TechStuff

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, ...

Why is WikiLeaks important?

28 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Many people were surprised by how quickly the conflict between business, government and wikileaks escalated into virtual warfare, but what does it mea...

TechStuff Predictions 2011

22 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Is 2011 the year of the tablet? Will warfare expand to the virtual sphere? Listen in as Jonathan and Chris give you their top predictions for the upco...

What happened to BBSes?

20 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Before millions of people strolled around checking Facebook on their smartphones, bulletin-board systems connected computer users across the world. So...

2010 Predictions Follow-Up

15 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Predictions are a risky business, but that hasn't stopped Chris and Jonathan from making predictions each year. In this episode, the guys look back at...

Movie Making: Sound on Film

13 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of TechStuff's continuing series on the technology of film, Chris and Jonathan take a closer look at the process of putting sound on f...

RockMelt Enters the Browser Wars

08 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The average Internet user already has several choices when it comes to browsers, so what makes RockMelt special? Tune in as Jonathan and Chris take a ...

Game On: Computers vs. Humans

06 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Whether it's the story of John Henry or Kasparov and IBM's Deep Blue, humanity loves to hear about a showdown between man and machine. In this episode...

The MySpace Story (So Far)

01 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

When MySpace hit the Internet, Friendster was the dominant social media network. Yet MySpace usurped Friendster's position and became number one -- un...

Demystifying the Bloom Box

29 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Will the Bloom Box become the power source of the future? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris take a closer look at the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) t...

Spotlight on Alan Turing

24 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Alan Turing is often hailed as a genius, but why? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris trace the life, trials and astonishing breakthroughs of Alan Tur...

Did John Titor travel through time?

22 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

From 2000 to 2001 someone calling himself John Titor claimed to have traveled to the past from the year 2036. His predictions caused a flurry of consp...

Why are rare Earth metals important?

17 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Rare earth metals are a crucial component in many electronic devices, but what exactly are they? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris break down the fa...

Rechargeable Batteries: Pros and Cons

15 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

If rechargeable batteries are so great, then how come they haven't replaced all disposable models? In this podcast, the guys take a closer look at the...

How Batteries Work

10 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Nowadays, batteries are everywhere -- but what exactly are they? How do they work? In this podcast, Chris and Jonathan break down the history of batte...

A TechStuff Tour of Bill Gates's House

08 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

As one of the world's most wealthy and influential men, Bill Gates can afford to have some of the finer things in life -- including an amazing mansion...

The Ethics of Piracy

03 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

You've heard of honor among thieves, but are there ethics among pirates? Each year, millions of people illegally download content and software without...

Are self-driving cars a good idea?

01 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

For decades people have dreamed of utopian, gridlock-free traffic, filled with self-driving cars. Could this science-fiction standby become reality? T...

The Duke Nukem Forever Saga

27 Oct 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Duke Nukem 3D took the gaming world by storm in 1996, and fans clamored for a sequel. By 1997 the game-makers announced the development of a game call...

What happened to Cuil?

25 Oct 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In 2008, Cuil was hailed as the first serious potential rival to Google's search engine. With an employee roster of former Google employees and a supp...

Can another tablet challenge the iPad?

20 Oct 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan and Chris have been following the iPad since it was little more than a rumor on the Internet -- but now that the iPad is out, will a competit...

How Facial Recognition Technology Works

18 Oct 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Human beings are great at recognizing faces, but historically, computers haven't had much luck replicating this ability. How can we teach computers to...

Is technology rotting our brains?

13 Oct 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Since the internet allows users to access an enormous amount of data, it is theoretically possible for an individual to learn almost anything. Yet som...

What's the deal with the Facebook Phone?

11 Oct 2010

Contributed by Lukas

According to recent rumors, Facebook may be secretly building a software platform for smartphones of the future. Could the rumors be true? In this epi...

Why do we need early adopters?

06 Oct 2010

Contributed by Lukas

When new products emerge, early adopters are the first folks in line. They provide vital information to other customers, most of whom don't want to bu...

What makes a good gaming PC?

04 Oct 2010

Contributed by Lukas

If you own a personal computer dedicated to gaming, you know the habit can become surprisingly expensive. In this podcast, Jonathan and Chris explore ...

How Sonar Works

29 Sep 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Sonar uses sound to gauge the distance between objects. Although most people associate sonar with submarines, humans use sonar for a lot more than und...

The Story of the Gatling Gun

27 Sep 2010

Contributed by Lukas

When Richard Jordan Gatling invented the Gatling gun, he revolutionized wartime firepower. In this episode, Chris and Jonathan discuss the history of ...

TechSword & LaserStuff at Dragon*Con

22 Sep 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Chris and Jonathan travel to Dragon*Con and meet with Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont, the hosts of the Sword and Laser podcast. Tun...

What are phone phreaks?

20 Sep 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Would you believe that people used to make free calls by using a plastic whistle? In the days before the Internet, phone phreaks explored every nook a...

How Railroad Crossing Signals Work

15 Sep 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Every driver has seen a railroad crossing -- the iconic system of bars, lights and warning bells designed to keep cars away from trains. But how do th...

How to Permanently Delete Files

13 Sep 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Are you really deleting a file when you move it to the trashcan or recycle bin? The answer might surprise you. In this podcast, Jonathan and Chris bre...

3-D Movie-Making Tech

08 Sep 2010

Contributed by Lukas

There's been a huge resurgence in three-dimensional special effects in the world of film -- but how do these effects work? In this episode, Jonathan a...

How can the sun affect my electronics?

06 Sep 2010

Contributed by Lukas

As the sun reaches the apex of its eleven-year cycle, its magnetic activity increases and could pose a threat for some electronics -- especially satel...

The Great Video Game Crash

01 Sep 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Beginning in 1972, the home video game craze took the United States by storm. With tons of companies producing increasingly sophisticated machines, it...

The Rise and Fall of the Video Arcade

30 Aug 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Whatever happened to the video game arcade? In recent years, many video game arcades have closed or evolved to cope with an increasingly sophisticated...

How to do Research Online

25 Aug 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Chris and Jonathan share tips for conducting effective online research, from using Boolean operators to finding reliable sources, in this episode. Le...

What is Surround Sound?

23 Aug 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan and Chris tackle the complexities of surround-sound home theater systems, from stereophonic sound to subwoofers, in this episode. Learn more...

School Tech and the Classroom of the Future

18 Aug 2010

Contributed by Lukas

As part of their continuing series on technology and education, Jonathan and Chris speculate about future school technology and discuss the tools (and...

Will technology revolutionize education?

16 Aug 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Jonathan and Chris have an interesting discussion about how technology affects the quality of education -- and why people will always...

How Jailbreaking Works

11 Aug 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Jailbreaking is a way of hacking an iPhone, iPad or other iDevice that allows the user to access third-party apps. Chris and Jonathan explain how jail...

The Tech of Making Money

09 Aug 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Jonathan and Chris delve into the history of monetary systems and the various technologies that go into creating currency. Learn mor...

How Data Recovery Works

04 Aug 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Hard drives fail for various reasons, but how do you access your data when they do? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris explore various data recovery ...

Oil Drilling Tech

02 Aug 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan and Chris highlight the simple and sophisticated technologies that are used for land-based and offshore oil drilling and extraction in this e...

The Tech of Doctor Who

28 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Jonathan, Chris and a special guest get their geek on as they chat about the technology, canon and chameleon-like characters of the l...

Profile on Midway Games

26 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Jonathan and Chris detail the rise and fall of Midway Games, a company that was once a major player in the video/arcade game business...

How Hard Drives Work

21 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Hard disks first appeared on the scene in the 1950s, and they've evolved a great deal since then. Jonathan and Chris take a hard look at the history a...

The Tech of Making Movies, Part Two

19 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In part two of their series on movie-making technology, Jonathan and Chris turn their focus to post-production and the evolution of movie editing. Le...

The Tech of Making Movies, Part One

14 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan and Chris take a look at the technology that's used to make movies, from movie cameras to Steadicams, in the first episode of a two-part seri...

What's new with iOS 4?

12 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In a companion piece to their episode on the iPhone 4, Jonathan and Chris tackle a related topic: the iOS 4, the mobile operating system that runs on ...

What does an Imagineer do?

07 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Inspired by listener mail, Jonathan and Chris discuss the philosophy behind Disney's Imagineering program, how Imagineers set the standard for amuseme...

How the iPhone 4 Works

05 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In response to numerous listener requests, Jonathan and Chris give you the skinny on the new features and hardware of the recently released iPhone 4 i...

What does Web 2.0 mean?

30 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Web 2.0 is a term that emerged after the dot-com crash of 2000. There's some debate, however, about what it actually means. Jonathan and Chris define ...

What is DRM?

28 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Digital rights management often gets a bad name, but it isn't just about copy protection. In this podcast, Jonathan and Chris break down the debate su...

Does Facebook hate privacy?

23 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Facebook has caught a lot of flak recently because of controversial changes to their privacy settings. In this episode, Jonathan and Chris explain wha...

How Fuel Cells Work

21 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device; it turns chemical energy into elecrical energy. Jonathan and Chris discuss fuel cells in d...

What the heck is Google TV?

16 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Google recently announced Google TV, a platform that aims to marry TV and the Web. It's not the first company to offer Internet television, but will i...

Are random number generators possible?

14 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Many random number generators you'll find online don't produce truly random values. Jonathan and Chris explain the difference between true random numb...

What is Usenet?

09 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Usenet is a global, online discussion system that predates the World Wide Web and is still around today. Jonathan and Chris discuss the system in deta...

What were online service providers?

07 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Jonathan and Chris discuss online service providers, which were popular content providers before the World Wide Web took over. Learn...

What is IRC?

02 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In this listener-inspired episode, Jonathan and Chris chat about Internet Relay Chat (IRC), a chat protocol that predates the World Wide Web. Learn m...

Pandora Radio and the Music Genome Project

31 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Pandora is an Internet radio service that provides personalized musical content, based on input from users and a unique analysis system called the Mus...

200 Years in Tech

26 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In this 200th episode spectacular, Jonathan and Chris tackle an ambitious topic: The most important technological innovations and inventions of the la...

Was Ada Lovelace the first computer programmer?

24 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Jonathan and Chris discuss Ada Lovelace, daughter of the infamous Lord Byron and widely considered to be the first computer programme...

How Plasma Torches Work

19 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Plasma torches are tools that harness the power of plasma, the fourth state of matter, for various purposes, from cutting metal to waste disposal. Lea...

How does Google get traffic information for Google Maps?

17 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Google collects data from cell phone users like you to create a database of traffic information for Google Maps. Jonathan and Chris discuss the pros a...

How Laser Tag Games Work

12 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Laser tag systems, which have been around since the 70s and 80s, don't typically use real lasers. Jonathan and Chris discuss the history of laser tag ...

How Traffic Lights Work

10 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

We often take traffic lights for granted, but regulating the flow of traffic takes a lot of planning and technology. Jonathan and Chris detail the tec...

Do ear buds cause hearing loss?

05 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In general, headphones for audio devices increase your risk of damaged hearing, but this is especially true of ear buds. Learn more about how we hear ...

How Microchips Are Made

03 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

A microchip is an integrated circuit that you'll find in all sorts of electronic devices, but how is it made? Jonathan and Chris give a detailed expla...

Air Traffic Control Technology

28 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Prompted by a listener's e-mail, Jonathan and Chris tackle the complexities of air traffic control technology in this episode. Learn more about your ...

What do video game testers do?

26 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

If you love video games, playing them for money probably seems like a dream job. But testing video games is serious business and can be quite unglamor...

Are cyborgs just science fiction?

21 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Cyborgs, organisms that incorporate both biological and mechanical parts, are a staple in science fiction stories. But do they exist in real life? Jon...

How the Wii Remote Works

19 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan and Chris give a detailed explanation of how the Nintendo Wii's motion-sensitive controller, the Wii remote, works -- and why it's so popular...

The Tech of 1510

14 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

We don't tend to think of the inventions of the middle ages as technology; but back then, they were definitely considered high-tech. Chris and Jonatha...

Can a machine be conscious?

12 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Machines can perform complex tasks, but does this mean they are conscious entities? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris discuss what defines artificia...

How Lightsabers Work

07 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan and Chris discuss the most famous weapon in the "Star Wars" universe -- the lightsaber -- in this episode of TechStuff. Learn more about you...

What is multi-boot?

05 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan and Chris discuss multi-booting, from how computers boot up in general to partitioning a hard drive to allow room for multiple operating syst...

What is distributed computing?

31 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes using a single computer just won't cut it, and buying time on a supercomputer can be prohibitively expensive. So what do you do next? Tune i...

Whatever happened to the paperless office?

29 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Given today's digital technology, why do we still use paper in office settings? Jonathan and Chris discuss what happened to the paperless office -- an...

What is a smart grid?

24 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In this listener-inspired episode, Chris and Jonathan discuss the differences between standard power grids and smart grids. Learn more about your ad-...

Auto-Tune the TechStuff

22 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan and Chris discuss Auto-Tune, pitch correction software that's used to digitally smooth out and alter audio tracks, in this listener-inspired ...

TechStuff Hams It Up

17 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Jonathan and Chris discuss amateur radio, a.k.a. "ham" radio, in detail. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodca...

What are wikis?

15 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of TechStuff, Chris and Jonathan explain how the web collaboration tools called wikis work and discuss the most famous wiki of all -- ...