On this week's TechtalkRadio, Andy, Shawn, and Justin welcomed Matt back after a brief absence. The team picked up where last week left off, with Justin explaining his frustration after his video was flagged due to a football game playing in the background. Despite the seemingly harmless presence of live sports on TV, the issue arose. Matt and Justin shared their insights on watching live sports through Twitch, where some streamers creatively avoid detection by pretending to play video games during streams.

Matt also discussed his recent purchase of a MacBook Pro, which he chose for its seamless compatibility with Linux, using a virtual machine instead of a dual-boot setup. The team further explored cutting-edge laptops, including the new Lenovo Yoga 9 and the Space Top, an augmented reality laptop that utilizes AR glasses as a display. This sparked a discussion on how AI might drive a new industrial revolution, with companies like Nvidia playing a key role.

Switching gears, Matt shared his experience with Warhammer 40K, highlighting its AI mechanics and how the game runs well on older hardware. He also touched on Henry Cavill's involvement in the TV adaptation of the game, diving into the various settings and factions of the Warhammer universe.

Shawn, meanwhile, described his challenging upgrade to Windows 11. Despite initial installation issues on his Asus Elite Wi-Fi motherboard, which required enabling BIOS and UEFI settings, he eventually succeeded. Shawn also dealt with reinstalling software, encountering hurdles with his headset, ATEM Mini, and Stream Deck. Matt recommended Ninite to simplify the reinstallation process.

Justin shared his new foray into DJing and his efforts to build a professional online presence with a website and business cards. While Justin chose Wix, Andy recommended WordPress with the Divi theme for greater customization and professionalism. They also discussed strategies to promote Justin's DJ services, including the importance of a portfolio video to showcase his skills.

Lastly, Justin encountered a puzzling issue with three Dell laptops running Windows 11 Pro, where the Wi-Fi suddenly stopped working. Despite the devices showing active Wi-Fi in Device Manager, the connection failed. Andy suggested checking the BIOS, while Shawn and Matt speculated about potential hardware or M.2 chip issues. The team agreed to investigate further, considering options like external Wi-Fi antennas or BIOS updates.

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy, Shawn, and Justin dive into a range of topics. Andy shares his recent purchase of the Google Pixel 9 XL, discussing his concerns about the cost, the physical SIM card it came with, and how the device supports eSIMs. They also touch on the iOS 18 update, which adds RCS messaging support, and Justin guides Andy on transferring data from his old phone. The group debates app organization preferences on iPhone and Android.

Andy gives his first impressions of Google Gemini AI, finding it overly talkative. Justin shares his wife's experience transitioning from iPhone to Android, while Shawn and Andy highlight their preference for iPhones due to ease of use.

Shawn praises Apple's M-chips, especially in the Mac mini, for multimedia production, while Justin debates Apple's pricing strategy. The team also addresses a listener’s question about transferring programs to a new PC and recommends tools like PC Mover.

In another segment, they explore cord-cutting options like Pluto, Tubi, and antenna solutions. Finally, they discuss the evolution of the Tile tracker and the gaming titles they’re currently enjoying.

In this Weeks TechtalkRadio Show, Andy Taylor, Shawn DeWeerd and Justin Lemme talked about where they had been the last couple of weeks with Justin having a recent experience of tearing his calf muscle while walking at Waterworld while Shawn shared his experience of hosting the first home football game of the season at Notre Dame, which unfortunately resulted in a loss. While sitting out the show, Justin has now had his Pixel 9 Fold smartphone arrive and gives us an overall review of the Smartphone as well as highlighting the phone's AI capabilities through the Gemini platform. One feature allows users to reimagine photos and map search results. Justin also showcased the phone's ability to recognize and respond to hand gestures. They discussed the phone's cost, with Justin mentioning that he received a significant discount due to his Google Fi and Google One memberships. Additionally, Justin shared his excitement about the new Pixel Watch 3, which he had also recently acquired. Justin highlighted the Pixel 9's unique feature of automatically stitching photos together for a seamless family photo. The conversation also touched on the ease of transferring data from one Android device to another, with Justin sharing his positive experience with the process.

With the discussion of the AI in the Pixel 9. The guys note Apple's late entry into the market announced this week with the Apple “It’s Glowtime” Event and introduction of the Apple Intelligence in the fall on the new iPhone 16. They also discussed the performance of various AI assistants, with Andy expressing disappointment with Siri's results. Shawn suggested that Apple's AI tasks are narrow, focusing on specific tasks within the Apple ecosystem. Justin and Andy shared their experiences with Google's AI, with Andy recounting a frustrating experience with Waze's directions. The team agreed that Apple's AI is still catching up with other manufacturers' offerings.

Shawn discussed the recent announcement by DJI of a new lightweight drone, the DJI Neo, priced at $199. This drone is designed for beginners, vloggers, and casual users, with features such as a 12-megapixel half-inch sensor, a flight time of up to 18 minutes on a single charge, and a control range of up to 50 meters via Wi-Fi connectivity. Justin raised concerns about the drone's control range, suggesting it might not be suitable for high-altitude or long-distance flights. Shawn also mentioned the passage of the Countering USA Threats Act by the House, which aims to restrict the use of drones from foreign countries, particularly China, impacting DJI and other large drone manufacturers. The bill now needs to pass through the Senate.

With a Listener Question from Gary, The team discussed antivirus options for personal use, with Justin recommending Windows Defender and Andy sharing his experience with Symantec. They also considered alternatives like Malwarebytes and ESET, with Shawn mentioning a family protection plan he has with Malwarebytes. The team concluded that the choice of antivirus depends on individual needs and preferences. Also featured was a discussion of Former Guest on the show, Writer Ed Bott at ZNet who put together an article on Windows10 to the Windows 11 Upgrade and Ways to “Get Er Done!”

The Website of the Week is the App, "Spot the Station" that alerts users when the International Space Station is flying over their community,

In this episode of TechtalkRadio, Andy and S!ick catch up after a period of absence. They discuss their experiences with coffee makers, including a Keurig and broadcasting in the past from The Road Runner coffee shop. Andy also shares his recent purchase of a microphone from The Super Sale Bin Store which he featured on News13, comparing its sound quality to his existing Logitech Orb. He reassures S!ick that the cheaper microphone would be suitable for Zoom and podcast situations. Andy also discusses his use of a ring light for video calls and a fluorescent bar light for its overall fill effect.


S!ick and Andy discussed the concept of web domains, with Andy sharing his experiences of buying domains for popular names and how he later redirected them to the official domains. They discussed the evolution of social media platforms, from Myspace to Facebook, and how these platforms have impacted their personal and professional lives. Andy suggested on the past of buying all possible connected domains and how that could be beneficial, but also acknowledged that the importance of websites has diminished with the rise of social media. They concluded the conversation by acknowledging the challenges and limitations of social media platforms. Andy  has checked out a new service called Opus Clips, which transcribes and creates clips from video discussions, and can auto-share these clips to various social media platforms. He suggested that this service could be useful for creating video content for social media, as it can adjust the video ratio and crop the shot using AI. The service is free to use initially, but a paid subscription offers additional features and storage.

Andy and S!ick discussed the increasing use of AI and its impact on web developers and content creators. They also talked about the importance of being cautious with emails and texts, especially those that seem suspicious or ask for personal information. Andy shared his experience with a phishing test and emphasized the need to verify the authenticity of emails before clicking on any links or attachments. They also touched on the topic of social media scams and the importance of being vigilant when sharing personal information online.

Andy and S!ick discussed a new technology that could be introduced into homes. They humorously considered the idea of 'Smell-o-vision', a technology that allows users to smell the environment of a movie or game they are watching. They discussed the potential of this technology being compatible with various devices and platforms. However, they also expressed concerns about the potential negative impacts of such technology, like the smell of trash or cheap alcohol in certain movies. They concluded that the technology would be available for a price of under $200 and would be available at major retailers in the fall. More about this could be found at https://www.moviescent.com

For this week's TechtalkRadio show, Shawn has changed his video setup discussed on last weeks show, this time he has replaced the iPhone 7 he was using with a GoPro. Shawn and Andy discussed technical issues related to their GoPro setup. Shawn explained how he resolved the problem of a non-functioning HDMI cable by using a different HDMI and a USB to Mini HDMI adapter. They also discussed the power source for the GoPro. The GoPro has long been a favorite for Shawn to use in the Studio and how these GoPro Cameras have changed over the years. We have also seen increased competition in the action camera market, some that have continued but some that have left the market. The failure of GoPro's Karma drone is also covered and why it didn't succeed.  

With GoPro as the Subject, Andy and Shawn discussed a story about a bear in Montana that found and activated a lost GoPro camera, and the resulting footage including a Selfie. It has been announced that September 9th, Apple will be hosting potential new product announcements. Shawn shares some of the challenges of engaging people with VR technology. On the original launch, they found Apple's Vision demos intriguing and discussed the pricing and accessibility of virtual reality technology, with Shawn suggesting that lowering the price and including more appealing content could significantly increase sales. They also highlighted the immersive nature of virtual reality, its potential applications, and the need for safety considerations.

Shawn and Andy talked about the potential of AI to improve efficiency and creativity, but also expressed concerns about its potential to replace human jobs and creativity. Shawn shared his experiences with using AI tools like ChatGPT for tasks such as creating custom scripts, searching manuals, and even generating websites. They concluded that the integration of AI into their work processes has been beneficial so far. 

A Listener question from Jim in Tucson has Andy and Shawn discussing Jim's issue with his sticky keyboard on his Windows 7 laptop. They suggested that the problem might be due to spilled liquid or a mechanical issue and advised Jim to consider upgrading his laptop, as Windows 10 might not resolve the keyboard problem. They also shared potential solutions, such as replacing the keyboard or using a USB keyboard and mouse. The discussion also touched on the longevity of Windows 7 and the potential benefits of upgrading to a newer operating system. Listener Sylvia has her Son wanting a laptop for school. though he is adamant on No Chromebook. While the Tech behind Chromebooks has gotten better, they acknowledged that Chromebooks are not ideal for running certain programs and suggested that a more powerful laptop might be a better investment. Andy also shared his experiment with running Linux on an old HP laptop, which he found to be a satisfying and low-cost solution with Linux Mint 22. 

Shawn tells the story of a recent cyber-attack on the Amateur Radio Relay League. Both agreed that such attacks not only disrupt operations but also result in significant financial losses, which stresses the need for better backups. The guys wrap the show with the story of the discovery of the "Famous Computer Cafe" podcast. The podcast, which aired from 1983 to 1986, featured interviews with early computer technology pioneers such as Bill Gates, Jack Tremiel, and Bill Atkinson. The radio episodes were initially recorded on reel-to-reel tapes, which were later determined lost. However, an archivist recently recovered several of the tapes and had them digitized and made available on the Internet Archive. They can be found at https://archive.org/details/famous-computer-cafe

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For this week's TechtalkRadio show, Shawn and Justin are back after a busy week. Justin shares his experience working extra shifts at the waterpark as the summer season winds down. He also talks about completing his computer setup, highlighting the importance of cable management. Meanwhile, Shawn has added a new camera to his setup and explains how he connected his old iPhone 7 Plus using NDI HX Cam. He dives into the concept of NDI (Network Device Interface) and its relevance for remote camera setups. Shawn also discusses NewTek, now part of Vizrt, and how their NDI technology has become increasingly popular.

Andy shares his thoughts on repurposing older smartphones, while Justin talks about his plans to get the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold. He's excited about the rebate he's getting, which he plans to use for the new Google Stream TV. With Samsung pushing its Flip and Fold smartphones, some believe it's the perfect time to make the switch. However, Justin is facing a challenge in finding a case for his Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Shawn then discusses the trend of adding larger sensors to smartphones for better photography, predicting that the "Camera Wars" will only get more competitive. He also mentions that Nikon is in talks with RED to develop a new smartphone.

The guys also dive into the Google TV Streamer, discussing its features and how it represents the next step in the evolution of Chromecast. The new device, which will be available on September 26th, is a set-top box offering 4K resolution, more memory, and faster performance. They compare the user experience between Roku and Google TV devices.

Justin also shares his excitement about getting new equipment for mobile DJing, including the Hercules DJ Deck, which works seamlessly with the Virtual DJ program. Meanwhile, Shawn reminisces about using his 35mm film camera, finding an old roll of Kodak 400 film, and getting the photos developed through indiefilmlabs.com, with which he’s very pleased.

The show wraps up with Shawn discussing the new DJI Mini 4 Pro drone. Andy expresses frustration over the introductory price of the DJI Mini 4, which is $299, compared to the over $1,000 he spent on the Mini 3 Pro. The conversation then shifts to potential legislation against DJI and similar concerns now being directed toward TP-Link.

For this week's TechtalkRadio show, Shawn, Justin, Matt, and Slick were busy with work, so we decided to revisit some of our favorite past interviews—and what a lineup we have for you!

First up is an archived interview with Michael Giacchino, the acclaimed musical composer behind some of the greatest video game titles, movies, and TV shows. Andy, a huge fan of Lost (now streaming on Netflix), was thrilled to chat with Michael about his incredible work. You can check out Michael’s impressive resume on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0315974

We also have a great discussion with Eric Palonen from Sennheiser, where we dive into some of the fantastic products from the company. Be sure to explore more at https://www.sennheiser.com/

Next, we caught up with former Tucsonan Zach Selwyn, who has made his mark on G4 and built a successful music career with Zachariah and the Lobos Riders. Don’t forget to follow Zach on social media and check out his website at https://zachselwyn.com.

We also had the pleasure of speaking with author, columnist, and CBS News correspondent David Pogue about his illustrious career and his latest book at the Time on tech. Follow David at https://www.davidpogue.com.

Finally, we revisited a memorable conversation with Leo Laporte. Despite recent changes at Twit.tv, Leo remains one of our favorite guests. Justin was with us about 22 years ago when Leo joined us to talk tech and his “Poor Leo's Almanac.”

We wrap this weeks Archived Show with a helpful discussion on Hard Drive PCB Replacement and what does it all mean?

For this week's TechtalkRadio show, Shawn talks with Andy about attending GenCon in Indianapolis and some of the highlights of this event centered around the world of Tabletop Role Playing Board Games. Brandon Sanderson has had one of these RPG's based on his Stormlight Archive Novel Series and Shawn was given the ability to test out the title before its availability on Kickstarter. Shawn gives us an explanation of the D20 Dice and how this all plays into the world of Role-Playing Gaming. As Shawn explains, the Dice tells the story in the gameplay. The gameplay is explained and as Andy asks, does the game ever end? How can somebody get into experiencing Tabletop RPG's and we find it’s easier now then versus 5 years ago. Shawn recommends the Dungeons and Dragons Series 5 Starter Kit. For those that want to play some of these with friends across the country a Virtual Tabletop can make this possible. Andy wonders why GenCon can continue while E3 has seemed to end. Shawn shares some links to get more info, boardgamearena.com and boardgamegeek.com. Shawn dropped a few bucks on purchases from vendors and shared with us what he bought; Everdell the Complete Edition is a huge set. Shawn recommends checking out GenConTV on YouTube. Andy notes that while some may wonder what RPG's play in the Tech World, The Big Bang Theory Show has the characters playing them. This also gives Andy the chance to mention the return of the entire series Silicon Valley on Max.  Shawn wraps the segment talking about how to begin playing and some websites to check out.   

A brand-new TV from TCL is available. This 115 Inch QD-Mini LED TV and when purchased the buyer could get a ticket for attending the Super Bowl or a Hollywood Movie Premiere however the pricing is around 20k for this TCL TV. Intel has had some issues with its 13th and 14th Generation Raptor Lake processors and Microcode. Shawn tells us about this issue and how it needs to be addressed. The CEO of Logitech did an interview with The Verge and discussed the concept of a Subscription based model for hardware centered around the mouse, dubbing it the Forever Mouse. A few hours after recording this weeks show, the Company is saying this this Will Not be happening. Andy talks of how he was not a fan of the Subscription model for Software such as Adobe and Intuit QuickBooks. The reminds Shawn and Andy of the HP Instant Ink Subscription model. 

Reaching into the Big Hat for Questions to the show starts with a question from Cecilia about helping her son connect his Nintendo Switch to a Chromebook to stream his gameplay. Shawn doesn't recommend doing this with a Chromebook. However, if need be, her son could download OBS and purchase a capture card to try the stream.  Shawn recommends a PC or Mac but also has a plan for a stream and support it with Social Media Marketing. Listener Kerry asks about using her phone as a hotspot for her Roku TV and not getting the best results. Shawn shares how this is going to be dependent on the signal strength on the smartphone. Possible choices could be Starlink, HughesNet which Andy talks about Solis Wi-Fi Hot Spot. 

Shawn wraps the show with his Wyze Guy Update, the company hasn't made may announcements lately however the New Wyze 3.0 App is available.    

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For this week's TechtalkRadio show, Slick and Andy find out the latest on Justin's flooded studio which has now been completed. After the completion of the carpet getting installed, Justin's Cat claims it as his, thus the name for this week's show - "The Cats Tacking Again!"

Justin has found a great companion for learning about home maintenance and has been watching videos on YouTube. This includes HVAC maintenance which helped him share with a friend about a capacitor that went out. Andy notes that many schools don't teach Auto Shop, Home repair and other subjects that are found in many of the videos found on YouTube. You can find the HVAC guy's Videos at https://www.youtube.com/c/HVACGUY  

Slick and Andy have been dealing with Monsoon Storms and Slick has to navigate getting home through flooded streets, it serves as a reminder for safety to stay out of the washes. The storms also serve as a reminder of the danger of lightning. The guys talk about Surge Suppression and why having them could be a benefit.   Andy reminds us that Surge Suppressors aren't forever products, over time the protection is degraded with every surge.

With Justin and Slick on this week’s Show, a Discussion on the recent CrowdStrike Issue is covered. The question regarding pushing an update on a Friday or running a big update is always frowned upon going into a weekend. Justin mentions Read Only Fridays. 

After a failed attempt to upgrade to Windows 11, Andy has continued to try out Wunbuntu and has been enjoying the experience. The Ubuntu distribution, which looks like Windows 11 in most respects has been responsive. Linux distributions have been popular for older machines. Andy mentions a new Linux Distribution, Linux Mint 22.  Slick has used a previous version of Mint and tells us it was solid. Andy wants to know if there is a Linux Distro that looks like XP!?

Slick shares some info that he has found about ATSC 3.0. After buying a Tuner he notices some channels had DRM Lock icons for some content. Slick shares the MeTV Toon Channel and how he has enjoyed it. Slick isn't recommending buying an ATSC TV as of yet but was surprised that this antenna also featured Wi-Fi connectivity. This has Justin look at the possibility of Interactive connection now having access to your viewing data. What could be ahead for ATSC 3?  

Justin tells us how he was approached by some friends about DJ'ing a Wedding Reception. With some experience behind him he was hesitant until looking into what it would take to make it happen. DJ Spyder - aka Justin looks at the software, Virtual DJ for the Software mixing portion and then using the Tidal Music Streaming Service. A Hardware based mixer can run under $200.00. Majorly different from the days when Andy was doing this type of work.  Andy goes old school talking about lugging milk crates. Andy finds a story about a device that is a Virtual Friend, Called Friend, it was created by Avi Schiffmann and is reportedly set to sell for around $99. While it reminds the guys about a Tamagotchi, this is driven by AI to interact through your smartphone. 

This week's show wraps with Andy talking about another great find at the local Amazon Super Sale Bin Store. He was able to find the A8 Plus Fifine USB Microphone for $15 bucks. The return item or discontinued item stores are popping up throughout the country and can find great deals. Slick shares how he wasn't a fan of Robert Downey Jr announced as Dr Doom at the San Diego Comic Con while Andy applauds Justin for not giving spoilers on the Deadpool vs Wolverine movie!

For this Weeks TechtalkRadio, Everybody is on Vacation! So we feast past moments including interviews with the man that created Leap Pad and a discussion about NordVPN and a pretty good Website of the Week! Fun Listening on this Weeks Flashback Show