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New Show – The Pixel 9 Can Do All That?

In this week’s TechtalkRadio Show, Andy Taylor, Shawn DeWeerd, and Justin Lemme caught up after a busy couple of weeks. Justin shared his recent experience of tearing his calf muscle while walking at Waterworld, while Shawn talked about hosting Notre Dame’s first home football game of the season, which unfortunately ended in a loss. Sitting out the show, Justin received his Pixel 9 Fold smartphone and provided an overall review, highlighting its AI capabilities through the Gemini platform. One feature lets users reimagine photos and map search results, and Justin also showcased the phone’s ability to recognize and respond to hand gestures. The team discussed the phone’s price, with Justin mentioning a significant discount he received through his Google Fi and Google One memberships. He also shared his excitement about the new Pixel Watch 3, which he had recently acquired.

During the discussion of AI in the Pixel 9, the guys noted Apple’s recent announcement at the “It’s Glowtime” event, which introduced Apple Intelligence for the upcoming iPhone 16. They compared the performance of different AI assistants, with Andy expressing disappointment in Siri’s results. Shawn suggested that Apple’s AI focuses narrowly on tasks within the Apple ecosystem, while Justin and Andy recounted their experiences with Google’s AI. Andy shared a frustrating story involving Waze’s directions, and the group agreed that Apple’s AI is still playing catch-up with other manufacturers.

Justin highlighted the Pixel 9’s unique ability to automatically stitch photos together for seamless family shots. The conversation also touched on how easy it is to transfer data between Android devices, with Justin praising the smooth process.

Shawn brought up the recent announcement from DJI about their new lightweight drone, the DJI Neo, priced at $199. Designed for beginners, vloggers, and casual users, it features a 12-megapixel half-inch sensor, 18 minutes of flight time, and a control range of up to 50 meters via Wi-Fi. Justin raised concerns about its limited control range, noting it might not be ideal for high-altitude or long-distance flights. Shawn also mentioned the recent passage of the Countering USA Threats Act by the House, aimed at restricting drones from foreign countries, particularly China, which could impact companies like DJI. The bill now heads to the Senate.

In response to a listener question from Gary, the team discussed antivirus options for personal use. Justin recommended Windows Defender, while Andy shared 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 agreed that choosing the right antivirus depends on individual needs and preferences. See Below the Photo’s “Imagined” with the Gemini AI on the Pixel 9 of Justin’s CoWorker

Also featured was a discussion of former guest and writer Ed Bott’s article at ZNet about upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 and ways to “Get Er Done!” Finally, the Website of the Week was the app “Spot the Station,” which alerts users when the International Space Station is flying over their community.

Credit ; NASA - The Spot the Station App

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News13 – Giving Life to the Old Laptop/Computer – Linux!

In October of 2025, Next Year, Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will reach its End of Life. That does not mean it will stop working, but it indicates that Microsoft will no longer provide security updates to the Windows 10 Operating System. The Company has been on a Push for the past year to get users to update for free to Windows 11 from Windows 10 However, Not everybody could do it.

Your System would need to Support the Trusted Platform Module 2.0 for tighter Security. In Some cases Manufacturers have TPM 2.0 devices that can plug into Motherboard that will add that support but they didn’t include them. We were excited to do this upgrade on a board in our studio, however after ordering the proper TPM2.0 module, Windows 11 would not support our 6th Generation Processor. Something to check first. For this system we would need a New Motherboard (Which we went ahead and purchased – Asus P790), Processor, Memory and Windows Install!

So instead, Older Systems have been finding a viable solution when using it for Work or School, Linux or Ubnutu. We have taken a couple of Laptops. one that is not that old and installed the Free Wunbuntu – It looks just like Windows 11 and performs just as well. We can run Chrome, Edge. OpenOffice, Steam and most programs with Wubuntu and it’s free.

As always, there is No Company behind Linux. To help out those programmers, It is Developer supported so users can spend 35 bucks for extra tools and further development. On an Older laptop, which was running Windows XP until yesterday, We installed Cinnamon Linux Mint 22. This Distribution of Linux based on Ubuntu has been getting a lot of praise. It is zippy and has a lot of features, and a wonderful creative team. Again, Donations can help! If you want to try a live distribution your can install it to a DVD or Flash Drive and run it without installing it to a hard drive, not as peppy but cool to get a look at it.

Find Winbuntu at https://www.wunbuntu.org and Linux Mint 22 at Linuxmint.com.

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Episode 413 – New Show is Here! Catch a Whiff! Smell O’Vision has Finally Arrived!

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

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Episode 412 – Hey Boo Boo! Check out this GoPro! New Fun Radio Audio Segments~

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 has been making the rounds, that found and activated a lost GoPro camera, and the resulting footage including a Selfie. ViralHog shared the video back in 2021 and it resurfaced and is kind of a joy to watch. 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.

Video from ViralHog

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.

Andy gets the Opportunity to talk with the Alison Gaxiola, Store Manager for the soon to be opened newest location for Curacao, The Retail location will be in the previous Forever21 at the Tucson Mall, 80,000 Feet and 2 Storys of all types of consumer products including great Tech Selection. Alison tells us about the history of Curacao and its commitment to the community. A Couple of months ago, Andy took a drive to the location on 6th and I-10 and was impressed by not only the selection of Tech but also the Employees knowledge and care in providing great customer service. The Grand opening event will take place October 6th, find out more with this discussion with Alison Gaxiola.

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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News13 Segment – A Day at the UofA, The Tech in the Dorm Rooms!

A Day at the UofA – News13 was Out at the University of Arizona – We were in Studio with some Tech!

We decided to cover a couple of thoughts on Dorm Living and Tech in the “Residence Halls.” A Big find during the segment was that Tyler didn’t know who Thorton Melon was in the history of Higher Education! University of Arizona has great on site Technical Services 24/7 and questions can be addressed easily by calling 520-646-TECH. For Students wanting to connect via Wi-Fi, it is available however when you realize how many will be using the services, you could run into the occasional bandwidth issues, also security should be considered and make sure you are connected to an Authorized Wi-Fi Connection.

For those that have more than one device to connect, Routers and Switches will not work in the Dorm environment. Each bed will feature a Ethernet Connection to internet services which of course will need to be authenticated when you log in as a student. Also, if you have a Wireless Printer, you will need to set up the Wired Connection to that printer. The Ethernet Services are available for Studies however you could hook up a gaming Console for that much needed break. I will recommend some tech for their dorms to have on hand – Power Strip with Surge, We have the APC to share, Belkin 3 in 1 Charger (Charge Smart Phone, Watch, Buds) Space Saving and Convenient and of course Storage with Flash Drives and removable drives.

If you check out housing.arizona.edu under technology you will find services that can help with those questions!