Topic: Tech News

Linear news organizations often utilize a "top five stories" rotation to ensure viewers receive consistent information regardless of when they tune in. This strategy, common at networks like Fox News, involves milking a hot story for maximum duration. Industry veterans note that while this approach is efficient for traditional broadcasting, it can lead to repetitive content for dedicated audiences.

The episode concludes with a preview of "Angry Tech News" by Sir Ryan Bemrose and an end-of-show mix. Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak sign off from the Texas Hill Country and Northern Silicon Valley, reminding listeners to support the show.

San Francisco's downtown area is reportedly facing a severe decline characterized by tech company layoffs, business closures, and pervasive homelessness. Critics blame long-term mismanagement by Democratic leadership, including Governor Gavin Newsom, for the current state of the city.

ABC’s Becky Worley is discussed regarding her holiday assignment in New York and her background as a rugby player. Her "Strategic Savings" segment is compared to her previous work ridiculing direct sales products like the ShamWow. One host shares a personal anecdote about auditioning for QVC and failing to secure the job after making an inappropriate joke about a shaving brush.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has launched a new podcast, featuring recordings from his travels to Berlin. The hosts review a montage of Zuckerberg's speaking style, noting his frequent use of filler words and his similarity to other public figures like Scott Adams.

The "Lesbians Who Tech" summit in New York City features high-level technology tracks on blockchain, AI, and cybersecurity, culminating in a fireside chat with Hillary Clinton. While the organization claims to be inclusive of allies, its branding and mission focus specifically on queer women in technology. The conference includes various programs such as the Ed Windsor Coding Scholarship and "Bring a Lesbian to Work Day."

The current price of Bitcoin is noted at $13,422 following a recent dip. The segment also questions why open-source developers have not yet successfully launched a viable decentralized search engine to challenge the dominance of major tech corporations.

A critique of modern technology journalism focuses on a CNET report comparing selfie quality across flagship smartphones including the iPhone X and Pixel 2 XL. The report is mocked for failing to provide a definitive winner, instead suggesting that user preference for beauty filters is the deciding factor.

The hosts mock a CBC tech reporter's explanation of algorithms, focusing on his excessive use of the word "right" as a filler. The segment critiques the media's inability to explain complex technical systems without relying on vague terminology and "stop words."

Adam Curry and Tina the Keeper begin planning a three-week "No Agenda" tour of Australia and New Zealand for late July 2017. The proposed route includes Perth, Melbourne, Auckland, and Sydney, though Dvorak warns the itinerary is too aggressive. To help fund the trip, Curry considers selling his collection of vintage electronic gear and "stellar pieces of technology from yesteryear."

A discussion on Netflix's 4K service and the importance of maintaining separate user profiles. Sharing a login can "taint the algorithm," leading to unwanted recommendations based on another person's viewing habits. The cost of 4K upgrades on various streaming platforms is compared.

During the reveal of the new Apple MacBook Pro with a "Touch Bar," employees at the Apple campus reportedly snapped their fingers instead of clapping. The hosts compare this behavior to 1950s beatniks at a poetry slam. This brief tech update is followed by a mention of a Reuters poll showing that half of Republican voters would reject the election results if Hillary Clinton wins.

The hosts announce the launch of the No Agenda Mile High Club website and experiment with a new email listserv. The segment transitions into "Tech News," with John Dvorak preparing to discuss the latest developments in surveillance and digital privacy.

A jihadi media group affiliated with the Shumukh al-Islam forum releases a video showing a mock beheading of Twitter founder Jack Dorsey. The video reportedly provides instructions to ISIS supporters on how to use Twitter effectively for recruitment and propaganda. The hosts discuss the irony of ISIS threatening the platform that serves as its primary communication tool and question Jack Dorsey's recent decision to give up a portion of his stock.

Molly Wood's comments on NBC regarding net neutrality are used to argue that the regulation is a solution in search of a problem. The hosts characterize the push for net neutrality as "pre-crime" regulation, where the government intervenes to prevent hypothetical future issues rather than fixing existing ones.

Verizon's $4.4 billion acquisition of AOL is analyzed as a strategic move to capture government broadband subsidies rather than an advertising play. By converting AOL's remaining 2 million dial-up customers to broadband, Verizon could potentially access billions in FCC funding intended to expand high-speed internet access.

Adam Curry reflects on his attendance at the Podcast Awards in Las Vegas, noting the absence of scheduled host Dennis Miller. He theorizes that the Daily Tech News Show's victory was fueled by fans supporting Tom Merritt following his departure from the TWiT network. The hosts critique the "People's Choice" voting system, suggesting that bot activity and the daily voting requirement favored more fanatical audiences over their own libertarian-leaning listeners.

The hosts revisit the Fox News clip to mock Kimberly Guilfoyle's enthusiastic reaction to "taptic feedback" on the Apple Watch. They resolve to coin a specific medical term for the mass hysteria and addiction surrounding new consumer technology releases.

Dvorak points out that Apple's keynote stream was restricted to Safari users on Mac or iOS, excluding Windows users. Curry reflects on how peaceful his travel was without access to the tech news cycle, reinforcing his view that social media and smartphone use have become a Pavlovian "horror."

A host recounts an appearance on Tom Merritt's Daily Tech News Show, which involved technical difficulties with Google Hangouts and Mac drivers. This leads to a discussion of the website "What You Pay For Sports," which exposes how cable subscribers pay nearly $80 a year for ESPN through carriage fees regardless of whether they watch sports.