Altered Geek ®

Latest Episodes:

GDPR Compliance and Public Officials Blocking on Social Media Jun 01, 2018

Show notes

Steve explores the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and what it means for businesses that handle data from EU citizens, including penalties for noncompliance and practical requirements for data collection. He also discusses a federal court ruling that determined it's unconstitutional for public officials to block critics on social media, examining the First Amendment implications. The episode concludes with a brief look at PhotoScissors, a background-removal software Steve tested and found effective for image editing.

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Battlefield V, Star Wars News, and Tech Industry Trends May 29, 2018

Show notes

This episode explores the latest updates on Battlefield V, including the removal of premium passes and loot boxes. Steve also discusses potential casting news for a new Men in Black film, the upcoming Boba Fett movie, and Warner Brothers' humorous response to Ryan Reynolds regarding the Green Lantern film. Additionally, the show covers the shift toward password-free logins with Firefox 60, recent U.S. government actions against ZTE, and the closure of social media platforms Klout and StumbleUpon.

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Netflix Animation, Warner Bros. Bat-Embargo, and the Arrowverse May 25, 2018

Show notes

Steve Megatron covers upcoming Netflix animated series including DreamWorks' She-Ra, Carmen Sandiego, and Matt Groening's Disenchantment, plus Warner Bros. Animation's Scooby-Doo and Guess Who and Yabba Dabba Dinosaurs. The episode dives deep into Warner Bros.' controversial "bat-embargo" policy that prevents Batman and the Joker from appearing on television, explaining why Gotham's Jerome can't be called the Joker and why Batman can't cross over into the CW's Arrowverse. Also discussed: Gotham Season 5's plans for Bruce Wayne becoming Batman, the introduction of Batwoman to the CW crossover event, and speculation about a potential Batman streaming series on the Warner Bros. app.

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Listener Feedback on Retro Gaming and Digital Trends May 22, 2018

Show notes

Host Steve Megatron Phillips answers listener feedback covering a range of geek culture topics. The conversation addresses the nostalgia of retro gaming, experiences with DOS emulation, and the shifting landscape of television reboots and revivals. The episode also touches on the financial realities of mobile microtransactions, home internet service provider transitions, and the appeal of physical comic book cover art.

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Television Renewals, Cancellations, and Streaming Trends May 18, 2018

Show notes

A look at the current state of television, discussing recent show renewals and cancellations including Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Lethal Weapon, Last Man Standing, and Alex Inc. The episode covers the rise of platform-exclusive streaming services like the upcoming DC Universe app, the trend of recasting lead roles, and the impact of the shift toward digital-only content libraries.

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Creative Projects and Future Plans May 14, 2018

Show notes

Steve Megatron and Mike the Birdman Dodd take a look behind the curtain at their current creative projects and future goals. They discuss the ongoing redesign of the network website, the process of refreshing interview art, and their efforts to revive commentary tracks for obscure out-of-print films. The conversation also explores their history with world-building, their love for fan fiction concepts, and potential ideas for upcoming audio drama experiments and tabletop role-playing game campaigns.

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Hasbro Power Rangers Future and T-Mobile Merger Talk May 11, 2018

Show notes

Steve and Mike explore what the acquisition of Power Rangers by Hasbro means for the future of the franchise, including potential crossovers and convention changes. They also share their thoughts on the merger between T-Mobile and Sprint, discussing the impact on cell service, pricing, and their personal experiences with various smartphone devices.

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Avengers: Infinity War Review May 04, 2018

Show notes

An analysis of the Marvel Cinematic Universe milestone, covering Thanos as a lead character, the film's structure as a season finale, and the impact of the shared universe. The discussion includes reactions to character arcs, key technology like nanobot armor, and predictions for the next installment. The hosts also share personal rankings of Marvel films and reflect on the evolution of the decade-long franchise.

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Windows 10 Updates, Instant Translators, and Gmail Redesign May 01, 2018

Show notes

This episode covers various tech updates including new features in the Windows 10 Spring Creators Update and the upcoming Gmail redesign. The host discusses a handheld real-time translator device and YouTube's plans to merge Google Play Music into a new service. Additionally, there is a look at the new parental controls for the YouTube Kids app and the host's perspective on ASMR videos and virtual reality euthanasia machines. The episode concludes with updates regarding the host's personal website renovation.

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Gaming News, Streaming Services, and Microtransactions Apr 27, 2018

Show notes

This episode covers an overview of the current landscape for live streaming platforms, including thoughts on potential setups for future broadcasts. We explore the rise of sites dedicated to tracking microtransactions in popular games and the frustration of legacy software compatibility. Finally, we discuss upcoming updates for Battlefield 1, expectations for the next Battlefield entry, and the latest expansion content for Star Trek Online.

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