NPI Tech Guys

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, hosts Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison dive into the growing trend of major tech companies cracking down on account sharing. They discuss Amazon’s decision to end its long-running Prime Invitee program, YouTube and Netflix’s enforcement against family plan abuse, and how these moves reflect an industry-wide shift toward maximizing revenue — even if it means upsetting long-time loyal users. The duo we...

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison explore some of the odd and intriguing turns in today’s tech world. From Facebook’s attempt to revive the once-forgotten “poke” feature to the bizarre case of a lawyer named Mark Zuckerberg suing Facebook, the hosts dig into the ways social media keeps reshaping itself — sometimes in laughable ways. They also question whether Elon Musk’s new promise of encrypted messa...

In this episode, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison dive into three major tech and policy stories shaping headlines. They begin with a critical discussion of OpenAI’s response to a lawsuit after a tragic teen suicide linked to ChatGPT use. With new parental controls and “safer” chatbot modes on the horizon, Sam and Jay debate whether these measures are enough — or if they raise new concerns about overreach, surveillance, and parental res...

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison unpack a provocative question: could your own podcast become your AI competitor? Inspired by an article from media attorney Matthew B. Harrison, they explore how AI can already mimic voices, cadence, and content with startling accuracy—and how creators can protect their work through contracts, rights management, and authenticity. The hosts weigh the risks and opportun...

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Jay Harrison and Sam Bushman dive into social media’s return to its roots as Instagram experiments with college-only networking features—eerily reminiscent of Facebook’s early days. They explore how shifting privacy norms and generational habits shape what people share online, and why Meta’s latest move may be more about countering TikTok than student life.

The discussion then turns to YouTube Mus...

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison dive into the ongoing AI chatbot wars, with a spotlight on ChatGPT-5’s rocky rollout and the quirky personality of Elon Musk’s Grok. They discuss the balance between speed and intelligence in AI responses, the growing emotional dependency some users have on chatbots, and the troubling issue of bots refusing shutdown commands. Sam also shares his frustrating bug-report...

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison cover a wide range of tech stories—starting with the unexpected: AOL finally retiring dial-up internet after 35 years, while more than 160,000 people still rely on it. They take a nostalgic detour into the history of the payphone, tracing its roots back to 1889 and reflecting on how it transformed communication long before the smartphone era.

From there, the conversati...

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison unpack the quiet rollout of ChatGPT 5.0, which is now powering user interactions without most people realizing it. They discuss its improved accuracy, reduced hallucinations, and dynamic model-switching capabilities. The conversation shifts to the massive power demands of AI, with projections showing it could consume 12% of U.S. electricity by 2028—outpacing even Bitc...

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison dive into the rapidly changing media landscape where podcasting is now rivaling and even overtaking traditional AM/FM radio. They explore new data showing podcasts capturing 41% of listeners aged 13–64, compared to radio’s 39%, with YouTube emerging as the dominant platform thanks to video podcasts, ease of access, and its powerful recommendation engine. The hosts deb...

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison kick things off with the bizarre auction of a Martian meteorite that fetched over $5 million -- sparking a humorous and skeptical conversation about how anyone can really verify the origins of a space rock. From meteorites to million-dollar dinosaur skeletons and NFTs, the duo explores the strange world of brag-worthy collectibles and the blurred line between value an...

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison discuss the dangers of public Wi-Fi and explain why connecting at your local coffee shop might be like using a public restroom with no stalls. They dive into how Wi-Fi “pineapples” can silently spoof trusted networks and why your phone’s memory of old connections could be a serious security risk. Jay offers proactive cybersecurity tips, including how to audit your dev...

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam and Jay dive into the growing trend of AI middleware platforms like 1min.ai, which offer lifetime access to multiple large language models through a single dashboard. They explore whether this model is sustainable or just another “too good to be true” flash in the pan, and speculate about a future where users interact with AI through unified task-based interfaces that automatically select the...

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam and Jay unpack the jaw-dropping news of Japan’s new internet speed record: 1.02 Petabytes per second - roughly 350,000 times faster than the average U.S. connection. They explore what this milestone means for future real-world use and discuss the diminishing returns of ultra-high bandwidth, especially in talk radio streaming and software design. From audio compression standards to bloated pri...

Sam and Jay explore how AI is reshaping the workforce, spotlighting Google's latest round of buyouts and return-to-office mandates. They discuss the hidden impact of AI on sectors like marketing and IT management: even as companies downplay the connection. The hosts debate whether this shift spells doom or simply signals the next phase in technological evolution, with historical parallels drawn from the Industrial Revolution to the...

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison break down the real cost of cutting corners in IT services. From weak cybersecurity measures to incomplete backups and fine-print exclusions in managed service contracts, they share firsthand insights on why "you get what you pay for" rings especially true in the tech world. They also revisit the old Sears & Roebuck “good, better, best” model and apply it to moder...

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison checkout the buzz around Slate Auto's bold attempt to deliver a $25,000 electric truck by 2026. Will it be a stripped-down marvel or another over-promised EV? The guys break down what’s missing (including paint and touchscreens) and whether U.S. manufacturing can truly hit that price point.

The conversation shifts into AI's growing role in software development, highlig...

In this thought-provoking episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison dive into the latest waves in wearable technology and artificial intelligence. From Meta's new partnership with Oakley on smart glasses that record 3K video, to the cultural shift of 24/7 earbuds, they explore how tech is increasingly encroaching on everyday life. The hosts also reflect on Apple's liquid glass interface and whether society is heading...

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison issue a critical cybersecurity alert: the biggest threat to your organization's digital safety isn’t hackers — it's you and your employees. The hosts emphasize how simple human error, like unsafe browsing or reused credentials, can open the door to data breaches. They explore practical solutions including enforceable acceptable use policies, quarterly employee trainin...

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison explore how cutting-edge AI is transforming storm prediction. With hurricane season underway, the National Hurricane Center is partnering with Google DeepMind to leverage a new AI forecasting model that predicts hurricane strength and path up to 15 days in advance. The duo discusses how this open-access tool, combined with public and forecaster input, could revolution...