Episode 426 - "Lights, Sound, Action! Home Theater Add-ons that Pack a Punch!"

In this, the first episode of TechtalkRadio for 2025, Andy, Matt, and Justin discussed their holiday experiences and Justin shared his positive experience with Tesla's full self-driving mode, which he tested on a trip to Cripple Creek Colorado. Justin got a new device that Andy could have used after having a tire lose pressure recently. The Mobile Device is a portable Air Compressor from a company called AirMoto which can quickly deliver up to 120PSI and even can inflate to a set amount. 

Another change both Matt and Justin made to thier homes focused on the Entertainment Systems. Matt discussed his recent purchase of a Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar and a Sonos Sub 4.1. Matt explained how the soundbar and subwoofer work together to create a full surround sound experience, and how the Sonos system allows for easy setup and control through the app. A good question when setting up a great sound system. What is the Best Movie to Watch? Matt and Justin recommended Top Gun as well as Dune Part 1 and 2 while Andy liked the original Raiders of the Lost Ark.  Not only is sound a part of these theater setups but both Justin and Matt focused on the use of Govee LED lights. Justin explained how his setup, which includes LED lights behind and beside his TV, changes color based on the content being displayed, enhancing the overall theater experience. Matt shared his similar setup, which he set up for his parents, and highlighted the benefits of using a camera for syncing the lights with the TV's content. Both agreed that the camera-based system was super effective for an immersive experience. They also discussed the benefits of their respective TVs, with the Sony Bravia OLED TV being praised for its color accuracy and its color tuning presets for streaming services by Matt.

Matt explained the difference between passkeys and passwords, emphasizing that passkeys are a more secure authentication method using private and public key pairs. He highlighted that passkeys are tied to specific devices, making them resistant to brute force attacks, keylogging, and phishing. Matt also discussed the use of Yubikeys as a hardware key for authentication. A Listener question wondered about a portable printer for work projects. Matt suggested the Canon Pixma TR 150 and the Brother PocketJet PJ-883 as potential options however Andy wondered if using a tablet with a PDF Creator Program would be better at generating PDF Documents to send to a client. 

Justin shared his experience with the Oura ring, a health monitoring device that tracks heart rate, stress levels, and sleep habits. He found the device useful but after using the Pixel Watch he noted some drawbacks, such as the app being cluttered. The Oura Ring is eligible for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for medical expenses in most cases. Justin als shares about the recharging of the Ring Itself.