Tech's Message

This week is a special episode in which we revisit Ian's 2007 CNET feature, Top Ten Off Switches. Do the selections stand up to modern scrutiny? And how have off switches evolved in a world of Wi-Fi, virtual assistants and touchscreens? 

SOURCES:

Top ten off switches (live)

https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/top-ten-off-switches/

Top ten off switches (archived, with pictures)

https://web.archive.org/web/20071114120435/http://crave.cnet.co.uk/0,39029477,49293357-1,00.htm

The Slashdot post about the feature

https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/07/11/12/1429244/the-top-ten-off-switches 

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Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.

TECH’S MESSAGE IS:

Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian Morris

Production and Editing: Nate Lanxon

Music: Audio Network & Pond5

Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / Freepik

Publisher (Free Version): Acast

Copyright © Nate Lanxon

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This week Nate and Ian discuss HD DVD, arguably one of the last global format wars to be fought -- and lost. The Patreon extended version also includes a lengthy discussion about the hypothetical future HD DVD might have had, were it to have won the format war against Sony's Blu-ray.

SOURCES:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_DVD

https://www.reddit.com/r/HDDVD/comments/114cteq/hd_dvd_exclusives/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-definition_optical_disc_format_war

https://www.pcworld.com/article/535906/hddvd_bluray.html

https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/why-hd-dvd-will-beat-blu-ray/

https://www.reddit.com/r/dvdcollection/comments/l1wz2r/any_love_for_an_obsolete_format_most_of_my_hd_dvd/

https://www.britannica.com/technology/DVD

https://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN1419176920070815/

https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/hd-dvd.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_high-definition_optical_disc_formats#endnote_HDMC_table_note_h

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolby_TrueHD

https://pioneer-blurayodd.eu/?lang=en

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Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.

TECH’S MESSAGE IS:

Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian Morris

Production and Editing: Nate Lanxon

Music: Audio Network & Pond5

Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / Freepik

Publisher (Free Version): Acast

Copyright © Nate Lanxon

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Nate and Ian discuss the dual-layered delight that is DVD -- it's history, and our memories of using it.

SOURCES:

The death of the DVD: Why sales dropped more than 86% in 13 years

https://web.archive.org/web/20200329212906/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/08/the-death-of-the-dvd-why-sales-dropped-more-than-86percent-in-13-years.html

PlayStation 2 Wiki

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_2

Bouncing DVD logo

https://www.bouncingdvdlogo.com

DVD Frequently Asked Questions

https://web.archive.org/web/19970329103433/http://www.videodiscovery.com/vdyweb/dvd/dvdfaq.html

DVD industry in crisis as sales slump

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/nov/29/dvd-industry-sales-slump-blu-ray

HMV boss says more people buying DVDs and Blu-ray

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99wngrw4nxo

DVD and Blu-ray sales statistics

https://www.avforums.com/threads/dvd-and-blu-ray-sales-statistics.2004986/

British Video Association press release archive

https://web.archive.org/web/20100623045015/http://www.bva.org.uk/news-press-releases/2009-news-release-sales-robust-transitional-year-british-video-industry

DVD Commercial from 2000

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xn8m9KLYQg

Yahoo DVD Player review

https://www.cnet.com/reviews/yahoo-ydp-530-review/ 

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Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.

TECH’S MESSAGE IS:

Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian Morris

Production and Editing: Nate Lanxon

Music: Audio Network & Pond5

Copyright © Nate Lanxon

Ads (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nate and Ian discuss the modern anxiety of calls from unknown numbers, repeated missed calls, and general caller ID-related terror. You might think this is a Halloween episode, such is the horror of the content.

SOURCES AND LINKS:

Mobile company customer forums

• https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Tech-Support/People-I-have-never-contacted-returning-my-calls/td-p/1626378
• https://community.three.co.uk/t5/Account-and-services/Scammer-using-my-number/m-p/32346
• https://community.bt.com/t5/Home-phone-including-Digital/Receiving-calls-from-people-saying-I-called-them-but-I-haven-t/td-p/2173030

Mumsnet

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4972436-to-have-anxiety-from-this-missed-call

Caller anxiety

https://www.reddit.com/r/Anxiety/comments/17fis4j/just_completing_ignored_an_important_phone_call/

Apple will launch a Business Caller ID service next year

https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-will-launch-a-business-caller-id-service-next-year-223913262.html

Become a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.

Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.

TECH’S MESSAGE IS:

Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian Morris

Production and Editing: Nate Lanxon

Music: Audio Network & Pond5

Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / Freepik

Publisher (Free Version): Acast

Copyright © Nate Lanxon

Ads (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Nate's joined by Andrew Lanxon from CNET to discuss a rich history of games console controllers, from the bizarre to the innovative.

SOURCES AND LINKS:

PlayStation Multitap

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_Multitap

Music 2000

https://www.mobygames.com/game/4945/mtv-music-generator/

https://psxdatacenter.com/games/P/M/SLES-02224.html

DreamCast VMU

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VMU 

Sony PocketStation

https://playstation.fandom.com/wiki/PocketStation

Manhunt 2

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2007/10/halloween-review-manhunt-2-wii/ 

Fishing controller (and there are others)

https://segaretro.org/Fishing_Controller

https://www.videogamesage.com/forums/topic/8783-n64-fishing-rod-controller-info/#comment-222306

Godzilla Generations screenshot

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/373544883983482884/1294970656412274750/godzilla-dreamcast-1160x653.png?ex=670cf2e7&is=670ba167&hm=137a8d005ef963c21f7e691de7d0d5099a9a5079e3c8a8ba2a77427fd82353a7& 

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Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.

TECH’S MESSAGE IS:

Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian Morris

Production and Editing: Nate Lanxon

Music: Audio Network & Pond5

Publisher (Free Version): Acast

Copyright © Nate Lanxon

Ads (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the boys discuss and reminisce about Bluetooth, specifically its history and evolution as a conduit for wireless audio.

SOURCES AND LINKS:

Know A Little More Bluetooth episode

https://shows.acast.com/know-a-little-more/episodes/about-bluetooth-5-updated

Deep guide to Bluetooth codecs and qualities

https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2023/03/bluetooth-sound-quality-guide-what-are-the-codecs-and-how-do-they-work.html

Weirdest Bluetooth gadgets

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/weirdest-bluetooth-gadgets-stuff-roundup,review-2369.html

More weird gadgets

https://www.androidcentral.com/weird-bluetooth-gadgets

And yet more still!

https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/2a2rv4/what_are_some_unique_bluetooth_accessories/

Brittanica guide to Bluetooth

https://www.britannica.com/technology/Bluetooth

Manual for the early Nokia headset

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1562633/Nokia-Hs-12w.html?page=6#manual

History of Nokia Bluetooth

https://blogs.windows.com/devices/2012/02/03/all-ears-a-pictorial-history-of-bluetooth-headsets-part-1/

B&W article about Bluetooth audio

https://www.bowerswilkins.com/en-us/blog/sound-lab/is-bluetooth-audio-worse.html

AirPods Max

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AirPods_Max#Overview

Sonos headphones

https://www.sonos.com/en-gb/shop/sonos-ace

Become a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.

TECH’S MESSAGE IS:

Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian Morris

Production and Editing: Nate Lanxon

Music: Audio Network & Pond5

Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / Freepik

Publisher (Free Version): Acast

Copyright © Nate Lanxon

Ads (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we discuss the history of online dating, from the 1990s web services, through the UK's Teletext and into the modern era of apps. Nate discusses how he met his wife through an app, and Ian complains about how he hasn't yet. And then comes the future: what do we expect is next for dating apps and related technologies?

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:

Teletext

https://www.blunham.com/Radar/Teletext/WebAlbums/P182S01=Dial_a_Date.html

Sex.com in WIRED

https://www.wired.com/2003/08/sex-com/

Match.com in WIRED 1995

https://www.wired.com/1995/09/love-and-money/

Hater Dater

https://web.archive.org/web/20200208062220/https://www.haterdater.com/

Gluten-Free Singles

https://web.archive.org/web/20131106133442/http://www.glutenfreesingles.com/

Bristlr

https://www.bristlr.com

Farmers Only

https://www.farmersonly.com/

Dating study

https://9to5mac.com/2024/09/16/dating-apps-havent-helped-us-find-better-partners-suggests-research/ 

Iceland app

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/some-icelanders-are-accidentally-dating-a-relative-and-now-theres-an-app-for-that-25175819/ 

Become a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.

Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian Morris

Production and Editing: Nate Lanxon

Ads (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we are talking over our past, present and future relationships with the hard disk. Andrew Lanxon from CNET joins for this one and in the extended version he brings you what he learned during a reporting trip to a tiny Scottish island that enjoys energy independence.

Here are some links to various things we discussed in the show:

Andy’s Eigg feature in CNET (check the embedded video) https://www.cnet.com/home/energy-and-utilities/this-stunning-remote-island-took-control-of-its-energy-destiny-i-got-a-first-hand-look/

Acorn magazine https://archive.org/details/AcornUser105-Apr91/page/n94/mode/1up

IBM hard disk history https://www.ibm.com/history/ramac

Death if the disk https://www.pcgamer.com/hard-drives-predicted-to-be-history-after-2028/ 

Seagate hikes drive prices https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/23/seagate_hdd_prices/

Seagate 32TB drive https://www.seagate.com/gb/en/products/enterprise-drives/exos-x/x-mozaic/

2007 in tech https://www.computerhistory.org/timeline/2007/ 

Eigg history https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eigg

TECH’S MESSAGE IS:

Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian Morris

Production and Editing: Nate Lanxon

Music: Audio Network & Pond5

Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / Freepik

Publisher (Free Version): Acast

Copyright © Nate Lanxon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Tech's Message! This week, in our inaugural episode of the new Tech's Message era, we're discussing the history of webcams. For Patrons, we also discuss Apple's recent announcements and Ian's decision to invest some serious cash in one of the products.

Here are some links to various things we discussed in the show:

Webcams look like balls: https://www.reddit.com/r/vintagecomputing/comments/18lzalf/not_sure_if_1999_counts_as_vintage_already/ 

Intel Easy PC Web Cam:  https://www.reddit.com/r/nostalgia/comments/mf0zea/first_webcam_i_purchased_early_2000s

Webcam reviews and prices from CNET circa 2000: https://web.archive.org/web/20000411021102/http://cnet.com/hardware/search/results/0,10238,0-1085-402-0-1,00.html?tag=st.co.1078.dir.1085-402-0

Wirecutter guide to modern webcams: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-webcams/

Computer Chronicles webcam episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4mxg4pBgIw

The greatest defunct Web sites and dotcom disasters: https://web.archive.org/web/20080607211819/http://crave.cnet.co.uk/0%2C39029477%2C49296926-2%2C00.htm

Apple VideoPhone: https://www.reddit.com/r/VintageApple/comments/1due7sk/apple_videophone_video_conferencing_1996_style/#lightbox

The complete, ad-free episode is available via Patreon subscription and includes our weekly news discussion, extended segments, outtakes and more. Become a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.

Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.

TECH’S MESSAGE IS:

Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian Morris

Production and Editing: Nate Lanxon

Music: Audio Network & Pond5

Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / Freepik

Publisher (Free Version): Acast

Copyright © Nate Lanxon

Ads (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian and I took nine months off from podcasting, but rest quite assured: it wasn't in order for him to gestate and pass our baby. 

In this bonus episode, I'll explain the actual reason for our absence and our plan for a new era of Tech's Message, which begins on this very day -- look out for episode 323 in your feed shortly!

We're really grateful to everyone who's kept our feed in their podcatchers and stuck with their Patreon membership until we were ready to return. We've got some cool plans for the show and we'll welcome your feedback.

Onwards!

Nate & Ian

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