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CEDIA 2025 smart home tech, Windows 11 upgrade check & Gemini photo tricks (138, September 6, 2025)
Rich shares highlights from CEDIA 2025 in Denver, a major home tech show featuring the latest in smart TVs, pro-grade audio, outdoor gear, and futuristic home automation. Rich also talked about his visit to Denver, mentioning how much he enjoyed the city and a memorable dinner at Guard and Grace, where he had one of the best steaks he’s ever tasted. Rich talked about how Amazon is ending the Prime Invitee program that let you share free shipping outside your household. Rich answered a listener question about subscription trackers, noting Rocket Money helps cancel subscriptions but he now prefers Monarch Money for tracking all accounts in one place, even though it’s a paid service. Tim in Huntington Beach asked if his old Windows 10 PC could handle Windows 11, and Rich said to use Microsoft’s PC Health Check app, try forcing the upgrade, or sign up for one more year of security updates. Drew in Orange County asked if a Samsung A-Line tablet or FE tablet is better, and Rich said to go with the FE. Samsung launched the Galaxy S25 FE with premium AI features starting at $650. Gary in Laguna Niguel asked about satellite connectivity on smartphones, and Rich explained there are two levels — support built into phones like iPhones and Pixels, and service provided by carriers. Google’s latest Gemini Nano update can restore old family photos and even remove fences from pictures. Otto asked about organizing MP3s in Windows, and Rich recommended using the tagging program MP3Tag. Auto asked how to manage groups of bookmarks in Chrome, and Rich suggested using folders and opening them in a new window, or trying Chrome’s Tab Group feature. Brian Pagel, Executive Vice President at Emerald, explains what CEDIA 2025 is all about and the latest smart home trends on display. Rich said to protect yourself online by using NordVPN with threat protection, or at least turning on Chrome’s safe browsing (standard or enhanced), which uses AI for real-time protection. Gboard on Android now has a writing tools button that can polish your messages by fixing spelling and grammar. Microsoft is giving U.S. college students a free one-year Microsoft 365 Personal with Copilot subscription, a $100 value, if claimed by October 31. Aldo called in asking about MP3 players, and Rich mentioned high-end Sony model, no-name brands on Amazon, and the Mighty player that works with Spotify or Amazon Music. Julian Kheel, founder and CEO of Points Path, will share tech tips for smarter travel, including how his tool helps you decide when to book flights with cash or points. Julian said that after Google Flights, his next favorite flight search tool is Kayak, while Hopper is useful for price predictions and Flighty for tracking delays. Philips Hue is launching a lower-cost line of smart bulbs called Essentials. Assurant reports mobile phone trade-ins are up 60% year over year, with people holding devices an average of 47 months; the iPhone 13 and Galaxy S22 are the top trade-ins, and AI is driving upgrades. Tesco is testing an avocado ripeness scanner in select stores so shoppers can skip the squeeze test. Melissa wrote in to say she loves the newsletter and that the Clever Cleaner app saved her 40% on her storage. Tim in Richmond recommended two Microsoft tools for extra security: Microsoft Safety Scanner and the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool. Rich DeMuro brings you the latest tech news, helpful tips, gadget reviews, and more—plus interviews with industry experts—all in this weekly show. Call 1-888-RICH-101 (1-888-742-4101) to join in! Email your question here. How to Listen: 🎙️ Live on KFI AM 640 – Los Angeles, Saturdays from 11 AM – 2 PM PT 🎙️ Rebroadcast on 710 WOR – New York City, Sundays from 8 PM – 11 PM ET 📻 Syndicated on affiliates nationwide Get the podcast to via RSS, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Follow Rich on X, Instagram and Facebook. Download the MP3 here (choose episode, then scroll to bottom of page and look for ”Download”) Paid newsletter subscribers get ad-free, HQ audio here. Referral links for services I like. Amazon storefront for products I like. RichOnTech.tv Links may be affiliate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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1:47:06
Wizard of Oz at the Sphere, best iPhone cleaner app & top projectors (137, August 30, 2025)
Rich reviewed The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere in Las Vegas and explained how AI was used to reimagine the classic film. Tim called in about a friend whose phone was allegedly hacked multiple times. Rich explained that’s unlikely, but advised changing major account passwords and enabling two-factor authentication for Apple, Google, and social media. Mentioned: Proton Authenticator Philip Jones, Technical Editor & Lead Reviewer at Projector Reviews, will explain what to look for when buying a projector. He also mentioned premium models like the Epson QL7000, JVC DLA-NZ900, and Sony Bravia Projector 9, along with budget picks such as the Yaber V12 and Epson EpiqVision CO-W01. Rich highlighted Clever Cleaner, a free app that helps clear iPhone storage by removing similar photos, large videos, and other clutter. For cleaning up photo clutter, Rich suggested Files by Google for Android, Gemini for Mac, and Duplicate Photos Fixer for Windows/Mac. For Google Cloud, go to one.google.com Apple announced a September 9 “Awe Dropping” event, where it’s expected to unveil the iPhone 17 lineup, including a new thin and light model likely called the Air. Jefferson Graham, host of the Photowalks travel photography show, will share his favorite tips for capturing better shots on the go — plus his latest tech advice for travelers. Jeff recommended knowing iCloud.com/find and android.com/find for lost phones, and said Graeter’s in Cincinnati is the best ice cream he’s had out of 120 spots worldwide. Margie in Fullerton asked about free tools for animation and AI, and Rich suggested Adobe Express, Animaker, Google’s Veo and Flow, plus ElevenLabs for audio. John in Moorpark had issues with his AT&T router; Rich suggested calling AT&T for a fix, or trying 5G wireless from T-Mobile/Verizon, and checking the Speedtest ISP site for other local options. Ed in Rialto asked about voice-to-text for Windows, and Rich recommended Wispr Flow, calling it life-changing, and also mentioned Gmail’s “Help Me Write” feature. Verizon is trying to reinvent the home phone with a new feature called Family Line which rings up to five smartphones at once. Jim in Sherman Oaks asked about hotspot security, and Rich explained it’s generally safe if you use a strong password and WPA3 encryption. Scott Aaronson, professor at UT Austin and director of the Quantum Information Center, will explain the basics of quantum computing. Rich DeMuro brings you the latest tech news, helpful tips, gadget reviews, and more—plus interviews with industry experts—all in this weekly show. Call 1-888-RICH-101 (1-888-742-4101) to join in! Email your question here. How to Listen: 🎙️ Live on KFI AM 640 – Los Angeles, Saturdays from 11 AM – 2 PM PT 🎙️ Rebroadcast on 710 WOR – New York City, Sundays from 8 PM – 11 PM ET 📻 Syndicated on affiliates nationwide Get the podcast to via RSS, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Follow Rich on X, Instagram and Facebook. Download the MP3 here (choose episode, then scroll to bottom of page and look for ”Download”) Paid newsletter subscribers get ad-free, HQ audio here. Referral links for services I like. Amazon storefront for products I like. RichOnTech.tv Links may be affiliate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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1:48:18
Pixel 10 first look, car tracking devices & a landline for kids (136, Aug 23, 2025)
Rich recapped his experience in Brooklyn for the Google Pixel event and discussed what's new with the Pixel 10 series. Rich talked about visiting Chuck's Arcade, a new retro-inspired arcade from Chuck E. Cheese. Jason Lucking, co-founder of PAiback, will explain how their app helps travelers automatically get money back when airfare prices drop. Hal in Simi Valley is asking how to change the size of the icons and text on his Windows computer. Rich covered the Pixel Watch 4’s biggest upgrades, including standalone Satellite SOS, a new AI Health Coach, and Raise-to-Talk with Gemini for instant AI help. Karen in Bakersfield asked for antivirus suggestions. Rich explained that Windows Security is already strong, with options like Malwarebytes, Sophos, Chrome’s Enhanced Safe Browsing, and AV-Test results helping you stay protected without all the upsell clutter. Mark in Woodland Hills is asking if there is a home show where he can see all the security options on display. Rich mentioned CEDIA in Denver, which is where you can see a lot of the professional electronics equipment. C. Scott Brown, senior editor at Android Authority, will share key takeaways from Google’s Pixel event in Brooklyn. Apple TV+ is raising prices from $10/month to $13/month. David writes in from Oregon asking if he can turn off the 4-digit passcode to his phone so he can just swipe to unlock it. Rich says yes, but he does not recommend it. Reggie in Charleston, South Carolina wants to know about trackers for his car. Rich mentioned the AirTag, Chipolo, Tile and Tracki. Jo Carrasqueira, senior editor at XDA, will share simple steps to deep clean your Windows PC so it runs faster and smoother. A Seattle start-up named Tin Can is bringing back the landline, but just for kids. Amazon Autos adds Hertz used cars to its online marketplace. Alaska Airlines and T-Mobile are teaming up for free Starlink in-flight Wi-Fi. Be sure to sign up for Rich's newsletter. Luke in the UK recommends ShredOS for erasing hard drives. Dave in Washington suggests LibreOffice for editing PDFs for free. And for changing file permissions, check out Emco Unlock It. George from Pennsylvania suggests Microsoft PC Manager for cleaning up old PCs. Nora from Pico Rivera loves Tello because you can customize the plan to fit your needs. Rich mentioned that Facebook might be secretly scanning your camera roll and has instructions for how to turn this feature off. Rich DeMuro brings you the latest tech news, helpful tips, gadget reviews, and more—plus interviews with industry experts—all in this weekly show. Call 1-888-RICH-101 (1-888-742-4101) to join in! Email your question here. How to Listen: 🎙️ Live on KFI AM 640 – Los Angeles, Saturdays from 11 AM – 2 PM PT 🎙️ Rebroadcast on 710 WOR – New York City, Sundays from 8 PM – 11 PM ET 📻 Syndicated on affiliates nationwide Get the podcast to via RSS, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Follow Rich on X, Instagram and Facebook. Download the MP3 here (choose episode, then scroll to bottom of page and look for ”Download”) Paid newsletter subscribers get ad-free, HQ audio here. Referral links for services I like. Amazon storefront for products I like. RichOnTech.tv Links may be affiliate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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1:47:33
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1:47:33
Where to learn online, photo privacy tips & erasing old PCs (134, Aug 16, 2025)
Rich mentioned how going to the DMV for his real ID was a smooth process. AOL is discontinuing dial-up, and Rich reminisced about the old days of the internet. Dale in Oceanside says his Samsung keyboard layout mysteriously changed. Rich says to tap the gear icon above your keyboard, tap "Languages & types" under English, and set it back to QWERTY. Apple brought blood oxygen monitoring back to Apple Watches, but the difference is you have to look at the results on the iPhone screen. Kodak says, contrary to rumors, it is not going out of business. John in Los Angeles asked where he can continue his education. Rich mentioned Coursera, edX, LinkedIn Learning, Google Cloud Skills Boost, Microsoft Learn, IBM SkillsBuild, and ClassCentral.com. Better Business Bureau warns of fake passport renewal websites that might charge you a fee or capture your personal information. Rich mentioned how much he loves Nord's excellent threat protection feature, which also blocks ads as you surf the web. Leesa emails to say she's gotten two class action lawsuit notices and wants to know if how to verify if they're legitimate. Rich says to check them at TopClassActions.com. Rich says he’s loving Ring’s new AI feature that gives clearer notifications about what’s happening at home. Rich has been testing the Epson EcoTank printer. Mark in Woodland Hills says his Roku 4 is making whirring and grinding sounds. Rich mentioned that Yahoo is cutting its free storage from 1 TB to 20 GB. Richard in Calabasas wants to know how to delete Gmail emails faster in bulk. Rich says you have to do it from the desktop version of Gmail. Brett Bristow, creator of Tech With Brett, will share tips and tricks to make your tech work the way you want — from smartphones to smart homes. Brett mentioned Home Assistant, Narwal Flow, Casita Smart Switches, and Gemini Live. Kathy in Los Angeles wonders About the privacy of selling items online. Rich mentioned a few websites, including exif viewers like EXIFEditor.io and Jimpl.com. And tools to strip EXIF data like Privmeta. Sue in Long Beach asks if hotel keys contain your personal information. Sanford in Santa Barbara wants a projector that can mirror his phone screen. Rich recommended the Nebula Capsule and the XGIMI Mogo. Also check out XREAL Glasses. David Lombard, founder of the Laptop Elf Project, will share the best ways to securely erase, recycle, or donate your old Macs and PCs. David mentioned several useful tools: CrystalDiskInfo (crystalmark.info) to check hard drive health, Speed.cloudflare.com to test internet speed and latency, MiniTool Partition Wizard for partition management and wiping, DBAN (dban.org) for securely wiping computers you can’t log into, and Free Disk Wipe (diskwipe.org) for erasing drives. Google has introduced a new AI-powered feature that helps find flight deals. The National Public Data site, hacked in early 2024, is back under new ownership. You can remove your information by searching your name, copying your profile URL, and submitting it through their opt-out form. A new app called Cassette helps you rediscover forgotten iPhone videos by playing them back in a VHS-style experience. Camp Snap has a new digital camera inspired by the classic Super 8, designed to capture video with a retro feel. Jay in Hot Springs writes in that Microsoft Edge has a built-in scareware blocker, but you have to turn it on: go to Settings > Privacy, Search, and Services, then toggle on “Enable AI to Block Malware.” Joanie in Carmel say she loves the Roborock wet/dry vacuum cleaner I recommended. Rich DeMuro brings you the latest tech news, helpful tips, gadget reviews, and more—plus interviews with industry experts—all in this weekly show. Call 1-888-RICH-101 (1-888-742-4101) to join in! Email your question here. How to Listen: 🎙️ Live on KFI AM 640 – Los Angeles, Saturdays from 11 AM – 2 PM PT 🎙️ Rebroadcast on 710 WOR – New York City, Sundays from 8 PM – 11 PM ET 📻 Syndicated on affiliates nationwide Get the podcast to via RSS, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Follow Rich on X, Instagram and Facebook. Download the MP3 here (choose episode, then scroll to bottom of page and look for ”Download”) Paid newsletter subscribers get ad-free, HQ audio here. Referral links for services I like. Amazon storefront for products I like. RichOnTech.tv Links may be affiliate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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1:47:21
Instagram map privacy, ChatGPT 5 & the gift card trick you should know (133, Aug 9, 2025)
Rich talked about flying kites with his kids and selling stuff on OfferUp. Rich also mentioned buying discounted gift cards on CardCash.com. Rich explained the new Instagram map feature that potentially shares your location if you choose to. Jim writes in about gift cards. He recommends a website called CardBear.com, which aggregates the best discounts available for a wide range of gift cards. Marilyn from Chula Vista called in about issues with the Watch TCM app. ChatGPT just rolled out a major update to version 5, bringing faster performance, improved writing and coding skills, and new personality options. Hulu’s standalone app will be fully merged into Disney+ in 2026. Frank in Port Chester wants more details on using Gemini to keep notes. Rich suggested checking Google’s recommended prompts for ideas. Doreen in Irvine asked how to back up text messages and contacts on a Samsung. Rich recommended using SMS Backup & Restore for messages, and for contacts, opening the Contacts app, going to Settings, and choosing Export. On iPhone, open Contacts, tap Lists, press and hold a list, then tap Export. Jay from Los Angeles says he uses Wirecutter and Consumer Reports for reviews. Rich suggested also trying Vetted.AI, Google’s AI Mode, and ChatGPT for product comparisons. Barb wants to know how to back up her phone locally to her Windows computer. Rich says you can still use iTunes—just plug in your phone and click the little phone icon under the menu bar, next to where it says Music. Mark in Woodland Hills asked about smart luggage or brand recommendations. Rich said he’s currently using Amazon Basics, also likes Away Luggage, and thinks Props Luggage is pretty cool with its built-in feet. College students can get a free year of Google Gemini Advanced, which includes the Pro models and 2TB of cloud storage. Roku has launched a new ad-free streaming service called Howdy, priced at $3 a month, with a selection of movies and TV shows. Adam Doud, freelance technology writer, talked robotic lawn mowers and Samsung’s foldable phones. Microsoft is shutting down its PDF scanning Lens app. Alternatives include the Microsoft 365 Copilot app and Adobe Scan. Nick wants to know how to clean up his Gmail storage. Rich recommends using the tools at one.google.com. AT&T is paying $177 million in a data breach settlement. Bob from Los Angeles says he's shooting video on his Samsung phone. Which way should he shoot it? Horizontal or vertical? Rich says you can watch his TV segments on YouTube. US Mobile CEO Ahmed Khattak on how your phone can get better coverage and save you money with two networks at once. Rich DeMuro brings you the latest tech news, helpful tips, gadget reviews, and more—plus interviews with industry experts—all in this weekly show. Call 1-888-RICH-101 (1-888-742-4101) to join in! Email your question here. How to Listen: 🎙️ Live on KFI AM 640 – Los Angeles, Saturdays from 11 AM – 2 PM PT 🎙️ Rebroadcast on 710 WOR – New York City, Sundays from 8 PM – 11 PM ET 📻 Syndicated on affiliates nationwide Get the podcast to via RSS, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Follow Rich on X, Instagram and Facebook. Download the MP3 here (choose episode, then scroll to bottom of page and look for ”Download”) Paid newsletter subscribers get ad-free, HQ audio here. Referral links for services I like. Amazon storefront for products I like. RichOnTech.tv Links may be affiliate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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1:47:08