Tech Gumbo

Tech Gumbo

By Haggai DavisNewsTechnologyTech News
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Tech Gumbo episodes

  • Phishing Training Fails, TikTok's Backup Plan, Social Media Age Ban Bill

    News and Updates:

    • A Purdue University study found anti-phishing training may be worse than ineffective. Testing 12,000+ fintech employees, researchers saw no reduction in phishing link clicks — and in some cases, trained staff clicked slightly more often. Experts say companies should shift focus from costly training to technical defenses.
    • TikTok is reportedly developing a new U.S.-only app, codenamed “M2,” to sidestep a pending federal ban. The replacement could debut in September as part of a sale to an Oracle-led investor group. Current TikTok would stay active until early 2026 under the tentative plan.
    • The Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA) advanced in the U.S. Senate, proposing a ban on social media accounts for kids under 13 and limits on algorithms for users under 17. Critics warn the bill’s AI-based age estimation could misidentify millions of users, raising privacy and constitutional concerns.
      • 23 min
    • Starlink Price Hike, Windows 11 Surpasses 10, Microsoft’s Culture Clash, Amazon’s Robot Surge

      News and Updates:

      • SpaceX slapped a $1,000 “demand surcharge” on new Starlink Residential subscribers in parts of Washington, Oregon, and Northern Idaho, pushing startup costs as high as $1,349. The fee aims to slow adoption and prevent network congestion — a sharp climb from $100 last year.
      • Windows 11 has finally overtaken Windows 10 in global desktop market share. Statcounter data shows Windows 11 now holds 52%, after nearly four years and hardware requirement hurdles slowed its rollout. Microsoft’s push included full-screen upgrade ads and end-of-life warnings for Windows 10.
      • A deep report reveals a culture shift inside Microsoft, as AI investment frenzy and post-Covid leadership changes undermine employee morale. Long-time staff describe a climate of fear, layoffs, and performance metrics tied to AI tool use like Copilot — with CFO Amy Hood said to be steering strategy over Satya Nadella.
      • Amazon now operates over 1 million robots in its warehouses, with automation assisting 75% of global deliveries. While robots have replaced many manual tasks, Amazon says it’s retraining workers for higher-skilled roles managing the machines. Productivity has soared, though concerns persist over future job cuts in heavily automated sites.
        • 23 min
      • Google Earth at 20, 400M Windows PCs Gone, Microsoft’s AI Mandate

        News and Updates:

        • Google Earth turns 20 — Google celebrates two decades of Earth exploration with historical Street View now added to Google Earth. Highlights include viral launches, disaster response after Katrina, aiding scientific discoveries, the Saroo Brierley story from Lion, and the viral #somewhereonGoogleMaps trend.
        • 400 million Windows PCs vanished — Microsoft quietly revealed Windows active devices dropped from 1.4B in 2022 to 1B in 2025 as home users retire PCs without replacing them. The market is shifting toward business and mobile-first devices.
        • Microsoft offers cheaper Windows 10 security updates — Instead of a $30 fee, consumers can now enroll in Extended Security Updates with 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points or by using Windows Backup on OneDrive.
        • The Blue Screen of Death turns black — Windows 11’s infamous BSOD gets a minimalist black redesign in version 24H2, ditching the frowny face and QR code in favor of a cleaner UI.
        • Windows 11 restore points now expire faster — With the June 2025 update, system restore points in Windows 11 24H2 expire after 60 days instead of 90, requiring users to monitor backups more closely.
        • Microsoft makes AI use mandatory for staff — Company leaders are pushing employees to adopt internal AI tools like GitHub Copilot, with some teams considering AI usage as a formal review metric starting next fiscal year.
          • 23 min
        • Brazil Social Media Ruling, Section 230 Challenge, Tesla FSD Failures

          News and Updates:

          • Brazil’s Supreme Court voted to hold social media companies liable for illegal user content, moving tech regulation closer to Europe’s model. Critics warn it may stifle free speech as platforms preemptively censor content.
          • A New York judge ruled a wrongful death lawsuit against Meta and TikTok can proceed, finding it plausible their algorithms actively targeted dangerous “subway surfing” videos to a teen. Section 230 protections may not apply if discovery confirms active promotion.
          • The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Texas’ age-verification law for porn sites in a 6-3 decision, ruling it doesn’t violate First Amendment rights. Critics warn it endangers privacy and chills lawful adult expression.
          • Ford CEO Jim Farley called China’s EV industry “humbling,” praising Xiaomi’s $35K SU7 as better than U.S. rivals in cost, range, and in-vehicle tech. U.S. automakers remain hampered by high battery costs and policy shifts.
          • Another Tesla in Full Self-Driving mode drove onto train tracks in Pennsylvania — one of several recent incidents highlighting persistent safety flaws. Despite marketing robotaxis, Tesla's system remains classified as Level 2 assistance requiring active human supervision.
            • 23 min
          • Guest Interview: Kenny Wall of Gulf Coast Office Products on DocuWare and Workflow Automation

            Key Highlights:

            • DocuWare replaces manual, paper-based processes with digital document management and automated workflows, improving efficiency, collaboration, and security.
            • Unlike simple cloud storage, DocuWare uses AI-powered indexing, intelligent document processing, and compliance tools to actively manage documents — not just store them.
              • Approval processes are streamlined with automatic routing, digital signatures, instant notifications, and full audit trails.
            • It’s widely used in industries like healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and transportation, reducing operational bottlenecks and cutting down on labor costs.
              • DocuWare integrates with popular platforms like Microsoft Teams, Outlook, SAP, and most ERP systems, offering both cloud and on-premise solutions.
            • Looking ahead, AI-driven automation, better mobile tools, and deeper ERP/CRM integration will shape the future of document management, making processes faster and smarter.
              • 22 min
            • Windows 12 Rumors, iOS 26 Upgrades, Meta AI's Privacy Problem

              News and Updates:

              • Windows 12 rumors point to more built-in AI features, modular design (CorePC), better ARM support, and possible subscription options — but no official release date yet. Expect a clearer picture after Windows 10 sunsets in late 2025.
              • Apple’s iOS 26 will bring useful everyday upgrades this fall, including group chat polls, real-time call translation, a spam filter for unknown messages, and 3D spatial photos for lock screens.
              • Meta AI’s Discover feed is raising serious privacy concerns as users unintentionally share personal medical, legal, and financial details on its public chatbot timeline.

                • 23 min
              • GameStop Damages Switch 2 Consoles, Google's $500M "Less Evil" Settlement, AI Startups Exposed, AI Hallucinations in Court, Meta's Deepfake Ad Problem, OpenAI's Revenue Boom, AI Layoffs and Backlash

                News and Updates:

                • GameStop damages Nintendo Switch 2 consoles:
                • Google settles shareholder lawsuit for $500M: “To Be Less Evil”
                • "AI" startup Builder.ai revealed to be 700 human employees:
                • England's High Court warns lawyers against citing fake AI-generated cases:
                • Meta platforms showed hundreds of "nudify" deepfake ads:
                • OpenAI hits $10 billion in annual revenue:
                • Business Insider lays off 21% of staff, goes "all-in on AI":
                • Duolingo CEO faces backlash for "AI-first" plan:
                  • 23 min
                • T-Mobile’s Starlink Beta Opens Up, Cable Carriers Gain Ground, Supersonic Travel Cleared, YouTube vs. Ad-Blockers

                  News and Updates:

                  • T-Mobile’s Starlink-powered satellite beta is now open to anyone with a compatible phone — even if you’re on AT&T or Verizon.
                  • Cable companies like Charter, Comcast, and Altice added more mobile customers than AT&T or Verizon in Q1 2025 as consumers push back against Big 3 price hikes.
                  • The U.S. officially lifts its 50-year ban on supersonic commercial flights over land, clearing the way for faster-than-sound travel — with new noise restrictions on the horizon.
                  • YouTube steps up its fight against ad-blockers while simultaneously loosening moderation rules for “public interest” content, raising concerns about harmful content slipping through.
                    • 23 min

                  About Tech Gumbo

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                  We started Tech Gumbo in Nov 2014 as a conversational show of news, information & updates about the past, present & future of all things technology in a topical, interesting and digestible…