TechStuff

What's the story behind Fender Musical Instruments? From the iconic Stratocaster to today's company, we take a look at this iconic name in American musical history. Request by listener Greg. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listener Kenn wanted to know about the process of designing assitive and accessible technologies. Technology has the potential to assist people with disabilities. But designing such tech requires a lot of consideration. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are the different components in a high-tech sound system and what does each one do? TechStuff gives a rundown on audio equipment. Request by Karl-Ludwig. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the success rate for sending missions to Mars? What made the Curiosity rover mission so special? What would it take to get people to and from Mars safely? Join Jonathan and Chris as they take a closer look at the latest Mars mission. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The once mighty franchise has dwindled down to a single location. What led to the downfall of Blockbuster? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TechStuff listener Paul wanted to know the story behind the company Blockbuster. How did this franchise emerge to threaten mom and pop video rental stores? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We continue our look at forensic technology. What sort of cutting edge tech do investigators use? And how close is it to Hollywood's version? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've seen the Hollywood version of forensic scientists, but what sort of tech do real forensics experts rely upon when conducting an investigation? From fingerprints to digital surveillance, we take a look at the tools of the trade. A request by listener Hakeem. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do sound files do? Why are there so many different kinds of sound files? What's the difference between uncompressed, lossless and lossy formats? Listen in as Jonathan and Chris explain the differences between all those sound files. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Space Shuttle program in the United States was a story filled with triumph and tragedy. We take a closer look at the technology of the space shuttle, as requested by listener Lim. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, I covered a lot of early spacecraft. But how did we get those darn things into space in the first place? In this episode, I trace the history of rocketry and look at some of the launch vehicles that slipped the bonds of Earth. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We conclude our look at the Apollo space program and climb aboard a Soyuz spacecraft, which are still used to this day. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Gemini project was a stepping stone to what seemed like an impossible goal - put astronauts on the Moon and return them to Earth safely. The Apollo spacecraft would be the vehicle to take on the challenge. We look at the triumph and tragedy of the early Apollo program. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is an MMORPG? What was the first MMORPG? Who coined the term MMORPG? Get online with Chris and Jonathan as they explore the massive, multifaceted world of MMORPGs. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We continue our episodes about early spacecraft. This time, we go beyond the Vostok and Mercury missions and take a look at what came next. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the Vostok to the Mercury, we take a look at some of the spacecraft responsible for keeping astronauts and cosmonauts safe as they entered the final frontier. And we also take a moment to reflect upon Laika, the first Earth organism to go into orbit. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We continue our look into Cisco Systems, a huge company responsible for key technologies that make the stuff you use work. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TechStuff listener Gage wanted to hear about the company Cisco Systems, which went from a startup in 1984 to one of the biggest corporations in the US. This is its origin story. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During this classic episode, Chris and Jonathan explore one of the world's most dangerous technologies. How do nuclear weapons work? Why are uranium and plutonium important components? What’s the difference between a fission and a fusion bomb? Tune in to learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We conclude our investigation into what makes natural language processing tick and explore the history of assistants like Siri, Alexa and Cortana. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TechStuff listener Nate wanted to know about natural language processing. How can computer scientists teach machines to understand human language and why is it so hard to do? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We explore the history and evolution of speech recognition, one of the foundational technologies behind voice assistants like Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What exactly is phishing and how does it work? From corporate espionage to political manipulation, we explore how people leverage old, deceptive strategies in the digital age. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does film work? What are the basic parts of a camera? How can you take a photo of a high-speed subject and get a clear picture? Tune in as Chris and Jonathan break down the tech behind slow motion and high speed photography. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Superfan Kat asked for an episode all about Honda's robot ASIMO, which was recently retired. Learn all about the bot meant to interact with human beings. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stuff They Don't Want You To Know's Ben Bowlin joins the show to talk about some of the biggest shams, hoaxes and flim-flam in tech. Put that skepticism to work! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 1000th episode of TechStuff, Jonathan explores the concepts of skepticism and critical thinking and why they are important not just in the world of tech but everywhere. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In June 2018, Ian Hogarth and Nathan Benaich released a report on how far AI has advanced over 12 months. We take a look at artificial intelligence, where we are and where we're heading next. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it possible that privacy is becoming less of a social norm? In this episode, Chris and Jonathan explore how the internet and online social networks have influenced changing attitudes about personal privacy. Tune in to learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After Dell Computers' meteoric rise, the company hit some rough waters. In this episode, we learn what happened, how Michael Dell was able to buy back the company he created and what he plans next. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Dell founded his company when he was a teenager. In this episode, we learn how he took a good business idea and turned it into a billion-dollar company. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Legisliation from the European Union has forced many companies to scramble to comply to new rules and regulations. What exactly is General Data Protection Regulation? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes, after I cover a topic, stuff keeps happening. It's pretty rude. But this episode is all about following up on recent tech stories. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who was Heisenberg? What was his contribution to quantum mechanics? What is the uncertainty principle? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crowdfunding and platforms like Kickstarter and IndieGogo have changed the way people get funding for projects, including big tech projects. In this episode, we look at examples of some of the best and worst tech-related crowdfunding campaigns. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Disneyland attraction Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln originally started out as a World's Fair attraction before taking up residence in the Happiest Place on Earth. We look at the history, technology and evolution of this popular Disney attraction. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From computer games that never made it out of development to entire operating systems, we look at some of the greatest software that never made it to users. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we round up some examples of promised gadgets that never delivered. From a self-adjusting belt to a pair of camera glasses promoted by Lady Gaga, this episode is all about vaporware. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What was Microsoft Bob? What was the major security flaw in Bob? Why did Bob flop? Join Jonathan and Lauren as they explore the rise and fall of Microsoft Bob. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From mixed reality to political controversy, we explore the recent activity of the world's largest software company: Microsoft. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TechStuff listener Rob asked "What has Microsoft been up to since you recorded The Microsoft Story Part 2 in 2013?" We find out. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We take a closer look at different DDoS strategies as well as how cyber security experts try to handle attacks. Is there anything you can do to help limit DDoS attacks? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What exactly is a denial of service attack? And what makes one a distributed denial of service? In this episode, we learn more about the basics of DDoS attacks. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is Rooster Teeth Productions? What is machinima? How did Red vs. Blue get started? Listen in as Jonathan and Chris interview Burnie Burns, the pioneering founder of Rooster Teeth Productions. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We finish our story about Hedy Lamarr and look at how frequency hopping works and is un underlying technology for many modern communications systems. And then we have some fun talking about celebrity inventions. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Classic film star Hedy Lamarr was celebrated for her appearance but what many people didn't know was that she also co-invented a method of communication that underlies many technologies today. We learn more about Hedy Lamarr and frequency hopping. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Podcasting has become increasingly popular over the years. What do you need to know to start your own? We give tips on how to go about creating your very own podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What has eBay been up to over the last few years? We catch up with the company and bring our story up to the present day. As long as that present day is in 2018. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are the benefits of each type of system? What are the drawbacks? Who won the debate? Tune in as Jonathan and Chris explores the respective pros and cons on each side of the great debate between open and closed systems. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meg Whitman's tenure at eBay changed the company's culture dramatically. Why did eBay buy Skype, and why do some people say that was a huge mistake? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.