Smart Tech: Recent Episodes
Chuck Minear
In each episode we cut through the technical mumbo-jumbo and explore the good, bad and ugly of technology and technical innovations. Technology effects our lives every day and we should know how to analyze and control its influence. But we also should have fun with it because Technology is amazing. So any tool or process that is made by humans and meets our needs or solves our problems, we dive into and explore. It's interesting and fun.
How we keep using these as passwords I'll never understand, but today I focus on the worst 25 passwords, of SplashData's worst 100 passwords of 2018. People, listen, learn then STOP using these, please!
The most vulnerable targets of hackers are small businesses. Small businesses tend to have weak or no policies and procedures in place to protect their data, especially when it comes to passwords. You'll discover in today's episode 4 simple steps you can take as a small business or even and individual, to protect yourself from malicious hackers.
Hopefully you noticed over the past year we only were able to post 5 episodes. Not a great year for the show! We had all kinds of technical difficulties which is ironic since we are smartTECH! (And a little embarrassing). In this episode I let you know what happened, how we fixed our issues, and what we are doing going forward.
Are you ever confused or frustrated by those pesky Windows updates that seem to happen at the most inopportune times? In this episode we explore some ways to minimize those interruptions and still have an updated and virus free Windows system.
I hate phone scams. But I REALLY hate them on my mobile phone. T-Mobile has some new technology to try and minimize those pesky robocalls and it might be the best deal going in the US as far as features for the price (depending on where you live.)
Modern smart phones, including Apple and Android phones, record our every move using highly accurate GPS. They use this information to provide a variety of services including mapping and location based reminders. But how secure is this information? Is your privacy at risk? Is there any way to shut this down? All of this and more is explored on this episode of SmartTech.
It is amazing how, when a year comes to an end, we tend to forget all of the things that have happened. 2017 has been a crazy year in a lot of ways, but it has been a diverse technology related year. So in this episode I review some of the technological events of note through the eyes of the SmartTech podcast. Be sure to share your favorite technology related events or gadgets in our comment section or on our Facebook page.
The Apple watch. It makes us all Dick Tracy. (If you don't know who he is, Google it!) If you own one, we will help you use it efficiently by reviewing 10 (maybe 11) apps. If you are NOT an Apple watch user and wonder what this is all about, you can find your answers here.
Yes it's here! One of my favorite episodes of the year. My picks for great technology based gifts. A couple may surprise you! Maybe you have some favorites that I missed. No worries, just leave your picks in the comments section on our webpage or on our Facebook page. I would love to hear what catches your eye this year. Each pick on my list has a link on our web page and by using those links to purchase, you help SmartTech while getting the best price around.
Equifax, one of the largest collectors of data about you in the world was hacked AGAIN! Learn about what that means for you, what the last hack means for you AND how you protect yourself.
The guy who years ago worked out rules for safely password protecting your files and websites just announced he was wrong! Now what??? We explore his revelation on this episode.
Back in 2010, then Secretary of Education, Richard Riley said, "The top 10 in-demand jobs in 2010 did not exist in 2004." With all the new jobs, some jobs had to change dramatically or even become obsolete. In this episode we talk about jobs that no longer exist, in a large part due to technology.
Social Media has become integrated into most activities by so many people. But have we really thought through its effect on our lives? In this episode I go through 10 pitfalls to watch out for if you are going to be a user of social media.
The Walt Disney company has been slapped with a lawsuit alleging violation of COPPA. This law says that companies can not collect personal information on children without permission from their parents. In 42 identified apps, Disney may be violating that law. What does this mean, how do you protect your child's privacy? We explore this and more in this episode.
Bluesmart came out with the world's first smart luggage! A carry on with a lot of high tech abilities. Well over 2 years later, they have done it again. They have updated their software and electronics, and created a smart luggage system. In this episode we talk about what smart luggage is and if you really need it. We also explore the features in the new luggage set and make some recommendations. By the way, if you decide you'd like to purchase one piece or the entire set, click HERE to get the absolute best pre production price available!
Surprise! What you read on line is not always true. In fact, social media makes a lot of us miserable. In this episode of Smart Tech we explore the ramifications of social media and how you can use it in a way that allows you to keep your mental health.
Have you ever just needed a good cry? Well the people experiencing the "Wannacry" virus are probably feeling that way right now.
Wannacry is ransomware. It encrypts an infected computer's hard drive and attempts to sell an encryption key to its victims for a cost of $300 to start and then the cost escalates quickly the longer the victim waits to pay. In this episode we talk about the insidiousness of such ransomware and how you can protect yourself.
Tracking apps are becoming more useful in helping the police solve crimes. In this episode we explore a specific case and talk about how you might want to set up your own phone.
The more devices we use, the more the need to sync our files to more than one device. As the price drops, and the speed and reliability of cloud storage increases, cloud storage becomes a great answer. Today we talk about the big 4 storage sync solutions and which ones work best for which situations.
The more devices we use, the more the need to sync our files to more than one device. As the price drops, and the speed and reliability of cloud storage increases, cloud storage becomes a great answer. Today we talk about the big 4 storage sync solutions and which ones work best for which situations.
Twitter was always "What you see it what you get" but no more. Twitter has decided to more closely control what you see on your timeline. What does this mean for you and will you still have access to the tweets you most want to see? Find out in this episode.
In this episode I walk you through the thought process on converting a bedroom and a bathroom in a 75 year old house to an office/studio/guest-room.
As the new year begins, we explore the demise of Vine and talk about what technology is exactly and what to look forward to in the future.
It is amazing how, when a year comes to an end, we tend to forget all of the things that have happened. 2016 has been a crazy year in a lot of ways, but it has been a diverse technology related year. So in this episode I review some of the technological events of note through the eyes of the SmartTech podcast. Be sure to share your favorite technology related events or gadgets in our comment section or on our Facebook page.
Last episode I gave you my best picks for tech gifts this year. But what about what NOT to buy! Bad tech not only makes for a disappointing Christmas, it can be deadly. So I turned to Selena Larson at CNN Money for her input on tech related gifts to avoid.
Merry Christmas, Today we want to share our top 10 technology gift picks for that someone special, or yourself, in your life. If you like our choices, or are purchasing on Amazon, please use our affiliate links below to purchase. This helps keep SmartTech on the air!
The world just experienced an American election like it never had before. Despite all the scientific polling, the consistent pounding of the main stream media and social media, and damning tweets from the candidate himself, Donald Trump achieved a sweeping victory of the electoral college and took the White House from the Heir Apparent Hillary Clinton. Technology played a critical role in the outcome. In this episode we look at 8 tech related areas that may have helped put Trump over the top: alternate media sources, social media, easy distribution of food for the conspiracy theorists, instant access everywhere, constant bombardment, access to details and the ability to ignore them, fear of retaliation, photos of everything-everywhere.
It seems like we are using bluetooth for everything today. How about unlocking a padlock? Master Lock has released the 4400 series of padlocks which know when you are near and authorized to open the lock and let you gain access without a physical key. But what happens when the battery fails or what happens if you don't have your phone? We answer those questions and more in this episode.
In this episode we review Stu McLaren's argument that if you give too much away for free, especially technology on the internet, you ultimately diminish the value of the technology and cause it to languish.
Google recently held their Pixel event. Not quite an Apple spectacular, but the did have 5 solid announcements at the event. In this episode I will cover those 5 announcements. Are they for you?
My newest favorite digital thermometer is called the Tappecue. It has 4 independent ports and will report moment by moment temperatures to my iPhone or Android over the internet. Yes, I can now start something cooking or smoking, leave my house, and monitor my cook from anywhere I need to go. This is cool!
Google introduced a new free service and they call it Duo. It is a simple yet effective phone to phone video call app and works much like Apple's FaceTime. Although there are similarities, there are also some differences. Is this something you should download and try? We answer that question and others in this episode.
It's that time of year again. Apple is on the verge of releasing it's newest version of their iOS software for iPhones and iPads. We should have a fully functional release sometime during September 2016. Apple has already released the software as a beta and so we know most of the new features. Some of them are truly innovative and some of them try and catch up with Android. Is it worth the hype? You be the judge as we cover the 10 coolest new features in iOS 10.
Are you so lazy that you put a snooze button on your smoke alarm? Or do you have a friend to buy gifts for that falls into that category? Then this show is for you. We explore 13 inventions for ridiculously lazy people. Yes folks, when technology works with us to help us die young!
Pokemon is sweeping the globe ... again. Have you seen more people than usual with heads down, walking seemingly aimlessly all over town? You are watching the world's largest virtual reality game happen all around you. In fact, more people have logged in to play at times than log into Twitter, the most logged into service, until now. What is this all about. Are you missing out on the time of your life or is it just a waste of time? In this episode I explain Pokemon Go.
For Americans, this episode is being released during Independence Day Weekend. This is a holiday where Americans have traditionally got into their cars and headed for the open road. But, even with the recent dip in gas prices, driving can be an expensive proposition. In this episode we look at the website and App, Gasbuddy and discover how it can help us save 20% or more on fuel costs by alerting us to the lowest gas prices in the area.
Imagine you are lost in the wilderness, no water, at least yet. What if your water bottle could extract moisture from the air and make fresh drinking water for you? Well that fantasy is a reality with the Fontus water bottle. In this episode we introduce the product and tell you how it works.
Brian and Jason from the YouTube sensation called "The Modern Rouge" explain to us how to hack the Taco Bell phone app to save up to 50%
Anonymous social media apps are being used for cyberbullying, intimidation and embarrassment of other students. The problem is, it is really difficult to trace a photo or comment to a particular person, although not always impossible. OGLE is a campus-oriented platform which allows users to anonymously post comments, photographs, videos and to exchange messages, themes, and chat with others in the application. Users are able to post anonymous content to a campus without requiring the user to be in proximity of the campus. As you can imagine, this had led to bullying and even child pornography. In this episode we look at what a parent or teacher can do about this cyber-threat.
It's time for equal time. Listener comments wanted Android tips, so here they are. Modern smartphones and electronic devices have so many hidden or not so obvious features that is almost impossible to know them all. Android devices are no exception. In this episode I highlight 16 features you may not be aware of.
Modern smartphones and electronic devices have so many hidden or not so obvious features that is almost impossible to know them all. The iPhone is no exception. In this episode I highlight 15 features you may not be aware of.
All types of personal information is stored in the cryptic bar code on your airline boarding pass. This makes a boarding pass the perfect inroad to your digital life by identity thieves and other criminals. Yet people leave them everywhere. Find out the dangers and what you can do to protect yourself in this episode.
Ransomware is the newest form of malware or computer virus. A hacker gets into your system, encrypts your files with a unbreakable password, and holds that data hostage until you pay a ransom. In the best scenario they then give you the password so you can get to your data. In this episode we discuss ransomware and how you can protect yourself.
When over a billion and a half people interact on a social media platform, having a way for them to react to content quickly is important. In this episode we discuss the new Facebook Reactions and explain how to use them.
Steve Cook published a letter on the Apple website explaining how, in their opinion, the recent request and court order by the FBI unduly put the security and safety of millions of American citizens is peril.
Cartoon copywritedIn other words, the FBI wants Apple to rewrite their iOS operating system to remove encryption and security safeguards, update the phone of Syed Rizwan Farook, and make the data on the phone available to the FBI to fulfill a search warrant. Farook and Tashfeen Malik entered a holiday party in San Bernardino, CA, and killed or injured 31 people in what is presumed to be a terrorist attack. Apple argues that they do not have the encryption key or the information stored on the phone in a readable format and have done all they can do to assist the FBI in their investigation. The FBI disagrees. In this episode, we explore the danger of the government or anybody for that matter having a master key to all data on all devices. Is our loss of privacy worth the claimed increase in personal and national security?