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News13 Segment – Fathers Day Technology Gift Ideas!

With Father’s Day around the corner, it’s the perfect time to find something useful, thoughtful, and tech-savvy that Dad will truly appreciate. Whether he’s working from home, traveling, or spending weekends fixing gadgets, these affordable and practical gifts are sure to make his day special.

If your dad has been thinking about upgrading his keyboard, the Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380S is a smart choice. This ultra-slim, portable keyboard can connect to multiple devices—including Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS, iOS, and Android—so Dad can type comfortably no matter where he is or what device he’s using. It features whisper-quiet low-profile keys and customizable shortcut buttons, and it runs on two AAA batteries with excellent battery life. Best of all, it’s budget-friendly, coming in at under $25.

To help Dad carry his tech in style, consider the Solo New York Redefine Ultimate Backpack. It’s a sleek, modern backpack designed to fit laptops up to 15.6 inches, with a dedicated sleeve for tablets or iPads. One standout feature is the RFID-protected pocket, which keeps Dad’s credit cards, passports, and ID safe from digital theft. It also includes an external USB port for on-the-go charging—just add a power bank. Made from recycled water bottles, it’s eco-conscious and available in gray or black, and you can find it for under $50.

For the dad who loves to tinker, the iFixit Electronics Tool Kits make a great gift. These precision tool sets are ideal for electronics repairs—from replacing phone screens to upgrading game consoles and laptops. The iFixit website also offers step-by-step repair guides for thousands of devices, making it easier for DIY-minded dads to dive into a weekend project. Many of the toolkits are available for under $30, making them a handy and affordable addition to any home repair setup.

No matter what kind of dad you’re shopping for—whether he’s a multitasker, a traveler, or a hands-on fixer—these thoughtful tech gifts show that you don’t need to spend a fortune to give something truly useful and cool this Father’s Day.

Andy TaylorTechtalkRadio

Episode 443 – Digital Security, Safety for the Kids and Alanis

For this Week’s TechtalkRadio Show, Host Shawn DeWeerd and Andy Taylor kick off the show by recapping the highlights from Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference. They discuss the unveiling of a new iOS with updates across iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS when available. Apple briefly touched on AI, emphasizing on-device processing for enhanced privacy. Shawn notes the integration of ChatGPT in several apps and points out Apple’s surprising openness in offering APIs for developers to tap into AI functionality. A major design update—dubbed “liquid glass”—was also revealed.

The hosts explore the new UI changes, including rounded buttons, a persistent bottom search bar, and new notification groupings. The camera app also gets a refresh with a simplified interface and more transparent menu backgrounds, focusing on usability rather than hardware upgrades.

They then shift to smart home tech, discussing Wyze’s new in-store partnership with Costco  and two new camera products. First, a floodlight camera system with three lights and a camera priced under $100. Second, the Wyze Bulb Cam—a 2K camera built into a light bulb that screws into standard fixtures and can pair with accessory bulbs for synchronized lighting. Shawn shares his experience with Wyze’s Cam Plus service, which offers unlimited cloud recording for $99/year.

Cybersecurity expert and author Tom Arnold joins the show to discuss his book The Digital Detective: First Intervention. Drawing from his background as a police officer and fraud investigator, Tom explores the evolution of cybercrime and emphasizes the importance of educating parents on digital dangers. His motivation to write stemmed from real-life incidents—including his grandson’s exposure to a dangerous situation in an online game and a parent’s admission that talking about cybersecurity is harder than talking about sex. His book series aims to teach digital safety through engaging stories featuring teen protagonists, with the next installment tackling sextortion and human trafficking.

Tom and Andy highlight the risks of unsupervised online interactions, comparing giving a child a tablet to leaving them alone at a playground. They stress the importance of knowing who your kids are talking to online—even if it’s someone they “know.” The discussion underscores that parental controls aren’t foolproof and that open, ongoing communication is key. Tom and Andy also warn about fringe groups using games for recruitment and the use of AI to generate fake images for sextortion. Andy reminds listeners that Tom’s book is available on Amazon and through other booksellers including The Apple Bookstore.

Also on the show, music journalist and author Selena Fragassi joins Andy to talk about her new book, Alanis: 30 Years of Jagged Little Pill from Quarto Publishing. The book dives into Alanis Morissette’s music and career, as well as the challenges of navigating the music industry in the ’80s and ’90s. Andy reflects on how passionate storytelling has become more accessible with Technology for other authors through self-publishing and anybody with a passion can realistically put together a book. 

Rounding out the show, Andy and Shawn chat about upcoming media releases, including the new Postal Video Game documentary, a Happy Gilmore sequel on Netflix, and a rumored Firefly reboot on Disney+. They wrap up with Father’s Day wishes, birthday shoutouts for Shawn, and his upcoming camping plans.

Tune in for all this and more on TechtalkRadio!

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Available on Audacy, iHeart, Apple Podcast, Amazon Music, Google, Spotify and Spreaker!

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Episode 442 – “Stop Being Nice to the A.I.”

This Week on TechtalkRadio: Andy, Justin, Matt, and Shawn reunite to explore the latest in tech, AI, and off-grid power. Matt shares his experience building a home lab with Terraform and Ansible, while Justin dives into his continued use of Grok AI, preferring it over ChatGPT for its real-time knowledge. The team swaps funny AI stories, including ChatGPT’s reaction to profanity and a study about kids being polite to AI. Does A.I. get a request and want to respond “Not You Again!” Maybe It Should? 

Shawn updates listeners on rewiring his RV with a lithium iron phosphate battery and 400 watts of solar, now powering his camper for up to 3 days without a generator. Camping habits come into play, with talk of KOA cabins and glamping for those less eager to rough it—Andy included!

Listener Jerry from Indio asks about controlling multiple computers with one keyboard and mouse, prompting a chat about KVM switches and free software like Mouse Without Borders.

The crew gets nostalgic with a dive into generational internet memories, from AOL to flash games, and plans to define their generational labels next week. Andy tests out MOCA tech for high-speed coaxial networking and seeks input on new “one-sheet” movie posters for the redecorated studio. Favorite tech-themed flicks and series include WarGames, D.A.R.Y.L., The Net, Sneakers, Ready Player One, Mr. Robot, and The Matrix. Matt mentions Displate could be a good location for these posters. 

A Couple of One Sheet Posters Andy has in the Studio, He wants to Add a Tech Themed Movie – Some Good Suggestions were given in this weeks show.

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Web: TechtalkRadio.Com Also Available on Audacy, iHeart, Apple Podcast, Amazon Music, Google, Spotify and Spreaker!

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News13 Software As A Service Segment – Adobe and Innovation

In this week’s Talking Tech segment on KMSB Fox 11 News13, we dive into the evolving world of Software as a Service, commonly known as SaaS. Gone are the days when you bought software once and used it forever which always seemed so convienient however, we were often missing out on critical updates and innovation without upgrading.

Today, the SaaS model allows developers to deliver continual improvements, cloud integration, and AI-driven tools directly to users, typically through a subscription. One of the pioneers in this shift was Adobe, transitioning from boxed software to their Creative Cloud platform.

We showcase the innovation that followed—like Adobe Firefly, their powerful AI art generator. With Firefly, users can now generate creative assets with the help of artificial intelligence and purchase additional credits for advanced use. Learn more at adobe.com.

But SaaS is no longer limited to software. We explore how this model is beginning to enter new industries—especially automotive. Car manufacturers are already discussing subscription-based access to features like heated seats, advanced navigation, and enhanced driving modes. What used to be part of your car purchase may soon be a monthly service.

Will this become the norm? Is this convenience or a cash grab?

👉 Watch now and join the conversation. #TalkingTech #SaaS #AdobeFirefly #CreativeCloud #TechTrends #AIinDesign #AutomotiveTech #SoftwareAsAService #AdobeMasterSuite

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Episode 441 – Software As A Service – Does It Make Sense?

This Week on TechtalkRadio: Memorial Day Weekend Edition:

Andy flies solo this week while Shawn enjoys a well-earned, tech-savvy escape to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Kicking things off, Andy tackles a listener question from Cecilia, whose mom got locked out of her iPhone after too many failed passcode attempts. He shares some helpful tips for recovering a locked iPhone—yes, even without the iCloud login—and explains when it makes sense to reset the device. This can be a experience that is not always solved overnight and could require a visit to an Apple Store. 

Then it’s time to talk subscriptions: Andy digs into the rise of Software as a Service (SaaS) and how companies like Intuit (Quickbooks) and Microsoft (Office) have moved from one-time software purchases to ongoing subscriptions—raising the question, what does that mean for small business users and the consumer on a tight budget however needing the software to get the job done?

Andy found after building a new machine to replace a Windows 10 Setup in the Studio and upgrading to Windows 11, he was not able to install the still powerful Adobe Creative Suite Master Collection 5.5. With the Activation Servers turned off, this can cause problems for those wanted to run this software which still works great and force an option to subscribe to The Adobe Creative Cloud. Instead, Andy explored some fantastic software alternatives. Sites like AlternativeTo.net help users find free or affordable replacements for popular programs like Photoshop, Adobe Audition, Word and more. He gives shout-outs to trusted tools like GIMP, Audacity, Reaper, and even Pro Tools Intro which shipped with his Mixer, which surprised him with its power and polish. There are solutions and while Software as a Service may have you feeling like you are caught in a Netflix/Hulu type streaming war, the Alternative to Subscribe to some of these services could reap benefits for the innovation behind the software. We have seen this with Generative Fill in Adobe Photoshop CC and other new features.

In gear talk, Andy shares his experience with the Fifine AM8 USB/XLR mic—an impressive budget find with RGB flair—and compares mixers, ultimately recommending the Mackie ProFX6v3 for its solid performance and versatility. He also teases a future review of the Shure SM7dB, the modern take on the legendary SM7B mic, now with built-in active pre-amplifier.

To wrap up the show, it’s the Website of the Week—and this one’s just for fun: TheUselessWeb.com. One click takes you to a completely random and often ridiculous website. From the “Long Doge Challenge” to judging hilariously real books by their covers (like How to Talk to Your Cat About Gun Safety), it’s a rabbit hole of time-wasting gold. Try it out and let Andy know what you find—just email techguys@techtalkradio.com.

Finally, a heartfelt tribute to those we honor this Memorial Day. Thank you to the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice. We remember you.