Host Keith Shaw and his expert guests discuss the latest technology news and trends happening in the industry. Watch new episodes twice each week or listen to the podcast here.
Four years after most workers began using video calls for meetings, workers are discovering that we are still not good with the technology. In addition, a new survey suggests that video calls cause anxiety and fatigue. Keith chats with Sylvia Johnson, head of methodology at Preply, about the survey and how we can ease the anxiety around video calls.
OpenAI launches a new AI model that lets users have voice conversations with ChatGPT, creating the world of ‘Her’. With rumors of Apple creating a “better Siri” at some point, are we getting to a world with better AI voice assistants? Guest co-host Chris Shaw joins the crew to discuss these topics and also news around autonomous vehicles making a comeback, why solar storms disrupted tractors in the Midwest, and whether people just don’t want to work anymore.
The onslaught of new artificial intelligence tools is causing burnout for many engineers, while another research paper suggests that AI will produce generic, bland content if humans don’t challenge the AI systems to be better. Also, Apple faces backlash for its ‘Crush’ ad promoting its new iPad, and TikTok heads to the courts to try and prevent its sale in the U.S. Chris Shaw from NTT Research joins the crew as guest co-host as they discuss these stories and other technology topics.
As businesses look to deploy artificial intelligence, many are concerned about making sure the systems are 100% accurate in their responses, and that ‘AI hallucinations’, where the system seems to make up answers, are eliminated. However, there are cases where AI hallucinations can be good for a business. Keith chats with Ryan Welsh, Field CTO for Generative AI at Qlik, about how companies can determine the right level of accuracy for their AI needs, and whether hallucinations are OK in certain situations.
Despite low unemployment numbers and reports of “plenty of jobs available” in the technology space, many job seekers are still struggling to find work. Encountering hurdles such as AI-driven applicant tracking systems, fake job listings, recruitment scams and ageism, many job seekers are becoming more frustrated. Keith chats with Chui Senanyake from The Job Helpers to see if there are other ways that job seekers can beat (or bypass) several of these hurdles.
The countdown clock for TikTok in the U.S. continues to run, as the Senate passes a bill and President Biden signs it into law, giving the Chinese-owned company up to a year to sell to a new owner, or face a U.S. ban. Analyst Jack Gold joins the show as guest co-host this week to discuss this news, as well as the ‘earthquake effect’ of the FTC’s ban on non-compete agreements for workers, and whether an AI dogfighting demonstration by the U.S. Air Force is just a dog-and-pony show.
Companies like Apple and Meta are grabbing the headlines for augmented and virtual reality technology (or calling it ‘spatial computing’), but is there still a market for the idea of mixed reality, which merges both technology into an augmented and virtual experience? Keith chats with Mark Day, CEO of AlensiaXR, about the history of XR’s ups and downs, and what it would take for the technology to become more mainstream with consumers and businesses.
While some company layoffs at companies like Tesla and Rivian indicate a lower demand for electric vehicles, companies like Google and Best Buy may have said the quiet part out loud – investments in AI might be one of the reasons they are letting people go. Keith and Chris talk with guest co-host Brandon Mahne about the reasons behind the latest bunch of tech layoffs, as well as whether anyone will buy an AI PC, and why the Fallout TV show hit a home run with viewers and gamers alike.
Advances in battery performance, design, form factors and lightweight materials are all contributing to a potential boost in wearable computing devices that move beyond the smart watch. Whether devices will be worn on your face, neck, hands or even feet, companies are looking to find new ways for users to monitor their health or provide other data for convenience purposes. Keith chats with Semir Haddad, chief product and strategy officer for MicroEJ, about the new world of wearables we might see in the next five years.
With the arrival of the Apple Vision Pro and renewed interest in virtual reality offerings by Meta, it looks like shipments of the devices will grow in 2024 and beyond. Keith chats with IDC’s Ramon Llamas about the impact of Apple’s entrance into the market, and what the future holds for the augmented reality / virtual reality / mixed reality / spatial computing world.
OpenAI announces a tool that can clone a person’s voice based only on a 15-second audio clip, while a song generator can now generate a three-minute song from natural language prompts. Brandon Mahne joins the crew as guest co-host as they also discuss Amazon ditching its ‘Just Walk Out’ grocery technology, and we find out who was really responsible for the MGM Resorts hack.
The rise of social media addiction and behavioral issues has also corresponded with the rise of smartphone usage, especially among adolescents. When talking about the behavioral issues caused by social media addiction, how much of this can also be attributed to a device that we have attached to our hip almost 24 hours a day? Keith chats with Professor Joseph Trunzo, a professor of psychology at Bryant University, about how smartphones are affecting behaviors, as well as whether there will be long-term effects of social media addiction as this generation moves into the workforce.
FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried will be in federal prison for a very long time for his role in conspiracy and fraud charges from the collapse of the crypto exchange he started. Guest co-host Brandon Mahne joins Keith and Chris to discuss these and other tech stories of the week, including the under-the-radar rise of NVIDIA and Anthropic, as well as the new AI song-writing tool that everyone is obsessed with.
Parents and end users who are worried about the potential effects of social media addiction can take more proactive steps to help stave off potential behavioral issues as a result. Keith chats with John Paul Simon, director of clinical interventions in schools for CarePlus New Jersey, about how to recognize the signs of social media addition, as well as advice to help users become more aware of the dangers.
Using tactics like how Las Vegas casinos keep customers in their seats, big social media companies are designing interfaces to keep users on the platform for longer periods of times. This can be very problematic for younger users, who have brains that are still developing and can be seriously affected by addiction behavior. Keith chats with Dr. Lisa Strohman, a licensed psychologist and director of the Digital Citizen Academy, about the harmful effects of social media addiction.
While news publishers have often used ‘clickbait’ and other misleading headlines to sell newspapers and content for years, the rise of generative artificial intelligence means that we can expect even more “junk content” that could be misleading, fake or otherwise unreliable. Add in other AI-based generation such as voice content, images and videos and the world will suddenly become very unreliable when it comes to news. Keith chats with Alex Fink, founder and CEO of Otherweb, to discuss AI-generated junk content and what publishers, companies and even users need to do to combat the issue.
A multi-district lawsuit against the major social media companies (Meta, TikTok, Google, Snapchat) alleges their algorithms are defective because they are designed to maximize screen time, which can encourage addictive behavior in adolescents. Keith chats with Jayne Conroy, a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy, about the lawsuit, its origins and potential consequences, and the process moving forward.
The U.S. Congress takes the first step against a potential ban or sale of TikTok through House legislation, but will this mean the end of the social media app as we know it? Meanwhile, Europe begins adding safeguards around artificial intelligence technology to help protect the privacy of its citizens. Guest co-host Paul Desmond from Saratoga B2B Group joins the show to discuss these issues, as well as whether the U.S. power infrastructure will eventually be unable to support new AI efforts and electric vehicle applications.
In our latest technology news roundup, we discuss how scammers were able to grab $25 million from a Hong Kong company’s finance employee by using deepfaked AI video; the rise of dumb people using Apple Vision Pro devices in not-so-smart ways, and whether a mega-sports streaming service will mean the death of the cable TV industry.
The ‘spatial computing’ Apple Vision Pro has been out for a few weeks now, and reviews have been mixed about whether this is the future of computing or just a really expensive gadget. Keith chats with Macworld’s Mike Simon and Jason Cross, and Computerworld contributing writer Michael deAgonia about their impressions of the device and whether business users will find value in the device.
Over the past 20 years, innovation and new products seemed to come mainly from Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and other venture capitalist investments. But that may be changing, as research labs, academics and research and development groups come up with new ways to develop “what’s coming next.” In this episode, Keith chats with Chris Shaw, CMO at NTT Research, about some of the big trends in how new products and technologies will be developed over the next 10 to 20 years.
With more AI models and tools coming out from companies on a weekly basis, we are beginning to wonder whether this will turn many companies away from the technology as they look for the ‘best tool possible.’ Meanwhile, continued errors and AI hallucinations have companies holding back on fully deploying the technology. Keith chats with Rebecca Parsons, CTO Emerita at Thoughtworks, about how companies need to remain vigilant and responsible in their AI development, while also accepting that we are still in the early days and that errors will happen.
Join Macworld’s Michael Simon and Computerworld’s Ken Mingis as they discuss Apple product lineup as we head into the all-important holiday shopping season.
The biggest change in years to the Apple Watch line-up is the new Apple Watch Ultra. It’s big — and controversial. Macworld’s Michael Simon and Computerworld’s Ken Mingis weigh in on the new wearable, which users love or hate.
Join Macworld’s Michael Simon and Ken Mingis from Computerworld as they discuss their Apple newest phones and answer your questions.
Join Macworld Executive Editor Michael Simon and Computerworld Executive Editor Ken Mingis as they look ahead to Apple's big Sept. 7 iPhone event.
Join Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and Macworld executive editor Michael Simon as they discuss the latest Apple Watch rumors, new features and why this could be the biggest update ever.
Join Macworld executive editor Michael Simon and Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis as they talk about the latest iPhone 14 rumors – everything from anticipated release date to price to design changes. Plus, they'll talk about the features they hope to see in the latest release.
Join Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and Macworld executive editor Michael Simon as they talk about their favorite features and biggest gripes with iOS 16, macOS Ventura and the rest of the OSes arriving from Apple this fall.
Join Macworld executive editor Michael Simon and Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis as they break down the pros and cons of Apple's newest laptop.
On Today in Tech, join Michael Simon and Ken Mingis as they separate the facts from fiction about the new 13-inch MacBook Pro, the M2 chip, the M2 MacBook Air, and the latest rumors.
On this week's episode of Today in Tech we talk about the state of Apple's laptops, whether you should preorder the M2 MacBook Pro, and what the future will bring.
On today's episode, it's a WWDC wrap-up party! We'll talk all about the new iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS updates and which features you'll be most excited to try. And of course we'll have a lot of thoughts about the new M2 processor and MacBook Air.
Apple’s big Worldwide Developers Conference is coming up in less than two weeks. While it’s uncertain there’ll be new hardware , there will be previews of upcoming versions of macOS, iOS, iPadOS and more. This week Macworld Executive Editor Michael Simon and Computerworld Executive Editor Ken Mingis look at what kinds of software announcements may be in the offing.
Not-so-breaking news: Supply chain constraints continue to challenge technology manufacturers, and Apple is no exception. While the wait for some Macs is quite short, others, like the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro face wait times of eight to ten weeks. And with WWDC looming, could hardware supply chain issues upend any hardware announcement plans? Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and Macworld executive editor Michael Simon join Juliet to discuss current hardware supply chain issues and how they may affect WWDC.
After 20 years, Apple has officially discontinued its final iPod, the iPod Touch. Macworld executive editor Michael Simon and Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis join Juliet to discuss its history and how it paved the way for future products. Plus, some Apple employees are protesting the company’s return-to-office policy, which requires employees to be in the office three days per week. Michael, Ken and Juliet will also discuss how Apple’s return-to-work policy compares to other tech companies’ policies and what the hybrid work landscape looks like.
Billionaire Elon Musk recently entered into an agreement to purchase Twitter for $44 billion dollars, therefore turning Twitter into a privately held company. While Musk’s acquisition could have serious ramifications for users, it’s still unclear how his Twitter would differ from the Twitter we’re familiar with today. Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and Macworld executive editor Michael Simon join Juliet to discuss what the acquisition could mean for the future of the platform and how it could affect enterprise users and consumers alike.
WWDC speculation has officially begun. So, what will Apple announce at its annual developer conference in June? Macworld executive editor Michael Simon and Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis join Juliet to discuss what to expect at WWDC this year, including updates to Apple’s operating systems like iOS and macOS and maybe even some hardware announcements.
According to Bloomberg, Apple is working on a hardware subscription service that would allow users to lease its devices like people lease cars. This program would differ from the 12- and 24-month loan programs currently available. And while its release date is months away, specs have already leaked about the upcoming iPhone 14. Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and Macworld executive editor Michael Simon join Juliet to discuss why a hardware subscription service could benefit enterprise users and what to expect in the iPhone 14.
Users and reviewers have expressed some frustration with the new Studio Display, wondering why its components and software mirror that of an iPhone without touch capability. Apple is known for recycling its products, but is the Studio Display, with its A13 chip and Center Stage camera, too recycled? Macworld executive editor Michael Simon and Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis join Juliet to discuss what frustrations people have with the Studio Display and who should and should not use it.
Foxconn partially shut down some of its factories in manufacturing powerhouse Shenzhen as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak. Foxconn, which is the world's biggest contract electronics manufacturer and Apple’s largest iPhone supplier, said it “adjusted the production line to minimize the potential impact,” and some of its factories have partially reopened. Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and Macworld executive editor Michael Simon join Juliet to discuss how this shutdown could have affected the mobile supply chain. They’ll also discuss Macworld’s review of the Mac Studio and what’s new in iOS 15.4.
At its “Peek Performance” event on Tuesday, Apple dropped two especially surprising announcements. First, it introduced the newest edition to the M1 chip lineup, the M1 Ultra. Then, it introduced a new desktop Mac, the Mac Studio, which isn’t quite the Mac mini or the Mac Pro. Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and Macworld executive editor Michael Simon join Juliet to discuss what these new additions to Apple’s hardware lineup are all about and who will get the most use out of them.
Apple is hosting its first event of the year on March 8. The company is expected to announce a handful of new products including an iPhone SE with 5G and a new iPad Air. It’s also possible that Apple will announce a new MacBook Air with a redesigned M2 chip. Macworld executive editor Michael Simon and Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis join Juliet to discuss what to expect from the “Peek Performance” event and what the announcements will mean for consumers and business users alike.
Apple is getting closer to ditching Qualcomm as its 5G modem supplier, according to a new Digitimes report. The company has reportedly begun coordinating with other chip companies to develop custom-made 5G modems for future iPhones. These chips could appear in iPhones in 2023. Plus, Google will roll out increased user privacy tools in future versions of Android by implementing measures to limit ad tracking across websites and apps. Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and Macworld executive editor Michael Simon join Juliet to discuss how Apple will transition to its own 5G modems (and what that means for Qualcomm) and what Google’s new privacy measures mean for users.
Data centers are a critical, but often power-hungry, part of the enterprise. But, why exactly do data centers require so much energy? And how can businesses address emissions concerns as well as cut back on the costs associated with cooling data centers? Ashish Nadkarni, group vice president within IDC's Worldwide Infrastructure Practice, joins Juliet to discuss the status of data center efficiency, what it means within the context of green IT and how technology has advanced to make servers more efficient.
Intel recently announced plans to invest $20 billion into a massive new semiconductor fabrication plant in Ohio. This announcement comes as Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said the U.S. urgently needs to increase domestic chip manufacturing capacity. A recent Commerce Department survey revealed that the ongoing chip shortage was in dire straits late last year, with some manufacturers reporting they had less than five days’ supply of chips. While the new Intel plant, predicted to open in 2025, won’t alleviate the ongoing chip shortage, current supply chain issues highlight the need for increased investment in semiconductor manufacturing. Mario Morales, group vice president of IDC's enabling technologies, semiconductor, storage, and DataSphere research, joins Juliet to discuss the significance of Intel’s plan and provide an update on the chip shortage.
Earlier this week, Microsoft announced plans to buy video game giant Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion. Microsoft branded the deal as a metaverse play, but some industry analysts see it as Microsoft capitalizing on Activision’s weakened position. Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and senior reporter Lucas Mearian join Juliet to break down Microsoft’s planned acquisition, including how it relates to the metaverse and what it means for the tech industry. Article: https://www.computerworld.com/article/3647294/microsoft-to-buy-video-game-maker-activision-blizzard-for-687b.html
This week, Apple said it paid developers $60 billion in 2021. That suggests that, last year, the App Store raked in more money than ever. Still, 2021 was not all roses for the App Store. In September, Apple’s lawsuit against Epic Games over in-app purchasing ended. While the judge ruled in favor of Apple most of the time, the judge decided that the company engaged in anti-steering practices. Apple continues to face pressure abroad to allow outside payment methods for the App Store. So, where does the Apple go from here, and what changes might it be forced to make? Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and Macworld executive editor Michael Simon join Juliet to discuss what’s next for the App Store.
When the transition to Apple silicon was announced, Apple said the shift would last two years. Now, Mark Gurman, author of the Power On newsletter, suggests the transition could wrap up by WWDC in June. That means users would see an Apple silicon-powered Mac Pro (as well as the higher-end Mac mini and 27-inch iMac) in the coming months. And while Apple continues to distances itself from Intel, the latter chipmaker claims that its new Core i9 processor is faster than the M1 Max. Macworld executive editor Michael Simon and Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis join Juliet to discuss Intel’s new processors, what an Apple silicon Mac Pro will look like and what other devices will receive new chips this year. Plus, they’ll discuss what Apple’s brief $3 trillion valuation means for the company.
As workers head back to the office some of the time, IT needs to apply the skills and technologies used to support them as they worked from home all of the time.