Episode 454 – “Apple’s New iOS, AI Shenanigans, and Roku Lights Up the Room!”

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd unpack iOS 26 after Apple’s recent wave of updates. Shawn—who’s been living on the beta—explains why the OS now feels “built for two-handed use,” with core actions and search shifting to the bottom of the screen. For anyone returning from Android or upgrading older iPhones, it’s less about flashy features and more about retraining muscle memory: new-message buttons, close icons, and search live where your thumbs naturally are.

From there, the conversation widens to the state of AI. Andy contrasts the speed and usefulness of Google’s Gemini for quick studio lookups with Siri’s slower responses, while both hosts wrestle with where AI is genuinely helpful versus where it still feels off. Practical wins include Lightroom’s AI noise reduction, using AI to wrangle manuals and code snippets, and Google’s NotebookLM—now with interactive “ask-as-you-listen” study sessions. On the flip side: AI-generated images still struggle with fine details and text, and accuracy gaps make “AI slop” risky for mission-critical work.

In smart home talk, Shawn revisits Wyze’s value gear—cameras, bulbs, and a new palm-vein recognition lock—plus the subscription math behind Cam Plus. He argues for a simple but powerful upgrade: first-class RTSP so users can record to their own NAS and keep footage off the cloud by default. Listener Q&A rolls through texting mysteries (blue vs. green bubbles and how RCS now bridges some features with Android), and the looming Windows 10 end-of-support date. They weigh Extended Security Updates versus buying new machines, and when Rufus can help install Windows 11 on borderline hardware—while warning that not every system will make the cut.

To cap it off, the guys look at Roku’s first projector (1080p with Roku OS, auto-focus/keystone, Bluetooth private listening), share a handy tip for listening through headphones via the Roku app, and flag a recent Plex security incident—change your password and be cautious with the latest Roku Plex app update if you’re seeing stutters or crashes.

Got a question for the show? Email techguys@techtalkradio.com, and catch more at techtalkradio.com.

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NEW EPISODE #452 – K-Pop, YouTubeTV Battles & Windows 95 Turns 30!

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This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor, Matt Jones, and Justin Lemme take listeners on a ride through pop culture, tech nostalgia, and the latest gadgets. We kick things off with Netflix’s surprise mega-hit K-Pop Demon Hunters, which has quickly become one of the most streamed films on the platform. Matt shares what this all has to do with Hannah Montana! The guys explore how the movie’s catchy soundtrack, unique animation style which Justin is not a fan of, and unexpected success are reshaping both the music and movie industries, But is it Enough?

From there, the conversation shifts to the future of movie theaters. Justin shares a hilarious yet frustrating story about his AMC theater experience, his impression is spot on, while Matt explains why premium theaters like Alamo Drafthouse are thriving. Andy shares a similar venue in the Tucson Area called Roadhouse Cinemas. The team debates whether streaming at home with services like YouTube TV is now a better option than overpriced tickets, flat sodas, and broken popcorn machines. Listener Steve from Tucson also sparks a great discussion on whether cutting the cord for YouTube TV is worth it.

On the tech front, Matt shares a new development with his new AI-powered home lab, now complete with Reolink 4K cameras and custom video analytics that can detect pets, license plates, and even track the dogs around the house. Justin, meanwhile, shares his return to the ambitious (and still in alpha) Star Citizen, a space sim that continues to evolve.

Of course, no trip down memory lane would be complete without celebrating 30 years of Windows 95. Andy, the Old Guy in the Room, realizes the Age Gap, when he ask Matt about the excitement of installing Windows95! The guys do reminisce about floppy disks, DOS gaming, and the long list of Windows versions that shaped the modern PC era. They also explain the term doom-scrolling for listeners who might be hearing it for the first time.

Finally, Matt ditches his smartphone and previews the brand-new Google Pixel 10 XL, fresh from Google’s “Made by Google” event. He’s already pre-ordered the device and will share a hands-on review in next week’s episode.Why didn’t Matt like the one he had before?

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News13 – What’s It All About? CES2025

It’s been a great week in Las Vegas for the Annual Consumer Electronics Show, many of the announcements and product showcases are still being discussed. For this Weeks Segment on News13, with the Kickoff of the Annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where Tech Innovators from all over the globe converge to introduce, share and announce the Latest Technologies – We spoke with the Director of Industry Communications, Jim Fellinger of the Consumer Technology Association.

Jim tells us what to expect for this year, where will New Technology such as A.I. play and how many participate in this huge technology show.

More Info at https://ces.tech

News13 Segment – Asus and the Amazing Notebooks!

For this Segment on News13 KMSB Fox 11, Andy Taylor visited with Tyler Butler and shared a couple of new Laptops for Productivity, Creating and Learning. First off is the Asus Zenbook S 14. 16GB and 1TB SSD This could be great as you may be thinking about Gift Giving for the Holidays. The Size is amazingly thin and super lightweight. While Everything under the hood is impressive, the design itself is amazing. Asus uses a process called Ceraluminum coating that is scratch and fingerprint resistant. This is a combination of Ceramic and Aluminum. The ZenBook S 14 is powered by a 72Wh Battery which not only can last throughout the day but charge quickly.

Inside it the ultra-fast Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 Series 2 processor with a dedicated AI NPU (Nueral Processing Unit) with Microsoft Copilot+ all with the power of AI unleashed through the dedicated Copilot key on your keyboard. Also the screen is amazing and bright, The ultra-vivid 3K 120Hz ASUS Lumina OLED display – This Powerhouse retails for about $1499

Also on deck is the New Asus ProArt PZ13 – Tagged – “Where your Story Begins” This Two in One, Meaning a Tablet and Connected to a Keyboard, It weighs Less the Two Pounds is perfect for creators, Another 3k Bright Vivid Screen and and it’s powered by Snapdragon® X Plus processor – Looking for a way to easily organize your Content? 16GB of Memory and 1TB SSD It comes equipped with the ASUS exclusive AI-powered Story Cube app that helps you manage your photos and videos – To see the many different applications, check out https://www.asus.com/us/proart/ It Retails for about $1099

We had a great time looking at these devices with Power and Function!