Episode 428 – Grok It Like It’s Hot: A Look at AI, Games & TV Tricks!

On this week’s TechtalkRadio Broadcast, Justin, Shawn and Andy talked about how they manage workloads and prioritize projects when dealing with IT Issues. Justin shared that he structures tasks around his budget and board approval, often using AI tools like Grok to help craft presentations, job descriptions, and marketing materials to help explain to the less Tech Saavy for an understanding of needs for the IT Team . While Andy wondered if Grok compares to ChatGPT with Justin noting Grok’s ability to pull real-time data and provide comprehensive information on demand of a more current nature.

In a live demonstration, Justin used Grok to search for Andy and Shawn, uncovering detailed professional and personal data from public sources and social media—sparking a discussion on privacy and how much of our lives are available online. This led to a broader chat about the pros and cons of such tools, with Andy and Shawn expressing concerns over data accuracy and the implications for personal security. The Crew sends out Congratulations to Co-Host Amanda, She has been named one of the Top 30 K-12 IT Influencers to follow in 2025 from EdTech. Read more on the EdTech Magazine Website

The trio also explored online safety, with Andy highlighting risks on platforms like Snapchat and stressing the importance of turning off location services. Justin shared a story from the game Sea of Thieves, where a young player casually revealed personal info, underlining how easily privacy can be compromised—even in gaming environments. They also touched on social engineering and the need for greater caution online.

Wrapping up, the group tackled a listener question from Dave about recording over-the-air TV using devices like the HD Home Run, discussed Comcast mobile savings, and talked about using Moca to expand home networks over existing Coaxial connections. They finished with some fun—chatting about the Minecraft Movie and the Chicken Thing, mini battle bots and more. 

News 13 Segment – Doing Everything on that Smartphone? Helpful Tools

In this Segment on News13 KMSB Fox 11, Andy Taylor shares with Tyler Butler about a Recent Study which showed more and more smartphone and tablet users are doing everything on those devices, even filing Tax Returns and Paying Bills and even creating presentations for Work.

While some may say they dislike the keyboards, Logitech has released a Bluetooth Keyboard that is easy to transport and small in size. The Logitech Keys to Go 2 easily connects via bluetooth to smartphones and tablets as well as PC’s and Macs. This Mini Keyboard will also connect to Chrome OS. It’s also a Multi Function device which can allow you to easily switch to two other devices with the press of a key. No Need to Recharge, the Unit features a small cell battery and is quoted as running up to 36 Months without replacing. This Keyboard sells for about $70.00

Tyler shows us how portable this keyboard can be by putting it in his jacket pocket. A little larger, the Logitech K480 has some great features and features a tray for placing the Phone or tablet. Andy also shares the LePow 15.6″ Portable Monitor and shares the J5 Create USB C to HDMI to connect your smartphone to the larger screen.

Episode #437 – Searching For a Socket! More Power Captain!

On this Week’s TechtalkRadio Show, Host Shawn DeWeerd atttends the  the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) trade show and shared his excitement about meeting industry professionals and networking with content creators. Both Shawn and Andy, who has attended the show in past years highlighted the significant changes in the broadcasting industry, particularly the blending of professional and consumer equipment. Shawn also mentioned meeting the lead content developer for the popular YouTube channel, “Dude Perfect,” who were present to explore new equipment for their expanding studio. The conversation emphasized the growth and success of content creators in the broadcasting industry.

Shawn also mentioned a product from Salsa Sound that uses AI to auto-mix audio based on the location of microphones and speakers. Shawn also saw a demonstration from Ross Video that can automatically change graphics, camera angles, and scenes based on a speaker’s words, though he notes that the transcription accuracy still needs improvement. Shawn also mentions the increasing automation in newsrooms, including robotic cameras and AI-powered camera tracking that can follow specific subjects or players in sports broadcasts.

Shawn discusses his experience with the DJI Power 1000 battery bank during a recent power outage. He explains how the device allowed him to power a lamp, internet router, and TV for an extended period, providing up to 19 hours of use for these devices. Shawn also mentions using the power bank in conjunction with a generator to power his refrigerator and other essential appliances during the 48-hour outage. He praises the battery’s fast charging capabilities and additional features like USB-C ports and mounting options.

Listener Questions have  Andy and Shawn discussing the pros and cons of different antivirus programs from a listener considering not renewing her annual AV Subscription. Shawn recommended Malwarebytes as a more secure alternative to Norton, which Andy has used and was also renewing. Another question inquired about viewing old Flash videos, While Andy mentioned suites such as Movavi, Shawn suggested using Handbrake to convert the files to make them viewable. 

Andy shared his experience with a Logitech keyboard, the Keys to Go 2, which can be connected to smartphones, laptops, and other devices via Bluetooth. Shawn found the Logitech keyboard interesting and appreciated the different color options available. Andy also mentioned the Logitech K480 which is considerably larger however each keyboard offers benefits. 

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Episode 436 – What Do We Call This Thing?

This week’s episode of TechtalkRadio took a unique turn, as Andy Taylor, Matt Jones, and Justin Lemme decided to release an exclusive online-only show. With no FCC restrictions, the trio embraced a more unfiltered and free-flowing conversation, much to their delight. They kicked things off with some lighthearted banter, including discussions on parenting struggles and a deep dive into the differences between Pembroke and Cardigan Corgis. This set the tone for a fun and informal episode, allowing the hosts to indulge in humor and casual storytelling without the usual broadcast constraints.

The discussion soon shifted to artificial intelligence, a topic that’s dominating the tech world. Andy shared his experience with Alexa Plus and his preference for Google Gemini when using AI for assistance. Justin and Matt explored the competitive AI landscape, analyzing how Apple is struggling to keep up in the AI race. They pointed out Apple’s history of adopting existing technology rather than innovating, highlighting Siri’s shortcomings. The conversation expanded into their personal experiences with AI tools, including ChatGPT, Grok, and Perplexity, with Matt venting frustrations over ChatGPT’s inconsistencies in coding tasks.

As the discussion continued, the team debated the ethics of AI development, touching on OpenAI’s recent controversies and accusations of data scraping. Matt expressed his frustrations with AI companies profiting off vast amounts of web data, while Justin emphasized the growing reliance on AI tools for coding, content generation, and even bedtime stories. The conversation highlighted the tension between AI’s growing capabilities and the ethical concerns surrounding its development, reinforcing the importance of user choice and awareness when selecting AI models.

The episode wrapped up with a fascinating look at AI-generated art, particularly the emerging trend of using AI to recreate images in the style of Studio Ghibli. Justin shared how his wife, Misa, transformed a casual photo into an authentic-looking Ghibli masterpiece using AI. This sparked a discussion on AI’s impact on creativity, with Matt raising concerns about how far AI should go in replicating established artistic styles.

Andy Taylor shares his frustrating experience with Adobe’s licensing system after attempting to install his Creative Suite 5.5 Master Collection on a new studio computer. Despite holding a perpetual license, Adobe’s deactivation servers have been retired, making it impossible to reactivate older software—even when legally owned.

Justin and Matt chime in, highlighting the growing dissatisfaction with Adobe’s pricing, subscription model, and restrictive policies. The team explores alternative solutions, including Reaper for audio editing and Kdenlive for video work, as viable replacements for Adobe’s bloated ecosystem.

As Andy awaits a response from Adobe’s PR team, the discussion shifts to the broader impact of software as a service (SaaS), AI-driven creative tools, and whether Adobe’s heavy-handed approach might drive more users toward open-source alternatives. Could Adobe’s grip on creative professionals loosen in the coming years? Will a class action lawsuit arise from users locked out of their software? The TechtalkRadio team dives into the uncertain future of digital ownership.

Justin shares an exciting weekend adventure with his son Eric—discovering mini battle bots! After visiting a local hobby store, they witnessed intense robotic combat with pint-sized bots crafted through 3D printing and DIY engineering. Now, Justin’s diving into the world of custom bot-building, possibly dusting off his old 3D printer.

Andy also highlights “Going Postal: The Legacy Foretold,” a new documentary making waves at film festivals. The film dives into the wild history of Vince Desi and the controversial Postal video game franchise. Will we see it available online soon? The team is hoping so! With their usual blend of humor, insight, and a few unexpected tangents, the team delivered an engaging and lively episode that gave listeners a fresh, unrestricted take on the latest in tech.