The Tech Night Owl Live Tech Radio With A Twist!

We present prolific tech author Joe Kissell, author of "Take Control of Automating Your Mac," who will give you some useful suggestions on how to perform complex tasks with just one or two keystrokes. He'll also give you advice on how to choose the right broadband provider, and whether one of those multiple service bundles make any sense. You'll also hear from Avram Piltch, the Online Editorial Director for Laptop magazine, who will give you his early opinions about Amazon's forthcoming Fire Phone smartphone, and details some of the key features of Android L, the forthcoming version of Google's mobile OS. So is Amazon's first mobile handset a winner? What about the first major Android update in recent years?

On this week's all-star episode: We present commentator John Martellaro, Senior Editor, Analysis & Reviews for The Mac Observer and a columnist for The Street, who holds forth on such topics as the disconnect between what happened at the Apple WWDC and how some journalists interpreted the event. He'll also cover the hit piece about Tim Cook, which masqueraded as a balanced story, in The New York Times, why the iPhone is Apple's new hardware platform, and what happens if you buy the wrong PC. You'll also hear from Computerworld's "Apple Holic," Jonny Evans, who will cover some of the features in Apple's OS X Yosemite that you didn't know about. He'll also explain why a number of Mac users, with computers otherwise compatible with Yosemite, may not be able to use the tentpole Handoff feature. This is part of Continuity, which enables you to, for example, start a document or email on a Mac, and pick up where you left off on an iPhone or iPad. He'll also discuss Gene's suggestions about a possible Google con

On this week's all-star episode: Outspoken commentator Peter Cohen, Managing Editor for iMore, focuses on the media misconceptions about Apple's WWDC, which focused solely on software rather than fancy new gadgets. You'll also hear about his reactions to Apple's HealthKit feature for iOS 8, and about Microsoft's misguided advertising campaign for the Surface 3 tablet. You'll also hear from Bryan Chaffin, co-founder and co-publisher of The Mac Observer, who will also cover HealthKit, and how the features introduced for iOS 8 at the WWDC might pave the way for the rumored iWatch. Bryan will also explain Apple is actually obeying tax laws despite holding billions of dollars overseas that aren't subject to U.S. corporate income tax. Will Congress approve a "tax holiday" to repatriate such cash hoards? What about the European Commission's investigation of possible tax sheltering by some companies who use Ireland as an international corporate location?

On this week's all-star episode: Apple's Wordwide Developers Conference (WWDC) didn't deliver news of any new gadgets, but there was a wealth of information about the forthcoming versions of OS X, dubbed Yosemite, and iOS 8. In addition to the new look of OS X, there are literally hundreds of new features to discuss, but this week's episode will focus primarily on the highlights, such as iCloud Drive, the new Continuity feature, updated instant messaging capability, and Apple's move to reduce reliance on Google and such third party services as Dropbox. We'll also briefly cover some of the enhancements that are making developers drool. Joining us this week is an expert panel that includes author, blogger and commentator Kirk McElhearn, Macworld's "iTunes Guy, and Josh Centers, Managing Editor for TidBITS, and author of "Take Control of Apple TV."

Commentator Jeff Gamet, Managing Editor for The Mac Observer, discusses the Apple/Beats deal, offers predictions for product intros at the WWDC going beyond iOS 8 and OS 10.10, and his reactions to Microsoft's Surface 3 tablet/laptop or whatever it is. CNET's Cheapskate blogger, Rick Broida, tells you how you can save money with a low-cost wireless carrier, and some of the pitfalls to watch in picking the best service for your needs. You'll also hear from author/columnist Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus, who, as a musician, gives you his unique viewpoint about Apple's purchase of Beats Electronics. He'll also focus on the rumors about the introduction of app technologies for the connected home at the WWDC.

You'll hear about the impact of the proposed AT&T/DirecTV merger from Dorothy Pomerantz of Forbes. Is this proposed deal good for consumers, or just a way for large companies to increase dominance? Cutting-edge commentator Daniel Eran Dilger, of Roughly Drafted Magazine and AppleInsider, joins us to talk about the ongoing mobile platform wars, the essence of the deal between Apple and Google to call off their patent lawsuits against each other, and the prospects for the success of Microsoft's new notebook replacement, the Surface 3. Tech writer Rob Pegoraro, a columnist for USA Today and Yahoo!, offers his reactions to the mergers of Comcast and Time Warner, AT&T and DirecTV, and whether the latest net neutrality proposal from the FCC makes any sense. He'll also talk about Apple's "never mind" patent litigation settlement with Google, and about the "right to be forgotten," involving Google and the European Union, and whether you can get a search engine to delete unfavorable links about you.

We feature outspoken commentator Kirk McElhearn, Macworld's "iTunes Guy," who will discuss the rumors and possible reality of Apple's acquisition of Beats Audio, a company that sells high-end headphones and speakers and has a widely-acclaimed streaming music service. He'll also talk about so-called HD audio and whether the difference makes a difference in what you can hear. We'll also be joined by Bryan Chaffin, co-founder and co-publisher of The Mac Observer, who will present his views about the possible Apple/Beats deal. How does it benefit Apple — or does it? Bryan will also talk about those "crazy" iPhone 6 rumors, the prospects for an iWatch, and Samsung's notorious history of copying original technology from other companies.

We feature Josh Centers, Managing Editor for TidBITS, and author of "Take Control of Apple TV." who will discuss what we might expect from the forthcoming Apple developer event, WWDC, where new versions of OS X and iOS are expected to be unveiled. You'll also hear his early reactions to the Amazon Fire TV set-top box, and the foolish move by Amazon to remove in-app purchases from ComiXology, the comic book reading app. Outspoken commentator Peter Cohen. Managing Editor for iMore, holds forth on what possible new features in the next versions of OS X and iOS, which are reportedly going to be demonstrated at the WWDC beginning June 2. We'll also discuss what features ought to change, particularly with Apple Mail, which had a shaky rollout in OS X Mavericks.

We feature Ryan Rosenberg, a VP for Apple's FileMaker division, who will give you some savvy tips on starting to make the paperless revolution really happen at your home or office. Outspoken commentator John Martellaro, Senior Editor, Analysis & Reviews for The Mac Observer and a columnist for The Street, gives you a whole plate of opinions this week. He'll give you a reality check on the recent drop in iPad sales, explain why professionals go nuts over Apple's "mid-course" corrections, present the reasons why Apple shouldn't try to copy Google Glass, along with his views about the TV set-top box wars, and what real 4K TV streaming is all about. Tech columnist Dann Berg holds forth on Apple's Mac price cuts, including the latest MacBook Air, whether Apple's recent financial moves to increase buybacks and do a 7-to-1 stock split are smoke and mirrors to hide the lack of new products, or just smart business. You'll also hear about Dann's expectations for an iWatch, and the next versions of iOS and OS X.

Adam Engst, of TidBITS and Take Control Books, speaks about the 24th anniversary of his online publication. He'll explain how he and his wife and business partner, Tanya Engst, established the publication and how its development followed the development of the web. He'll also offer a few choice insights into Apple's history over the years, and he'll explain how he entered the fledgling eBook business with Take Control Books. You'll also hear from Daniel Eran Dilger, of Roughly Drafted Magazine and AppleInsider, with insights on Apple's unexpectedly high quarterly financials, along with the reasons why the lower iPad sales aren't quite as low as they seem at first glance. He also gives a reality check on Android tablet sales, the ongoing problems with Microsoft's mobile platform, now enhanced with the acquisition of Nokia's handset and devices division, and his expectations for the rumored iWatch.

We present Avram Piltch, Online Editorial Director of Laptop magazine, who will discuss the ins and outs of the "Heartbleed" bug, affecting some versions of the open source OpenSSL, which impacted a huge portion of the Internet, the magazine's first review of the Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone, and a number of Microsoft-related matters, including Office for the iPad and the forthcoming Windows Phone 8.1 update. Outspoken commentator Peter Cohen, Managing Editor for iMore, gives you his slant on the "Heartbleed" issue and the new products that might come from Apple during June's WWDC conference. He will talk about some of the changes you might expect in the next versions of IOS and OS X along with the possibilities for an iWatch.

On this week's all-star episode: We welcome Josh Centers, Managing Editor for TidBITS, and author of "Take Control of Apple TV." whose bill of fare includes the arrival of Microsoft Office for the iPad, the panel on the NSA he moderated for the recent iWorld/Macworld Expo, the ongoing legal skirmishes involving Apple and Samsung, and his early reactions to the Amazon Fire set top box. The new gadget competes with Apple TV and Roku. You'll also hear from outspoken commentator Kirk McElhearn, Macworld's "iTunes Guy," who will talk about his struggles with satellite broadband Internet. He'll also discuss why buying expensive audio and video cables isn't worth the money and the eternal analog (vinyl) versus digital debate.

On this week's all-star episode: CNET's very own Cheapskate blogger, Rick Broida, explains why he ditched Office 2013 for Windows, and why he was forced to find an unofficial method online to remove the suite from his PC. You'll also hear from cutting-edge commentator Daniel Eran Dilger, of Roughly Drafted Magazine and AppleInsider, explains in exquisite detail why the media meme that the iPhone 5c is a huge failure is wrong. He'll also address what he perceives as the ongoing media bias against Apple. We'll also present tech journalist Rob Pegoraro, a columnist for USA Today and Yahoo!, who will discuss Microsoft's not-surprising decision to release Office for the iPad, the ongoing issues of net neutrality, and why he doesn't believe Sprint and T-Mobile will ever merge.

outspoken commentator Kirk McElhearn, Macworld's "iTunes Guy," discusses our curious download problem, which may be a consequence of the failure of the FCC to develop a workable plan to enforce net neutrality. Kirk will also talk about the joys of mono sound. We also welcome author Jeff Carlson, Senior Editor for TidBITS, who will cover the controversy over a new book, "Haunted Empire: Apple After Steve Jobs," which paints a predictably negative picture of the company's prospects for success under Tim Cook. He also discusses a recent extensive interview with Apple design chief Sir Jonathan Ive that was published in the UK's Sunday Times and Time magazine.

Tech columnist and commentator Dann Berg holds forth on such issues as the iOS 7 update, Microsoft's reported decision to supply Windows Phone free to some low-end handset makers, and how he succeeded in cutting the cable TV cord. You'll also hear from columnist Bryan Chaffin, co-founder and co-publisher of The Mac Observer, who will also talk about cord cutting, the iOS 7 update, Microsoft's lower Windows licensing costs for cheap PCs and free licensing for cheap mobile handsets, and how this will be the year that defines Apple CEO Tim Cook. We also present Lloyd Klarke, director of product management for Roku, who will discuss the history of the company and the current lineup of video streaming products and services.

On this week's all-star episode: Cutting-edge commentator Daniel Eran Dilger, of Roughly Drafted Magazine and AppleInsider, gives you the ins and outs of the controversial SSL verification security bug that turned up in iOS and OS X. He covers the curious belief on the part of some media pundits that one company buying another is innovation. He'll also respond to the comment from the head of Google's Android division that appears to indicate the company is more interested in freedom than making the OS more secure. You'll also hear from Jeff Gamet, Managing Editor for The Mac Observer, whose bill of fare includes Apple's SSL bug fix, comparing Apple's innovation to other companies, the U.S. House's cellphone unlocking bill, Apple's appeal of an antitrust verdict over eBook price fixing, and the drive for patent troll reform in the European Union.

On this week's all-star episode: Author and columnist Kirk McElhearn, Macworld's "iTunes Guy," talks about the growing popularity of streaming TV, mentions some of his favorite shows, and speculates on what constitutes a new product category for Apple. IT specialist Dave Charbonneau, president of CMIT Solutions, discusses Microsoft's dilemma in convincing users to give up Windows XP, and offers some common sense tips on preparing to upgrade — or replace — a PC. Outspoken commentator Jim Dalrymple, Editor in Chief of The Loop, talks about the ideal screen sizes for the next iPhone, Facebook's expensive acquisition of WhatsApp, an instant messaging app with hundreds of millions of users, and what new product categories Apple might enter this year.

We present Josh Centers, Managing Editor for TidBITS, and author of "Take Control of Apple TV." You'll learn the ins and outs about Apple's best-selling TV set top box, along with some nifty tips you may want to try. Josh will also speculate on what might come next as Apple attempts to make a difference in your living room. You'll also hear from Avram Piltch, Online Editorial Director of Laptop magazine. He'll talk about Microsoft's problems getting users to leave Windows XP, and he'll also focus on a recent article he wrote for Laptop, entitled "Glasshole or Not? 7 Urgent Ethical Dilemmas for Wearable Tech."

The discussions cover a wide range of subjects. You'll hear our reaction to Google's decision to sell the Motorola Mobility handset division to Lenovo, an Asian PC maker, the state of the PC industry in light of Sony's decision to leave the PC box business, Microsoft's new CEO, Satya Nadella, and whether having co-founder Bill Gates looking over his shoulder will help or hurt his performance, and the prospects for an iWatch and an Apple connected TV. Our guests this week include industry analyst Stephen Baker, Vice President for Industry Analysis at the NPD Group and outspoken columnist Bryan Chaffin, co-founder and co-publisher of The Mac Observer.

On this week's all-star episode: We introduce Charles Tendell, a Certified Ethical Hacker and co-host of the Computer America radio show. Charles will give you insights on the huge security break-in at Target, Neiman Marcus and other retailers, where the raw details of tens of millions of credit and debit cards were stolen by online criminals. He'll also talk about Bitcoin, the online digital currency, and security issues impacting Mac and Windows PCs. We are also joined by John Martellaro, Senior Editor, Analysis & Reviews for The Mac Observer and a columnist for The Street, who will focus his conversation on Google's decision to sell its Motorola Mobility handset division, at fire sale prices, to Lenono, the large Asian PC maker. You'll also hear him explain why Wall Street doesn't understand Tim Cook, the future of the Mac, and an illuminating encounter with a disappointed Microsoft Surface RT customer.