TechTime with Nathan Mumm

Hosted by Nathan Mumm

Technology News Science

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Episodes

308

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

You can grab your weekly technology without having to geek out on TechTime with Nathan Mumm. The Technology Show for your commute, exercise, or drinking fun. Listen to the best 60 minutes of Technology News and Information in a segmented format while sipping a little Whiskey on the side. We cover Top Tech Stories with a funny spin, with information that will make you go Hmmm. Listen once a week and stay up-to-date on technology in the world without getting into the weeds. This Broadcast style format is perfect for the everyday person wanting a quick update on technology, with two fun personalities driving the show Mike and Nathan. Listen once, Listen twice, and you will be sold on the program. @TechtimeRadio | #TechtimeRadio.com | www.techtimeradio.com

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60 recent

June 16, 2026Episode 30355 min

303: AI World‑Building, Flawed Facial‑ID Arrests, Robotaxis, Scam Tactics, Fable 5 Review, Costco Viral Fake Images, 3D‑Printing Safety Risks, And A Prime Day Rant With A Final Whiskey Verdict. | Air Date: 6/16 – 6/22/26

Episode 303: On this week’s episode, a creative AI that can build a whole world from a few sentences, sounds fun until you watch it keep continuity, remember past choices, and generate game-like logic on the fly. We kick things off with Fable 5 inside Claude AI, a model built for structured world-building that goes way beyond a typical writing assistant. We break down a facial recognition wrongful arrest that started with grainy screenshots and ended with an innocent man spending a night in jail, plus the bigger pattern of bias and bad safeguards. If a “93% match” can outweigh phone records, work records, and common sense, what’s the standard for proof supposed to be?We also cover Waymo Premiere and what subscription robotaxis say about where autonomous vehicles are headed, plus a rapid-fire run through scam emails that try to steal your identity with fake Prime suspension notices and “free groceries for a year” bait. And yes, we had to talk about the viral AI Costco lazy river image that fooled millions, because it’s the perfect lesson in how believable fake content has become. We wrap with a safety warning on carbon fiber 3D printing microfibers, then Nathan unloads on Prime Day, before we give our final thumbs up or thumbs down on Cotswolds Signature Single Malt all coming up on TechTime Radio, with a little whiskey on the side.-- Full Episode Details:A brand-new AI model claims it can do more than write. It can remember, reason, and build entire worlds that stay consistent over time and after testing it, we have a lot to say. We walk through Fable 5 on Claude AI, why persistent story worlds and long-term memory change the game for writers and game developers, and why “creative reasoning engines” are about to reshape how we make interactive experiences.Then the tone shifts hard as we cover a real facial recognition failure that led to a wrongful arrest. We unpack how a blurry screenshot, an overconfident match score, and sloppy police work can spiral into jail time, legal chaos, and lasting trauma. We also talk plainly about algorithmic bias, why these tools keep failing Black Americans at higher rates, and what safeguards should exist before software gets treated like a magic truth machine.From there, we hit the consumer side of emerging tech: Waymo’s new Premiere subscription, robotaxi expansion, and the marketing push that makes self-driving sound like just another rewards program. We also read scam and spam emails that prey on urgency, including “Prime membership suspended” phishing and fake “Meta Verified” pitches, plus a quick reality check on viral AI-generated product hoaxes like the so-called 200-foot Costco lazy river. We wrap with a practical tech warning about carbon fiber 3D printing safety and a no-filter rant on Prime Day turning into a never-ending sales calendar.Subscribe for weekly technology news with a sense of humor, share this with a friend who clicks the wrong links, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s one piece of tech you want us to stress-test next?Send us Fan MailSupport the show

June 9, 2026Episode 30255 min

302: AI Acceleration, Space Breakthroughs, From Autonomous Systems Rewriting Their Own Code to NASA’s Early Roman Telescope Launch, Microsoft’s Office AI Hardware, And The Cultural Shift Toward Automated Dating on Today's Show | Air Date: 6/9–6/15/26

Episode 302: This week’s episode AI is moving beyond answering questions — it’s beginning to rewrite the systems beneath itself, raising a critical question: who builds the brake pedal when autonomous agents start making decisions at scale? We pair that warning with tech that inspires and unsettles, from NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Telescope launching early to Microsoft testing office‑focused AI hardware that sparks immediate privacy concerns. Gwen Way also spotlights the Roro Lee Pocket AI and the real implications of recording‑consent laws and cloud‑stored data.We round things out with the cultural side of automation: Hinge’s AI conversation starters, Instagram’s AI support bot missteps, and Hasbro testing AI personalities for classic characters. A full hour of tech news with real‑world takeaways, not hype this is the episode you don’t skip all coming up on TechTime Radio, with a little whiskey on the side.-- Full Episode Details:AI isn’t just answering questions anymore, it’s starting to write the system underneath itself, and that should make every tech user pause. We kick things off with a stark warning from inside the AI world: if the industry only has a gas pedal, what does a “brake pedal” look like, and who gets to press it when autonomous AI agents start making decisions at scale?From there, we keep it moving with tech that feels hopeful and tech that feels invasive. We talk NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launching ahead of schedule and why its massive field of view could reshape what we know about dark energy and galaxy formation. Then we come back down to Earth with Microsoft testing AI hardware for office workers, including a wearable badge concept that raises immediate privacy questions. Gwen Way joins us for Gadgets and Gear with the Roro Lee Pocket AI agent, a Kickstarter device designed to capture meeting notes and turn them into action plans, plus a straight talk moment about recording consent laws and where your data really goes when “the cloud” is involved.We also hit the cultural side of automation: Hinge rolling out AI to help people start dating conversations, Instagram’s AI support bot creating a security mess, and Hasbro experimenting with AI chatbots for icons like Optimus Prime and Mr. Potato Head. Add a whiskey tasting of Arbeiki 1794 Highland Rye Single Grain Scotch and you’ve got a full hour of tech news for everyday people with real takeaways. If you like the show, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find us.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

June 2, 2026Episode 30155 min

301: Tech Risks Take Center Stage as We Talk DNA Privacy Breaches, Unstoppable Smart‑City Cameras, AI‑Driven Hardware Strain, Wild Research Claims, and Space‑Tech Realities. We Provide Practical Insight and Skeptical Humor | Air Date: 6/2–6/8/26

Episode 301: This week’s episode dives into the tech stories that should keep you up at night. We start with the chilling reality of the 23andMe breach—proof that your genetic code, the one thing you can never change, can be stolen, sorted, and sold to the highest bidder. Then we move to smart‑city surveillance gone rogue, where police camera networks keep recording even after the city tries to shut them down, leaving officials resorting to trash bags and tape while the data quietly flows elsewhere. Add in AI-driven hardware shortages now hitting consumer devices, and the picture gets even more unsettling.But the unease doesn’t stop there. We tease emerging tech that blurs the line between science and science fiction: Wi‑Fi systems that can identify you through walls, living neuron computers that learn, and AI models struggling to admit what they don’t know. Finally, we ground it all with a space‑tech reality check—from Blue Origin delays to SpaceX’s crypto holdings—reminding listeners that even the companies shaping the future aren’t immune to chaos. If you want the stories that reveal how fragile our digital world really is, this is the episode you don’t skip all coming up on TechTime Radio, with a little whiskey on the side.-- Full Episode Details:Your genetic code is now a commodity, and the scariest part is you can’t cancel it, replace it, or reset it like a password. We open with the 23andMe breach and lawsuit, unpacking how credential stuffing can unlock deeply personal genetic data, why DNA privacy is permanent, and what it means when stolen data can be resold and targeted by group. If you’ve ever wondered whether consumer DNA testing is worth the risk, we lay out the tradeoffs in plain terms.Then we head straight into smart city surveillance with a story that’s equal parts absurd and alarming: police camera networks that can’t be shut off by the city that paid for them. When officials learn data is being shared beyond local law enforcement, the “solution” becomes literal black trash bags over the lenses. It’s funny until you realize it exposes a bigger issue in public tech contracts, license plate reader systems, and who truly controls the technology embedded in daily life.We also connect the dots between AI infrastructure and your wallet, using the Steam Deck OLED price hike as a real-world signal of component shortages, supply chain pressure, and AI data centers consuming the same memory and compute ecosystem that powers consumer devices. Along the way, we play Two Truths and a Lie with stories about Wi-Fi based person identification and living neuron biocomputing, then talk AI reliability and the push for models that can finally say “I don’t know” instead of hallucinating. We close with a space tech reality check from Blue Origin and a blunt conversation about SpaceX’s Bitcoin holdings and why crypto still feels like speculation to a lot of people.If you like tech news that’s practical, skeptical, and still fun, subscribe for weekly episodes, share this with a friend who loves debating privacy and AI, and leave us a review so more people can find the show.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

May 26, 2026Episode 30055 min

300: AI Nails Security but Fails at Simple Tasks, Disney’s Facial-Scan Fight Heats Up, Phishing Scams Surge, an AI Mix-Up Leads to a Wrongful Arrest, Plus Waymo’s Recall, Tech Nostalgia, and Musk’s OpenAI Lawsuit | Air Date: 5/26 - 6/1/26

Episode 300: AI’s extremes are on full display in our 300th episode. Anthropic’s Mythos model reportedly uncovered more than 10,000 security flaws in a month, accelerating vulnerability discovery for major partners. Yet the same “AI efficiency” falls apart in the real world, as seen in Starbucks’ failed AI inventory rollout that miscounted products and mislabeled items. That contrast sets up the core question of the hour: when is AI a powerful tool, and when is it just expensive theater?We also dig into the rising stakes around biometric privacy, from Disney’s facial‑scan lawsuit to stadium and theme‑park “optional” recognition systems that don’t feel optional when the alternative line barely moves. Add in real phishing examples hitting DocuSign, Microsoft 365, and fake IRS notices, plus a case where an AI court summarizer caused a wrongful arrest, and the theme becomes clear: trust is getting harder to earn. We close with tech nostalgia, a blunt whiskey review, Waymo’s robotaxi recall, and Elon Musk’s failed lawsuit against OpenAI all coming up on TechTime Radio, with a little whiskey on the side.-- Full Episode Details:AI is getting dangerously good at the things we want and embarrassingly bad at the things we assumed were easy. We kick off our 300th show with a perfect contrast: Anthropic’s Mythos model reportedly uncovers 10,000+ security flaws in a month, boosting vulnerability discovery across major partners, yet the same “automation magic” falls flat when Starbucks tries AI inventory counting and ends up with mislabeled products and missed items. That tension drives the big question we keep circling: when is AI a genuine tool, and when is it just expensive theater? From there we get into facial recognition privacy and consent, sparked by Disney’s lawsuit over facial scanning at Disneyland. We compare it to Universal and stadium biometric entry, talk about what “optional” really means when the non-scan line is the long one, and why public tolerance shifts once AI becomes part of the story. If you care about digital identity, biometric data retention, and surveillance creep, this segment lands hard. We also bring the practical stuff: real phishing email examples that mimic DocuSign and Microsoft 365 quarantine notices, plus a fake “IRS statement” that screams malware. Then Mike’s AI Guy segment hits a gut-punch case where an AI court summarizer mashed files together and an innocent man got arrested. We round it out with tech nostalgia (Apple Newton), a brutally honest whiskey review, Waymo’s robotaxi flood fiasco and recall, and a quick hit on Elon Musk losing his lawsuit against OpenAI. Subscribe for weekly tech news with zero political agenda, share the episode with a friend who clicks too fast, and leave a review so more people can find the show.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

May 19, 2026Episode 29956 min

299: AI’s Role In Medicine Expands As Doctors Lean On New Tools, Robotaxis Face Fresh Safety Questions, Nick Espinoza Breaks Down Rising Privacy Risks, Hidden AI Messages, And Surveillance Concerns, Plus Dell's Tech Fail | Air Date: 5/19 - 5/25/26

Episode 299: Today on TechTime, AI is stepping deeper into places most people still think of as human‑only — including your doctor’s office. With nearly two‑thirds of U.S. physicians now relying on AI tools to help make medical decisions, we break down when that’s a breakthrough… and when it becomes blind trust in “the model said so.”Then we zoom out to the bigger AI ecosystem: a Waymo robotaxi that took an unexpected swim, the ongoing OpenAI leadership drama, and what all of it says about accountability in the age of automation. Nick Espinoza joins us to talk data privacy, surveillance, and hidden messages inside AI models, and we wrap with boardroom AI hype, a Dell SupportAssist fail, and a Puni Gold whiskey review — all coming up on TechTime Radio, with a little whiskey on the side.-- Full Episode Details:AI is showing up in places most people still think of as “human-only,” and the stakes are getting real fast. We start with a jaw-dropping stat: nearly two-thirds of US physicians are using AI tools to help make medical decisions. That can mean faster answers and better pattern recognition, but it can also mean a subtle shift where clinical judgment gets replaced by “the model said so.” We talk through what AI is great at, where it is dangerous, and why patients should care even if they never touch a chatbot.Then the conversation turns to the systems and incentives shaping AI behind the scenes. We cover robotaxi safety after a Waymo self-driving car took a dip in a flooded creek and triggered a recall, plus the ongoing question of how many failures it takes before accountability finally bites. We also revisit the OpenAI power struggle and what it reveals about AI governance, control, and the temptation for a small group of people to steer tools that can reshape society.Our favorite security fanatic, Nick Espinoza, joins us to dig into data privacy and government surveillance: buying personal data from brokers, the push for AI “oversight,” and geofence warrants that can sweep up location data from huge numbers of innocent people near a crime scene. We also get into a darker cybersecurity edge case: AI models that can hide messages inside normal outputs. We wrap with Mike the AI Guy on boardroom AI hype, a Dell SupportAssist tech fail, and a whiskey review of Puni Gold.Subscribe, share Tech TimeRadio with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

May 12, 2026Episode 29858 min

298: Fake AI Malware, OnlyFans Psychology, Scam Apps, Rail Hacks, SSD Tips That Everyone Should Know, And Smarter Tech Habits For Listeners Seeking Clear, Practical Weekly Insight, With a Little Whiskey on the Side | Air Date: 5/12 - 5/18/26

Episode 298: This week’s TechTime episode starts with a cautionary tale: one innocent click on a “totally legit” AI site turns into a malware parade featuring the Beagle backdoor. We break down how a fake Claude page practically begs you to download doom, and why “but it was a Google ad!” is not a legal defense. Then we pivot into the psychology of the OnlyFans boom, where relevance, identity, and questionable career advice collide. Mike the Psychologist weighs in with just enough sass to make you rethink every influencer bio you’ve ever read.From there, we tackle scam apps people want to believe in, including fake stalking tools with millions of installs—because apparently, common sense is optional. We also cover the Taiwan rail hack, proving once again that outdated radio systems and high‑speed trains are a terrible combo. Add in SSD buying tips that save you from slow‑drive regret, plus a quick Archie Rose single‑malt thumbs‑up. By the end, you’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you’ll definitely double‑check every download button you see. Tune in to TechTime Radio—where the future is now, the stories matter, and all with a little whiskey on the side.-- Full Episode Details:One bad click can turn “trying a new AI tool” into a full-blown Windows security incident. We walk through a fake Claude AI website that looks real, funnels you into a single download button, and drops a malware chain that ends with the Beagle backdoor. We break down the red flags, what to look for on your PC, and why “it was an ad on Google” is never a safety guarantee.Then we zoom out to the weird intersection of technology and human behavior. We talk about the OnlyFans wave as a modern relevance machine, and why platforms that sell intimacy also reshape identity, privacy, and credibility. From there, we pivot to the upside of AI assistants as a practical Swiss Army knife for daily life, including using prompts to map out a disk cleanup strategy and reduce dependency on random utility apps, while still keeping strict guardrails and verification.Finally, we hit the scams people want to believe, like fake “stalking” apps with millions of installs, and the infrastructure risks we should never tolerate, like high-speed rail systems running on outdated radio security. We cap it with a quick SSD buying tip that can save you from performance disappointment: TLC vs QLC NAND matters more than flashy peak speeds. Add a thumbs-up Archie Rose single malt tasting, and you’ve got a full hour of breaches, behavior, and better tech choices.Subscribe, share Tech TimeRadio with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

May 6, 2026Episode 29758 min

297: Cybersecurity Hiring is Shifting Fast as AI Fluency Is Becoming a Baseline Skill. Spotify’s Human‑Verified Music Labels, The AI Layoff Boomerang, and Sony’s 30‑Day Digital License Debate. Business Security Transparency? | Air Date: 5/5 - 5/11/26

Episode 297: The next wave of cybersecurity hiring is sending a clear message: without AI fluency, you may not be employable. U.S. cyber pipelines are adding AI skill requirements because modern defense now includes securing AI systems themselves. From semi‑autonomous agents to fast‑moving model‑driven threats, the job is shifting fast. If you’re aiming for a government or enterprise cyber role, this breakdown clarifies what real “AI fluency” means and why it’s becoming a baseline skill.Then we pivot to the strange side of AI behavior and why it still matters. OpenAI models inserting goblins and gremlins into answers sparks a deeper look at alignment, training loops, and user trust. Spotify’s human‑verified artist badges highlight how authenticity is becoming a product feature as AI‑generated music floods platforms. We close with the AI layoff boomerang and Sony’s 30‑day license check debate, raising big questions about transparency, ownership, and the future of digital media. Tune in to TechTime Radio—where the future is now, the stories matter, and all with a little whiskey on the side.-- Full Episode Details:The next wave of cybersecurity hiring is sending a blunt message: if you don’t understand AI, you may not be employable. We dig into reports that U.S. cyber pipelines are adding AI skill requirements because modern defense isn’t just about protecting networks anymore. It’s about using AI for defense while also securing AI systems themselves, from semi autonomous agents to fast moving model driven threats. If you’re aiming for a government or enterprise cyber role, this one helps you think clearly about what “AI fluency” actually means in practice and why it’s becoming a baseline skill.Then we pivot to the weird side of AI behavior and why it still matters. A story about OpenAI models that wouldn’t stop inserting goblins, gremlins, and other cryptids into answers turns into a real conversation about AI alignment, training feedback loops, and the growing trust gap between users and the systems they rely on. If AI can pick up bizarre habits that fast, what else is it learning and when do those quirks become a real problem?We also talk about AI generated music and the reason Spotify is rolling out human verified badges. With AI tracks blending into TikTok trends and streaming playlists, transparency and authenticity are turning into product features. To close, we hit the AI layoff boomerang where companies cut jobs “because of AI” and then scramble to rehire, plus a heated take on Sony’s 30 day license countdown for some digital games and what it means for digital ownership versus physical media. If any of these stories made you go “hmm,” subscribe, share the show, and leave a review so more people can find Tech Time Radio.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

April 28, 2026Episode 29658 min

296: Meta’s Massive Layoffs, Billion‑Dollar AI Bets, Musk Versus Altman Drama, Runaway Robotics, Drone Delivery Dreams, Tech Fails, And The Strange Future Of Automation Collide In One Wild, Whiskey‑Fueled Episode | Air Date: 4/28 - 5/4/26

Big tech is making a blunt trade: fewer people, more AI. We dig into Meta’s plan to cut more than 10% of its workforce while pouring an eye-watering budget into AI, then zoom out to the uncomfortable pattern across the industry where payroll turns into infrastructure spend. Along the way we hit a surprisingly human twist: one of the biggest uses of AI isn’t coding or design, it’s companionship and therapy, which says a lot about where our culture is headed.From there, we step into the billionaire arena with Elon Musk versus Sam Altman. We walk through the origins story, the lawsuit stakes, and why governance fights in court can shape the future of artificial intelligence more than public mission statements ever will. If the case slows OpenAI or forces structural changes, it could ripple through the entire AI race, and we’re all along for the ride whether we asked for it or not.Then we get practical and a little weird: robots and drones delivering dinner for “one dollar,” TechNeck and the anxiety economy, Cornell’s microbubble cleaning breakthrough, and a humanoid robot half marathon that jumps from novelty to serious capability in a single year. We also pressure-test “AI safety” messaging with Meta’s new AI Insights for parents, and we hand out a Technology Fail of the Week to an AI tractor that promised the future but couldn’t handle real farms.We cap it all off with a Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon tasting and a debate about whether the next decade feels more like Terminator or WALL-E. Subscribe for weekly tech news with zero politics, share the episode with a friend who needs a “hmm” moment, and leave a review with your take: are we automating toward freedom or dependence?Send us Fan MailSupport the show

April 21, 2026Episode 29555 min

295: AI Exploits, Chatbot Chats Used As Evidence, Roblox Safety Fallout, Biometric Id Battles, Deepfake‑Driven Trust Collapse, Scam Mailbag Chaos, Starlink Outages, And Even Robot Boars — Online Safety Is Getting Expensive | Air Date: 4/14- 4/20/26

AI is getting so good at faking reality that the internet is starting to demand proof you are a human, and that is where this week gets unsettling. We talk about Anthropic’s “Mythos” cybersecurity AI and why federal agencies reportedly went from pushing it away to urgently trying to get access again. When a model can map vulnerabilities, hunt zero-day weaknesses, and chain exploits across real networks, the conversation shifts from “cool AI” to “who controls the keys to the digital world.”Then we hit the courtroom: a judge rules that private chats with an AI assistant are not protected like attorney-client privilege, and that should change how all of us use chatbots for legal advice, work problems, and personal issues. If you assume your AI prompts are confidential, you are taking a risk you might not even realize you are taking.From there we get practical. We break down scam emails and social engineering tactics you can recognize fast, including fake invoices that push you into calling “support” and installing remote access tools, plus Microsoft 365 “password expires today” phishing pages designed to harvest credentials. We also talk Roblox child safety, the push toward iris scans via World ID for Zoom and Tinder style impersonation, a Starlink outage that stalls Navy autonomous vessels, and even a humanoid robot chasing wild boars in Poland.If you want smarter scam defenses and clearer context for the biggest AI security stories, subscribe to Tech Time Radio, share this with a friend who clicks too fast, and leave us a review so more people can find the show.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

April 14, 2026Episode 29457 min

294: This Week We Hit AI Warning Signs, Blue‑Light Myths, Meta’s Youth‑Harm Fight, Data‑Breach Fallout, Retro‑Camera Tech, Gen Z Streaming Hacks, And A Sip Of Abasolo Whiskey. Buckle Up For A Sharp, Fast Hour On TechTime Radio | Air Date: 4/14- 4/20/26

Episode 294: This week on TechTime Radio, we dive into rising AI safety warnings as OpenAI and Anthropic split on governance, explore why blue‑light panic became a myth, and break down Meta’s expanding fight over youth harm and accountability. We also cover new cybersecurity breaches, including Eurorail’s exposed traveler data.Then we spotlight a retro‑camera gadget that turns classic film bodies into digital shooters, share Gen Z’s clever streaming‑service rotation trick, and wrap with a tasting of Abasolo Mexican whiskey. Tune in to TechTime Radio—where the future is now, the stories matter, and all with a little whiskey on the side.-- Full Episode Details:Something feels different this week: the tech news isn’t just “new features,” it’s warning lights. We break down the growing gap between OpenAI and Anthropic and what it signals about artificial intelligence safety, AI governance, and the reality of trying to contain powerful models. When researchers say a system can surface security flaws and act without being asked, the important question isn’t sci-fi, it’s responsibility. Who audits it, who controls access, and what happens when the incentives to ship beat the incentives to slow down?Then we pivot to a myth a lot of us have paid for: blue light panic. We talk through why the “your phone is ruining your sleep” narrative got so sticky, how marketing turns weak evidence into a product category, and what actually drives circadian rhythm disruption. The practical takeaway is simple: your habits matter more than a filter, and doomscrolling at 1 a.m. is a bigger problem than the shade of your screen.We also hit the big platform story of the week: Meta and the expanding fight over social media addiction, youth harm, and accountability. From there we move into everyday cybersecurity with a brutal reminder about data breaches, including Eurorail’s exposed traveler information. To lighten things up, guest Gwen Way brings a summer-ready gadget pick, the I’m Back Roll, which turns classic film cameras into digital shooters, plus we share a Gen Z approach to streaming subscription management that cuts bills by rotating services. Add a tasting of Abasolo Mexican whiskey and you’ve got a fast, funny hour with real takeaways.If you got value from the conversation, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find Tech Time Radio. What story are you still thinking about after listening?Send us Fan MailSupport the show