Computer Talk 4-4-26 HR 1

In this episode of Computer Talk with Tab, hosts Eric Semel and Dennis Halnon dive into a mix of tech news, consumer concerns, and listener calls. They begin with the announcement of Samsung's Galaxy Watch introducing blood pressure tracking—though it's marketed as a novelty rather than a medical device, requiring calibration every 28 days. The conversation then shifts to a major cybersecurity breach where North Korean hackers stole $285 million in cryptocurrency from the decentralized finance platform Drift, highlighting the vulnerabilities in blockchain systems despite their reputation for security. The hosts express skepticism toward cryptocurrency, likening it to 'Beanie Babies on steroids' and criticizing banks for enabling such speculative markets. They also discuss the Supreme Court’s ruling in Cox Communications vs. Sony Music, which absolved internet providers from liability for users’ copyright infringement, drawing parallels to charging Eversource for electricity used in piracy. The episode includes listener feedback on spam email management, Gmail storage limits, and the risks of data center heat emissions, with one caller noting the environmental impact of AI infrastructure. Finally, a discussion on email privacy leads to recommendations for secure alternatives like ProtonMail and StartMail, with a focus on encryption and user control over data access.