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Episode 447 – The Battle of the Thumbs!

This Week on TechtalkRadio:
Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd hold down the fort while Justin takes his son to see the new Superman movie in IMAX. Shawn shares his own IMAX experience with the new F1 film and discusses Apple’s potential takeover of F1 media rights from ESPN.

The duo dives into the evolving world of streaming platforms, comparing Apple TV+ with Netflix and Hulu. They also explore how content consumption has changed for kids, with YouTube creators like Ms Rachel reshaping early education and digital habits.

The conversation shifts to tech and parenting, highlighting the role of AI and digital tools in learning. Shawn stresses the need for parents to understand tech to help guide their children, advocating for a balance between screen time and outdoor activities.

Shawn then shares details about his Plex server upgrade, moving from an older Intel i3 system to a powerful i7-9700 setup with an NVIDIA 3060 GPU, running Linux Mint 22. He explains what Plex is, how it works, and how it allows users to stream their personal media libraries with features like metadata tagging, remote access, and RAID storage.

Also in this episode, Andy chats with Anna Bilych, founder of Les Amis, a platform built to help women foster real friendships. Anna discusses the challenges of building the platform, its use of AI for connecting users, and how Les Amis is helping women connect through curated local events. From pottery nights to group chats, Les Amis is redefining digital community with style and purpose.

To wrap things up, Andy and Shawn reflect on the changing ergonomics of smartphone use, from the days of one-handed texting on Sidekicks to today’s two-thumb operation on large-screen devices. It’s a new kind of digital workout — a true Battle of the Thumbs!

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Episode 442 – “Stop Being Nice to the A.I.”

This Week on TechtalkRadio: Andy, Justin, Matt, and Shawn reunite to explore the latest in tech, AI, and off-grid power. Matt shares his experience building a home lab with Terraform and Ansible, while Justin dives into his continued use of Grok AI, preferring it over ChatGPT for its real-time knowledge. The team swaps funny AI stories, including ChatGPT’s reaction to profanity and a study about kids being polite to AI. Does A.I. get a request and want to respond “Not You Again!” Maybe It Should? 

Shawn updates listeners on rewiring his RV with a lithium iron phosphate battery and 400 watts of solar, now powering his camper for up to 3 days without a generator. Camping habits come into play, with talk of KOA cabins and glamping for those less eager to rough it—Andy included!

Listener Jerry from Indio asks about controlling multiple computers with one keyboard and mouse, prompting a chat about KVM switches and free software like Mouse Without Borders.

The crew gets nostalgic with a dive into generational internet memories, from AOL to flash games, and plans to define their generational labels next week. Andy tests out MOCA tech for high-speed coaxial networking and seeks input on new “one-sheet” movie posters for the redecorated studio. Favorite tech-themed flicks and series include WarGames, D.A.R.Y.L., The Net, Sneakers, Ready Player One, Mr. Robot, and The Matrix. Matt mentions Displate could be a good location for these posters. 

A Couple of One Sheet Posters Andy has in the Studio, He wants to Add a Tech Themed Movie – Some Good Suggestions were given in this weeks show.

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News13 Software As A Service Segment – Adobe and Innovation

In this week’s Talking Tech segment on KMSB Fox 11 News13, we dive into the evolving world of Software as a Service, commonly known as SaaS. Gone are the days when you bought software once and used it forever which always seemed so convienient however, we were often missing out on critical updates and innovation without upgrading.

Today, the SaaS model allows developers to deliver continual improvements, cloud integration, and AI-driven tools directly to users, typically through a subscription. One of the pioneers in this shift was Adobe, transitioning from boxed software to their Creative Cloud platform.

We showcase the innovation that followed—like Adobe Firefly, their powerful AI art generator. With Firefly, users can now generate creative assets with the help of artificial intelligence and purchase additional credits for advanced use. Learn more at adobe.com.

But SaaS is no longer limited to software. We explore how this model is beginning to enter new industries—especially automotive. Car manufacturers are already discussing subscription-based access to features like heated seats, advanced navigation, and enhanced driving modes. What used to be part of your car purchase may soon be a monthly service.

Will this become the norm? Is this convenience or a cash grab?

👉 Watch now and join the conversation. #TalkingTech #SaaS #AdobeFirefly #CreativeCloud #TechTrends #AIinDesign #AutomotiveTech #SoftwareAsAService #AdobeMasterSuite

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Episode 441 – Software As A Service – Does It Make Sense?

This Week on TechtalkRadio: Memorial Day Weekend Edition:

Andy flies solo this week while Shawn enjoys a well-earned, tech-savvy escape to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Kicking things off, Andy tackles a listener question from Cecilia, whose mom got locked out of her iPhone after too many failed passcode attempts. He shares some helpful tips for recovering a locked iPhone—yes, even without the iCloud login—and explains when it makes sense to reset the device. This can be a experience that is not always solved overnight and could require a visit to an Apple Store. 

Then it’s time to talk subscriptions: Andy digs into the rise of Software as a Service (SaaS) and how companies like Intuit (Quickbooks) and Microsoft (Office) have moved from one-time software purchases to ongoing subscriptions—raising the question, what does that mean for small business users and the consumer on a tight budget however needing the software to get the job done?

Andy found after building a new machine to replace a Windows 10 Setup in the Studio and upgrading to Windows 11, he was not able to install the still powerful Adobe Creative Suite Master Collection 5.5. With the Activation Servers turned off, this can cause problems for those wanted to run this software which still works great and force an option to subscribe to The Adobe Creative Cloud. Instead, Andy explored some fantastic software alternatives. Sites like AlternativeTo.net help users find free or affordable replacements for popular programs like Photoshop, Adobe Audition, Word and more. He gives shout-outs to trusted tools like GIMP, Audacity, Reaper, and even Pro Tools Intro which shipped with his Mixer, which surprised him with its power and polish. There are solutions and while Software as a Service may have you feeling like you are caught in a Netflix/Hulu type streaming war, the Alternative to Subscribe to some of these services could reap benefits for the innovation behind the software. We have seen this with Generative Fill in Adobe Photoshop CC and other new features.

In gear talk, Andy shares his experience with the Fifine AM8 USB/XLR mic—an impressive budget find with RGB flair—and compares mixers, ultimately recommending the Mackie ProFX6v3 for its solid performance and versatility. He also teases a future review of the Shure SM7dB, the modern take on the legendary SM7B mic, now with built-in active pre-amplifier.

To wrap up the show, it’s the Website of the Week—and this one’s just for fun: TheUselessWeb.com. One click takes you to a completely random and often ridiculous website. From the “Long Doge Challenge” to judging hilariously real books by their covers (like How to Talk to Your Cat About Gun Safety), it’s a rabbit hole of time-wasting gold. Try it out and let Andy know what you find—just email techguys@techtalkradio.com.

Finally, a heartfelt tribute to those we honor this Memorial Day. Thank you to the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice. We remember you.

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Episode 440 – “From Flashlights to Flight: Tech That Glows and Goes”

This Week on TechtalkRadio:

Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd dive into a tech-filled episode with Shawn sharing his role as Technical Director for the Fischoff National Chamber Music Society competition, where he managed the live YouTube stream of performances. The duo also chatted about the upcoming musical follow up to Wicked and the announcement of a new trailer, which will debut during a re-release of the original film.

Shawn explored the Wyze camera’s RTSP streaming platform and its potential costs, recommending the Cam Plus Unlimited plan for multi-camera setups. He also broke down the benefits of lithium iron phosphate batteries—lighter, longer-lasting, but requiring upgraded components like solar controllers and breaker boxes. He plans to double his battery storage for better camping power, confirming his solar panels and gas generator can already handle overnight usage.

Andy asked whether Shawn has an Insta360 Camera mounted on his trailer for immersive views and potential security use. The team also discussed the DJI Mavic Pro 4, boasting a 100MP Hasselblad camera, triple-camera 360° rotation, and 6K 60fps HDR capabilities. While not officially available in the U.S. due to tariffs, a few retailers seem to have them. They discussed the lack of competitive U.S.-made drones in the consumer market.

A listener named Rick from Sahuarita wrote in about learning tech. Andy and Shawn suggested focusing on one area—like cameras, drones, or computers—and using platforms like YouTube, Udemy, and Khan Academy. Andy shared how he learned by taking apart PCs, while Shawn recommended building a system and installing Linux for hands-on experience. They also tackled the growing trend of companies revoking lifetime subscriptions, like VPN Secure. A Article from ARSTechnica highlighted one of these issues. Both agreed this will become more common with the shift to SaaS models, where ongoing development often leaves older one-time purchases behind.

Finally, Shawn wrapped things up with his latest DIY project—modifying an old Playskool flashlight with a 3.7-volt 10-watt LED, USB-C charger, and a heat sink to prevent overheating. It was a bright success (pun intended) and just the start of more hands-on builds to come.

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