In this episode of TechtalkRadio, Justin tells us about his recent visit to Las Vegas for a Conference and shared his observations on how much Vegas has changed since his last visit in 2017, including the demolition of the Tropicana and the construction of a new baseball stadium for the Athletics. Andy, Slick, and Justin also reminisced about their past visits to Vegas for CES. The conversation also touched on the rising costs of living in Vegas, with Justin sharing his experiences of paying $16 for a breakfast sandwich and $9 for a Starbucks coffee. One of the cool visuals in Vegas is the Sphere. They speculated about the materials used in its construction and the potential need for constant panel replacements. Andy shared a memorable experience from CES in 2008, when they attempted to get a car to drive to Vegas, Ford connected and hooked the crew up with the Ford Flex (See the Photos Below). Justin jokingly asked Andy to talk to Elon Musk about getting a Cybertruck. Andy then asked each participant about their dream electric vehicle to drive to CES in Las Vegas. Justin expressed his desire for a Tesla Model S Plaid, while Shawn, who has a fondness for Australian cars, chose a Holden SS. S!ick expressed a desire for a vehicle similar to the Ford flex, equipped with advanced ports and possibly an electric motor home. Justin suggested that electric motor homes might not be feasible due to battery limitations and weight issues.

The team discussed listener Bruce’s query about a device to independently control volume on a smart TV using a headset. Andy suggested using the new Roku Ultra with Bluetooth headphones, while Shawn added that Roku TV users can use the official Roku app to control volume in their earbuds or any Bluetooth headphones. The team also shared their experiences with kids and their fascination with keyboards, suggesting that an old mechanical keyboard could be a fun and educational toy for them. The team concluded that Bluetooth was the best solution for independent volume control, despite the potential issue of volume being too loud for others. Andy talked about his testing of the New Roku Ultra and why he likes the upgraded speed and Version 2.0 of the remote.

The conversation then shifted to a listener’s question about tracking mileage for tax purposes, with Andy suggesting a few options. Andy expressed his dissatisfaction with the QuickBooks Small Business program, which had significantly increased in price over the past four years. He mentioned that the program, which was supposed to track mileage, had been malfunctioning for two and a half weeks. Andy also explored alternative options, such as Mile IQ, which offers three pricing options, including a free plan for small businesses. Justin agreed that Mile IQ was a more cost-effective and efficient option compared to QuickBooks.

Andy, Shawn, and Justin discussed the features and potential impact of the DJI Air 3S drone, including its 1-inch sensor camera, 45-minute flight time, and 20-kilometer video transmission. They also discussed the anti-drone bill and its potential effects on the drone market, with Shawn suggesting that DJI is trying to sell as many drones as possible before the bill is passed. Concerns were raised about the potential misuse of drones, particularly in relation to national security, and the possibility of electronic jamming or countermeasures to neutralize drones. The team also discussed the potential of drones in various fields, such as real estate and event photography, and the increased ease of obtaining a Part 107 license for drone usage. However, no final decisions or action items were mentioned.

Justin expressed interest in getting back into photography, specifically considering Sony as a brand due to a professional photographer’s recommendation. Shawn advised Justin to opt for a mirrorless camera instead of a DSLR, citing advantages such as smaller body size, better battery life, and direct-to-sensor image quality. Shawn also mentioned that Sony is a strong contender in the mirrorless market. Andy suggested that Justin could review a Sony camera for a month or two. The team agreed to look into the possibility of Justin reviewing a Sony camera.

This Month is Cybersecurity Month and the team discussed the importance of cybersecurity awareness, with Justin emphasizing the use of password managers and S!ick suggesting taking a moment to think before responding to a text or email or even a popup.

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