Rich On Tech

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.

Rich discusses how transcription tools powered by AI are making it simple to turn speech into text, whether in real-time or from recorded audio. Products & Services Mentioned: Pixel Recorder, Samsung Voice Recorder, iPhone Voice Memos, MacWhisper, Vibe Transcribe, Whisper Web, Voice Notes, Whisper Memos, PLAUD Note, PLAUD Pin, Wispr Flow Dave in Long Beach says his iTunes music library has disappeared and wants to know how to get it back. Ray in Chicago says his Google Chromecast has been buggy this week and wants to know if there are any updates on the issue. Dave in Long Beach says YouTube on Roku is buffering. Rich mentioned a cache-clearing hack he can try. Larry in San Pedro wonders if it’s safe to enter his credit card number into his smartphone when calling his bank. Victor in Santa Barbara says his Epson printer prints out pages of gibberish at random times, and Rich suggests restarting the spooler. The smartwatch market declined for the first time in 2024. Graham says his iPhone 7 Plus is no longer supported and wants advice on upgrading to a new iPhone 16e and switching to Mint Mobile. Niantic, the creators of Pokémon Go, have sold the game to Scopely for $3.5 billion. AT&T has a new “landline” service called AT&T Phone Advanced, which uses cellular or broadband and includes a backup battery. Kimber Streams has been covering laptops and tech at Wirecutter for over a decade and will share expert tips on how to spring clean your PC and keep it running smoothly. Kimber recommended a great laptop—the ASUS VivoBook 14 Q423SA, on sale for $500 at Best Buy. Dee Dee in West Covina wants a TV with good contrast, and Rich recommends Samsung models with Relumino Mode. Rich mentioned a handy file transfer website called FilePizza. Bob in Lake Forest says his Mint Mobile service sometimes drops, and Rich suggests checking APN settings and doing a network settings reset if that doesn’t work. Rick in Orange County uses Defender for PC antivirus and wonders if there’s a free alternative Rich would recommend. Rich says he can use Windows Security (built in) or check ratings at AV-TEST. Jared Newman of Advisorator joins the show to discuss the best ad blocker alternatives now that uBlock Origin is out, how to stop those annoying “Sign in with Google” pop-ups, and his quest for the perfect web browser. Google Wallet now allows you to add your passport for convenient digital identification. Nintendo is opening a new store in San Francisco’s Union Square on May 15, 2025, and is holding a contest to win a trip there. Rich On Tech Episode 113 - March 15, 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.

This episode features Matt Swider, a technology journalist from The Shortcut, who shares standout gadgets from Mobile World Congress, including innovations from Lenovo. Dr. Geeta "Dr. G" Nayyar discusses the alarming rise of healthcare misinformation on social media, emphasizing the need for credible medical advice. Expert Stephanie Humphrey offers valuable advice on digital citizenship for kids and teens, underlining the importance of mindfulness in navigating online interactions. Plus, learn about the handy tax app, FlyFin, simplifying tax preparation for freelancers!

In this engaging discussion, Mike Prospero, U.S. Editor-in-Chief at Tom's Guide, offers insights into the recent Alexa+ upgrades and evaluates its new features, exploring how it stacks up against competitors. Chris Guld, from Geeks on Tour, shares expert tips for maximizing Google Photos, emphasizing photo organization and backup strategies. The conversation also touches on Google's simplified processes for erasing personal information from search results and best practices for managing spam emails effectively.

Titania Jordan is an online safety expert and author with a focus on helping parents navigate digital dangers. She discusses the importance of securing children's online activities and practical tips from her book, Parental Control. Brandon Butch dives into the new iPhone 16e, exploring its features, and whether it's worth the upgrade. Facundo Holzmeister shares insights on unique Android apps that enhance user experience. Together, they also touch on tech scams, the risks of social media, and photography tricks for better smartphone photos.