TechStuff

Google collects data from cell phone users like you to create a database of traffic information for Google Maps. Jonathan and Chris discuss the pros and cons of traffic monitoring tools in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laser tag systems, which have been around since the 70s and 80s, don't typically use real lasers. Jonathan and Chris discuss the history of laser tag systems and how they work in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We often take traffic lights for granted, but regulating the flow of traffic takes a lot of planning and technology. Jonathan and Chris detail the technology behind traffic lights in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In general, headphones for audio devices increase your risk of damaged hearing, but this is especially true of ear buds. Learn more about how we hear sound and why ear buds can so easily damage your hearing in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A microchip is an integrated circuit that you'll find in all sorts of electronic devices, but how is it made? Jonathan and Chris give a detailed explanation of the complex, delicate process of microchip making in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prompted by a listener's e-mail, Jonathan and Chris tackle the complexities of air traffic control technology in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you love video games, playing them for money probably seems like a dream job. But testing video games is serious business and can be quite unglamorous. Jonathan and Chris discuss what video game testers really do in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cyborgs, organisms that incorporate both biological and mechanical parts, are a staple in science fiction stories. But do they exist in real life? Jonathan and Chris talk about the current status of cybernetic technology in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonathan and Chris give a detailed explanation of how the Nintendo Wii's motion-sensitive controller, the Wii remote, works -- and why it's so popular with hackers -- in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We don't tend to think of the inventions of the middle ages as technology; but back then, they were definitely considered high-tech. Chris and Jonathan check out some medieval tech in this listener-inspired episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Machines can perform complex tasks, but does this mean they are conscious entities? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris discuss what defines artificial consciousness -- and whether it's truly possible. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonathan and Chris discuss the most famous weapon in the "Star Wars" universe -- the lightsaber -- in this episode of TechStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonathan and Chris discuss multi-booting, from how computers boot up in general to partitioning a hard drive to allow room for multiple operating systems, in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes using a single computer just won't cut it, and buying time on a supercomputer can be prohibitively expensive. So what do you do next? Tune in and learn more about distributed computing in this podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Given today's digital technology, why do we still use paper in office settings? Jonathan and Chris discuss what happened to the paperless office -- and whether businesses will ever stop using paper completely -- in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this listener-inspired episode, Chris and Jonathan discuss the differences between standard power grids and smart grids. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonathan and Chris discuss Auto-Tune, pitch correction software that's used to digitally smooth out and alter audio tracks, in this listener-inspired episode of TechStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Jonathan and Chris discuss amateur radio, a.k.a. "ham" radio, in detail. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of TechStuff, Chris and Jonathan explain how the web collaboration tools called wikis work and discuss the most famous wiki of all -- Wikipedia. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonathan and Chris take you on a wild ride as they explore the history and technology behind roller coasters in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although the concept of a meme -- a unit of cultural transmission -- didn't originate on the Internet, it has spread like wildfire on the Web. Learn more about Internet memes in this episode of TechStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, pinball enthusiasts Jonathan and Chris discuss the history, technology and "demise" of pinball machines. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Microwave ovens are ubiquitous kitchen appliances with surprising origins. Join Jonathan and Chris as they discuss the microwave oven (and stuff you shouldn't put in it) in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonathan and Chris take a critical look at polygraph machines, commonly known as lie detectors, in this episode of TechStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonathan and Chris discuss Snow Leopard, Apple's latest version of the Mac operating system, in this listener-mail inspired episode of TechStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.