In this episode of SouthGeek News, recorded on December 18, 2024, Ben Rehberg and Donovan Adkisson were joined by guest host Samuel Lewis. The show opened with Ben calling in remotely due to COVID, while Samuel shared updates on his life, including his recent upgrade to a custom-built computer for streaming and gaming. Samuel detailed how the new setup has significantly improved his workflow and performance, sharing amusing anecdotes about quirky extras included with the build.The conversation also turned to Ben’s recent travels to Florida and North Carolina for Thanksgiving and soccer, during which he unknowingly had COVID. Meanwhile, Donovan recounted a humorous client story about troubleshooting a monitor setup where the user mistakenly tried to daisy-chain two monitors via HDMI, leading to a series of amusing tech misadventures.The hosts delved into several tech news topics, beginning with Google’s recent warnings about Gmail account security. They discussed the importance of recovery options in preventing account takeovers. Another topic covered was AT&T’s decision to phase out copper-based landlines by 2029, which raised questions about how rural and low-income areas will be affected. They also explored LG’s new stretchable display technology, imagining its potential applications in futuristic devices.Microsoft’s decision to allow Windows 11 installation on unsupported hardware sparked a discussion on the trade-offs involved, particularly for older systems. The team also critiqued Microsoft’s Recall feature, which raised serious privacy concerns due to its failure to secure sensitive information adequately, especially in environments requiring strict compliance like healthcare.The episode blended humor and tech insight, including a segment on Daisy, an AI-powered “granny” designed to waste scammers’ time with lifelike conversations. They also debated the FBI’s contradictory advice on encryption apps, highlighting the challenges of balancing privacy and law enforcement needs.The mix of personal anecdotes, tech commentary, and light-hearted banter made this episode an engaging listen for fans of technology and relatable everyday stories.Links* Gmail Takeover Hack Attack—Google Says You Have 7 Days To Act* AT&T to kill off landline phone service for most people by 2029 | ZDNET* LG's new stretchable display can grow by 50%, bendy panels can be deformed into new form factors | Tom's Hardware* FBI Says Everyone Should Use Encryption Apps for Their Calls and Texts After China Hack: ‘Encryption Is Your Friend’* FBI Urges iPhone, Android Users to Ditch WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Signal—Before It’s Too Late* O2 unveils Daisy, the AI granny wasting scammers’ time - Virgin Media O2* Microsoft allows Windows 11 to be installed on older, unsupported hardware but specifically nixes official support — minimum requirements for full compatibility remain unchanged | Tom's Hardware* Microsoft Recall screenshots credit cards and Social Security numbers, even with the "sensitive information" filter enabled | Tom's Hardware* Amazon is officially in the online car sales business | TechCrunch

Hosts
Donovan Adkisson
Ben Rehberg
Samuel Lewis

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Text: (229) 234-1307 
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