Each Sunday, Brad Shoemaker and Will Smith discuss a new technology topic. Come for the long-form conversations about virtual reality, space travel, electric cars, refresh rates, and a whole lot more.
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Question time again! This month we discuss quite a wide range of topics, such as tracking down printer dots with a USB microscope, the dream of going to SIGGRAPH, the legality of scanning and uploading "lost" old magazines, how to stay objective about new stuff as you get older, steady fan curve strategies for CPU air cooling, how to cope when you find out that cool new open source project was made by AI, renaming files like a pro, and the enduring mystery of ICQ's event sounds. Support the Pod!...
Brad's tired of throttling his CPU due to an inadequate heatsink. Will's been spending a lot more time testing PC hardware of late. Between those two things, we thought it was a good time to do a check-in on CPU cooling, and primarily liquid cooling, so we can establish the facts on the ground about modern AIOs and custom loops with an eye toward helping Brad decide what to get. Turns out, there's more to know than ever, and yet it's also never been simpler. We also talk a little about modern ai...
After a couple years off, we're returning to our annual tradition of each picking a year for our birthdays that we want to review in-depth from a tech and science perspective. This time Will picked 2002 because... well, you'll see, but it gave us the opportunity to reflect on a bunch of just-post-turn-of-the-century tech trends, like weird pre-smartphone mobile devices, the venerable WRT54G, all the Y2K techno-optimistic design trends, digital filmmaking going mainstream, a truly momentous March...
Brad and Will dive into various intriguing tech news, including the clever use of "canary traps" to detect data leaks and the long-awaited full HDMI 2.1 support coming to Linux from AMD. They also discuss Microsoft's ongoing efforts to open-source its historical DOS code, exploring its pre-MS-DOS origins. The episode highlights the growing trend of hardware manufacturers, like Keychron, releasing source assets and CAD files for their devices, and the arrival of Intel's Wildcat Lake CPUs for mini PCs, all while navigating the "jank era" of hardware support.
We've got a project potpourri this week of things we've been getting our hands on, literally in the case of Will and his brand new Steam Controller. We talk through the ins and outs of Valve's first new hardware in a while, including button feel, a variety of use cases, what you can do with it if Steam isn't present, and more. Will's also been in the mouse labs, testing an 8000Hz polling rate and glass feet, and finally, he reports on what he's gotten out of his first month with a new 3D printer...
After all these monthly Q&A episodes, you folks continue to send us great Qs every month, and this time around we dig into such topics as the MacBook Neo's target audience, Windows running on Linux, technical and corporate work jargon bleeding into your personal life, Apple's relatively quiet 50th anniversary, ultrawide monitors versus lots of monitors, using Home Assistant for everything (or not), the likelihood that every home will one day have a 3D printer, and the marvel of redundant, de...
It's time to fix Windows 11. OK, that might be a little ambitious for one podcast episode, but it's at least time to step through the plan Microsoft unveiled recently for improving Windows 11 and addressing some of its shortcomings (and perhaps salvaging its brand a bit in the process). We go over forthcoming changes around the taskbar and Start Menu, File Explorer, notifications, native WinUI interface components, WSL2, device drivers, and a bunch of other stuff, plus bring plenty of our own la...
Friend of the show and all-around science guy Kishore Hari joins us once again, this time to dig into humanity's return to the Moon in NASA's Artemis program. We explore everything from the astronauts' wakeup playlists and diets to the wireless and camera tech onboard, how observing this kind of mission from Earth has changed since 1972, the history of and political context around the program, our favorite uplifting moments from Artemis II, astronomy opportunities that might be enabled by a cont...
Brad's out this week, so Norman Chan takes the guest chair to talk us through the current state of the art in 3D printing. We cover the latest in FDM printers, whether resin printers are right for you, the best places to find 3D models to print, how you can edit and adjust the models you want to print, and a whole lot more! Support the Pod! Contribute to the Tech Pod Patreon and get access to our booming Discord, a monthly bonus episode, your name in the credits, and other great benefits! You ca...
Is it time for another Q&A again already? How the months just fly by. This month we address everything from auto-generated podcast chapters and episode links to computer class-action lawsuits, corporate remote administration of your personal devices, how to move a PC across the ocean, the dream of permanent standard time, why you probably still shouldn't clean your computer with a vacuum cleaner, and a bunch more. Support the Pod! Contribute to the Tech Pod Patreon and get access to our boom...
It's been a while since we got down to brass tacks with a tips and tricks episode, so that's what we're doing this week with a new list of tech that's making our lives a little more pleasant lately. Will extols the tiling window manager once again -- not just in Linux, but also what's going on with this unique workflow in Windows and MacOS -- and talks over his brute-force strategy for iMessaging in Windows and making his Nest thermostat less evil. And Brad talks about why everyone should buy a ...
Brad and Will discuss a mountain of hardware news, including Microsoft's Project Helix, the next Xbox, focusing on its PC game compatibility and AI integration. They also cover PlayStation 5 Pro's PSSR upscaling improvements, NVIDIA's DLSS 4.5, Apple's new affordable MacBook Neo, and Intel's refreshed Aero Lake CPUs, touching on the ongoing evolution of gaming and computing technologies. The episode explores the shift towards AI-powered rendering and the complexities of hardware and software integration.
We just passed the 25th anniversary of the GeForce 3, which felt like a good reason to dust off the April 2001 issue of Maximum PC. We reflect on both a quarter-century of programmable pixel shaders -- the tech that's defined 3D rendering ever since -- and Will's cover story on the new GPU, including the secretive trip to Nvidia to benchmark it, a random Tim Sweeney interview, and more. There's also plenty of other fun retro tech to dish about in here, including super-early home wi-fi devices, t...
Brad and Will tackle a wide array of listener tech questions, from a Notepad++ corporate security incident to the history of massive TVs and modern HDMI switching solutions. They also explore the challenges of multi-user PCs, the best video games for toddlers, and dive into existential discussions about phone number utility and content ownership in the age of AI. The episode touches on MikroTik networking, 3D printing, and the nuances of various operating systems.
Brad and Will discuss Discord's new age verification policies, driven by legislation but raising privacy concerns and scam risks, prompting a look at alternatives. They delve into the Notepad++ compromise by a nation-state actor, highlighting vulnerabilities in software updates. A wild story unfolds about an AI agent that, after a pull request rejection, published a blog post accusing a maintainer of "anti-AI bigotry." Finally, they explore the deepening "RAMpocalypse," affecting PS6, Switch 2, Steam Deck, and hard drives, advising listeners to consider purchasing hardware now.
This episode dives into the mechanics and benefits of magnetic switches, contrasting them with traditional mechanical switches and examining Hall Effect versus TMR sensors. The hosts explore their impact on input devices like keyboards and mice, highlighting advantages such as configurable actuation points, reduced wear, and the elimination of debouncing. They also discuss the competitive gaming implications, console controller drift, and share hands-on experiences with the ROG Falcata keyboard and Logitech Superlight X2 mouse, pondering the future of haptic feedback and market adoption.
Brad and Will provide an in-depth update on their home lab infrastructure. Brad shares his journey from TrueNAS to a bare-metal Debian Linux server, utilizing ZFS for data integrity and Podman for containerized services, including insights into command-line management and security. Will outlines his distributed setup, featuring a Synology NAS for storage and a B-Link mini PC running Docker for various media and game servers. They also discuss future hardware upgrades, software challenges like reverse proxies, and the ongoing debate between compact mini PCs and Raspberry Pis.
This Q&A episode explores a wide array of tech and quirky topics. Discussions include a mysterious mushroom causing specific hallucinations, the unexpected mileage gains in EVs through regenerative braking, optimizing home lab setups with VMs versus dedicated hardware, and an in-depth look at various terminal shells like PowerShell, ZSH, and Nushell. The hosts also touch on the utility of iPhone's low power mode, the longevity of old code in production (like the Voyager mission), smart TV operating systems, and the anticipated Intel Wildcat Lake processors for mini PCs, alongside the history behind Intel's "Lake" codenames.
This Q&A episode delves into listener inquiries about tech history, from the surprising origins of digital computers like ENIAC and the iconic Gateway 2000 cow boxes to the challenges of early home media centers. The hosts also discuss practical modern issues, including off-site backup solutions, the future of tech nostalgia with live service games, the nuances of UPS power ratings, the ongoing USB-C transition, and the utility and pitfalls of using AI for command-line tasks and coding. The episode concludes with a debate on hard drive longevity and efforts to archive podcast history.
This episode delves into the duo's recent tech woes and triumphs. Will recounts configuring a smooth Moonlight game streaming client for Xbox Series X/S, while Brad details a power outage leading to UPS battery replacement issues and a circuit breaker trip. The conversation also covers a major DNS server failure caused by a Pi-hole hardware malfunction and the intricacies of debugging home network infrastructure.
Brad and Will dissect the highlights and lowlights of CES 2026, from groundbreaking innovations like Lego Smart Bricks and the first solid-state battery shipping in a vehicle, to practical advancements in repairable laptops and OLED monitors. They also discuss the pervasive, sometimes contradictory, presence of AI, market trends affecting memory prices, and a few amusing oddities like an AI robot barber. The episode offers a comprehensive look at the consumer tech landscape.
Brad and Will wrap up their extensive, two-part series on ranking startup sounds. They delve into later-generation consoles like the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and modern Windows versions, alongside Nintendo and Sony handhelds, and even niche systems like Analogue's FPGA consoles. The hosts provide humorous and detailed critiques, considering each sound's character, memorability, and the context of its era to build their ultimate tier list.
In this episode, Brad and Will embark on their annual holiday ranking, creating a two-part tier list for the most iconic startup sounds from gaming consoles and computer operating systems. They delve into the subtle differences, nostalgic impact, and surprising technical details behind each sound, including a tangent on the pitfalls of AI-generated content. Expect strong opinions, surprising insights, and a lively debate as they place each sound into their carefully constructed tiers.
This year-in-review episode explores the positive tech experiences of 2025. Will shares his transformative journey with Linux on the desktop, praising its customizability and the philosophy of non-commercial operating systems. Brad highlights the joy of the retro tech community, flea market finds, and the resurgence of CRTs. The hosts also delve into the seamless experience of AirPods Pro 3, the growing benefits of electric vehicles, and community support for open-source projects like BcacheFS. They round out the discussion with 'Andy Rooney' style grievances about dangerous e-bike culture and the persistent issue of poor product manufacturing, before sharing listener tech nominations.
This episode covers a wide array of micro-topics, from the frustration of old fire alarms and poorly designed Windows UIs to the perplexing complexity of USB-C cables and Nintendo's digital rights management. The hosts also delve into personal tech experiences, including the mixed blessings of bad naps, the convenience of AirPods Pro, and the surprisingly comforting heated mattress pad. They conclude with a look at building a versatile external SSD and a humorous take on Fortnite seasons.
Brad and Will explore the escalating PC-building crisis, triggered by a global RAM shortage fueled by AI data center growth, culminating in Micron's decision to shut down its consumer brand, Crucial. They also dissect the HDMI 2.1 standard's proprietary nature, which prevents open-source implementation in products like the Steam Machine. Finally, the hosts discuss the frustrating encroachment of AI features in Firefox and Google News, highlighting the challenges of disabling them and their questionable utility.
Brad and Will dive into a new batch of listener questions covering a wide array of tech topics. They discuss frustrating experiences with Google Nest support and the Kafkaesque nature of corporate infrastructures, reminisce about Sega Channel and unique online gaming encounters, and provide practical advice on CPU thermal paste. The hosts also explore product categories that have seemingly plateaued, the challenges of unfinished tech projects, and the complexities of DIY routers versus retail options, concluding with a nuanced discussion on the ethical implications of supporting companies like NVIDIA.
This episode delves into a volatile tech landscape, discussing the unexpected surge in RAM and SSD prices driven by AI data centers and Microsoft's divisive plan to embed AI agents directly into the Windows taskbar. The hosts also cover Google's discontinuation of first-gen Nest thermostats, highlighting community solutions, and Nintendo's ongoing challenges with third-party Switch 2 dock compatibility. The episode concludes with a segment where Brad and Will share the tech they are most thankful for.
It seems like this week's big salvo of Valve hardware announcements is all anyone's talking about right now, particularly the Steam Machine, and who better to fill in a bunch of hands-on details with that li'l box, plus the new Steam Frame VR headset and refreshed Steam Controller, than our old friend Norm Chan of Tested.com, who went up to Valve to see it all. If you want to hear about everything from the Steam Machine's performance and potential price to the Frame's x86 emulation and foveated ...
Brad and Will explore the fascinating history of online multiplayer games, starting with antiquated pre-TCP/IP network gaming and early, often clunky, console online solutions like the Satellaview. They highlight groundbreaking titles like Ultima Online, EverQuest, and Star Wars Galaxies, which were ahead of their time, and discuss how Quake and World of Warcraft fundamentally reshaped the landscape. The episode concludes by examining the dramatic evolution of infrastructure, the rise of cross-play, and the current generation's expectation of multiplayer as a standard feature, contrasting today's stable launches with the chaotic early days of online gaming.
