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Big Tech Little Tech

Big Tech Little Tech

By Shaun Weston

The biggest stories in technology aren't always easy to wrap your head around. Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston unravel the strings, break down the headlines, and make tech simple enough that even your mum will understand. (At least, that's the aim.) See episode notes at https://btltpod.com, find Rick at rickhuckstep.com and Shaun at www.shaunweston.co.uk
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Technology in 2023, Twitter rehab, Mui Board, and restaurant robots

Big Tech Little TechJan 09, 2023

00:00
42:21
VTubers, Lil Miquela, DPReview, Spotify and conker police

VTubers, Lil Miquela, DPReview, Spotify and conker police

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston talk about VTubers and other digital influencers using YouTube and Instagram to make a living. What’s our fascination with fantasy characters? Plus, Ikea drones, au revoir DPR, the Utah Social Media Regulation Act, remembering Max Headroom, and Spotify’s VPN blame game. Find Shaun on LinkedIn and Rick on LinkedIn. Additional music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com and Beatoven.ai. This podcast was produced using Ferrite.
Mar 29, 202340:10
Anti-ageing technology, GPT-4, floatovoltaics, and a tech acronym quiz

Anti-ageing technology, GPT-4, floatovoltaics, and a tech acronym quiz

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston discuss ageing and the role of technology. It's a broad topic, yet our hosts cover DNA, wearables, ethics, virtual communities and resetting our biological clocks. Also, GPT-4, floatovoltaics, EV caravans, a technology acronym quiz, and how to properly pronounce Cava. Find Shaun on LinkedIn and Rick on LinkedIn. Additional music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com and Beatoven.ai. This podcast was produced using Podcastle.
Mar 16, 202342:35
MWC Barcelona, ChatGPT in classrooms, James Bond, and Spotify’s dwindling fortune

MWC Barcelona, ChatGPT in classrooms, James Bond, and Spotify’s dwindling fortune

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston chat about MWC Barcelona 2023, which covers mobile phones, 5G, immersive technologies and rolling screens. Plus, sensor technology in changing rooms, ChatGPT in education, TikTok for drivers, John Deere satellite internet, James Bond, and falling out of love with Spotify. Find Shaun on LinkedIn and Rick on LinkedIn. Additional music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com and Beatoven.ai. This podcast was produced using Podcastle.
Mar 03, 202340:14
Spy tech, blue tick verification, NBA avatars, and f***ing Shrinking

Spy tech, blue tick verification, NBA avatars, and f***ing Shrinking

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston talk about spy balloons, paranoia and overreaction about China, as well as TikTok’s data-gathering motivation. Also, charging for blue tick verification, digital avatars and the NBA, robot chefs, pancakes, tight jeans, and an abundance of swearing on Apple TV+ shows. Find Shaun on LinkedIn and Rick on LinkedIn. Additional music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com and Beatoven.ai.
Feb 21, 202339:12
Google antitrust, ChatGPT, Avatar, and a new dodo

Google antitrust, ChatGPT, Avatar, and a new dodo

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston discuss Google’s antitrust case, and revisit what happened to Microsoft two decades ago. The US Department of Justice is asking for parts of Google's ad business to be broken up. Plus, Avatar and The Fabelmans, ChatGPT, and someone is trying to bring back the dodo. Find Shaun on LinkedIn and Rick on LinkedIn. Additional music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com.
Feb 07, 202337:27
AI lawyers, Holoride, John Deere seed tech, and face ID for rats

AI lawyers, Holoride, John Deere seed tech, and face ID for rats

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston talk about what’s happening in US courtrooms around the use of AI, specifically ChatGPT. Does China use AI to help enforce the law, and will Americans end up paying fewer speeding tickets? Plus, Twitter leaves third parties in the lurch, Audi and John Deere announce new tech, and rats get facially profiled. Find Shaun on LinkedIn and Rick on LinkedIn. Additional music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com.
Jan 23, 202333:04
Technology in 2023, Twitter rehab, Mui Board, and restaurant robots

Technology in 2023, Twitter rehab, Mui Board, and restaurant robots

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston rummage through a few of the pundits' top technology forecasts for 2023. These include metaverse, robots and robotics, cybersecurity and health tech wearables. Also in this episode, leaving Twitter behind, restaurant robots, Microsoft and the US Army, Mui Board and a Samsung fridge with a TV on it. Find Shaun on LinkedIn and Rick on LinkedIn. Additional music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com.
Jan 09, 202342:21
Gadget gifts, ChatGPT, Apple Music Sing, and flying cars

Gadget gifts, ChatGPT, Apple Music Sing, and flying cars

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston bring 2022 to a close with a selection of fun tech gadgets you may find under your Christmas tree (even though one of them costs £250k). Also in the show, ChatGPT, Apple Music karaoke updates, Lovot, Qric, Insta360, Oura, Brekr, FreeFlow, Xpeng, Terrafugia and Goldfinger. Find Shaun on LinkedIn and Rick on LinkedIn. Additional music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com.
Dec 17, 202239:60
Generative AI, killer robots, delivery robots, and Christmas films

Generative AI, killer robots, delivery robots, and Christmas films

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston talk about generative artificial intelligence (AI) and how it’s influencing the worlds of writing, art, music and more. Who’s doing what in this space, and how good is AI as a content creator? Plus, Porsche NFTs, San Francisco’s killer robots, Leeds’ delivery robots, Christmas films and AI poetry. Follow us on Twitter (if you still dare) at @BTLTPod. Find Shaun on LinkedIn. Additional music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com.
Dec 02, 202245:18
Mastodon, The Infinite Conversation, surveillance, and Citizen Smith

Mastodon, The Infinite Conversation, surveillance, and Citizen Smith

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston dive into the world of Mastodon: what it is, how it works and what other alternatives are available for ex Twitter users. Also, the AI-powered Infinite Conversation, spooky coincidences vs surveillance capitalism, Christmas plans and Citizen Smith. Follow us on Twitter (if you still dare) at @BTLTPod. Find Shaun on LinkedIn. Additional music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com.
Nov 18, 202246:22
Health tech, What3Words, joint replacement science, and Interpol

Health tech, What3Words, joint replacement science, and Interpol

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston talk about healthcare and technology, and how invested Apple, Amazon and Alphabet are in the future of health tech. Also, an Interpol metaverse, What3Words, knee replacement genetic science, The Jetsons, Spanish goats and Halloween cocktails. Follow us on Twitter at @BTLTPod. Find Shaun on LinkedIn. Additional music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com.
Nov 02, 202233:48
Online shopping, ecommerce giants, Siri, and subtitles

Online shopping, ecommerce giants, Siri, and subtitles

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston discuss the state of ecommerce and its future, the rise of Shein, and how Gen Z behaviour may affect retail habits. Also, online shopping fraud statistics, Siri turns 11, Netflix subtitles, and a quiz about the original names of the world’s most familiar companies. Follow us on Twitter at @BTLTPod. Find Shaun on LinkedIn. Additional music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com.
Oct 11, 202245:50
Young people’s data, Instagram, Peloton, and air fryers

Young people’s data, Instagram, Peloton, and air fryers

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston welcome Jeffrey Kluge to the show to discuss the topic of protecting young people’s personal data and their online safety in general. Also, Instagram statistics, Peloton, air fryers and our guest’s top tech innovation of the last 100 years. Follow us on Twitter at @BTLTPod. Find Shaun on LinkedIn. Additional music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com.
Sep 27, 202236:21
Apple Far Out, wearables, AirPods, and desert island favs

Apple Far Out, wearables, AirPods, and desert island favs

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston talk about the recent Apple event, called Far Out, in which Apple updated the iPhone, the Apple Watch and AirPods. Also, Meta’s EU fine, Canoo EVs, wearables stats, spacial audio and 50s jazz. Follow us on Twitter at @BTLTPod. Find Shaun on LinkedIn. Additional music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com.
Sep 12, 202237:35
NFTs, Artemis, Twitter abuse, and dessert dilemmas

NFTs, Artemis, Twitter abuse, and dessert dilemmas

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston discuss NFTs, or non-fungible tokens. What are they? Are they a fad or the future? Also, Nasa's Artemis programme, Black Gold, Premier League Twitter abuse, and apple pie. Follow us on Twitter at @BTLTPod. Find Shaun on LinkedIn. Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com.
Sep 05, 202243:34
Amazon One palm authentication, BeReal, CyberOne, and great drummers

Amazon One palm authentication, BeReal, CyberOne, and great drummers

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston talk about the Amazon One payment system that uses your palm signature to authenticate transactions. Also, the BeReal social media app, Xiaomi CyberOne, the latest tech news, and favourite drummers. Follow us on Twitter at @BTLTPod. Find Shaun on LinkedIn. Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com.
Aug 22, 202232:00
Litigious Musk, Facebook’s slide, Amazon Care, and England Lionesses

Litigious Musk, Facebook’s slide, Amazon Care, and England Lionesses

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston discuss Amazon Care, Elon Musk’s latest ups and downs, Facebooks downs (mostly), AI balls, Ted Lasso, and the England Lionesses. Plus, Rick finds out when he will die thanks to the Population.io website. Follow us on Twitter at @BTLTPod. Find Shaun on LinkedIn. Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com.
Aug 08, 202244:01
Amazon, Facebook memo leaks, and Apple AR-VR headsets

Amazon, Facebook memo leaks, and Apple AR-VR headsets

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston discuss Amazon, Andy Jassy, Jeff Bezos, corporate overreach, Prime Day and drone deliveries. Plus, the leaked Facebook memo, the Apple AR-VR headset, and playing padel in Spain. Follow us on Twitter at @BTLTPod. Find Shaun on LinkedIn. Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com.
Jun 30, 202233:03
Metaverse, VR headsets, Passkeys, and Apple Pay Later

Metaverse, VR headsets, Passkeys, and Apple Pay Later

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston welcome Charles Radclyffe to the show to discuss everything metaverse, including use cases, ethics, VR headset adoption, and the case for reducing your carbon footprint. Plus, we talk heatwaves, passkeys, Apple Pay Later, and Heartstopper. Find Rick on Twitter at @rickhuckstep. Find Shaun on LinkedIn. Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com.
Jun 20, 202244:12
TikTok addiction, Sheryl Sandberg, and robots

TikTok addiction, Sheryl Sandberg, and robots

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston discuss the addictive nature of TikTok, China’s influence, and the behavioural science around attention. Plus, Sheryl Sandberg’s Facebook legacy, home help robots, and how hard it is to read for pleasure after reading all day for work purposes. Find Rick on Twitter at @rickhuckstep. Find Shaun on LinkedIn. Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com.
Jun 05, 202236:21
Bitcoin, TikTok, deepfakes, iPod

Bitcoin, TikTok, deepfakes, iPod

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston talk about cryptocurrency and the status of Bitcoin following the recent Terra Luna news. Also, what’s good and bad about facial recognition, and who does the best deepfakes? Plus, Google AR glasses, TikTok, Burt Reynolds as James Bond, the iPod (RIP), and what pixel pressure means. Find Rick on Twitter at @rickhuckstep. Find Shaun on LinkedIn. Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com.
May 20, 202240:06
Elon, Airbnb, free speech, remote working

Elon, Airbnb, free speech, remote working

Rick Huckstep and Shaun Weston discuss what motivates Elon Musk, and what he wants to do with Twitter. Also, Airbnb is letting its workforce work from anywhere. Do others follow suit? Do they care? Plus, the Ionic 5 EV, Breaking Dad, WeCrashed, cookies, and Ron Shevlin. Find Rick on Twitter at @rickhuckstep. Find Shaun on LinkedIn. Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com.
May 11, 202236:60