Secret Computers Inside Devices: Who Owns Your Tech?

Your computer may have a secret! This week on User Friendly 2.0, we're uncovering the hidden processors operating inside our computers and smartphones, sometimes even when the main operating system isn't running. From Intel's Management Engine and remote-access technology to the security systems bu…

Ghosts, Gadgets & Gigabytes

This week's chilling news haunts the first segment like a bag of Trick-or-Treat candy with all kinds of AI topics.  Then our spooky second section is all about Halloween.  Join us for the ghostly conversation.  Don't worry, you won't have to call the Ghostbusters. Hosts: Haunted William Sikkens, S…

Flying Cars, AI Questions & World of Kylia

This week, our news and commentary take us from big questions about AI to flying cars and towering robots. We discuss a new chapter for Solo: A Star Wars Story, NASA’s “Dream with Us” student design challenge, Ukraine’s reported strikes on Russian bot operations, and Grok’s pitch to shop with your …

Code Wars: Clones, Consoles & Copyrights

Who really owns the software you buy, and what happens when someone figures out how to recreate it? This week on User Friendly 2.0, we're diving into the growing controversy around Sony's PlayStation 5 and new developments that could let PS5 games run on ordinary PCs. Meanwhile, advances in artifi…

Hackers, Hardware & Game Night

This week on User Friendly 2.0, we explore technology from two very different angles. First, we take a look at hacking devices. From security-testing tools to surprisingly inexpensive gadgets that interact with wireless signals, RFID, NFC, and other everyday technologies, we examine what these dev…

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and the digital threats facing businesses and individuals continue to evolve. This week, Jessica Kearney of the Travelers Institute joins us to explore the current state of cybersecurity, the threats you should watch for, and the practical steps we can all…

The Hover

This week's episode starts with the news and ends with the joy of hovering in a Gravity jet suit.  Listen to hear what Bill has to share. Hosts: Bill Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, and Gretchen Winkler

Rose City & Holiday Lights

Join us this week for our annual holiday light technology show.  We have access to the same tech that ran amusement parks a few years ago - right at your house. The team attended the Rose City Comic Con and had a wonderful time.  We discuss the highlights in the second segment. Bill offers his re…

ComicCons 2026 and Summer Q&A

Join us this week as we discuss comic conventions and answer some of your questions. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

Audio Tech

What is Dolby? What is THX? What do these things mean in movies and audio? This week we'll look at your questions about audio tech and discuss a bit about recording history. We will also cover professional Dungeon Masters and this week's news. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler