For this Week’s TechtalkRadio Show, it opens with a look back at the Fourth of July before diving into the growing role of AI in photography and digital preservation. Andy and Shawn discuss the pros and cons of using AI tools like Gemini to restore old family photos versus manually enhancing them in Photoshop. They also share practical advice on scanning decades of photographs, preserving handwritten notes on the backs of prints, cleaning aging photos safely, and choosing the right equipment—including Epson’s FastFoto scanner and Super 8 film digitizers. Shawn also shares his surprise at the comeback of analog photography, disposable cameras, and traditional film.

Sony’s decision to end physical PlayStation game discs has Andy and Shawn examine the growing trend toward digital-only ownership and the concerns surrounding games, movies, and other media that can disappear without warning. They explore the backlash from gamers, the future of downloadable content, and what this shift could mean for consumers who value true ownership. Andy shares a story he found on the web, the story behind Builder.ai—a billion-dollar startup that claimed to use artificial intelligence but was ultimately revealed to rely on hundreds of human programmers instead.

The TechtalkRadio mailbag returns with a couple of listener questions and one Andy saw on Threads. According to Rebecca’s IT Guy, We may have shared the wrong advice about building your own! Should you still build your own computer, or are pre-built systems now the better value? Andy and Shawn explain how rising memory and storage prices have shifted that recommendation. On Threads, somebody had asked about cleaning the inside of the computer out and while Justin might say “Hit it with the Hose..” (Don’t Do That) Shawn and Andy share maintenance tips for safely cleaning dust from inside a computer, discuss compressed air versus electric air blowers, and explain why regular maintenance can extend hardware life. Larry in Tucson wants to know about VPN’s. Shawn provides an easy-to-understand look at VPNs, including when software-based VPNs make sense, how they improve privacy, and whether hardware VPN routers are worth the investment.

The show closes with an early look at the rumored Insta360 X6 camera. Based on industry leaks and FCC filings, the next-generation 360° camera is expected to feature 8K recording, improved HDR, faster frame rates, larger image sensors, and enhanced low-light performance. Shawn explains why higher resolution is especially important for immersive 360-degree video and how creators use these cameras to produce dynamic action footage.

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor, Shawn DeWeerd, and Justin Lemme reunite after Justin’s unforgettable trip to Japan, where technology bargains, innovative gadgets, and breathtaking photography took center stage. From exploring Tokyo, Osaka, and Hiroshima to shopping eight-story electronics stores and testing cutting-edge portable cooling devices, Justin shares how favorable exchange rates and Japan’s technology culture made for one incredible adventure.

The conversation then shifts to a topic that affects every digital consumer: Do you really own the content you purchase? The team discusses Sony’s decision to remove hundreds of previously purchased movies from customer libraries due to licensing changes, raising important questions about digital ownership versus physical media. They also examine the gaming industry’s move toward digital-only releases, subscriptions, and downloadable licenses, asking whether consumers are slowly losing control over the products they buy.

Artificial intelligence remains a major focus as the hosts react to Adobe’s acquisition of Topaz Labs and what it could mean for photographers, videographers, and creative professionals. Will AI-powered editing become more powerful—or simply more expensive?

In a special interview, music publisher Rex Strother joins the show to discuss the growing legal battle surrounding AI-generated music. The conversation explores how platforms like Suno have sparked controversy over copyrighted songs being used to train AI models without permission, and what that could mean for musicians, publishers, and the future of original creativity.

The episode also answers listener questions, including whether eBay or Facebook Marketplace is the better option for selling unwanted items safely, along with practical advice for avoiding common online selling scams.

From travel technology and photography to AI ethics, digital ownership, gaming, and online marketplaces, Episode 484 delivers another engaging mix of real-world technology news, expert opinions, and practical advice for everyday users.

Fast, Smart, and Paper-Free: Taking a Look at the Epson WorkForce ES-590W Scanner

Going paperless has never been easier thanks to the Epson WorkForce ES-590W, a high-speed document scanner designed for home offices, small businesses, and anyone looking to organize years of paperwork.

On this week’s Talking Tech with Andy Taylor on KMSB Fox 11, Andy demonstrated just how far scanning technology has come. Unlike the slow, single-page scanners of the past, the ES-590W features a 100-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) capable of scanning up to 45 pages per minute, making quick work of everything from tax records and contracts to family documents and receipts.

One of the scanner’s standout features is its wireless flexibility. Documents can be scanned directly to a computer, USB flash drive, cloud storage, or even a smartphone—without requiring a PC for every scan. The intuitive color touchscreen makes selecting a destination fast and simple.

The ES-590W also shines with Epson’s intelligent document software. Built-in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) allows scanned documents to become searchable and editable, while AI-powered organization helps categorize receipts, extract text from business cards, and simplify document management. Whether you’re digitizing office paperwork, organizing financial records, or preserving important family documents, the scanner helps eliminate the clutter while making information easier to find.

Priced around $499, the Epson WorkForce ES-590W delivers professional-level performance in a compact desktop design. For anyone looking to transition from filing cabinets to digital organization, it’s an impressive solution that combines speed, accuracy, and smart document management into one easy-to-use device.

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd cover everything from the grand opening of Arizona’s first Buc-ee’s to Apple’s surprising new MacBook Neo, while also diving into Nintendo’s latest announcements, AI photography, retro gaming, and listener questions.

The show kicks off with a discussion about the excitement surrounding Buc-ee’s arrival in Arizona, exploring why the famous travel center has become such a cultural phenomenon and why thousands lined up for its opening.

From there, the conversation shifts into technology shopping during Prime Week, with practical advice on buying laptops and why physically handling a computer before purchasing can sometimes be more valuable than simply chasing the lowest online price.

Apple’s new MacBook Neo takes center stage as Andy shares his hands-on experience with the ultra-light budget Mac powered by Apple’s A18 processor. Shawn offers his thoughts on how the Neo is disrupting the entry-level laptop market while discussing its strengths, compromises, and who it’s best suited for.

Gaming fans won’t want to miss the conversation surrounding Nintendo’s announcement of an Ocarina of Time remake, the growing excitement around the Switch 2, retro PlayStation 2 classics, and whether the long-running console wars still matter.

The hosts also explore Google’s impressive Earth Studio tools that allow creators to produce cinematic flyovers from satellite imagery—opening new creative possibilities for video production.

Listener questions tackle Apple’s HEIC photo format, AI-powered photo restoration, and the growing debate over whether artificial intelligence should be used to alter treasured family photographs. Andy and Shawn share very different perspectives, making for one of the episode’s most thought-provoking conversations.

The episode wraps up with a discussion about the one piece of technology each host couldn’t live without, offering a reminder that while technology constantly changes, the way we connect with it remains deeply personal.

Whether you’re an Apple fan, gamer, photographer, or simply trying to make smarter technology decisions, this week’s episode delivers practical advice, spirited discussion, and plenty of laughs.

Ever wondered what happened to those old home movies, VHS tapes, and grainy digital videos sitting on hard drives or tucked away in storage boxes? In this week’s FOX 11 Tech Segment, Andy Taylor explores how modern AI-powered restoration tools are helping preserve family memories and breathe new life into aging video footage.

Using software from Topaz Labs, Andy demonstrates how advanced video enhancement models can reduce noise, improve clarity, sharpen details, and upscale low-resolution footage into high-definition video. The segment highlights Topaz’s Starlight Precise 2.5 model, one of the latest tools designed specifically for video restoration and enhancement.

As a real-world example, Andy revisits a video interview with comedian and actor Tommy Chong that was originally recorded at KLPX Radio in 2004-2005 using a 320×240 digital camera. After processing the footage through Topaz Labs’ restoration tools, the video was transformed into a much cleaner 1280×720 HD version, revealing details that were nearly impossible to see in the original recording.

Whether you’re digitizing old photo albums, preserving Super 8 film, restoring VHS recordings, or upgrading early digital video, today’s AI tools offer powerful new options for digital preservation. Watch the segment to see the dramatic before-and-after results and learn how these technologies can help save your own memories for future generations.