Rich On Tech

Ed Bott, a longtime tech journalist known for his expertise on Microsoft products, joins the conversation to discuss a massive data breach exposing 184 million accounts. He emphasizes using strong passwords and two-factor authentication to protect against cyber threats. The duo also dives into AI innovations like Google's Gemini, the importance of backing up photos, and the pitfalls of online job offers. Bott shares insights from his European travels, showcasing how tech simplifies communication and navigation abroad.

Rich talks about attending Google I/O 2025 and the major consumer announcements from Google. Mozilla is shutting down its Pocket app—if you need an alternative to save articles for later, check out Instapaper. Google just launched the NotebookLM app for iOS and Android—check out the new Audio Overviews, which turn your notes into podcast-style summaries you can listen to on the go. Benny in Burbank is blind and wants to read mail and newspapers—Rich recommends ElevenReader, a free app that uses your phone’s camera to scan and read printed text out loud. Queen Ugly Duckling from the Bronx misses her QWERTY keyboard—Rich suggests checking out Clicks, a gadget that snaps onto your phone and gives you that satisfying physical keyboard feel again. Diana in Orange County asked if her phone is safer than her computer for financial transactions—Rich says yes, in many cases your smartphone is more secure thanks to built-in protections like biometric login and app sandboxing. Shane in Colorado wants to ID the pictures in his screensaver—Rich suggests adding a watermark before dropping them in the folder, or using a third-party app like gPhotoShow, which can display file names or captions as the photos play. The Take It Down Act bans sharing deepfakes and non-consensual intimate images. Jony Ive is teaming up with OpenAI in a $6B deal to design AI-first hardware. Lisa writes in and says her elderly brother fell for the Coinbase scam. What should he do? Gerald wonders, if someone gives a scam remote access to their computer, does that mean they now have access to all their saved passwords in a password manager? Dave Citron, Senior Director of Product Management for the Gemini app at Google, joins us to talk about the latest Gemini features and how they're making the app even more intelligent with Gemini Live Mode. Gina in Florida is worried about data sharing—Rich says limit what you share when possible and ensure you’re downloading the official app. Adobe says Memorial Day is shaping up to be the year’s first big online shopping weekend. Students are damaging Chromebooks by jamming objects into USB ports—a new trend spreading on TikTok. A newspaper’s summer reading list included fake books—turns out the author used AI and didn’t fact-check. Regeneron is buying the now-bankrupt 23andMe, aiming to tap into its massive genetic data. Rich saw a live demo of Wing’s drone delivery service at Google I/O—yes, they were really dropping pies from the sky. Twelve South has a smart new cable that combines the plug and USB-C—no power brick needed, and it’s up to 10 feet long. Jason Ball, longtime news executive, joins us to talk about life after TV and how he’s using AI, and off-the-shelf tech to reinvent himself as a creator with the Life after News podcast and the Desert Dispatch newsletter. You can now set Google Translate as your default translating app on iPhone. Ava is an app that provides real-time on-screen captions of spoken words, making conversations more accessible for everyone. Rich On Tech Episode 122 - May 24, 2025 Rich DeMuro brings you the latest tech news, helpful tips, gadget reviews, and more—plus interviews with industry experts—all in this weekly show. Call 1-888-RICH-101 (1-888-742-4101) to join in! Email your question here. How to Listen: 🎙️ Live on KFI AM 640 – Los Angeles, Saturdays from 11 AM – 2 PM PT 🎙️ Rebroadcast on 710 WOR – New York City, Sundays from 8 PM – 11 PM ET 📻 Syndicated on 450+ affiliates nationwide Get the podcast to via RSS, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Follow Rich on X, Instagram and Facebook. Download the MP3 here (choose episode, then scroll to bottom of page and look for ”Download”) Paid newsletter subscribers get ad-free, HQ audio here. Referral links for services I like. Amazon storefront for products I like. RichOnTech.tv Links may be affiliate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Johnny Jet, a travel technology expert, shares the latest innovations in travel apps like Flighty and ResortPass. He provides tips to maximize travel experiences with AI tools that help track flights and manage costs. Futurist Steve Fisher discusses the implications of AI on society and humanity's future, delving into the ethical challenges we face. They also touch on the disappointing features of the iPhone 16E and the rising trend of cash back offers for online shopping, keeping listeners informed and entertained with practical tech insights.

Aparna Chennapragada, Chief Product Officer at Microsoft and founder of Google Lens, dives into how AI and digital agents are revolutionizing workplace productivity. She emphasizes the potential for AI to reduce employee burnout while enhancing efficiency. Josh Ochs, founder of SmartSocial.com, shares strategies for parents and students to navigate social media responsibly, building a positive online reputation. Their discussion highlights the interplay of technology in daily life and the importance of managing digital footprints safely.

In this discussion, Steven Johnson, Editorial Director at Google Labs, shares insights on Notebook LM, Google’s AI tool transforming research processes. Harry Campbell, founder of The Rideshare Guy, delves into the gig economy's current landscape, covering Uber, Lyft, and emerging autonomous vehicle trends. They explore Apple’s court ruling mandating third-party payment links in apps, and Microsoft’s push towards passwordless security. Lastly, they provide solutions for tech troubles like ghost calls on iPhones and integrating flip phones into modern setups.

Rich talked about the latest Roku announcements from their NYC event. Stephen from Tarzana wants to organize millions of files on his computer. Rich suggested checking out AI tools like Dropbox Dash, along with software options such as Directory Opus and the freeware alternative Total Commander. As expected, pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 are already sold out. Tim Makalinao, Co-Founder and CEO of Bandana, joins us to talk about fixing the broken job search system and how his startup is helping workers land better hourly and entry-level jobs — for free. Rose from Temecula is worried her phone might be hacked. Rich recommended looking into iCloud Private Relay, the iMazing Spyware Checker, and the Am I Secure app. The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses just got a software update adding live translation and support for more music services. A Pixel 8 user accidentally deleted an entire conversation with her son and is looking for a way to recover lost texts. Rich suggested checking one.google.com for a device backup, using Google Takeout to download old messages, and installing SMS Backup & Restore to save future texts—since Google Messages sadly doesn’t have a “recently deleted” folder yet. Brian from Northridge wants to know how to delete individual cookies and cache data from specific sites instead of clearing everything at once. Kelly from Los Angeles says her budget Android phone has stopped charging. A new Gmail feature called Manage Subscriptions helps you unsubscribe from newsletters in bulk, and it’s rolling out now. Justin Hendrix, CEO and founder of Tech Policy Press, will share insights on the ongoing Google and Meta antitrust trials and what they mean for consumers. Walter from Temecula is looking for a lower-priced alternative to the Apple Pencil. Rich mentioned options from Logitech, Adonit, ZAGG, and highlighted the ESR Geo Digital Pencil as a highly rated budget pick. Meta just launched a new free video editing app called Edits, available for both iOS and Android. TV.garden lets you explore live TV streams from around the world for free. If you’re looking for an alternative to Grammarly, there’s a free option called LanguageTool. Rich shared a cool way to scan a QR code at a restaurant table and instantly split the bill using a service called sunday. George from Los Angeles says his wireless mic isn’t working with his Samsung Galaxy A15 smartphone. Tim O’Hearn, software engineer and author of Framed: A Villain’s Perspective on Social Media, will have a new take on how social platforms really work. The Apple Watch is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. Text.ai lets you text AI for free using your regular messaging app—no download required. If the battery is swelling in your Pixel 7a, Google has a repair program to fix it. AT&T is adding cruise ship coverage to its International Day Pass for $20 a day. Max is cracking down on password sharing, charging $7.99/month for each extra member outside your household. Netflix is adding a dialogue-only subtitle option that shows just the spoken words. Christopher from Justice, Illinois wants to see what devices are connected to his Wi-Fi—Rich recommends the app Fing. Rich DeMuro brings you the latest tech news, helpful tips, gadget reviews, and more—plus interviews with industry experts—all in this weekly show. Call 1-888-RICH-101 (1-888-742-4101) to join in! Email your question here. How to Listen: 🎙️ Live on KFI AM 640 – Los Angeles, Saturdays from 11 AM – 2 PM PT 🎙️ Rebroadcast on 710 WOR – New York City, Sundays from 8 PM – 11 PM ET 📻 Syndicated on 450+ affiliates nationwide Get the podcast to via RSS, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Follow Rich on X, Instagram and Facebook. Download the MP3 here (choose episode, then scroll to bottom of page and look for ”Download”) Paid newsletter subscribers get ad-free, HQ audio here. Referral links for services I like. Amazon storefront for products I like. RichOnTech.tv Links may be affiliate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lauren Braun, Apple's Environmental Product Manager, shares insights on Apple's innovative trade-in and recycling programs. She explains what happens to recycled devices and the technology behind it, including the remarkable Daisy robot. Discussion also touches on the environmental implications of consumer electronics and the importance of responsible recycling. Additionally, the talk highlights how Apple's efforts align with sustainability goals and the role of technology in nurturing a greener future.

Matt Swider, Editor in Chief of TheShortcut.com, shares his hands-on experience with the Nintendo Switch 2, discussing its new features and whether it lives up to the hype. Meanwhile, Arjun Bhatnagar, Co-founder of Cloaked, provides valuable insights on online privacy, including tips for protecting personal information and tools to remove your data from the internet. The hosts also delve into travel tech, offering practical tips to avoid roaming charges and enhancing in-flight entertainment with Bluetooth devices.

Collin Walke, a cybersecurity expert, shares how even professionals can fall for phishing scams, highlighting the importance of vigilance. Mark Vena, CEO at SmartTech Research, dives into modern tech trends, revealing tips for booking flights and using points strategically. They discuss Facebook's new friends-only feed, the latest updates from ChatGPT, and essential advice for international phone usage. Plus, they unravel the complexities of smartphone battery management and data privacy, emphasizing the ever-evolving landscape of technology.

Marc-Anthony Arena, known as the Computer Exorcist, shares his expertise on modern tech threats, highlighting the inadequacies of traditional antivirus software. He emphasizes the necessity of staying alert to sophisticated scams. Meanwhile, Brent Franson, founder of the Death Clock app, discusses how AI can predict life expectancy and promote personalized health strategies, sparking engaging conversations about the implications of knowing one's lifespan. Both guests weave technology and personal health into a captivating narrative that resonates with listeners.