Computer America

Hosted by Ben Crossman

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Aug 2026

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Computer America is the nation's longest running talk show on Computers and Technology, spanning 25+ years of industry guests and analysis.

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August 7, 20261 hr 23 min

Daily Top Tech Picks w/ Calcopia!

Calcopia is your place for unique and interesting analyses on the best of gaming, movies, tech, books, a regularly updated Podcast, and original content you won’t find anywhere else. 100 percent independent and agenda-free, our diverse editorial staff is committed to keeping things interesting and always entertaining. A veritable cornucopia of editorial excellence, if you will. https://calcopia.com/the-state-of-gaming-july-2026-valves-steam-machine-disc-free-playstation-xbox-backwards-compatibility/ https://calcopia.com/gaming-historian-kurt-kalata-talks-pc-engine-box-art/ https://www.samsung.com/us/brand-new-day/ https://www.engadget.com/2230202/bmw-is-forcing-a-weird-spider-man-ad-onto-its-dashboard-displays/ https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/06/celebrate-30-years-of-quake-with-a-brand-new-episode-available-today/ https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/grand-theft-auto-6-extended-first-look https://www.engadget.com/2232108/openai-s-ring-shaped-smart-speaker-will-reportedly-cost-between-300-and-400/

August 7, 202627 min

Bidirectional Pixels, AI-Guided Movement, and Water-Harvesting Jackets w/ Ralph Bond

Show Notes Researchers invent 'new type of pixel' that could create displays that double as cameras — and the internet's first thought is 'what could go wrong?'Source: TechRadar.comStory by David Nield https://www.techradar.com/computing/computing-components/researchers-invent-new-type-of-pixel-that-could-create-displays-that-double-as-cameras-and-the-internets-first-thought-is-what-could-go-wrong ·What if AI could move your hand? Students build a wearable device using AI and electric pulsesSource: Newswav.com https://newswav.com/article/what-if-ai-could-move-your-hand-students-build-a-wearable-device-using-ai-a-A2605_J9DkHA ·This Jacket Pulls Drinking Water from Thin Air - The advance in fabric technology comes alongside a new benchmark for atmospheric water harvestingSource: University of Texas at Austin website https://news.utexas.edu/2026/06/11/this-jacket-pulls-drinking-water-from-thin-air/ ·Lab-Grown Retinal Cells Show Promise for New Eye Therapies - Critical cells that line retinal blood vessels grown from stem cells restore retinal function in mouse models and form retinal tissue in a lab for future disease studiesSource: Duke University Pratt School of EngineeringStory by Ken Kingery https://pratt.duke.edu/news/lab-grown-retinal-cells/ ·Cambridge experts find utterly simple fix for longer lasting EV batteries. Just put some pressure on it - Scientists found a way to make EV batteries last longer without reinventing the batterySource: Digitaltrends.comStory by Vikhyaat Vivek https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/cambrige-experts-find-utterly-simple-fix-for-longer-lasting-ev-batteries-just-put-some-pressure-on-it/ ·How Biology Inspired a Former Surgeon to Rethink RoboticsSource: Forbes MagazineStory by Dr. Jonathan Reichental https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanreichental/2026/06/22/how-biology-inspired-a-former-surgeon-to-rethink-robotics/ ·MIT’s 6 mW chip lets tiny drones see and map their surroundings in real time - New MIT chip enables tiny drones and robots to create detailed 3D maps while using minimal powerSource: Interesting EngineeringStory by Neetika Walter https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/mit-gleanmer-chip-real-time-3d-mapping ·Magnetic muscle implants help amputees feel coordinated prosthetic hand movementsSource: PsyPost on MSN.com https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/robotics/magnetic-muscle-implants-help-amputees-feel-coordinated-prosthetic-hand-movements/ar-AA26KxAn

July 31, 202632 min

Smarter Building Design, UV Healing Lenses, and AI Early Cancer Signals w/ Ralph Bond

Show Notes - July 31, 2026 Computer model could enable bridges and buildings that use less materialAuthor: Zach WinnSource: MIT NewsLink: https://news.mit.edu/2026/computer-model-could-enable-less-material-bridges-buildings-0624 Self-Healing Contact Lenses Activated by UV Light: A Breakthrough in Vision CareAuthor: Bioengineer.comSource: Bioengineer.comLink: https://bioengineer.org/self-healing-contact-lenses-activated-by-uv-light-a-breakthrough-in-vision-care/ Research Paper: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsapm.5c04803 AI identifies pancreatic cancer years before diagnosis, offering potential for earlier treatmentAuthor: Mayo ClinicSource: Mayo ClinicLink: https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/cancer/news/ai-identifies-pancreatic-cancer-years-before-diagnosis-offering-potential-for-earlier-treatment/mac-20602833 World-first: therapy to make cells young again given to a personAuthor: Heidi LedfordSource: Scientific AmericanLink: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/world-first-therapy-to-make-cells-young-again-given-to-a-person/ Company Link: https://www.lifebiosciences.com/ Honorable MentionsWater locked in 1-nanometer channels could enable safer energy storageAuthor: Robert EganSource: TechXplore.comLink: https://techxplore.com/news/2026-06-nanometer-channels-enable-safer-energy.html Autonomous Bee Habitats - Hyve is a Mobile Beekeeping Concept Designed to Support Pollinator HealthAuthor: Amy DuongSource: TrendHunter.comLink: https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hyve-1 Mining batteries, in a microwave - Microwave-based method to upcycle old lithium-ion cathodesAuthor: DOE/Sandia National LaboratoriesSource: EurekAlert.orgLink: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1132337 This Magnetic Charging Breakthrough Lets Electric Ships Recharge Wirelessly at SeaAuthor: Aaron GreenbaumSource: BGR.comLink: https://www.bgr.com/2191853/magnetic-charging-breakthrough-electric-ships-recharge-wirelessly-at-sea/

July 24, 202637 min

NASA's Electric Airliner, Bridge 3D Print Repairing, Plastic Bottle Batteries w/ Ralph Bond

Show Notes 24 July 2026NASA Program Explores Hybrid-Electric ‘Double Bubble’ [fuselage] Airliner ConceptFlyingmag.comStory by Jack Daleo https://www.flyingmag.com/nasa-electra-hybrid-commercial-airliner-concept/ Electra Company WebsiteElectra https://electra.aero/ Electra Press ReleaseElectra https://electra.aero/news/electra-unveils-turbo-electric-aircraft-concept-for-next-generation-airliner-as-part-of-nasa-aaces-2050-program NASA AACES ProgramNASA https://www.nasa.gov/reference/advanced-aircraft-concepts-for-environmental-sustainability-2050/ “Cold spray” 3D printing technique proves effective for on-site bridge repairMIT NewsStory by Anne Wilson https://news.mit.edu/2025/cold-spray-3d-printing-technique-effective-bridge-repair-0620 Plastic bottles could find new life in batteries as graphitePenn State announcement https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/plastic-bottles-could-find-new-life-batteries-graphite ScienceDirect Research PaperScienceDirect https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0925963526002700?via%3Dihub Surgeons Use Teleoperated Humanoid Robots to Perform Live Surgery – a World FirstUniversity of California, San DiegoStory by Ioana Patringenaru https://today.ucsd.edu/story/surgeons-use-teleoperated-humanoid-robots-to-perform-live-surgery-a-world-first UCSD Surgery VideoYouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp0eiQL6vB8 A Seaweed-based ingredient can help turn dirt into 3D-printed wallsUniversity of Colorado BoulderStory by Yvaine Ye https://www.colorado.edu/today/2026/06/22/seaweed-based-ingredient-can-help-turn-dirt-3d-printed-walls Nature Research PaperNature https://www.nature.

July 19, 202631 min

Transparent Solar Cells, Soil-Powered Tech, and Shape-Shifting Liquid Batteries w/ Ralph Bond

Show Notes 17 July 2026Ultra-thin transparent solar cells promise invisible charging for wearables, cars, and homesDigitalTrends.com - Story by Sudhanshu Kumar Mangalam https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/ultra-thin-transparent-solar-cells-promise-invisible-charging-for-wearables-cars-and-homes/ Soil power: UK startup Bactery is generating sustainable energy from the earthUniversity of Bath press release https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/soil-power-uk-startup-bactery-is-generating-sustainable-energy-from-the-earth/ Bactery Company WebsiteBactery https://www.bactery.com/ This shape-shifting liquid stores solar energy, and releases it on demandAnthropocene Magazine https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2026/06/this-shape-shifting-liquid-soaks-up-sunlight-stores-energy-and-releases-it-on-demand/ Boosting one protein helps the brain fight Alzheimer’sScienceDaily.com - From Baylor College of Medicine https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260502013550.htm Previously unrecognized immune response could enhance defense against cancerBaylor College of Medicine https://www.bcm.edu/news/previously-unrecognized-immune-response-could-enhance-defense-against-cancer New US partnership aims to extract critical semiconductor materials from aluminum wasteInteresting Engineering - Story by Atharva Gosavi https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/us-to-extract-critical-semiconductor-materials Low-tech solution to the 6G problem: Metacrystal panels offer cheap way to guide wireless signals around cornersNewAtlas.com - Story by Etiido Uko https://newatlas.com/telecommunications/metamaterial-panels-wireless-signals-indoor-barriers/ Revolutionary 3D Microscope Delivers High-Resolution Tissue Imaging at a Fraction of the CostBioengineer.org https://bioengineer.org/revolutionary-3d-microscope-delivers-high-resolution-tissue-imaging-at-a-fraction-of-the-cost/

July 10, 202635 min

How Nerves Rebuild Bones and Spinach Heals Dry Eye w/ Ralph Bond

Show NotesStory 1: First map of nerve circuitry in bone helps physicians identify key signals for bone repairRobert EganMedicalXpress.com https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-nerve-circuitry-bone-physicians-key.html https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adr9608 Story 2: Spinach-Based Eye Drops Could Help Treat a Common Eye ConditionDavid NieldScienceAlert.com https://www.sciencealert.com/spinach-based-eye-drops-could-help-treat-a-common-eye-condition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL8OuEJeDxY Story 3: Engineered blood clots form faster to stop severe bleedingMedical News Life Sciences https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260615/Engineered-blood-clots-form-faster-to-stop-severe-bleeding.aspx https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10412-y Story 4: Stanford scientists regrow lost cartilage and reverse arthritis in major breakthroughScienceDaily.com https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260612021604.htm https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adx6649 Story 5: Animals react to secret sounds from plants, say scientistsPallab GhoshBBC https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8e4860n9rpo Story 6: Chinese team converts wastewater to ammoniaEcohubmap.com https://www.ecohubmap.com/the-news/chinese-team-converts-wastewater-to-ammonia/rshyl3lmp17l3v3 Story 7: Electricity could produce cement with almost no carbon footprintAmerican Chemical Society https://www.acs.org/pressroom/presspacs/2026/may/electricity-could-produce-cement-with-almost-no-carbon-footprint.html

July 3, 20261 hr 20 min

Sony Stops Disc Making, Xbox Price Increases, Social Media Bans w/ Calcopia

Show NotesFox Buying Roku: A Cage Match for the TV Home ScreenBy Rob EnderleTechNewsWorld https://www.technewsworld.com/story/fox-buying-roku-a-cage-match-for-the-tv-home-screen-180403.html Sony Will Stop Making Disc-Based PlayStation Games Starting 2028By Igor BonifacicEngadget https://www.engadget.com/2205792/sony-will-stop-making-disc-based-playstation-games-starting-2028 Brands Share Playful Responses to Sony's Digital-Only AnnouncementBy Theodore McKenzie80lv https://80.lv/articles/brands-share-playful-responses-to-sony-s-digital-only-announcement GitHub Is Offering CD-ROMs of Your Code For a Few DaysBy Jorge JimenezPC Gamer https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/your-code-is-physically-yours-forever-until-you-lose-it-lets-be-real-github-wagging-its-finger-at-sonys-own-goal-is-offering-cd-roms-of-your-code-for-a-few-days Xbox Follows Apple with Price IncreasesBy Ivan MehtaTechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/25/xbox-follows-apple-with-price-increases/ Support for a Social Media Ban for Kids Under 16 Cuts Across Party LinesBy Lauren FeinerThe Verge https://www.theverge.com/tech/961051/support-for-a-social-media-ban-for-kids-under-16-cuts-across-party-lines Neon Rescues Sam Altman Movie After Amazon Drops ItBy Thomas GermainGizmodo https://gizmodo.com/neon-rescues-sam-altman-movie-after-amazon-drops-it Guest: Nathan Evans, Managing EditorCalcopia https://www.calcopia.com

July 3, 202639 min

0.7nm Chips, E-Waste Gold Extraction, and Full Color 3D Lidar w/ Ralph Bond

Show Notes 3 July 2026Story 1: IBM Unveils the World’s First Sub-1-Nanometer Chip TechnologyStory by Allen LeeSource: TechTimes.comLink: https://www.techtimes.com/articles/319060/20260625/ibm-unveils-worlds-first-sub-1-nanometer-chip-technology.htm Link: https://newsroom.ibm.com/2026-06-25-ibm-debuts-worlds-first-sub-1-nanometer-chip-technology?utm_source=chatgpt.com Story 2: University licenses breakthrough e-waste gold and copper recovery technologySource: Edinburgh InnovationsLink: https://edinburgh-innovations.ed.ac.uk/news/university-of-edinburgh-licenses-breakthrough-e-waste-gold-and-copper-recovery-technology Story 3: World's first 'native' color lidar will let robots and self-driving cars map the world in full color 3DStory by Fiona JacksonSource: Newsbreak.comLink: https://www.newsbreak.com/livescience-525075/4659318310506-world-s-first-native-color-lidar-will-let-robots-and-self-driving-cars-map-the-world-in-full-color-3d Link: https://ouster.com/ Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msrvH_nivHI Story 4: Lab-created ‘SpudCell’ marks ‘stunning’ step toward building life from scratchStory by Kai DupferschmidtSource: Science.orgLink: https://www.science.org/content/article/lab-created-spudcell-marks-major-step-toward-building-life-scratch Link: https://twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/worlds-first-synthetic-cell-complete-life-cycle-could-revolutionize-biological Link: https://biotic.org/research/spudcell/ Honorable Mention: Scientists Turn Wet Coffee Grounds into Coal-Like Fuel in Just 90 SecondsStory by Tudor TaritaSource: ZME ScienceLink: https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/scientists-turn-wet-coffee-grounds-into-coal-like-fuel-in-just-90-seconds/ Honorable Mention: Paper Battery Startup Aims to Power Everything in Your HouseStory by Matthew S. SmithSource: IEEE SpectrumLink: <

June 26, 202642 min

Tidal Power, Fusion Licensing, And Bio-Jet Fuel w/ Ralph Bond

Show Notes 26 June 2026 World’s Most Powerful Tidal Turbine ‘Orbital O2’ Begins Operations Off Scotland’s Orkney IslandsMI News NetworkMarineInsight.com https://www.marineinsight.com/worlds-most-powerful-tidal-turbine-orbital-o2-begins-operations-off-scotlands-orkney-islands/ https://www.orbitalmarine.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSM3WukK_cg Helion secures world’s first regulatory licenses for fusion power plant being built in WashingtonLisa StifflerGeekwire https://www.geekwire.com/2026/helion-secures-worlds-first-regulatory-licenses-for-fusion-power-plant-being-built-in-washington/ Circularity Fuels Converts Raw Dairy Biogas to Jet Fuel in World First End-to-End PilotBeth AntonRenewable Energy News https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/biogas/circularity-fuels-converts-raw-dairy-biogas-to-20260617 Ultrasound-based pacemaker noninvasively steadies the heartJennifer ChuMIT News https://news.mit.edu/2026/ultrasound-based-pacemaker-noninvasively-steadies-heart-0602 Waste oils and fats to be turned into low-emission jet fuel with new modular techSujita SinhaInteresting Engineering https://interestingengineering.com/energy/honeywell-brazil-cleaner-jet-fuel Nanoengineered wood sets new record for transformer insulationLisa LockTechXplore.com https://techxplore.com/news/2026-06-nanoengineered-wood-insulation.html World-first hydrogen-powered 'gas station' for ships passes key trialsOmar KardoudiNew Atlas https://newatlas.com/marine/elire-maritime-hydrogen-power-hub/ A solar-powered rubbish-eating boat? The vessel chomping plastic waste out of the seaKatharine GammonThe Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/12/solar-powered-rubbish-eating-boat-plastic-waste-sea

June 19, 202635 min

A New Era of Robotics and Sustainable Ocean Fuel w/ Ralph Bond

Show Notes Story 1: A new frontier for marine robot communication: University of Florida scientists develop BlueMEDave SchlenkerUniversity of Florida https://www.eng.ufl.edu/news/research-innovation/a-new-frontier-for-marine-robot-communication-uf-scientists-develop-blueme/?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11506063 Story 2: Scientists bred a fast-growing kelp that could fuel ships and aircraft without oilBrooklyn SmithThe Cool Down on MSN.com https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/scientists-bred-a-fast-growing-kelp-that-could-fuel-ships-and-aircraft-without-oil/ar-AA239D7S Story 3: Introducing Argus, a robot with 20 legs and eyes built to move and see in any direction instantlyAllen G. Breed and Holly RamerAP News Service https://apnews.com/article/robot-duke-argus-6ba9651ba6553ebc4405ffc07a26afed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivufnqS3pRc&t=2s Story 4: Genetically Engineered Hookworms Developed to Produce and Deliver Therapeutic AgentsBioengineer.org https://bioengineer.org/genetically-engineered-hookworms-developed-to-produce-and-deliver-therapeutic-agents/ Honorable MentionsStory: Robots Could Turn E-Waste into a Source of Legacy Chips - This startup wants to recover usable RAM before circuit boards are shreddedShannon CuthrellIEEE Spectrum https://spectrum.ieee.org/e-waste-recycling-robots-ram Story: Scientists Found a Remarkable Way to Help Kids Like VegetablesDavid NieldScienceAlert.com https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-found-a-remarkable-way-to-help-kids-like-vegetables Story: This Groundbreaking Hydrogen Engine Could Rival Diesel Power Without the EmissionsJonathan SayersBGR.com https://www.bgr.com/2167090/groundbreaking-hydrogen-engine-no-emissions-diesel/ Story: New thermal imaging system detects early melanoma before it is visibleNews Medical Life Sciences https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260525/New-thermal-imaging-system-detects-early-melanoma-before-it-is-visible.aspx