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Pikachu Pays for the Gas… Almost! TechtalkRadio Episode 494

A new RV, a rare Pokémon card, a long-awaited unboxing, and an ocean liner with a personal connection—this week’s TechtalkRadio takes Andy Taylor, Justin Lemme, and Shawn DeWeerd from the open road to the open sea.

Guest Tyler Butler – Host of Wheels, Wings and Rails on The TucsonNewsNow Website and SS United States Fan

Justin returns with the story behind his family’s RV purchase, including how he used AI to create an inspection checklist before taking the plunge. Finding the right motorhome was only the beginning: registration fees brought some sticker shock, low-hanging obstacles introduced a driving lesson, and a stop at the gas station demonstrated just how little $50 can move the fuel gauge. Shawn shares advice as the conversation turns to first-trip plans, boondocking, and the technology inside Justin’s new home on wheels.

Fortunately, Justin and his son Eric also had a shopping trip with a much smaller purchase—and a potentially exciting payoff. A Pokémon card bundle from Costco yielded a rare Pikachu card, prompting a visit to a local card shop and plans for professional grading. Justin explains how he used Grok to help identify the card, while the guys discuss using AI to learn more about collectibles hiding in plain sight. Could Pikachu cover a few fill-ups? That depends on the grade—and what a buyer is willing to pay!

Shawn finally gets to open his Zelda-themed Nintendo Switch 2, giving viewers a look at the packaging, dock, Joy-Cons, console, and matching Pro Controller. Along the way, he shares why The Legend of Zelda has been part of his life since childhood, including memories of his mom playing the original game and drawing her own maps. It’s an unboxing with plenty of nostalgia—and anticipation for getting back into Hyrule. See the Unboxing in our Video for this Week!

Then, KOLD News 13 and KMSB FOX 11 anchor Tyler Butler joins Andy to discuss his transportation podcast, Wheels, Wings, and Rails. Their conversation centers on the SS United States and plans to transform the historic ocean liner into an artificial reef. For Andy, the ship is part of his family’s story: they traveled aboard it to America in 1964.

Photo by Tyler Butler

Tyler shares his passion for the ship, reflects on efforts to preserve it, and discusses the artifacts being saved and his plans to cover its departure. The conversation also explores 3D-printed ocean liner models, his 20 years of DeLorean ownership, and memories of the Back to the Future filming location at Puente Hills Mall.

Andy Taylor was small once, with his Mom and Sister Debbie on Board the SSUS
Strangers Crossing on the SS United States Became friends, May of 1964
Postcards were sold aboard the SS United States – Perfect for Grabbing Autographs
Autographs from Celebrities that were On-Board The SS United States in May 1964 – Stuart Whitman, Carroll Baker, Ryan O’Neil,
Kevin McCarthy and Lionel Jeffries

To wrap things up, a listener’s question about preparing for Grand Theft Auto VI gets the guys talking about PlayStation and Xbox storage expansion, large downloads, and the anticipation surrounding major game launches.

Watch or listen to Episode 494 of TechtalkRadio, “Pikachu Pays for the Gas… Almost!” And if you’ve ever found an unexpected treasure in a pack of cards—or discovered what it costs to fill an RV—we’d love to hear your story!

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The Cat Ate My Laptop… and Other Tech Excuses! | EP 493

It’s The Halloween edition of TechtalkRadio, and Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd have plenty to talk about, from technology on the road to keeping your digital life from becoming a storage nightmare!

The show kicks off with some exciting news from co-host Justin Lemme, who is missing this week’s episode for a very good reason: he’s picking up an RV! Shawn shares some of the advice he offered Justin before the purchase, including what to inspect, how to prepare for traveling, and the technology that can make life on the road easier. The conversation turns to Starlink satellite internet, RV adventures, and whether getting away from it all should mean disconnecting from technology.

Have you ever thought about starting a podcast? Andy shares a recent conversation with a local business owner interested in launching an RV-themed podcast. Andy and Shawn explain how easy it can be to get started with just a microphone and computer. They discuss Spreaker, OBS Studio, Riverside, and the differences between audio-only podcasts and video productions. They also share how TechtalkRadio evolved from Skype and Zoom to its current Riverside production workflow.

In the listener question segment, Anne from Sahuarita has three problems with her aging laptop: disappearing keyboard lettering, an unreliable touchpad, and a damaged screen courtesy of her cat! Andy and Shawn discuss repair options, replacement costs, and when it makes more financial sense to purchase a new computer. They also explain the warning signs of a swollen laptop battery, sometimes jokingly called a “spicy pillow.”

The conversation moves into video production as Andy shares his experience recording an event with his iPhone using the free Blackmagic Camera app. Shawn explains why smartphone cameras have become powerful tools for professional video production and offers tips for shooting in low light.

Andy also gets hands-on with the ASUS ExpertBook, a premium business laptop featuring an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, OLED display, advanced security capabilities, and AI processing that can take place directly on the device rather than relying on the cloud.

Finally, what happens when your smartphone is completely full and you can’t take another picture? Andy demonstrates the SanDisk iXpand flash drive as a way to transfer photos and free up storage. That leads to a hilarious discussion about digital hoarding, backup drives, cloud storage, and Shawn’s plans for a massive home NAS storage system.

It’s another entertaining hour of practical technology advice, personal stories, and a few laughs with Andy and Shawn.

Listen or watch TechtalkRadio and join the conversation at TechtalkRadio.com!

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Is Your Smart Home Spying On You? Gaming Memories, Software Wars and Smart Devices That Spy | EP 492

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd are back with another episode packed with technology news, helpful advice, product discoveries, and a little nostalgia!

Gaming Nostalgia and the Return of a Classic

Shawn shares his excitement about returning to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a game that brings back memories of his younger years. He’s even avoiding trailers and spoilers so he can experience the adventure all over again! The guys also discuss whether video games offer more benefits for children than endless scrolling on smartphones and tablets. Andy highlights the NEX Playground, a motion-based gaming system that gets the whole family involved. The Official trailer from Nintendo for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is here!

Adobe Creative Cloud, AI and Software Alternatives

Is the subscription software model getting out of hand? Andy and Shawn discuss Adobe Creative Cloud, the emergence of AI-generated alternatives to popular Adobe applications such as ArtCraft, and the advantages and disadvantages of paying monthly for software. They also look at the retirement of Microsoft Publisher, how LibreOffice can help users work with older Publisher files, and why Corel remains an option for graphic designers who prefer purchasing software outright.

Cybersecurity and Smart Home Privacy

Listener questions take center stage as the guys discuss whether Windows users really need to purchase antivirus software. Microsoft Defender, Malwarebytes, and safe browsing habits are all part of the conversation. Another listener asks about privacy concerns surrounding robot vacuums, leading to a discussion about connected televisions, smart refrigerators, and just how much information our household devices may be collecting.

A Handy New Gadget and the Future of Home AI

Andy showcases an affordable Suidek external CD/DVD burner that does more than play discs. With USB connections, memory card readers, and an M.2 storage slot, it’s a versatile accessory for modern laptops and desktops that no longer include optical drives.

The guys also discuss Clean Your TV, an open-source project designed to remove unwanted advertising and bloatware from compatible smart televisions, along with NVIDIA’s efforts to make it easier to run AI using computers on your own local network using Open Source PAIR – Personal AI Router

Discovering Free and Open-Source Software

Looking for an alternative to expensive software? Shawn revisits AlternativeTo.net, a resource for discovering applications that can replace popular commercial programs. He also discusses RustDesk and Tailscale, two tools that can help with remote computer access.

Whether you’re interested in gaming, cybersecurity, creative software, artificial intelligence, or just finding useful new technology, there’s something for everyone in Episode 492!

Listen to TechtalkRadio with Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd, and visit TechtalkRadio.com for more technology news, reviews, and videos.

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New AI Laptops, Printer Headaches and the Power Button Debate

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor is joined by Shawn DeWeerd and Justin Lemme for another discussion covering the latest in consumer technology, practical troubleshooting, online privacy, and the ever-changing world of artificial intelligence.

Andy takes a closer look at the new ASUS Googlebook 14, a lightweight laptop designed around Google’s Gemini AI experience. Featuring a 3K OLED display, Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a thin, portable design, the Googlebook offers some impressive features. Andy shares his hands-on experience, including Android phone integration, GoogleOS, AI-powered photo editing with Magic Pointer, battery performance, and connectivity options. However, its premium price sparks a debate about value, Google’s ecosystem, and whether consumers really need a AI-focused computer.

That discussion leads Shawn and Justin into the growing interest in de-Googling — moving away from relying on major technology companies for cloud storage, personal information, and everyday computing. They discuss privacy concerns, open-source alternatives, home servers, and the trade-offs between convenience and control over personal data.

Listener questions take center stage as Linda from Sahuarita asks about buying a new printer and whether HP’s restrictions on third-party ink should influence her decision. The team compares inkjet and laser printers, explains why occasional printing can be troublesome for inkjets, and discusses the advantages of toner-based printers. Andy also shares his experience with Epson EcoTank printers.

Another listener, Gary from Tucson, raises an interesting question about smart TVs requiring account registration. Andy shares his experience purchasing an inexpensive ONN television and discovering that an account was required during setup. The conversation explores smart TV privacy, data collection, and what consumers should consider before purchasing or disposing of a connected television. Justin also offers a clever Gmail tip for tracking which companies may be sharing your email address.

The team tackles an important Windows question: Should you shut down your computer every night, and is holding down the power button a bad idea? They explain the difference between a normal shutdown and a forced power-off, discuss sleep mode, and share tips for configuring Windows 11 power settings. Justin also talks about his experience with the Windows 11 26H2 update and improvements he’s noticed in system performance.

In creative technology news, Andy discusses changes involving Remove.bg and Canva, along with Topaz and Adobe, and what these developments could mean for photographers, video editors, and graphic designers. The conversation also explores AI-generated content labels and the challenges facing creators as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly common in creative software.

There’s also an update on Justin’s search for an RV, including advice on insulation, campground reservations, used RVs, and how YouTube has become a valuable resource for researching just about anything.

Finally, Justin shares the Website of the Week: SolitaireAloneTogether.com, a nostalgic browser experience that recreates classic Windows Solitaire while allowing users to see other people playing their own games simultaneously.

From new laptops and computer troubleshooting to privacy concerns and nostalgic online games, it’s covered in this week’s episode of TechtalkRadio with Andy Taylor, Shawn DeWeerd, and Justin Lemme.

Listen to the show, catch the latest videos, and connect with the team at TechtalkRadio.com.

Andy shared a Video opening up the Asus GoogleBook 14 the Day after it arrived showing the Ports, Size and first look features

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First Look: ASUS Googlebook 14 Brings Gemini AI to Your Laptop

Artificial Intelligence is becoming an increasingly important part of personal computing, and ASUS is taking a big step forward with the introduction of the new Asus Googlebook 14 Offically Out October 12th. On this week’s Talking Tech segment on KMSB Fox 11 Tucson, Andy Taylor joins Tyler Butler in the studio for a hands-on look at this new AI-focused laptop.

The ASUS Googlebook 14 is designed to combine Google’s Gemini AI capabilities with an Android-connected computing experience. For users who already rely on Android smartphones, the ability to access familiar apps and continue working across devices could make this an appealing alternative to a traditional Windows laptop.

Under the hood, the Googlebook 14 features an Intel Core Ultra 5 325 processor, 16GB of memory, and storage options beginning at 256GB. Despite the hardware, the laptop weighs just 2.18 pounds and features an ultra-thin, sturdy design using Asus Nano Tech.

One of the more interesting features is ASUS’s Magic Pointer, which introduces AI-powered capabilities directly through the cursor, including tools for working with images. A dedicated G key provides quick access to Gemini AI, while a fingerprint reader and multiple ports add convenience.

Starting at $1,299 for the 256GB configuration, the ASUS Googlebook 14 represents a different approach to personal computing, with AI playing a central role rather than simply being an additional feature.

Watch the full KMSB Fox 11 Talking Tech segment as Andy and Tyler explore the design, features, and possibilities of this new laptop. Find out More on the Official Asus Website