This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd dive into Apple’s latest announcements, including the new foldable iPhone Duo and the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Shawn admits foldable phones simply aren’t for him, while Andy runs through some of the Duo’s more interesting features, including its larger folding display, split-screen multitasking, camera capabilities and the return of fingerprint authentication. The conversation expands into iOS updates, Apple silicon and just how much faster modern Macs have become for demanding jobs like video rendering.
Then comes a confession many tech enthusiasts can relate to: digital hoarding. Shawn reveals just how much iCloud space years of saved messages are consuming, while Andy describes a collection of backup drives that has grown to the point where even finding the right copy of a file can become an adventure. That leads into file recovery and an important reminder that deleting a file doesn’t necessarily mean the data immediately disappears.
Security also takes center stage with a disturbing story about a fiber installer accused of using a customer’s phone while supposedly testing Wi-Fi, accessing private photos and messages and sending material to himself. Andy and Shawn use the story as a reminder to think twice before handing an unlocked phone to anyone — even someone who appears to have a legitimate reason for needing it.
Shawn also recaps BlizzCon, including announcements surrounding World of Warcraft, Diablo and StarCraft, along with some memories of his own BlizzCon watch parties. The conversation branches into how newcomers can try World of Warcraft and how the gaming landscape has changed since the days when E3 was the industry’s big annual gathering.
The guys turn their attention to artificial intelligence, the importance of guardrails and what happens as more of everyday life becomes dependent on cloud services and an always-on Internet connection. Shawn points out that a widespread Internet or service outage could disrupt everything from communications to something as basic as paying for groceries.
Finally, Andy welcomes Jeff Scott Soto of Trans-Siberian Orchestra for a special conversation about TSO’s 30-year history. Jeff recalls initially wondering how classical music, Christmas songs and hard rock could possibly work together — before ultimately becoming part of the phenomenon himself. He talks about joining TSO following his time with Journey, the vision of founder Paul O’Neill and how the live production continues to evolve with lighting, pyrotechnics, drones and other technology.
Jeff also shares what it means to see multiple generations of families attending TSO concerts, the band’s tradition of giving back to communities and the importance of continuing Paul O’Neill’s vision. It’s a fitting combination of music and technology to wrap up another wide-ranging episode of TechtalkRadio.
Links from This Week:
Apple iPhone Duo – https://www.apple.com/iphone-duo/
Blizzcon 2026 – https://blizzcon.com
Nate Eaton Reporter – Facebook page with Story about Smartphone Security
Trans-Siberian Orchestra – Jeff Scott Soto was a Guest on TechtalkRadio
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