demo, Matt reacts in real time - asking questions, challenging assumptions, and trying to understand how these modern AI development workflows actually fit into a real developer’s process. If you’ve been hearing about tools like Claude Code, Codex, or AI coding agents and wondering how they actually work in practice, this episode offers a firsthand look at the experience of using them live. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/trying-claude-code-for-the-first-time

A lot of developers say you should learn a framework from its official documentation - but is that actually a good way to learn React when you’re still a beginner? In this episode, Matt breaks down his experience working through the official React docs, including the Quick Start guide, the Tic-Tac-Toe tutorial, and the “Thinking in React” section. Along the way, he talks about where React starts to click, where the docs shine for beginners, and why understanding project structure, state, and component hierarchy matters so much when you’re trying to move beyond vanilla JavaScript. In this episode Matt and Mike discuss whether the official React documentation is enough for beginners, how React’s learning materials compare to more guided tutorials, and what parts of the docs are especially helpful when you’re trying to build real understanding instead of just copying code. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/can-i-learn-react-using-the-official-documentation Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Working with clients is a normal part of running a web development agency - but every once in a while you encounter a client who refuses to budge, even when their approach is actively hurting their own project. In this edition of the Web News, Matt Lawrence and Mike Karan discuss one of the most frustrating realities of agency life: stubborn clients who become convinced they’ve already diagnosed the problem. Whether it’s a client insisting their website traffic issues are caused by technical SEO instead of weak content, or pushing for changes that won’t actually improve results, these situations can quickly derail projects. Matt and Mike break down why these situations happen, how developers can redirect the conversation without damaging the client relationship, and practical strategies for dealing with clients who won’t listen. If you work with clients - whether as a freelancer, agency owner, or developer inside a company - you’ve likely run into this scenario before. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/when-clients-ignore-your-advice

The web development industry has felt pretty turbulent lately - AI disruption, layoffs, hiring freezes, and endless doom-scrolling. So in this episode, we’re flipping the script. There’s actually some genuinely good news happening in web development right now. From developer job numbers quietly ticking back up, to Nvidia’s internal AI experiment showing productivity gains without eliminating roles, to Interop 2026 launching with all major browser vendors aligned on compatibility - the industry may be stabilizing more than it seems. We also talk about how AI is making our jobs easier (yes, really), why frameworks like React, Vue, and Svelte have matured into stable foundations, and why the “AI bias” toward certain tools is starting to disappear. In this episode Matt and Mike cut through the noise and highlight what’s actually going right in web development - and why this might be one of the best times to adapt rather than panic. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/some-good-news-for-web-developers Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Block just laid off nearly 4,000 employees - cutting its workforce almost in half - and CEO Jack Dorsey says it’s not because the company is struggling. In this edition of the Web News, we break down Jack’s X post explaining the decision and what it signals about AI-driven productivity, flatter teams, and the future of tech companies. Is this a one-off restructuring - or the beginning of a major shift in how companies are built? Matt and Mike also discuss how to remain ready for market changes and how to avoid the fear of what seems like career-level existential threats. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/what-do-the-block-layoffs-mean-for-the-industry

As I dive deeper into React and AI-assisted development, I’ve realized something uncomfortable - my JavaScript fundamentals weren’t as solid as I thought. In this episode Matt and Mike revisit ES6 and modern JavaScript concepts like let vs var, const and mutability, arrow functions, this binding, destructuring, and more. We also explore how frameworks and AI tools can add layers of abstraction that quietly distance us from core fundamentals. If you’re working with React, Svelte, or modern tooling, this episode is a reminder that mastering JavaScript fundamentals is still one of the best investments you can make as a developer. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/upgrading-my-javascript-fundamentals-es6-and-beyond Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Are mobile apps really “dead”? With the rise of AI-generated micro apps and vibe coding tools like Google Opal, some believe users will stop downloading traditional apps and instead generate exactly what they need on demand. But is that realistic? In this edition of the Web News, Matt breaks down the growing narrative around AI-generated apps and questions whether everyday consumers actually want to prompt-engineer their own tools. He explores the hidden costs of app generation - bug fixing, long-term maintenance, shared user experiences, and platform longevity - and explains why general-purpose apps aren’t disappearing anytime soon. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/mobile-apps-are-not-dead

AI tools are becoming a core part of modern development workflows—but they come with serious risks most developers aren’t thinking about. In this episode, Matt and Mike break down five AI security threats that are already happening in the real world. From prompt injection attacks and rogue AI agents with access to your email, to runaway API bills and poisoned models slipping into your stack - these aren’t hypothetical problems. If you're using AI in production, in your codebase, or inside your company workflows, this episode will help you understand what can go wrong - and how to protect yourself before it does. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/5-ways-ai-can-blow-up-in-your-face

The pace of AI model releases is becoming almost impossible to follow. In just two weeks we saw GPT-5.3-Codex, GPT-5.2 updates, Gemini 3 Deep Think upgrades, Claude Opus 4.6 with a 1M context window in beta, Qwen3-Coder-Next, GLM-5, MiniMax M2.5, Cursor Composer 1.5, and even Kimi 2.5 just outside the window. This isn’t a quarterly product cycle anymore - it’s a daily arms race. In this episode Matt and Mike break down what this acceleration means for developers, open source, frontier labs, and the broader industry. Are we witnessing healthy innovation, or unsustainable velocity? At what point does this stabilize - if it ever does? If you’re trying to build, learn, or compete in AI right now… this conversation is for you. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/ai-competition-is-out-of-control

Most website project delays aren’t caused by bad code - they’re caused by communication and decision-making issues. In this episode, Matt and Mike flip the script and talk about how clients can be better partners to their web developers. From vague feedback and false urgency to scope creep and decision-by-committee, we break down the most common developer pet peeves, why they matter, and what small communication changes can dramatically reduce costs, speed up timelines, and improve final results. This isn’t about blaming clients - it’s about understanding how modern web projects actually work. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/how-to-be-a-good-client-to-your-web-developer Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

As AI tools and instant search become more embedded in our daily workflows, it’s getting easier to outsource our thinking instead of working through problems ourselves. In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike discuss whether AI is making us lazier thinkers, how constant access to answers is changing problem-solving habits, and why struggling with a problem might still be an important skill to protect. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/we-dont-think-anymore

In this episode Mike and Matt discuss how code review is becoming one of the most important developer skills as AI takes on more of the actual code writing. With AI generating larger and denser pull requests, reviewing code effectively has become harder - and more critical - than ever. They break down the real cognitive limits humans face when reviewing code, including how many lines can realistically be reviewed at once and why reviews should be timeboxed to avoid missed issues. The conversation focuses on how to anchor reviews around what truly matters in a codebase, such as security, performance, testing, reliability, and user experience. Mike and Matt also share practical tips for becoming a better code reviewer, including creating checklists around critical paths, doing multiple review passes, encouraging smaller cascading PRs, and relying on tools like linters, formatters, and AI to handle nits. They wrap up by exploring how AI can assist with code reviews - summarizing diffs, identifying risky areas, and generating edge cases - while leaving final decisions and tradeoffs firmly in human hands. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/code-reviews-are-more-important-than-ever Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

AI is still in its “build at all costs” phase, but the pressure to turn a profit is growing fast. With reports suggesting OpenAI could burn through billions in 2026, the question becomes clear: how does AI actually make money? We dig into subscriptions, potential future monetization models, and the looming threats of regulation, copyright, and data access. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/the-ai-monetization-problem-nobody-has-solved-yet

Site owners are seeing traffic to their websites drop considerably as users begin asking AI questions, instead of searching for solutions on individual sites. Value-based websites seem to be getting hit with the worst of it, as tutorials and listicles are easily presented right inside an LLM's chat window. This leaves many site owners with a dilemma - should they continue to chase SEO trends, or should they reach for something more tuned to AI, like AEO and GEO? With many websites being run by just a few staff members, resources are tight - so every missed pageview matters. In 2026, should site owners worry about SEO, GEO, or AEO? Or maybe even all of them at the same time? Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/should-you-worry-about-seo-geo-and-aeo-in-2026 Powered by CodeRabbit - AI Code Reviews: https://coderabbit.link/htmlallthethings Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike discuss Ryan Dahl's recent comments regarding software engineers in the world of AI. Ryan recently shared his viewpoint via a post on X where he stated that he thinks the era of humans writing code is over - meaning that SWEs may still have work to do, but that writing syntax won't be it. We unpack this viewpoint and further discuss the world of software engineering as AI continues to invade the coding space for hobby coders, professionals, and vibe coders. For those of you that don't know, Ryan Dahl is the creator of Node.js - so his voice carries some weight in the web development space. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/the-era-of-humans-writing-code-is-over Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

AI tools are changing how software is written - but what does that actually mean for developers right now? In this episode, Matt and Mike dig into whether AI will replace developers or simply reshape the role, all while the tech job market remains challenging for juniors and experienced devs alike. They discuss why developer documentation and tutorial content is seeing traffic declines, how this moment echoes past tech panic cycles like automation in the trucking industry, and what today’s uncertainty means for aspiring developers. The conversation also explores career pivots, skill diversification, and whether this is an overreaction - or a genuine turning point for the industry. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/what-do-developers-do-now-in-the-age-of-ai Powered by CodeRabbit - AI Code Reviews: https://coderabbit.link/htmlallthethings Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Despite Tailwind CSS usage continuing to grow, the company recently revealed a sharp revenue decline tied to the rise of AI coding tools. Founder Adam Wathan explained how tools like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT reduced documentation traffic, cutting off Tailwind’s primary revenue funnel. In this edition of Web News, Matt and Mike explore what this means for Tailwind, the broader open-source ecosystem, and how open-source projects actually make money in 2026. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/how-open-source-makes-money-tailwind-css-debacle

In this episode of the HTML All The Things Podcast, Matt continues his experiment to see whether AI can actually teach him React - or if it just leads straight into tutorial hell. After taking Mike’s advice to step away from AI and try writing code manually, Matt quickly realizes how hard it is to apply new concepts without guidance, especially when unfamiliar JavaScript ES6 features enter the picture. The discussion dives into learning React through AI-assisted tutorials, the struggle of truly understanding concepts versus simply following along, and how easy it is to fall into endless side-quests like array and object destructuring. Along the way, Matt also reflects on the content-creator dilemma: when learning in public, should you slow down to deeply explore every concept, or push forward and learn what you need as you go? Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/can-ai-teach-me-react-stuck-in-tutorial-hell Powered by CodeRabbit - AI Code Reviews: https://coderabbit.link/htmlallthethings Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Microsoft has been pushing Copilot into nearly every corner of its ecosystem - Microsoft 365, Windows 11, Xbox, and even PC branding - but the reaction from developers and users feels strangely muted. In this edition of the Web News, Matt takes the lead as we check in on Microsoft Copilot, the state of Windows 11, and how the broader Microsoft ecosystem is being perceived heading into 2026. Is Copilot actually useful, or is it just another feature being forced into products people already feel lukewarm about? Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/is-microsoft-copilot-any-good

In this episode of the HTML All The Things Podcast, Matt and Mike look back at the biggest web development trends of 2025 before making predictions for what’s coming in 2026. From the explosion of AI-assisted tooling and supply-chain security incidents to framework fatigue, React Server Component controversies, and Svelte 5’s momentum, the landscape is shifting fast. They also discuss why design engineering roles are rising, why exploits and CVEs may accelerate, and how AI will continue to reshape developer workflows in the year ahead. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/web-development-predictions-for-2026 Powered by CodeRabbit - AI Code Reviews: https://coderabbit.link/htmlallthethings Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was one of 2025’s most celebrated games - until the Indie Game Awards stripped it of Game of the Year and Debut Game honors. The reason? The use of Gen AI placeholder assets during development, some of which accidentally shipped and were later patched out. In this Web News, we break down what happened, why the IGAs took such a hard stance, and what this controversy says about Gen AI disclosure, tooling, and modern game development. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/the-clair-obscur-ai-debacle

This is a re-release of a super popular episode from back in 2023 - happy holidays! Learning JavaScript from scratch can be as much about syntax as it is programming concepts, especially when it's your first language. Concepts like knowing how and why you need a place to store bits of data (variables), re-using code snippets instead of writing them repeatedly (functions), making decisions (conditional statements), and working with collections of data (arrays and looping) are all second nature to experienced developers. These concepts are the foundational building blocks that let you solve problems by thinking like a computer (sometimes this is called programmatic logic). In this episode, Matt and Mike discuss these key JavaScript basics including variables, functions, conditional statements, arrays, and looping. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/javascript-basics-learn-these-concepts-first-re-release

Choosing a browser used to be simple - pick Chrome, Edge, or Safari and move on. But in 2025, browser choice has become a much deeper decision, especially for developers and power users. With options like Firefox, Arc, Brave, Opera GX, and even AI-driven browsers entering the conversation, the question isn’t just which browser is best - it’s what are you optimizing for? In this Web News, we break down how people choose their browser, when it makes sense to switch, and whether paying for a browser experience is actually worth it. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/how-to-choose-the-right-browser

In this episode, Matt and Mike explore whether AI can effectively teach React through project-based learning. Using a real side project - rebuilding the Xbox 360 Blades dashboard as a web app - they walk through how React concepts like props, state, and component structure are learned through iteration, experimentation, and replacing code as understanding improves. The discussion focuses on learning by building, avoiding overwhelm, and using AI as a guide rather than a shortcut. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/can-ai-teach-me-react-project-based-learning Powered by CodeRabbit - AI Code Reviews: https://coderabbit.link/htmlallthethings Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

With modern development, we’re almost never coding alone. Google, MDN, Stack Overflow, and now AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini are always just a tab away. But what happens if that safety net disappears? In this edition of Web News, we explore the idea of offline programming - whether it’s still realistic going into 2026, what skills it actually tests, and whether there’s any real value in trying to code without constant internet access. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/the-art-of-offline-programming

In this episode of the HTML All The Things Podcast, Mike walks through his development setup in late 2025 - not just the tools he uses, but how he uses them day-to-day. From his MacBook Pro and editor setup to peripherals, travel gear, and gaming hardware, Mike breaks down what worked well over the past year, what didn’t, and why certain choices stuck. This isn’t a sponsored or affiliate-driven rundown - it’s a practical look at a real developer setup after a year of shipping projects, recording podcasts, and experimenting with workflows. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/my-development-setup-in-late-2025 Powered by CodeRabbit - AI Code Reviews: https://coderabbit.link/htmlallthethings Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

The holidays are coming up, and for many developers that brings up a familiar dilemma - should you keep coding, learning, and building… or should you unplug and take a real break? With fast-moving frameworks, constant updates, and pressure to stay relevant, stepping away can feel risky. But burnout is real, and the holidays are often one of the few chances we get to properly recharge. In this Web News, we talk about whether developers should code over the holidays, when it makes sense to keep tinkering, and when it’s healthier to step back and reset. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/should-developers-code-over-the-holidays-hustle-culture

“SEO is dead” has been a running joke for over a decade - but heading into 2026, the debate feels louder than ever. With AI search, shrinking Google traffic, zero-click results, TikTok discovery, Amazon reviews, Reddit research, and AI assistants reshaping how people find information, the real question isn’t whether SEO is dead… it’s what SEO has become. In this episode, Matt and Mike break down the new world of search in 2025/2026 - where users bounce between Amazon, Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Google, and AI tools before making a purchase. We explore how platforms are stealing traditional website traffic, why “zero-click search” doesn’t mean zero opportunity, how brands build trust across multiple ecosystems, and why your website still matters more than it seems. SEO isn’t dying - Google-only SEO is. Discover what “Search Everywhere Optimization” really looks like and how developers, creators, and business owners can adapt their strategy for 2026 and beyond. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/is-seo-dead-seo-in-2026 Powered by CodeRabbit - AI Code Reviews: https://coderabbit.link/htmlallthethings Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike dive into the idea that consumer computing might be reaching a breaking point. With RAM prices skyrocketing, hardware getting more expensive, and the industry shifting toward cloud-powered and AI-assisted workflows, we ask a dramatic question: Is this the end of consumer computing as we know it? We explore how pricing, market consolidation, and changing developer expectations are reshaping the future - and whether everyday consumers will still be able to afford powerful machines in the coming years. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/the-end-of-consumer-computing-as-we-know-it

The web development world never stops moving - frameworks push new versions, browsers release new features, dependabot keeps chiming in, and AI tools like Cursor and the latest LLMs drop at a dizzying pace. In this episode, Mike breaks down why everything updates so fast, how he personally decides what’s worth upgrading, and how he stays sane with the nonstop stream of patches, releases, and AI model announcements. From security fixes to real productivity gains, Mike shares practical strategies for keeping your workflow stable without falling behind. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/never-ending-updates-ai-models-cursor-frameworks Powered by CodeRabbit - AI Code Reviews: https://coderabbit.link/htmlallthethings Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

In this edition of Web News, we dig into one of the biggest marketing debates heading into 2026: should you try to be on every platform? With SEO shifting beyond Google, brands are reevaluating how they show up across Reddit, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and everywhere else people search for answers. We break down when it makes sense to focus on a single platform, when multi-platform posting actually pays off, and why “being everywhere” isn’t always the optimal strategy. From content formats to audience behaviour, we explore what really matters as platforms evolve and fragmentation continues across the web. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/should-you-be-on-every-platform-in-2026

When a client comes in with a dream project and a shoestring budget, what should a developer do? In this episode, Matt and Mike break down the low-budget dilemma - why clients under-budget, when it makes sense to try working with them, and when it’s better to walk away. We explore how to trim features without killing quality, how to set realistic MVP expectations, how to handle classic client excuses (“my cousin can do it cheaper”), and how to protect your reputation even when money is tight. If you’ve ever wondered how far you should cut features or whether a project is still worth doing, this episode dives deep into the realities of balancing budget, quality, and your long-term brand. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/should-you-say-no-to-low-budget-projects Powered by CodeRabbit - AI Code Reviews: https://coderabbit.link/htmlallthethings Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.