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Episode 488 – From Monster Vision to THE Game Coming Soon!

Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd cover everything from portable entertainment and Smart TV privacy to AI-generated true crime, cutting the cable cord, Windows 11 privacy, security cameras and some surprisingly creative corners of social media in this Week’s TechtalkRadio Show.

Andy kicks things off with a look at the Monster Vision 2, which we have since found has been discontinued by Monster Audio! The Monster Vision 2 still available from stock through retailers is an all-in-one portable entertainment system featuring a 15-inch Full HD display, built-in battery, FM radio, Bluetooth, HDMI, USB playback and even a microphone input. Could it be the perfect companion for camping, tailgating, backyard movie nights or emergency preparedness? Shawn, an experienced camper himself, weighs in on whether he’d actually make room for the roughly 27-pound unit on his next trip.

Watching outdoors on a Rainy Day

From watching TV outdoors, the conversation turns to what your television may be watching about you. Andy and Shawn discuss privacy concerns surrounding LG Smart TVs, including reports involving content recognition, network activity and the data modern televisions may collect. Gamers Nexus did a great breakdown of this story on YouTube. It raises a bigger question: when you purchase a Smart TV, how much control do you really have over the information it gathers?

Streaming is also on the menu as Andy shares his renewed appreciation for Tubi. While Netflix, Max, Disney+, Hulu and Paramount+ continue competing for subscription dollars, Tubi offers a growing catalog of movies and programs at no charge—as long as you’re willing to sit through the commercials. Andy even found the Lost Documentary – Getting Lost which he was on the fence about paying to watch it VOD.

AI takes the conversation in a much more unsettling direction with a discussion of an upcoming true-crime production titled Unmasking a Monster: Aileen Wuornos using digital technology to recreate the likeness of serial killer Aileen Wuornos. The Trailer is available on YouTube but nothing on the ID Website at press time. Instead of traditional dramatic reenactments, technology is being used to make the recreated scenes appear far more authentic. Andy and Shawn debate whether this is an impressive application of AI—or whether entertainment has crossed a line that may be difficult to uncross.

That leads into the changing economics of artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Shawn explains why the cost of processing, bandwidth and storage is causing some organizations to reconsider putting everything in the cloud and instead bring computing resources back on-premises. Even AI music services such as Suno are beginning to adjust limits as companies work to balance powerful technology with the very real cost of providing it.

Listener Martin from Sahuarita asks whether it might finally be time to dump expensive cable television and move to YouTube TV. Andy and Shawn talk about DVR functionality, local channels, streaming quality, internet requirements and whether switching could actually save money. Shawn shares his family’s experience with the service and why a trial may be the best way to determine whether cutting the traditional cable connection makes sense.

Security cameras come up next when Andy asks Shawn about replacing one of his Google Nest cameras. Andy has his eye on a Wyze solar-powered pan camera, but Shawn has an important warning involving a voluntary safety recall and the danger of using the wrong mounting screws. Shawn also shares his experience with Wyze cameras and his recently replaced video doorbell.

Another listener, Lauren from Tucson, has a Windows 11 privacy question: Is her computer really taking pictures of what she does to help AI? That brings up Microsoft Recall, the optional feature on Copilot+ PCs designed to capture snapshots of activity so users can later search what they’ve seen. Andy and Shawn discuss the privacy concerns surrounding Recall, ways users can investigate their settings, and why the feature has generated so much controversy.

Andy also highlights some social-media creators who prove there’s more to TikTok than endless scrolling. Among the creators discussed are Planet Antonio, who transports viewers into a live black-and-white 1940s newsroom also Cale Brown, whose clever editing can turn one dancer into an entire synchronized group—without relying on AI. Also Babka21wekk has an impressive following and is entertaining. Another creator that Andy enjoyed was The Liz Effect which takes the idea of DJ’ing Music to a Live Audience and was a fun watch with the banter and comments.

Finally, Shawn reveals what he’s been doing with Suno: creating World of Warcraft-inspired parody songs. His “DuhWeirdy” project combines familiar musical ideas with characters, events and inside jokes from the World of Warcraft universe. It’s another example of how generative AI can become a creative tool when somebody brings a fun idea to the technology. Here is one of the Videos with music creation

Portable TVs, privacy concerns, streaming choices, AI ethics, cloud costs, Windows 11, security cameras, creative video and World of Warcraft parody songs—it’s another wide-ranging trip through technology with Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd on TechtalkRadio. Thanks for checking us out! Subscribe on our YouTube Page!

Links Mentioned This Week:

Monster Vision 2 – No Longer Available from the Manufacturer (Amazon Link)

Gamers Nexus YouTube – Breakdown of the Story behind LG Privacy

Tubi – Ad Supported Streaming Service with Lots of Content

Suno – Music Generation Program Shawn has been using

Wyze Solar Powered Pan Cam – 2k features with Solar Power

Shawns YouTube Project DuhWeirdy

TikTok Content Creators Andy Likes

@planetantonio
@calebrownn
@babka21wekk
@the_lizeffect




Andy TaylorTechtalkRadio, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEW – From Polaroid’s to Playstation – Episode 485

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.

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TechtalkRadio Episode 484 | Do You Really Own It? Japan, AI & The Digital Dilemma

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.

Andy TaylorTechtalkRadio, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Episode 469 – We Powered the House, Sank Some Ships, and Argued About AI on TechtalkRadio

This Week’s TechtalkRadio Show kicks off with the crew welcoming Justin Lemme back—and immediately diving into his newly installed Tesla Powerwall. Justin explains how pairing rooftop solar with a home battery solves the “we generate power when nobody’s home” problem, letting him store daytime energy and run off the battery during peak-rate hours (and stay powered through outages). He also highlights the app-driven control, clean/conditioned power benefits (surge absorption), and the long-term value proposition—especially for sunny climates like Arizona—while Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd ask the practical questions listeners would ask (cost, reliability, real-world outage behavior, and whether it’s worth it).

In the Area of Gaming, Justin raves about World of Sea Battle on Steam (a free-to-play, grindy pirate-era MMO with gorgeous visuals and a big EU player base), while Andy reps the “I’m a Wordle guy” camp with Wordle talk and how The New York Times is cycling older words back in. They also share a listener tech joke, then answer a podcasting webcam question with a refreshingly honest breakdown: don’t buy bargain-bin cams, lighting matters, and brands like Logitech and Elgato come up—along with the handy idea of a Stream Deck for switching scenes during recordings.

Andy talks with Eric Kim from BIGO Live about how AI is reshaping social platforms—especially the line between helpful AI tools and “AI slop” (low-effort, high-volume content chasing clicks). Eric frames AI as a creative and productivity toolkit: great for clipping highlights, understanding audiences, and even bridging cultures through translation—while emphasizing that creators shouldn’t replace their voice or misrepresent themselves. He also describes BIGO Live’s “real-time togetherness” angle (meeting real people live versus only pushing edited posts), and how platform safety uses AI too—aimed at quickly detecting harmful content. They wrap with how to find the app, what monetization can look like for creators, and the big theme: use AI to remove tedious chores so you can spend more time being genuinely present and original.

Shawn DeWeerd flags reports of malicious updates tied to Notepad++ and recommends updating to a safe version (the crew compares it to other “trusted tool got hit” stories like CCleaner and LastPass). Then Andy shares a time-sensitive promo: a discount window on the Anti-Gravity A1 featuring Insta360 Camera tech, plus a newly added “flight simulator” mode meant to build FPV muscle memory before real flights—while noting the market shakeup around DJI. They close things out with quick weekend chatter—Justin planning indoor skydiving at iFLY Indoor Skydiving (Valentine’s weekend), Shawn gearing up for indoor lacrosse, and Andy perfecting the fine art of “indoor napping.”  

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