Get Connected

Ever wonder how Facebook selects the ads it displays in your newsfeed? Sometimes those ads can feel invasive or simply irrelevant. This week, we look at one important change in your privacy settings on the popular social network that will give you more control over the ads you see. 

As the new Anthony Bourdain documentary hit screens, we learned that artificial intelligence was used to recreate the late celebrity chef's voice. We discus how using AI technology to create deepfakes like this one is moving into mainstream filmmaking and explore the implications. Is simulating Bourdain's voice in this way ethical, especially in a documentary? Igor Bonifacic from Mobile Syrup joins us to discuss. 

Tesla has been the one to watch when it comes to electric vehicles, but traditional automakers are working to catch up. Tech expert and EV enthusiast Ted Kritsonis joins Mike and John to discuss the latest electric vehicle announcements. In this discussion, we look at the technology behind some of the most anticipated features and examine the future of EVs.

As countries continue to work through the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination rates rise, questions are emerging about whether digital vaccine passports could be an effective way to manage the pandemic moving forward. Kerry Bowman, a bioethicist from the University of Toronto joins us to discuss the ethical and practical implications of digital vaccine passports. Looking at vaccine passports on the international and the national level, we explore questions of freedom of movement and how verification might work from a practical perspective. 

Since the first recreational traveler landed on the International Space Station (ISS) in 2001, space tourism has been a hot topic. But are we really getting closer to making it a reality? More importantly, will it become affordable? Vancouver technology expert Peter Vogel joins us as we examine the current state of space tourism and discuss what the future holds for companies like Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin.

How much sensitive information are you giving away unknowingly on social media? You might be surprised to find out that those quizzes, polls, and even image apps on Facebook and other social networks are leaving you vulnerable to hacks and identity theft. Tech expert, Carmi Levy, joins us as we discuss common social media privacy traps and how you can protect yourself. 

The year's biggest gaming event, E3, went all digital this year, but that didn't dampen the excitement it created in the gaming community. Veteran gamer and gaming industry expert, Victor Lucas, joins Mike and John to discuss the evolution of gaming and to recap what we learned about its future from this year's event. Will streaming sticks be the future of gaming? And what will be the most anticipated video games of 2021?

This past week, Apple held its annual World Developer's Conference announcing updates to its popular operating systems and software. We recap the most important updates to MacOS and discuss how Apple is going all in on privacy with updates to protect your information from online advertisers. Later in the program, Mike and John help you show your appreciation for Dad with our Father's Day tech gift guide. 

This year, Apple is hosting its big Worldwide Developer's Conference, or WWDC, online only. The first of its kind, the event will feature the latest product announcements from the tech giant. This week, Mike and John discuss the big announcements they expect about the MacBook line, iOS, and MacOS. 

With the sudden move to working from home, many organizations found themselves unprepared from a cybersecurity standpoint. Michael Howard,Global Security Practice Lead at HP, joins us to share some statistics on cybersecurity during the pandemic. He also shares his insight on how organizations can protect themselves as employees continue to work from home.

In 1996, the Internet Archive began to create a record of the Internet itself, archiving and preserving all the content published online. Since then, the non-profit organization has been on a mission to make knowledge universally accessible by digitizing and archiving every type of content: newspapers, books, audio recordings, videos, images and even software programs. Brewster Kahle, founder of the Internet Archive, joins Mike and John in a lively discussion about how it all began and why creating this archive is so important.

In the face of a global pandemic, we've had the unique opportunity to explore and develop a deeper familiarity with our local surroundings. Now, Facebook wants to help you connect with your neighbours and local community with Facebook Neighbourhoods. Mike and John discuss how this new feature works and how it competes with hyperlocal social networking app, Nextdoor.

It's not too late to find the perfect gift for Mom! Mike and John share their last minute tech gift ideas.  Later in the show, they talk to one woman about her journey to discover her ethnic roots using DNA technology and Ancestry DNA. 

Monstercat, a disruptive Vancouver record label, has given Electronic music artist's the tools to live sustainably since 2011. Monstercat CEO, Mike Darlington, joins Mike and John to discuss how the company has innovated with artists in mind through the pandemic, and how they're getting in on the NFT trend. Later in the show, we explore the latest fitness technology, including the hottest fitness trackers. Are you ready to get in shape?

Renewable energy and finding ways to harness it is more important than ever as we find ourselves falling deeper into a climate crisis. In honour of Earth Day this week, we learned about a Canadian company that's bringing solar power technology to homes. Danial Hadizadeh, CEO of Mitrex, joins Mike and John to discuss this promising new technology and how it makes it possible to harness renewable energy for residential homes. 

Like most things, art is evolving thanks to technology. Mike and John explore this evolution with Douglas Coupland, an accomplished Canadian author and artist. Discussing everything from writing to digital art and NFTs, Douglas offers a unique look into the new opportunities technology has created for artists over the years and how it continues to change the process of creating art. 

What are dark patterns online and how did the Trump campaign use them to trick supporters into donating millions more than they intended? Mike and John explain how to recognize when websites and other user interfaces have been engineered to trick or manipulate you into making choices you typically wouldn't. Most importantly, we discuss how to protect yourself from falling victim to dark patterns, even on seemingly trustworthy websites.

Heard of Twitch but still not sure what it is? And how are streamers making money on this platform? Mike and John speak with popular Twitch Streamer, Barnacules, to demystify Twitch and learn how you can make money on the platform. Spoiler alert: the platform is no longer just for gamers. 

Technology continues to create new opportunities across industries and the art world is no exception. With NFTs fuelling a crypto art boom, it's the perfect time for artists to embrace this new trend. Mike and John discuss how artists can create and mint their own NFTs by validating their information on the blockchain. Sound complicated? Not to worry, we'll demystify the process. 

NFTs are continuing to take the Internet by storm. We explain what they are, how they work, and how you can invest in them. We a discuss the environmental impact, which is bigger than you'd expect.  We also speak with the CEO of a new startup revolutionizing the way electric vehicles, or EVs, are charged in the San Francisco Bay Area.