Send us a text

Ever wondered what's really happening behind the scenes when you tap that app icon on your phone? From the sensors tracking your every move to the complex business decisions determining which features you get access to, the world of mobile apps is fascinating.

Hannah Clayton-Langton and Hugh Williams, former VP at Google and eBay, break down why companies invest millions in app development instead of just using mobile websites. The answer lies in the incredible capabilities of your smartphone – packed with nearly 20 different sensors that apps can access to create personalised, responsive experiences. Beyond the obvious cameras and GPS, your phone contains barometers measuring elevation changes, magnetometers functioning as compasses, and accelerometers tracking how your phone accelerates and decelerates. This sensor-rich environment enables everything from fitness tracking to navigation and even fraud detection.

The differences between Android and iOS development reveal insights into how tech companies operate. At Google, Hugh explains how Android apps would pioneer new features with iOS versions "fast following" six months later after seeing user reactions. This approach highlights the careful balancing act between innovation and stability that defines modern app development. Similarly fascinating is how different devices get different experiences – laptops for deep exploration, phones for quick "snacking" interactions, and tablets for activities requiring more screen real estate.

Hugh and Hannah also discuss the business model behind app stores, with Apple and Google taking up to 30% of all purchases and subscriptions – a "tax" that's sparked legal challenges in the EU. And if you've ever wondered how some apps keeps working when you lose your connection, Hugh reveals the sophisticated caching techniques that predict when you'll lose connectivity and download content in advance (which we'll hear more about in Episode 5!). These glimpses behind the digital curtain will forever change how you think about the apps you use every day.

Send us a text

Ever wondered what makes your favorite apps work so seamlessly—or why others feel frustratingly clunky? The secret often lies in the mysterious realm of product management. Join Hannah Clayton-Langton and Hugh Williams to learn more.

Hugh Williams, former engineering vice president at Google and eBay, and a senior engineer at Microsoft, takes us behind the digital curtain to reveal how great technology products actually get built. With insider stories from his career, Hugh explains that effective product management happens at the perfect intersection of understanding customers, business objectives, and technological possibilities.

The conversation shifts from theoretical to practical as Hugh reveals how he co-invented Infinite Scroll—that ubiquitous feature that lets you scroll endlessly through content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. What started as a simple question ("Why are there only 20 images per page?") during an analysis of user behavior led to a revolutionary change in how we interact with digital content today.

Hannah takes the conversation through case studies of both triumphs and failures—from Microsoft Word's strategic victory over WordPerfect to Google's confusingly fragmented messaging strategy— while Hugh illuminates why some products dominate while others fade into obscurity. You'll discover why technical knowledge matters for product managers, how "healthy tension" between product and engineering teams drives innovation, and why constantly monitoring competitors (Hugh admits to regularly using Apple Maps while running Google Maps) keeps products sharp and relevant.

Whether you work in tech, interact with digital products daily, or simply wonder how the apps and software you use came to be, this episode offers fascinating insights into the people and processes that shape our digital experiences.

Here's some useful links:

• PM at UC Berkeley: https://executive.berkeley.edu/programs/product-management-program
• PM at CMU: https://www.cmu.edu/tepper/programs/master-product-management/index.html
• Product Training at The Product School: https://productschool.com
• Dan Olsen's Lean Product Book: https://leanproductplaybook.com/
• Outcomes over Output book and resources: https://medium.com/@jseiden/getting-started-with-outcomes-9b136178eb07

Subscribe now and join us as we continue to demystify the technology that powers our modern lives: https://linktr.ee/Techoverflowpodcast

Send us a text

Ever wondered what coding actually is but felt too intimidated to ask? You're not alone. In this beginner-friendly exploration of programming basics, we break down complex technical concepts into digestible, relatable pieces.

Our Episode 1 pilot explores the world of coding fundamentals through a metaphor: baking a cake. Just as bakers follow recipes with specific steps, measurements, and repeated actions, programmers create instructions for computers to follow. We also dive into the world of programming languages, explaining why Python is perfect for beginners while still powering advanced AI applications, how JavaScript brings websites to life, and why knowing "ancient" languages like COBOL can surprisingly lead to lucrative career opportunities today.

We also unpack the differences between coding, programming, and software engineering while addressing the burning question: will AI replace human programmers? (Spoiler: it's more like power tools for carpenters than a replacement for human creativity and problem-solving.)
Whether you're tech-curious, contemplating a career change, or simply want to understand what your software engineer friends are talking about, this episode provides a foundation for understanding the digital world around us.

If you'd like to explore a couple of links, we recommend checking out:

• Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) on Coursera. A course take by over 3 million people! https://www.coursera.org/learn/python
• Hugh co-founded the Aussie charity Code For Schools that provides free and open resources to teachers who want to teach coding. Check out: https://codeforschools.com
• The story of the Voyager space probes in pictures: https://www.pbs.org/the-farthest/mission/voyager-history-photos/
• A longer feature piece on Ada Lovelace: https://writings.stephenwolfram.com/2015/12/untangling-the-tale-of-ada-lovelace/
• The Grace Hopper Conference / Celebration: https://ghc.anitab.org/

Follow us on LinkedIn at Tech Overflow Podcast or visit https://techoverflowpodcast.com for additional resources, and tune in next time as we explore the world of product management!

Send us a text

Tech Overflow is coming on Monday September 15 to wherever you get your favourite podcasts! In Series 1, co-hosts Hannah Clayton-Langton and Hugh Williams demystify technology for anyone who's interested in tech. They talk about coding, product management, building apps, what happens when a site goes down, all about AI and how it works, and have a few special guests on the show. The first episode is all about coding: what is it, what do software engineers do, and will they be replaced with AI anyway? New episodes drop every Monday.