TechStuff

TechStuff Looks For Abandonware

12 Dec 2011

Contributed by Lukas

What is abandonware? Can you acquire abandonware legally? What does copyright law have to do with abandonware? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris bre...

TechStuff Gets on a SOPA Box

07 Dec 2011

Contributed by Lukas

What is SOPA and PROTECT IP? What sort of power would these pieces of legislation give to private companies? Could they break the Internet? Join Jonat...

The Story of Facebook

05 Dec 2011

Contributed by Lukas

What's the controversy about the founding of Facebook? Where did Facebook come from? How long did it take before Facebook became a success? Listen in ...

TechStuff withdraws from the ATM

30 Nov 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Who invented the automated teller machine? How do ATMs keep track of your money? What is an ATM skimmer? Join Chris and Jonathan as they take a deeper...

TechStuff Looks at Night Vision

28 Nov 2011

Contributed by Lukas

What are the two main types of night vision? How can you see heat? Why do some night vision systems only display in monochromatic green? Join Jonathan...

The Story of Nintendo, Part 2

23 Nov 2011

Contributed by Lukas

When did Nintendo get into the video game business? Who is Shigero Miyamoto? What is Nintendo’s current place in the video game industry? Join Jonat...

The Story of Nintendo, Part 1

21 Nov 2011

Contributed by Lukas

When was Nintendo founded? What did Nintendo make originally? How did Nintendo avoid financial trouble in the 1960s? Join Chris and Jonathan as they t...

TechStuff Adjusts the Thermostat

16 Nov 2011

Contributed by Lukas

What are the parts of a thermostat? How do bimetallic thermometers work? What is a mercury switch? In this episode, Chris and Jonathan break down the ...

TechStuff Watches Youtube

14 Nov 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Who created YouTube? When was it founded? How much video is uploaded to YouTube every minute? Join Jonathan and Chris as they dive into the depths of ...

TechStuff takes a bite out of Ice Cream Sandwich

09 Nov 2011

Contributed by Lukas

What’s new with Android? Will Ice Cream Sandwich reunite the smartphone and tablet versions of Android? What is Android Beam? Join Jonathan and Chri...

The Story of RIM

07 Nov 2011

Contributed by Lukas

What is Research in Motion? What did the company do before inventing the Blackberry? Why do so many people direct criticism at RIM today? Tune in as J...

TechStuff’s Two Cents on Micropayments

02 Nov 2011

Contributed by Lukas

What is a micropayment? Why did Web advertising win out over micropayments? What services currently use micropayments? Join Jonathan and Chris as they...

TechStuff Looks at iOS 5

31 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

What’s new with iOS 5? What is Siri? Why is it a good idea to wait a few days after launch before upgrading your OS? Join Chris and Jonathan as Tech...

How Metal Detectors Work

26 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

What are the three types of metal detectors? How do metal detectors use electromagnetism to detect stuff? What kind of stuff can create interference w...

TechStuff Stares at Laser Eye Surgery

24 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

How does laser eye surgery work? How does the human eye work? What types of eye problems can laser eye surgery correct? Join Jonathan and Chris for a ...

TechStuff Ponders an Enigma

19 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

What was the Enigma machine? What is a cipher? How did the Enigma machine work? Join Chris and Jonathan to learn more about cryptography. Learn more ...

TechStuff Looks at OS X Lion

17 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

What’s new with the Lion version of Mac OS X? How does Apple’s newest operating system compare to Windows? What are some of the obscure features i...

TechStuff Looks at Windows 8

12 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

How is Windows 8 different from earlier versions of Windows? What’s up with the touch-screen interface? Are computer and mobile operating systems co...

One More Thing

10 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The demise of Steve Jobs has left the world in shock: Consumers, fans and critics have paid homage to the impact Jobs made on numerous industries. In ...

What can quantum computers do?

05 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

How is the quantum world different from the world of classical physics? What are the challenges of building a quantum computer? What kind of problems ...

Slow Motion Film and High Speed Photography

03 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

How does film work? What are the basic parts of a camera? How can you take a photo of a high-speed subject and get a clear picture? Tune in as Chris a...

The Worst Video Games of All Time

28 Sep 2011

Contributed by Lukas

What makes a bad video game? Which video game was voted on by our listeners as the worst of all time? Which games do the hosts think count as the wors...

The Patent Wars

26 Sep 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that a company's prime business can be nothing more than buying, selling and licensing patents? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris look ...

What’s Next for Apple?

21 Sep 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Why is Apple so closely identified with Steve Jobs? Who is taking over now that Steve Jobs has resigned? Will Apple maintain its position in the elect...

Googorola

19 Sep 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Why is Google interested in Motorola Mobility? Did Motorola make the first cell phone? What will other Android handset manufacturers do if Google buys...

The History of Texas Instruments - Part Two

14 Sep 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Did Texas Instruments invent the first handheld calculator? What were some of the consumer products released by Texas Instruments? In the second insta...

The History of Texas Instruments - Part One

12 Sep 2011

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Jonathan and Chris explore the history of Texas Instruments, from the story of its founder to its core business. Tune in to learn how...

The Curious Case of the HP TouchPad

07 Sep 2011

Contributed by Lukas

How long was the TouchPad on the market before HP decided to stop making them? What is the fate of the webOS operating system? Is this how Palm ends, ...

The Post-PC Era

05 Sep 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Why did an IBM executive claim we've entered the post-PC era? What does the post-PC era actually mean? Join Chris and Jonathan as they tackle the idea...

How Electronic Publishing Works

31 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Consumers are increasingly purchasing books in a digital format. But what is the role of a publisher in this changing industry? How does this differ f...

How Solar Panels Work

29 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Solar panels have loads of potential -- but how do they work, exactly, and why aren't they more widespread? Join Jonathan and Chris as they break down...

How Theremins Work

24 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

So what exactly is a theremin? It's got an unmistakably unique sound, and it's one of the world's first electronic musical instruments. Join Chris and...

Tech and the UK Riots

22 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

During the recent riots, looters used technology to coordinate their activities. But which technologies did the rioters depend on the most? Is shuttin...

Anonymity

17 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Is it possible that privacy is becoming less of a social norm? In this episode, Chris and Jonathan explore how the internet and online social networks...

Digital Theft

15 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Although digital storage has several obvious benefits, files stored on hard drives and online can still be stolen by savvy thieves. But how? Tune in t...

What will the Internet be like in 5 years?

10 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

In a relatively short amount of time, the internet has expanded across the globe and quickly evolved into a world-changing force. But what will it be ...

What is a router?

08 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Routers are common in offices and homes across the planet, but what do they actually do? What is network address translation? Join Chris and Jonathan ...

Electronics 101: Logic Gates

03 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

What is a logic gate? To answer this question, we'll need to start with the binary system. In this episode, Jonathan and Chris take a closer look at t...

Air Conditioners

01 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Air conditioners are a nifty -- and sometime life-saving -- invention, but how does an air conditioner make air cooler? What does a compressor do? Wha...

Google+

27 Jul 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Now that Google+ is live (though still in beta), people around the world are clamoring for more information about the social network. Join Jonathan an...

What does NASA's Mission Control do?

25 Jul 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Reaching space is difficult, and returning safely is even trickier. Luckily for astronauts, Mission Control follows each shuttle launch in minute deta...

TechStuff Looks at the iCloud

20 Jul 2011

Contributed by Lukas

As digital content trends toward cloud storage, every company worth its salt is aiming to snag a piece of the action -- and Apple is no exception. But...

What's in Google Wallet?

18 Jul 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Google Wallet wants to turn your smartphone into a payment system. So how can you pay for things using your cell phone? Is Google Wallet a threat to o...

The Tech of Firefighting

13 Jul 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Firefighters are an invaluable part of every community, but how does firefighting work? What tech will you find on a fire truck? Join Jonathan and Chr...

Can we stop an asteroid from hitting Earth?

11 Jul 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Could we blow up an asteroid like in the movie Armageddon? Join Jonathan and Chris as they tackle what may become one of Earth's most important questi...

TechStuff Tours the Space Shuttle

06 Jul 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Inspired by some listener mail, Jonathan and Chris decide to take a closer look at the history -- and future -- of space shuttles. Tune in to learn mo...

What are Bitcoins?

04 Jul 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Bitcoin is a digital currency, and it has no backing central bank or government. Instead, this decentralized currency relies on a peer-to-peer network...

Electronics 101: How Accelerometers Work

29 Jun 2011

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Chris and Jonathan's series on electronics, the guys take a look at the handy devices called accelerometers. As you might assume fr...

Can you make a living playing games?

27 Jun 2011

Contributed by Lukas

For video game buffs, it seems like the deal of a lifetime: What if you could play games for a living? Join Chris and Jonathan as they take a closer l...

The IPv6 Switchover

22 Jun 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Communication on the internet occurs via small packets of data routed across networks. The packets of data don't make much sense without some way to r...

TechStuff Tackles Minecraft

20 Jun 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Minecraft took the gamin world by storm -- but what exactly is it, and what makes this game so special? Join Chris and Jonathan as they take a closer ...

Tech Rivalries: Google vs. the World

15 Jun 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Google's a lot more than a search engine. Their business interests are tremendously varied and continually expanding -- meaning they've become involve...

Eureka! Archimedes!

13 Jun 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Who was Archimedes, and what did he actually invent? Join Chris and Jonathan as they take a closer look at the works of Archimedes -- including his hi...

What is gamification?

08 Jun 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Gamification is exactly what it sounds like -- adding an aspect of gameplay to an activity. So why would someone add a game layer on top of an applica...

The Current Wars

06 Jun 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Thomas Edison and Nicola Tesla were both pioneers of electricity. However, the two both advocated differing forms of electric power: Direct current an...

What is Arduino?

01 Jun 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Most people have heard about open source software -- but what about open source hardware? Join Jonathan and Chris as they take a closer look at the op...

SXSW Interactive 2011

30 May 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Today the TechStuff guys are heading west. And also south. Well, to be absolutely accurate, they're heading to SXSW, one the most popular annual confe...

How Radio Works

25 May 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Radios are fascinating -- but how do they work? In this podcast, Jonathan and Chris tackle some of the fundamental processes of radio. Tune in to lear...

The PSN Fiasco

23 May 2011

Contributed by Lukas

What happened to the PlayStation Network? Is credit card fraud the worst thing that could happen to you? Join Jonathan and Chris as they explain the r...

What are QR codes?

18 May 2011

Contributed by Lukas

How do QR codes store information? What’s the difference between a QR code and a barcode? Why did it take so long for QR codes to take off? Join Chr...

What is the Deep Flight Challenger?

16 May 2011

Contributed by Lukas

What is the Deep Flight Challenger? What sort of technology do scientists use to explore these environments? What are the challenges of exploring the ...

TechStuff Episode 300

11 May 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Why do we use programming languages? How many programming languages are there? Why do we need more than one programming language? Tune in for the answ...

How the Nintendo 3DS Works

09 May 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Like Nintendo's DS and DS Lite, the 3DS is a hand-held gaming device -- with a big twist: This device features 3D technology. Tune in as Chris and Jon...

The History of IBM: Part 3

04 May 2011

Contributed by Lukas

In the third installment of Chris and Jonathan's series on the history of IBM, the guys examine IBM's evolution after 1981. Listen in to learn more ab...

The History of IBM: Part 2

02 May 2011

Contributed by Lukas

What products did IBM introduce to the market, and how was IBM involved with the space race? In the second episode of this continuing series on IBM, J...

The History of IBM: Part 1

27 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

While most computer users have heard of IBM, many don't know the company's history -- and it's a long story. So long, in fact, that Chris and Jonathan...

Intel's Tick-Tock Strategy

25 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Since 2007, Intel has used the Tick Tock strategy to improve their microprocessors. When the company's in 'tick' mode, it focuses on building smaller ...

What makes Gorilla Glass strong?

20 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

In addition to being scratch- and impact-resistant, Gorilla Glass is also incredibly thin -- it's not your typical glass, to say the least. But what s...

How the Epsilon E-mail Hack Worked

18 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Epsilon is the world's largest permission-based email marketer. Other companies use Epsilon to promote their business -- which means that Epsilon has ...

Who invented the radio?

13 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

How many people were involved in radio’s invention? Did Marconi really use 17 of Tesla’s patents? Was radio’s true inventor a farmer who kept hi...

TechStuff Tackles the Amazon Cloud Player

11 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

More and more companies are looking for innovative ways to incorporate cloud computing, and Amazon is no exception. Tune in and learn more as Jonathan...

TechStuff Tackles the StarWars Program

06 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, the guys hop into the WayBack machine and travel to October 4th, 1967 -- the date of the of the Sputnik launch -- and trace the growt...

Don't Be a Cyberbully!

04 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Bullying is an age-old institution, but internet access has added a new layer to this pattern of repeated intimidation, harassment and ridicule. In th...

What are chiptunes?

30 Mar 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Think of chiptunes as the merger between hacking and the 8-bit sound effects of classic video games. In this episode, Jonathan and Chris explore the m...

How Nuclear Reactors Work

28 Mar 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The disasters in Japan severely damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant. In this episode, Chris and Jonathan break down the tech behind nuclear reac...

How Seismological Equipment Works

23 Mar 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Earthquakes are one of Earth's deadliest natural disasters. For centuries scientists have tried to predict the movements of tectonic plates before the...

The History of Music in Video Games

21 Mar 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Video game systems have evolved at an extraordinary pace, and this evolution includes audio as well as video. In this podcast, Chris and Jonathan reco...

Geotagging and Privacy

16 Mar 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Geotagging allows users to add geographical data to their digital updates, such as tweets or Facebook posts. While geotagging is becoming increasingly...

How Lasers Work

14 Mar 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Inspired by a listener suggestion, Jonathan and Chris break down the science behind lasers -- how does a laser differ from ordinary light, for example...

What is Stuxnet?

09 Mar 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Officially, no one knows where Stuxnet came from. However, this software seems to be state-sponsored and built to attack very specific types of hardwa...

New Media Success Stories

07 Mar 2011

Contributed by Lukas

It's no secret that the old rules concerning entertainment and business have changed in the age of the internet, but questions remain. How exactly hav...

The Sega Saga

02 Mar 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Sega began in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1940. Originally named Standard Games, this company originally made coin-operated amusements. Tune in as Chris and J...

Social Media Faux Pas

28 Feb 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The explosive growth of social media has triggered startling innovations - but it's also created unprecedented opportunities for social faux pas or em...

Apple TV

23 Feb 2011

Contributed by Lukas

When Apple decided to bridge the gap between computers and televisions, they came up with Apple TV. But what exactly is it? In this episode, Chris and...

Sports Cameras

21 Feb 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Sports fans know that referees are fallible, and it's not uncommon to see fans loudly protesting controversial calls. In this podcast, Jonathan and Ch...

USB vs. Lightpeak

16 Feb 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The universal serial bus, or USB, was meant to simplify the complicated world of computer peripheral connections. To be fair, USB has done well in thi...

Shutting Off the Internet

14 Feb 2011

Contributed by Lukas

During the ousting of Egyptian President Mubarak, the government cut off internet access across Egypt. Could other governments make the same move? Joi...

TechStuff vs. BattleBots

09 Feb 2011

Contributed by Lukas

In 1992, Marc Thorpe had a vision: What if people could build their own robots, and pit them against others? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris take ...

The History of Palm

07 Feb 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Palm Computing was founded in 1992, before the tech world was inundated with PDAs. Join Jonathan and Chris as they break down the evolution of Palm's ...

The Dot Com Crash

02 Feb 2011

Contributed by Lukas

When the web went mainstream, consumers and business owners alike were thrilled by the potential of this new, virtual frontier. Every start-up seemed ...

Elevators in Space

31 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The current means used to launch space ships is, to say the least, expensive. Could carbon nanotubes allow humans to build an elevator into space? Tun...

Elementary, My Dear Watson

26 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

For years the scientists at IBM have been attempting to build the world's best question-answering supercomputer: Watson. But what exactly is Watson, a...

The Verizon iPhone Shakes Things Up

24 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

For years iPhone users have waited for Apple to break their exclusivity deal with AT&T. It looks as though their wishes will come true this year -...

The CES 2011 Roundup

19 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Fresh from his adventures at the Consumer Electronics Show, Jonathan recounts some of the most interesting tech on display at the event. Tune in and l...

TechStuff Looks at the iPod

17 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The iPod is one of the most popular portable music players in the world, but it certainly wasn't the first. In this podcast, Chris and Jonathan take a...

What is a rootkit?

12 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

If a hacker installs a rootkit on your computer, you could be in big trouble. But why? In this podcast, the guys break down the basics of rootkits, fr...

How MRIs Work

10 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Magnetic resonance imagining, or MRI, is a noninvasive technique used to diagnose everything from torn ligaments to tumors. But how does it work? Tune...

TechStuff Looks at OnLive

05 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Do you have a craving for video games but no console? If so, OnLive might be the service for you. Tune in to learn how OnLive (theoretically) lets you...

TechStuff Looks at Chrome OS

03 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan and Chris take a look at the features, pros and cons, and potential of Chrome OS -- Google's not-yet-released, cloud-based operating system -...

TechStuff Looks Back at the Tech of 2010

29 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

As 2010 draws to a close, Chris and Jonathan take a look at the technology of 2010. Did their predictions pan out? Listen in to learn what surprised, ...