Rich On Tech Episode 114 - March 22, 2025

Rich takes a trip down memory lane to talk about some of his personal gadget milestones over the years.

David in San Francisco asks how to get good audio on a plane. Rich recommends AirFly and noise cancelling headphones.

Bob in Garden City Michigan wants to know how to tape a phone call on his iPhone. Rich says iOS 18 has call recording feature built in (so does Pixel and Samsung), Google Voice can record calls, so can apps including Rev and TapeACall and you can use the Plaud Note. Just be sure to check your local laws.

Conor calls in to explain how he got scammed out of thousands of dollars through a text message.

Stacey asks how to encrypt a flash drive—BitLocker To Go is the answer.

Google unveils $500 Pixel 9a, its iPhone 16e competitor.

The ClickFix scam tricks you into installing malware—watch out for captchas asking for keyboard shortcuts.

Dana asks why radio stations stopped playing on HomePod.

Zachary wonders if he should ditch Cash App after fraudulent charges.

Dino says his old copy-paste method for group emails isn’t working in the new Yahoo app—create a contact list instead.

Claude AI adds real-time web search for paid users, coming soon for free users.

Marc-Anthony Arena, the Computer Exorcist, breaks down modern tech threats in plain English – he’ll explain why old-school virus scans don’t cut it anymore and reveal the real dangers you should watch out for! Mentioned: Mint OS

HP Instant Ink is raising prices in April.

Bob in LA wants to know the best way to wipe a Mac laptop before getting rid of it.

Rod in Montana needs a good Skype alternative.

T-Mobile customers: You might have a targeted offer for a free line. Check your T-Life app to see if you’re eligible.

Brent Franson, founder of Death Clock, joins the show to discuss how AI predicts your life expectancy, biological age, and health scores—plus, what changes could help extend your life and improve longevity.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rich discusses how transcription tools powered by AI are making it simple to turn speech into text, whether in real-time or from recorded audio.

Products & Services Mentioned: Pixel Recorder, Samsung Voice Recorder, iPhone Voice Memos, MacWhisper, Vibe Transcribe, Whisper Web, Voice Notes, Whisper Memos, PLAUD Note, PLAUD Pin, Wispr Flow

Dave in Long Beach says his iTunes music library has disappeared and wants to know how to get it back.

Ray in Chicago says his Google Chromecast has been buggy this week and wants to know if there are any updates on the issue.

Dave in Long Beach says YouTube on Roku is buffering. Rich mentioned a cache-clearing hack he can try.

Larry in San Pedro wonders if it’s safe to enter his credit card number into his smartphone when calling his bank.

Victor in Santa Barbara says his Epson printer prints out pages of gibberish at random times, and Rich suggests restarting the spooler.

The smartwatch market declined for the first time in 2024.

Graham says his iPhone 7 Plus is no longer supported and wants advice on upgrading to a new iPhone 16e and switching to Mint Mobile.

Niantic, the creators of Pokémon Go, have sold the game to Scopely for $3.5 billion.

AT&T has a new “landline” service called AT&T Phone Advanced, which uses cellular or broadband and includes a backup battery.

Kimber Streams has been covering laptops and tech at Wirecutter for over a decade and will share expert tips on how to spring clean your PC and keep it running smoothly.

Kimber recommended a great laptop—the ASUS VivoBook 14 Q423SA, on sale for $500 at Best Buy.

Dee Dee in West Covina wants a TV with good contrast, and Rich recommends Samsung models with Relumino Mode.

Rich mentioned a handy file transfer website called FilePizza.

Bob in Lake Forest says his Mint Mobile service sometimes drops, and Rich suggests checking APN settings and doing a network settings reset if that doesn’t work.

Rick in Orange County uses Defender for PC antivirus and wonders if there’s a free alternative Rich would recommend. Rich says he can use Windows Security (built in) or check ratings at AV-TEST.

Jared Newman of Advisorator joins the show to discuss the best ad blocker alternatives now that uBlock Origin is out, how to stop those annoying “Sign in with Google” pop-ups, and his quest for the perfect web browser.

Google Wallet now allows you to add your passport for convenient digital identification.

Nintendo is opening a new store in San Francis

Apple’s latest product upgrades include the iPad Air M3, the 12th-gen iPad, and the MacBook Air M4 in a sleek new Sky Blue finish.

Tony asked about a good app for playing local files on his computer, with recommendations for reliable and feature-rich media players. Rich says YouTube Music cloud, Samsung Music, listeners recommend doubleTwist, Pulsar.

If you want to thwart phone call scams, try using the call recording feature on your device to deter scammers.

Matt Swider of The Shortcut joins to share the standout gadgets and biggest tech trends from Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Fernando asked for a good way to transfer music files to his iPhone. Rich recommends using WALTR Pro for a seamless experience.

Google Gemini has added a variety of iPhone lock screen widgets for instant access to AI features.

Ron in Norco asked how to transcribe recorded meetings on his phone. Rich recommended services like Whisper Memos, Descript, Otter.ai, MacWhisper, and Whisper Web, or using the built-in AI audio tools on iPhone, Pixel, and Samsung.

Reggie in South Carolina asked about a tax service. Rich recommends FlyFin. (referral link)

Shirley’s laptop won’t turn on due to a ruined battery. Rich discussed whether it’s worth repairing or if replacing the device is a better option.

Rich suggested visiting a uBreakiFix store to get a free repair estimate before deciding on a fix or replacement.

Tom in Woodland Hills said his Sonos will no longer play KFI, and Rich discussed possible fixes and alternatives.

🎙️ Dr. Geeta “Dr. G” Nayyar breaks down the growing crisis of healthcare misinformation and how it’s impacting public health.

Jim in Malibu has a large property and wants a recommendation on a mesh system to extend Wi-Fi to his front gate and back workshop.

Rich recommended checking out the Eero Outdoor 7 and the TP-Link Deco Outdoor for extending Wi-Fi coverage across large properties.

DuckDuckGo has introduced new AI-powered search and chat features with a focus on privacy.

Google’s latest Pixel drop introduces new features, including AI-powered scam detection, expanded satellite SOS availability, and more.

T-Mobile Tuesdays’ latest perk is one free Slurpee every month at 7-Eleven and Speedway locations.

📱 Stephanie Humphrey will talk digital citizenship, sharing expert advice on kids and social media!

The Better Business Bureau revealed the 

Rich gives a recap of the Amazon Alexa+ event in NYC, covering the major AI-powered upgrades, new features, and whether the $20/month subscription is worth it.

Microsoft is shutting down Skype on May 5, 2025, urging users to switch to Microsoft Teams for continued service.

Jeff in Tulsa asks how to get started with his password manager.

Jose wants to know if the Ryoko portable WiFi hotspot is any good. Rich suggested the Simo devices as an alternative.

Google has a new, easier way to remove personal information from search results.

Rich also recommends signing up for Results About You to monitor and remove personal information from Google searches.

Patrick in Colorado Springs wants to disable the auto-update pop-up in Microsoft Office.

Alison in Corona asks about a security camera for a remote location with no power but cell service—Rich recommends checking out Reolink and Eufy 4G cameras.

John in Granada Hills asks why some email unsubscribe links take you to a page that asks for your email address.

Pixel Watch 3 is adding loss of pulse detection in the U.S. after receiving FDA clearance.

Mike in Austin asks why he can no longer mirror his screen to his TV from the GameChanger app.

Mike Prospero of Tom’s Guide joins to discuss Alexa+ and its new features, smart home improvements, and how it compares to other voice assistants.

Nile needs a Skype alternative with video and text chat—Rich suggests comparing the free features of Microsoft Teams and Zoom to see which offers more.

Neil in Virginia asks about PC compatibility with Qualcomm Snapdragon chips and whether his apps will work.

Killy in LA has a PhotoStick but can’t see the photos on his computer.

Bill in Hartford printed a QR code, but scanning it leads to the wrong URL.

Photoshop comes to the iPhone now, Android soon.

DIRECTV launches new genre-based TV packages starting at $35 a month.

📸 Chris Guld of Geeks on Tour will share expert tips on making the most of Google Photos—organizing, editing & preserving your memories!

Sarah writes in: “Stupid question, I’m sure, but why can’t the user set up a custom wake-up name for Alexa?”

Blue Origin’s next launch will feature an all-female crew, including Katy Perry, Gayle King, and Lauren Sanchez.

Clicks is bringing its physical keyboard to Android phones, including the Pixel 9, Motorola Razr, and Samsung Galaxy S25.

Rich On Tech Episode 111 - March 1, 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.

Rich discussed the new iPhone 16e and its features, offering impressive value at a starting price of $599.

Wayne in Irvine had his Instagram and Facebook accounts hacked. Rich recommends visiting facebook.com/hacked to recover the account or signing up for Meta Verified for direct support. Also, secure your accounts with strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication.

🎙️ Titania Jordan joins me to talk about keeping kids safe online, her work with Bark Technologies, and how parents can take back control with her new book, Parental Control.

Maureen in Burbank is receiving messages about an iCloud subscription expiration and now suspects it’s a scam.

Facebook will start deleting live videos 30 days after they’re streamed. Download any old videos now if you want to save them before they’re removed.

Microsoft announced a major breakthrough in quantum computing with a new chip called Majorana 1.

Mark is experiencing issues with the latest Arlo app update.

Google has launched a new AI tool called Career Dreamer that helps match you with jobs based on your skills and experience.

Google is bringing a feature similar to Circle to Search to the iPhone, called Search Screen with Google Lens, but with limitations.

🎙️ Brandon Butch, tech YouTuber and writer at The Apple Den, joins the show to talk all things iPhone 16e—what’s new, what’s changing, and whether it’s worth the upgrade!

Rich shared Jefferson Graham’s simple tricks for better smartphone photos and recommended the excellent Radiant Photo app. He also mentioned Zerocam, an app that takes photos without using AI.

Randy is looking for a way to recover a video deleted from his phone a year ago.

Rich mentioned Google TV as an excellent app for keeping track of the movies and shows you want to watch. Download for iOS and Android.

Mark asked why there’s such an emphasis on Chrome over other browsers like Firefox.

American Airlines now allows passengers to use AirTags to help locate lost luggage, joining 18 other airlines offering this feature.

📱 Facundo Holzmeister from HowToMen – He uncovers the coolest hidden Android apps—get ready for some must-download recommendations!

Mentioned: 

Rich explains the current state of satellite connectivity on mobile phones.

Sign up for the T-Mobile Beta Test [here].

Watch Verizon’s commercial [here].

You can now download the Apple TV app for Android phones and tablets for access to Apple TV+ streaming and MLS.

Allison in Newport Beach says her business Instagram account was taken down due to violations she knows aren’t true. Rich says she can try appealing through the Meta Verified program.

✈️ Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy, shares expert travel tips, money-saving tricks & the best websites from his new book How to Win at Travel!

Gary in Laguna Niguel wants fitness tracking but not necessarily a smartwatch.

Daisy in Homeland, CA asks how to learn about AI. Rich says to use AI chatbots, watch YouTube videos, subscribe to the WonderTools newsletter, and check out free classes on sites like Khan Academy and community colleges.

TikTok is officially back in the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Apple is teasing a new product reveal on Feb 19, and everyone expects it to be a new iPhone SE.

Taren in Tennessee loves to read and wants to know if she should get a Kindle or an iPad.

An app called Death Clock aims to predict the day you’ll die (and how) using AI and a questionnaire about your health and lifestyle.

🖥️ J.D. Biersdorfer from The New York Times explains how to manage your digital estate—what happens to your social media and online accounts when you're gone.

Laura in Rancho Mission Viejo is wondering how to turn off notifications for a shared Google Calendar. Rich says to go to Google Calendar > Settings > Select the shared calendar > Adjust or disable event notifications.

Rich added that if an event is automatically created by Gmail, you need to copy it to a shared calendar so others can view it.

Mary in Topanga, CA wants a way for her 100-year-old mom in assisted living to watch TV with always-on captions since she forgets to charge her hearing aids.

Rich suggests enabling closed captions on the Samsung TV, though some models may require reactivation after turning off. For a simpler, always-on solution, he recommends the Jubilee TV system,

Rich says Amazon will unveil a new AI-powered Alexa at an event in New York City on February 26.

Apple has launched Apple Invites, a new invite app. You’ll need an iCloud+ subscription and an iPhone to send invites, but anyone can RSVP—even non-Apple users.

Diana asks for an app to repurpose an old phone. Rich recommends Alfred Camera for easy live monitoring and motion detection.

Did you know Microsoft has a free app called PC Manager? It helps clean and optimize your system. Just be sure to download the official version to avoid imitators.

Rich’s mom stopped by to talk NYC, New Jersey, and share some advice for his show.

Mark asks if he needs a subscription to run his Orbi mesh network. Rich says no—it works without one, but some features (like security and parental controls) require a paid plan.

According to Chris Hoffmann of the Windows Intelligence newsletter, Windscribe and Proton VPN are two great free VPN options.

Katie wants a simple, free website to merge two wedding songs into one clip. Rich recommends Audiomass—a free, easy-to-use online audio editor.

Skip from Aurora asks which headphones are best for flying and if he needs an adapter. Rich recommends Sony, Bose, and Sonos Ace for noise cancellation and comfort. For in-flight entertainment, the AirFly adapter lets you use Bluetooth headphones with the plane’s audio system.

Researchers have discovered security vulnerabilities in the DeepSeek iOS app—raising concerns about user data and privacy.

Adam asks if he should replace a flash drive that gave him an error message. Rich says yes—once a drive shows errors, it’s unreliable and could fail completely. Backup important files and get a new one.

Google Maps celebrates 20 years of navigation, real-time traffic, and Street View.

📱 Joanna Stern, Personal Tech Columnist at The Wall Street Journal, discusses the latest in technology!

Ron in Palm Springs says Word is proofreading everything in Spanish. Rich suggests checking the language settings under Review > Language > Set Proofing Language to switch back to English.

iPhone 7 owners who filed a class action claim for “Loop Disease” are receiving payments up to $349.

Want a free office suite? LibreOffice has a new update with a polished UI and better compatibility with Microsoft documents.

Rick in West Hills asks if he should pay for more iCloud storage or move photos to his computer. Rich also mentioned the Amazon Photos app with unlimited storage for Prime members.

Finally! Truecaller now offers 

Rich explained what DeepSeek is and why it disrupted the AI industry.

Toni in the Inland Empire asks about the difference between following someone and adding them as a friend on Facebook.

Jeff in Anaheim bought an Amazon Astro robot, and it stopped working.

Amazon Music Unlimited is raising prices by at least $1 a month.

Katie in Garden Grove is wondering about using an eSIM or regular SIM in Japan. Rich mentioned Airalo, use code RICH5375 for a few dollars off.

Lisa asks about the BeaconLink feature on OnePlus 13 phones.

Susan in San Diego wants to know if there’s something better than the Oura Ring. Rich mentioned checking out the Samsung Galaxy Ring (Android), RingConn, and Amazfit.

Rich talked about the high-tech, all-electric Pebble Flow RV.

Lou in Arizona is wondering if the system update messages he’s seeing on his Pixel 7 are legit.

Rich warned about a “Chrome Update” scam targeting Wordpress websites.

The Pebble smartwatch is making a comeback.

Michelle writes in asking if Apple is really enabling AI by default in the last update. Rich says yes, but you can turn it off easily.

Pat from Sherman Oaks asks if there’s a good website to chart a trip on a map. Rich recommends Roadtrippers.

📱 Cell phone plan reviewer Stetson Doggett will explain the latest offerings from carriers big and small – and how to save money while staying connected!

His Favs: US Mobile $25, Visible $45, Boost Mobile Infinite $65, Mobile X and US Mobile $10 plan.

There’s a new Apple Watch settlement for early models with swollen batteries. Details here.

Lynn in Murrieta is wondering how easy it is to switch to an MVNO.

Michael in Kentucky asks if the Cartable Pro Max he saw advertised on social media is any good.

Luis asks for a recommendation on a digital business card app. Rich says Popl and HiHello are two of his favs.

🎥 Phillip Swann, the TV Answer Man, joins me to break down the latest streaming services and what to expect for Super Bowl coverage.

You’ll be able to watch the Super Bowl on Tubi in 4K, but remember you need to register with your email first!

Helpful website to spot scams instantly – Scam AI.

Helpful website for quick, browser-based tools – Browserling’s Online Tools.

Google adds a new Block Breaker game – just search “Block Breaker.”

Rich mentioned the App Letterboxd and the movie Saturday Night.

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Rich DeMuro talks about tech news, helpful tips, gadget reviews, and more, along with interviews in this weekly show.

Call 1-888-RICH-101 (1-888-742-4101) to join in!

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Rich gives his initial impressions of the Samsung Galaxy S25 series.

Freddy in Yonkers is looking for a way to rip audio off CDs. Rich mentioned Exact Audio Copy.

Drew in Sherman Oaks is looking for a way to free up storage on on his iPad without deleting his photos from iCloud. Rich recommends the “Optimize Storage” feature.

Delete Desk is a handy website with a database of easy deletion instructions for over 10,000 websites.

Bill in Santa Monica is wondering if the free TCL phone he got is worth keeping.

Rich says to watch the movie The Wild Robot. It’s excellent and streaming on Peacock.

Netflix is raising prices, and the top-of-the-line plan is now $25 a month.

PowerSchool data breach affects millions of students and teachers.

Samsung teased a super thin phone called the Galaxy S25 Edge, which is launching later this year.

Samsung gave us a first in-person look at their upcoming XR headset, Project Moohan.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 now has a kid-friendly mode.

Oscar is having issues loading a website. Rich says to disable any ad blockers, use an Incognito Window or clear the site data for the website.

David in Tulsa is wondering which first smartphone he should get.

📱 Nick Gray, Editor in Chief at Phandroid, will cover the key features of Samsung's S25 series.

Instagram has a new feature that lets you reset your personalized recommendations.

Jim in Portland writes in about how to cancel his recurring Dropbox subscription if he can’t access the email associated with it and can’t remember the email address he used to sign up.

A simple guide to help keep parents safe online. Rich also mentioned ScamSpotter.org

Microsoft 365 is hiking prices, but existing users can switch to “classic” plans to keep their current pricing.

Trucaller is bringing real-time caller ID to iPhones.

Sony is exiting the "recordable Blu-Ray” business.

Tesla launched a refreshed Y Model.

Leticia wants a good app to scan a document. Rich recommends Adobe Scan, but you can also use Google Drive and iPhone’s Files App.

Vincent wants a good QR code scanner for Android. Rich says to use what’s built into the camera, Google Lens or Barcode Scanner App.

🎙️ Radio host and accessibility consultant Paul Amadeus Lane explores how technology can empower people with disabilities, drawing from his experience as a quadriplegic gamer and tech enthusiast.

RichOnTech.tv Links may be affiliate.

Rich DeMuro talks about tech news, helpful tips, gadget reviews, and more, along with interviews in this weekly show.

Call 1-888-RICH-101 (1-888-742-4101) to join in!

Email your question here.

Listen LIVE from 11 AM - 2 PM PT on KFI AM 640