TEC172: Camping gear is tech and Dom Bettinelli and Thomas Sanjurjo revisit the topic to discuss more essential gear like backpacks, clothing, sleeping bags and more. Plus, a strange Vatican foray into NFTs; death online; and subscribing to your car’s options. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer Secrets of Technology. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today? Links for this episode: * TEC161: Tech for Camping * Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water Repellent * Sawyer Products SP657 Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent for Clothing, Gear & Tents * OneTigris Portable Camping Chair 03 * Vatican Offers, Mysteriously Rescinds Interview About Pope’s Metaverse Plans * Technoblade, a popular Minecraft YouTuber, dies from cancer age 23 — shares final video – The Verge * BMW starts selling heated seat subscriptions for $18 a month – The Verge * Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! * Join the conversation at the StarQuest Facebook page. * Be part of the StarQuest Discord community at SQPN.com/discord * Email us feedback or comments to technology@sqpn.com Picks of the Week: * Thomas: BearButt hammocks * Dom: Coleman Digital Fuel Gauge Want to Sponsor A Show? Support StarQuest’s mission to explore the intersection of faith and pop culture by becoming a named sponsor of the show of your choice on the StarQuest network. Click to get started or find out more. Disclaimer: Hosts, panelists, and guests may have a financial interest in the companies discussed through investments or other means. Their opinions and recommendations are not affected and do not present a conflict of interest. We offer this statement in the interest of full disclosure.
TEC171: We talk to Jeff Geerling, a popular Tech YouTuber who is also Catholic. Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Cory Sticha ask him about his mission, how he grew his channel, the Church’s relationship to tech, and his favorite tech topics. Plus headlines and picks of the week. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer Secrets of Technology. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today? Links for this episode: * Jeff Geerling – Author and Software Developer in St. Louis, MO * Jeff Geerling – YouTube * It’s alive! How belief in AI sentience is becoming a problem | Reuters * A Single AI-Enhanced Brain Scan Can Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease – Slashdot * Apple Rumored to Announce ‘Game-Changer’ AR/VR Headset in January 2023 – MacRumors * Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! * Join the conversation at the StarQuest Facebook page. * Be part of the StarQuest Discord community at SQPN.com/discord * Email us feedback or comments to technology@sqpn.com Picks of the Week: * Jeff: I BOUGHT A CHURCH ORGAN Part 3 – Its Playing music! – YouTube * Fr. Cory: MEGA65 Commodore C65-clone * Dom: Apple Mac Studio Under Desk Mount With Screws – Etsy Want to Sponsor A Show? Support StarQuest’s mission to explore the intersection of faith and pop culture by becoming a named sponsor of the show of your choice on the StarQuest network. Click to get started or find out more. Disclaimer: Hosts, panelists, and guests may have a financial interest in the companies discussed through investments or other means. Their opinions and recommendations are not affected and do not present a conflict of interest. We offer this statement in the interest of full disclosure.
TEC170: Is putting a deceased loved ones voice in your smart assistant a step too far? Dom Bettinelli, Jack Baruzzini, and Victor Lams discuss the ethical and tastefulness limits of deepfaking, plus more tech news and picks of the week. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer Secrets of Technology. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today? Links for this episode: * GPS Narrated Audio Driving Tour Apps | GyPSy Guide * Alexa will soon be able to read stories as your dead grandma – TechCrunch * New York state passes first-ever ‘right to repair’ law for electronics – The Verge * Apple Confirms iPad Will No Longer Be Supported as a Home Hub in iOS 16 – MacRumors * Netflix Confirms Plans For Ad-Supported Service, Begins Second Round of Layoffs – Slashdot * Cryptocurrency tech’s security weaknesses could compromise how it runs: DARPA : NPR * Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! * Join the conversation at the StarQuest Facebook page. * Be part of the StarQuest Discord community at SQPN.com/discord * Email us feedback or comments to technology@sqpn.com Picks of the Week: * Jack: iPad Pro USB C Hub, 7-in-1 Adapter * Victor: BAOFENG UV-5X (UV-5G) GMRS Radio, Long Range Walkie Talkies * General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) | Federal Communications Commission * NotaRubicon Productions – YouTube * Gadget Talk – YouTube
TEC169: With claims that a Google AI is sentient and has a soul, Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Cory Sticha, and Joanne Mercier discuss whether this is possible and what a Catholic understanding of personhood would say about this. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer Secrets of Technology. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today? Links for this episode: * Google’s AI Is Self-Aware And Has A Soul, Suspended Engineer Says – GameSpot * LaMDA and the Sentient AI Trap | WIRED * Is Debating AI Sentience a Dangerous Distraction? – Slashdot * Robots in Disguise – by JD Flynn – The Pillar * US TikTok User Data Has Been Repeatedly Accessed From China, Leaked Audio Shows * A New Student Movement Wants You to Log Off – Slashdot * Lawmakers offer bill to regulate volume of commercials on streaming services | The Hill * Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! * Join the conversation at the StarQuest Facebook page. * Be part of the StarQuest Discord community at SQPN.com/discord * Email us feedback or comments to technology@sqpn.com Picks of the Week: * Joanne: Hyperdrive ULTIMATE 11-in-1 USB-C Hub * Fr. Cory: Vampire Survivors on Steam * Dom: Default Folder X Want to Sponsor A Show? Support StarQuest’s mission to explore the intersection of faith and pop culture by becoming a named sponsor of the show of your choice on the StarQuest network. Click to get started or find out more. Disclaimer: Hosts, panelists, and guests may have a financial interest in the companies discussed through investments or other means. Their opinions and recommendations are not affected and do not present a conflict of interest. We offer this statement in the interest of full disclosure.
TEC168: Not only do billions of people use Apple tech, they have a huge influence on the industry. Dom Bettinelli, Thomas Sanjurjo, and Jack Baruzzini discuss Apple’s announcements, particularly those that would appeal to this audience. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer Secrets of Technology. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today? Links for this episode: * Apple’s announcements * China Is 3D Printing a Dam | World’s Tallest 3D-Printed Structure * HP chooses Ubuntu-based Pop!_OS Linux for its upcoming Dev One laptop — could System76 be an acquisition target? * Consumers embrace milk carton QR codes, may cut food waste * Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! * Join the conversation at the StarQuest Facebook page. * Be part of the StarQuest Discord community at SQPN.com/discord * Email us feedback or comments to technology@sqpn.com Picks of the Week: * Thomas: ThriftBooks * Jack: Tip: Don’t buy generic or off-brand SD cards or SSDs * Dom: Satechi Type-C Aluminum Stand & Hub For Mac Mini Want to Sponsor A Show? Support StarQuest’s mission to explore the intersection of faith and pop culture by becoming a named sponsor of the show of your choice on the StarQuest network. Click to get started or find out more. Disclaimer: Hosts, panelists, and guests may have a financial interest in the companies discussed through investments or other means. Their opinions and recommendations are not affected and do not present a conflict of interest. We offer this statement in the interest of full disclosure.
TEC167: You don’t have to be a super-geek to build your own computer. Dom Bettinelli, Victor Lams, and Fr. Joseph Sund discuss the pros and cons, benefits and potential pitfalls of building your own computer from individual components. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer Secrets of Technology. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today? Links for this episode: * Pick parts. Build your PC. Compare and share. – PCPartPicker * 61 in 1 Professional Computer Repair Screwdriver Set * Virtual learning apps tracked and shared kids’ data and online activities with advertisers, report says – CNN * California Bill May Let Parents Sue Over Kids’ Social-Media Addiction * New ‘Smart’ Cheese Rinds Help Fight Parmesan Fraud | Food & Wine * Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! * Join the conversation at the StarQuest Facebook page. * Be part of the StarQuest Discord community at SQPN.com/discord * Email us feedback or comments to technology@sqpn.com Picks of the Week: * Fr. Joseph: MacOS 8 emulator; System 7 emulator; The Official Basilisk II Home Page * Victor: Voltage Modular | Cherry Audio * Dom: TextExpander Want to Sponsor A Show? Support StarQuest’s mission to explore the intersection of faith and pop culture by becoming a named sponsor of the show of your choice on the StarQuest network. Click to get started or find out more. Disclaimer: Hosts, panelists, and guests may have a financial interest in the companies discussed through investments or other means. Their opinions and recommendations are not affected and do not present a conflict of interest. We offer this statement in the interest of full disclosure.
TEC166: For most of us, our presence is all over the internet after years of using it. Dom Bettinelli, Joanne Mercier, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss how we can remove ourselves or even just reclaim a little bit of our privacy by removing our data from the Internet. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer Secrets of Technology. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today? Links for this episode: * DeleteMe * Jumbo * How a Burner Identity Protects Your Inbox, Phone, and Cards | Wirecutter * 6 Ways to Delete Yourself From the Internet | WIRED * How to erase yourself from the internet | NordVPN * Google My Activity * How do you remove your name from Google searches? | Privacy Bee * Apple unveils new accessibility features coming this year: Door Detection, Live Captions, Apple Watch Mirroring, more – 9to5Mac * This snakelike robot slithers down your lungs and could spot cancer * Amazon ramps up FedEx, UPS rivalry by expanding Prime to third parties * Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! * Join the conversation at the StarQuest Facebook page. * Be part of the StarQuest Discord community at SQPN.com/discord * Email us feedback or comments to technology@sqpn.com Picks of the Week: * Fr. Cory: SystemRescue for Linux and Windows * Joanne: [OFFICIAL] Wondershare AllMyTube for Mac: Download Online Videos * Dom: CheapCharts for iOS Want to Sponsor A Show? Support StarQuest’s mission to explore the intersection of faith and pop culture by becoming a named sponsor of the show of your choice on the StarQuest network. Click to get started or find out more. Disclaimer: Hosts, panelists, and guests may have a financial interest in the companies discussed through investments or other means. Their opinions and recommendations are not affected and do not present a conflict of interest. We offer this statement in the interest of full disclosure.
TEC165: Google I/O 2022 is complete and Dom Bettinelli, Jack Baruzzini, and Thomas Sanjurjo talk about all the new announcements and sift out what’s most interesting. Plus, CDC tracking phones; mental health app privacy; and swarming and submarine drones . Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer Secrets of Technology. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today? Links for this episode: * I/O 2022 * Google’s biggest announcements at I/O 2022 – The Verge * CDC Tracked Millions of Phones to See If Americans Followed COVID Lockdown Orders * Mental health apps have terrible privacy protections, report finds – The Verge * Swarming drones autonomously navigate a dense forest (and chase a human) – TechCrunch * Ingenious Underwater Drone Can Transition to Flight in Less Than a Second * Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! * Join the conversation at the StarQuest Facebook page. * Be part of the StarQuest Discord community at SQPN.com/discord * Email us feedback or comments to technology@sqpn.com Picks of the Week: * Thomas: Galaxy Watch4 Smartwatch | Samsung US * Jack: RG351MP Handheld Game Console * Dom: Tip: Update your Medical ID information on your phone and your kids’/spouse’s phone every time the clock changes Want to Sponsor A Show? Support StarQuest’s mission to explore the intersection of faith and pop culture by becoming a named sponsor of the show of your choice on the StarQuest network. Click to get started or find out more. Disclaimer: Hosts, panelists, and guests may have a financial interest in the companies discussed through investments or other means. Their opinions and recommendations are not affected and do not present a conflict of interest. We offer this statement in the interest of full disclosure.
TEC164: Spam is a scourge of modern communications. Dom Bettinelli, Pat Scott, and Jack Baruzzini discuss their strategies for dealing with unwanted communications and scams that come in via email. text, and calls. Plus, the Vatican’s new VR gallery and the end of the iPod. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer Secrets of Technology. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today? Links for this episode: * Americans are drowning in spam * 10 tips on how to help reduce spam * How to Stop Spam Emails and Get Rid of Them Forever – The Plug – HelloTech * How to stop spam texts: 8 do’s and don’ts | NortonLifeLock * How to Stop Spam Texts: A Guide to Blocking SMS Spam * Stop Unwanted Robocalls and Texts | Federal Communications Commission * The Best Ways to Block Robocalls – Consumer Reports * The music lives on – Apple * The Vatican Is Opening Its Own VR Gallery To ‘Democratize Art’ – VRScout * NASA Needs Your Help Building A VR Mars Simulator – VRScout * It’s a big day at the State Department for U.S. cyberdiplomacy – The Washington Post * Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! * Email us feedback or comments to technology@sqpn.com Picks of the Week: * Jack: Paperlike Screen Protector * Pat: Google Arts & Culture * Dom: SABRENT 16-Port USB 3.0 Hub and Charger Want to Sponsor A Show? Support StarQuest’s mission to explore the intersection of faith and pop culture by becoming a named sponsor of the show of your choice on the StarQuest network. Click to get started or find out more. Disclaimer: Hosts, panelists, and guests may have a financial interest in the companies discussed through investments or other means.
TEC163: It’s never been easier or cheaper to make beautiful music in your home. Dom Bettinelli, Victor Lams, and Fr. Joseph Sund discuss how to get started, the software and hardware to consider, and how to share your creations with others. Plus Kindle changes, Apple abandoned app policies, and your data in the Facebook lake. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer Secrets of Technology. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today? Links for this episode: * Beepbox * Audiotool – Make Music Online In Your Browser * Scarlett | Focusrite * Presonus * Music Production Hardware & Software | Akai Pro * Arturia – The Sound Explorers * Audio Test Kitchen * Cakewalk Sonar * Bitwig * FL Studio * MALO BEATS – YouTube * CD Baby * DistroKid * Facebook Doesn’t Know What It Does With Your Data, Or Where It Goes: Leaked Document * Apple shares criteria for removing ‘abandoned’ software from App Store, extending response window – 9to5Mac * Amazon Kindle E-Readers Will Now Convert EPUB to Kindle Format * Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! * Email us feedback or comments to technology@sqpn.com Picks of the Week: * Fr. Joseph: Standard Notes | End-To-End Encrypted Notes App * Victor: PowerAEnhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch – White * Dom: 1Password 8 for Mac Want to Sponsor A Show? Support StarQuest’s mission to explore the intersection of faith and pop culture by becoming a named sponsor of the show of your choice on the StarQuest network. Click to get started or find out more. Disclaimer: Hosts, panelists, and guests may have a financial interest in the companies discussed through investments or other means. Their opinions and recommendations are not affected and do ...