The Big Tech Show

New Year, new tech world? Adrian makes a few predictions about what we’ll see in 2021, alongside guests Jon Ihle (deputy business editor, Irish Independent) and Dr Katherine O’Keeffe (director of training, Castlebridge).The predictions include trends for Brexit-related online shopping on services like Amazon, more pricing hikes for streaming giants Netflix and Disney Plus, a bedding in for remote working, the demise of cinemas, the first $100bn ‘Irish made’ tech company and a lot more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Adrian is joined by a couple of small Irish tech business owners, News Over Audio’s Gareth Hickey and Thinscale’s Brendan Kiely.The three talk about a variety of issues, including whether big tech companies are getting too much love and support compared to small ones, the case for more flexibility in hiring (and moving) abroad, how remote working will pan out and the future for subscription media.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What were the best gadgets of 2020? What were the best laptops, phones, smartwatches, headphones and speakers? Adrian tested over 100 tech products during the year. Joined by digital editor of Buzz.ie, Mark Kavanagh, he gives his picks and discusses why they topped their categories.Adrian also discusses his early impressions of a gadget that landed on his desk this week: Apple’s AirPods Max.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, Slack and Salesforce announced an acquisition agreement worth $27.7bn (€22.9bn). It’s the biggest tech deal of the year and one of the biggest of all time. This week, Slack co-founder Cal Henderson spoke exclusively to technology editor Adrian Weckler about keeping a separate identity, the tech industry, remote working, Ireland’s place in the world and other things.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Europe is bringing in a raft of new laws to try to tighten things like advertising and runaway algorithms.This week, Adrian invites Politico’s chief technology correspondent, Mark Scott, on the podcast to talk through the issues.He also asks Mark about Ireland’s reputation at the moment in the EU on a myriad of issues, from data protection to tax.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With weeks to go before the first rural homes are connected under the NBP, here’s an in-depth discussion with Peter Hendrick (CEO of National Broadband Ireland).It covers the basics, the finer details, the controversies and the future.What exactly is the criteria for inclusion in the NBP? Does it cover all rural future-builds?Why was so much of the contract redacted? What happens if the project is flipped by its owners?Is Elon Musk’s Starlink any kind of credible alternative?And lots, lots more. It’s a frank, expansive discussion with a lot of detail and some blunt questions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it now unpatriotic or selfish to buy from Amazon? Are you aiding a billionaire cartoon villain rather than helping a struggling Irish trader during the pandemic?In recent weeks, this has gained traction as a popular theme in Ireland. Zeal for supporting Irish is transmogrifying into judgementalism for not spending your money with local traders.If you buy online from abroad, you’re selfish and feckless. You’re not doing your bit.But this side-steps a problem that many of its comfortably-off advocates don’t acknowledge: lots of people can’t afford to ignore cheaper goods or delivery and more convenient services, from megacorp entities.€5 on a small item -- or the 90 minutes it takes to go and get it -- can make a big difference. €50 on a large item can be a deal-breaker.Joining Adrian to talk about this is Duncan Graham, head of Retail Excellence Ireland and Samantha McCaughren, business editor of the Sunday Independent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Adrian talks to Senator Marie Sherlock, whose Labour Party is introducing a bill that would give people the legal right to disconnect from work mails, DMs, Slack, Teams, Zoom and other platforms at certain times.But is this actually possible in a 2020 workplace?What is ‘work’ these days, anyway? Haven’t our lockdown lives become a blur of screens, one way or another?Joining Adrian and Marie to tease out the issues is Fearghal O’Connor, the Sunday Independent’s deputy business editor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s Zoom podcast, Adrian welcomes Amarach Research’s Gerard O’Neill and the Irish Independent’s deputy business editor, Jon Ihle, on to talk about two topics — whether 5G is needed and not returning to offices.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Adrian talks to David Cawley, an acoustic designers who has created the audio brand OneSonic.The company’s first products are a pair of noise-cancelling headphones (€75) and wireless Bluetooth earbuds (€60).Adrian asks him about the aspiration to take on the giants of hifi audio and how he thinks he might succeed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.