Today in Tech

The OpenWiFi project looks to create open-source options for service providers looking to better support wireless deployments for multi-residential units and hospitality companies. Learn more about the standard in this episode.Follow TECH(talk) for the latest tech news and discussion!

The looming launch of electronic data record exchanges will allow more doctors, hospitals and other health providers to more easily share records amongst each other. This should ease the ability for clinicians to see the entire health history of patients, more so than the current fragmented system. Computerworld’s Val Potter and Rob Mitchell talk about the topic with Keith on this episode. 

A slew of new connected home devices, utilizing the Matter protocol, is about to hit retailers in time for the holidays. Will this standard, which promises easier connectivity and installation for smart home devices like lights, sensors, door locks, cameras and more, revitalize the idea of a connected home? Or better yet, lead us to the part of smart home automation? Keith chats with Skip Ashton, an engineer with Infineon Technologies and representative of the Connectivity Standards Alliance, about the protocol.

A federal judge rules that Microsoft can go forward with its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, striking another blow for the Federal Trade Commission. But then the company also gets hit with news that a bug in its cloud services platform allowed Chinese hackers to infiltrate emails at the Commerce and State departments. Also, the big bad villain in this summer’s hottest movie is artificial intelligence!

Nowhere has artificial intelligence and generative AI tools like ChatGPT disrupted a space more than in education, where teachers and students are debating whether the tools can help or harm them. Jim Chilton, executive vice president of learning platform provider Cengage, chats with Keith about why knowledge workers can take advantage of the tools to help them become smarter and better prepared for an AI future. 

Mark Zuckerberg takes his beef with Elon Musk to new levels with the launch of Threads, an Instagram-based microblogging platform that looks exactly like Twitter. Plus, we review highlights of the Microsoft vs. FTC case in terms of the Activision Blizzard acquisition, and wonders if Gen Xers really want to go back to a digital-free lifestyle.

The best and worst of humanity was on display last week during the events of the OceanGate Titan sub disaster, including rescuers looking for potential survivors, but also dark Internet memes and inappropriate comments due to 24/7 social media. Keith chats with author Justin Bean and analyst Jack Gold about what lessons we can learn, including those that work at startups and other “innovation” firms.

Workplace innovations such as eliminating scheduled meetings for a month, as well as flexible work options like four-day workweeks, have helped a technology company with issues around meeting fatigue and email overload. Keith chats with Amy Casciotti, vice president of human resources at TechSmith, about these innovations.

Tesla’s deal with Rivian to allow access to its Supercharger network seems to indicate a growing dominance of the Tesla charging system, creating a de facto standard. Also, the FTC goes after Amazon for its Prime subscription signups and cancellation policies, while also continuing to go after the

Several new articles suggest that the ongoing drive for electric vehicles may be shifting into a more cautious approach as questions rise around charging station availability, infrastructure questions, and the true range of vehicles. Also, we look at how some employees are pushing back against office mandates and whether companies need to have a “fun squad” that allows co-workers to become friends.