TechStuff
2,307 episodes - English - Latest episode: 15 days ago - ★★★★ - 1.7K ratingsTechStuff is a show about technology. And it’s not just how technology works. Join host Jonathan Strickland as he explores the people behind the tech, the companies that market it and how technology affects our lives and culture.
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Episodes
Tech News: The FCC Will Vote in Favor of Net Neutrality. Again.
April 05, 2024 18:52 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MBNet neutrality goes through another flip in the flip-flop history with the FCC announcing it plans to vote to reinstate some of the rules established during the Obama administration but overturned during the Trump administration. Plus, Google agrees to destroy billions of data records and Ford decides to hold off on producing EVs for a bit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
My Test Image is the Centerfold
April 03, 2024 21:02 - 35 minutes - 32.3 MBMy blood runs cold, my computer memory has just been sold -- my test image is the centerfold! Today, we look at the story of the "Lenna image," a scan of a Playboy model that has been used in countless papers and articles, and why there's a movement now to bring an end to that practice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Corporate Espionage in the Tech Sector
April 01, 2024 22:03 - 48 minutes - 44.8 MBSometimes, folks want to take a short cut. And sometimes that shortcut is illegal. This episode is about companies, managers, employees and others who engaged in some shifty behavior to get access to data that didn't belong to them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tech News: TikTok Strikes Back, AI Poses Threats, and Butts!
March 29, 2024 20:07 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MBTikTok is turning up the heat on the US Senate to get a proposed bill that would ban the service tossed out. The US government announces new policies relating to the use of AI in federal agencies. And a streaming service tries to clamp down on butts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Did In-N-Out invent the Intercom?
March 27, 2024 20:43 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MBIs it true Harry Snyder, founder of In-N-Out, invented the intercom? Not quite. But he was the first credited with using a system to create what would become the model for the modern drive-thru. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Weaponization of EULAs
March 25, 2024 19:47 - 38 minutes - 34.9 MBThe End User License Agreement is that thing you click "I agree" to without having read the whole thing. But you can be forgiven -- some companies make their EULAs freakishly long, hiding some nefarious terms in the process. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tech News: Tech Companies in the Hot Seat
March 22, 2024 19:44 - 29 minutes - 26.8 MBThe US government is cracking down on Big Tech. From a House bill that would make it illegal for data brokers to sell American citizen info to foreign adversaries to a massive monopoly lawsuit against Apple, we look at some of the battles the Tech industry faces in the near future. Plus more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Rooster Teeth Story: The End?
March 20, 2024 18:09 - 45 minutes - 42.1 MBAfter navigating numerous controversies and setbacks, Rooster Teeth attempted to return to a more stable existence. But it was not to be. The corporate overlords at Warner Bros Discovery have decided to shut down the company after it reportedly spent a decade being unprofitable. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Smart Talks with IBM - AI in Healthcare: How Generative AI Is Expanding Fertility Treatment
March 19, 2024 14:00 - 35 minutes - 32.4 MBAs artificial intelligence progresses, healthcare providers are exploring how the technology can be used to offer personalized care at scale. In this episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Dr. Laurie Santos sits down with Alice Crisci, co-founder and CEO of fertility-care provider Ovum Health. They discuss the barriers to healthcare access, the ways in which AI can be leveraged to expand the reach of healthcare providers, and how Ovum Health’s partnership with IBM and their use of watsonx has bee...
The Rooster Teeth Story: The Middle Bits
March 18, 2024 22:14 - 44 minutes - 40.6 MBFullscreen's acquisition of Rooster Teeth would bring with it new challenges, including corporate bureaucracy, a push for new kinds of monetization, and changes in company culture. Meanwhile, the folks at Rooster Teeth kept making content. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tech News: US House of Reps Votes to Ban TikTok
March 15, 2024 20:04 - 46 minutes - 42.7 MBThis week, the House of Representatives in the US voted overwhelmingly in support of a bill that would force TikTok owner ByteDance to divest itself of the app or else face a national ban. What's going on, where does the bill go from here and why am I so exasperated by it all? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Rooster Teeth Story: The Beginning
March 13, 2024 21:56 - 46 minutes - 42.4 MBWarner Bros Discovery is shutting down the online media company Rooster Teeth just as it nears its 21st anniversary. We look back on the history of the company, how it made an impact on internet culture, and where things went wrong. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Better Offline: A conversation with Ed Zitron
March 11, 2024 21:18 - 39 minutes - 36.5 MBEd Zitron of the Better Offline podcast joins the show, and boy is he mad! Ed and Jonathan get angry over the state of the tech industry, the focus on short term gains at the cost of long term benefits, and why the tech we have at our disposal sometimes just feels like it's not as good as it should be. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tech News: OpenAI Spills the Tea on Elon Musk
March 09, 2024 01:36 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MBOpenAI said they didn't wanna do it, but they're sharing emails written by Elon Musk that imply he was totally okay with OpenAI making a ton of money if it also was part of Tesla. Plus the US President speaks out against AI. And much more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Holographic Wedding
March 06, 2024 22:20 - 45 minutes - 41.8 MBArtist Alicia Framis plans to wed an AI "hologram" this summer. Before the wedding bells chime, we have some questions. We explore holograms, artificial intelligence, and technical, social, ethical and cultural conundrums. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What's Your Problem? with Jacob Goldstein: Using AI to Help Doctors Save Lives
March 04, 2024 17:26 - 42 minutes - 38.7 MBEvery year in the U.S., tens of thousands of hospital patients die of preventable causes. For many of these patients, warning signs are subtle and easy for doctors to miss. Suchi Saria is the founder and CEO of Bayesian Health, and a professor at Johns Hopkins where she runs a lab focused on machine learning and healthcare. Suchi’s problem is this: How can you use AI to detect when hospital patients are at risk of potentially deadly complications – and how can you get doctors to listen? See...
The Tech Pioneers
March 01, 2024 18:46 - 32 minutes - 29.5 MBSometimes, an invention comes along that defines a new function, form factor, or fashion. In this episode, we celebrate some of these inventions by exploring the stories behind them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Big Apps that Flopped
February 28, 2024 20:58 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MBThe Silicon Valley dream is to come up with an app and make a billion dollars. But not every app hits such heights. And some briefly touch the stars but then plummet back to Earth. This episode is dedicated to the failures! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The History of the Digital Camera
February 26, 2024 20:03 - 39 minutes - 36.5 MBOnce upon a time, there were no digital cameras. Who invented them, and how did they become so common that even the most basic smartphone has one? We learn about the tech behind digital cameras and really get into the megapixels. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tech News: Google's AI Pushes Diversity Too Far
February 23, 2024 20:42 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBIn what I can only describe as an overcorrection, Google's Gemini AI has tried to promote diversity in situations where it's not appropriate, such as in an image portraying Nazi soldiers. Plus, Bluesky gives more control to users, Cruise looks to resume operations in a different state after California revoked its license, and researchers find a way to double processing power without upgrading hardware. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Conversation with Jacob Goldstein
February 21, 2024 19:13 - 57 minutes - 53 MBJournalist Jacob Goldstein joins the show to talk about the challenges of communicating technology topics to the public, how to sort through the promise and threat of AI, and the way that engineers approach problems. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
TechStuff Classic: The Intel Story Part One
February 19, 2024 16:43 - 58 minutes - 53.3 MBHow did the co-founders of Intel go from being "traitors" to two of the early pioneers of Silicon Valley? We learn about Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
TechStuff Classic: History of Electricity Part Two
February 16, 2024 08:01 - 1 hour - 63.1 MBAs the 20th century loomed ever closer, the battle waged to determine how we would transmit electricity. Learn about the current wars and why AC ultimately won. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Invented by Accident
February 14, 2024 22:57 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MBNot all inventions are the product of careful experimentation. Sometimes, someone pulls a whoopsie and learns something new. This episode is all about those types of discoveries. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When Did Google Stop Being a Search Company?
February 12, 2024 23:59 - 43 minutes - 40.3 MBFor a couple of years in Google's early history, it was a real search company. But that would change in 2000 as Google would embrace advertising. Learn how Google would shift to become a dominant force in online ads. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tech News: Power-Hungry AI and Malicious Toothbrushes
February 09, 2024 22:45 - 21 minutes - 19.5 MBSam Altman of OpenAI wants to see a huge investment in new semiconductor fabrication plants to support AI implementations. The FTC hopes to reverse the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard merger. And did hackers really take over millions of smart toothbrushes? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pivot to Video
February 08, 2024 01:54 - 41 minutes - 38.1 MBBack in 2015, Facebook made a claim that would lead advertisers and content creators to shift focus to online video. There was one problem -- the claim ended up being bogus. How did the pivot to video strategy become a dark, grim joke in the tech sector? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Small Episode About Big Data
February 05, 2024 20:24 - 39 minutes - 35.9 MBWhat does Big Data actually mean? How has the science of Big Data changed recently? What are the potential benefits and pitfalls of Big Data? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tech News: US Senate Grills Big Tech CEOs
February 02, 2024 22:38 - 36 minutes - 33.1 MBThe Senate Judiciary Committee met with CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg with accusations that their companies are actively causing harm to children, and they weren't happy with the response. Plus, a judge tells Elon Musk that he will not be getting the massive compensation package promised to him by Tesla's board of directors. And TikTok says goodbye to Taylor Swift's music (and all other UMG tracks). Plus more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
HOVERCRAFT!!!
January 31, 2024 19:44 - 44 minutes - 41.2 MBWho invented the hovercraft? What happened to all the hovercraft that used to provide transportation options in the UK? How do they work? We look into all this, plus a classic Jackie Chan action flick. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Operating Systems that Time Forgot
January 29, 2024 22:13 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBSometimes, an operating system has served its purpose and it's time to go live on a farm. We take a look at some operating systems that are no longer supported and explore why moving on can sometimes cause a problem. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tech News: The Political War Against Social Media
January 26, 2024 20:05 - 37 minutes - 34.4 MBFrom New York City to the state of Florida, politicians are getting serious as they face off against social media companies like Meta TikTok. Plus, we have a bunch of news around AI, an update on Tesla that has investors upset and we say farewell to an amazing little helicopter on Mars. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Moving Around in VR
January 25, 2024 00:20 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MBAn interesting set of challenges crop up when you want to translate movements in a physical space to a virtual one. How do you keep people safe? How do you manage groups in the same physical space? And can you still look cool if you're running around on an omni treadmill? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
AI at CES 2024
January 23, 2024 00:53 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MBAt this year's CES, several trends revealed themselves among the exhibitors. But none were more prevalent than the incorporation of artificial intelligence. How are companies using, or at least claiming to use, AI in their products this year? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
TechStuff Classic: History of Electricity Part One
January 19, 2024 22:36 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBDid you know that engineers were harnessing electricity long before they even knew what it was? We take a look at the history and tech behind electricity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rerun: Copyright and Fair Use
January 18, 2024 01:06 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBIn this episode from 2021, we look at the thorny issues of copyright and how fair use isn't some proactive safety play to avoid those pesky copyright strikes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rerun: How Fuel Cells Work
January 16, 2024 01:38 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MBA fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device; it turns chemical energy into electrical energy. Jonathan and Chris discuss fuel cells in detail from their origins to why they're not practical for general use yet in this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
TechStuff Classic: The Wonderful World of Audio Animatronics
January 13, 2024 00:41 - 1 hour - 68.6 MBIt might be a small world after all, but how did Disney imagineers create the first audio animatronics and how do they work? Find out in the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rerun: It's All Relative
January 10, 2024 23:09 - 47 minutes - 43.5 MBHow do the theories of special relativity and general relativity apply to satellites? Why is the speed of light constant, but time and distance are not? We get all Einstein up in here! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rerun: Machine Consciousness
January 08, 2024 21:35 - 41 minutes - 37.8 MBIs it really possible for a machine to achieve consciousness? What does consciousness even mean? From philosophy to technological obstacles, we look at the problems and possibilities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
TechStuff Classic: Pew Pew Lasers
January 05, 2024 21:48 - 1 hour - 65.3 MBLasers can be used to threaten our enemies, cut steel and even amuse our cats. Find out the history of lasers and how they work in this episode of Techstuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How CT Scanners Work and A TechStuff Update
January 03, 2024 20:24 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBHow does CT (computed tomography) scanners work? What's going on with TechStuff? In this episode, you are invited into Jonathan's brain to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
TechStuff Classic: TechStuff Enters the Singularity
January 02, 2024 08:00 - 44 minutes - 40.7 MBWhat is the technological singularity? How might the technological singularity come about? What do critics say about the idea of the singularity? Listen in as Jonathan and Lauren explore the technological singularity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
TechStuff Predicts What Will Happen This Year
January 01, 2024 08:00 - 37 minutes - 34.2 MBI swore I would never do another one of these. But what the heck, let's get out the crystal ball and make some predictions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Big Stories of 2023: The Microsoft-Activision Blizzard Deal
December 31, 2023 09:00 - 28 minutes - 26.4 MBNearly two years after Microsoft announced its intention to acquire video game company Activision Blizzard, it sealed the deal. But it wasn't a sure thing. We look back on how government officials around the world nearly prevented the merger and why. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Death of Hyperloop One
December 30, 2023 09:00 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MBWhat was once a blue sky engineering dream has finally been put to bed. Hyperloop One never achieved its goal, but it did manage to be a hot spot for drama and controversy before petering out. We look back on the company. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Big Tech Stories of 2023: Crypto Competitors and Crime
December 29, 2023 20:37 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MBWhile FTX's failure happened in late 2022, the story of Sam Bankman-Fried's literal trials and tribulations played out this year. Plus, his rival Changpeng "CZ" Zhao entered a guilty plea on securities violations. We look at how two leaders in the crypto space had to face the music in 2023. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
TechStuff Classic: The Macintosh Story Part 3
December 29, 2023 10:17 - 1 hour - 55.6 MBFrom the return of Steve Jobs to the most recent Macs, we look at how the computer has changed over the years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The 12 Days of Tech Christmas
December 28, 2023 00:30 - 21 minutes - 19.8 MBWhile Christmas 2023 might be over, I have a little present for all of y'all -- 12 days out of 2023 that were important in the tech world for one reason or another. From cryptocurrency controversies to Apple getting into augmented reality, we look at a dozen days that stood out in 2023. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rerun: The Tech of Stranger Things
December 26, 2023 08:00 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MBJess Royal and John Hilton drop what they're doing on Stranger Things to come by the studio and talk about what their jobs require. From Christmas lights to the upside down, we learn about what it takes to make a show work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.