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Episode #417 – Look! It’s a Stick! – The Great Outdoors and Technology

TechtalkRadio: Camp Tech, AI Concerns, and Gadgets Galore!

In this week’s episode of TechtalkRadio, hosts Andy Taylor, Shawn DeWeerd, Matt Jones, and S!ick dive into the world of camping tech, AI, and cool new gadgets.

Shawn’s Camping Tech Must-Haves
With Justin out this week on a Camping Trip and photos not showing glowing enthusiasm, Shawn shares his gear essentials for tent, camper, and RV trips. His setup includes DSLR cameras, a power inverter, a solar charger, and even a custom mobile Plex server built on a Raspberry Pi. S!ick was curious about Shawn’s love for film photography, sparking a discussion on how AI filters can recreate that classic look. This led to a deeper conversation about whether AI might replace the human touch in art—something that has Shawn concerned and Andy intrigued by the possibilities.

AI and the ‘Dead Internet’ Theory
Matt jumped in to share his own experiences using ChatGPT to craft job cover letters, while Shawn praised the AI for enhancing storytelling in his Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. Andy explored Google’s experimental AI tool, Notebook LM, built to summarize notes and create quick synopses. But when the team tested its audio features, Matt couldn’t help but mention the “uncanny valley” effect of AI-generated voices. Matt then introduced the thought-provoking ‘Dead Internet Theory’, which suggests that much of today’s online content is being generated by bots and algorithms instead of real human interactions.

Gadget of the Week: Mon Duo
Matt showcased his latest gadget, the Mon Duo, a unique triple-monitor accessory for 14” and 16” MacBooks. For around $750, users get a foldable, high-quality display with a 144Hz refresh rate and 500 nits brightness—perfect for multitaskers on the go. It’s pricey but delivers pro-level performance with easy USB-C or Thunderbolt 4 connectivity.

Google Pixel vs. iPhone
Andy shared his hands-on review of the Google Pixel 9 XL Pro, comparing it to his long-time go-to, the iPhone. While praising the AI assistant, Gemini, and the call screener feature, he hit a snag with text messages—easily fixed by toggling off iMessage on his iPhone. Despite some hiccups, Andy’s impressed with the Pixel’s AI prowess.

Listener Questions & Hotspot Frustrations
Kerry reached out, asking about unlimited hotspot connections. Matt explained that even with ‘unlimited’ plans, data speeds often drop after hitting a limit. S!ick added his thoughts on streaming services and finding reliable free Wi-Fi options. The team then debated cutting the cord and switching to cheaper fiber providers like Ting. Andy gets thrown over the coals for watching too much Halmark.

Processor Picks for Music Production
Shawn tackled a listener question from Mikey on Facebook, comparing a 14-core 2.4 GHz processor versus a 4-core 3.4 GHz setup for music production. The takeaway? More cores can handle multiple tasks better, making them ideal for complex audio workflows.

Wrapping Up
The show ended with a fun discussion on rediscovering LOST on Netflix and why it’s worth a re-watch.

Tune in for tech talk with a twist—where geeky meets practical!

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Episode 415 : Fubu and Babaloo – Tech Terms to Know!

For this Weeks TechtalkRadio Show, Andy, Shawn, and Justin discussed a busy week for all of them which had Andy jump in after last weeks show and made a purchase, The Google Pixel 9 XL. Andy talks about his initial reservations about the cost and unfamiliarity with the device and surprising to him, the device came with a physical SIM card, which he didn’t need, as it could have used an eSIM. Justin clarified that the Pixel 9 devices do support dual SIMs, including eSIMs. When it comes to the iPhone they also discussed the recent iOS 18 update, which supports RCS messaging, a feature that the major carriers have started to support. Justin advised Andy on how to transfer his data from his old phone to the new one. They also discussed the organization of apps on their phones, with Andy noting layout preference on the iPhone with the abundance of apps and Justin suggesting that Android users could also organize their apps in a similar way.

Andy expressed his initial excitement about testing the AI feature, sharing his initial experience with the Google Gemini, which he found to be overly talkative and difficult to shut up. Justin was surprised by this long response that Andy was getting. Justin shared his wife’s transition from iPhone to Android, noting that it took her three months to adjust. Shawn and Andy expressed their preference for iPhones due to their familiarity and ease of use, particularly in sharing media with family members who also use Apple devices.

Shawn discussed Apple’s risk-taking in developing their own silicon, the M-chips, which has led to superior multimedia production capabilities compared to Intel and AMD. He highlighted the cost-effectiveness of a Mac mini with an M2 chip as a multimedia platform. Shawn and Justin discussed the affordability and practicality of Apple’s Mac mini and MacBook Pro, with Shawn noting the Mac mini’s reasonable price for entry-level PCs and Justin arguing that Apple’s pricing strategy is designed to hook customers with a taste of their products.

With the discussion shifting toward A.I. Services, The team agreed that AI is becoming increasingly beneficial and will continue to shape their work. Andy, Justin, and Shawn discussed the rapid advancements in AI technology, likening it to a new technological arms race. A Listener question from Grace stated that she was giving her older Windows 10 computer to her 13-year-old granddaughter for her schoolwork after getting herself an All In One HP and asked for advice on transferring programs from her old computer to the new one. Justin and Shawn suggested downloading the installer from the program websites, but Shawn also mentioned that moving files from one PC to another in Windows is not easy due to the way Windows operates. Shawn recommended a fresh install of everything on the new computer. Andy shared his experience with a program called PC Mover, which he used to transfer programs from a Windows XP machine to a Windows 10 machine.

Another Listener Question comes in about Cutting the Cord and finding free TV services. The guys talk about options such as apps like Pluto, Tubi and Fubo. We also learn Justin doesn’t know Fred Mertz. They discussed various options for streaming and TV services, with Justin suggesting using an over-the-air antenna to access local channels for free. Andy recommended using an app to determine the best antenna for the area and to scan for available channels. The conversation concluded with Justin suggesting the use of a website like Antenna Finder to determine the best antenna for the area.

Andy and Justin discussed the evolution of the Tile, a Bluetooth tracking device, and its improvements over time. Andy also shared his past practice of giving Tiles as holiday gifts. The company has released a new product while Shawn, Andy, and Justin talked about the parent company Life360. The Show wraps with a discussion of the Game titles they are currently enjoying.The Audio Only Version is Below!!

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News13 – Giving Life to the Old Laptop/Computer – Linux!

In October of 2025, Next Year, Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will reach its End of Life. That does not mean it will stop working, but it indicates that Microsoft will no longer provide security updates to the Windows 10 Operating System. The Company has been on a Push for the past year to get users to update for free to Windows 11 from Windows 10 However, Not everybody could do it.

Your System would need to Support the Trusted Platform Module 2.0 for tighter Security. In Some cases Manufacturers have TPM 2.0 devices that can plug into Motherboard that will add that support but they didn’t include them. We were excited to do this upgrade on a board in our studio, however after ordering the proper TPM2.0 module, Windows 11 would not support our 6th Generation Processor. Something to check first. For this system we would need a New Motherboard (Which we went ahead and purchased – Asus P790), Processor, Memory and Windows Install!

So instead, Older Systems have been finding a viable solution when using it for Work or School, Linux or Ubnutu. We have taken a couple of Laptops. one that is not that old and installed the Free Wunbuntu – It looks just like Windows 11 and performs just as well. We can run Chrome, Edge. OpenOffice, Steam and most programs with Wubuntu and it’s free.

As always, there is No Company behind Linux. To help out those programmers, It is Developer supported so users can spend 35 bucks for extra tools and further development. On an Older laptop, which was running Windows XP until yesterday, We installed Cinnamon Linux Mint 22. This Distribution of Linux based on Ubuntu has been getting a lot of praise. It is zippy and has a lot of features, and a wonderful creative team. Again, Donations can help! If you want to try a live distribution your can install it to a DVD or Flash Drive and run it without installing it to a hard drive, not as peppy but cool to get a look at it.

Find Winbuntu at https://www.wunbuntu.org and Linux Mint 22 at Linuxmint.com.

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Episode 412 – Hey Boo Boo! Check out this GoPro! New Fun Radio Audio Segments~

For this week’s TechtalkRadio show, Shawn has changed his video setup discussed on last weeks show, this time he has replaced the iPhone 7 he was using with a GoPro. Shawn and Andy discussed technical issues related to their GoPro setup. Shawn explained how he resolved the problem of a non-functioning HDMI cable by using a different HDMI and a USB to Mini HDMI adapter. They also discussed the power source for the GoPro. The GoPro has long been a favorite for Shawn to use in the Studio and how these GoPro Cameras have changed over the years. We have also seen increased competition in the action camera market, some that have continued but some that have left the market. The failure of GoPro’s Karma drone is also covered and why it didn’t succeed.

With GoPro as the Subject, Andy and Shawn discussed a story about a bear in Montana that has been making the rounds, that found and activated a lost GoPro camera, and the resulting footage including a Selfie. ViralHog shared the video back in 2021 and it resurfaced and is kind of a joy to watch. It has been announced that September 9th, Apple will be hosting potential new product announcements. Shawn shares some of the challenges of engaging people with VR technology. On the original launch, they found Apple’s Vision demos intriguing and discussed the pricing and accessibility of virtual reality technology, with Shawn suggesting that lowering the price and including more appealing content could significantly increase sales. They also highlighted the immersive nature of virtual reality, its potential applications, and the need for safety considerations.

Video from ViralHog

Shawn and Andy talked about the potential of AI to improve efficiency and creativity, but also expressed concerns about its potential to replace human jobs and creativity. Shawn shared his experiences with using AI tools like ChatGPT for tasks such as creating custom scripts, searching manuals, and even generating websites. They concluded that the integration of AI into their work processes has been beneficial so far.

A Listener question from Jim in Tucson has Andy and Shawn discussing Jim’s issue with his sticky keyboard on his Windows 7 laptop. They suggested that the problem might be due to spilled liquid or a mechanical issue and advised Jim to consider upgrading his laptop, as Windows 10 might not resolve the keyboard problem. They also shared potential solutions, such as replacing the keyboard or using a USB keyboard and mouse. The discussion also touched on the longevity of Windows 7 and the potential benefits of upgrading to a newer operating system. Listener Sylvia has her Son wanting a laptop for school. though he is adamant on No Chromebook. While the Tech behind Chromebooks has gotten better, they acknowledged that Chromebooks are not ideal for running certain programs and suggested that a more powerful laptop might be a better investment. Andy also shared his experiment with running Linux on an old HP laptop, which he found to be a satisfying and low-cost solution with Linux Mint 22.

Andy gets the Opportunity to talk with the Alison Gaxiola, Store Manager for the soon to be opened newest location for Curacao, The Retail location will be in the previous Forever21 at the Tucson Mall, 80,000 Feet and 2 Storys of all types of consumer products including great Tech Selection. Alison tells us about the history of Curacao and its commitment to the community. A Couple of months ago, Andy took a drive to the location on 6th and I-10 and was impressed by not only the selection of Tech but also the Employees knowledge and care in providing great customer service. The Grand opening event will take place October 6th, find out more with this discussion with Alison Gaxiola.

Shawn tells the story of a recent cyber-attack on the Amateur Radio Relay League. Both agreed that such attacks not only disrupt operations but also result in significant financial losses, which stresses the need for better backups. The guys wrap the show with the story of the discovery of the “Famous Computer Cafe” podcast. The podcast, which aired from 1983 to 1986, featured interviews with early computer technology pioneers such as Bill Gates, Jack Tremiel, and Bill Atkinson. The radio episodes were initially recorded on reel-to-reel tapes, which were later determined lost. However, an archivist recently recovered several of the tapes and had them digitized and made available on the Internet Archive. They can be found at https://archive.org/details/famous-computer-cafe

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Available on Audacy, iHeart, Apple Podcast, Amazon Music, Google, Spotify and Spreaker!

Andy TaylorTechtalkRadio, , , , , ,

News13 Segment – A Day at the UofA, The Tech in the Dorm Rooms!

A Day at the UofA – News13 was Out at the University of Arizona – We were in Studio with some Tech!

We decided to cover a couple of thoughts on Dorm Living and Tech in the “Residence Halls.” A Big find during the segment was that Tyler didn’t know who Thorton Melon was in the history of Higher Education! University of Arizona has great on site Technical Services 24/7 and questions can be addressed easily by calling 520-646-TECH. For Students wanting to connect via Wi-Fi, it is available however when you realize how many will be using the services, you could run into the occasional bandwidth issues, also security should be considered and make sure you are connected to an Authorized Wi-Fi Connection.

For those that have more than one device to connect, Routers and Switches will not work in the Dorm environment. Each bed will feature a Ethernet Connection to internet services which of course will need to be authenticated when you log in as a student. Also, if you have a Wireless Printer, you will need to set up the Wired Connection to that printer. The Ethernet Services are available for Studies however you could hook up a gaming Console for that much needed break. I will recommend some tech for their dorms to have on hand – Power Strip with Surge, We have the APC to share, Belkin 3 in 1 Charger (Charge Smart Phone, Watch, Buds) Space Saving and Convenient and of course Storage with Flash Drives and removable drives.

If you check out housing.arizona.edu under technology you will find services that can help with those questions!