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

To observe National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we talk to Jason Glassberg, co-founder of Casaba, a noted cybersecurity consultant who speaks about a number of serious hacking threats that might impact more and more consumers. Prolific author Joe Kissell talks about his latest eBook, "Take Control of Upgrading to Mavericks," and you discover the best ways to upgrade to Apple's newest version of OS X. We also present a provocative discussion with Avram Piltch, the Online Editorial Director for Laptop magazine, who explains what's good and not-so-good about Windows 8.1 and the problems facing the Windows Phone and Android platforms. Is Google submitting Android to a dose of benign neglect? And what will Apple introduce at their October 22nd media event?

We discuss what Apple might introduce when the next generation of iPads is unleashed later this month. Will the 9.7-inch model be slimmer and lighter? What about adding a Retina display to the iPad mini? You'll also learn more about iOS 7, the future of Apple TV, Microsoft's prospects with the Nokia handset acquisition and Windows Phone, the tragic fate of BlackBerry, and a whole lot more. Our guest list this week represent The Loop: Jim Dalrymple, the Founder and Editor in Chief, and Peter Cohen, the Executive Editor. Peter also represents iMore.

John Martellaro, Senior Editor, Analysis & Reviews for The Mac Observer, has a laundry list of things to talk about. On the agenda is why iOS 7's Frequent Locations feature is a turn-off, the need for an iPad with a larger display, perhaps 12 or 13 inches, why he prefers to rent movies from iTunes and nowhere else, and the foolishness of Microsoft's decision to be late to the party with tablets. You'll also hear from Macworld's "iTunes Guy," Kirk McElhearn, who will mainly cover the ongoing problems with iOS 7's Settings app. He'll take it apart and explain what works, and what's simply confusing. He'll also talk about the reports of possible motion sickness because of the parallax and zooming effects in Apple's newest mobile OS.

Kyle Wiens, from iFixit, will tell you all about his company's tear-down of the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s, and you'll learn what it's made of, and how difficult it is for you to service it yourself. You'll also get a comparison with other smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One. Once again, we'll present cutting-edge commentator Daniel Eran Dilger, from Roughly Drafted Magazine and AppleInsider, again reveals some of the "bozo" comments from the tech media about why they regard record sales for the new iPhones as bad news. Yes, I'm serious; that's what they've been saying. You'll also hear from Bryan Chaffin, co-founder and co-publisher of The Mac Observer, who will talk about the new iPhones, and the incredibly popular iOS 7 upgrade.

The irrepressible Rik Myslewski, Managing Editor for The Register, a UK-based "snarky" tech publication, and a long-time observer of Apple Inc., discusses the advances in the iPhone 5s, including 64-bit support, plus state-of-the-art developments in the chip industry. You'll also hear from Dann Berg, Reviews Editor for The Verge, who will consider the recent efforts by Google and Microsoft to deliver a vertical solution to building new gear that is similar to Apple's. So we have Google's purchase of Motorola Mobility in 2011, and the recent announcement that Microsoft was acquiring the mobile handset division of Nokia. He'll also give you his early reactions to iOS 7, the major upgrade to Apple's mobile OS.

Cutting-edge commentator Daniel Eran Dilger, from Roughly Drafted Magazine and AppleInsider, dissects the media and financial community's disconnect with Apple's real achievements in announcing the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c. You'll discover the ins and outs of fonts and font management with Leith Speights, U.S. Sales Director for Insider Software. Tech columnist Rob Pegoraro, who writes for USA Today and other publications, also looks at Apple's iPhone announcements and their impact. He'll argue in favor of putting NFC on the iPhone, and will also discuss the prospects for Samsung's Galaxy Gear smartwatch, and how the Apple TV set top box might evolve.

We cover the new Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch. Is this a keeper, or another pathetic attempt to jumpstart a market that has yet to show potential? We'll also cover the possibly desperate decision of Microsoft to acquire Nokia's handset division. Will this move help the failing Windows Phone mobile OS gain a decent share of the smartphone market? Along to talk discuss these issues are Adam Engst, of TidBITS and Take Control Books, who will also talk about a compelling eBook his company just published, entitled "Take Control of Your Online Privacy." We'll also be joined by Macworld's "iTunes Guy," Kirk McElhearn.

Josh Centers, Managing Editor for TidBITS, discusses in detail Steve Ballmer's decision to step down as Microsoft CEO within the next 12 months. He'll also cover the possibilities for Apple TV, whether it will be part an effort by Apple to create a new gaming platform, and whether there is an Apple TV set in our future. Outspoken commentator Bryan Chaffin, Co-Founder and Co-Publisher of The Mac Observer, gives you his reaction to Steve Ballmer's departure from Microsoft. He'll also cover the latest rumors about the iPhone 5S and 5C — the alleged low-cost plastic model — and reports of scratch tests to see how the cheaper iPhone fares under use and abuse. You'll also hear Bryan's reactions to the continuing developments in the Department of Justice's antitrust case against Apple over eBook price fixing. Are the proposed DOJ and judicial remedies against Apple too stringent?

On this week's all-star episode, commentator John Martellaro,Senior Editor, Analysis & Reviews for The Mac Observer, gives you his vision for a souped up Apple TV, and an Apple smart TV set. He'll also explain why the passing of Steve Jobs signifies Apple's rebirth, why NFC will never appear on an iPhone, and why, in the Post-PC era, OS X and iOS should evolve differently. You'll also hear from Avram Piltch, the Online Editorial Director for Laptop magazine, on ways to make Windows 8 more like Windows 7. He'll also discuss his recent blog, entitled The Ten Best Bargains in Tech Today. And, no, the list definitely does not include the $35 Google Chromecast.

We feature Macworld's "iTunes Guy," Kirk McElhearn, who will discuss a peculiar Mail bug in Mountain Lion that may cause your email to be sent from the wrong account. He'll also tackle the Apple ID conundrum, where you still cannot merge two or more IDs regardless of the reason. Up next is outspoken commentator Peter Cohen, from The Loop, and iMore, who will talk about the recent announcement that billionaire investor Carl Icahn had invested in Apple, what might come from Apple's iPhone announcement, which is expected on September 10, the ins and outs and potential of the forthcoming OS X Mavericks and the promise of iOS 7.