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This week Nate & Ian discuss everyone's favourite computing essential: the dongle. Last episode of the year.SOURCES:Donglevisionhttps://tedium.co/2020/08/21/weird-dongle-history-evolution/NewScientist on dongleshttps://archive.org/details/bub_gb_EIZI3TDTGTsC/page/n25/mode/2upByte on dongleshttps://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1981-10/page/n133/mode/2up?q=dongleCommodore PEThttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_PETSoftware protection donglehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_protection_dongle Apple makes 23 different dongles — and it would cost you $857 to buy them allhttps://www.businessinsider.com/apple-dongles-2017-8#2-lightning-to-30-pin-adapter-29-2Ebuyer search for dongleshttps://www.ebuyer.com/search?q=dongle&sort=relevancy+descending Anker 565https://www.anker.com/uk/products/a8388?variant=41786313998500 Become a supporter to go ad-free, unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.TECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / FreepikPublisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message.

This week is a special episode in which we revisit Ian's 2007 CNET feature, Top Ten Off Switches. Do the selections stand up to modern scrutiny? And how have off switches evolved in a world of Wi-Fi, virtual assistants and touchscreens? SOURCES:Top ten off switches (live)https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/top-ten-off-switches/Top ten off switches (archived, with pictures)https://web.archive.org/web/20071114120435/http://crave.cnet.co.uk/0,39029477,49293357-1,00.htmThe Slashdot post about the featurehttps://hardware.slashdot.org/story/07/11/12/1429244/the-top-ten-off-switches Become a supporter to go ad-free, unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.TECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / FreepikPublisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message.

This week Nate and Ian discuss HD DVD, arguably one of the last global format wars to be fought -- and lost. The Patreon extended version also includes a lengthy discussion about the hypothetical future HD DVD might have had, were it to have won the format war against Sony's Blu-ray.SOURCES:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_DVDhttps://www.reddit.com/r/HDDVD/comments/114cteq/hd_dvd_exclusives/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-definition_optical_disc_format_warhttps://www.pcworld.com/article/535906/hddvd_bluray.htmlhttps://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/why-hd-dvd-will-beat-blu-ray/https://www.reddit.com/r/dvdcollection/comments/l1wz2r/any_love_for_an_obsolete_format_most_of_my_hd_dvd/https://www.britannica.com/technology/DVDhttps://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN1419176920070815/https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/hd-dvd.htmhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_high-definition_optical_disc_formats#endnote_HDMC_table_note_hhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolby_TrueHDhttps://pioneer-blurayodd.eu/?lang=enBecome a supporter to go ad-free, unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.TECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / FreepikPublisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message.

This week Nate and Ian discuss the dual-layered delight that is DVD -- it's history, and our memories of using it.SOURCES:The death of the DVD: Why sales dropped more than 86% in 13 yearshttps://web.archive.org/web/20200329212906/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/08/the-death-of-the-dvd-why-sales-dropped-more-than-86percent-in-13-years.htmlPlayStation 2 Wikihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_2Bouncing DVD logohttps://www.bouncingdvdlogo.comDVD Frequently Asked Questionshttps://web.archive.org/web/19970329103433/http://www.videodiscovery.com/vdyweb/dvd/dvdfaq.htmlDVD industry in crisis as sales slumphttps://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/nov/29/dvd-industry-sales-slump-blu-rayHMV boss says more people buying DVDs and Blu-rayhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99wngrw4nxoDVD and Blu-ray sales statisticshttps://www.avforums.com/threads/dvd-and-blu-ray-sales-statistics.2004986/British Video Association press release archivehttps://web.archive.org/web/20100623045015/http://www.bva.org.uk/news-press-releases/2009-news-release-sales-robust-transitional-year-british-video-industryDVD Commercial from 2000https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xn8m9KLYQgYahoo DVD Player reviewhttps://www.cnet.com/reviews/yahoo-ydp-530-review/ Become a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.TECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Copyright © Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy.

Nate and Ian discuss the modern anxiety of calls from unknown numbers, repeated missed calls, and general caller ID-related terror. You might think this is a Halloween episode, such is the horror of the content.SOURCES AND LINKS:Mobile company customer forumshttps://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Tech-Support/People-I-have-never-contacted-returning-my-calls/td-p/1626378https://community.three.co.uk/t5/Account-and-services/Scammer-using-my-number/m-p/32346https://community.bt.com/t5/Home-phone-including-Digital/Receiving-calls-from-people-saying-I-called-them-but-I-haven-t/td-p/2173030Mumsnethttps://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4972436-to-have-anxiety-from-this-missed-callCaller anxietyhttps://www.reddit.com/r/Anxiety/comments/17fis4j/just_completing_ignored_an_important_phone_call/Apple will launch a Business Caller ID service next yearhttps://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-will-launch-a-business-caller-id-service-next-year-223913262.htmlBecome a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.TECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / FreepikPublisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy.

This week Nate's joined by Andrew Lanxon from CNET to discuss a rich history of games console controllers, from the bizarre to the innovative.SOURCES AND LINKS:PlayStation Multitaphttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_MultitapMusic 2000https://www.mobygames.com/game/4945/mtv-music-generator/https://psxdatacenter.com/games/P/M/SLES-02224.htmlDreamCast VMUhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VMU Sony PocketStationhttps://playstation.fandom.com/wiki/PocketStationManhunt 2https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2007/10/halloween-review-manhunt-2-wii/ Fishing controller (and there are others)https://segaretro.org/Fishing_Controllerhttps://www.videogamesage.com/forums/topic/8783-n64-fishing-rod-controller-info/#comment-222306Godzilla Generations screenshothttps://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/373544883983482884/1294970656412274750/godzilla-dreamcast-1160x653.png?ex=670cf2e7&is=670ba167&hm=137a8d005ef963c21f7e691de7d0d5099a9a5079e3c8a8ba2a77427fd82353a7& Become a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.TECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Publisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy.

This week, the boys discuss and reminisce about Bluetooth, specifically its history and evolution as a conduit for wireless audio.SOURCES AND LINKS:Know A Little More Bluetooth episodehttps://shows.acast.com/know-a-little-more/episodes/about-bluetooth-5-updatedDeep guide to Bluetooth codecs and qualitieshttps://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2023/03/bluetooth-sound-quality-guide-what-are-the-codecs-and-how-do-they-work.htmlWeirdest Bluetooth gadgetshttps://www.tomsguide.com/us/weirdest-bluetooth-gadgets-stuff-roundup,review-2369.htmlMore weird gadgetshttps://www.androidcentral.com/weird-bluetooth-gadgetsAnd yet more still!https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/2a2rv4/what_are_some_unique_bluetooth_accessories/Brittanica guide to Bluetoothhttps://www.britannica.com/technology/BluetoothManual for the early Nokia headsethttps://www.manualslib.com/manual/1562633/Nokia-Hs-12w.html?page=6#manualHistory of Nokia Bluetoothhttps://blogs.windows.com/devices/2012/02/03/all-ears-a-pictorial-history-of-bluetooth-headsets-part-1/B&W article about Bluetooth audiohttps://www.bowerswilkins.com/en-us/blog/sound-lab/is-bluetooth-audio-worse.htmlAirPods Maxhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AirPods_Max#OverviewSonos headphoneshttps://www.sonos.com/en-gb/shop/sonos-aceBecome a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.TECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / FreepikPublisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy.

This week we discuss the history of online dating, from the 1990s web services, through the UK's Teletext and into the modern era of apps. Nate discusses how he met his wife through an app, and Ian complains about how he hasn't yet. And then comes the future: what do we expect is next for dating apps and related technologies?LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:Teletexthttps://www.blunham.com/Radar/Teletext/WebAlbums/P182S01=Dial_a_Date.htmlSex.com in WIREDhttps://www.wired.com/2003/08/sex-com/Match.com in WIRED 1995https://www.wired.com/1995/09/love-and-money/Hater Daterhttps://web.archive.org/web/20200208062220/https://www.haterdater.com/Gluten-Free Singleshttps://web.archive.org/web/20131106133442/http://www.glutenfreesingles.com/Bristlrhttps://www.bristlr.comFarmers Onlyhttps://www.farmersonly.com/Dating studyhttps://9to5mac.com/2024/09/16/dating-apps-havent-helped-us-find-better-partners-suggests-research/ Iceland apphttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/some-icelanders-are-accidentally-dating-a-relative-and-now-theres-an-app-for-that-25175819/ Become a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message.

This week we are talking over our past, present and future relationships with the hard disk. Andrew Lanxon from CNET joins for this one and in the extended version he brings you what he learned during a reporting trip to a tiny Scottish island that enjoys energy independence.Here are some links to various things we discussed in the show:Andy’s Eigg feature in CNET (check the embedded video) https://www.cnet.com/home/energy-and-utilities/this-stunning-remote-island-took-control-of-its-energy-destiny-i-got-a-first-hand-look/Acorn magazine https://archive.org/details/AcornUser105-Apr91/page/n94/mode/1upIBM hard disk history https://www.ibm.com/history/ramacDeath if the disk https://www.pcgamer.com/hard-drives-predicted-to-be-history-after-2028/ Seagate hikes drive prices https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/23/seagate_hdd_prices/Seagate 32TB drive https://www.seagate.com/gb/en/products/enterprise-drives/exos-x/x-mozaic/2007 in tech https://www.computerhistory.org/timeline/2007/ Eigg history https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/EiggTECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / FreepikPublisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate Lanxon