Podcast: Play in new window | Embed
Tech News and Commentary
Dave and the team discuss Amazon announcements, TikTok surpassing one billion monthly active users, standardizing chargers, Disney suing artists, Facebook creating a metaverse, the NTSB requesting electric car crash footage, Comcast software in TVs, Facebook’s Reels rolling out, fewer adults getting their news from social media, and more.
Shar in Atlanta, Georgia listens on AM920 The Answer and asked: “I am starting a new podcast as a business, and I hope that you guys can help me with it by suggesting any technology I may need to get a fresh start.”
Shar, at a minimum you will need a computer and a good solid microphone.
If youre going to be a solo podcaster, you may be able to get away with a USB microphone like a Blue Mic. If youre not going to be a solo podcaster but you will be recording with a remote co-host via something like Zoom, then the same applies.
If youre going to be in person, you will probably at least need a couple of regular microphones and a mixer to be able connect them both to the computer or to a recorder.
You can get away with just a computer with the proper software which can range from something paid like Adobe Audition or Logic Pro, to something free like Audacity or Garage Band, but if youre planning to record on the road, then a standalone recorder by a company like Zoom or Tascam may be helpful to keep you mobile and allow you to conduct interviews without much need to set anything up.
You will also need a platform to distribute your podcast, we use Blubrry which has been working very well for us.
Their basic plan starts at $12/month and it includes a website for your podcast. Unless you plan to have a very complex or high traffic site, what they offer will be more than enough and youll be able to kill two birds with one stone.
Since youre looking to monetize this, keep in mind that the landscape is both overcrowded and dominated by large media companies with huge budgets these days, so youll need a combination of a nice logo and a niche that you can squeeze into so you dont have to compete for general attention with the big players that can dump unthinkable amounts of money into promoting their corporate, by the numbers, boring shows.
Mohammad in Qatif, Saudi Arabia, downloads the FREE IT podcasts each week – and clicked that AskDave button on our site to participate”I have a problem with a new Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 laptop. It’s 3 months old and I noticed that the battery was draining a little too quickly. It dies completely after a full charge, and I set it to sleep mode, disconnect it, and go to sleep. When I wake up after even 5 hours, it’s completely dead to the point where it won’t turn on unless I plug it in. I’m puzzled and would really appreciate any help you can give to diagnose this and hopefully not have to do anything with the hardware.”
Mohammad, one of three things has to be happening:
1) You have a rough process going crazy and eating up your battery, you can check for that by looking at Windows task manager and sorting by what is using the most CPU or RAM.
2) If that looks normal, something may be wrong with your computer and after 3 months you should be able to have it fixed or replaced under warranty, so it would be good to reach out to whoever you bought it from.
3) The last thing that may be at play here is that that is just how long this battery lasts. Some dont last any longer than 5 hours even while sleeping. Thats rarer these days than it used to be but its not impossible.
By the way, Windows is pushing out some power management updates and some companies are advising people to fully turn off their laptops before putting them in backpacks because the new functionality can cause them to overheat and potentially catch on fire in restricted airflow.
That means that Windows itself may be to blame for abusing your battery life while the battery is asleep, especially if theres a WiFi network around.
When you participate on the show – anytime 24/7 – and we HEAR you with any consumer tech question, comment, help for another listener, tech rage or just share your favorite App these days … you could win prizes.
CarLock: Advanced Real-Time Car Tracker & Alert System
elago: Snap Shot Cases for AirPods Pro & AirTag
COSMO: JrTrack2 – Smartwatch for Kids
eufy: Indoor Pan/Tilt security Cam with Human & Pet Ai
iHealth: Wireless Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
All CALLERS — using the AUDIO option on our Free App or 1-800-899-INTO(4686) – automatically qualify to win prizes.
Audio archived for at least 6 months