If you have listened to the show before, you know that we make no secret that at our core, we are Mac guys. Although we appreciate and have had plenty of experience with other platforms, when it comes to buying a computer for ourselves…we are buying a Mac. So, as Brian is currently in the market for a new computer, we thought it would be helpful to go through the Apple computer line-up to determine what features/options are available (and expected soon). If you have been considering buying a Mac...
May 19, 2022•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 16
Although we love diving into a tech topic each week…let’s be honest, we really love our BiTs episode! In the first live airing of Brothers in Tech, the Brothers try and impress each other by bringing a couple of tech suggestions, and see how much money they can make each other spend. Not to give it away…but Brian’s pics really heat things up, while Alan makes sure we stay organized. Brian’s Pics · HX HECLX Mug Warmer ($22): Keep that coffee warm/hot throughout the day with this desk accessory. 3...
May 10, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 15
What do we do when we don’t have a pressing topic to talk about? We improvise, and talk about what is right in front of us! In this episode of Brothers in Tech, the Brothers compare their “essential computer apps”…aka, the apps we use on a daily basis and can’t (or prefer not to) live without. FYI, the Brothers’ apps are so similar, you would think they were related… We also play the “desert island game”, and discuss who could live (and work) with the fewest apps if pressed. Spoiler alert…Brian ...
May 06, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Season 3Ep. 14
We know what you are thinking…why would you need a podcast to tell you about podcasts? Well, although you might be a regular consumer of podcast media, if you are like most, you are just scratching the surface of how to enhance your listening experience, and the Brothers are here to help. From the basics of what is a podcast, to the features that you might want to look for in a podcast player, we are here to assure that you don’t miss a beat (or word). **Of course, the most important step in the...
Apr 20, 2022•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 13
Oh yeah…it’s that time again. The BiTS episode! Time for the Brothers to try and impress each other with a recommended technology (e.g., app, device, service), and see who might have to break out their wallet. However, unlike most other BiTS episodes, Alan is the one who actually brings the expensive item to the table…and even Brian admits that it is pretty cool. Brian’s Pics · Duplicate File Finder by Nektony (Free, or Pro for $19.99): An app that can help you clean out your duplicate files on ...
Mar 31, 2022•56 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Advances in home automation have opened up a lot of opportunities to integrate your devices and voice throughout your home…but the three main automation platforms (Amazon, Google, Apple) have not always played nicely together. Those who have chosen to use HomeKit (Apple) as their platform have been more limited in their options for peripherals/devices, and not easily able to integrate with the other platforms. But, Alan is here to save the day (or confuse the heck out of you…)! In this episode o...
Mar 25, 2022•59 min•Season 3Ep. 11
The television has long been one of the cornerstones of our home technology lives…but if you haven’t shopped for a TV recently, you might be a little overwhelmed by the features to choose from. Do I need 4K? 8K? LCD? LED? HDR? Well, the Brothers are here to help. In this episode of Brothers in Tech, we discuss the features that you should be considering when searching for that new TV. You can hear what choices Brian made in his recent TV purchase, and whether Alan is supportive of those decision...
Mar 17, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Over the past several years, the Apple Watch has challenged the way we think about wearables…but does it have the same use and allure as it did when it was first introduced? With both Brothers owning the device (Brian’s is newer, by the way), we wanted to discuss what we view as the most valuable features of the watch, what features would lead us to upgrade, and some hidden tricks that you may not have known about. So, whether you are already an Apple Watch devotee, or thinking of making the plu...
Mar 11, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 9
It is the episode that needs no introduction…but we are going to require Alan to do it anyway, just so he can remind us who came up with the name. It’s the BiTS episode! Time for the Brothers to see if they can one-up each other by introducing a new tech that will not only gain brotherly approval…but potential lead them to spend some (or a lot of) cash! Brian’s Pics · Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbell system ($399): A way to have access to a wide range of dumbbell weights without the need for large sq...
Mar 03, 2022•55 min•Season 3Ep. 8
That sofa you have in your living room…it’s not just for sitting anymore! Well, actually it is…but it may have some cool new features to enhance your sitting pleasure. In this episode of Brothers in Tech, the Brothers discuss some of the ways that technology has been making its way into your furniture. From shopping to design, from power to lighting…we are here to provide you with some pros and cons of some of these new advancements. And, you will get a (very early) sneak peak at Alan’s holiday ...
Feb 28, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 7
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is a yearly event in which we get a glimpse of the future of consumer technology…sparking tech enthusiasts like us to dream (and drool) about what is to come. In this episode of Brothers in Tech, the Brothers discuss the products that they are most excited about, and what those products could mean for our daily lives if they come to fruition. From new concepts to product enhancements/features, to increased sustainability…we are here to get you dreaming about w...
Feb 17, 2022•52 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Smart lighting is made to sound simple…”just swap out your bulb!”…and there are certainly situations where that is true. But, to assure you get the most out of your smart lighting solution (and least frustration), there are some factors you need to consider. In this episode of Brothers in Tech, the Brothers discuss the different approaches to “educating” your lighting, as well as the questions you should ask yourself before doing so. And, you may be thinking that this sounds like a therapy sessi...
Feb 10, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 5
It’s that time again! Time for the Brothers’ “show and tell” in which they to try and outdo each other by bringing the more useful/impressive tech suggestion. Apps, devices, websites, or services…we try and impress each other with new and unique tech that we feel our listeners will enjoy. Not to give anything away…but all of the picks in this week’s episode seem pretty useful (although the jury is still out as to whether Alan’s helpful hint actually qualifies…). Alan’s Picks · Using Quicktime (M...
Feb 03, 2022•44 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Don’t you think it is time that we have an episode about the truly important “people” in our lives? We agree…and in this episode of Brothers in Tech, the Brothers discuss some ways that technology can either enhance your pet’s life, while possibly providing you with some peace of mind at the same time. Whether it be for safety, feeding, training, play…or doin’ da business, we introduce and provide our thoughts on the latest pet tech. Products mentioned in this episode: Whistle GO Explore Pet Tra...
Jan 27, 2022•1 hr 18 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Well, if 2020 & 2021 have taught us anything…it is that we had better know how to participate in virtual meetings. Although you may have begrudgingly done so over the past couple years, it might be time to step up your virtual game by improving your video and audio presence. Watch or listen to this week’s episode as the Brothers discuss (and demonstrate) some tips for looking and sounding your best online with enhanced strategies and/or hardware. And, which Brother has the better online pres...
Jan 20, 2022•58 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Although it may have been a badge of honor to have 5 remote controls on your coffee table back in the day…times have changed. There is no longer a need for device-only remotes…and in some cases, any physical remotes at all. In the first episode of Season 3 of Brothers in Tech, the Brothers discuss the current state of the remote control, some pros, and cons of different remote types, and their predictions of the future of these devices. Now recorded in video and audio, you can watch or listen to...
Jan 13, 2022•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 1
Well, although we can’t say that 2021 was the greatest year overall…it did include about 50 episodes of Brothers in Tech! As Season 2 of the podcast winds down, the Brothers decided to revisit some of their favorite tech from 2021. What were their favorite BiTS from the year? Favorite home tech right now? Most random home tech ideas (FYI, these weren’t as useless as initially thought…)? How about our tech hopes for 2022? You can hear (and see…as our first video podcast!) the answers to these and...
Jan 06, 2022•1 hr 28 min•Season 2Ep. 48
Time for some BiTs! The Brothers welcome back Jeff Hartman (Professor of Exercise Science @ Gardner Webb University) to the show to discuss our latest suggestions for your home technology. This month’s suggestions are probably going to cost you a chunk of change, but at least we are going to help you track that spending….and it is going to taste so good doing it! Brian’s Pick · Ninja DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee System ($189 on Amazon): Brew your coffee in various sizes with grounds or pods. Al...
Dec 29, 2021•36 min•Season 2Ep. 47
It has been two years since the Brothers began sharing their thoughts on technology with the world (even though it feels like an eternity), and we have had the opportunity to discuss a lot of great topics. But, given the speed at which technology changes, some of those topics are going to need to be revisited. What better topic to revisit than our first ever topic, Streaming Services! To help us walk down memory lane and figure out how the streaming landscape has changed over the past 2 years, t...
Dec 22, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 46
BiTS, BiTS, and more BiTS! It is the episode that we all look forward to, where the Brothers (and this month’s guest John Mims, Professor of the Practice of Communication at High Point University) try and one-up each other with a new gadget, app, or service. In this episode, the question is not whether we appreciate each other’s picks…it is how much money we will have to spend to get them. Brian’s Pick · Wyze Night Light (3-pack, $19.99): Although it might not sound that exciting…this is an incr...
Dec 17, 2021•43 min•Season 2Ep. 45
As we brainstormed about what topics would be the most exciting and engaging for our audience, we couldn’t think of anything better than…cables. No, not cable (as in TV)…just cables…you know, the wires. Well, it may not be the most exciting topic…but we know that it is a topic that has led to pain and frustration for man (including ourselves). So, the Brothers poured a drink (or two), and tried to get to the bottom (untangle, if you will) of the wild world of computer cables. From the USB alphab...
Dec 07, 2021•37 min•Season 2Ep. 44
Picture this…you happen to have your phone out when the most amazing thing happens (e.g., your cat opens the refrigerator), and you capture it on video. Of course, you want others to be able to see and appreciate this amazing experience with you…but how should you share it? Well, the Brothers are here to help (well, at least Alan)…so that your cat gets the attention it deserves. In this episode of Brothers in Tech, the Brothers (no guests…old school) discuss the best strategies for sharing your ...
Dec 02, 2021•47 min•Season 2Ep. 43
What could be more exciting than an episode discussing the day when we permanently “leave the building” (aka, die)? Well…an episode about death and technology, of course! In all honestly, this may be one of the more important topics we have discussed on Brothers in Tech…as we should all be thinking of taming the digital mess we leave our family following our demise. In this episode, the Brothers discuss strategies for managing your digital legacy…including, but not limited to who might get contr...
Nov 24, 2021•47 min•Season 2Ep. 42
It is estimated that around 2.5 billion people (~1/3 of the world’s population) play videogames…a market size of over $170 billion in 2020. But, these are no longer the videogames where you needed an expensive game console or a pocket full of quarters…you actually have a fantastic gaming device right in your pocket. Mobile gaming has become the preferred gaming platform for the casual gamer, and it doesn’t look like that is going to change anytime soon. In this episode of Brothers in Tech, the B...
Nov 08, 2021•56 min•Season 2Ep. 41
Whether you are interested in good news, bad news, or fake news…there is no shortage of news content for our consumption and no shortage of methods for consuming it. However, the Brothers believe there are some apps/services that are better than others for you to access quality information. With an expert on communication by our side ( John Mims, Professor of the Practice of Communication at High Point University ), the Brothers discuss their suggestions and “must-haves” for apps and services to...
Oct 29, 2021•53 min•Season 2Ep. 40
Another Apple announcement!?! Well, we had to cover that! The Brothers welcome long-time friend and tech enthusiast John Mims (Professor, Public Relations & Social Media @ High Point University) to join them in dissecting the new products and services announced during Apple’s “Unleashed” event. Whether you are a Mac fan, or just want to know what is on the tech horizon…we are here to let you know what you should be excited (and not so excited) about. And, can you guess which of the Brothers ...
Oct 22, 2021•52 min•Season 2Ep. 39
Although on the surface it may not sound like the sexiest of topics...this is certainly a topic that most of us have a vested interest in. From the early days of long-term contracts and counting minutes, to today’s data-filled packages, cell phone services may have evolved…but continue to be an essential part of our lives (or necessary evil!). With cell phone companies vying for your business with countless promotions, the Brothers are here to break down the must-haves and deal-breakers when sea...
Oct 19, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 38
You know, sometimes you just have to give the audience what they want…and we know you want more BiTs! So, we are here to please. In this episode of Brothers in Tech, the Brothers each provide two BiTs (Brothers in Tech Suggestions) that we think you will enjoy. This round is all about apps and services to save time and increase efficiency (although the video browser could be used for evil as well...). Brian’s Picks · Cardhop : App (Mac/iOS) for managing your contacts. Easy access in menu bar (Ma...
Oct 08, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 37
Although we try not to repeat topics on Brothers in Tech…there are some topics that are just need more attention…or are the bane of our existence. Revisiting our earlier series on email, the Brothers discuss numerous features that should be considered when searching for email bliss. Features we have to have…features we like to have…and features we would love to have…we have you covered. Which Brother has “gone dark” (and has no interest in going back)? Which Brother has a serious snooze problem?...
Oct 01, 2021•51 min•Season 2Ep. 36
Apple recently released an update to their mobile operating system (iOS 15), and as usual…the Brothers are early-adopters. What’s to like? What’s not to like? The Brothers break down the key new features in this upgrade, and whether they are ready for primetime. Although we always recommend waiting for the 2nd or 3rdupdate to a new OS before upgrading to allow for any major kinks to work out …you will have to listen in to see if iOS 15 follows suit. Plus, hear about a new feature (Focus) that wi...
Sep 28, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 35
