New Foldable Phones, Digital Horders and Rock ‘n’ Roll!

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd dive into Apple’s latest announcements, including the new foldable iPhone Duo and the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Shawn admits foldable phones simply aren’t for him, while Andy runs through some of the Duo’s more interesting features, including its larger folding display, split-screen multitasking, camera capabilities and the return of fingerprint authentication. The conversation expands into iOS updates, Apple silicon and just how much faster modern Macs have become for demanding jobs like video rendering.

Then comes a confession many tech enthusiasts can relate to: digital hoarding. Shawn reveals just how much iCloud space years of saved messages are consuming, while Andy describes a collection of backup drives that has grown to the point where even finding the right copy of a file can become an adventure. That leads into file recovery and an important reminder that deleting a file doesn’t necessarily mean the data immediately disappears.

Security also takes center stage with a disturbing story about a fiber installer accused of using a customer’s phone while supposedly testing Wi-Fi, accessing private photos and messages and sending material to himself. Andy and Shawn use the story as a reminder to think twice before handing an unlocked phone to anyone — even someone who appears to have a legitimate reason for needing it.

Shawn also recaps BlizzCon, including announcements surrounding World of Warcraft, Diablo and StarCraft, along with some memories of his own BlizzCon watch parties. The conversation branches into how newcomers can try World of Warcraft and how the gaming landscape has changed since the days when E3 was the industry’s big annual gathering.

The guys turn their attention to artificial intelligence, the importance of guardrails and what happens as more of everyday life becomes dependent on cloud services and an always-on Internet connection. Shawn points out that a widespread Internet or service outage could disrupt everything from communications to something as basic as paying for groceries.

Finally, Andy welcomes Jeff Scott Soto of Trans-Siberian Orchestra for a special conversation about TSO’s 30-year history. Jeff recalls initially wondering how classical music, Christmas songs and hard rock could possibly work together — before ultimately becoming part of the phenomenon himself. He talks about joining TSO following his time with Journey, the vision of founder Paul O’Neill and how the live production continues to evolve with lighting, pyrotechnics, drones and other technology.

Jeff also shares what it means to see multiple generations of families attending TSO concerts, the band’s tradition of giving back to communities and the importance of continuing Paul O’Neill’s vision. It’s a fitting combination of music and technology to wrap up another wide-ranging episode of TechtalkRadio.

Links from This Week:

Apple iPhone Duo – https://www.apple.com/iphone-duo/

Blizzcon 2026 – https://blizzcon.com

Nate Eaton Reporter – Facebook page with Story about Smartphone Security

Trans-Siberian Orchestra – Jeff Scott Soto was a Guest on TechtalkRadio

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New Show Posted – Episode 375 – That’s Entertainment!

In this week’s episode of TechtalkRadio, Justin, Shawn, and Andy delve into the rising costs of software and services, highlighting increases in prices for Google Nest services, Disney Plus, and Intuit QuickBooks. Andy shares his experience of a substantial annual subscription fee hike from Intuit, prompting a discussion on AlternativeTo.Net for alternative software options. Andy eventually manages to cancel his QuickBooks Desktop subscription, despite some hurdles. While many companies are raising prices, Adobe introduces Adobe Express Free, offering an enjoyable and creative way to create content. Shawn brings up a story from the New York Times Wirecutter Tech Blog about Wyze, where recommendations for Wyze Cams were rescinded due to camera feeds inadvertently appearing on other users’ accounts. The company’s statement is shared, but Shawn expresses concern about the lack of follow-up from Wyze and hopes for improved product security.

As the holiday season approaches, Al Pitrelli, Music Director, Founding Member, and Guitarist of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, joins TechtalkRadio to discuss their upcoming tour, “The Ghost of Christmas Eve,” “The Best of TSO,” and more. He reflects on the band’s beginnings 28 years ago with the late Paul O’Neill and the creation of the popular holiday theme “Christmas Eve in Sarajevo 12/24.” Al describes the immersive experience of Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s live shows, blending visuals, lighting, pyrotechnics, and music. Tour schedules can be found at https://www.trans-siberian.com.

In the realm of video content streaming, Nimbus99, a global company based in Arizona, offers solutions for creators and businesses. CEO Tim Ferres explains how Nimbus99 enhances content creators’ abilities to reach their audience using OTT (Over the Top Streaming) without relying on platforms like YouTube and Vimeo. Nimbus99 empowers creators with an intuitive interface for content distribution, revenue generation, and offers managed services along with the Nimbus99 Player. The platform also caters to businesses, providing one-time stream services and analytics. Explore Nimbus99’s offerings at https://www.nimbus99.com.

Lastly, Justin explores Starfield, an Xbox/PC exclusive title from Bethesda, discussing gameplay and expectations, though he playfully declines to share his avatar.

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