In this episode of TechWatch Radio, hosts Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison dive deep into the evolving media and tech landscape—from YouTube’s high-stakes dispute with Disney to the skyrocketing costs of streaming that are driving viewers back toward ad-supported models. They unpack how traditional cable habits are resurfacing in modern streaming bundles and explore whether industry greed or inflated production costs are to blame for soaring subscription fees.The discussion then shifts to a surprising new player in tech acquisitions—Italy’s “Bending Spoons,” the company quietly buying up major names like AOL and possibly Venmo. Sam and Jay analyze what this trend means for the future of global tech brands and innovation. They also explore Canva’s latest AI-powered design overhaul, the company’s ambitious challenge to Adobe, and whether it risks losing its “for-everyone” simplicity in the process.Later in the show, the hosts spotlight a disturbing rise in AI-generated fake expense receipts; exposing how employees are committing digital fraud and how AI is now being used to detect it. Other segments tackle OpenAI’s mental-health data on ChatGPT users, massive password breaches affecting billions, Nvidia’s record-shattering valuation, Elon Musk’s “Grockapedia” project, and Microsoft’s bold move to bring Halo to PlayStation. As always, TechWatch Radio keeps an eye on the fast-changing world of tech so you don’t have to!

In this packed episode of TechWatch Radio, hosts Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison tackle the biggest and strangest headlines in the world of technology. From Amazon’s plan to replace 600,000 human jobs with robots by 2033, to Meta trimming its AI division, they explore the real-world implications of automation on the workforce. The discussion expands to military-grade humanoid robots, raising questions about the ethics of using machines in warfare and whether humanity risks losing control in its quest for technological dominance.The hosts also take a sharp turn into the world of digital media, examining how AI tools like ChatGPT are siphoning off traffic from Wikipedia and transforming how we consume information. They debate who’s more trustworthy, AI or human, edited wikis, and what “clean AI” could mean for the future. In true TechWatch fashion, the show closes with rapid-fire stories ranging from WhatsApp’s new anti-spam controls and VPN privacy concerns, to bizarre innovations like the $600 “poop cam” that analyzes your health. It’s a fascinating, fast-moving episode that captures both the promise and absurdity of our AI-driven world!

This week on TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison dive into the shifting digital landscape where security, hardware, and user control collide. The show opens with a breakdown of Google’s new Gmail client-side encryption rollout and the quiet removal of key features like POP access and Gmailify; changes that could leave longtime users scrambling. The hosts debate whether end-to-end encryption really means privacy when Google still owns the infrastructure, and what it signals for the future of offline email and open-source compatibility.The conversation then turns to the surprising report that Intel may manufacture AMD chips in its own U.S. foundries — a move that could reshape the semiconductor industry, reduce America’s dependence on Taiwan’s TSMC, and bring more competition to the GPU and AI-driven chip market. Sam and Jay weigh how this partnership might lead to faster, cheaper processors and revive stateside chipmaking.Finally, the hosts round up browser news: Google Chrome hits a record-high 72% market share, Microsoft Edge struggles to define itself, and the Brave browser quietly celebrates 100 million active users with privacy-first innovation. With sharp takes and relatable humor, TechWatch Radio keeps you up to speed on the storms brewing across Big Tech.

Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison dive into a wide-ranging lineup of tech news that impacts both everyday users and industry insiders. They kick things off with Robinhood’s decision to scale back free account perks, pushing customers toward its Gold membership.The conversation then shifts to Google’s new “Project Aluminum,” an ambitious effort to unify ChromeOS and Android into a seamless ecosystem for phones, tablets, and PCs. Sam and Jay discuss the challenges of scaling across screen sizes, the future of cloud-first computing, and why Microsoft and Apple may still have an edge. Rounding out the episode are highlights on NVIDIA and Intel’s surprising new partnership, troubling data breaches at TransUnion and Plex, and the debut of PayPal’s new payment links. Along the way, the hosts also spotlight fun distractions like live animal cams and practical gadgets like rechargeable motion-sensor LED lights.

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, hosts Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison dive into the growing overload of communication platforms and payment systems, lamenting how the modern digital world demands users juggle countless apps, services, and channels just to stay connected. They highlight how Microsoft Teams is adding new security features for enterprise users, and discuss the creeping frustration of mandatory tools that reinstall themselves with every Windows update. Their lively banter underscores how the sheer volume of platforms is starting to hinder communication rather than help it.The conversation then shifts to urgent security concerns, including the newly discovered Android malware “RatOn,” which can drain bank accounts and lock devices with ransomware. They warn listeners to avoid sideloading apps, maintain strong backups, and respond carefully if a device is compromised. Wrapping up, Sam and Jay tackle the confusion around ever-changing cable standards like the new Ultra 96 HDMI spec, comparing it to the USB mess and stressing how difficult it has become for average users to even know what gear they have. Packed with sharp takes, practical advice, and plenty of humor, this episode helps listeners navigate today’s increasingly tangled tech landscape.

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, hosts Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison dive into the growing trend of major tech companies cracking down on account sharing. They discuss Amazon’s decision to end its long-running Prime Invitee program, YouTube and Netflix’s enforcement against family plan abuse, and how these moves reflect an industry-wide shift toward maximizing revenue — even if it means upsetting long-time loyal users. The duo weigh the balance between fair business practices and consumer frustration, while highlighting why gradual, well-communicated changes earn more respect than abrupt cutoffs.The conversation then shifts to the rising tension around Windows 11 adoption, where Microsoft is forcing updates and phasing out support for Windows 10. Sam and Jay debate the risks of forced upgrades, the hidden costs to businesses, and the environmental toll of sending functional computers to landfills. They also tackle common-sense IT habits like rebooting regularly, resisting auto-launching apps, and managing cluttered browsers. Wrapping up, they share candid frustrations about the chaos of modern communication channels and the growing difficulty of reaching real support at large tech companies. It’s a packed, no-nonsense episode designed to help listeners navigate today’s tech turbulence!

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison explore some of the odd and intriguing turns in today’s tech world. From Facebook’s attempt to revive the once-forgotten “poke” feature to the bizarre case of a lawyer named Mark Zuckerberg suing Facebook, the hosts dig into the ways social media keeps reshaping itself — sometimes in laughable ways. They also question whether Elon Musk’s new promise of encrypted messaging on X can really be trusted, drawing comparisons with Telegram and Signal while unpacking what “rolling your own encryption” truly means.The conversation then shifts to practical tech that hits closer to home. Sam and Jay review the best computer speakers across a wide range of budgets, from ultra-affordable options under $50 to premium studio-quality models nearing $300. They wrap up with a look at laptop docking stations, pointing out how the growing maze of USB standards creates both opportunities and headaches for everyday users. Blending humor, skepticism, and real-world advice, this episode covers everything from quirky social media revivals to the gear that makes your workstation work smarter.

In this episode, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison dive into three major tech and policy stories shaping headlines. They begin with a critical discussion of OpenAI’s response to a lawsuit after a tragic teen suicide linked to ChatGPT use. With new parental controls and “safer” chatbot modes on the horizon, Sam and Jay debate whether these measures are enough — or if they raise new concerns about overreach, surveillance, and parental responsibility.The conversation then shifts to Apple’s rumored “iPhone Air” and whether a slimmer design is truly the innovation users want. From battery life and remote access features to stability and affordability, the hosts argue that everyday reliability may be more valuable than cosmetic upgrades.Finally, they examine President Trump’s rollback of federal support for wind energy projects. While critics warn of lost jobs and higher energy costs, Sam and Jay make the case for letting the free market — not subsidies — determine the future of renewable power. Packed with sharp analysis and practical insights, this episode keeps you informed on the crossroads of technology, policy, and everyday life.

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison unpack a provocative question: could your own podcast become your AI competitor? Inspired by an article from media attorney Matthew B. Harrison, they explore how AI can already mimic voices, cadence, and content with startling accuracy—and how creators can protect their work through contracts, rights management, and authenticity. The hosts weigh the risks and opportunities of AI-generated imitations, from personal identity threats to new tools that could even outperform the original human talent.From there, the conversation shifts to Apple’s clever workaround that brings blood oxygen monitoring back to the Apple Watch after a high-profile patent battle, and Google’s latest legal moves to shut down a massive Android TV botnet plaguing millions of devices. Sam and Jay also examine the rise of Skylight, a TikTok alternative experimenting with community curation, and marvel at Nvidia’s record-shattering $4 trillion valuation fueled by the AI boom. With insights on technology, privacy, and the pace of innovation, this episode highlights both the promise and pitfalls of a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Jay Harrison and Sam Bushman dive into social media’s return to its roots as Instagram experiments with college-only networking features—eerily reminiscent of Facebook’s early days. They explore how shifting privacy norms and generational habits shape what people share online, and why Meta’s latest move may be more about countering TikTok than student life.The discussion then turns to YouTube Music’s 10-year milestone, its push to challenge Spotify, and what that says about the future of audio versus video platforms. Jay and Sam also tackle a sobering lawsuit against OpenAI, where parents allege ChatGPT contributed to their son’s tragic death, sparking a broader debate on AI’s role, responsibility, and the fine balance between privacy and safety. Wrapping up, they preview next week’s conversation: could your own podcast someday compete with you, cloned by AI?

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison dive into the ongoing AI chatbot wars, with a spotlight on ChatGPT-5’s rocky rollout and the quirky personality of Elon Musk’s Grok. They discuss the balance between speed and intelligence in AI responses, the growing emotional dependency some users have on chatbots, and the troubling issue of bots refusing shutdown commands. Sam also shares his frustrating bug-reporting experience, underscoring how even “smart” AI can stumble on basic tasks.The conversation shifts from AI to real-world tech with a deep look at Starlink internet. Drawing on both personal use and a PCWorld contributor’s review, Sam and Jay weigh the service’s strengths and shortcomings, from impressive download speeds to weak routers and storm resilience. Wrapping up, they highlight hidden Apple ecosystem features—like sharing AirPods audio with a friend and flashing the iPhone flashlight when locating a lost device—and debate whether TechWatch should make the jump from radio to video. It’s a packed episode exploring where AI, connectivity, and consumer tech are headed, and what it means to keep technology working for you, not the other way around.

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison cover a wide range of tech stories—starting with the unexpected: AOL finally retiring dial-up internet after 35 years, while more than 160,000 people still rely on it. They take a nostalgic detour into the history of the payphone, tracing its roots back to 1889 and reflecting on how it transformed communication long before the smartphone era.From there, the conversation shifts to modern concerns. The hosts discuss the growing privacy risks of uploading personal photos into ChatGPT and highlight the ongoing debate over whether children’s images should be shared online. They also examine the rising costs of everyday software, from Microsoft 365’s sharp subscription increase to the retirement of the once-simple Microsoft Lens app, now being folded into the pricier Copilot ecosystem. Wrapping up, they dig into QuickBooks’ controversial decision to add ACH transfer fees—another example of tech companies squeezing small businesses. It’s an episode that bridges the old and the new, showing how far technology has come and the challenges it still creates.

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison unpack the quiet rollout of ChatGPT 5.0, which is now powering user interactions without most people realizing it. They discuss its improved accuracy, reduced hallucinations, and dynamic model-switching capabilities. The conversation shifts to the massive power demands of AI, with projections showing it could consume 12% of U.S. electricity by 2028—outpacing even Bitcoin mining. Sam and Jay challenge the “net zero” narrative, arguing that carbon credits and offsets are more about taxes than true environmental responsibility, and they weigh the tough tradeoffs society may face between air conditioning, electric vehicles, AI, and cryptocurrency.The show also covers Amazon’s Project Kuiper, a $140 million satellite facility aimed at competing with SpaceX’s Starlink to deliver global broadband. Jay shares his real-world experience using Starlink for years, its strengths and occasional dropouts, and how competition could drive prices down and service up. Wrapping up, the hosts highlight a rare “human beats AI” story where a Polish programmer narrowly outperformed an OpenAI model in a grueling 10-hour coding contest—while noting that such victories may be short-lived as AI rapidly advances.

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison dive into the rapidly changing media landscape where podcasting is now rivaling and even overtaking traditional AM/FM radio. They explore new data showing podcasts capturing 41% of listeners aged 13–64, compared to radio’s 39%, with YouTube emerging as the dominant platform thanks to video podcasts, ease of access, and its powerful recommendation engine. The hosts debate whether this signals the decline of radio or simply a new era where both mediums can thrive side-by-side, and discuss how the very definition of “podcast” has blurred across platforms.The conversation also covers major media shakeups, including the NFL acquiring a stake in ESPN, Howard Stern’s steep audience decline and contract uncertainty, and The New York Times’ surging digital subscriptions amid print’s steady decline. Wrapping up, Sam and Jay reflect on the influence of top podcasters like Joe Rogan, who now reach more people than legacy news outlets.

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison kick things off with the bizarre auction of a Martian meteorite that fetched over $5 million -- sparking a humorous and skeptical conversation about how anyone can really verify the origins of a space rock. From meteorites to million-dollar dinosaur skeletons and NFTs, the duo explores the strange world of brag-worthy collectibles and the blurred line between value and hype in today’s economy.Then it’s back to tech as Microsoft and Mozilla take center stage in the renewed browser wars. Microsoft boasts massive speed improvements in Edge, while Firefox rolls out support for WebGPU, boosting graphics performance by tapping into local GPUs — ushering in a new wave of browser-based gaming and AI processing. Jay and Sam discuss how this shift will demand newer hardware and faster internet, raising concerns about lag, energy consumption, and the widening gap between cutting-edge software and aging systems. With warnings about future energy shortages and the rising costs of staying current; this episode delivers humor, insight, and a healthy dose of tech reality.

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison discuss the dangers of public Wi-Fi and explain why connecting at your local coffee shop might be like using a public restroom with no stalls. They dive into how Wi-Fi “pineapples” can silently spoof trusted networks and why your phone’s memory of old connections could be a serious security risk. Jay offers proactive cybersecurity tips, including how to audit your device's saved networks and the benefits of using your phone as a personal hotspot.Then, they tackle Microsoft's latest shake-ups, starting with the abrupt gutting of Microsoft Authenticator’s password management features. Sam and Jay critique the tech giant’s handling of core authentication tools and question the wisdom of removing mission-critical functionality with little warning. They also cover the quiet cancellation of Microsoft Store versions of Office apps and discuss what it means for users stuck in the confusing maze of Microsoft’s “click-to-run” versus store-installed apps. To close on a brighter note, they highlight Microsoft's unexpected offer: free Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 — perhaps a sign the Windows 11 push isn’t going as planned. Tune in for real-world tech insight that cuts through the clutter!

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam and Jay dive into the growing trend of AI middleware platforms like 1min.ai, which offer lifetime access to multiple large language models through a single dashboard. They explore whether this model is sustainable or just another “too good to be true” flash in the pan, and speculate about a future where users interact with AI through unified task-based interfaces that automatically select the best model for the job.The conversation shifts to Windows 11’s newest features and bugs; including a controversial AI-powered Quick Machine Recovery, a puzzling GPU-eject prompt, and the sudden disabling of the emoji search function in Windows 10. Microsoft’s continuing efforts to push admin automation and uninstall restrictions come under fire as Jay and Sam discuss user control, sandboxing failures, and security trade-offs.Finally, the hosts highlight major security mishaps, from a critical Chrome vulnerability affecting multiple browsers to McDonald’s AI-based job applicant data breach impacting over 64 million users. Add in a Call of Duty hack through the Microsoft Store and it’s clear: trust in tech ecosystems is being tested on every front.

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam and Jay unpack the jaw-dropping news of Japan’s new internet speed record: 1.02 Petabytes per second - roughly 350,000 times faster than the average U.S. connection. They explore what this milestone means for future real-world use and discuss the diminishing returns of ultra-high bandwidth, especially in talk radio streaming and software design. From audio compression standards to bloated printer drivers, they reflect on how optimization often gets sacrificed as speed increases.Next, the duo dives into the surprising resurgence of retro computing with a modernized Commodore 64 remake. They debate whether this low-tech-high-tech device is more than nostalgia, potentially paving the way for ultra-affordable, highly capable computing. The conversation rounds out with news that OpenAI is preparing to launch its own AI-powered web browser, built on Chromium, and what that could mean for Google, the future of browsing, and the rise of paid browser ecosystems. They wrap up with a look at Linux’s growing U.S. desktop market share, driven in part by Raspberry Pi adoption and Windows 11 resistance.

Sam and Jay explore how AI is reshaping the workforce, spotlighting Google's latest round of buyouts and return-to-office mandates. They discuss the hidden impact of AI on sectors like marketing and IT management: even as companies downplay the connection. The hosts debate whether this shift spells doom or simply signals the next phase in technological evolution, with historical parallels drawn from the Industrial Revolution to the Dot-Com boom.Sam shares a powerful personal story about using ChatGPT to help diagnose a health concern – one later confirmed by his doctor. And they unpack how AI is already transforming medicine, coding, and even pharmacy workflows. The conversation also dives into CodeX, OpenAI’s software engineering agent, and what it means for the future of development. Wrapping up, they analyze Epic Games’ legal wins against Big Tech and the slow unraveling of app store monopolies, while debating whether new Android phones, military discount verification tools, and good old physical keyboards are signs of progress; Or just smarter pivots in a changing landscape?

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison break down the real cost of cutting corners in IT services. From weak cybersecurity measures to incomplete backups and fine-print exclusions in managed service contracts, they share firsthand insights on why "you get what you pay for" rings especially true in the tech world. They also revisit the old Sears & Roebuck “good, better, best” model and apply it to modern IT decisions - advocating for a balanced, thoughtful approach to tech investment rather than choosing the cheapest or flashiest option.Then the conversation pivots to mobile service plans, where the hosts discuss the postpaid “top-tier” options from major carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile may not be worth the hype; or the price tag. They highlight the benefits of MVNOs like Tello and Visible, which offer surprisingly good coverage and flexibility at a fraction of the cost. With plans as low as $5/month, and no contracts or bundled fluff, these alternatives can be game-changers for families and budget-conscious users alike. They wrap up with a fun note on how ChatGPT hilariously lost a chess match to a 1979 Atari 2600, underscoring that even high-tech AI has its blind spots.