TechtalkRadio

Hosted by TechtalkRadio

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Episodes

349

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

TechtalkRadio is your go-to radio show and podcast for everything computers, technology, and the internet! Hosted by Andy Taylor, Justin Lemme, and Shawn DeWeerd, with contributions from Matt Jones, Slick, Amanda and Broadway, the show has been delivering tech insights and laughs since 1996, originally broadcasting from Palm Springs, California before moving to Tucson, Az. Each episode of the Radio Show dives into new tech, classic gadgets, and everything cool in between—from websites and smart home tools to mobile devices, health tech, video games, entertainment and even drones. Whether you're a seasoned tech pro or just curious about the latest trends, TechtalkRadio makes technology fun, friendly, and easy to understand.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 20, 202654 min

Fake Ads, Instant Photos and Dust Bunnies! | EP 487

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor, Justin Lemme and Shawn DeWeerd dive into a little bit of everything—from artificial intelligence to old-school photography and some seriously dusty technology! The guys discuss the explosion of AI-generated commercials, music and images and how difficult it’s becoming to tell what was created by a person and what came from AI. Andy shares how he used Suno to turn original lyrics into a personalized birthday song, while Shawn explains why spending time creating AI music has made him much better at recognizing it. Justin talks about using Grok inside his Tesla, including an amusing encounter where AI becomes a fact-checker in the car. The conversation expands to ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and Copilot and why choosing the right AI tool depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. Then it’s back to photography as the crew discusses restoring old family pictures, the charm—and imperfections—of vintage Polaroids, and the new Pokémon-themed Polaroid collaboration. A listener question launches a discussion about mesh networking, Wi-Fi 7 and multi-gig Internet, along with privacy concerns surrounding connected devices and targeted advertising. Justin also shares his experience with a hand-crank emergency weather radio, while Shawn gets into GMRS, FRS and radio repeaters. And where do the Dust Bunnies come in? Andy cleans up a system while revealing just how much dust can accumulate inside technology!

August 12, 202655 min

Poutine, Power & Portable PCs on TechtalkRadio | EP 486

The crew is back together for TechtalkRadio Episode 486: Poutine, Power & Portable PCs! Andy Taylor, Shawn DeWeerd and Justin Lemme catch up on severe weather, Gen Con adventures and Shawn's travels — including a trip to Canada that somehow leads to Andy getting an education on the Canadian favorite, poutine. Shawn shares his experience with an Anker SOLIX home battery backup and portable solar panels, while Justin talks about taking a practical approach to emergency preparedness by slowly stocking water, food, lighting and other essentials. Andy gets hands-on with the latest ASUS Zenbook Duo, featuring two 14-inch 3K OLED displays, a removable Bluetooth keyboard, Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. The guys also discuss rising RAM and storage prices and why building your own PC may not be the bargain it once was. A listener's inherited Windows 10 laptop sparks a conversation about wiping an old PC, moving to Windows 11 or giving Linux Mint a try. Andy also shares the story of troubleshooting a laptop with just 9MB of storage remaining! Plus, Andy checks out the new folding Logitech MobiFold Bluetooth mouse, and Justin explains why his job in IT occasionally involves slinging hot dogs and serving Dippin' Dots. It's tech, troubleshooting, preparedness, gadgets, poutine and plenty of laughs with Andy, Shawn and Justin on TechtalkRadio!

July 10, 202655 min

From Polaroids to Playstations | EP 485

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd explore how technology is changing the way we preserve our memories—and the media we own. They discuss AI photo restoration, scanning decades of family photos, the surprising comeback of film photography, and the best ways to digitize some of those great images and film handed down. The conversation then shifts to Sony's decision to eliminate physical PlayStation game discs, what it means for digital ownership, and why gamers are pushing back. Plus, a couple of questions about whether it's still worth building your own PC, how to safely clean your computer, and whether a VPN is right for your home or travel setup. Wrapping up the show, they take a look at the rumored Insta360 X6, expected to bring 8K recording, improved HDR, and even better 360-degree video.

July 1, 202655 min

Do You Really Own It? Japan, AI & The Digital Dilemma | EP 484

Justin returns from Japan with incredible tech finds, amazing photography, and stories from one of the world's most technology-driven countries. The team dives into Sony removing purchased digital movies, the growing debate over whether you truly own your digital content, Adobe's acquisition of Topaz Labs, and what it means for creators. Plus, music publisher Rex Strother joins the show to discuss AI-generated music, copyright concerns, and the future of artists in the age of artificial intelligence. We also answer listener questions about Windows 11 Pro upgrades and whether eBay or Facebook Marketplace is the better place to sell your gear. It's another packed episode of TechtalkRadio covering the latest in technology, AI, digital media, and consumer tech. Got a question for the show? Email techguys@techtalkradio.com, and catch more at techtalkradio.com. Please Share, Listen, Subscribe to the Show on Spotify, Spreaker, iHeartRadio, Goodpods, YouTube and Our YouTube Page. Connect With Us on social media YouTube @TechtalkRadio Facebook @techtalkers Instagram @techtalkradio TikTok @Techtalkradio X @techtalkradioAlso Available on KGVY AM/FM, Spotify, Amazon Music, Goodpods, PodBean and other Delivery Networks!

June 25, 202655 min

Buc-ee's, Budget Macs and The AI Photography Debate on TechtalkRadio | EP 483

Arizona gets its first Buc-ee's, Apple shakes up the laptop market with the MacBook Neo, Nintendo fans prepare for the Switch 2 Ocarina of Time, and AI photo editing sparks an interesting debate. Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd also answer listener questions about HEIC photo files, Google Earth Studio, buying laptops during Prime Week, retro gaming, and more on this week's TechtalkRadio.

June 12, 202655 min

Siri Gets Smart, Steam Gets Scammed on TechtalkRadio | EP 482

Apple is taking another big swing at artificial intelligence, and on this episode of TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd break down the biggest announcements from WWDC, including the future of Siri AI, Apple's expanding ecosystem, and what it all means for iPhone users and why the Neo is gaining so many interested buyers crossing from PC. The guys also tackle a listener question about choosing between a laptop and tablet for travel and remote work. If you've ever wondered whether a lightweight tablet can replace your laptop while on the road, Shawn shares some valuable thoughts. Shawn also is very excited about the latest announcement from Insta360 as they enter the handheld creator-camera market with the new Luna Ultra, an 8K Leica-powered camera designed to challenge DJI's dominance. Is this the next must-have gadget for content creators? And before you buy a Steam gift card for Father's Day or a birthday, hear why Valve is discontinuing physical Steam gift cards and how scammers are taking advantage of unsuspecting consumers. All that, along with gaming news, tech commentary, and Shawn's excitement over the Nintendo Switch 2, on this week's TechtalkRadio.

June 4, 202654 min

Dust, Disasters & Digital Hoarders on TechtalkRadio | Ep 481

Technology doesn't always cooperate, and this week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd share stories from a week filled with tech disasters, failed routers, broken RCS messaging, disappearing smart cameras, factory resets, and enough troubleshooting to test anyone's patience. If you've ever found yourself rebooting devices over and over while asking, "Why is nothing working?" this episode will feel very familiar. The conversation dives into digital hoarding, cloud backups, photo preservation, and the surprising number of people who no longer print their pictures. Shawn explains how he archives family photos, home movies, and decades of digital memories, while Andy explores AI-powered video restoration, breathing new life into old low-resolution footage. Shawn and Andy also discusses scanners, NAS storage, Google Photos, and practical ways to preserve family history before it's lost forever. Plus, listener Roberta asks how to legally transfer DVDs to a computer, leading to a deep dive into HandBrake, MakeMKV, VLC, Plex, Jellyfin, media servers, and building your own digital movie library. From dusty computers and overheating processors to home videos, Blu-rays, and broken TVs, it's another fun-filled journey down the tech rabbit hole on TechtalkRadio. Running Time: 58 Minutes (approx.) Episode Title: Dust, Disasters & Digital Hoarders

May 21, 202655 min

Scented Dice, AI Lies & Bubble Pop Addictions on TechtalkRadio | Ep 480

AI disasters, scented tabletop gaming dice, addictive mobile games, retro PCs, and a surprise ASUS laptop delivery — this week on TechtalkRadio with Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd! The guys discuss the ultra-thin ASUS Zenbook A16, Apple’s upcoming WWDC announcements, frustrations with Copilot and modern AI tools, classic operating systems, Bluetooth speakers, Plex servers, and the bizarre Microsoft Teams story from ARS Technica where fired IT workers accidentally incriminated themselves with AI transcription. Special guest Brent Critchfield from Studio Woe joins the show to talk about his wildly creative Baron Smelly Bones scented gaming dice Kickstarter, inspired by tabletop RPGs, fantasy magic, and immersive gameplay. From coffee-scented dice to storm-inspired “lightning bolt” scents, Brent explains how years of experimentation created one of the most unique gaming accessories around. Plus: Bubble Pop Origin addiction, Steam gaming, Mouse PI for Hire, Mandalorian and Grogu, Gen Con memories, retro tech nostalgia, and why some old hardware is just too hard to throw away.

May 14, 202655 min

Planes, Plugs & Photo Restoration Rabbit Holes on TechtalkRadio | Episode 479

This week on TechtalkRadio, the crew takes listeners on a fun and surprisingly personal ride through travel tech, aviation apps, retro family discoveries, AI photo restoration, streaming frustrations, and even a little Bubble Pop obsession. Andy Taylor, Shawn DeWeerd, and Justin Lemmy kick things off by talking about Justin’s upcoming trip to Japan and the tech challenges that come with international travel — from voltage differences and outlet adapters to keeping devices charged during a 12-hour flight. The conversation also dives into airline Wi-Fi, Steam Deck gaming on long flights, and useful travel tools like FlightAware and ADS-B Exchange for aviation fans The show then shifts into the world of live production as Shawn shares stories from producing and directing a massive international chamber music competition livestream, giving listeners a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to manage cameras, streaming systems, and production crews during an 11-hour broadcast event. Andy also shares a fascinating genealogy rabbit hole after discovering long-lost family history connected to Burma and India through online archives and vintage photographs. The discussion naturally expands into preserving family memories, with the team debating whether AI-powered photo restoration tools are a great way to preserve history or if traditional untouched photos should remain as they are. Listeners also get a lively conversation about movie search frustrations, the “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,” whether it’s finally time to cut the cord from cable television, and why streaming services are starting to feel just as expensive as traditional TV. The crew also touches on the rise of FAST TV, subscription fatigue, and the growing number of ads appearing even on paid streaming platforms To wrap things up, Andy shares some surprising Walmart tech bargains on gaming PC hardware, Shawn discusses a major cyberattack impacting schools using the Canvas learning platform during finals week, and Justin previews the gadgets and camera gear he’ll be bringing along to Japan. As always, the episode blends humor, tech news, personal stories, and gadget talk into another entertaining edition of TechtalkRadio.

April 30, 202655 min

Lights Out, Tech On: Power, Production & CarPlay Changes | TechtalkRadio - EP478

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd share a real-world experience after a powerful storm caused widespread outages—breaking down the tech that kept things running, from generators to portable power solutions and smart energy management. Shawn tells us about the One he uses and maintanence before and after a storm. The conversation also dives into the latest innovations from the NAB Show, including cutting-edge cameras, AI-powered video editing tools, and the growing shift toward cloud-based production and content creation. Plus, the team explores upcoming changes to Apple CarPlay, what they mean for drivers, and how automakers may be moving toward subscription-based in-car tech. And in this week’s listener question, Andy and Shawn discuss how to digitize old cassette tapes—whether you go DIY or use a professional service. Got a question for the show? Email techguys@techtalkradio.com, and catch more at techtalkradio.com. Please Share, Listen, Subscribe to the Show on Spotify, Spreaker, iHeartRadio, Goodpods, YouTube and Our YouTube Page. Connect With Us on social media YouTube @TechtalkRadio Facebook @techtalkers Instagram @techtalkradio TikTok @Techtalkradio X @techtalkradio Also Available on KGVY AM/FM, Spotify, Amazon Music, Goodpods, PodBean and other Delivery Networks!