Popular Technology Radio

Latest Episodes:

OMRON, Harley-Davidson, Audio-Technica, and TechDen at CES 2019 | #193 Feb 09, 2019

Show notes

CES is the best place to keep up with all of the new gadgets and gizmos coming out this year, and we're back from our stage at the Las Vegas Convention Center with more coverage. First up, OMRON Director of Corporate Engineering, Mike Chen, explains their mission statement and what their technology means for the rest of the world. Next, Director of Digital Growth for Harley-Davidson, Ken Ostermann, details their first electric bike ever - the 2020 Harley-Davidson LiveWire. Is this the future of biking? Then, we chat with Audio-Technica Marketing Director, Gary Boss, about their wide array of phono cartridges, turntables, and premium Bluetooth headphones. Wrapping up the show, TechDen Founder and CEO, James Symons, has a solution for parents who want to teach their kids good screen time habits in a positive way. Don't miss this episode of Popular Technology Radio for the latest insights from CES 2019.

[00:00:00] OMRON's Forpheus Represents the Future
[00:06:27] The Harmony of Humans and Machines
[00:12:30] The 2020 Harley-Davidson LiveWire
[00:19:51] Turntables Live on with Audio-Technica
[00:29:11] Audio-Technica's True Wireless Earbuds
[00:35:52] Curb Your Childrens' Device Screen Time

Morris Hayes and Tom Waterman Talk Music Tech at NAMM 2019 | #192 Feb 02, 2019

Show notes

Every year musicians and audio companies gather in Anaheim, California to show of the latest in industry tech and celebrate the heritage of centuries past at the NAMM show. Starting off the show, technology expert, Mike Castanon, and host, Mike Etchart, discuss the melding of past and present in audio technology that happens at NAMM. Then, Musical Director and Keyboardist of Prince and the New Power Generation, Morris Hayes, recalls what it was like to land the gig and work with the legendary musician, Prince, and how music technology has evolved over the years. Next up, Universal Audio Product Specialist, Tom Waterman, discusses the history of Universal Audio and their new line of Apollo interfaces including the Apollo X. Wrapping up the show, Mike Castanon and Mike Etchart describe the dramatic shift in prices of musical and recording equipment from 30 years ago to today - it's an amazing time to build an at-home recording studio. Are you excited for the changes in the music industry?

[00:00:00] Centuries of Music Tech Blend at NAMM
[00:05:41] Morris Hayes on Working with Prince
[00:12:30] The Time Morris Hayes Said Too Much
[00:19:50] The History of Universal Audio
[00:27:42] New Apollo X Records 54-Piece Orchestra
[00:35:51] Now is the Best Time for Home Studios

Sound Bars, Streaming Services, and Trends at CES 2019 | #191 Jan 26, 2019

Show notes

Nestled away on our broadcast platform at CES 2019, we took some time to reflect on past trends and look towards the future. Starting the show, audio journalist for The Wirecutter, SoundStage! Solo, and JazzTimes, Brent Butterworth, shares his excitement about modern sound bars and urges us all to get one for our home theaters. Then, we discuss format wars, their effect on consumers, and what is going on in the world of digital media. Next, we explore Brent's new-found appreciation for The Beatles, a band he's traditionally had a fair amount of disdain for. Closing the show, President and CEO of the International Food and Beverage Technology Association (IFBTA), Rob Grimes, tells us why identifying the trends over the fads is important for him in his bid to stay ahead of the curve in the food and beverage vertical. Tune in for the latest from CES 2019.

[00:00:00] The Proliferation of Good Sound bars
[00:07:19] Vizio's Sound bars Are Great Experience
[00:12:30] A Lesson From Format Wars of the Past
[00:19:51] 2019: The Year of Big Media Shake-ups
[00:27:54] Two Guys Pontificating About The Beatles
[00:35:51] Identifying Trends over Fads at CES 2019

Miracle-Gro and New Headphone Tech at Record-Breaking CES 2019 | #190 Jan 19, 2019

Show notes

The Consumer Electronics Show has been around for 52 years and it continues to break records every year. Consumer Technology Association Manager, Industry Communications, Danielle Cassagnol, gives us some of the history of CES, from its start in the basement at the NAMM show, to the juggernaut event that it is today. Then, we discuss why in the heck Miracle-Gro has decided to dip their toes in the tech-show pond with Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mike Sutterer. Mike and Miracle-Gro have a solution that will bring your in-home farming to the next level. Closing the show, audio journalist for The Wirecutter, SoundStage! Solo, and JazzTimes, Brent Butterworth, fills us in on the amazing technological advancements being made in the headphone category. Don't miss out on our second show from the floor of CES 2019!

[00:00:00] Another Record Breaking Year for CES
[00:06:23] History of CES and Exciting Health Tech
[00:12:30] Miracle-Gro is at CES 2019?
[00:19:50] Miracle-Gro Twelve Indoor System
[00:27:56] Surround Sound and Noise Canceling
[00:35:51] Eardrum Suck and Bluetooth Quality

Television Innovations, DJI Drones and Cameras at CES 2019 | #189 Jan 12, 2019

Show notes

Every year hundreds of thousands of people and thousands of exhibitors gather to put the entire electronics industry on display across millions of square feet in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES 2019 is in full swing as we chat with our longtime buddy and Editor-at-large for the Wirecutter, Geoffrey Morrison, about the latest revelations in the television segment. There is a huge amount of news to cover, including LG's roll-up OLED TVs, Samsung and Sony's behemoth screens, the market confusion of microLED, quantum dot, OLED, QLED, and TCL's dominance of the inexpensive television market and expansion into appliances. Next, DJI Senior Communications Manager, Patrick Santucci, explains how they came to dominate the consumer drone market, and what they're bringing to the skies for casual fliers and cinematic professionals alike. If you thought that's all there was to DJI, you'd be wrong. Find out how their line of cameras and gimbals can help you look like an action-shot professional!

[00:00:00] Welcome to CES 2019 and Huge TVs!
[00:06:50] LG Roll-Up TVs the Answer to Huge Sets?
[00:12:30] TCL Makes Splash in Consumer Appliances
[00:19:51] MicroLED, Quantum Dot, OLED Explained
[00:27:46] DJI - Dominating the Drone Segment
[00:35:52] More Than Just Drones, DJI Does Cameras

New Television Technology and Rivian at Upcoming CES 2019 | #188 Dec 22, 2018

Show notes

CES 2019 is on the horizon and we take look ahead at what is perhaps the most pervasive category at the show: TVs. Freelance Writer for The Wirecutter and CNET, Geoffrey Morrison, gives us a reality check on Samsung's latest advancement in TV technology, 8K resolution. While this could be useful for VR or very large screens, most people will never be able to tell the difference between 8K and 4K, so don't waste your money. Then, we learn the differences between QLED and OLED, and discover why OLED rollable and transparent TVs will likely be novelty items for the foreseeable future. We close out the show with THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor host and Entertainment Radio Network CEO, Alan Taylor, as he fills us in on an up-and-coming electric vehicle company: Rivian. Don't miss the latest rumors from CES.

[00:00:00] Are Smaller Players Still Attending CES?
[00:00:00] Don't Waste Your Money on 8K TVs
[00:00:00] QLED vs OLED
[00:00:00] OLED Rollable TVs Coming in 2019?
[00:00:00] Transparent TV and Resolution Escalation
[00:00:00] Watch Out for Rivian at CES 2019!

Understanding 5G, Automotive Autonomy, and VW Dieselgate | #187 Dec 15, 2018

Show notes

As we finish our gadget shopping for Christmas we consider the cycle of new consumer electronics. Debuted every year at CES, these products usually don't drop until the end of the year, or later in some cases. One of the prominent new technologies we're thinking about looking into next year is the rollout of 5G wireless networks, and here to shed a little light on this complicated topic is CNET Executive Editor, Roger Cheng. We discover the benefits and shortcomings of the fledgling wireless standard, and learn how its introduction paralleles and differs from the rollout of 4G over a decade ago. Then, Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock, expounds upon the Volvo S90 we first heard about last week - he is very impressed with its sound system, interior, and level two autonomy. Closing the show, we discuss Volkswagen's dieselgate and how it has effectively squashed the momentum of diesel motors in the United States. Don't miss the latest in mobile and automotive technology.

[00:00:00] The Cycle of Tech, and Tweet Blunders
[00:06:17] What Exactly is 4G LTE?
[00:12:30] The Benefits of 5G Networks
[00:19:51] 5G - Fast Internet, Short Range
[00:28:16] Volvo S90 and Levels of Autonomy
[00:35:51] Did Volkswagen Dieselgate Kill Diesel?

Automotive Technology at the Los Angeles Auto Show 2018 | #186 Dec 08, 2018

Show notes

It has become increasingly apparent that the automotive and technology industries' fates have become intertwined as the latest gadgets and gizmos are embedded in our daily drivers. We discuss the trends that lead us to where we are today with JoshCAR Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock, at the start of the show. Then, Josh fills us in on some of the news coming out of the Los Angeles Auto Show, like Reviver Auto's digital license plates, Amazon's Alexa powered Echo Auto, and the emergence of two new all-electric car companies: BYTON and Rivian. Closing out the show, we wonder if the country is really ready for the next wave of electric vehicles. Tune in for the latest details from the LA Auto Show.

[00:00:00] Tracing the Auto Tech Explosion Back
[00:06:44] Ups and Downs of Early Infotainment
[00:12:30] Digital Plates, Spin, and Echo Auto
[00:19:51] Reviver Auto and California Car Market
[00:27:39] BYTON and Rivian Electrify LA Auto Show
[00:35:51] Why We Aren't Quite Ready for EVs

Holiday Shopping and Digital Voice Assistants Trend Upwards | #185 Dec 01, 2018

Show notes

Black Friday and Cyber Monday reported record breaking online sales while brick-and-mortar businesses saw slight slumps; but an unexpected victor emerged as eBay reported the strongest two days in their history. Mike Etchart waxes poetic about the glory days of eBay in the early 2000s and what a revelation it was to be able to find rare items previously only found through exhaustive garage saling and swap meeting. Alas, all good things fade, and as Amazon.com rose to prominence, eBay's success waned; and what wondrous, unexpected avenues Amazon would follow in the age of digital voice assistants. The Washington Post Tech Columnist, Geoffrey Fowler, recently wrote an article detailing his experience with the 'big three' of smart speakers - Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. While each assistant has their quirks, pitfalls, and triumphs, one speaker stands above all. Geoffrey describes how Amazon was able to claim the top spot from competitors that, at first glance, should have had an upper hand in the space. Then, ERN Production Assistant, Cody Castleberry, details his experience out among the throngs of Black Friday (or rather, Black Thursday) shoppers. The decline of brick-and-mortar sales is apparent, as less intensive crowds are gathered in checkout lines year by year. We close the show with a few Cyber Monday statistics that may be surprising, and a discussion about the convenience of sharing your information contrasting the price of admission for a private, more exclusive Apple ecosystem. Learn more about holiday shopping trends and your favorite digital voice assistants.

[00:00:00] Remembering Glory Days of eBay
[00:06:01] Digital Voice Assistants and Tribes
[00:12:30] Amazon Alexa: The Good, Bad, and Ugly
[00:19:51] Amazon vs. Google vs. Apple
[00:28:25] Online Holiday Shopping Shift Continues
[00:35:51] Info Inclusive vs. Privately Exclusive

Evolution of Sound, Headphones, and the Holiday Shopping Frenzy | #184 Nov 24, 2018

Show notes

Black Friday has come and gone, but the best deals of the year are still going on through Cyber Monday and the rest of what has now been dubbed Cyber Week. Mike Etchart opens the show with a few holiday shopping season forecast statistics for 2018 that may surprise you. Then, we discuss the history of headphones with Brent Butterworth from Wirecutter. Next, Brent tells us about a $50 pair of headphones that you can't pass up from Tribit, the XFree Tune, and why journalist have such a hard time touring the Chinese factories that make all of our favorite electronics. Cranking up the volume, we chat about the secret, dark art of noise canceling headphones, and why the Anker Soundcore Space NC may be the best bang for your 100 bucks on the market. Closing the show, Brent fills us in on the Puro Sound Labs headphones and his top pick for portable bluetooth speakers - the Tribit XBoom. Don't miss this episode if you're in the market for some new sound!

[00:00:00] Shopping Season Forecast Statistics
[00:06:28] History of Premium Headphones
[00:12:30] Tribit, Chinese Factories, and Tuning
[00:19:51] Dark Arts of Noise Canceling Headphones
[00:28:32] Anker Soundcore Space NC
[00:35:52] Puro Sound Labs and Tribit XBoom

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected