Refresh Computers Tech Talk

Hosted by David Leavitt

Technology News

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Episodes

156

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Audio files of our weekly radio show on WDBO where we talk about your electronic life. Help and advice are given on a range of technical issues from computers to everything internet-related.

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60 recent

June 14, 2026Episode 2941 min

06-14-26 Why Passwords Are Dying And What Replaces Them

Send us Fan MailPasswords are turning into a liability, and not because you are “bad at security.” The rules changed. AI-driven guessing, phishing, and nonstop automated attacks are making the old “strong password” playbook harder to live with and easier to break. So we talk through the shift that Apple, Google, and Microsoft are already pushing hard: passkeys and passwordless authentication. We explain what a passkey actually is, why it is tied to your device, and why it helps protect you even when a website gets breached.We also get honest about the transition pains. What happens if you lose your phone? What if you prefer a physical security key? Where do passkeys “live,” and why do they feel easier once you set them up? Along the way, we share practical guidance for saying yes to passkey prompts now, so you are not forced to learn it later in a rush.Then we zoom out to the rest of your tech life. We walk through Refresh Plus, our service designed to feel like having an IT person at home, with remote support, background hardware diagnostics, and antivirus protection. After that, we shift into hurricane season tech prep: backing up your data before a storm, using surge protection and a UPS battery backup correctly, keeping phones charged, using the right alert and weather apps, and staying sharp for scams that surge after storms. We wrap with a quick, real-world phone storage fix, including why some apps and photo settings quietly eat massive space.Subscribe to Tech Talk with Refresh Computers, share this with someone who still reuses passwords, and leave us a review so more people can find the show.Support the showFollow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

June 13, 2026Episode 2841 min

06-13-26 Smart Glasses Go Mainstream

Send us Fan MailSmart glasses are not a sci-fi flex anymore. They look like normal Ray-Bans or Oakleys, but they behave like a wearable computer with speakers, a mic, a camera, and an AI assistant that is always within reach. We share what it is actually like to use Meta smart glasses day to day, from answering calls with your phone in your pocket to taking hands-free photos and video the moment something happens, plus quick “look and ask” questions like identifying landmarks and plants.We also get honest about the downsides: real battery life versus the advertised numbers, what it means when your prescription eyewear has to go on a charger, and the awkward moments when a physical button can accidentally trigger a photo or video. From there we dig into the privacy and security concerns that come with a camera pointed wherever you look, why recording lights are not a perfect solution, and how public spaces and businesses may start setting new rules around smart glasses.Then we shift to the AI browser war of 2026. We talk about what it means when browsers become agentic, how Google’s Gemini is changing search and browsing, and why OpenAI’s Atlas concept hints at a merged “browser plus ChatGPT” desktop experience. The convenience is real, but so is the tension around memory, tracking, and the level of access an AI browser may need to truly do work for you.We wrap with a practical Windows tip you can try today: using Task Manager to disable unnecessary startup apps so your PC boots faster. Subscribe for more weekly tech news and hands-on tips, share this with a friend who loves gadgets, and leave a review with the one feature you want from smart glasses or AI browsers next.Support the showFollow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

June 7, 2026Episode 2740 min

06-07-26 Humanoid Robots For Sale

Send us Fan MailHumanoid robots are no longer a “someday” product, they’re showing up in real shopping carts with real price tags. We walk through what you actually get when a humanoid robot costs $18,000 to $20,000, starting with the Unitree G1 and the sensors that try to keep it upright and aware, like depth cameras and 3D LiDAR. We also talk candidly about the gap between flashy demos and everyday home reality, including the risks of falls, stairs, and how much trust you should place in a machine that’s still learning its way around the world.We then compare that to the next wave of home assistant robots, including the 1X NEO, and why the idea of monthly AI updates is both exciting and unsettling. If your car can feel different after an over-the-air update, what happens when the same update lands on a robot that folds laundry, carries items, or moves around your house? We also dig into the robot subscription model and the uncomfortable question of whether features could become paywalled by task over time.After all the robot talk, we bring it back to what people need right now: dependable computer repair, real troubleshooting, and the right to repair movement sweeping across the US. We explain why being able to fix what you own matters for your wallet, your freedom to choose local repair, and the planet through reduced e-waste. Finally, we share a practical Wi-Fi security tip that pays off immediately: use your router’s guest network to isolate smart home and IoT devices from the laptops and phones that hold your most important data. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review with the tech topic you want us to tackle next.Support the showFollow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

June 6, 2026Episode 2640 min

06-06-26 Your Computer Is Already AI Ready If It Runs Windows 11

Send us Fan MailSiri has been “fine” for timers and quick lookups, but AI has moved on and Apple can’t afford to stay in catch-up mode. We dig into why Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference is such a big moment, and why the most interesting rumor is also the most uncomfortable one: Siri may get its new brain from Google Gemini. That would make Siri far more conversational and useful, but it also forces the hard conversation about privacy, data access, and what happens when Apple’s privacy-first story meets Google’s data-driven business model.We also answer a question we hear constantly at the shop and on the hotline: is your computer AI ready? Most of the time, yes. We explain why today’s popular AI tools run in the cloud, what that means for your hardware, and why the real dividing line is often Windows 11 versus an internet-connected Windows 10 machine that’s aging out of security support. If your PC feels slow, we talk through the boring but effective fixes that still matter, like SSD upgrades and memory.Then we zoom out to the infrastructure powering everyone’s prompts: AI data centers. We break down what’s actually different about AI facilities, why NVIDIA-class GPUs drive up electricity demand, what’s real and what’s hype about water usage, and how Florida’s SB 484 aims to stop data center buildouts from quietly pushing infrastructure costs onto households. We wrap with a Windows productivity trick you can use immediately: clipboard history with Windows key plus V.Subscribe for more practical tech talk, share this with a friend who’s confused about “AI PCs,” and leave a review so more people can find the show. What do you want us to test or explain next?Support the showFollow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

May 31, 2026Episode 2541 min

05-31-26 The Nigerian Prince Got A Robot Upgrade

Send us Fan MailAI didn’t just change productivity tools, it changed crime. One of the biggest mistakes we can make right now is assuming scams still look like scams. Today, Greg Rhodes and I, David Levitt from Refresh Computer Superstore, dig into the AI cybersecurity arms race and why major institutions are warning that AI-powered attacks are arriving faster than defenses can keep up.We walk through what “AI as the weapon” looks like on the ground: phishing emails that read perfectly, scams built from scraped social media and public records, and deepfake voice or video calls that can imitate someone you trust. We also talk about why smaller banks and credit unions can be easier targets, and the simple rule that can save you in the moment: if the message is unexpected and asks for money or personal info, hang up and verify using a number you already know is real.Then we flip to “AI as the shield” and explain how modern security tools use machine learning to monitor traffic, detect anomalies, and shrink the time window for zero-day threats. We get practical about your own setup too, including why an older computer with an unsupported operating system can become a security risk, what upgrades might be possible, and when it’s smarter to replace the machine.We also weigh Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ proposed AI Bill of Rights, including protections for kids, limits on AI mental health “therapy” for minors, and questions around AI decisions for loans, jobs, housing, and insurance. Finally, we share search options beyond Google’s AI experience, with alternatives like DuckDuckGo, Brave Search, Startpage, and Bing with Copilot.Subscribe for more Tech Talk on WDBO, share this with someone who needs a scam reality check, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.Support the showFollow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

May 30, 2026Episode 2440 min

05-30-26 SpaceX IPO And The Future Of Tech

Send us Fan MailSpace and tech collide today, starting with a plain-English look at the rumored SpaceX IPO and why a two-trillion-dollar valuation has so many people paying attention. We talk through what it actually means when a company goes from private shares to a public offering, what most everyday investors can realistically expect around IPO access, and why we keep repeating the same disclaimer: we are not financial advisors, we are here to translate the tech and the basics so you can ask smarter questions.Then we bring it back down to earth with the kind of upgrade advice that matters every day. We explain why we lean so hard toward refurbished business-class computers and laptops: stronger build quality, better hinge designs, easier repairs, more upgrade paths for RAM and SSDs, and power supplies that are built to run. If you have ever dealt with cracked plastic hinge mounts, overheating cases, or underpowered consumer desktops, this section will sound familiar.We also revisit quantum computing as it starts to feel less like a lab curiosity and more like a mainstream topic. We break down bits vs qubits, superposition, and why combining quantum computing with AI could reshape medicine, security, and finance. To wrap, we share a simple Windows 11 performance tip you can try right now: turn on Storage Sense to automatically clean junk files and free up space.If this helped, subscribe so you do not miss the next Tech Talk, share the episode with a friend who loves tech, and leave a quick review telling us what topic you want next.Support the showFollow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

May 24, 2026Episode 2339 min

05-24-26 Your Phone Can Go Dead And Your Bank Can Too

Send us Fan MailIf your phone suddenly loses service, it might not be a carrier outage. It could be a SIM swap, and that can hand a criminal the keys to your bank, email, and social accounts in minutes. We explain how attackers impersonate you with data from phishing and breaches, why SMS based two factor authentication is now a liability, and what that scary “my phone went dead” moment really means.We also unpack a major dating app breach story tied to Match Group brands and why exposed profile data can turn into account takeovers or even blackmail once it spreads on the dark web. You’ll leave with a clear action list: change passwords, check whether your email appears in known breaches, and move away from text codes toward authenticator apps and passkeys, the modern phishing resistant login method that Google, Apple, and Microsoft are all backing.Then we shift to AI powered smart home tech that feels like science fiction becoming normal, from robot vacuums that handle obstacles to smart locks with facial recognition, plus the privacy and security tradeoffs of always on devices. We share a practical home network tip to reduce risk by separating IoT devices onto their own Wi Fi network, add a fast Windows 11 Snap Layouts trick for multitasking, and close with a timely warning about AI voice cloning scams that pressure families into sending money.Subscribe for weekly tech security guidance, share this with someone who still uses SMS codes, and leave a review if it helped. What security change are you making first?Support the showFollow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

May 23, 2026Episode 2240 min

05-23-26 When Convenience Becomes A Subscription Trap

Send us Fan MailStreaming was supposed to make TV cheaper and simpler, but the math is starting to look painfully familiar. As Netflix, Disney+, Max, Prime Video, Spotify, and others keep raising prices, a lot of us are right back to paying a cable sized bill, just split across a bunch of apps. We dig into what’s driving the increases, why ad-supported tiers are changing everything, and how weekly episode releases quietly keep you subscribed for months.Then we get practical. We talk through a no-nonsense subscription audit, why small charges are the easiest to miss, and a simple habit that helps you catch recurring bills before they creep up: enabling credit card text notifications. We also cover bundle options through cell carriers and the real question you should ask before you “save” money by adding yet another service.From there, we pivot into summer tech decisions that can save you hundreds. We explain why now is a strong time to buy a refurbished computer before the back-to-school rush, what to look for in a quality business class machine, and why details like fresh CPU thermal paste and a new CMOS battery matter for long-term reliability. We also weigh the hype around Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone, including price rumors, durability concerns, and why version-one hardware can turn buyers into beta testers. Finally, we react to Florida’s experimental highway that can charge EVs while you drive and close with an important Windows 11 update warning to help you avoid a corrupted install.Subscribe for more practical tech talk, share this with a friend who’s drowning in subscriptions, and leave us a review with your biggest streaming bill frustration.Support the showFollow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

May 17, 2026Episode 2140 min

05-17-26 Social Media Is Engineered To Be Addictive To You and Your Child

Send us Fan MailRecord profits used to mean stability. Now it can mean something else: a company realizes AI can do more with fewer people, and the layoffs start anyway. We talk through the real-world signals, starting with Cisco cutting thousands of jobs while reporting strong results, plus other examples like GM trimming IT roles. The takeaway isn’t panic, it’s clarity: AI job displacement is already happening, and the smartest move is to understand where the tech is headed before it reshapes your department around you.We also get practical for anyone shopping this summer. New computer prices are still elevated, so we break down the specs that actually matter for a fast Windows 11 experience in 2026: 16GB RAM as the sweet spot, a solid state drive as non-negotiable, and CPUs new enough to keep up with modern browsers and AI features. We explain why bloatware makes many brand-new PCs feel slower than they should, and why a properly refurbished laptop or desktop can be a better value without the junk.Then we shift to the redesign of social media itself. Endless scrolling, reels, shorts, and notification loops are engineered to be addictive, and we talk about what that does to attention, sleep, and mental health, especially for kids and teens. The European Union is pushing regulations that target the mechanics of addiction, not just content, and it may set the template for what comes next. We close with a few wild tech stories and a serious security lesson every business needs: revoke access before you terminate someone.If this helped, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave us a review so more people can find Tech Talk.Support the showFollow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

May 16, 2026Episode 2140 min

05-16-26 You Are More Vulnerable Online Than Ever So Update Everything

Send us Fan MailAI is no longer just a productivity tool, it’s a force multiplier for cybercrime. We dig into Google’s Threat Intelligence Group warning about the first confirmed case of criminal hackers using AI to discover and weaponize a zero-day vulnerability, the kind of software flaw nobody can patch because nobody knows it exists yet. That changes the clock on security from “weeks to respond” to “minutes to get hit,” and it’s why we keep hammering the basics that still work. We walk through the simplest, highest-impact defenses for real people: turn on automatic software updates, patch your router, and stop treating smart home gadgets like toys. Every connected device is an endpoint, and attackers only need one weak link. We also talk about practical account protection with passkeys and why you should treat unexpected emails, texts, and scam calls as hostile until proven otherwise. If you want help checking your settings, we point you to the free tech support hotline and what to ask. Then we hit a privacy shift you may have missed: Apple finally makes iPhone to Android texting secure with RCS and end-to-end encryption via iOS 26.5, closing a long-standing gap where SMS and MMS were basically digital postcards. From there we zoom out to the bigger AI landscape, including Google’s Gemini push across Android and the messy business side of AI with the Elon Musk vs Sam Altman lawsuit over OpenAI’s original mission, plus why Grok may be losing momentum as competitors gain fans. If you get value from the show, subscribe, share it with a friend who keeps postponing updates, and leave us a review so more people can find Tech Talk. What security habit are you changing this week?Support the showFollow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores