Andy TaylorAI, Apple, Cameras, Computers, Consumer Electronics, Entertainment, Google, Hardware, Microsoft Windows 11, Movies, Music, Photoshop, Security, TechtalkRadio, Wyze, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Episode 472 – MacBook Neo Is Official, AI Music Gets Real & Choosing the Right Security Camera | TechtalkRadio

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy and Shawn open with condolences for Justin, who’s away for a couple weeks after a loss in the family. From there, the conversation swings into Shawn’s very real-world tech life as a broadcast engineer at Notre Dame—juggling a marathon Saturday that included multiple live productions across different networks and platforms. They also touch on the frustration of missing major industry conferences like NAB and Infocom due to schedule collisions, while still keeping an eye on the one event Shawn refuses to miss: Gen Con, the massive tabletop gaming convention he’s attended for over a decade.

Andy shares some features of the K19+
Andy shows the K19+ Hidden Camera Detector Feature
Shawn shares a Multi-Function Switch together with a Wyze Switch
Shawn shares the Multi Feature Switch he made with a Wyze Product

The middle of the show dives into the growing “ownership problem” in modern tech—especially as it relates to phones, computers, and cloud services. Andy and Shawn react to Apple’s latest headlines, including talk of a more affordable iPhone option and what a lower-cost iOS device could mean for people who don’t want (or can’t justify) flagship pricing. That naturally leads to a bigger discussion: device upgrade fatigue, the rising cost of PC parts like RAM and storage, and the creeping shift toward renting everything—software, storage, even processing power—through subscriptions and cloud instances.

The Final after Adjusting Eye Color in Photoshop
Final after Photoshop Eye Layer
Original Photo of Gloria before attending a KLPX Ozzy Event
Original Photo from 2002 of Gloria
After having Gemini update the background with a prompt highlighting the event. We shouldn't have asked for the Green Eyes.
Gemini Take after asking for Green Eyes??

AI is the big philosophical thread this week. They debate the ethical and emotional cost of AI-generated content—how it’s getting harder to tell what’s real, why disclosure matters, and what happens when companies replace human creativity because AI is cheaper and “good enough.” Andy shares a fascinating example using Suno, an AI music generator that created a shockingly convincing song featuring the show’s names—cool, impressive… and immediately uncomfortable once you realize what it represents. They also dig into the fine print reality: even when you prompt the creation, you often don’t truly own it, and rights can disappear the moment you stop paying.

In the second half, the show pivots back to practical tech help with a listener question about home security cameras. Shawn lays out why he’s a fan of Wyze—especially the value of an unlimited camera plan and SD-card local recording—while Andy weighs in with real-world comparisons like Google Nest limitations and other alternatives (including a window-mounted camera option he demoed on TV). The episode wraps with a fun maker-style segment where Shawn explains his DIY hack turning a Wyze smart switch into a portable “smart button,” plus a quick look at an RF/IR detection gadget Andy picked up for travel privacy and hidden camera detection. Finally, they close on fresh Apple rumors—an apparent leak pointing to a lower-cost “MacBook Neo”—and tease next week’s topic: AI journaling with Rosebud.

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Andy TaylorActivision, AI, Audio Production, Cameras, Comedy, Computer Games, Computers, Consumer Electronics, Drone, Health, Nex Playground, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Episode 468 – Tech, Games & AI: What’s Real Anymore?

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd deliver another wide-ranging episode that blends practical tech advice, nostalgic gaming, and real-world perspective—without taking things too seriously.

The show opens with a discussion about content creation, audio gear, and accessibility, as the guys compare microphones, wireless lavs, and mixers while discussing captions, video platforms, and the ongoing challenges of cloud-based workflows. From there, listener questions drive the conversation into mobile video editing, USB formatting, and the never-ending debate over whether thumb drives are outdated—or still essential.

Shawn revisits classic titles through modern retro hardware, sparking a broader discussion about digital ownership, microtransactions, and why older games still feel more complete than many modern releases. Andy also highlights family-friendly, motion-based gaming designed to get kids moving—The Nex Playground which does a great job opening up a conversation about screen time, balance, and growing up in a tech-saturated world. 

The episode wraps with a ook at AI and perception, exploring how viral images, deepfakes, and powerful generative tools are changing the way we trust what we see online. Andy notes that is easy now to just say “It’s AI” as he was seeing in a video from over 5 years ago during the Military Coup in Myanmar. Andy and Shawn reflect on why skepticism can be healthy—but also why it’s important to slow down, verify, and remember that not everything is artificial.

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Andy TaylorCameras, Consumer Electronics, Drone, Hardware, Video Production, Videos

KMSB Segment – The Drone That Disappears: Antigravity A1

On this week’s Technology “Talking Tech” segment on KMSB Fox 11, Andy Taylor introduced viewers to one of the most eye-catching drones on the market right now: the Antigravity A1, a first-of-its-kind 8K, 360-degree drone powered by Insta360 imaging technology. With cameras positioned above and below the aircraft, the A1 can capture immersive aerial footage while digitally removing the drone itself from the final shot—creating stunning, cinematic visuals that look more like a video game than real life.

Andy explained how the Antigravity A1 stays under the FAA’s 250-gram limit with the standard battery, avoiding registration requirements, while larger batteries push it over that threshold for pilots who want longer flight times and expanded capabilities. Either way, the drone delivers smooth, stabilized footage and opens the door to creative “fly now, frame later” editing using 360-degree capture.

The segment also highlighted the A1’s FPV-style flying experience, where pilots wear included goggles to see exactly what the drone sees in real time. Using a simple controller with intuitive controls, flying the A1 is approachable even for newcomers. Key features like return-to-home, automatic low-battery landing, and precision landing using a visual landing mat help make flying safer and stress-free.

Andy wrapped up by breaking down the available kits, including the Infinity Kit, which comes with multiple batteries, goggles, chargers and a rugged carrying case—everything needed to fly right out of the box. Andy also shares a couple accessories available such as a Landing Mat. Whether you’re a hobbyist, content creator, or just love cutting-edge tech, the Antigravity A1 delivers a unique new way to capture the world from above.

Andy TaylorAI, Amazon Prime, Apple, Asus, Audio Production, Backups, Books, Cameras, Comedy, Computers, Events, Facebook, Google, Hardware, Home Theater, Keyboards, Kingston Technology, Mobile Games, Music, Streaming Video, Technology Companies, Technology News, Technology Radio, TechtalkRadio, TTR Website, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Episode 465 – Pricey RAM and Scams That Sleigh Your Wallet

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!

Linda Chorney at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards February 12, 2012
Andy Taylor takes a Pie to the Face
New Audiobook Available



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.

Andy TaylorAI, Apple, Bluetooth Technology, Cameras, Computers, Consumer Electronics, Entertainment, Hardware, Microsoft Windows 10, Microsoft Windows 11, Podcast, Samsung, Social Media, Streaming Video, Technology News, Technology Radio, TechtalkRadio, Wyze, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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.

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