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PODCAST · technology

Behind the Bytes

by Behind the Bytes

Abbas, Daanesh and Vaibhav chat weekly about the latest tech trends, products and so much more from the Middle East and beyond.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Jan 31, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. Samsung S22+ and S22 Ultra Review: The best Android smartphones you can buy right now?

    We've been using the Samsung Galaxy S22+ and S22 Ultra. Well Abbas and Daanesh got to check them out, Vaibhav didn't. So Vaibhav finds out what the boys thought of the two smartphones. Tune in and let us know your thoughts.

  2. Apple's upcoming Spring 2022 event

    There are strong rumors that Apple will be holding an event early March 2022 and annoucing a new iPhone, a new iPad and some new Macs. Daanesh, Vaibhav and Abbas discuss what products to expect and what product would they really like to see.

  3. Can the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 compete with the iPad?

    Along with the new Galaxy S22 line up of phones, Samsung also announced the Galaxy Tab S8 tablet in Ultra, Plus and standard variants. Daanesh, Vaibhav and Abbas discuss the features of Samsung's new tablets and how they compare to the gold standard in tablets- the Apple iPad.

  4. The Galaxy S22 series is here

    Samsung has announced its latest Galaxy S22 series which is made up of the Galaxy S22 Ultra, the Galaxy S22 Plus and the Galaxy S22. We thought this would be the perfect time to put the band together and restart the podcast in 2022. Listen to Daanesh, Vaibhav and Abbas discuss Samsung's latest…

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  5. Ep 204- WWDC 21 thoughts

    Abbas, Daanesh and Vaihbhav share their throughs on WWDC21 and talk through the new releases of iOS, iPadOS and MacOS.

  6. Ep 203- Sony WF-1000XM4 first impressions

    Daanesh and Abbas receive the Sony WF-1000XM4 truly wireless earbuds and share their first impressions.

  7. Ep 202- iPad Pro 2021 first impressions

    In this episode Daanesh and Abbas share their first impressions with the iPad Pro 2021.

  8. Ep 201- iMac 24-inch first impressions

    Abbas and Vaibhav received their new M1 based iMacs and talk about it

  9. Episode #52 - the resurrection

    Abbas, Daanesh and Mike are BACK after a year-long hiatus. Nothing much has changed, except everything has changed. They chat about fold-able smartphones, the future of Android and the messy video streaming wars.

  10. Episode #51 - Drinking the Apple Juice

    Apple's got a slew of new phones out and an updated Watch, but does anyone really care? Plus Lenovo's got a new take on workstation laptops, and has an old problem returned to haunt Samsung?

  11. Episode #50 - Indefinite Hiatus

    The big FIVE-OH is a bittersweet episode as it marks over two years of podcasting but also Mike moving on to infinitely cooler climes. But fret not, Abbas brought cake and the lads dig in for one last go around of chat about the Galaxy Note 9, Pixel 3 and why Daanesh can't decide on what laptop…

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  12. Episode #49 - Sony Mobile and Oppo woes, Galaxy Note 9 rumours, MS Surface Go opinions

    Are Sony Mobile and Oppo about to pull out of the Middle East? What is the point of a Bluetooth S-Pen? Who is the Microsoft Surface Go for exactly? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode!

  13. Episode #48 - iOS 12, Blackberry Key2, Oppo Find X

    Apple steps up its mobile operating system game and the lads have differing feelings about the new Blackberry phone. Everyone agrees that Oppo's retractable camera is waaay better than Vivo's.

  14. Episode #47 - WWDC 2018 and Computex

    The lads have some stuff to say about Apple's latest software announcements and the new ASUS ROG phone. Plus, everyone gets real mad at Lenovo.

  15. Episode #46 - Smartphone Bonanza!

    Just Abbas and Mike this week as Daanesh is galavanting around the globe. That doesn't stop the lads chatting about all the smartphones they've played around with recently. And, yes, we mean ALL of them. The list includes: Honor 10 Nokia 7 Plus Huawei Mate RS HTC U12+ Plus: Android P chat and...

  16. Episode #45 - Facebook dating will rule the world

    The lads discuss the latest Facebook announcements from F8. Fitbit Versa impressions are overall strong. LG G7 ThingQ impressions are overall meh.

  17. Episode #44 - So, is the the Huawei P20 Pro really that good?

    The answer is, indeed, yes. The lads chat about Huawei's latest superphone after having used it extensively for the last three weeks. There's also chat about the OnePlus 6, Nest buying Nokia Health and the Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium.

  18. Episode #43 - The 'Twilight Coloured' edition

    WWDC predictions chat descends into a long and rambling conversation about Apple's longterm content strategy. Everyone is very excited about the leaked colours for the upcoming Huawei P20 Pro. Fitbit are about to release a new smartwatch that may just save them. Abbas is unable to put his phone…

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  19. Episode #42 - notches, notches, notches

    Android P developer preview brings with it support for notches and the lads aren't very happy. The Huawei P20 leaks, however, looks daaamn fine - notch or no.

  20. Episode #41 - Live from the show floor at Mobile World Congress 2018

    Abbas and Mike chat about the latest announcements from MWC in Barcelona direct from the conference. (Excuse the audio quality, the episode was recorded using a smartphone in a noisy convention hall)

  21. Episode #40 - The BIG four-oh

    The calm before the MWC storm... Abbas recounts his travels to the Samsung MENA Forum in Rome. Daanesh isn't convinced by the pricing on the Lenovo Yoga 920. Mike gushes (as usual) about Bang & Olufsen's newest headphones. Other topics of interest: OSN & Netflix joining forces Is Nest officially...

  22. Episode #39 - Smartglasses, smartspeakers and Star Wars

    Can Intel's new Vaunt smartglasses prototype hurry up and get to market already?! Apple HomePod reviews are in and Abbas says he still won't be buying one. Daanesh gushes over the admittedly cool Tesla Falcon X launch, and the lads chat about movies for a bit at the end.

  23. Episode #38 - Is the HomePod DOA? Plus pre-MWC 2018 chat

    Abbas explains why he won't be buying an Apple HomePod. Dubai gets AI-powered CCTV cameras. Daanesh speaks passionately about phones with five cameras and convince Mike that they're a good thing. The lads get excited about MWC, even if it's looking a little thin this year.

  24. Episode #37 - CES 2018 blowout special

    While the none of the lads are actually at CES this year, they sure do have a lot of opinions on what's been going on over in Las Vegas. Expect a lengthy chat about TVs, self-driving cars, VR and Linda.

  25. Episode #36 - 2017 End of Year Roundup

    2017 has been a busy year for tech. The lads round up the favourite gadgets and stories from the last 12 months.

  26. Episode #35 - Hey Siri, what track is playing? SHAZAM!

    Apple buys Shazam... and we're not entirely sure why. The new iMac Pro is lovely and it's probably only a matter of time until Abbas gets one. Google and Amazon need to calm down and stop feuding. Facebook launches a messenger app to creep on your kids.

  27. Episode #34 - A plethora of Pixel plaudits

    Honestly, this week is just a Google Pixel love-fest. All three of the lads have had serious hands-on time with the Pixel 2 XL and talk about their likes and dislikes. Other topics of note: Mike’s Sonos explainer A couple minutes of Mac whinging

  28. Episode #33 - Imagining a world where HTC had actually built the Pixel 2 XL. Sigh.

    Oh you know we spend a large chunk of the podcast discussing the iPhone X - especially now that both Abbas and Daanesh have had some extensive hands-on time with it. We also ponder the alternate reality where HTC's upcoming U11 Plus was actually the Pixel 2 XL and everything was right in the 2017...

  29. Episode #32 - The iPhone X reviews are in and we're more than happy to give our opinions on them

    Daanesh is out this week, so Abbas and Mike hold the fort to discuss early reviews of the iPhone X. Rumours swirl about new phones from HTC and Razer and Mike talks about his experience using the FitBit Ionic for a few days.

  30. Episode #31 - Way too many good phones out there (and all of them marginally flawed)

    The lads chat about their experiences using the Huawei Mate 10 Pro after a full week with the device. They give props to Motorola for the Z2 Force and its mods and while Apple Pay launched in the UAE this week, no one has tried it because they can't even remember the last time anyone actually…

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  31. Episode #30 - Coming at you LIVE(ish) from the Huawei Mate 10 launch

    This is it, all the hype has lead to this...the Huawei Mate 10 (and its Pro big brother) is finally announced. The lads give their immediate impressions of the phone after spending a little time with it at the official launch in Munich, Germany.

  32. Episode #29 - The other GITEX is here and we are far more impressed this time

    It turns out that GITEX Technology Week is far more interesting than GITEX Shopper. The lads chat about all the things poised to make Dubai the super city of the future - flying taxis, flying motorbikes, wireless power, airport face-scanning aquariums...the lot! Other talking points: There's a…

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  33. Episode #28 - Just about Pixel perfect

    This week we're coming at you just moments after Google's Pixel 2 reveal event - expect hot takes on all the new hardware, sadness at the fact that none of it is coming to the Middle East officially, and Mike getting a couple words in about the new Sonos kit.

  34. Episode #27 - GITEX is here and we're unimpressed

    Daanesh returns this week with tales of empty GITEX halls. The UAE iPhone 8 launch fails to impress. What will result of Google buying a big chunk of HTC? Dubai gets smart about electric car subsidies. And Mike gets giddy over new Sonos product leaks. Oh, and we're all really excited about the...

  35. Episode #26 - All iPhone X everything

    Abbas and Mike hash out the spate of Apple announcements that were unveiled this week, including the much-hyped iPhone X.

  36. Episode #25 - All the Eights, IFA and virgins

    We welcome Daanesh (hi!) from Gulf News/GNTech to the Behind the Bytes fold as we tackle the big 8s for 2017 - Nokia 8, Samsung Galaxy Note8 and the incoming iPhone 8. Plus, Mike gives his impressions from his time at IFA in Berlin and Abbas recounts his struggles setting up an account with the...

  37. Episode #24 - Chat with Omar Kassim

    We shake things up a little this week with our first ever guest, Omar Kassim, formerly of Middle East e-commerce giant JadoPado. Omar chats with Abbas and Bhavishya about e-commerce in the region and his latest venture Esanjo, a cryptocurrency real estate startup. Then on the bottom half of the...

  38. Episode #23 - World WiFi Day!

    Topics discussed: Rampant OnePlus 5 speculation Mike goes hands-on with the Sony Xperia Touch Mike goes eye-on with the Sony Bravia A1 OLED TV Nokia launches in the UAE but is it enough to make a comeback? Dubai is getting flying taxis by the end of the year but would you actually sit in one?...

  39. Episode #22 - Gentlemen, it's been a marathon

    WWDC 2017 blowout! tvOS gets Amazon Video and nothing else! watchOS gets some new faces and surfing tracking skills macOS High Sierra: dumb name, cool operating system New MacBooks! New iMacs! THE iMAC PRO IS A BEAST and Abbas wants one VR is coming to Mac, with 100% more Star Wars, get excited!...

  40. Episode #21 - The Apple Pizza Box

    Topics include: How essential is the Essential phone? WWDC 2017 predictions and the Apple Pizza Box Is anyone actually going to buy the new Nokia 3310? Bhavishya pitches a WhatsApp phone Blackberry KEYone vs. Sony Xperia XZ Premium Qualcomm’s crazy new 18-core processor Computex 2017 news

  41. Episode #20 - Keenwaah Balls

    Discussion topics: Google I/O info dump MS Surface Pro continuity reboot HTC U 11 is shiny and squeezable Bhavishya gives an e-commerce masterclass LG’s Wallpaper TV is ridonculous

  42. Episode #19 - So Handy

    Topics include: Du and Dubai Tourism get Handy People need to chill about the Du cinema commercial Abbas has a rude name for Google's mysterious new OS Would you buy an Amazon Echo you can poke at?

  43. Episode #18 - High noon

    Topics: Jado Pado sold and shut down :( We live-podcast the MS Surface Laptop launch Dubai Font is classy Samsung Pay is here and we likey Bites: Milka is the anti Death Chips

  44. Episode #17 - My Squeezable Sense Companion

    Talking points: Abbas gets a sneak peek at the Dubai Mall Apple Store Apple Maps gets traffic info but still no turn by turn navigation, so what's even the point? HTC is set to announce a new phone next month and rumours are they want you to squeeze it Etisalat offering Samsung Galaxy S8 and…

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  45. Episode #16 - DEATH CHIPS

    topics include: A veritable cornucopia of UAE smartphone launches Apple Mac Pro fiasco vs. Apple iPhone leaks There will be blood: Uber and Careem announce cheaper service DID WE MENTION DEATH CHIPS?

  46. Episode #15 - Abbas got to touch the Galaxy S8 / New Dubai Apple store / Careem free Wi-Fi

    Other topic include: Uber's app in the UAE is bad / Abbas' first hand experience with #laptopbanM<?

  47. Episode #14 - A bevy of Apple announcements / Hello Bixby? / #laptopban is dumb

    Other topics include: Bhavishaya's bout with man-flu / Du mobile data outage / Linksys VELOP mesh Wi-Fi / the poor quality of the Withings Steel HR band

  48. Episode #13 - Du smart home of the future / Amazon & Souq resume talks / Samsung QLED TVS

    Other topics include: Abbas' Android Stockholm Syndrome, if Mike's man-flu legit?

  49. Episode #12 - Mobile World Congress 2017 MEGAEXPLOSIONEXTRAVAGANZA Edition

    Abbas and Mike record live from a hotel room in Barcelona within the relative vicinity of this year's Mobile World Congress. After 3 days of diligently covering all the latest and greatest announcements in the world of mobile communications they discuss the following topics: Huawei P10, Sony…

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  50. Episode #11 - MWC hype reaches fever pitch / My favourite Oreo is Android / WhatsSnapAppChat

    Other topics include: Apple dates a few announcements. Tag Heuer are making another smartwatch because...? The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 returns (kinda)! Mike looks like a rubbish Jony Ive. Japanese cheesecakes are the best cheesecakes.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Abbas, Daanesh and Vaibhav chat weekly about the latest tech trends, products and so much more from the Middle East and beyond.

HOSTED BY

Behind the Bytes

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Behind the Bytes have?

Behind the Bytes currently has 60 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Behind the Bytes about?

Abbas, Daanesh and Vaibhav chat weekly about the latest tech trends, products and so much more from the Middle East and beyond.

How often does Behind the Bytes release new episodes?

Behind the Bytes has 60 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Behind the Bytes?

You can listen to Behind the Bytes on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Behind the Bytes?

Behind the Bytes is created and hosted by Behind the Bytes.
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