The Tech Night Owl LIVE — Tech Radio with a Pop Culture Twist!

On this week's all-star episode: We feature tech columnist and commentator Dann Berg, who will give us an overview of developments in the tech field in 2013 and do some speculation on what might happen in 2014. He cover such topics as the possibility that American wireless carriers Sprint and T-Mobile might merge, the prospects for the new TV format, Ultra HD, also known as 4K, whether Apple might introduce a connected TV set, and the possibilities for a wearable device such as an iWatch. You'll also hear from cutting-edge commentator Daniel Eran Dilger, of Roughly Drafted Magazine and AppleInsider, who explores the fact that the brand new 2013 Mac Pro is a lot cheaper than even do-it-yourself Windows PC workstations. He'll also focus on the possibilities for Ultra HD, and the fact that, this year, the iOS had five times as many users doing online Christmas shopping as Android in the U.S., according to an IBM survey.

Our featured guests include Jeff Gamet, Managing Editor for The Mac Observer, who will cover the rollout of the 2013 Mac Pro workstation, whether it's easy to make your Mac's Web cam turn on without displaying a green light, the prospects for Ultra HD or 4K TV, and whether Apple will really introduce an iWatch. You'll also hear from Avram Piltch, Online Editorial Director of Laptop magazine, who also covers the push towards Ultra HD TV, along with the magazine's survey of the "Top 10 Tech Fails 2013," and the mobile gear that delivers the best battery life. He also talk briefly about accessory keyboards for the iPad Air.

On this week's all-star episode: Our featured guests include noted editor and commentator Jim Dalrymple, Editor in Chief of The Loop, who will focus on some of those silly media stories about Apple, such as chronic misunderstandings of the reason for Microsoft's $150 million 1997 investment, and one analyst's statement that Apple and Microsoft might merge. He also covers the future possibilities for the Apple TV and the rumored iWatch. You'll also hear from John Martellaro, Senior Editor, Analysis & Reviews for The Mac Observer and a columnist for The Street, who will discuss that silly Apple/Microsoft merger theory, why the iPad Air is a "whole new experience," the possibilities for a 13-inch iPad and new tablet markets, and why Tim Cook doesn't have to entertain you. He'll also deliver a few of his fearless predictions for Apple in 2014.

Our featured guests include prolific tech author Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus, who will give you his opinions about the highly successful OS X Mavericks upgrade. You'll also hear tips and tricks on getting the most from Mavericks and also iOS 7. You'll discover a technology that might save traditional AM and FM radio in the U.S., known as HD Radio. We've brought HD Radio's Rick Greenhut to explain the shortcomings of existing radio broadcasting techniques, and how HD Radio embeds a digital signal to deliver crystal clear sound. We'll also feature one of our favorite guests with an attitude, Rik Myslewski, Managing Editor for The Register, a UK-based "snarky" tech publication, who will cover such issues as the recent decision of the U.S. House to approve a law that will put serious controls on so-called patent trolls. He'll also talk about Apple's chip advantage with the 64-bit A7, and the prospects for a larger iPad, with a 12.9-inch display, which some are calling the iPad Pro. Will it be Apple's answer to the so-called convertible notebook that combines a touchscreen with a traditional form factor.

Our featured guests include author and commentator Kirk McElhearn, Macworld's "iTunes Guy," talks about his search for fast broadband Internet to service his new home, a converted barn in rural England, why he's irked by live blogging of TV shows, and the ins and outs of his decision as an iPhone user to acquire a low-cost Android smartphone from Motorola. You'll also hear from Bryan Chaffin, co-founder and co-publisher of The Mac Observer, on such topics as the potential qualifications of two potential final candidates to replace Steve Ballmer as Microsoft CEO, and the different business plans of such companies as Google, Microsoft and Apple. So, for example, Google turns you into the product by recording your online behavior and delivering up appropriate target ads, whereas Apple's products are the hardware, software and services they sell. He also discusses whether Apple still needs to consider offering a cheaper iPhone.

Cutting-edge commentator Daniel Eran Dilger, from Roughly Drafted Magazine and AppleInsider, explains how Google sidestepped security settings on Apple's Safari to track you, and the secrets of how companies who build "smart" TVs, such as LG, may be recording how you use you set, including the stations you watch. We also hear from tech commentator Dann Berg, who covers the Apple/Samsung legal skirmish, using so-called "thin client" mobile gear and personal computers, which access all your stuff from the cloud, and how Microsoft's new Xbox One may be beating Apple in conquering the living room.

The first segment features author and publisher Adam Engst, of TidBITS and Take Control Books, who discusses some of the known problems with the first release of OS X Mavericks, lingering issues with OS X Mail, and possible email app alternatives. He also talks about the tenth anniversary of the eBook publishing company. We also hear from outspoken commentator Peter Cohen, Managing Editor for iMore, who discusses the ongoing problems with OS X Mavericks, the growing move towards apps in the cloud, such as the new iWork suite, Microsoft Live 365, and the Adobe Creative Cloud, and he also offers his views about the sometimes controversial iOS 7 upgrade.

We feature Bryan Chaffin, co-founder and co-publisher of The Mac Observer, who discusses who might become the next CEO of Microsoft, Apple's recent disclosure of requests from governments for customer information, Tim Cook's Wall Street Journal column supporting a law barring discrimination of gays in the workplace, the possible implications of Apple's new sapphire construction plant in Arizona, and bitcoin. Bitcoin is a digital currency that might, in part, replace traditional money systems. Tech columnist Rob Pegoraro, who writes for USA Today and other publications, also weighs in on the Microsoft CEO succession issue. He'll discuss the recent Mail for Mavericks upgrade, which fixed problems with Gmail and other issues, and evaluate other free email systems, such as Outlook.com and Yahoo! Author and commentator Kirk McElhearn, Macworld's "iTunes Guy," also talks about the Mail for Mavericks issues, the controversial iWork upgrade, where critical features were removed, and his early reactions to his new iPad Air.

Outspoken commentator John Martellaro, Senior Editor, Analysis & Reviews for The Mac Observer, covers Apple's growing investments in R&D, why Microsoft's strategy for the Surface tablet will flop this holiday season, the real reason Apple is giving away the OS and consumer apps, why Apple is ill-serving customers who have lots of data to back up, and the company's vision for the forthcoming Mac Pro overhaul. From Josh Centers, Managing Editor for TidBITS, you'll get his fearless comments about Apple's latest financial statement, the Night Owl's decision to move from Gmail to Microsoft's Outlook.com, and the positives and possible negatives discovered in OS X Mavericks and iOS 7.

Author Ben Klaiber reveals the powerful business lessons behind Apple's resurgence in the new book, "Anatomy of an Apple — The Lessons Steve Taught Us," and offers his insights on Apple's latest strategic moves. He has posted some informative and entertaining book excerpts at anatomyofanapple.com. Author and commentator Kirk McElhearn, Macworld's "iTunes Guy," tells you why he's happy that OS X Mavericks, iLife and iWork are now free, and gives you his initial reactions to Apple's new OS. You'll also hear from cutting-edge commentator Daniel Eran Dilger, from Roughly Drafted Magazine and AppleInsider, who attended Apple's media rollout of the new iPads and refreshed MacBook pros with Retina display. He'll offer his reaction to Apple's decision to distribute key software free of charge, the impact on Microsoft, and the ongoing problems with Google's Android platform.