This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor, Shawn DeWeerd, and Justin Lemme pack the show with a mix of practical advice, industry trends, consumer tech insight, and one very relatable AI troubleshooting story.

The episode opens with a conversation inspired by World Backup Day, as the team discusses whether people still need traditional backups now that so much of daily life already lives in the cloud. From iCloud and Google Photos to NAS systems and mirrored local storage, the discussion looks at the difference between convenience, redundancy, and true disaster recovery. The hosts also explore the downsides of cloud backup, including transfer speeds, privacy concerns, and the reality that “free” services often come with tradeoffs.

That privacy angle expands into a broader discussion on surveillance and artificial intelligence. The team talks about photo apps that identify faces, security cameras that recognize visitors, geofencing technology, and the growing presence of systems like Flock cameras. It becomes one of the episode’s most thought-provoking segments, balancing the usefulness of smart systems with concerns about how much information is being collected and who ultimately has access to it.

One of the standout moments of the show comes when Justin shares his attempt to use Grok to help him set up a Project Zomboid server on a Synology NAS. What starts as a step-by-step AI-assisted setup turns into hours of troubleshooting, repeated error messages, and eventually a paid upgrade to “Super Grok” — only for the chatbot to finally admit that the server was not really designed to run on Synology in the first place. It is a funny, honest example of how AI can feel incredibly smart one moment and deeply unhelpful the next. In the end, Justin solves the problem by renting a server for a few dollars a month and getting it working in about 15 minutes.

The show also answers a listener question about moving to Dallas and choosing between fiber internet and cable service. Justin and Shawn strongly favor fiber, explaining the benefits of dedicated bandwidth, better upload speeds, and improved reliability for modern households. Andy also raises the issue of router availability and manufacturing changes, adding another layer to the conversation around networking hardware.

In the featured interview, Andy welcomes Julie Gran of GrandPad, a company focused on making technology more approachable for seniors. Julie explains how GrandPad is built around simplicity, safety, and connection, with a secure family-approved network, larger easy-to-read controls, telehealth support, companion family features, and thoughtful accessibility touches. The conversation also covers Grandie Chat, GrandPad’s carefully designed AI feature that allows older adults to interact through voice in a more comfortable and guided way. The interview closes with a moving story that highlights the emotional power of technology when it is designed to truly serve the user.

To finish the episode, the guys shifts into camera talk as Justin discusses plans to buy a Tamron 35-150 lens during an upcoming trip to Japan. Shawn breaks down why the lens is so appealing, explaining aperture, focal length, and the visual magic of shallow depth of field and bokeh. It’s a strong finish to an episode that moves from backups and broadband to AI mishaps, family connection, and creative tools.

Thanks for checking out the show! Please Subscribe to our YouTube channel and Follow on Social Media!

In this Weeks TechtalkRadio Show, Shawn DeWeerd and Andy Taylor begin with a discussion on Andy’s Google Passwords Disappearing and now deciding to look for a Password Manager. The guys talk about 1Password and why this is a chosen favorite and the steps needed to set it up. With so many Emails we have had over the years, which ones are still active and could pose a problem if you aren’t monitoring them and they are hacked. Andy tells the story of an account which was tied to somebodies Snap Account and how to remove it from Snapchat.

Drones continue to be a fun topic as Shawn shares tips with Andy on Flying his DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone and what he shouldn’t be doing with it. DJI has announced a new Drone, the Avata, FPV Drone which is amazing in its Specs. Both Shawn and Andy had some post that for some reason gathered many views on Linked in and Instagram and the guys find the Short to the Point Videos seem to be the ones viewers will share or like on Social Media.

A Bad Combination, Lint and USB Thumb Drives – Has that happened where a thumb drive is no longer recognized? Take a good look, was it in your Pocket? Could be packed with Lint! Shawn shares some Streaming Solutions for those wanting to do Live Video online – Shawn tells us about https://www.epiphan.com while Andy shares a latest innovation from Corsair when the User can Set the Curve on a Widescreen Monitor.

Connect With Us on social media
Facebook @techtalkers
Twitter @TechtalkRadio
Instagram techtalkradio
Web: TechtalkRadio.Com

Subscribe and Like on Audacy, iHeart, Apple Podcast, Amazon Music, Google, Spotify and Spreaker!

In this week’s show, Justin, Shawn, and Andy talk about the recent trip Justin had to make to Dallas for Work and what it’s like flying during the Pandemic. Justin shares some of the changes and the guys talk about flying first class and how it used to be.

Microsoft Windows 11 has been given a date for release of October 5th to roll out the free upgrade from Windows 10. Microsoft also acknowledges the OS will run on older systems if installed from an ISO. Shawn runs down the highlights of Windows 11. Shawn talks about a Vertical task bar is eliminated in the new Windows 11. More people are holding on to their computer systems longer, however for those wanting to upgrade, the guys talk about doing it yourself and how it can be overwhelming and offer some tips to make it easier. Andy tells us about the Upcoming release of Free Guy to Streaming and BluRay

Andy talks about walking the aisles of Best Buy and getting photos of products that should be featured on the show. Shawn tells us about getting his Wyze Ear Buds and give us his thoughts, the Pros and Cons of them including range, comfort, battery, and cost. Justin shares a story on how the Chinese government is planning to regulate gaming for minors during the weekday. The guys talk about how they are going to be implementing this. The guys talk about backing up your PC and while Andy loves Acronis, Shawn shares a Cloud Service his Mom has been using called BackBlaze.com

EPISODE 302: Wading in the Water and Not Getting Wet

In this Weeks TechtalkRadio Show, its Andy Taylor and Justin Lemme on the show. Shawn is on the Road for a Getaway and the guys talk about doing road trips and the Technology that goes with it. Andy ask Justin if he uses the Apps for Trip Planning or Gas Cost when RoadTripping. The guys talk about the Ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline and what measures companies are taking in protecting their data. Justin and Andy talk about Phishing done to get information and why caution should be used in Social Media Questionnaires.

Justin has been trying out the Oculus Quest 2 and loves it. He tells us some of the fun experiences he has with it. One that he really likes is RealVR Fishing, super basic but a fun relaxing experience. Wear Glasses? Justin talks about how that works with the Oculus Quest 2.

Andy Taylor talks with Doug Little from Wacom about the recent introduction of the One by Wacom and how it fits so well into Education. Justin gives us the Website of the Week, https://www.ghin.com for Golfers that want to keep an eye on the Golf Handicap.

Facebook @techtalkers
Twitter @TechtalkRadio
Instagram techtalkradio
Web: TechtalkRadio.Com
Subscribe and Like on Spreaker!

In this Weeks TechtalkRadio Show, its Andy Taylor Shawn DeWeerd and Justin Lemme on the show. Shawn has been busy working with the Sports schedule at the University and producing the sporting events and shares some of the biggest challenges in getting these done. Shawn gives us a look at the Wyze Light Bulbs and the ability to change some of the schemes all controlled by an App. Justin talks about why he ended up no longer using the Philips Hue system. Andy talks about the Wyze Cameras and how happy the Outdoor Camera has made his friends who bought the system. Andy shares a scary story which he calls his Social Dilemma moment regarding an Ad, fed to him on Instagram which hit too close to home. Andy notices that some of the quizzes which can reveal information used for passwords or verification have started to appear on Facebook and Twitter, this is dangerous for giving up info to those looking at your pages for information. The guys talk about personal data leaked online on Facebook. Justin tells us a way to read the envelope as to whether it is junk mail or not.

Shawn shares some info on a project he has been taking up for a Plex Server within his trailer while camping. He tells us what is unique about the 12v Raspberry Pi server and why he did it.
Justin talks about the uses he has found for Raspberry Pi and in the meantime builds a giant robot spider for some fun called a hexapod.

Justin tells us about finding some Bitcoin he forgot about from 2016 and just sitting there has had great return. He tells us the story about discovering it and then deciding to buy himself a Samsung Galaxy Tab S7Plus, we talk about that decision and why that over the Microsoft Surface. Justin explains the difference between the 2 and how the Surface is more of a powerful laptop. Justin tells us about using Sketch Desk.

Justin brings back 60Sec Tech, he talks about Social Media handles on Sports uniforms, Neuralink and the monkey playing pong, Microsoft buys Nuance. The guys pick the story about the Monkey and Justin tells us how it was done.

Facebook @techtalkers
Twitter @TechtalkRadio
Instagram techtalkradio
Web: TechtalkRadio.Com
Subscribe and Like on Spreaker!