This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor, Shawn DeWeerd, and Justin Lemme kick off with Shawn sharing a wild camping story—where YouTube weather streamer Ryan Hall helped them track a fast-moving storm that quickly turned dangerous. It sparks a discussion about the growing role of independent content creators and how platforms like YouTube are reshaping how we consume real-time information and entertainment

The guys break down the latest news from Apple with Tim Cook stepping aside as CEO of Apple and John Ternus stepping into the role. The team explores Apple’s successes, missteps, and whether the company can catch up in the rapidly evolving AI space. Justin shares with a discussion on “de-Googling”—a growing movement toward reclaiming personal data through alternative operating systems like GrapheneOS. Does this conflict with the trade-offs between convenience and control in today’s connected world?

Amazon shares news about a New Slimmer Amazon Fire Stick HD and FAST (Free Ad Supported Television) channels. The New Device ditches the previous Fire OS and is now run on Linux-based Vega OS. No Power Brick needed, it can run off a USB-C Port, and it does come with a USB-C to USB A Cable. It still has the guys wondering about the puzzling decision to stick with 1080p in a 4K world.

Amanda is back on the show to talk AI in education—what’s really happening in classrooms right now and how schools are handling it. She dives into the opportunities, the challenges, and what parents should be paying attention to.

Later, the crew answers a listener question about digital signage, offering practical solutions—from simple USB-based displays to more advanced platforms like Bright Sign or XOGO.AI. Justin shares a almost celebrity encounter which opens a discussion of the Nicest and grumpiest celebs we have encountered. The guys also talk about the gamer so focused on her bubbles, police were called which opens up a discussion of gamers in their 90s, proving that tech truly spans generations.

“This Show is a Joke!” absolutely earns its title. Andy Taylor, Shawn DeWeerd, and Justin Lemme kick things off with the kind of chaotic chemistry listeners love, starting with a weather check that makes no sense: Colorado is bizarrely warm, Indiana is buried under snow and “freezing fog,” and everyone agrees the forecast has officially gone off the rails. From there, the conversation slides straight into post-CES chatter, where “everything is AI”… except the stuff that still manages to surprise you and even have you make a “Ewwww Face”

CES talk turns into a deep dive on display and home theater tech—especially the buzz around micro RGB screens, including a jaw-dropping 130-inch Samsung TV that’s so massive (and likely so expensive) you really have to see it in person to understand the scale. The guys also break down why TV shopping online can be misleading, how professional calibrators fine-tune picture settings for your exact room, and why premium installs and showroom-quality setups can turn your living room into a “demo house” for bragging rights.

Audio gets its moment too, with a debate on whether soundbars can truly replace real surround sound (spoiler: not really), plus Shawn’s current 5.1-ish setup and Justin’s insistence that there’s no excuse not to add rear speakers. Then Justin steals the segment with a mini-masterclass on upgrading your podcast audio chain: a new budget mixer, the surprise reality of 48v phantom power, adding a preamp, and why his Shure mic is still the hero of the whole rig—followed by way too much fun with Justin playing with voice effects that quickly turns into “mommy, turn off the radio” territory.

From there, the show pivots into media and culture: how modern journalism and production standards have shifted in the last few years, why audiences tolerate lower quality now, and how digital ad systems track everything—time on page, scroll depth, where you came from, and even what you searched for before your next “perfectly targeted” commercial. Segment two ties it all together with a smart look at why local stations run more local news than syndicated shows—because local content means local ad dollars—plus a sharp debate on big-market versus small-market on-air talent and why experience is obvious the second someone opens their mouth on camera.

Listener questions keep the pace moving, including a great one about the Flipper Zero—what it is, whether it’s illegal, and whether it’s a smart gift for a kid (the group strongly leans “no,” unless maturity, supervision, and intent are crystal clear). From there it’s a CES parade of ridiculous inventions (music-playing lollipops through bone conduction, voice-controlled fridges, voice coffee makers, AI barbers, and a toilet computer that analyzes your… business), plus a quick detour into Meta Ray-Bans and why they’re surprisingly impressive for audio. The show lands with gaming talk (Stardew Valley gets the “dangerously addictive” stamp of approval), a quick PSA about spam texts and why you should never reply—even to say “stop”—and a fun throwback to Flash game nostalgia at FlashMuseum.org

We have been running behind so wanted to make sure we share these episodes that Aired but have not been posted. Hope you enjoy them!

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd kick things off in full holiday mode with a look at Microsoft’s latest seasonal merch drop—highlighting the surprisingly steep price tag on the new “ugly sweater,” the retro logos packed into the design (and a few questionable modern additions), plus the equally head-scratching 50th anniversary Crocs and other oddball collectibles on Microsoft’s revamped merchandise site. The conversation rolls naturally into Shawn’s Christmas wish list—everything from retro gaming gear and board-game storage to soldering tools, ham radio accessories, and FPV drones—along with the realities of finding certain tech items in stock (or even available) right now.

From there, the show pivots to timely safety and consumer tech advice. Andy shares warnings tied to “Dangerous December,” reinforcing how critical it is to keep browsers and mobile devices updated during peak online shopping season, when older devices and outdated software can become easy targets. The duo also addresses a growing concern around romance scams, outlining common red flags—like refusing video calls or pushing for money—and reminding listeners how easily scammers can use public online details to build trust and manipulate victims.

We get a chance to answer a listener question from Cecilia in Tucson about a dropped laptop with a shattered screen—explaining how adding an external monitor can often bring the machine back to life, and walking through common steps to enable an external display if it doesn’t switch automatically. That discussion expands into practical habits for everyday computing, including whether to shut down systems overnight, what “update and shut down” really means in the real world, and how different devices (home rigs, servers, and work machines) have very different expectations for uptime and maintenance.

Later, Andy welcomes Linda Chorney—Grammy-nominated artist, filmmaker, and self-described DIY “rebel”—to talk about her new audiobook, It Ain’t Over Till the Indie Sings. Linda shares the remarkable story behind her career, how technology and persistence helped her navigate the industry, and how she taught herself production workflows—from editing and syncing audio to recording in Pro Tools and meeting modern audiobook standards. The episode closes with gaming news for Tomb Raider fans and a nostalgic holiday wrap-up, as Shawn recounts a weekend of in-person gaming, board games, and Lord of the Rings marathons—celebrating the kind of face-to-face tech friendship and shared experiences that many of us miss in today’s always-online world.

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd kick things off with retro gaming nostalgia, sparked by Shawn’s new Analogue 3D Nintendo 64 console. They reminisce about classic titles like GoldenEye, Mario 64, Zelda, and Perfect Dark, discuss the rising value of physical game cartridges, and debate whether rare sealed games should be played or preserved. The conversation highlights why many gamers are rediscovering the joy of owning physical media in an era dominated by digital licenses and always-online requirements.

Andy announces he will be able to preview the upcoming Anti-Gravity A1 drone which has some amazing features, comparing it to DJI’s lineup while breaking down FAA weight rules, 360° video capabilities, proprietary file formats, and real-world use cases for content creators. From there, listener Alan gives us a question which leads into practical advice on buying used computers, including what specs matter most, how to spot poorly maintained systems, and why gaming PCs often make excellent everyday machines.

Cybersecurity takes center stage next as Andy and Shawn react to a viral story that was posted on Reddit of a customer receiving a box of rocks instead of a high end graphics card from a major retailer, prompting a discussion on recording unboxings to protect against fraud. They also share timely guidance on VPNs, echoing federal warnings from CISA to avoid free VPN services, a basic explaination of how VPNs encrypt data, protect users on public Wi-Fi, and allow access to region-locked content while traveling.

To wrap up this weeks show, Andy talks about his recent to Adobe with the purchase of Creative Cloud Pro and how he has found the modern AI-powered tools in Photoshop, Lightroom, and Firefly have transformed photo restoration, from repairing washed-out celebrity photos, see the pic of Andy and Stallone above, to restoring older damaged family images. There are so many new features, some AI, others just enhanced more functional tools in the suite which has Andy very excited about using them. While on the subject of photos, Andy shares a story that was covered by CBS News that serves as a heartfelt reminder to digitize and back up family photos after Actress/TV Host Ricki Lake’s lost memories thought destroyed in the Malibu Fires were unexpectedly recovered at a Flea Market. Shawn shares the clear breakdown of the essential “3-2-1 backup rule.”

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For this week’s TechtalkRadio show, Shawn and Justin are back after a busy week. Justin shares his experience working extra shifts at the waterpark as the summer season winds down. He also talks about completing his computer setup, highlighting the importance of cable management. Meanwhile, Shawn has added a new camera to his setup and explains how he connected his old iPhone 7 Plus using NDI HX Cam. He dives into the concept of NDI (Network Device Interface) and its relevance for remote camera setups. Shawn also discusses NewTek, now part of Vizrt, and how their NDI technology has become increasingly popular. (Photos Below – Shawn and his Old iphone setup, Justin has a Laugh, Justin and the Hercules, Shawn shoots with a 35mm Film Camera)

Andy shares his thoughts on repurposing older smartphones, while Justin talks about his plans to get the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold. He’s excited about the rebate he’s getting, which he plans to use for the new Google Stream TV. With Samsung pushing its Flip and Fold smartphones, some believe it’s the perfect time to make the switch. However, Justin is facing a challenge in finding a case for his Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Shawn then discusses the trend of adding larger sensors to smartphones for better photography, predicting that the “Camera Wars” will only get more competitive. He also mentions that Nikon is in talks with RED to develop a new smartphone. (Photos Below – Justins New Computer Room Setup)

The guys also dive into the Google TV Streamer, discussing its features and how it represents the next step in the evolution of Chromecast. The new device, which will be available on September 26th, is a set-top box offering 4K resolution, more memory, and faster performance. They compare the user experience between Roku and Google TV devices.

Justin also shares his excitement about getting new equipment for mobile DJing, including the Hercules DJ Deck, which works seamlessly with the Virtual DJ program. Meanwhile, Shawn reminisces about using his 35mm film camera, finding an old roll of Kodak 400 film, and getting the photos developed through indiefilmlabs.com, with which he’s very pleased.

The show wraps up with Shawn discussing the new DJI Mini 4 Pro drone. Andy expresses frustration over the introductory price of the DJI Mini 4, which is $299, compared to the over $1,000 he spent on the Mini 3 Pro. The conversation then shifts to potential legislation against DJI and similar concerns now being directed toward TP-Link.