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.

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison checkout the buzz around Slate Auto's bold attempt to deliver a $25,000 electric truck by 2026. Will it be a stripped-down marvel or another over-promised EV? The guys break down what’s missing (including paint and touchscreens) and whether U.S. manufacturing can truly hit that price point.

The conversation shifts into AI's growing role in software development, highlighting OpenAI’s new Codex agent and the rise of "coders who can’t code" – individuals who leverage AI to build software without traditional programming skills. Sam and Jay also dive into mounting concerns about addictive tech behaviors in children, surveillance in schools, and AI tools already used by law enforcement to track people by physical traits. It's a packed episode full of innovation, ethical dilemmas, and stark warnings about where we're headed!

In this thought-provoking episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison dive into the latest waves in wearable technology and artificial intelligence. From Meta's new partnership with Oakley on smart glasses that record 3K video, to the cultural shift of 24/7 earbuds, they explore how tech is increasingly encroaching on everyday life. The hosts also reflect on Apple's liquid glass interface and whether society is heading toward full-time digital immersion - or even brain-connected wearables.

The conversation shifts into the power and pitfalls of AI voice cloning. Sam shares how he's been experimenting with AI-generated commercials using a clone of his own voice; and the ethical and legal implications of doing so. They wrap up with a deep dive into new research from Anthropic showing how AI models may resort to manipulation or blackmail in test scenarios. It’s a packed hour of tech talk you won’t want to miss!

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison issue a critical cybersecurity alert: the biggest threat to your organization's digital safety isn’t hackers — it's you and your employees. The hosts emphasize how simple human error, like unsafe browsing or reused credentials, can open the door to data breaches. They explore practical solutions including enforceable acceptable use policies, quarterly employee training, phishing simulations, and maintaining separation between personal and work tech to bolster digital hygiene.

Also on this episode, the duo dives into Walmart’s rapid drone delivery expansion to five new cities and the surprising emergence of Shopify as a rising e-commerce powerhouse. They compare Amazon’s dominance to Shopify’s growing fulfillment network and partnerships, highlighting a shift in the digital retail landscape.

Wrapping up, they dissect Apple’s new “liquid glass” UI in iOS 26, a controversial visual overhaul aimed at future AR integration. Sam vents his frustration with Apple’s priorities, arguing for practical improvements like reliable AI and accurate mapping. With tech ecosystems tightening and user patience wearing thin, the hosts weigh the true cost of innovation — style over substance.

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison explore how cutting-edge AI is transforming storm prediction. With hurricane season underway, the National Hurricane Center is partnering with Google DeepMind to leverage a new AI forecasting model that predicts hurricane strength and path up to 15 days in advance. The duo discusses how this open-access tool, combined with public and forecaster input, could revolutionize emergency preparedness and reduce unnecessary evacuations.

Next, they dive into the newly launched Nintendo Switch 2, examining its beefed-up specs, price hike, and the continued challenges of battery life. Jay shares insights from real-world usage, including the new Joy-Con magnetic connectors, motion-enabled controls, and the growing frustration over digital-only game ownership and DRM limitations.

Wrapping up, the hosts look at fascinating biometric research from Israel's Weizmann Institute, which shows that individuals can be uniquely identified by their nasal breathing patterns — opening the door to new authentication methods. They raise concerns about password fatigue, multi-factor authentication overload, and the future of digital security in an increasingly complex online world.

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison dig into the looming end-of-life for Windows 10 and how Microsoft’s push toward Windows 11 could send over 240 Million PCs to the landfill! They explore responsible alternatives like running lightweight Linux distributions, repurposing older machines, and using tools like Rufus to bypass upgrade restrictions - urging listeners to think green and get creative with legacy hardware.

The conversation shifts to a major antitrust ruling against Google, where a federal judge ruled the company maintains an illegal monopoly on digital ads. Sam and Jay debate whether tech giants like Google, often funded in part through government programs, should be broken up. They also explore the environmental costs of AI tools like ChatGPT, questioning whether our polite prompts are worth the power drain.

Wrapping up, the hosts spotlight a promising new American drone company, SiFly, which claims breakthrough performance over Chinese competitors. With drones capable of long-range, high-payload missions, they imagine a future of consumer and commercial aerial transport that may rival helicopters and short-hop planes. Don’t miss this episode packed with sustainability, tech justice, and bleeding-edge innovation!

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam and Jay explore the fascinating new frontier of 3D-printed architecture with a spotlight on Starbucks’ first fully 3D-printed store in Brownsville, Texas. They discuss how this compact, drive-thru-only structure showcases the promise and current limitations of additive manufacturing in the construction industry. The conversation compares the process to modular concepts like Boxabl, emphasizing scalability challenges and the potential for affordable, fast-build structures in the future.

Next, the duo dives into AI developments with a beginner’s guide to using Grok (Elon Musk's chat-based tool from X) versus ChatGPT. They explain key differences in tone, capabilities, and potential use cases, particularly for social media, business intelligence, and entertainment. Finally, they unpack Amazon’s Project Kuiper and its ambitions to rival Starlink in the satellite internet space, before rounding out the show with coverage of a half-marathon in China featuring humanoid robots; where human endurance still reigns supreme (for now). From bleeding-edge tech to grounded analysis, it’s another engaging episode of TechWatch Radio!

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison dive into the rising threat of AI agents in cyber warfare. These sophisticated bots, once lauded for productivity tasks like scheduling and automation, are now being eyed by cybercriminals for orchestrating autonomous cyberattacks. The hosts unpack the alarming findings from honeypot experiments that lure AI bots into exposing their capabilities — and warn that the coming wave of AI-driven cyber intrusions may hit faster than most realize. Still, there's hope: AI can also be used defensively, and now is the time for proactive education and policy to get ahead of these fast-evolving threats.

The discussion shifts to Microsoft's rollout of Defender Premium, bundled with Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Sam and Jay express frustration over confusing product branding, with Microsoft blurring the line between free and paid Defender services. The episode also explores the $35 billion Capital One–Discover merger, Netflix's mysterious withholding of subscriber data, and ongoing developments in U.S. high-speed rail — particularly in Florida. Packed with sharp insights, this episode examines how both emerging tech and corporate moves are reshaping our digital and economic landscape!