Episode 428 – So You Want to Start a Podcast?

For this Week’s TechtalkRadio Show, Justin and Andy listen in to Shawn as he discusses his role in providing technical support for Notre Dame sports broadcasts, particularly hockey which is his favorite sport to cover. The guys discussed the challenges and opportunities of podcasting as many people are looking at ways to podcast. Shawn shared his experience with the Athletics Department at the University, which started a podcast called “Wake Up the Echoes” that took off quickly. With some wanted to develop shows, The group discussed the importance of content and the shift towards live video and short-form content.

With TikTok in the News recently, The team discussed the topic of social media, with Justin emphasizing the importance of curating one’s social media feed to avoid unwanted content. Shawn also shared his limited use of social media platformswith the exception of Reddit and Snapchat. Justin highlighted the potential for social media to become an echo chamber if not managed properly. Shawn shares that he stopped using Facebook in early 2020 and noticed changes in his habits and mindset. While initially driven by muscle memory to open social media apps, he found himself completing more meaningful projects at home. Andy discusses the prevalence of ads and sponsored content on platforms, suggesting blocking unwanted connections.

Justin expresses uncertainty about TikTok’s future amidst data privacy concerns and speculations about tech company motives, but admits to rarely using TikTok himself.With a walk down memory lane, Andy, Shawn, and Justin discussed the evolution of social media platforms and their impact on society. They reminisced about the rise and fall of various platforms such as Myspace, Vine, and Google+. Shawn shared his experience with BBSs and LiveJournal, while Justin talked about the shift from AOL chat rooms to Skype. The conversation also touched on the addiction-like withdrawal symptoms some people experienced when TikTok was temporarily banned. Justin shared his efforts to reduce his family’s reliance on social media, while Shawn and Andy discussed the cultural significance of social media platforms in college life.

A Listener Question from Palm Desert has a listener that uses her PC laptop extensively, and has run out of USB slots due to the addition of a camera and a backup drive. Andy and Justin suggest using a powered USB hub to add more ports. They recommend brands like Belkin, Logitech, and Anker. Andy had a hard drive failure and was able to use EaseUS Data Recovery Software to recover data. Justin shares his positive experience with Easeus, a data recovery software. Andy advises being redundant with backups and not relying solely on one backup device.

Gaming is a topic justin loves to shares and discussed his return to the game Project Zomboid, which involves surviving a zombie apocalypse. He mentioned that the game is available on Steam and has undergone significant changes in the past five years. Andy and Shawn discussed the value of Steam compared to Xbox Game Pass

Shawn discussed his recent purchase of a Lenovo ThinkPad T16 for his father-in-law, who was concerned about the end of Windows 10 support. Shawn sought advice from Matt and Justin, who recommended the ThinkPad due to its durability and cost-effectiveness. The ThinkPad features a 13th Gen Intel I7 processor, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Windows 11 Pro, Wi-Fi 6, and a 16-inch display. Shawn also discussed the need for data transfer from the old system to the new one, with Andy suggesting the use of PC Mover for program migration. Shawn agreed to keep the new system minimal to avoid bloatware.

Andy discusses his friend who wants to keep her old computer because it has a DVD drive, even though most modern laptops no longer come with built-in DVD drives. Shawn explains why manufacturers removed the optical media option due to DVD drives taking up significant space in laptops with the concept that more users will use streaming technology for music and movies. To wrap up this Weeks Show, Andy, Shawn, and Justin discussed various topics including retro technology, camera technology, and photography. Justin shared his experience of indoor skydiving on his birthday, which he found to be a thrilling experience. The conversation then shifted to the resurgence of small cameras and the benefits of detaching photography from smartphones. Shawn emphasized the importance of being physically engaged with taking photos and the nostalgic value of physical cameras. The Recent Wildlife Photography Winner was announced and can be found at https://www.comedywildlifephoto.com Shawn promised that next week he will tell us more about a New drone from DJI!

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!

New Show – Episode 411 – Another Use for that Old SmartPhone!

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.

Finding Great Tech Deals at the Bin Stores

Are you always on the hunt for a great tech bargain? In our latest segment on News13, we’re diving into the rise of bin stores across the country. With Amazon’s record-breaking sales and lenient return policies, many consumers end up returning products that just don’t meet their needs or aren’t compatible with their devices. Big retailers like Walmart and Target are seeing similar trends. But what happens to all those returned items?

Sometimes, these products are resold as refurbished items or offered at a discount as “open box” deals by brick-and-mortar stores. However, bin stores take it a step further by purchasing pallets or crates of these returns and selling them at significant discounts. The items you find might be brand new in the box, have a minor flaw, or could even be loose in the bin. But that’s part of the adventure—you might have to dig around to find that perfect deal!

For tech enthusiasts, bin stores can be a goldmine. For example, I found a Fifine A8 Microphone, perfect for gaming, podcasting, or Zoom calls, priced at just $15 compared to nearly $60 online. Many bin stores follow a pricing structure where items start at $15 on restock day and gradually decrease in price, though the selection might dwindle over time. I also snagged an Android tablet for just $15—still a steal compared to buying new. Just remember, if you’re purchasing tech like tablets, computers, hard drives, or flash drives, it’s crucial to wipe them clean before use to ensure your security.

I also came across a few non-tech items, like the GE Fit Digital Scale, which tracks BMI, weight, and goals via a free app called Fit. I saw five of these on a recent trip! It’s a fun and practical way to stay on top of your health metrics.

One important reminder: items in bin stores are usually sold “as is,” so double-check that all cords and cables are included. Most stores allow you to test products before buying. And hey, you might even stumble upon some non-tech treasures, like a “Leave it to Beaver” box set!

Happy hunting!