
AI-enhanced wizardry, iPhone storage fixes & esports insights - Best of (154, December 27, 2025)
28/12/2025 | 1h 45 mins.
• Wizard of Oz immersive experience at the Sphere: The Las Vegas Sphere premiered a reimagined 1939 Wizard of Oz film using AI to enhance resolution, expand backgrounds, and add crowds for its massive 16K wraparound screen. Physical effects like wind, rumbling seats, falling apples, snow, and fire created intense immersion, making it a standout tech-driven entertainment event despite higher ticket prices. • Securing phones against unauthorized access: Repeated phone issues may stem from compromised accounts rather than direct hacking, as iOS and Android are highly secure against remote control. Users should change passwords on Apple ID, Google, and social media accounts, enable two-factor authentication, and log out of all devices via security settings for protection. • Recommended power banks for iPhone and iPad: The Belkin Boost Charge 20K power bank offers 20,000 mAh capacity with USB-C and USB-A ports for reliable charging of Apple devices. Anker models provide similar performance at potentially lower prices, though recent recalls note caution with the brand. • Projectors as TV replacements: Lifestyle and ultra-short-throw projectors are gaining popularity for large-screen viewing in homes, backyards, or small spaces, offering brighter images and better sound than flat panels. Key considerations include brightness for ambient light, smart features, and specialized screens; premium options start around $2,500. • Projector recommendations and trends: High-end models like the Epson QL7000 provide extreme brightness for lit rooms, while budget options under $500, such as the Yaber V12 or Epson EpiqVision, deliver solid performance. Gaming and sports viewing benefit from low input lag and large projected sizes. • Clever Cleaner app for iPhone storage: This free, ad-free AI app scans for similar photos, large videos, screenshots, and Live Photos to help reclaim storage locally on the device. Deletions sync to iCloud if enabled, so users must confirm they no longer need files; Android alternatives include Files by Google or Remo. • Understanding passkeys for logins: Passkeys replace passwords with device-based tokens for more secure, phishing-resistant authentication across Windows, iOS, and password managers like Bitwarden. They can coexist with traditional passwords and work seamlessly when set up on low-stakes sites, though two-factor authentication may add steps. • Fixing Android software update issues: Pixel phones prefer Wi-Fi for updates; failed downloads often result from incorrect saved network passwords. Users should forget and reconnect to Wi-Fi, reset network settings, or check Google Play system updates separately from main OS updates for new features. • New self-driving rides in Las Vegas: Amazon's Zoox RoboTaxi service offers free rides in driverless vehicles without steering wheels or pedals, featuring face-to-face seating. Available via the Zoox app on iOS and Android, it operates as a beta test in Las Vegas streets. • iPhone 17 series highlights: The lineup introduces the thin, durable iPhone Air with Pro-level performance, ProMotion displays across models for smoother scrolling, and brighter, scratch-resistant screens. Storage starts at 256GB, with improved cameras and carrier trade-in deals up to $1,100. • Finding lost Android phones: Use android.com/find logged into the owner's Google account to locate devices with active battery and service, play sounds, or secure remotely. If offline or dead, last known location may not appear; third-party tracking services charging fees are often unreliable. • Reinstalling Windows 10 cleanly: Downloading a fresh Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft and installing via bootable drive provides a cleaner, more up-to-date setup than using older recovery partitions. This reduces post-install updates needed on aging systems. • Disabling Windows Recall feature: Microsoft's Recall takes periodic screenshots for searchability but raises privacy concerns; disable it via Settings > Privacy & Security > Recall & Snapshots by turning off "Save snapshots." Advanced users can use WinAero Tweaker for deeper system customizations. • Esports industry overview: Esports ranks as the third most-watched sport globally, with teams like Team Liquid competing in games such as League of Legends and Valorant. After a post-2014 investment bubble burst, consolidation has strengthened top organizations while fan growth continues due to younger demographics. • Cheaper Tesla Model Y and Model 3 options: New entry-level variants start under $40,000 with solid range but omit features like autopilot, rear screens, and panoramic roofs. The revived Chevy Bolt EV returns next year under $30,000 with Tesla supercharger compatibility but no CarPlay. • Windows XP-themed Crocs release: Microsoft-themed Crocs feature the classic Bliss wallpaper design and charms like Clippy and Internet Explorer, now available for purchase at $80 after high demand from an initial giveaway. 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 affiliates nationwide Get the podcast to via RSS, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere else you listen to audio. 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.

Favorite apps of 2025, spam calls explanined & removing duplicate photos (153, December 20, 2025)
20/12/2025 | 1h 50 mins.
Rich went through his list of favorite apps for 2025. Mark wants to know how to get audio from his TV speakers and Bluetooth headphones simultaneously. Patricia in Massachusetts is getting too many political texts. How does she stop that? Larry in San Clemente says Avantree has great TV audio solutions. Rich says the Ray Ban Metas are the gadget of the year. Joe in Los Angeles wants to separate audio on his Samsung phone. Rich says to take a look at a feature called Separate app sound under Settings > Sounds and vibration. Tristen in Sylmar says his PC is struggling to edit on CapCut for Windows. Yvonne in Santa Monica wants to scan photos with her all-in-one printer. Rich says to download the app that the manufacturer makes to her PC or try VueScan. Kate Ross, Meta spokesperson, will explain Facebook and Instagram’s new centralized support hub and how users can recover hacked accounts and keep their profiles secure. Instagram has a new app for Fire TV so you can sit back and watch Reels on the big screen. RIP Lamarr Wilson. ChatGPT just got a whole lot better at making images Alexa+ can now answer your Ring doorbell, but it has to be a wired model right now. CloudFlare says Internet traffic surged by 19% this year. Starlink traffic more than doubled. And Google and Facebook are still number one and number two most popular sites. Traffic from AI bots are rivaling human traffic. William in Michigan wants to know how to send and receive faxes without a fax machine. Rich recommended Ooma, or an online service like eFax or Fax.Plus. Karen in Stockton wants to know how to print out text messages from her Samsung. Rich recommends screenshots for one or two of the Android app SMS Backup & Restore. On iPhone, you can try to download the desktop apps iMazing or Alt Tunes. Mike in California wants to know how to find and remove duplicate photos on Windows 10. Rich mentioned Duplicate Photos Fixer Pro and software called. Remo Duplicate Photos Remover. Matt Mizenko, General Manager at Nomorobo, will explain the surge in holiday package scams and how listeners can spot and avoid fake delivery alerts. 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 affiliates nationwide Get the podcast to via RSS, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere else you listen to audio. 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.

Amazon Echo home theater setup, best iPhone cleaner & privacy first wireless carrier Phreeli (152, December 13, 2025)
13/12/2025 | 1h 47 mins.
Rich talked about how he set up an instant surround-sound home theater system using Amazon Echo speakers and shared a tip on how to turn off autoplay ads on Fire TV devcies. Brian in Atlanta is wondering why his old iPads don’t connect to his new Wi-Fi router. Rich suggested deleting the old wifi network or doing a network settings reset. Instagram adds a new feature called “Your Algorithm” that lets you fine-tune what shows up in your reels. Peter Kafka, chief correspondent at Business Insider, will break down the latest in the mega streaming deal between Neflix and Warner Bros. Lewis in Riverside is wondering why his phone won’t schedule text messages. Rich mentioned downloading Google Messages. Gadget of the week is the Pebble Index 01. It turns your finger into an instant voice notes button. Gadget of the week is sponsored by Shopback. Use code RichOnTech for a $20 bonus. Android adds live video to 911 calls. Beverly is wondering why information on her Google Calendar disappears after a few years. Rich says to adjust the sync setting in on her app. Devin in Las Vegas wants to mount four screens, four TVs, and turn them into one giant screen. Rich mentioned a 2x2 HDMI controller. Rich also mentioned LiquidView, which makes digital windows. Mark in St. Petersburg wonders if there’s a good app to help clean up his iPhone. Rich mentioned the free Clever Cleaner app. You can also go into iPhone settings, General, iPhone Storage, and tap Show All next to Recommendations to clean things up. Stephen Hawthorne wants to use Apple’s Live Translate but has an older model iPhone. The Aura Digital photo frame now lets you text pictures to it. Nick Merrill will explain how his new privacy-first carrier Phreeli works. Joy in San Diego wants to know how to learn the very basics of the iPhone. Mentioned: iPhone for Seniors for Dummies If you want to add an AI assistant to your Apple Watch, Rich says to check out Chirp AI. they also make a tiny web browser for the Apple Watch screen called Ant. Brad in LA wants an iPhone with a Home button. Rich recommended the iPhone SE3 from Back Market Frank in Apple Lake, NY asks if he can control his computer with voice. Rich mentioned Windows 11 Voice Access and Wispr Flow and ChatGPT Voice Mode. Roberto Baldwin, mobility journalist with SAE Media Group, will break down the latest trends shaping the future of transportation. 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 affiliates nationwide Get the podcast to via RSS, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere else you listen to audio. 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.

Holiday shopping cheat sheet, Slate EV, Voice transcription apps (151, December 6, 2025)
07/12/2025 | 1h 49 mins.
Rich shared his holiday shopping cheat sheet, packed with money-saving tips! Bonnie in Charleston asks for a good transcription app. Rich mentioned Wispr Flow, Willow Voice, Super Whisper, Monologue, Aqua Voice, Talktastic, Whisper Memos. Jeff Jablansky, with the startup Slate, will talk about their bare-bones EV that starts in the mid-20’s and lets buyers add only the accessories they actually want. [instagram] Robert in Ridgecrest is looking for a way to fax. Rich recommended eFax, Fax.Plus, Dropbox Fax. If you want to use a real fax machine, you can get an ooma box. Pat in Apple Valley wants to know the best antenna for his RV. Matthew in Murierra wants to know about the nationwide Frontier outage. Rich says to check Frontier’s service page and sites, including Down Detector and DownForEveryOneOrJustMe.com Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Trifold and it will come to the US in Q1. Netflix is buying Warner Bros. in a 80 billion dollar deal. Tonya in Orange County is asking about a quiet laptop for her husband. Rich mentioned Asus Zenbook or any laptop with a Snapdragon processor. For deals, check out Slickdeals. Want to make your own retro Santa Mall picture? You can use Google’s Nano Banana AI. Here are the instructions and prompt to use. Gadget of the week: OnePlus 15 smartphone. Blazing fast and incredible battery life, camera can be hit or miss, especially in low light. Sponsored by Shopback. Get cashback at your favorite online stores, use code RICHONTECH at signup for a $20 bonus. Eli Singer, of Offline.now will explain confidence-based strategies to cut screen time and build healthier digital habits. [book] Howard in Fullerton wants to connect his old school sound system to his computer full of music. Rich mentioned the WiiM, Streamplayer and Sonos Port. Don’t forget you can also upload music to the cloud for free by dragging and dropping to music.youtube.com. John in Nevada wants to know the life expectancy of a Chromebook. Check by going to Settings > About Chrome OS > Additional Details. Micron is shutting down its Crucial RAM consumer business in February 2026. You can thank your Amazon delivery driver with $5 at no cost to you by asking “Alexa, thank my driver” or type “thank my driver” in the Amazon app. Ellison can’t pair their old Apple Watch with their new phone. Rich says to go into settings on your watch and reset it so it can pair with the new phone. Kim in Bridgewater, NJ asks how to access the new Digital ID on iPhone. Rich says it has to be running iOS 26 and press the plus sign in Apple Wallet. Luke Arrigoni, Founder & CEO of Loti AI, will explain how Sora 2 and deepfake technology are exposing major gaps in digital protection laws and why Section 230 needs an urgent update. Joanie in Carmel CA says she loves Bakebot.AI that she heard about on my show to help her cook. 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 affiliates nationwide Get the podcast to via RSS, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere else you listen to audio. 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.

Quantum breakthroughs, Apple talk with Brandon Butch & the best photo apps (150, Nov 29, 2025)
30/11/2025 | 1h 44 mins.
We’re off for the holiday weekend, so we’ve pulled together some of our favorite segments from past shows. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving! • Microsoft unveils Majorana 1 quantum chip: Microsoft introduced a groundbreaking quantum computing chip using a new material called topoconductor, a novel state of matter theorized for 100 years. The chip promises faster problem-solving in fields like healthcare and energy, with improved error resistance and potential to accelerate quantum development from decades to years. • Arlo app update frustrates users: Callers reported the new Arlo Secure app is overly complicated, making it hard to manage multiple camera systems, set schedules, and access alerts. Issues mirror Sonos app complaints; some users unable to revert to old app or resolve via support, with speculation the changes push additional subscriptions. • Google brings screen search to iPhone: Google added “Search this screen” with Lens in the Chrome and Google apps for iOS, allowing users to analyze on-screen content without screenshots. It’s not as seamless as Android’s Circle to Search but improves text, image, and link extraction inside supported apps. • Career Dreamer AI tool launched: Google’s free Grow with Google tool uses AI to suggest career paths based on skills, interests, and job market data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It also generates resumes and cover letters; access at grow.google/careerdreamer. • Connecting third-party cameras to Wyze: Wyze systems generally require Wyze-brand cameras for full app integration; third-party cams may work in Google Home for basic viewing but lose advanced features and typically need separate apps. • iPhone 16e unveiled at $599: Apple launched the budget-friendly iPhone 16e with Apple-designed C1 5G modem (no mmWave ultra-fast speeds), Action button, Apple Intelligence, OLED display, and strong battery life. Lacks MagSafe and has Face ID instead of Touch ID; positioned as a modern XR-style value model. • UK loses Advanced Data Protection: Apple removed end-to-end encrypted iCloud backups in the UK after government pressure for potential law-enforcement access. Feature remains available elsewhere; Face ID data stays on-device and secure. • Radiant Photo app perfects images instantly: Free mobile app (iOS/Android) uses AI to automatically enhance photos with one tap, ideal for social media posting. Works without subscription; also recommended Adobe Lightroom Mobile (dehaze tool) and Halide/Zero Cam for non-AI photography. • Recovering a deleted video after one year: Videos deleted over a year ago are permanently gone from iPhone with no reliable recovery app. Check Recently Deleted (30-day window), iCloud/full backups, or services like Google Photos/Amazon Photos for future protection. • Best Android music players for local files: Recommended options include Pulsar (Android Auto compatible), YouTube Music (upload your own library for free), Double Twist, and Samsung Music (on Samsung devices). • AI transcription tools for interviews: Top choices include Otter.ai (business-focused), Descript (editing + transcription), Whisper Memos, MacWhisper, and free Hugging Face Whisper Web for quick browser-based transcription of audio files. • FlyFin AI simplifies taxes: AI-powered app connects to bank accounts, auto-categorizes expenses year-round, flags potential deductions, and offers CPA filing. Significantly easier and cheaper than traditional CPA for freelancers and individuals. • Reviving an old laptop with depleted battery: If a 6-year-old HP laptop won’t stay on even when plugged in, replace the battery ($100–$300) at a repair shop or consider a new device like the M4 MacBook Air ($899) for long-term reliability. • Healthcare misinformation on social media: Dr. Geeta Nayyar warns against TikTok health trends; verify sources (medical associations), watch for “always/never” claims, avoid paid supplements, and consult personal physicians or telemedicine for tailored advice. • Restaurant QR-code bill splitting with Sunday: New table QR codes at some restaurants (like Pecora Bianca) let diners scan, choose items, split bills, and pay instantly via Apple/Google Pay—no waiter needed. • External mic issues on budget Android phones: Many lower-end models like Galaxy A15 lack full external microphone support; premium devices (Pixel, iPhone, flagship Samsung) reliably work with DJI or Rode wireless mics. Record audio separately if needed and sync in editing software. 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 affiliates nationwide Get the podcast to via RSS, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere else you listen to audio. 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.



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