Is Your Smart Home Spying On You? Gaming Memories, Software Wars and Smart Devices That Spy | EP 492
This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd are back with another episode packed with technology news, helpful advice, product discoveries, and a little nostalgia!
Gaming Nostalgia and the Return of a Classic
Shawn shares his excitement about returning to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a game that brings back memories of his younger years. He’s even avoiding trailers and spoilers so he can experience the adventure all over again! The guys also discuss whether video games offer more benefits for children than endless scrolling on smartphones and tablets. Andy highlights the NEX Playground, a motion-based gaming system that gets the whole family involved. The Official trailer from Nintendo for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is here!
Adobe Creative Cloud, AI and Software Alternatives
Is the subscription software model getting out of hand? Andy and Shawn discuss Adobe Creative Cloud, the emergence of AI-generated alternatives to popular Adobe applications such as ArtCraft, and the advantages and disadvantages of paying monthly for software. They also look at the retirement of Microsoft Publisher, how LibreOffice can help users work with older Publisher files, and why Corel remains an option for graphic designers who prefer purchasing software outright.
Cybersecurity and Smart Home Privacy
Listener questions take center stage as the guys discuss whether Windows users really need to purchase antivirus software. Microsoft Defender, Malwarebytes, and safe browsing habits are all part of the conversation. Another listener asks about privacy concerns surrounding robot vacuums, leading to a discussion about connected televisions, smart refrigerators, and just how much information our household devices may be collecting.
A Handy New Gadget and the Future of Home AI
Andy showcases an affordable Suidek external CD/DVD burner that does more than play discs. With USB connections, memory card readers, and an M.2 storage slot, it’s a versatile accessory for modern laptops and desktops that no longer include optical drives.
The guys also discuss Clean Your TV, an open-source project designed to remove unwanted advertising and bloatware from compatible smart televisions, along with NVIDIA’s efforts to make it easier to run AI using computers on your own local network using Open Source PAIR – Personal AI Router
Discovering Free and Open-Source Software
Looking for an alternative to expensive software? Shawn revisits AlternativeTo.net, a resource for discovering applications that can replace popular commercial programs. He also discusses RustDesk and Tailscale, two tools that can help with remote computer access.
Whether you’re interested in gaming, cybersecurity, creative software, artificial intelligence, or just finding useful new technology, there’s something for everyone in Episode 492!
Listen to TechtalkRadio with Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd, and visit TechtalkRadio.com for more technology news, reviews, and videos.
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