This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor, Shawn DeWeerd, and Justin Lemme kick off with Shawn sharing a wild camping story—where YouTube weather streamer Ryan Hall helped them track a fast-moving storm that quickly turned dangerous. It sparks a discussion about the growing role of independent content creators and how platforms like YouTube are reshaping how we consume real-time information and entertainment

The guys break down the latest news from Apple with Tim Cook stepping aside as CEO of Apple and John Ternus stepping into the role. The team explores Apple’s successes, missteps, and whether the company can catch up in the rapidly evolving AI space. Justin shares with a discussion on “de-Googling”—a growing movement toward reclaiming personal data through alternative operating systems like GrapheneOS. Does this conflict with the trade-offs between convenience and control in today’s connected world?

Amazon shares news about a New Slimmer Amazon Fire Stick HD and FAST (Free Ad Supported Television) channels. The New Device ditches the previous Fire OS and is now run on Linux-based Vega OS. No Power Brick needed, it can run off a USB-C Port, and it does come with a USB-C to USB A Cable. It still has the guys wondering about the puzzling decision to stick with 1080p in a 4K world.

Amanda is back on the show to talk AI in education—what’s really happening in classrooms right now and how schools are handling it. She dives into the opportunities, the challenges, and what parents should be paying attention to.

Later, the crew answers a listener question about digital signage, offering practical solutions—from simple USB-based displays to more advanced platforms like Bright Sign or XOGO.AI. Justin shares a almost celebrity encounter which opens a discussion of the Nicest and grumpiest celebs we have encountered. The guys also talk about the gamer so focused on her bubbles, police were called which opens up a discussion of gamers in their 90s, proving that tech truly spans generations.

In this week’s Talking Tech segment on KMSB Fox 11 News 13, Andy Taylor explores a growing trend in technology—tools and toys designed to help kids take a break from screens while still engaging with interactive and educational experiences.

After showcasing a variety of gadgets at the Sunflower Computer Club in Marana, one standout featured previously on Talking Tech was the NEX Playground, an interactive system that turns your TV into a motion-based gaming experience. Kids can physically participate in games, blending screen time with movement and social interaction.

Nintendo is also expanding beyond traditional gaming with its My Mario line, offering books, building sets, and hybrid digital experiences that encourage creativity, reading, and hands-on play.

For outdoor fun, Andy highlights a ride-on ATV themed around Bluey. The Bluey 12v ATV With Surfboard is Designed for younger riders, it offers a safe, battery-powered way for kids to explore while enjoying familiar sounds and characters. Of course it is decorated in Bluey Style! While the Weight limit is about 66lbs and can reach a top speed of 3mph, Andy decided to have Sora, before it goes aways, allow him a virtual experience of Riding!

The takeaway: technology isn’t just about more screen time—it can also be a bridge to more active, creative, and balanced play.

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor, Shawn DeWeerd, and Justin Lemme pack the show with a mix of practical advice, industry trends, consumer tech insight, and one very relatable AI troubleshooting story.

The episode opens with a conversation inspired by World Backup Day, as the team discusses whether people still need traditional backups now that so much of daily life already lives in the cloud. From iCloud and Google Photos to NAS systems and mirrored local storage, the discussion looks at the difference between convenience, redundancy, and true disaster recovery. The hosts also explore the downsides of cloud backup, including transfer speeds, privacy concerns, and the reality that “free” services often come with tradeoffs.

That privacy angle expands into a broader discussion on surveillance and artificial intelligence. The team talks about photo apps that identify faces, security cameras that recognize visitors, geofencing technology, and the growing presence of systems like Flock cameras. It becomes one of the episode’s most thought-provoking segments, balancing the usefulness of smart systems with concerns about how much information is being collected and who ultimately has access to it.

One of the standout moments of the show comes when Justin shares his attempt to use Grok to help him set up a Project Zomboid server on a Synology NAS. What starts as a step-by-step AI-assisted setup turns into hours of troubleshooting, repeated error messages, and eventually a paid upgrade to “Super Grok” — only for the chatbot to finally admit that the server was not really designed to run on Synology in the first place. It is a funny, honest example of how AI can feel incredibly smart one moment and deeply unhelpful the next. In the end, Justin solves the problem by renting a server for a few dollars a month and getting it working in about 15 minutes.

The show also answers a listener question about moving to Dallas and choosing between fiber internet and cable service. Justin and Shawn strongly favor fiber, explaining the benefits of dedicated bandwidth, better upload speeds, and improved reliability for modern households. Andy also raises the issue of router availability and manufacturing changes, adding another layer to the conversation around networking hardware.

In the featured interview, Andy welcomes Julie Gran of GrandPad, a company focused on making technology more approachable for seniors. Julie explains how GrandPad is built around simplicity, safety, and connection, with a secure family-approved network, larger easy-to-read controls, telehealth support, companion family features, and thoughtful accessibility touches. The conversation also covers Grandie Chat, GrandPad’s carefully designed AI feature that allows older adults to interact through voice in a more comfortable and guided way. The interview closes with a moving story that highlights the emotional power of technology when it is designed to truly serve the user.

To finish the episode, the guys shifts into camera talk as Justin discusses plans to buy a Tamron 35-150 lens during an upcoming trip to Japan. Shawn breaks down why the lens is so appealing, explaining aperture, focal length, and the visual magic of shallow depth of field and bokeh. It’s a strong finish to an episode that moves from backups and broadband to AI mishaps, family connection, and creative tools.

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On this week’s TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd cover a wide range of tech topics, starting with a listener question about securely accessing files remotely. They discuss modern solutions like VPNs, Tailscale, and remote desktop tools, along with the challenges of Windows 11 networking changes. The conversation also takes an interesting turn into how Pokémon Go’s massive location data is now being used to power delivery robots, highlighting the unexpected ways everyday tech can evolve.

Andy also prepares for an upcoming presentation focused on practical technology for older users, including easy-to-use devices like GrandPad tablets and digital photo frames that automatically update with family pictures. The show features a hands-on discussion of the new MacBook Neo, covering design, usability, performance, and why it could be a strong choice for everyday users.

In the second half, local entrepreneur Misa Acosta, creator of Makeup Therapy with Marisa, joins the show to share her journey of building a business and using social media to expand her brand and create engagement. She offers insights into content creation, engagement strategies, and how platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube can help grow a brand. The episode wraps with entertainment news, including buzz around a new Firefly animated series and the evolving world of streaming content. Her Milkshake profiles links can be found here

In Wrapping Up, we wanted to share links Shawn had mentioned in the show for Digital Photo Frames and services from Pix-Star and Nixplay

Pix-Star

• App: Pix-Star Snap
• Lets you upload photos directly from your phone
• Photos automatically rotate on the frame
• Great for sharing family photos in near real-time

Nixplay

• App: Nixplay App
• Very similar concept:
  • App-based uploads
  • Cloud-connected frames
  • Photos update automatically
• Popular for gifting to parents/grandparents

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If you’ve just upgraded to a new smartphone like the iPhone 17e or Samsung Galaxy S26, the next step is finding the right accessories to get the most out of your device. In this KMSB Fox 11 News 13 tech segment, Andy Taylor highlights some of the latest innovations in smartphone accessories—from stylish and functional MagSafe cases to powerful high-speed USB hubs.

Featured in this segment are products from CaseKoo, including the Linku strap case designed for comfortable, hands-free carrying, and the Matte Magic MagSafe cases that offer flexible viewing angles and easy wireless charging. These accessories not only protect your phone but also enhance usability whether you’re at an event, traveling, or just going about your day.

Also showcased is a high-performance USB4 hub from EZQuest, offering blazing-fast data transfer speeds, multiple ports for connectivity, and the ability to power external devices like monitors and accessories—all from a single compact solution. It’s a must-have tool for power users and content creators alike.

As smartphone technology continues to evolve, accessories like these are becoming essential tools that expand functionality, improve convenience, and enhance the overall user experience.

Find out More about CaseKoo at https://www.casekoo.com and for EZQuest which makes some amazing Hubs https://www.ezq.com