TechtalkRadio

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy and Shawn open with condolences for Justin, who’s away for a couple weeks after a loss in the family. From there, the conversation swings into Shawn’s very real-world tech life as a broadcast engineer at Notre Dame—juggling a marathon Saturday that included multiple live productions across different networks and platforms. They also touch on the frustration of missing major industry conferences like NAB and Infocom due to schedule collisions, while still keeping an eye on the one event Shawn refuses to miss: Gen Con, the massive tabletop gaming convention he’s attended for over a decade. The middle of the show dives into the growing “ownership problem” in modern tech—especially as it relates to phones, computers, and cloud services. Andy and Shawn react to Apple’s latest headlines, including talk of a more affordable iPhone option and what a lower-cost iOS device could mean for people who don’t want (or can’t justify) flagship pricing. That naturally leads to a bigger discussion: device upgrade fatigue, the rising cost of PC parts like RAM and storage, and the creeping shift toward renting everything—software, storage, even processing power—through subscriptions and cloud instances. AI is the big philosophical thread this week. They debate the ethical and emotional cost of AI-generated content—how it’s getting harder to tell what’s real, why disclosure matters, and what happens when companies replace human creativity because AI is cheaper and “good enough.” Andy shares a fascinating example using Suno, an AI music generator that created a shockingly convincing song featuring the show’s names—cool, impressive… and immediately uncomfortable once you realize what it represents. They also dig into the fine print reality: even when you prompt the creation, you often don’t truly own it, and rights can disappear the moment you stop paying. In the second half, the show pivots back to practical tech help with a listener question about home security cameras. Shawn lays out why he’s a fan of Wyze—especially the value of an unlimited camera plan and SD-card local recording—while Andy weighs in with real-world comparisons like Google Nest limitations and other alternatives (including a window-mounted camera option he demoed on TV). The episode wraps with a fun maker-style segment where Shawn explains his DIY hack turning a Wyze smart switch into a portable “smart button,” plus a quick look at an RF/IR detection gadget Andy picked up for travel privacy and hidden camera detection. Finally, they close on fresh Apple rumors—an apparent leak pointing to a lower-cost “MacBook Neo”—and tease next week’s topic: AI journaling with Rosebud. Got a question for the show? Email techguys@techtalkradio.com, and catch more at techtalkradio.com. Please Share, Listen, Subscribe to the Show on Spotify, Spreaker, iHeartRadio, Goodpods, YouTube and Our YouTube Page. Connect With Us on social media YouTube @TechtalkRadio Facebook @techtalkers Instagram @techtalkradio TikTok @Techtalkradio X @techtalkradio Also Available on KGVY AM/FM, Spotify, Amazon Music, Goodpods, PodBean and other Delivery Networks!

All three hosts are back together on TechtalkRadio — Andy Taylor, Justin Lemme, and Shawn DeWeerd — and the week’s big theme is simple: AI is everywhere, and it’s getting harder to trust what we see online. We look back and break down the Super Bowl’s wave of AI-focused ads (and why the “good old days” of surprise commercials are gone), then dig into the privacy creep factor behind smart devices — including a Ring-style “search every camera” flock concept that left us asking, helpful… or Big Brother? We also talk about the Nancy Guthrie case in Tucson and how AI-generated “enhancements,” misinformation, and livestream speculation can distort a real investigation in real time. Listener questions take us into practical territory: how parents can introduce teens to AI with smart guardrails, and where to find classic Windows 95-era computer games through GOG (Good Old Games) and the Internet Archive. Plus: nostalgia gaming, Diablo vs. World of Warcraft, “Will It Run Doom?” insanity, remembering Hideki Sato (a major force behind Sega hardware like the Dreamcast), and a quick look at Apple rumors and the next wave of chips. Have a question for the show? Email techguys@techtalkradio.com

TechtalkRadio kicks off Valentine’s weekend 2026 with a practical update on home security cameras—and why this topic is suddenly front-of-mind for a lot of people. Andy explains how cloud-based doorbells can still capture (and upload) footage even without an active paid plan, what “short-window” history looks like on some systems, and why notifications (including email alerts) can matter when you’re trying to piece together a timeline. From there, Andy compares camera approaches: cloud-first doorbells like Google Nest, local-recording options that use microSD loop recording, and higher-resolution setups like Reolink (including solar-powered placements for property coverage). He also hits real-life usability stuff that’s easy to overlook—glare behind glass when placing a camera indoors towards the exterior. This is possible with the Girafit Indoor, also how quickly you can save clips to your phone, and why you might not want to disable motion/vehicle notifications even if they’re annoying. Then the show jumps into a 2016 flashback recorded this same week: a super-relatable PC upgrade spiral (new CPU means new motherboard, which means new RAM, which means… everything). The crew debates overclocking, thermals, motherboard quality, and warranty choices—plus Justin drops the always-handy PCPartPicker tip for anyone building on a budget. Part two of the flashback brings back “60 Second Tech,” including iPhone LED flash alerts for notifications, smarter shopping comparisons when buying laptops, and early predictions about autonomous delivery and driverless regulation. Back to current day, Andy closes the episode with a quick nod to Black Mirror (and how fast reality keeps chasing sci-fi), plus a couple of websites worth checking out. Got a question for the show? Email techguys@techtalkradio.com, and catch more at techtalkradio.com. Please Share, Listen, Subscribe to the Show on Spotify, Spreaker, iHeartRadio, YouTubeConnect With Us on social media – Also Available on KGVY AM/FM, Amazon Music, PodBean and other Delivery Networks!

This Week’s TechtalkRadio Show kicks off with the crew welcoming Justin Lemme back—and immediately diving into his newly installed Tesla Powerwall. Justin explains how pairing rooftop solar with a home battery solves the “we generate power when nobody’s home” problem, letting him store daytime energy and run off the battery during peak-rate hours (and stay powered through outages). He also highlights the app-driven control, clean/conditioned power benefits (surge absorption), and the long-term value proposition—especially for sunny climates like Arizona—while Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd ask the practical questions listeners would ask (cost, reliability, real-world outage behavior, and whether it’s worth it). In the Area of Gaming, Justin raves about World of Sea Battle on Steam (a free-to-play, grindy pirate-era MMO with gorgeous visuals and a big EU player base), while Andy reps the “I’m a Wordle guy” camp with Wordle talk and how The New York Times is cycling older words back in. They also share a listener tech joke, then answer a podcasting webcam question with a refreshingly honest breakdown: don’t buy bargain-bin cams, lighting matters, and brands like Logitech and Elgato come up—along with the handy idea of a Stream Deck for switching scenes during recordings. Andy talks with Eric Kim from BIGO Live about how AI is reshaping social platforms—especially the line between helpful AI tools and “AI slop” (low-effort, high-volume content chasing clicks). Eric frames AI as a creative and productivity toolkit: great for clipping highlights, understanding audiences, and even bridging cultures through translation—while emphasizing that creators shouldn’t replace their voice or misrepresent themselves. He also describes BIGO Live’s “real-time togetherness” angle (meeting real people live versus only pushing edited posts), and how platform safety uses AI too—aimed at quickly detecting harmful content. They wrap with how to find the app, what monetization can look like for creators, and the big theme: use AI to remove tedious chores so you can spend more time being genuinely present and original. Shawn DeWeerd flags reports of malicious updates tied to Notepad++ and recommends updating to a safe version (the crew compares it to other “trusted tool got hit” stories like CCleaner and LastPass). Then Andy shares a time-sensitive promo: a discount window on the Anti-Gravity A1 featuring Insta360 Camera tech, plus a newly added “flight simulator” mode meant to build FPV muscle memory before real flights—while noting the market shakeup around DJI. They close things out with quick weekend chatter—Justin planning indoor skydiving at iFLY Indoor Skydiving (Valentine’s weekend), Shawn gearing up for indoor lacrosse, and Andy perfecting the fine art of “indoor napping.” Got a question for the show? Email techguys@techtalkradio.com, and catch more at techtalkradio.com. Please Share, Listen, Subscribe to the Show on Spotify, Spreaker, iHeartRadio, YouTube Connect With Us on social media – See the Video of this Show on our YouTube Page and Now on Spotify as well. Also Available on KGVY AM/FM, Amazon Music, PodBean and other Delivery Networks!

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd cover a little bit of everything—from microphones and mobile video editing to retro gaming, family tech, and the growing “is this real or AI?” dilemma. The show kicks off with a look at audio gear and content creation, followed by listener questions on editing video directly on your smartphone, formatting USB drives, and whether thumb drives are still worth keeping around. The conversation then shifts to gaming nostalgia, screen-time balance for kids, and why physical media and offline backups still matter in an always-online world. Wrapping things up, Andy and Shawn dive into AI skepticism, viral images, and how our default reaction to online content is shifting from curiosity to doubt—sometimes for the worse.

Welcome back to TechtalkRadio—and yes… “This Show is a Joke!” absolutely earns its title. Andy Taylor, Shawn DeWeerd, and Justin Lemme kick things off with the kind of chaotic chemistry in a weather check that makes no sense: Colorado was bizarrely warm, Indiana is buried under snow and “freezing fog,” and everyone agrees the forecast has officially gone off the rails. It has been a couple of weeks now since CES and the guys agree most “everything was AI”… except the stuff that still manages to surprise us. This years buzz outside of AI was focused on micro RGB screens, including a jaw-dropping 130-inch Samsung TV that’s so massive (and likely so expensive) you really have to see it in person to understand the scale. The guys also break down why TV shopping online can be misleading, how professional calibrators fine-tune picture settings for your exact room, and why premium installs and showroom-quality setups can turn your living room into a “demo house” for bragging rights. Audio gets its moment too, with a debate on whether soundbars can truly replace real surround sound (spoiler: not really), plus Shawn’s current 5.1-ish setup and Justin’s insistence that there’s no excuse not to add rear speakers. Then Justin steals the segment with a mini-masterclass on upgrading your podcast audio chain: a new budget mixer, the surprise reality of 48v phantom power, adding a preamp, and why his Shure mic is still the hero of the whole rig—followed by way too much fun with voice effects that quickly turns into “mommy, turn off the radio” territory. With the former Television Experience of Justin and Shawn, they discuss how modern journalism and production standards have shifted over the years, why audiences tolerate lower quality now, and how digital ad systems track everything—time on page, scroll depth, where you came from, and even what you searched for before your next “perfectly targeted” commercial. Segment two ties it all together with a smart look at why local stations run more local news than syndicated shows—because local content means local ad dollars—plus a sharp debate on big-market versus small-market on-air talent and why experience is obvious the second someone opens their mouth on camera. Listener questions are included, along with a great one about the Flipper Zero—what it is, whether it’s illegal, and whether it’s a smart gift for a kid (the group strongly leans “no,” unless maturity, supervision, and intent are crystal clear). From there it’s classic TechTalkRadio: a CES parade of ridiculous inventions (music-playing lollipops through bone conduction, voice-controlled fridges, voice coffee makers, AI barbers, and a toilet computer that analyzes your… business), plus a quick detour into Meta Ray-Bans and why they’re surprisingly impressive for audio. The show lands with gaming talk (Stardew Valley gets the “dangerously addictive” stamp of approval), a quick PSA about spam texts and why you should never reply—even to say “stop”—and a fun throwback to Flash game nostalgia at FlashMuseum.org, before the crew signs off with jokes, groans, and the promise of more chaos next week.

TechtalkRadio kicks off 2026 with Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd diving into what everyone’s talking about — including the Stranger Things finale buzz and the rumor of a “secret” alternate episode (conspiracy theories included). Since recording, we find out that it is exactly that, a Rumor! From there, the guys slide into full nostalgia mode: retro gaming, childhood memories, and why classic consoles still hit differently — from Mario Kart 64 and Ocarina of Time, to the reality check of firing up an old Wii and realizing… the graphics don’t look like you remembered. The show also hits practical tech with listener questions, including how to digitize VHS tapes the right way (without creating giant files or losing quality), what capture gear actually matters, and why transferring analog media is still a time-consuming “real-time” process. Plus, they revisit the debate: should you shut your computer down at night — and what exceptions make sense (like Plex servers)? On the home media side, Shawn breaks down Plex in plain English — what it is, how it works, what’s free, and why opening your server for remote streaming can be risky if you aren’t staying on top of updates. You’ll also hear tips for responsibly getting rid of old towers and CRT gear (and why you should always pull hard drives first). Finally, Andy shows off a couple of fun gadgets — including a compact media player as a “phone-free” music option and a slick new Ethernet-equipped hub — before wrapping with a rapid-fire trip down 1990s memory lane (dial-up sounds, TV Guide, Blockbuster nights, and the Dewey Decimal System). Tech, nostalgia, CES talk, and real listener help — all in the first TechTalkRadio of 2026.

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd kick things off in full holiday mode with a look at Microsoft’s latest seasonal merch drop—highlighting the surprisingly steep price tag on the new “ugly sweater,” the retro logos packed into the design (and a few questionable modern additions), plus the equally head-scratching 50th anniversary Crocs and other oddball collectibles on Microsoft’s revamped merchandise site. The conversation rolls naturally into Shawn’s Christmas wish list—everything from retro gaming gear and board-game storage to soldering tools, ham radio accessories, and FPV drones—along with the realities of finding certain tech items in stock (or even available) right now. Andy shares warnings tied to “Dangerous December,” reinforcing how critical it is to keep browsers and mobile devices updated during peak online shopping season, when older devices and outdated software can become easy targets. The duo also addresses a growing concern around romance scams, outlining common red flags—like refusing video calls or pushing for money—and reminding listeners how easily scammers can use public online details to build trust and manipulate victims. Listener Email from Cecilia in Tucson about a dropped laptop with a shattered screen—explaining how adding an external monitor can often bring the machine back to life, and walking through common steps to enable an external display if it doesn’t switch automatically. That discussion expands into practical habits for everyday computing, including whether to shut down systems overnight, what “update and shut down” really means in the real world, and how different devices (home rigs, servers, and work machines) have very different expectations for uptime and maintenance. Andy welcomes Linda Chorney—Grammy-nominated artist, filmmaker, and self-described DIY “rebel”—to talk about her new audiobook, It Ain’t Over Till the Indie Sings available on Apple Books and Spotify. Linda shares the remarkable story behind her career, how a comment about technology and persistence helped her navigate the industry, and how she taught herself production workflows—from editing and syncing audio to recording in Pro Tools and meeting modern audiobook standards. The episode closes with gaming news for Tomb Raider fans and a nostalgic holiday wrap-up, as Shawn recounts a weekend of in-person gaming, board games, and Lord of the Rings marathons—celebrating the kind of face-to-face tech friendship and shared experiences that many of us miss in today’s always-online world.

This week on TechTalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd kick things off with a deep dive into retro gaming nostalgia, sparked by Shawn’s new Analogue 3D Nintendo 64 console. They reminisce about classic titles like GoldenEye, Mario 64, Zelda, and Perfect Dark, discuss the rising value of physical game cartridges, and debate whether rare sealed games should be played or preserved? The conversation highlights why many gamers are rediscovering the joy of owning physical media in an era dominated by digital licenses and always-online requirements. The show then shifts gears into modern tech as Andy is going to be looking at the upcoming Anti-Gravity A1 drone, comparing it to DJI’s lineup while breaking down FAA weight rules, 360° video capabilities, proprietary file formats, and real-world use cases for content creators. From there, a listener question leads into practical advice on buying used computers, including what specs matter most, how to spot poorly maintained systems, and why gaming PCs often make excellent everyday machines. Andy and Shawn react to a viral story that was posted on Reddit of a customer receiving rocks instead of a graphics card from a major retailer, prompting a discussion on recording unboxings to protect against fraud. They also share timely guidance on VPNs, echoing CISA federal warnings to avoid free services, explaining how VPNs encrypt data, protect users on public Wi-Fi, and allow access to region-locked content while traveling. To Wrap the Show, Andy talks about returning to Adobe with the Creative Cloud Pro Suite and how modern AI-powered tools in Photoshop, Lightroom, and Firefly have transformed photo restoration, from repairing an overexposed celebrity photos of Andy and Stallone to restoring old family images. While of the subject of photos, Andy shares a CBS News story and reminder to digitize and back up family photos after Ricki Lake’s lost memories were unexpectedly recovered at a Flea Market and returned to her. Ricki had thought they were lost in the Malibu Fires. Shawn gives a clear breakdown of the essential “3-2-1 backup rule.”

This week’s TechtalkRadio Show kicks off with Andy, Shawn, and Justin joking about cold basements, impulse buying, and Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals before diving into a discussion with former FBI spy hunter and cybersecurity expert Eric O’Neill, author of Spies, Lies, and Cybercrime. Eric explains why he hates the Hollywood “hoodie hacker” stereotype and argues that today’s cybercriminals operate more like spies—well-funded, organized, and focused on long-term reconnaissance and deception. He walks through how overseas criminal syndicates abuse the dark web, cryptocurrency, and lax enforcement in countries like Russia and China to attack victims in the U.S. with little fear of being caught. From there, the conversation gets very real about modern scams: AI voice and video deepfakes used for “family emergency” scams, social media “fun quizzes” that are actually fishing for password reset information, and toll-road and smishing (SMS phishing) texts that weaponize urgency and fear. Eric stresses that everyone is a target, not just big companies—criminals simply look for whoever is most vulnerable, especially seniors and teens. His core advice: assume every unsolicited email or text is a potential viper, don’t click deal links in emails (go directly to the retailer’s site instead), enable two-factor authentication everywhere, and never pay scammers via wire transfer, crypto, or gift cards. He also recommends using credit cards over debit for fraud protection. Check out Eric's Website at https://www.ericoneill.net Shawn confesses to an expensive impulse buy: the Analog 3D, a high-end, hardware-accurate recreation of the Nintendo 64 that outputs in 4K and supports original cartridges and controllers—but he can’t find any of his N64 games. Cue memories of GoldenEye, Mario 64, Ocarina of Time, Star Fox 64 and the possibility that “Steve” might still be “borrowing” his carts. Justin follows with a deep dive into his heavily modded Steam Deck OLED, wrapped in real leather from dbrand, customized with copper-infused buttons designed to develop patina, and upgraded Hall-effect joysticks. He talks about tearing the handheld apart, troubleshooting joystick issues with AI tools, and that classic “one screw left over” moment, all while Andy points out how AI is speeding up creative work—from fixing graphics to solving hardware problems. Listener questions round out the show. Martin in Vail asks about smartwatches for an iPhone, and Justin and Shawn recommend sticking with Apple Watch unless you need serious fitness and outdoor tracking, in which case Garmin shines with better GPS, battery life, and health metrics. Shawn also vents about Apple’s sometimes maddening notification behavior and how he fixed messages going only to his Mac instead of his watch/phone. Adrian in Irvine asks about secure email in light of concerns over big tech scanning messages for AI training; ProtonMail gets a thumbs-up overall, with a side note about recent worries over dormant address recycling. Justin’s Website of the Week is point.me, a service that helps combine travel points across multiple programs to unlock flights and hotel stays—complete with a real-world success story from their friend Matt flying upgraded to Spain on points. The crew wraps with holiday well-wishes, a shout-out to a YouTube viewer, and a joking plea for any listeners with spare Nintendo 64 cartridges to send them Shawn’s way. Got a question for the show? Email techguys@techtalkradio.com, and catch more at techtalkradio.com. Please Share, Listen, Subscribe to the Show on Spotify, Spreaker, iHeartRadio, YouTube and Our YouTube Page. Connect With Us on social media – See the Video of this Show on our YouTube Page and Now on Spotify as well. Also Available on KGVY AM/FM, Amazon Music, PodBean and other Delivery Networks!

For this Week’s TechtalkRadio Show, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd take a look at some of the big stories including Andy thinking about a purchase of the Meta Ray Ban AI Smart Glasses which helped develop this week show title. “I Don’t Want to Become a Meme” The guy’s circle back to the continuing coverage of the now-infamous Coca-Cola AI holiday ad—which featured glitchy puppies, rubbery robot-people and just noticed vanishing truck axles. While Andy enjoyed the ad for its holiday message one listener had asked about the Ad he did think delivers and for the best of his knowledge, No AI! The Amazon Ad with the three-woman wanting to reminisce about the younger year having fun on the Snowy slopes of a hill and George Martins In my life in the background. It hits the mark. The conversation also connects to a bigger conversation about “AI slop” in gaming. They talk about a story of Call of Duty Black Ops 7 and how studios may be leaning on AI for icons and posters which could signal job losses for artists and developers, however this causes growing backlash from fans who are paying real money but getting soulless, auto-generated content in return. Shawn breaks down how AI could be creeping into sports broadcasting with auto-generated stats, highlight reels, and even generated “hyper frame rate” replays that could blur the line (literally) between what happened and what the algorithm invented. They compare that to AI-created commercials that feel emotionally sterile, and now creepy apps that could let you “talk” to A.I. Generated deceased loved ones. Not Good? Andy mentions how the number one movie this month in 1984 was The Terminator. Sky Net? Also, this causes a flashback to the days when Control Shift Face was creating some great Deepfake videos and the guys look at Deep Fake versus full generation. Listener questions bring things back to practical tech. Abigail from Green Valley asks how to safely get online with her iPad away from home, and the guys walk through options like cellular iPads, iPhone hotspots, VPNs, and even the rumored cheaper Apple MacBook with built-in cellular. Ted from Sahuarita writes about undeveloped 35mm film, and Shawn shares his experience using Indie Film Lab to bring old rolls back to life. There’s also a fun shout-out to Chase Roberts’ new STEM kids’ book Simple Machines Made Simple, plus mentions of David Pogue’s upcoming Apple book and a nostalgic look at classic computer magazines such as Computer Shopper versus today’s Newly announced Computer Gazette. The show wraps with a run of rapid-fire topics: Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses and the mental burden of living in a world where anyone can secretly film you and turn you into a meme, thus the Show Title; Blue Origin joining SpaceX in the reusable rocket game; Black Friday safety tips to avoid phishing and sketchy Wi-Fi; and a quick look at the Fi Mini GPS pet tracker for runaway dogs and cats. It’s a another hour of TechtalkRadio that bounces between “wow, that’s cool” and “wow, that’s terrifying” Give a Listen any Comments or Questions Email us techguys@techtalkradio.com

This week's TechtalkRadio Show kicked off with a hilarious tale of two climates, pitting Andy Taylor's sunny Arizona desert against Shawn DeWeerd's brutal, snowy reality near South Bend, Indiana. Shawn described his location as a literal "frozen tundra," buried under nearly a foot of snow, which he generously offered viewers a real-time peek at via an EarthCam feed. The most epic cold-weather story involved a collegiate rugby championship at Notre Dame, where players bravely battled a massive blizzard for hours in shorts, proving that some athletes are simply built differently (and that their tech gear is, thankfully, heated!). This extreme weather made Shawn the resident expert on staying prepared—and served as a stern reminder for everyone in snowy climates: always brush the snow off your car! Shawn and Andy then navigated the chaotic landscape of modern media and tech. They dove into the bizarre viral frenzy surrounding the latest Coca-Cola commercial, debating whether the oddly animated people and the controversial ending were a genuine AI mistake or a brilliant-if-cynical guerrilla marketing play to get everyone talking. On a much lighter note, they celebrated the joy of the Comedy Wildlife Photo Contest, which captures animals in hilariously awkward poses and is a must-see. The show then gave listeners the inside track on creative tools, with Andy praising the powerful new features of Adobe Premiere and introducing OpenShot as a great, free option for video editing beginners, while Shawn gave a shout-out to the enduring favorite, DaVinci Resolve. Finally, the discussion turned to the ever-evolving world of digital consumption and convenience. They raised eyebrows at the newest, and arguably most irritating, advertising trend: "pause ads," which ambush viewers with a static commercial the moment they hit the pause button on their streaming service. Despite this, Shawn expressed his enthusiasm for the community of hobbyists who are dedicated to tracking down and restoring abandoned Redbox kiosks—a fun bit of tech nostalgia. To cap off the show, they covered Microsoft’s launch of the App Pack, a new tool that seems to be directly competing with the beloved, time-saving app installer, Ninite, offering Windows users an easy way to set up a new computer. Please Check out the Website TechtalkRadio.Com for Links talked about on the Show and see the Video Version on our Blog.techtalkradio.com and YouTube where you can Subscribe! Thanks for Checking it out

This week’s TechtalkRadio show is joined by Andy Taylor, Shawn DeWeerd and returning after an absence Justin Lemme. The guys opened up with some radio war stories and how On-Air has changed in many large cities but it does open up a even bigger conversation about where broadcasting is headed—automation, “canned” shifts, and even AI DJs which has already been experimented with. That segued into a broader AI discussion: hype vs. reality (is there an “AI bubble”?). Shawn is not happy with the AI Enabled toys we should see around the holidays and questions how some can hold back kids’ creativity and also raises privacy concerns. A discussion on AI in Media continues with Shawn not a fan of the obvious AI ad spots (Coke’s holiday commercial came up). Andy and Justin seemed to feel it brought out the essence of the Holidays and Coke however Shawn shares how the AI ran over a street of crowded people which delivered a honest natural reaction from Justin. Justin dove into DIY smart-home tinkering: using low-cost ESP32 microcontrollers with Home Assistant to build sensors (soil moisture alerts, mmWave presence for stair lights, temperature monitoring for a garage freezer). The takeaway: you can replicate pricey off-the-shelf gadgets for a fraction of the cost and power them via USB-C, battery, or small solar. Listener Q&A covered everyday computing—when a Chromebook or budget laptop beats a custom PC if you’re mostly browsing and watching video—and a heads-up that RAM prices have spiked recently. We also hit the streaming mess (YouTube TV vs. Disney/ESPN) and why “cutting the cord” keeps getting pricier and more confusing. A Fun group on Facebook, IT Humor and Memes Shared a post about gaming in the late 80's which opened up a discussion on Gaming nostalgia: Making the list for Andy, Shawn and Justin were titles like Wolfenstein 3D, Command & Conquer, Diablo II, RollerCoaster Tycoon, Leisure Suit Larry, and more—plus places to play DOS classics right in your browser with a great link from Shawn. Justin flagged the Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition (bundled with expansions) and told a story about navigating parental controls with Fallout. There was also a quick troubleshooting win: an HP Omen laptop that crawled after a Windows update was fixed by rolling back recent updates—sometimes it is Windows. We wrapped with “sites of the week.” TV Garden lets you hop around live channels worldwide (including NASA TV streams), a delightfully distracting Pong-style clock, browser-based emulation libraries for retro games, a global web SDR directory for ham-radio listening, and a quick-fix image cleanup tool. Last week’s background remover got a nod again for simple cutouts. Check out the Website TechtalkRadio.Com for Links talked about on the Show and see the Video Version on our Blog.techtalkradio.com and Subscribe!

This Week's TechtalkRadio Show kicks off with Shawn and Andy looking back on last weeks show and discussing a couple of Web Distractions such as TV.Garden only to find out from some viewers to the Social Media Video Post also had a site to share, Radio.Garden. This Site features Radio stations from around the globe, now including KGVY. Shawn adds WebSDR.org for listening to live amateur radio signals worldwide. That rolls into a hands-on ham segment: GMRS nostalgia, the FCC’s clamp-down on internet-linked repeaters. Shawn points to ARRL for licensing paths and local clubs, plus practical directories like RepeaterBook, RadioReference, and HamStudy to get started. Andy dusts off the DJI Mini 3 to shoot footage of classic control-line airplanes for a friends project and decides it is time to take a look at the Part 107 study options, and but realizes licensing delays amid the federal shutdown discussion. Then it’s OS philosophies—Windows 11’s Copilot and bloat vs. the “clean” feel of Linux—before a deep dive on data recovery: Shawn resurrects photos from a 2007 Toshiba drive using free TestDisk/PhotoRec, while Andy revisits using OnTrack in past recoveries and budget-friendlier EaseUS. A wild case study: investigators recovered images from the OceanGate submersible camera’s SanDisk memory. Shawn tells us about a site he found which first we remind of caution - OldVersion.com for legacy software. This tied in nicely with Andy's daughter asking for a Windows XP rig with the old games installed. A possible alternative could be the website Good Old Games for classic game purchases. For video editing without subscriptions, DaVinci Resolve shines for Andy’s 4K drone footage, and OpenShot gets a nod as a friendly, open-source starter. Quick creative helpers include Remove.bg for instant background cuts and a reminder to support open-source tools that earn a spot in the toolbox. A Listener wants to know about silencing Spam Calls. Andy shares the recommendation to use Do Not Disturb with “contacts only,” Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone, and accept that voicemail may still catch strays. Security talk covers the rumored Gmail credential chatter and a practical audit with HaveIBeenPwned, followed by password hygiene best practices: unique, long passwords and strong picks like Apple Passwords or 1Password—optionally paired with hardware keys for the ultra-cautious. The show wraps with a family-friendly pick—Scholastic’s new free streaming app (Clifford, Goosebumps, Magic School Bus)—and a quick note that Fedora is formally embracing AI-assisted contributions on the development side, signaling how open-source projects are adapting behind the scenes. Got a question for the show? Email techguys@techtalkradio.com, and catch more at techtalkradio.com. Please Share, Listen, Subscribe to the Show on Spotify, Spreaker, iHeartRadio, YouTube and Our YouTube Page. Also Available on KGVY AM/FM, Amazon Music, PodBean and other Delivery Networks!

We kick off with the Oct 20, 2025 AWS outage (US-EAST-1)—why “Amazon” going down can break apps you use daily (Reddit, Coinbase, Snapchat, Roku, even some smart-home gear). Shawn explains how DNS resolution at scale works and why a failure there feels like the internet lost its street map. We also touch on a real-world consequence: some Eight Sleep smart beds overheated or got stuck until the company shipped an “outage mode. That leads us straight into streaming vs. physical media. Prices, ad tiers, and licensing whiplash have many folks rebuilding local libraries. We share practical tools for ripping and transcoding discs you own (MakeMKV for Blu-ray, HandBrake for format/size control) and talk Plex for organizing and streaming your files at home. Quick tip of the week: WinGet, Microsoft’s built-in Windows Package Manager, can bulk-update your desktop apps from the command line. Shawn runs it live and finds half his studio stack out of date! Anne in Green Valley sent us a Question about Windows 11 S Mode—who it’s for (locked-down, Store-only installs) and why most power users eventually exit S Mode (you can’t go back). Andy also shares a save-the-day studio story: repairing a Windows 10 install from DVD to keep legacy Adobe CS5.5 running offline for production work. Shawn goes full kid-in-a-candy-store with TV.garden—a globe you spin to drop into live channels from around the world, no login or subscription. He liked how fast it is to discover niche stuff (he even pulled up MavTV–style motorsports and low-production Supercross feeds while we were talking), how you can browse by country or category, and how it’s perfect for “have-it-on-in-the-background” viewing. It’s free, click-and-watch, and the 3D globe UI makes it feel like channel-surfing planet-wide Got a question for the show? Email techguys@techtalkradio.com, and catch more at techtalkradio.com. Please Share, Listen, Subscribe to the Show on Spotify, Spreaker, iHeartRadio, YouTube and Our YouTube Page. Also Available on KGVY AM/FM, Amazon Music, PodBean and other Delivery Networks!

Windows 10’s end-of-support dominated this week’s show, as Andy, Shawn, and Justin tackled the panic, the realities, and the options. From Microsoft’s ESU path ($30 for Home, $60 for Pro) to the confusing OneDrive “free” backup catch (that 5GB cap!), the crew broke down who really needs to move now and who can safely plan. They also dug into the TPM 2.0 / Secure Boot debate—why game anti-cheat systems are driving requirements, how tools like Rufus can help on older hardware, and the real risk of kernel-level hooks. Along the way, Andy shared a cautionary tale about flipping BIOS/UEFI settings, MBR vs. GPT, and why documenting changes (and cloning that SSD first!) can save a weekend. Not ready for new hardware? The guys mapped out sane alternatives: when a legit Windows 7→10 key will still activate Windows 11 on supported gear, and when a friendly Linux distro (Ubuntu, Mint, etc.) is the better retirement plan for a beloved PC. Shawn even previewed Ubuntu’s whimsically named future release, “Resolute Raccoon,” and the team answered a listener’s webcam question—ultimately reminding iPhone families that FaceTime across phones, Macs, and iPads is still the simplest way to video chat without extra gadgets. Andy revisited Driver Easy after a wave of online skepticism, sharing clean scans with Malwarebytes and real-world stability gains when Windows Update missed drivers. Shawn flagged a Corsair DDR4/DDR5 memory-speed class-action notice (proof that keeping receipts pays), and Justin gave an enthusiastic update on his new enclosed 3D printer: faster prints, auto-leveling, built-in filtration for ABS, and easy project ideas from MakerWorld and Thingiverse—all with filament costs that make practical prints (and holiday décor) surprisingly affordable. Justin's Newest 3D Printer comes from FlashForge Wrapping up, Justin sounded off on Microsoft again—this time over the Xbox Game Pass price hike—while Shawn noted reports that some existing, auto-renewing subscribers may see delayed increases depending on market. Whether you’re planning your Windows 11 migration, eyeing Linux, tuning a printer, or trimming subscriptions, this episode is packed with field-tested advice, hard-won lessons, and a few laughs from the TechtalkRadio bench.

In This week’s Flashback episode of TechtalkRadio, The Show kicks off with a laugh, as Justin recounts how YouTube flagged his video simply for having Monday Night Football faintly visible in the background. What started as a minor annoyance turned into a deep dive into the quirks of copyright enforcement online—especially when compared with Twitch streamers who manage to broadcast live sports disguised as gameplay. The crew joked about how even a Mountain Dew can or a MacBook box might get them flagged, highlighting the ever-watchful eyes of content algorithms. The conversation shifted into new tech purchases and experiments. Matt shared his decision to buy a brand-new 14-inch MacBook Pro with Apple’s M3 Pro chip, not out of Apple loyalty but as the best platform to run Kali Linux for cybersecurity training. This led into a broader discussion on cutting-edge laptops and even the newly announced “Spacetop,” a screenless laptop that uses AR glasses as the display. The crew debated whether augmented reality machines are the future of computing or just a passing gimmick, with plenty of comparisons to Apple’s pricey Vision Pro headset. Industry news took center stage as the hosts examined reports of Qualcomm eyeing Intel for a takeover. The panel dug into Intel’s struggles with its 13th and 14th generation processors, which have been plagued by overheating and reliability issues, along with looming lawsuits and declining stock. They contrasted Intel’s woes with AMD’s strong comeback, recalling the history of dual-core development and AMD’s Ryzen resurgence. The talk underscored how quickly fortunes can shift in the chip wars—and whether Intel is truly “too big to fail.” On the lighter side, the team went full-nerd over Warhammer 40K—from Shawn’s first tabletop skirmishes to Henry Cavill’s obsession with the franchise and its upcoming Amazon series. The show wrapped with Shawn’s hands-on tale of reinstalling Windows 11, troubleshooting endless drivers, and finally discovering the time-saving installer tool NiNite. The guys closed with a reminder of why patience and persistence are key in tech, and a promise to tackle more listener questions next week.

Andy, Shawn, and Justin open with Justin’s recent DDoS nightmare and use it to explore how IoT botnets form, why firmware updates and password changes are essential, and why cheap “set it and forget it” devices can be ticking time bombs. They compare off-the-shelf routers like ASUS, Netgear, and Linksys with more advanced options such as UniFi and the open-source pfSense (“PF-chance,” as Justin puts it), which can turn an old PC into a powerful firewall/router—perfect for those willing to tinker. Tips include scanning with Fing, segmenting devices on VLANs, and avoiding ISP-provided routers. Listener Q&A shifts the discussion to Windows 11: Home vs. Pro, and the frustration that Remote Desktop is missing in Home. Andy shares his Rufus experiment installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, while the team stresses the importance of BIOS and driver updates. The highlight is Shawn’s story about Driver Easy, which rescued a high-end transcoding PC that Windows updates had slowed to a crawl—finding 15+ outdated drivers and restoring its performance instantly. Justin explains how techs can use short-term Driver Easy licenses to fix customer machines without constant overhead. But the big highlight comes from Justin’s own Reolink security camera: it captured a shocking moment when a car slammed into his neighbor’s $100K Nissan GT-R while it was being loaded for transport. The video proves why quality security cameras matter, and sparks a bigger conversation about Wyze vs. Reolink setups, VLAN security, and why having your own footage is worth every penny. They wrap up with cool new tools — from DJI’s latest drones to lightningmaps.org, a live weather tracker that shows real-time lightning strikes. Whether you’re into gadgets, gaming, or just want smarter home security, this episode is packed with stories you don’t want to miss. Be Sure to Check out the Video Version of this Show on the Website for Footage of that Crash!

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd unpack iOS 26 after Apple’s recent wave of updates. Shawn—who’s been living on the beta—explains why the OS now feels “built for two-handed use,” with core actions and search shifting to the bottom of the screen. For anyone returning from Android or upgrading older iPhones, it’s less about flashy features and more about retraining muscle memory: new-message buttons, close icons, and search live where your thumbs naturally are. From there, the conversation widens to the state of AI. Andy contrasts the speed and usefulness of Google’s Gemini for quick studio lookups with Siri’s slower responses, while both hosts wrestle with where AI is genuinely helpful versus where it still feels off. Practical wins include Lightroom’s AI noise reduction, using AI to wrangle manuals and code snippets, and Google’s NotebookLM—now with interactive “ask-as-you-listen” study sessions. On the flip side: AI-generated images still struggle with fine details and text, and accuracy gaps make “AI slop” risky for mission-critical work. In smart home talk, Shawn revisits Wyze’s value gear—cameras, bulbs, and a new palm-vein recognition lock—plus the subscription math behind Cam Plus. He argues for a simple but powerful upgrade: first-class RTSP so users can record to their own NAS and keep footage off the cloud by default. Listener Q&A rolls through texting mysteries (blue vs. green bubbles and how RCS now bridges some features with Android), and the looming Windows 10 end-of-support date. They weigh Extended Security Updates versus buying new machines, and when Rufus can help install Windows 11 on borderline hardware—while warning that not every system will make the cut. Andy shares a great story at ZDNet from Past Guest on the Show Ed Bott on steps to install Windows 11. To cap it off, the guys look at Roku’s first projector (1080p with Roku OS, auto-focus/keystone, Bluetooth private listening), share a handy tip for listening through headphones via the Roku app, and flag a recent Plex security incident—change your password and be cautious with the latest Roku Plex app update if you’re seeing stutters or crashes. Got a question for the show? Email techguys@techtalkradio.com, and catch more at techtalkradio.com. Please Share, Listen, Subscribe to the Show on Spotify, Spreaker, iHeartRadio, YouTube and Our YouTube Page.Connect With Us on social media - See the Video of this Show on our YouTube! Also Available on KGVY AM/FM, Amazon Music, PodBean and other Delivery Networks!

For this Week's TechtalkRadio Show, Andy and Shawn kick off with Apple’s September hardware drop Titled "Awe Dropping" Shawn shared the announcements from the new AirPods Pro 3 (better ANC, on-bud heart-rate monitoring, and live translation via “Apple Intelligence”), three Apple Watch tiers (SE as the budget health watch, Series 11 adding hypertension and deeper sleep tracking, and Ultra 3 with satellite messaging and up to 72-hour battery) Shawn also tells us about the Announced New iPhone 17 family. Highlights include a super-thin iPhone Air (~5.3mm, ceramic-coated glass, 120Hz), across-the-line 48MP cameras, Pro/Pro Max video chops (4K/120, ProRes RAW, timecode/Genlock via accessory), bigger batteries (Apple touts ~27–32 hrs video playback), a rechargeable MagSafe pack. The crew debates whether any of it is a must-upgrade and notes Apple’s limited AI story beyond translation. Vision/VR? Likened to 3D TV—cool demo, niche daily use. Justin jumps in to compare live-translate (Pixel’s had versions for years), rave about Pixel zoom demos, and spotlight Denver’s newly announced high-tech retractable-roof stadium plan. The guys also cover the viral “Baseball Karen” meme saga (“the internet never loses”) and drop a nostalgia gem as Website of the Week: BigBoxCollection.com—gorgeous 3D scans of classic big-box PC games. Also Covered in this Weeks Show: Listener Q&A: • “McAfee” pop-ups without McAfee installed = likely malware or a rogue browser extension. Solution: review/remove extensions, run Malwarebytes (ideally from a clean USB), and avoid calling scam numbers. • Ripping CDs at home: Windows Media Player or VLC still do it; then back up to cloud + an external drive (practice the 3-2-1 rule). Production note: Andy shares why the show moved to Riverside FM—clean local tracks, transcripts/teleprompter, smart editing—and a jaw-dropper: AI profanity replacement that sounds like the host. Justin closes by unboxing plans for a new enclosed, auto-leveling 3D printer and what he’ll make first. Please Share, Listen, Subscribe to the Show on Spotify, Spreaker, iHeartRadio, YouTube and Our YouTube Page.Connect With Us on social media