Podcast
Geek News Central Podcast
Hosted by Todd Cochrane · EN
Twice weekly Technology News show covering the Tech Space. With Segments on Science, Mobile, Digital TV, FAA, FCC, Cyber Security, Gadgets and Tech Politics.
33episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Crypto Scam Targets Elderly Globally #1801
Feb 21, 202500:47:21Tap to summarizeTwo men, aged 54 and 36, were arrested in England for a cryptocurrency fraud that cost a 75-year-old Aberdeen resident a six-figure sum. Police Scotland, with assistance from West Midlands and South Yorkshire Police, led the operation. Authorities stress vigilance as elderly individuals remain frequent scam targets, with crypto fraud surging globally. -Thinking of buying a Starlink? Use my link to support the show. -I am introducing Distil Union as a new sponsor of the show’s promo code, GeekNews. Check out their fantastic line of products and services focused on the fellas of the show or ladies if you are looking for that unique gift. Subscribe to the Newsletter. Join the Chat @ GeekNews.Chat Email Todd or follow him on Facebook. Like and Follow Geek News Central’s Facebook Page. Download the Audio Show File New YouTube Channel – Beyond the Office Support my Show Sponsor: Best Godaddy Promo Codes $11.99 – For a New Domain Name cjcfs3geek $6.99 a month Economy Hosting (Free domain, professional email, and SSL certificate for the 1st year.) Promo Code: cjcgeek1h $12.99 a month Managed WordPress Hosting (Free domain, professional email, and SSL certificate for the 1st year.) Promo Code: cjcgeek1w Support the show by becoming a Geek News Central Insider Full Summary: In the podcast episode “Crypto Scam Targets Elderly Globally,” host Todd Cochrane begins by discussing the arrest of two men in England for a cryptocurrency fraud case, which cost a 75-year-old Aberdeen resident a significant amount of money. He emphasizes the importance of vigilance as elderly individuals are often targeted by scammers, especially with the rise of cryptocurrency-related fraud. Cochrane welcomes listeners to episode 1801, expresses gratitude to the sponsor GoDaddy, and encourages audience engagement through various platforms, including a shout-out to their community. He mentions the ease of interacting with the live show via modern podcast apps. After a brief sponsor promotion, which includes various deals on GoDaddy products, he reflects on the past week’s events and notes the absence of listener emails urging them to share comments or feedback. Cochrane shares that Apple has innovated podcast submission processes, which now allows for easier podcast submissions. As the conversation progresses, Cochrane dives deeper into the cryptocurrency scam. He highlights the pattern of scamming older individuals and warns listeners, especially family members of the elderly, to discuss and create strategies to combat these scams. He suggests developing a “distress word” that can be used in emergencies to verify someone’s identity over the phone. Cochrane touches upon recent scams targeting vulnerable populations, stating that these issues are not isolated to one region, with incidents also occurring in the Americas and England. He emphasizes the need for continued caution and awareness, especially regarding the complexities of AI technology and the potential for scams using voice cloning. He then discusses the SEC’s creation of a new unit dedicated to protecting investors against fraud in crypto and AI, urging listeners to be cautious of their assets. The discussion moves to common scams involving AI-generated content and the importance of scrutinizing images to determine their authenticity. Cochrane shares his tech-related troubles, specifically regarding repairing old devices and his challenges with modern laptops. He mentions a report grading various laptop brands on their repairability, providing insight into which brands perform better. As he wraps up discussions on various tech topics, including Elon Musk’s recent controversies and advancements in autonomous driving technology, Cochrane shifts to updating listeners about WordPress vulnerabilities and new Apple products. He returns to the topic of cybersecurity, discussing issues with a government health provider’s compliance failures and reporting on privacy complaints against Apple in France. Cochrane mentions the evolving relationship between Amazon and the James Bond franchise amid their acquisition of MGM, referring to it as a financial pact following past disputes. He highlights stock market changes related to government contracts and reflects on the opinions of high-profile tech executives, noting the negativity in public perception towards both Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. As the episode nears its conclusion, he discusses OpenAI’s popularity, inquiries about big tech censorship, and changes in Twitch’s service for streamers. He wraps things up by mentioning Spotify’s use of AI for audiobooks and highlights the need for audience support in various forms, including monetary donations. Lastly, he thanks the audience for their engagement and support throughout his podcasting journey, reiterating ways to support the show. He then signs off, expressing his eagerness to return for the next episode. 10:35–Stop being tricked by AI fakery. Laptop makers being stalled on repairability 19:49–STLA AutoDrive Another WordPress plugin vulnerability 09:38–The SEC launches a new unit Another new Apple chip 23:39–Astronauts not stranded 25:05–Did Siri break the law? 26:51–Amazon now controls James Bond Palantir stock falls 29:04–Tech workers may be in ‘a world of hurt’ 30:44–HFNS pays millions 31:54–Amazon shuts down App Store 34:14–Everything leaving Hulu in March 34:30–A soldier pleads guilty 35:30–A ‘city-killer’ asteroid 36:00–Ring’s new outdoor camera 37:37–Google’s latest AI tool 05:09–2 people were arrested after a pensioner was scammed 37:58–<a href="http...
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Celebrating 1800 Episodes of Geek News Central #1800
Feb 18, 202500:48:17Tap to summarizeIn the 1800th episode of Geek News Central, host Todd Cochrane marks a major milestone by reflecting on the evolution of podcasting and the show’s journey over two decades. He dives into 30 major tech stories, including AI industry shakeups, Tesla protests, TikTok’s legal troubles, and Meta’s latest innovations. With a mix of personal anecdotes and industry insights, Todd celebrates the dedication of listeners and sponsors while looking ahead to the future of the podcast. -Thinking of buying a Starlink? Use my link to support the show. -I am introducing Distil Union as a new sponsor of the show’s promo code, GeekNews. Check out their fantastic line of products and services focused on the fellas of the show or ladies if you are looking for that unique gift. Subscribe to the Newsletter. Join the Chat @ GeekNews.Chat Email Todd or follow him on Facebook. Like and Follow Geek News Central’s Facebook Page. Download the Audio Show File New YouTube Channel – Beyond the Office Support my Show Sponsor: Best Godaddy Promo Codes $11.99 – For a New Domain Name cjcfs3geek $6.99 a month Economy Hosting (Free domain, professional email, and SSL certificate for the 1st year.) Promo Code: cjcgeek1h $12.99 a month Managed WordPress Hosting (Free domain, professional email, and SSL certificate for the 1st year.) Promo Code: cjcgeek1w Support the show by becoming a Geek News Central Insider Full Summary: In the 1800th episode of *Geek News Central*, host Todd Cochrane celebrates the milestone by reflecting on the history of podcasting and the show itself, while also diving into 30 tech news stories. Todd opens the episode by welcoming listeners and discussing a significant shakeup in the AI industry involving Anthropic’s resistance against a proposed US government ban on Google’s investments in AI startups, questioning whether this move would reshape the competitive landscape or hinder innovation. He thanks GoDaddy, the podcast’s long-term sponsor, and expresses gratitude to listeners who have supported the show throughout its 1800 episodes. He encourages listeners to engage with the show via various platforms and mentions the opportunity to become a GNC insider. As he reflects on the show’s journey, Todd shares milestone statistics such as eight thousand six hundred hours of production and two thousand plus hours of content, emphasizing the dedication of both hosts and listeners over twenty years. He recounts his experiences from running a bulletin board system in the late ’80s to the early days of *Geek News Central*, including the initial challenges and breakthroughs, such as launching the podcast in the early 2000s and forming partnerships with key sponsors. Todd then transitions into discussing recent tech news, highlighting various topics, including Anthropic’s concerns regarding its market value if Google’s involvement is restricted, protests surrounding Tesla in the US, TikTok’s uncertain future amidst legal challenges, and Meta’s extensive subsea cable project. He also shares updates on various tech and cybersecurity issues, like Google’s earthquake alerts in Brazil, which caused confusion and ongoing discussions about net neutrality in the US. Other notable stories include updates on NASA and its new astronaut nominee with a disability, the potential impact of Zelle payment restrictions due to scams, and news about Apple enhancing its Maps app with business listings. Throughout the episode, Todd mixes personal anecdotes with industry insights, emphasizing the importance of continued listener support and expressing appreciation for their commitment to the show. As the episode wraps up, he reiterates the milestone’s significance and anticipates reaching 1900 episodes, encouraging listeners to continue engaging with the content and supporting the podcast. In conclusion, Todd expresses his gratitude for the community surrounding *Geek News Central* and invites listeners to stay tuned for future episodes. Protestors demonstrate outside Tesla showrooms. 22:02–Meta reveals subsea cable project 23:34–Amazon’s RTO mandate 25:37–The WordPress Foundation 27:09–NASA’s nominee previews his vision for the agency 28:58–Argentina President faces impeachment 29:41–Google shuts down its earthquake alerts in Brazil 30:43–ESA astronaut cleared for ISS missions 31:56–Google TV 32:43–Microsoft Outlook targeted A mysterious TV signal bounced off an airplane TikTok’s uncertain future 33:56–Gemini Live 34:50–Government-linked Italian spyware 16:38–Google AI 35:14–Apple Maps 35:59–NASA rover discovers liquid water ‘ripples’ 14:25–X is blocking links Net neutrality under Trump? The post Celebrating 1800 Episodes of Geek News Central #1800 appeared first on Geek News Central.
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Federal Workers Shift to Encrypted Messaging to Hide Communications #1799
Feb 14, 202500:52:42Tap to summarizeAs trust in platforms like Facebook declines, federal employees are increasingly turning to encrypted apps like Signal for private communication. Concerns over surveillance by the Trump administration and tech companies’ cooperation with government data requests have driven many to migrate sensitive conversations away from mainstream services. Employees fear potential monitoring and retaliation, leading to heightened caution in workplace discussions and online interactions. -Thinking of buying a Starlink? Use my link to support the show. -I am introducing Distil Union as a new sponsor of the show’s promo code, GeekNews. Check out their fantastic line of products and services focused on the fellas of the show or ladies if you are looking for that unique Valentine’s gift. Subscribe to the Newsletter. Join the Chat @ GeekNews.Chat Email Todd or follow him on Facebook. Like and Follow Geek News Central’s Facebook Page. Download the Audio Show File New YouTube Channel – Beyond the Office Support my Show Sponsor: Best Godaddy Promo Codes $11.99 – For a New Domain Name cjcfs3geek $6.99 a month Economy Hosting (Free domain, professional email, and SSL certificate for the 1st year.) Promo Code: cjcgeek1h $12.99 a month Managed WordPress Hosting (Free domain, professional email, and SSL certificate for the 1st year.) Promo Code: cjcgeek1w Support the show by becoming a Geek News Central Insider Full Summary: Are you lying about your age? 27:27–Waze gets a big update 28:36–Nvidia systems could be facing another security flaw 29:01–Amazon Prime Video 29:46–X pays millions 32:12–A Blood Moon in North America 33:34–Blue Origin cut its workforce 34:02–Elon and Sam are heading to court 35:22–Amazon robots 36:21–WD pays millions 37:26–US lawmakers and Apple’s iCloud backdoor 38:41–A new Apple launch next week? 38:42–Google Family Link 39:46–Salt Typhoon strikes again 40:34–Is Trump setting a course to Mars? 13:19–Match Group failed to act on reports of sexual assault 41:16–Netflix Bites 41:59–Google pays out thousands YouTube TV app 42:26–IBM under fire 43:05–A stellar bouquet 18:42–America’s data into one big system 44:29–A surprising television signal emerged unexpectedly. 47:08–The likelihood of an asteroid approaching Earth. Scientists warn of a new threat 47:27–‘Armored Teslas’ NASA denies setting bans 50:24–There has been a significant increase in unofficial downloads of TikTok. 22:40–AI chatbots outperform doctors in diagnosing patients 04:45–Federal workers are increasingly distrust platforms like Facebook The post Federal Workers Shift to Encrypted Messaging to Hide Communications #1799 appeared first on Geek News Central.
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