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App Store shakeup, iPhone ghost calls & adding a flip phone to your setup (119, May 3, 2025)
Rich discusses how a major court ruling forces Apple to allow outside payment links in apps, changing how developers charge and how users pay. Mark in San Diego says the GPS on his Pixel 4a has stopped working and wants to know what he can do to fix it. Microsoft is going passwordless for new accounts, using passkeys and other secure sign-in methods. Paul in Columbus, Ohio says one of the backlights on his Hisense TV is busted and wants to know what his options are. Google is ending support for 1st and 2nd gen Nest Learning Thermostats—check your email for a discount offer on a replacement. Matthew in Huntington Beach wants to use both an iPhone and a flip phone and wants to know his options for managing calls and texts across both. Rich mentioned DumbWireless, Camp Snap Camera and Number Sync or Number Share. Rich talked about the viral success of Steve’s Lava Chicken, a Minecraft song by Jack Black that’s now the shortest track ever to hit the Billboard Hot 100. Madonna in Michigan says her iPhone is randomly calling people on its own—what could be causing it? If you get an email about the Avast settlement, it’s legit—real payouts are being issued. Sylvia in Murrieta has terrible cell reception—Rich suggests turning on Wi-Fi calling, asking your carrier about a signal booster, or checking out products from WeBoost. Steven Johnson, Editorial Director at Google Labs, talks about the latest updates to NotebookLM — Google’s AI-powered research and writing tool that helps you organize and understand information faster. Google is launching iOS and Android apps for its popular Notebook LM. You can now pre-order them—once they’re live on May 20, they’ll automatically download to your phone. Joey in Orange County says she’s getting tons of political texts—what can she do to stop them? Microsoft is raising Xbox prices, citing market conditions as the reason for the increase. Google Gemini app now lets you edit photos with AI. Meta has launched a stand-alone Meta AI app. ChatGPT now has shopping features built in. Mark in Montana wants to stream local channels—Rich mentioned checking out TV Garden, along with free apps like Tubi, Pluto, and Peacock. Kermer in Sun City is having trouble getting his Verizon Wi-Fi to connect to his phones—what can he do to fix it? Harry Campbell, founder of The Rideshare Guy, joins us to break down the latest in the gig economy — from Uber and Lyft to delivery apps, robotaxis and beyond. Sign up for The Driverless Digest newsletter here. Sam Altman’s latest startup, World, is scanning irises to create digital IDs—now expanding across the U.S. with new storefronts and mobile devices. Starbucks has opened its first 3D-printed store—a drive-thru-only location in Brownsville, Texas—constructed using layered concrete and robotic printing technology. 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 450+ 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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1:47:09
Roku upgrades, phone hack fears & how to recover lost texts (118, April 26, 2025)
Rich talked about the latest Roku announcements from their NYC event. Stephen from Tarzana wants to organize millions of files on his computer. Rich suggested checking out AI tools like Dropbox Dash, along with software options such as Directory Opus and the freeware alternative Total Commander. As expected, pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 are already sold out. Tim Makalinao, Co-Founder and CEO of Bandana, joins us to talk about fixing the broken job search system and how his startup is helping workers land better hourly and entry-level jobs — for free. Rose from Temecula is worried her phone might be hacked. Rich recommended looking into iCloud Private Relay, the iMazing Spyware Checker, and the Am I Secure app. The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses just got a software update adding live translation and support for more music services. A Pixel 8 user accidentally deleted an entire conversation with her son and is looking for a way to recover lost texts. Rich suggested checking one.google.com for a device backup, using Google Takeout to download old messages, and installing SMS Backup & Restore to save future texts—since Google Messages sadly doesn’t have a “recently deleted” folder yet. Brian from Northridge wants to know how to delete individual cookies and cache data from specific sites instead of clearing everything at once. Kelly from Los Angeles says her budget Android phone has stopped charging. A new Gmail feature called Manage Subscriptions helps you unsubscribe from newsletters in bulk, and it’s rolling out now. Justin Hendrix, CEO and founder of Tech Policy Press, will share insights on the ongoing Google and Meta antitrust trials and what they mean for consumers. Walter from Temecula is looking for a lower-priced alternative to the Apple Pencil. Rich mentioned options from Logitech, Adonit, ZAGG, and highlighted the ESR Geo Digital Pencil as a highly rated budget pick. Meta just launched a new free video editing app called Edits, available for both iOS and Android. TV.garden lets you explore live TV streams from around the world for free. If you’re looking for an alternative to Grammarly, there’s a free option called LanguageTool. Rich shared a cool way to scan a QR code at a restaurant table and instantly split the bill using a service called sunday. George from Los Angeles says his wireless mic isn’t working with his Samsung Galaxy A15 smartphone. Tim O’Hearn, software engineer and author of Framed: A Villain’s Perspective on Social Media, will have a new take on how social platforms really work. The Apple Watch is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. Text.ai lets you text AI for free using your regular messaging app—no download required. If the battery is swelling in your Pixel 7a, Google has a repair program to fix it. AT&T is adding cruise ship coverage to its International Day Pass for $20 a day. Max is cracking down on password sharing, charging $7.99/month for each extra member outside your household. Netflix is adding a dialogue-only subtitle option that shows just the spoken words. Christopher from Justice, Illinois wants to see what devices are connected to his Wi-Fi—Rich recommends the app Fing. 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 450+ 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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1:44:34
Meta & Google antitrust, Apple recycling tips & AI-powered scams
Rich discusses major antitrust cases against Meta and Google—and what they could mean for the future of Big Tech. Richard in Bell, California asks why his PayPal transaction won’t go through on a website. Dennis in San Dimas is looking for a NAS drive that works with both Windows PCs and Macs. Rich mentioned brands like Synology or QNAP. Nintendo Switch pre-orders begin April 24—prices for the base console and bundle stay the same. Richard in Arcadia wants to digitize old photos. Rich suggests Epson FastFoto or Perfection scanners, or apps like PhotoMyne, and Google PhotoScan. For a professional service check out ScanMyPhotos.com. HP is settling a lawsuit over misleading discounts—if you bought something on their website, you could get between $10 and $100. Rich mentioned Bald Bryan’s Baldywood movie streaming newsletter as a great way to find what to watch next. Albert in Chatsworth says pop-up ads are taking over his Android phone. Rich recommends clearing your browser data, uninstalling any unfamiliar apps, and disabling push notifications from websites. Soumit wants to merge his contacts and remove duplicates. Rich suggests ContactsPlus.com, checking the built-in duplicates tool on iOS or Android, or using Google Contacts for a free, easy way to clean everything up. American Airlines will offer free in-flight Wi-Fi starting in 2026 for AAdvantage members. Google is giving students free access to Gemini Advanced and 2TB of storage through June 2026. Jeff in Clearwater, Florida, is curious about using real-time translation earbuds to listen to talk radio. Rich suggests checking out Timekettle for options. Lauren Braun, Apple’s Environmental Product Manager, will talk trade-in and recycling at Apple Stores – how you can turn in old devices the right way and what really happens to them. Johnny Jet says Hawaii is testing a digital version of its mandatory landing form, making it easier for travelers to complete before arrival. George in Laguna Hills is using his T-Mobile phone as a home router but says the experience isn’t great. Microsoft reports a surge in AI-powered scams, blocking $4 billion in fraud attempts over the past year. A new phishing scam is impersonating Google, using legitimate-looking emails to steal user credentials. The FBI is warning about a new scam where fraudsters impersonate the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) to target previous scam victims. Craig in Los Angeles is curious about how satellite messaging works on his iPhone. Robbert is looking for a free, HIPAA-compliant fax app. Rich suggests Fax.Plus, iFax, HP Smart Mobile Fax, and Dropbox Fax—with the right settings and agreements in place. Trish in Los Angeles runs a mobile home park and needs to send monthly text updates to residents. Rich suggests checking out SimpleTexting and Textedly. Menka Sanghvi, author of Your Best Digital Life: Use Your Mind to Tame Your Tech, will talk technology and how to take control of your screen time. AT&T is changing its AutoPay discount structure starting April 24, 2025. To receive the full $10 monthly discount, customers must use a bank account (ACH) for payments. Campspot has released its list of the top trending national parks for 2025, based on traveler interest and booking data. Leading the list is Yosemite National Park, celebrated for its iconic granite cliffs and waterfalls Rich On Tech Episode 117 - April 19, 2025 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 450+ 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
Travel Tips, Online Privacy & Nintendo Switch 2 Preview
Rich shares tips for avoiding pricey roaming charges when traveling abroad. The AirFly Pro 2 lets you use your Bluetooth headphones with in-flight screens. A simple adapter that makes travel more comfortable. Lynn in Murrieta is asking why AT&T is ending email-to-text. The service shuts down in June because presumably not many people are using the feature anymore. Rich also mentioned three easy ways for exchanging files cross platform including LocalSend, FilePizza and PairDrop. Matt Swider from TheShortcut.com joins to talk about his hands-on time with the Nintendo Switch 2 — what’s new, what’s improved, and whether it’s worth the wait. Katie in Garden Grove asks about translation earbuds. Rich suggests TimeKettle M3 and Google Pixel Buds for real-time translation. TikTok gets another 75-day extension as U.S. pushes deadline on a potential ban. Rich shares free ways to remove your personal info from the internet. Ludi in Long Beach reports mysterious files clogging his iCloud storage. Rich suggests checking for hidden files and old backups to free up space. Kyle in Riverside asks if there’s a way to have the iPhone automatically respond to all incoming text messages. Zelle is discontinuing its standalone app due to low usage, with less than 2% of transactions occurring through it. Users can continue using Zelle through their bank’s app without any action required. Rob in Los Angeles is locked out of his Microsoft account from repeated sign-in attempts. Rich says reset your password, turn on 2FA, and sign out everywhere. Cloaked Co-founder and CEO Arjun Bhatnagar will join Rich to share tips and insights on protecting your personal information and online privacy. Want an eye-opening experience? Dial 1-855-75-CLOAK (1-855-752-5625) and you’ll hear how much of your personal data is out there. ChatGPT is free for college students through the end of May. Rich likes the Amazfit Bip 6 smartwatch—plenty of features for just $80. Rich’s son Parker calls in with his take on the new Minecraft movie. A kid’s honest review. Jacqueline in Michigan asks how to move iPhone photos to Android. Rich recommends using Google Photos. Sergio is vision impaired and looking for assistive glasses. Rich mentions Envision, OrCam, IrisVision, eSight and the $350 Ray-Ban Metas. He also suggests trying the OKO app for street crossing. Joel Santo Domingo of Wirecutter breaks down mesh networking—what it is, why it matters, and the best systems to buy. His top choice: Eero 6. Roblox has new tools for parental controls. Rich says the AirFly Pro 2 is a travel must-have. Lets you use Bluetooth headphones with in-flight entertainment. Rich On Tech Episode 116 - April 5, 2025 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 450+ 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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1:48:19
Don't Get Phished, Flight Booking Hacks & Phone Roaming Advice
Rich shared how a cybersecurity expert got tricked by a phishing scam. A reminder that we’re often the last line of defense. Susan in Santa Monica is helping a friend buy a laptop and wants to know what matters most. Facebook is bringing back a feed that only shows posts from your friends. The new tab puts the focus back on real connections. Emma in San Bernardino needs last-minute airfare. Rich recommends checking points sites like PointsYeah and point.me, then using Google Flights with flexible airports and one-way searches. ChatGPT just upgraded its AI image tool and people are having fun with it. It now edits images in any style and finally gets text right. Deb in Agoura Hills is looking for the best phone options for her 12-year-old granddaughter and the optimal way to purchase it. Richard in Bell asks if charging to 100% is bad for your phone. Rich says to check battery protection settings on iPhone and Android—they help manage charging automatically. Spectrum TV Select customers now receive Peacock Premium at no extra cost, adding to their entertainment options. Ace in Pearblossom wants faster access to Gmail now that Basic HTML is gone. Leslie in Coto de Caza is prepping her phone for a Europe trip. Rich recommends checking roaming options, trying eSIMs, and turning on Wi-Fi calling before departure. Dave from Joshua Tree asks if Google Drive is safe for personal info. Rich says it is—just review permissions for third-party apps linked to your account. Collin Walke, a cybersecurity and data privacy expert, joins us to explain what 23andMe’s bankruptcy means for your genetic data—and what you can do to protect your privacy. Instructions to delete your genetic data. Nintendo is introducing Virtual Game Cards, allowing digital games to be shared among family members, enhancing the flexibility of digital game ownership. Edwardo in Tampa didn’t get a two-factor code from his bank. Rich says to check settings for blocked numbers or short codes and confirm your number is correct. Stanley wants to know why websites keep asking if he’s a bot. Rich says it’s likely due to a VPN or shared network triggering security checks. Mark in San Diego wants to watch MeTV, but his local channel dropped it. Rich says Frndly TV is an affordable streaming service that carries MeTV. Plans start at $7.99/month with a 7 free trial. Diane in Crestwood wants to download her Facebook photos. Rich suggests using Facebook’s Download Your Information feature to save all photos at once. Google’s Pixel 9a is set to launch on April 10 in the US, Canada, and the UK, following a brief delay due to a component quality issue. Disney+ now lets you remove titles from your Continue Watching list, giving you more control over your viewing experience. Mark Vena, CEO and Principal Analyst at SmartTech Research, shares why the Galaxy S25 Ultra finally convinced him to leave the iPhone behind. Rich On Tech Episode 115 - March 29, 2025 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 450+ 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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1:47:24