As much as we have loved YouTube TV as a live TV streaming service, the recent price hikes (along with several other services) have led us to look for more cost-effective ways of accessing TV content. With a few one-time purchases, some software, and a reasonable distance to some TV towers, Brian explains and shows off his plan to stick it to the man (aka, trim the services). Of course, you will also get to see & hear Alan yawning throughout the episode…but we promise it was because he was t...
Nov 03, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Season 4Ep. 30
What could be better than hearing about one of the Brothers’ struggles with technology-related issues?... That’s right, hearing about struggles from both Brothers! Well, if hearing us vent about our frustrations is your thing…this episode is for you. From Brian’s near-nightmare scamming situation…to Alan’s unwilling exploration of the inner workings of an Apple Watch, you will get your fill of self-loathing. But, have no fear…not only have we sprinkled some BiTS (Brothers in Tech Suggestions) an...
Oct 26, 2023•1 hr 25 min•Season 4Ep. 29
If you have listened to the podcast before, you know that the Brothers love automation. We are all for ways of increasing our efficiency (i.e., why use 2 steps when you can do it with 1?)…especially when there is some cool tech we can use to do it. Well, this week Alan introduces NFC tags as a way of using your phone as a way of trigging automation tasks. He walks through the process of programming the tags using Shortcuts, and we brainstorm about possible uses. As a bonus, the Brothers discuss ...
Oct 19, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 4Ep. 29
If you are anything like us, you have what seems to be a never-ending list of things to do. How do you keep track of it all? Sticky note? Write on your palm? String on the finger? Whatever the method…if it isn’t working for you, it might be time to look for a creative solution. Although we can’t guarantee any of them will be the solution you are looking for, the Brothers provide you with a few new approaches to staying on task and chipping away at those tasks. And the best part?...We don’t spend...
Oct 13, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Season 4Ep. 28
Well, it has been a while…but the Brothers are back. No, Alan’s beard has not grown any longer…and Brian still doesn’t have hair. But, they do have opinions! Watch/listen as the Brothers break down their initial thoughts on Apple’s iOS 17 release. Are there any show-stopper features? Any issues/concerns with upgrading? Any hidden features that you may need to search to find? You will hear about widgets, passwords, voicemail, AirTag sharing, Recovery/Legacy contacts, and more. Plus, you get to me...
Oct 05, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Season 4Ep. 27
To our busy fan base…we hear you. The Brothers tend to talk…and talk. We know that some of you love to hear us ramble on and deep dive into our tech topics…but we also know that sometimes you just want a quick BYTE (you see what we did there?) of tech information that you can consume on your breaks. Well, let us introduce you to the Brothers in Tech BYTES. In addition to our regular rambling episodes…we are going to be throwing out some quick episodes where we provide you with a tip/technique th...
Aug 31, 2023•26 min•Season 4Ep. 26
After a couple of weeks of testing out the new messaging, browser, email, and social apps we presented in the previous episode(s), the Brothers are back to give their verdicts. Which apps are still in the regular rotation, and which have been moving to app purgatory and why? Most importantly…are any of them worth your time (or money)? And, as a special treat for those who stick around to the end, we have a very important discussion of firefighters, tornados, bears…and child abduction? Products/A...
Aug 24, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Season 4Ep. 25
We are always on the lookout for new apps/services/products that have the potential to increase our efficiency or allow us to do something we haven’t been able to do before…and there has been no shortage of those lately. But, it is rare for anything truly unique to occur in our regular, everyday computing functions. In this episode, however, the Brothers discuss not one, but two exciting new apps which aim to rethink the way you perform some of our most common computing tasks…web browsing and me...
Aug 17, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Season 4Ep. 24
After a few weeks off, the Brothers are back to share their latest tech suggestions that could benefit you and your family. Home automation, weight loss, harnessing the sun, and creating images…this episode covers some exciting apps and hardware. Although this episode runs a bit long (what’s new?), you will want to stick around to see which one of the Brothers will be a Jedi Knight riding a dragon. Spoiler alert…it’s Alan…but I think you probably guessed that. Alan’s Picks Lutron Pico Remote ($1...
Aug 10, 2023•1 hr 31 min•Season 4Ep. 23
Although home automation is not a new topic for the Brothers (see the Home Automation series from 2020…including Convenience, Security, & Safety)…there are quite a few changes that have occurred across this market that are worth discussing. With both of the Brothers having recently set up or adapted their automation ecosystems, it is time to share those experiences, successes, and frustrations. If you have been thinking about using/migrating to HomeKit, you will want to listen to this episod...
Jul 20, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Season 4Ep. 22
In case you haven’t been following the s%!t-show that is Twitter as of late…you might not know that there is yet another attempt at replacing the social media service. Will this “newcomer” actually have what it takes to become the new social media town square? Well, 100 million users in the first week is a pretty good start…. In this episode of Brothers in Tech, the Brothers discuss Meta’s new Threads service…how it works, pros and cons, and expectations for the future. Plus, you get to see whic...
Jul 13, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 21
You may be completely happy with the native calendar app on your phone or computer…and if so, you may not need to listen to this episode (but of course you should…just for sheer entertainment). But, if you are like us, you may have a need for more than the standard features to keep up with all of your events. Features such as scheduling availability, weather integration, and natural language input may be enough to warrant trying something new. The Brothers discuss their must-haves and ideal cale...
Jul 06, 2023•1 hr 31 min•Season 4Ep. 20
It is time for the June Brothers in Tech Suggestions (BiTS) episode, and well…let’s just say the Brothers were “greased up” and ready to go. What kind of show do you get when both of the Brothers consume a few drinks beforehand? Well, you will have to watch/listen to find out. Although we are still questioning whether Alan re-gifted one of his BiTS from earlier…he certainly seems to win this battle. Some solid suggestions along with some additional tips to make your digital life more efficient…a...
Jun 29, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 4Ep. 19
Which streaming services should you be subscribing to/paying for? Well, that depends on what content is available on each…and that is constantly changing. But, the Brothers are here to give you their rundown of the current quality of each of the major streaming platforms. What shows & movies do we feel are worth your attention? What services would be worth cancelling/pausing your subscription for a month? Most importantly, which service provides quality movies like the 1987 classic “Mannequi...
Jun 22, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Season 4Ep. 18
After an extended break and some soul-searching, the Brothers are back…and have decided to fully lean in to their passion for all things Apple. And what better way to kick off the Apple-focused version of Brothers in Tech than to discuss the new Apple updates! WWDC brought a number of hardware and software announcements that certainly have us intrigued, and we are here to give our initial reactions and thoughts of what you should be excited about. Time for an upgrade? Any game-changing features?...
Jun 13, 2023•1 hr 43 min•Season 4Ep. 17
If you watched/listened last week (and, of course you did!), you will remember the 1980’s tv show-like cliffhanger that Alan left us with. He got us so excited to see the AI-generated headshots that he ordered…but alas, we were all left unsatisfied when they didn’t arrive. But now they are here…and we get a chance to see whether they are worth the $17 he paid for them, or the trainwreck that many expect (or hope?). As a bit of a spoiler…it is the prior. But don’t worry…for those who are really i...
Apr 20, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Season 4Ep. 16
Thanks to all of you who wrote in and expressed how much you loved having Brian as the host last week…Bueller? Bueller? Well, Alan is back…and now all is right with the world. So, you would think that this would mean we would have a well-designed and organized show right? Not…so…fast. The Brothers decided to bring a mixed bag of topics…from maps to movies, documents to headshots. How are they all connected? No idea…but some interesting topics that you won’t want to miss. The real question is whe...
Apr 13, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Season 4Ep. 15
In what some are calling the smoothest and most well-run episode we have ever done (and by “some”, we mean Brian), Brian takes the wheel as Alan is away. But, have no fear…we are still living up to the Brothers in Tech name with the addition of friend of the show (and brother from another mother), Jeff Hartman (Professor of Exercise Science @ Gardner-Webb University & tech enthusiast). The “Brothers” discuss Jeff’s recent entry into the world of eBikes/pedal assist, and provide some advice f...
Apr 06, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Season 4Ep. 14
It is time for the March Brothers in Tech Suggestions (BiTS) episode, and well…let’s just say the Brothers were “greased up” and ready to go. What kind of show do you get when both of the Brothers consume a few drinks beforehand? Well, you will have to watch/listen to find out. Although we are still questioning whether Alan re-gifted one of his BiTS from earlier…he certainly seems to win this battle. Some solid suggestions along with some additional tips to make your digital life more efficient…...
Mar 31, 2023•1 hr 25 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Anytime one of the Brothers gets a new gadget…we try to put it through its paces to see if it lives up to the billing. Well, this week Brian has the new tech…and he is able to provide his initial reviews (aka, rub it in Alan’s face). How do Apple’s Airtags compare to Tiles? How does the Samsung Galaxy S23 compare to the iPhone? Brian has thoughts…Alan has questions…and you get the benefit. All of this, AND we finish the episode in “under” an hour! Email Clients Mentioned/Discussed: Tile Apple Ai...
Mar 23, 2023•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 12
If you thought that the Brothers couldn’t possibly have anything else to say about email (based on several previous episodes)…well, you just don’t know us too well. We are not giving up the fight to find the best (or at least adequate) email client, and this week Alan has taken it to a whole different level. Using spreadsheets and ranking systems (yes, really), he gives us his thoughts and experiences with a variety of email clients. Did he come to a resolution? Is the search over? You will have...
Mar 16, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Before you say anything…yes, we know that we are always singing the praises of YouTube TV as the best way to enjoy live TV content. But, as the prices of streaming TV services continue to grow, it may be time to look for other, less expensive alternatives. Well, if local TV is one of the key reasons that you are paying for cable or streaming TV…you may want to consider taking advantage of the free over the air (OTA) TV signals that may be available in your area. But, this isn’t your parents’ (or...
Mar 09, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 4Ep. 10
It’s ALIVE..it’s ALIVE!!! Well, not really…but the Brothers are getting a chance to play mad scientists by attempting to design the perfect email application. Spoiler alert… it doesn’t exist yet. By pulling our favorite (and required) features from the countless applications we are tested…we create our Frankenstein of email apps, just waiting for someone to build it and get all of our money. What features are must-haves/deal breakers? What features would make us lean toward a specific client ove...
Mar 02, 2023•1 hr 32 min•Season 4Ep. 9
If you are a regular listener (and if you aren’t…it is time to step it up!), you know that we will often discuss cord-cutting and the various streaming service options. However, we haven’t specifically focused on what remains one of the most important factors in the cord-cutting decision…sports. Well, it is time to remedy that! In this episode of Brothers in Tech, the Brothers discuss the leap of several streaming services into the playing field of sports content. From broad/general sport delive...
Feb 23, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Season 4Ep. 8
It is that time again…the time when the Brothers attempt to one-up each other with a new product, app, or service…and hopefully convince the other to spend some money. It’s the BiTs episode! This one is special, as you will get to see Alan in a rare (well, maybe not so rare) bad mood. But, being the consummate professional that he is, Alan not only puts on a semi-positive face (with help from a couple of Old Fashioneds) but actually uses his life stressors to create additional BiTs for the liste...
Feb 16, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Have you ever wondered how Brothers in Tech would look/sound if we didn’t put in our hours or preparation for the show (cue sarcasm…)? Well, here is your chance to figure it out. Without any real topic to guide them, the Brothers use Alan’s 2-minute Google search to find some interesting home technology news to discuss, along with some home project updates. Sounds like a short show, right? Oh, bless your heart…we still managed to go for a good hour+. Come and watch/listen to find out whether you...
Feb 09, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Season 4Ep. 6
The computing devices we carry in our pockets (or use on our laps) have developed to do some amazing things. However, the default opportunities provided by those devices may not be usable by all without some settings adjustments. Enhanced feature options are available on iOS and MacOS for those with hearing, vision, and touch impairments, so they are able to get the most out of their devices. Although these features are incredible for the audiences for which they were intended…you may not have r...
Feb 02, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Although Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a part of our lives for quite some time…some of its capabilities have been front and center over the past few weeks as open-source AI engines are “showing off” what they can do. Should we be fascinated…or frightened? Inspired or intimidated? Excited for the future, or worried about our own existence? Well, we won’t answer all of your questions, but the Brothers are here to give you an overview of the two prominent open-source AI systems, show you so...
Jan 26, 2023•1 hr 38 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Where has the time gone? It has been a long time since our last BiTs episode…but you don’t have to wait any longer. In the first suggestion episode of 2023, the Brothers try and one-up one another with some new products and services. Regardless of who has the better picks, we think you will find some things worth checking out. And, as a bonus…you get to hear an extra sexy voice from Alan as he takes full advantage of his phlegm. Alan’s Picks IKEA Smart Home Products (TRDFRI): We may not be able ...
Jan 19, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Whether you are a gamer, work with a lot of windows open on your computer, or have aging eyes (which isn’t the case with either of the hosts…cough, cough), you may have an interest in expanding your computing space with an external monitor. The good news is there are a variety of types, sizes, and features in today’s monitor line-up to choose from. The bad news is there are a variety of types, sizes, and features in today’s monitor line-up to choose from. But, have no fear…the Brothers (well, in...
Jan 12, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Season 4Ep. 2
