This week on TechWatch Radio, Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison dive into the shifting digital landscape where security, hardware, and user control collide. The show opens with a breakdown of Google’s new Gmail client-side encryption rollout and the quiet removal of key features like POP access and Gmailify; changes that could leave longtime users scrambling. The hosts debate whether end-to-end encryption really means privacy when Google still owns the infrastructure, and what it signals for the future of offline email and open-source compatibility.

The conversation then turns to the surprising report that Intel may manufacture AMD chips in its own U.S. foundries — a move that could reshape the semiconductor industry, reduce America’s dependence on Taiwan’s TSMC, and bring more competition to the GPU and AI-driven chip market. Sam and Jay weigh how this partnership might lead to faster, cheaper processors and revive stateside chipmaking.

Finally, the hosts round up browser news: Google Chrome hits a record-high 72% market share, Microsoft Edge struggles to define itself, and the Brave browser quietly celebrates 100 million active users with privacy-first innovation. With sharp takes and relatable humor, TechWatch Radio keeps you up to speed on the storms brewing across Big Tech.

Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison dive into a wide-ranging lineup of tech news that impacts both everyday users and industry insiders. They kick things off with Robinhood’s decision to scale back free account perks, pushing customers toward its Gold membership.

The conversation then shifts to Google’s new “Project Aluminum,” an ambitious effort to unify ChromeOS and Android into a seamless ecosystem for phones, tablets, and PCs. Sam and Jay discuss the challenges of scaling across screen sizes, the future of cloud-first computing, and why Microsoft and Apple may still have an edge. Rounding out the episode are highlights on NVIDIA and Intel’s surprising new partnership, troubling data breaches at TransUnion and Plex, and the debut of PayPal’s new payment links. Along the way, the hosts also spotlight fun distractions like live animal cams and practical gadgets like rechargeable motion-sensor LED lights.

In this episode of TechWatch Radio, hosts Sam Bushman and Jay Harrison dive into the growing overload of communication platforms and payment systems, lamenting how the modern digital world demands users juggle countless apps, services, and channels just to stay connected. They highlight how Microsoft Teams is adding new security features for enterprise users, and discuss the creeping frustration of mandatory tools that reinstall themselves with every Windows update. Their lively banter underscores how the sheer volume of platforms is starting to hinder communication rather than help it.

The conversation then shifts to urgent security concerns, including the newly discovered Android malware “RatOn,” which can drain bank accounts and lock devices with ransomware. They warn listeners to avoid sideloading apps, maintain strong backups, and respond carefully if a device is compromised. Wrapping up, Sam and Jay tackle the confusion around ever-changing cable standards like the new Ultra 96 HDMI spec, comparing it to the USB mess and stressing how difficult it has become for average users to even know what gear they have. Packed with sharp takes, practical advice, and plenty of humor, this episode helps listeners navigate today’s increasingly tangled tech landscape.