Trends With Benefits
151 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago - ★★★★ - 18 ratingsDigital Trends has long been the best online source for technology news and reviews. Now, each week, we gather a round table of tech experts from the DT Staff to discuss all things tech. Topics range from the big tech stories of the week to predicting the future, all while maintaining a somewhat civil decorum.
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Episodes
TECH HORROR STORIES
October 31, 2019 22:41 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MBIn honor of Halloween, on today's episode we'll recant 4 stories of tech, that have terrified offices for years. From the legend of Bedlam DL3, to AI gone terribly wrong, to Google Maps to nowhere, we bring you these horrifying (but not deadly) blunders and mishaps of technology.
TWB 254: TECH HORROR STORIES
October 31, 2019 22:41 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MBIn honor of Halloween, on today's episode we'll recant 4 stories of tech, that have terrified offices for years. From the legend of Bedlam DL3, to AI gone terribly wrong, to Google Maps to nowhere, we bring you these horrifying (but not deadly) blunders and mishaps of technology.
TWB 253: Tech the Vote
October 24, 2019 22:55 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MBElection interference is something we've become all too aware of in the last few years. However, what seems to not be changing quickly enough, is the technology behind how we vote. From the scandals of the hanging chad, to the country of Estonia voting with the Blockchain, we'll cover the tech that's being used now, some of the problems, and what ideal ways to vote would be. For instance...would you want to vote via Facebook?
TWB 252: The Future of Work
October 18, 2019 13:13 - 32 minutes - 30.3 MBFollowing up on last week's episode regarding the robots taking your job, we now look at what the humans will be doing in the near future. Is there still a place for us in the work force, or will our robot overlords take over everything? We don't think so and we'll walk through some of the ways our lives will change.
TWB 251: Will the Robots take your job?
October 10, 2019 23:00 - 35 minutes - 32.6 MBWill the Robots take your job? The answer is not quite as easy as a yes, or no. On this episode, we'll walk through some of the pros and cons of our rapidly evolving robotic workforce. Should we all bow down to our new robot overlords, or can we all just work together? From warehouse and manufacturing, to autonomous vehicles, to even AI journalists, we're entering into a new world.
TWB 250: World Food Programme
October 03, 2019 23:22 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBThe United Nations World Food Programme held a recent meeting in NY to discuss how technology can help solve some of the world's problems. On today's episode we'll walk through some of the solutions that we found out about, and also discuss ways we can all help out.
TWB 249: The Gig Economy
September 26, 2019 23:13 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MBWhile there have been different terms for what it is called, whether it's contractor, freelancer, weekend worker, etc., the Gig Economy is a tremendous economic force in today's world. However, it's never been more controversial than it is now. Should Uber/Lyft drivers be classified as full time employees? What would the ramifications be for all of us who enjoy the cheap rides? We'll discuss this and more on today's episode.
TWB 248: Becoming a Cyborg
September 19, 2019 22:23 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MBAdvancements in biomedical technology are starting to reach a frenetic pace. From new solutions for prosthetics that could bring freedom of movement back , to 3D printed organs, we'll take a look at some of those incredible achievements. However, at what point do we move beyond fixing current issues, and start down the path of enhancing humanity? We'll discuss the history, to present, to future and ask ourselves the question; Do you want to be a cyborg?
TWB 247: Smartphone Cameras vs. DSLR
September 12, 2019 23:11 - 28 minutes - 26.6 MBWill smartphone cameras overtake DSLR? The evolution of the smart phone camera is truly remarkable. It wasn't too long ago that everyone needed to purchase a separate device to capture anywhere near quality photos. Now it's all integrated into one device that fits in our pocket. We'll discuss how they've evolved, where we are now, and where they're going in the future.
TWB 246: DOWNLOAD NOW! (Digital Advertising)
September 05, 2019 22:34 - 30 minutes - 28.7 MBREAD THIS! That is an example of extreme advertising, and that's part of the discussion we'll be having today. Whether you like it or not, advertising is an important part of paying for everything we enjoy. But how far will it go, before it ruins the actual product? We'll discuss the origins, the trends, and the future of advertising in the technological world we live in.
TWB 245: Hurricane in the Membrane
August 29, 2019 22:51 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MBPredicting the weather is not an easy task. No matter how correct a meteorologist and their equipment can be, there are still inaccuracies. But we've also come a long way since we started and there is amazing promise for the future. Today we'll go through what's being done, what works, and how we could even possibly change the weather ourselves in the future.
TWB 244: Camping vs. Glamping. How Tech Has Changed The Great Outdoors
August 22, 2019 23:30 - 33 minutes - 31.8 MBTechnological advancements are of course something we love here at Digital Trends, but what about when it comes to the outdoors? Certainly survival gear and medical tech are helpful. But what about Bluetooth speakers, or the ability to watch your downloaded Netflix in the woods? We'll take a look at whether changing camping to glamping has ruined the experience, or brought us into the new age of the wilderness.
TWB 243: Tech and the Music Industry
August 15, 2019 23:00 - 33 minutes - 31.6 MBThe way we listen to music has changed dramatically over the last couple of decades, but in particular over the last few years. From CDs, to MP3s, to the advent of our favorite streaming music services like Spotify, Apple Music, even YouTube, etc., things change fast. We'll take a look at what brought us to where are and what the effect has been on how we find the musicians we want.
TWB 242: Mobile. The Good, The Bad, The Foldable
August 08, 2019 23:11 - 33 minutes - 31.5 MBIt feels like we've had smartphones our entire lives, guiding us to where we need to go, serving as our communication tools, and providing us access to the never-ending internet. However, it's really only been a short time. How did we ever live without them!? We'll explore some of the history of mobile communication, where we are now, 5G, and discuss when we'll just have them implanted in our brains.
TWB 241: Cooking up genetics with CRISPR
August 01, 2019 22:39 - 32 minutes - 30.8 MBThe idea of physically editing yourself is rapidly making the transition from science fiction, to reality. With incredible scientific advancements in the field of gene-editing, thanks in part to CRISPR, we have figured out more ways to change ourselves and the world around us. From removing disease, to creating higher yield crops, there are a lot of benefits. There are also a lot of concerns. We'll tackle all of this and also ask the question; If you could edit yourself, what would you add?
TWB 240: Into The Future of Transportation
July 25, 2019 23:15 - 33 minutes - 31.5 MBAutonomous vehicles, ride-sharing, e-scooters and flying taxis are just part of the transportation solutions we have, or will, see in the near future. But what does it mean for us? Should we all give up our vehicles and embrace these new means of travel? We'll discuss these questions, plus other solutions on the horizon such as the potential of hyperloop and even your very own jetpack.
TWB 239: Spaced Out: To the Moon and Beyond
July 18, 2019 22:38 - 31 minutes - 30 MBIt's the 50th Anniversary of the NASA's Apollo 11 moon landing, one of the most monumental achievements in the history of technology. On today's episode we'll take a look back at that big moment, then take a look at where we are currently. Between SpaceX, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, and others, we seem to be on the verge of a new golden age of space travel. What will Space Tourism look like? Will all be staying in space hotels? The future of space tourism is the topic of today's episode.
TWB 238: WTF is IoT?
July 11, 2019 23:01 - 32 minutes - 30.4 MBIoT is a term you see applied to a lot of different tech products. The definition of what IoT is however, can be a little more fluid. On today's episode we'll take a look at the history of the products that started the whole movement toward internet connected....things. We'll discuss where it's gone, where it is now, and where it's going. All of this is to answer the question; WTF is IoT?
TWB 237: Is it AI, or BS?
July 03, 2019 22:28 - 30 minutes - 28.4 MBArtificial Intelligence is going to shape the future of a tremendous amount of our technology going forward. However, what actually quantifies "AI"? So many products and services now claim to include AI, that it might as well be as easy as slapping a sticker on the box. On this episode we'll dig into some facts, give some examples, answer some trivia and try to get to the bottom of the question; Is it AI, or BS?
TWB 236: The Streaming Wars
June 28, 2019 00:00 - 34 minutes - 31.9 MBWith Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and many more, the streaming content landscape is increasingly crowded. That doesn't even include Disney+, Apple TV+ and a litany of other platforms about to go live. On this episode we'll discuss how we got to this point and what's in store for how we get our content. Ultimately we have to ask ourselves; are there too many streaming services?
TWB 235: The 5G evolution and what you can expect
June 20, 2019 22:22 - 30 minutes - 28 MBThe term 5G is something you will only hear more over the coming years. On today's episode, we'll give you the breakdown of what it actually means. We'll walk through some of the potentials such as autonomous vehicles and connected homes, but we'll also cover some of the pitfalls. How soon will we actually have 5G? Will it work as promised? We'll give you the facts and then provide our opinions.
TWB 234: 5 Gaming Trends from E3 2019
June 13, 2019 23:44 - 30 minutes - 28.7 MBE3 2019 did not prove to be disappointing and could in fact be a watershed moment for gaming. Today we'll take a look at the overall trends, beyond the games themselves. Will Google's Stadia cloud streaming service be the new dominating platform of gaming? Or will consoles like Microsoft's Xbox with Project Scarlett and the PS5 adapt to the interloping gaming services and continue their domination? Or maybe PC is the secret leader. We'll let you know what we see happening and our thoughts on...
TWB 233: Should 'Big Tech' be broken up?
June 06, 2019 22:50 - 30 minutes - 28.7 MBFacebook, Amazon, Apple and Google (Alphabet), have all come under increasing scrutiny from the Federal Government in recent weeks. Calls for further regulation and even for splitting the companies up are coming from both sides of the aisle. But should it happen? We'll discuss the issues of privacy and security, anti-competitive practices, monopolies, and more, to determine if we would benefit as consumers, or face the brunt of any resolutions.
TWB 232: Is Tesla really doomed?
May 30, 2019 22:21 - 29 minutes - 27.5 MBTesla is clearly the most well-known brand name in electric vehicles. However, in an op-ed, Adam Kaslikowski makes the case that it may not last much longer as a solo company. On today's episode we'll give you a history of EVs, walk through the article, and take a look at where and how electric vehicles will play a role in our lives in the near future.
TWB 231: Should Facial Recognition software be regulated?
May 23, 2019 23:01 - 30 minutes - 27.8 MBHow do you feel about Facial Recognition software? San Francisco just banned governmental agencies from using it and now other organizations are examining it's use. We'll discuss the potential benefits and flaws of this software and try to determine where we stand on this cutting edge technology.
TWB 230: The Amazon Prime Delivery Empire
May 16, 2019 22:13 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MBAmazon is currently investing $800 million dollars to bring their facilities up to the point where Prime Deliveries will be one day standard for everyone. This is great for the consumer, but what is the cost for the employees? We'll walk through where we are now, to what they are planning with Prime Air, and even speculate upon a plan for an Amazon Blimp that would hover over your city sending drones down to bring you packages.
TWB 229: Uber, Lyft, and the Gig Economy
May 09, 2019 22:19 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBUber and Lyft drivers went on strike this week. Should Lyft and Uber drivers be able to eventually unionize, or should they remain contractors? There is a lot to unpack this week as we take a look at Uber going public, ride sharing, and the Gig Economy.
TWB 228: Facebook: Friend or Foe?
May 02, 2019 22:21 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MBFacebook announced some major steps to changing their service at the F8 - Facebook Developer Conference. Privacy was mentioned a lot, along with a complete platform redesign and an emphasis on groups. What does all of this mean for the world's largest social media platform? We'll fill you in on the details and ask the question "What do you think of Facebook?".
TWB 227: Earth Day Technology
April 25, 2019 23:24 - 40 minutes - 37.2 MBWith Earth Day this week, we decided to take a look at different issues surrounding the planet and how technology is being applied (or not). Large corporations like Amazon, Google, Microsoft and more are making some big promises. However, small innovative companies like Climeworks are figuring out ways to have a positive impact, while still turning a profit.
TWB 226: The Technology of Marijuana
April 18, 2019 22:30 - 31 minutes - 29.4 MBOn today's episode we take a look at the advancements and technology involved with marijuana. From how it was grown, to the use of modern technology discovering different methods of cultivation, there is a lot to unravel. Whether you're pro, against, or somewhere in the middle, there is no denying that this industry is rapidly growing in the US and the world in general. It's too be to ignore, which is why we are discussing the technology of marijuana.
TWB 225: Space Internet: How do we cross the internet divide?
April 11, 2019 22:25 - 28 minutes - 26.8 MBOn today's episode we discuss internet access. For most of us, this is just part of our normal lives, but for a majority of the world access to broadband internet is sparse, if not non-existent. Amazon's announcement this week that they will be launching a satellite internet service reminds us that their is an intense competition to expand access, and by all accounts profit. From humble beginnings, to competition from Facebook, Google, SpaceX and more, we'll discuss the solution to crossing ...
TWB 224: Food Tech: Impossible Whopper, Lab Grown Food, 3D Printed steaks
April 04, 2019 22:41 - 28 minutes - 26 MBOn today's episode we discuss some of the recent developments in alternative food and the technology behind it. The Impossible Burger team up with Burger King could be a huge turning point in the evolution of food tech. We'll also discuss lab grown foods, 3D printing steaks, and even the idea of a Star Trek replicator.
TWB 223: Apple Event Recap and Reaction
March 28, 2019 23:06 - 33 minutes - 31 MBApple finally debuted what their big Apple TV Plus service will look like and...it's still a little confusing. We'll discuss the details of that, the Apple Pay card, Apple Arcade, Apple News Plus and a lot more on today's episode. *Of note, Drew Prindle and Caleb Denison were out for this episode, being filled in by Ryan Waniata and Parker Hall. Also, Greg was in NY, leading to some minor tech issues.
TWB 222: The end of 'ownership' in the new digital era
March 21, 2019 23:11 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBIf Google's new Stadia gaming platform becomes a success, it could completely upend the Game Developer industry. The concept of actually 'owning' technological items is rapidly changing. Examples include the slow death of the DVD, or how we now essentially rent software. The bottom line is we don't actually possess anything. We'll discuss the pros and cons of the situation, and speculate about what could be taken out of our hands in the near future.
TWB 221: Law Enforcement and Technology: What is the right balance?
March 14, 2019 22:15 - 32 minutes - 30.3 MBOn today's episode of Trends With Benefits, we take a look at the influence of technology on Law Enforcement. Whether it is body cams, drone surveillance, using facial recognition, AI algorithms, or even robot security guards, we'll examine them all. What do you think about each one of them?
TWB 220: Bill Gates' Top 10 Breakthrough Technologies for 2019
March 08, 2019 00:11 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MBMIT recently asked Bill Gates to name his top 10 breakthrough technologies for 2019. Naming everything from robotic dexterity, to advances in health tech, food tech, AI and more, there is a lot to unravel. We'll analyze a few of his choices today, including the Cow-less Burger from Impossible Burger, AI like Google Duplex, and even the advancements of nuclear power. What technology do you think will have the biggest impact in the year 2019?
TWB 219: The Private Space Race
March 01, 2019 00:22 - 29 minutes - 27.6 MBWhen it comes to the future of space travel and exploration, who do you trust more? National programs like NASA, or private companies like Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic and SpaceX? With significant launches recently and in the near future, the private industry is rapidly taking over the lead in pushing the boundaries of human ingenuity in space. What does it mean for the future and where could we be heading? We'll discuss this and more on today's episode.
TWB 218: The Future of Mobile Devices: 5G, Foldable, AR, and more
February 22, 2019 22:36 - 41 minutes - 38 MBMobile technology is finally advancing out of the standard form we've become used to. The Samsung Galaxy Fold is one example of further innovation and possibly a redesign of how we communicate and interact with our devices. Will 5G, Augmented Reality, or even a slap-bracelet phone be on the horizon soon? Today we'll take a look at where we're at now and examine where we think mobile technology could end up in the near and distant future
TWB 217: E-Scooters - Pros, Cons, and where they're headed.
February 14, 2019 23:48 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBOn today's podcast: Very few things in the world of tech have garnered such polarizing opinions, as the rise of E-Scooters. For some people in cities they are a great alternative mode of transportation, but for others, they are the scourge of modern society. We'll discuss the pros, the cons, and the surprising developments of where the trend seems to be heading.
TWB 216: Should fake news be fact checked with AI, or humans?
February 07, 2019 23:41 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MBOn today's podcast: Fake news is kind of a convuluted term, but inconsistent and inaccurate reporting, articles, and speeches are a fact of life now. A new program being developed by Duke University, would be able to fact check debates in real time, on live television. Is this something we should let AI handle? Also Robot Reporters are now in use at various media outlets. Will we see this increase and how do DT journalists feel about it?
TWB 215: Data Piracy and Breaches of Privacy: What's going on and what should we do?
January 31, 2019 23:17 - 32 minutes - 30.3 MBOn today's podcast we take a look at recent data privacy issues concering Facebook, Google, Apple, and more. These giant companies have control of so much of our data, but who's in charge of them? What should we do be doing to protect ourselves, and what can we even do about it? We'll have an honest discussion about our thoughts, what we know, and what we don't know.
TWB 214: Netflix is increasing price. What does this mean for streaming television?
January 24, 2019 23:56 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MBOn today's podcast we'll take a look at the world of streaming television and how all the changes will effect you. Are we at an overload of services? Do the price increases mean you'll unsubscribe? What services could you not live without? We'll debate all of these and decide whether the Golden Age of streaming television is dying, or just getting started.
TWB 213: Hotel bots, Autonomous hotels, Brainscans, Comedians, A robot named Marty
January 18, 2019 02:30 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBOn today's podcast we're joined by comedians Jeremiah Coughlan and Tyler Boeh! We'll take a look at the use of 'future technology' that is is about to be deployed soon. From automobiles, to grocery store assistants, to a japanese hotel that fired it's robot staff, robotics will play a huge role in 2019. Also a brain scan technique to check on students, and an autonomous hotel vehicle, could change how we live in the near future.
TWB 212: CES 2019 overview: 5G, AI, 8K Televisions, Smart everything
January 03, 2019 18:15 - 32 minutes - 30 MBOn today's podcast we'll give you an overview of CES 2019. In particular we'll be talking about televisions and smart homes. Will you need to buy an 8K TV after this? What about a rollable OLED? Will Alexa now be available in everything you own? We'll take a look at these and take your questions live on the show.
TWB 211: Live from the 2018 Portland Podcast Festival
December 27, 2018 19:10 - 22 minutes - 21.3 MBOn this very special episode of Trends With Benefits, we are live from the Portland Podcast Festival! Recorded on November 10th, 2018, we had a lot of fun at the event. Talk ranges from Elon Musk (of course) to delivery drones, to shots of tequila. Thanks for listening in 2018 and we're excited to be back in 2019 with all new episodes!
TWB 210: Future Tech, Autonomy, Robot companions, Gene-editing, Sentient plants
December 21, 2018 00:24 - 33 minutes - 30.7 MBOn today's podcast we'll talk about the tech of the future. From autonomous deliveries, and robot companions, to gene-editing and sentient plants. We'll discuss what we've seen over the last year and what could come to fruition in the next. What kind of future tech are you most excited about?
TWB 209: Best of 2018, Amazon Echo vs. Google Home, Tech we want in 2019
December 14, 2018 00:11 - 30 minutes - 28.5 MBThe Best Tech of 2018 roundup is now out and we talk to our Editors about what it takes to complete that task. We'll highlight some of our favorites, discuss Amazon Alexa vs. Google Home, and then look forward. What tech would you like to see in 2019? We'll make our guesses and maybe a few of what we'd actually like.
TWB 208: Best TV of 2018, Apple Watch ECG, Streaming Services, Waymo One
December 07, 2018 01:42 - 32 minutes - 30.5 MBThe single Best TV of 2018, solving the issue of too many streaming services, Waymo One autonomous car service, Apple Watch ECG update, Japanese robot waiters.
TWB 207: Samsung S10 leaks, Chinese gene-editing, Elon Musk's Dragon, Mean robot
November 29, 2018 23:57 - 30 minutes - 21.6 MBOn today's episode: The latest Samsung S10 rumors hint at massive storage, a Chinese scientist claims to have successfully edited human genes, Elon Musk's Boring setback, and impending Dragon launch, a new kind of robot will impersonate terrible customers. Today's podcast cast includes: Drew Prindle, Caleb Denison, and Greg Nibler.
TWB 206: Waymo car service, hands-on with Facebook Portal, Black Friday/Cyber Monday tips
November 16, 2018 00:38 - 33 minutes - 23 MBWaymo is expected to launch the first ever commercial, autonomous driving service in the next couple of months. Would you ride in it? We'll also discuss a report about the future possible uses of autonomous vehicles. The Facebook Portal is officially out and we go hands-on with one in studio. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are right around the corner, plus we showcase the Mobilimb.