We had some fun this week with the Tech Segment on News13 with Carsyn Currier even though a couple of mishaps made it even more fun. Live TV, What can you do! At least we take a step back in time as we explore the fun side of nostalgic technology!
From rotary phones and corded handsets to cassette tapes and even classic floppy disks, old-school gadgets are making a comeback in surprising ways.
I get to give a quick look at how the Cell2Jack device ($40) lets you connect your smartphone to a vintage rotary or corded phone via Bluetooth, so you can actually make and receive calls the old-fashioned way. Plus, check out the Van Sicklen handset ($20 at Target) for a cool retro vibe and that unmistakable ring.
Sometimes when I am going through the Videos I Find Screen Grabs which give me a good laugh at the Silliness that can happen, Always a lot of fun.
Whether you remember stretching cords across the living room or dramatically slamming the receiver to end a call, this segment is a reminder of why we love bringing back the past. Watch now and relive the charm of yesterday’s tech—updated for today.
Andy, Shawn, and Justin open with Justin’s recent DDoS nightmare and use it to explore how IoT botnets form, why firmware updates and password changes are essential, and why cheap “set it and forget it” devices can be ticking time bombs. They compare off-the-shelf routers like ASUS, Netgear, and Linksys with more advanced options such as Ubiquiti and the open-sourcepfSense(“PF-chance,” as Justin puts it), which can turn an old PC into a powerful firewall/router—perfect for those willing to tinker. Tips include scanning with Fing, segmenting devices on VLANs, and avoiding ISP-provided routers.
Listener Q&A shifts the discussion to Windows 11: Home vs. Pro, and the frustration that Remote Desktop is missing in Home. Andy shares hisRufus experiment installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, while the team stresses the importance of BIOS and driver updates. The highlight is Shawn’s story aboutDriver Easy, which rescued a high-end transcoding PC that Windows updates had slowed to a crawl—finding 15+ outdated drivers and restoring its performance instantly. Justin explains how techs can use short-term Driver Easy licenses to fix customer machines without constant overhead.
But the big highlight comes from Justin’s own Reolink security camera: it captured a shocking moment when a car slammed into his neighbor’s $100K Nissan GT-R while it was being loaded for transport. The video proves why quality security cameras matter, and sparks a bigger conversation about Wyze vs. Reolink setups, VLAN security, and why having your own footage is worth every penny.
They wrap up with cool new tools — from DJI’s latest drones to lightningmaps.org, a live weather tracker that shows real-time lightning strikes. Whether you’re into gadgets, gaming, or just want smarter home security, this episode is packed with stories you don’t want to miss.
Be Sure to Check out the Video Version of this Show on the Website for Footage of that Crash!
Got a question for the show? Email techguys@techtalkradio.com, and catch more at techtalkradio.com.
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Andy and Shawn kick off this weeks TechtalkRadio with The Big Apple September hardware drop called The Awe Dropping Event, Shawn shares his excitement over the announcements which included, new AirPods Pro 3 (better ANC, on-bud heart-rate monitoring, and live translation via “Apple Intelligence”), three Apple Watch tiers (SE as the budget health watch, Series 11 adding hypertension and deeper sleep tracking, and Ultra 3 with satellite messaging and up to 72-hour battery), plus the iPhone 17 family. Highlights include a super-thin iPhone Air (~5.3mm, ceramic-coated glass, 120Hz), across-the-line 48MP cameras, Pro/Pro Max video chops (4K/120, ProRes RAW, timecode/Genlock via accessory), bigger batteries (Apple touts ~27–32 hrs video playback), a rechargeable MagSafe pack, and indicative pricing mentioned on-air ($799 base 256GB iPhone 17; Air ~$999; Pro ~$1,099; AirPods $249; watches “about the same” as current gen). The crew debates whether any of it is a must-upgrade and notes Apple’s limited AI story beyond translation.
Justin, not a fan of the Apple Products jumps in to compare live-translate (Pixel’s had versions for years), rave about Pixel zoom demos, and spotlight Denver’s newly announced high-tech retractable-roof stadium plan. The guys also cover the viral “Baseball Karen” meme saga (“the internet never loses”) and drop a nostalgia gem as Website of the Week: BigBoxCollection.com—gorgeous 3D scans of classic big-box PC games.
Listener Q&A: • “McAfee” pop-ups without McAfee installed = likely malware or a rogue browser extension. Solution: review/remove extensions, run Malwarebytes (ideally from a clean USB), and avoid calling scam numbers.
• Ripping CDs at home: Windows Media Player or VLC still do it; then back up to cloud + an external drive (practice the 3-2-1 rule).
Production note: Andy shares why the show moved to Riverside FM—clean local tracks, transcripts/teleprompter, smart editing—and a jaw-dropper: AI profanity replacement that sounds like the host. Justin closes by unboxing plans for a new enclosed, auto-leveling 3D printer and what he’ll make first.
This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor, Matt Jones, and Justin Lemme take listeners on a ride through pop culture, tech nostalgia, and the latest gadgets. We kick things off with Netflix’s surprise mega-hit K-Pop Demon Hunters, which has quickly become one of the most streamed films on the platform. Matt shares what this all has to do with Hannah Montana! The guys explore how the movie’s catchy soundtrack, unique animation style which Justin is not a fan of, and unexpected success are reshaping both the music and movie industries, But is it Enough?
From there, the conversation shifts to the future of movie theaters. Justin shares a hilarious yet frustrating story about his AMC theater experience, his impression is spot on, while Matt explains why premium theaters like Alamo Drafthouse are thriving. Andy shares a similar venue in the Tucson Area called Roadhouse Cinemas. The team debates whether streaming at home with services like YouTube TV is now a better option than overpriced tickets, flat sodas, and broken popcorn machines. Listener Steve from Tucson also sparks a great discussion on whether cutting the cord for YouTube TV is worth it.
On the tech front, Matt shares a new development with his new AI-powered home lab, now complete with Reolink 4K cameras and custom video analytics that can detect pets, license plates, and even track the dogs around the house. Justin, meanwhile, shares his return to the ambitious (and still in alpha) Star Citizen, a space sim that continues to evolve.
Of course, no trip down memory lane would be complete without celebrating 30 years of Windows 95. Andy, the Old Guy in the Room, realizes the Age Gap, when he ask Matt about the excitement of installing Windows95! The guys do reminisce about floppy disks, DOS gaming, and the long list of Windows versions that shaped the modern PC era. They also explain the term doom-scrolling for listeners who might be hearing it for the first time.
Finally, Matt ditches his smartphone and previews the brand-new Google Pixel 10 XL, fresh from Google’s “Made by Google” event. He’s already pre-ordered the device and will share a hands-on review in next week’s episode.Why didn’t Matt like the one he had before?
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From ditching Zoom for a better recording platform, to debating Windows 11 upgrades, to reminiscing about the golden days of AOL dial-up, this week’s TechtalkRadio is packed with tech talk, nostalgia, and a few surprises—including a home lab build and a Nintendo Switch 2 that didn’t get the reaction anyone expected.
In this week’s episode of TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor, Matt Jones, Justin Lemme, and Shawn DeWeerd dive into the evolving tech landscape, starting with their recent move from Zoom to Riverside FM. They share why Zoom was no longer meeting their needs and how Riverside FM’s superior video quality, cleaner audio, and feature-rich platform have improved their workflow—making it the right choice for the show moving forward.
The conversation then shifts to the pros and cons of upgrading to Windows 11. The hosts share personal experiences, touching on hardware compatibility challenges, software update quirks, and the OS’s enhanced security and features. They also explore options for those who can’t—or don’t want to—upgrade, including Microsoft’s newly introduced Extended Security Update Program. These insights offer listeners practical guidance for making the right decision for their setup.
Nostalgia kicks in as the crew reflects on AOL’s decision to retire dial-up internet. They swap stories of early online adventures, the unforgettable connection sound, and how far we’ve come—from sluggish dial-up to lightning-fast fiber. Justin adds a personal twist, recalling his time working in an AOL call center and the unique challenges of supporting users in the early internet era. They also discuss the benefits of switching providers for improved speed and reliability.
Wrapping up, Matt takes listeners inside his home lab build, showcasing the repurposed servers, networking gear, and AI-driven security components that power his privacy-focused smart home. Justin follows with the story of tracking down and buying a Nintendo Switch 2 for his son—only to be surprised when it didn’t spark the excitement he expected. Together, these segments highlight the personal side of tech, from ambitious builds to unexpected reactions.
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