TechtalkRadio

In this week's TechtalkRadio Show, Andy, Shawn, Justin, Matt, and Slick go beyond tech talk and dip into UFO mysteries. When a scheduled guest expert in UAPs couldn't beam in, they took it as a sign—of what, they’re not sure—and decided to share their own sightings. Shawn recounted his not so epic "close encounter" with mysterious lights while trying to spot the Northern Lights and the International Space Station, only to conclude that he’s not quite on ET’s radar. Slick shared tales of lights zooming across Tucson’s skies but stopped short of calling in Mulder and Scully. Andy chimed in with a story of spotting a line of lights between Phoenix and Tucson that was almost as eerie as a rest stop bathroom. The crew agreed that while some UFO sightings have earthly explanations, others are just the right kind of strange. The crew wanted to remind those interested in UFO Research, Luis Elizondo, who is a former head of the Pentagon program investigating UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) and has written a book called "Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs." and is doing a presentation at the Rialto Tucson November 3rd 2024

They then chatted about the old-school days of SETI@home, where hopefuls crunched satellite data in search of ET on their desktop computers, and discussed the “Great Filter” theory, the cosmic SAT for advanced civilizations. For a little throwback fun, they also reminisced about UFO flicks like Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Contact and Mars Attacks! with Slick giving a shoutout to The Twilight Zone’s To Serve Man, while Justin revealed he’s never been a fan of that classic TV Show — Slick's heart broke just a little.

On the tech front, they welcomed Richard Neumann from Sub2R, who showcased two premium cameras the company has built, the Square One and Studio 4 60. Retailing for around $1,500 and $2,500, these cameras promise stunning quality with features like a Sony IMX 294 sensor, HDMI and SDI output, and an open design that techies can customize to their heart’s content. Richards camera gives us a look at that amazing quality.

Shawn also shared news on the latest DJI Air 3S drone, which might be grounded in the U.S. due to import issues (goodbye, epic drone shots). Andy then raved about the Epson FF-680W scanner he recently featured on KMSB Fox 11 News13. Shawn, drowning in a photo archive from the Stone Age (or close), got excited about the scanner’s potential to speed up his backlog. They agreed adding metadata is the secret sauce for organizing all those scanned memories.

Wrapping up, the team tackled a listener's question about iPhone-compatible Bluetooth keyboards, pointing them to trusty options like the Logitech K480 and the Clicks keyboard, a device so slick, it might as well be the iPhone's new best friend. (More details at clicks.tech).

For this Weeks Archived TechtalkRadio Show from 2023 which was never posted online - Shawn, Slick and Andy reminise about past Halloween fun as kids and now with the kids. In 2023 Apple held a Virtual Scary Fest event and the guys talked about what the company may have been announcing. This gives Shawn and Andy an oppurtunity to talk about the power of the Mac in Video Editing and the M3 Processor which indeed what was announced. Shawn tells us about a Nexus Gamer Video which looked at the Intel 14Series of processors. With the Neuralink continuing to be talked about heavy in 2023, would you adopt the technology in your brain?

AI has come along fast since 2023, Shawn had checked out Dall-E at the time but shares a story of a study involving corrupted images. 

Grant Hall, CEO  of Tablo visits to talk about TabloTV and how the cord cutters can benefit from the DVR features and added channels. Finding the Local Channels on an Antenna is also a feature on the Website. Grant Hall tells us about the ease of use in setting up TabloTV and how it can be seen over the net. What could be the future for ATSC 3 in the TabloTV Devices? 

Mitch Goldstone of ScanMyPhotos visits to talk about their services for saving and preserving the film and photo formats of years past by digitizing them. Natural Disasters have been devestating and ScanMyPhotos was included in a Associated Press Story about saving media. Mitch tells us the story of working with the Ed Asner Family and scanning images from his lifetime. Mitch shares with us a service for Same Day Scanning ScanMyPhotos Does. When it comes to storing your media that hasn't been digitized Mitch has some great advice on this.  

We call him the Wyze Guy, Shawn tells us about the Wyze Video Doorbell 2.Quality, and low price is talked about.  

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KEYWORDS:  TechtalkRadio, MitchGoldstone,ScanMyPhotos, TabloTV, GrantHall, DigitizingPhotos, SlidesScanned, DVRAntenna,LocalTV, Wyze, WyzeVideoDoorbell,

In this episode of TechtalkRadio, Justin shares insights from his recent trip to Las Vegas, noting major changes since 2017, including the demolition of the Tropicana and a new baseball stadium for the Athletics. The team, including Andy and Slick, reminisced about past CES trips and discussed the rising cost of living in Vegas, such as paying $16 for a breakfast sandwich. They also marveled at the Sphere's construction, speculating on its design and maintenance. Andy recalled a fun CES 2008 memory when Ford hooked them up with a Ford Flex, sparking a conversation about their dream electric vehicles to drive to CES. Justin picked a Tesla Model S Plaid, Shawn opted for a Holden SS, and Slick leaned towards an electric motorhome.

The team tackled listener Bruce's question about controlling TV volume independently with a headset, recommending the Roku Ultra and the Roku app for Bluetooth headphones. They also shared tips on repurposing old mechanical keyboards for kids' entertainment and education. Andy highlighted the new Roku Ultra's faster speed and remote upgrade.

In response to a listener's question about tracking mileage for taxes, Andy critiqued QuickBooks for its price hikes and malfunctioning features, suggesting Mile IQ as a better alternative. Justin agreed that Mile IQ was more efficient.

The discussion shifted to drones, including the DJI Air 3S's features and the impact of the anti-drone bill. Shawn raised concerns about drone misuse and national security, while the team considered drones' potential for real estate and event photography.

Justin expressed interest in photography, with Shawn recommending a mirrorless camera from Sony. They agreed to explore the idea of Justin reviewing a Sony camera.

As it's Cybersecurity Month, the team emphasized password managers and caution when dealing with suspicious messages.

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In this week's TechtalkRadio Show, Andy and Shawn dive into their shared love of tech-themed holiday decorations, highlighting unique items like ornaments and sweaters. Shawn even does an on-air "unboxing" of his newly acquired original Xbox Christmas ornament, which plays Halo: Combat Evolved sounds. While listeners couldn’t hear the audio, the video is now available on the TechtalkRadio blog. Shifting to Apple news, they discuss the updated Apple Pencil features and use applications for it. Shawn tells us about his mom using the Apple Pencil for her iPad and loves the features such as precision, pressure sensitivity, and low latency, making it ideal for drawing and work on a range of iPad models.

The show also covers innovative video experiences, including Edward Berger’s immersive short film, Submerged, on the Apple TV app. Andy introduces AI.meta.com, a site for creating AI-generated videos, while Shawn shares his evolving experience with ChatGPT, from initial skepticism to using it for Linux Mint server setups. They stress the value of well-crafted prompts to maximize AI’s potential, offering a glimpse into how AI is reshaping tech tasks and projects.

Andy and Shawn wrap up by exploring the future of AI in media, discussing the eerie implications of AI-generated voices and the potential of AI to replace human hosts. Their experience with Google’s experimental NotebookLM left them feeling uneasy, emphasizing how far AI still has to go to replicate genuine human interactions.

In this week’s episode of TechtalkRadio, hosts Andy Taylor, Shawn DeWeerd, Matt Jones, and S!ick dive into the world of camping tech, AI, and cool new gadgets.

Shawn’s Camping Tech Must-Haves
Shawn, a tech-loving camping enthusiast, shares his gear essentials for tent, camper, and RV trips. His setup includes DSLR cameras, a power inverter, a solar charger, and even a custom mobile Plex server built on a Raspberry Pi. S!ick was curious about Shawn's love for film photography, sparking a discussion on how AI filters can recreate that classic look. This led to a deeper conversation about whether AI might replace the human touch in art—something that has Shawn concerned and Andy intrigued by the possibilities.

AI and the ‘Dead Internet’ Theory
Matt jumped in to share his own experiences using ChatGPT to craft job cover letters, while Shawn praised the AI for enhancing storytelling in his Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. Andy explored Google’s experimental AI tool, Notebook LM, built to summarize notes and create quick synopses. But when the team tested its audio features, Matt couldn’t help but mention the “uncanny valley” effect of AI-generated voices. Matt then introduced the thought-provoking ‘Dead Internet Theory’, which suggests that much of today’s online content is being generated by bots and algorithms instead of real human interactions.

Gadget of the Week: Mon Duo
Matt showcased his latest gadget, the Mon Duo, a unique triple-monitor accessory for 14” and 16” MacBooks. For around $750, users get a foldable, high-quality display with a 144Hz refresh rate and 500 nits brightness—perfect for multitaskers on the go. It’s pricey but delivers pro-level performance with easy USB-C or Thunderbolt 4 connectivity.

Moving to the Google Pixel 9XL from iPhone
Andy shared his hands-on review of the Google Pixel 9 XL Pro, comparing it to his long-time go-to, the iPhone. While praising the AI assistant, Gemini, and the call screener feature, he hit a snag with text messages—easily fixed by toggling off iMessage on his iPhone. Despite some hiccups, Andy’s impressed with the Pixel’s AI! 

Listener Questions & Hotspot Frustrations
Kerry reached out, asking about unlimited hotspot connections. Matt explained that even with ‘unlimited’ plans, data speeds often drop after hitting a limit. S!ick added his thoughts on streaming services and finding reliable free Wi-Fi options. The team then debated cutting the cord and switching to cheaper fiber providers like Ting.

Wrapping Up
The show ended with a fun discussion on rediscovering LOST on Netflix and why it’s worth a re-watch. The Video version contains that fun discussion. Tune in for techtalk with a twist—where geeky meets practical!

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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