iTechGear Weekly

iTechGear.org

126 episodes listed below

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Fast tech talk with useful friction.

The gist

iTechGear Weekly runs on fast-moving panel talk, loose jokes, and seasoned tech memory. The group moves from WWDC expectations and AI workplace bets to smart glasses, weather radar, Garmin cables, and holiday hardware picks without sanding off the detours.

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About iTechGear Weekly

iTechGear Weekly is a panel-driven technology show with a familiar-room rhythm. It starts fast. Christopher Sparrow sets the table, the group trades a few corrections or jokes, and the conversation usually becomes useful before it becomes orderly. That looseness is part of the identity. The show treats tech as something people actually live with, not just something companies announce. Apple is a frequent gravitational center, especially WWDC, Mac hardware, iPadOS limits, iMac uncertainty, and the odd gap between powerful silicon and constrained software. AI gets a similarly practical read. The panel talks through Anthropic's fail-safes, government pressure, agentic AI, corporate expectations, and the risk that executives cut staff before they know what success should look like. The tone is skeptical, but not reflexively anti-tech. It keeps asking what works, who is affected, and what has been left undefined. Privacy debates are especially concrete. Camera glasses become less of a gadget story and more of a social problem, with campus encounters, filming anxiety, and harassment concerns treated as things that need an actual response. Everyday tools matter too. Weather apps, local TV radar, map traffic layers, Garmin cables, wilderness gear, Valentine's 3D-printing projects, and holiday gift-guide laptops all sit comfortably beside platform strategy. The show is not trying to sound sleek. It is more like a standing tech table where experienced people interrupt, circle back, tease each other, and eventually extract the point. That makes it best for listeners who enjoy context with their product talk. It favors judgment over novelty. It also carries a strong older-internet sensibility: Windows history, Gear Diary references, WUGNET background, Linux shows, podcasting roots, and the sense that today's industry habits make more sense when someone remembers the last version of the same argument.

Made for: For listeners who like practical tech commentary from people with long memories of the internet, Windows, Apple, Linux, and gadget culture. It suits anyone who enjoys roundtable disagreement more than polished product recaps.

What sets it apart: The show stands apart through its correction-heavy panel chemistry and its habit of turning everyday complaints into broader tech judgment. It is comfortable moving from AI governance to weather radar without pretending those belong in separate worlds.

In their own words

We're Weekly as of Episode 37! SO, who wants to listen to four old white guys kvetch about tech and what will certainly be cries to get kids off their lawn... You do, obviously! The iTechGear Weekly (or iTGW) combines the expertise of four guys who helped the internet get off the ground: * Larry McJunkin - former Co-Owner of WUGNET - the Windows User's Group NETwork, a cornerstone of the Internet and the Windows World. * Chris Gavula - a former Editor at both Gear Diary and pocketnow.com * Joel McLaughlin - a former Senior Contributor at Gear Diary and host of...

As heard by us

Based on 5 episodes we listened to · September 2026

A seasoned panel tests devices, apps, and AI claims against practical use, social consequences, and the limits hidden behind product promises.

iTechGear Weekly turns technology news into an argumentative group conversation, led by Christopher Sparrow with regular contributions from Chris Gavula, Joel McLaughlin, and Larry McJunkin.

Read our full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Local TV weather takes on your app; AI staffing promises get asked what anyone actually measured.

Press play if you want

  • someone to question AI staff cuts when nobody can agree what success looks like
  • a privacy gut check on smart glasses that can film people before they notice
Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
Apple events and hardwareAI safety and workplace impactsmart glasses and privacyweather apps and local radarMac, iPad, and Linux computingportable gear and cablesholiday tech gift picksold internet and tech community history

Talks about

Best episodes of iTechGear Weekly

Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.

Episode 168 - Ring My BellApr 14, 2026

A loose tech roundtable that turns AI safety into a real argument.

Episode 168 settles into familiar ground for the show: a loose, fast-moving panel working through AI safety, regulation, and the gap between what companies promise and what the public is asked to trust.

Episode 167 - Stop being so PickyApr 8, 2026

A plainspoken AI discussion about implementation, layoffs, and the gap between claims and results.

This discussion stays grounded in a simple question: do AI bets actually pay off when companies are trimming staff and still struggling to measure results? It works best there.

Episode 161 - We're off to see the GurmanFeb 22, 2026

A blunt, useful discussion of face-worn cameras, public discomfort, and the social response they may demand.

This episode treats a glasses-and-phone debate as a wider question of what it feels like to be recorded in public. It weighs face-worn cameras against phones in hand, circles back to Google Glass, and asks what kind of social response might actually ease the discomfort people…

Episode 160 - So Many Mistakes So Little TimeFeb 9, 2026

A practical weather-app debate that turns into grounded, everyday tech advice.

An episode built around weather and local judgment, it argues that a single weather app can miss what is happening a few miles away. The practical advice lands cleanly: check local station feeds, radar, and traffic maps before deciding whether to head out.

Episode 155 - 2025 Holiday Gift GuideJan 5, 2026

A practical gift guide that turns into a clear eyed argument about where everyday computing is going.

Episode 155 treats the holiday gift guide as a way to talk about where consumer computing is headed. It moves from Windows losing ground and Linux gaining it to Apple's all in ones, tablet limits, and the possibility that the next five to seven years will look very different for…

Podcasts like iTechGear Weekly

Episodes

  1. 1

    Episode 189 - Wait, John and Mark did WHAT?!

    Hidden gem

    iTech Gear Weekly Episode 189 examines Apple’s iPhone Duo launch, HomePod Mini 2, and account recovery.

    Oct 23, 2026·1h 58m·2 clips
  2. 2

    Episode 188 - It Starts at What?

    Apple’s rumored Home View, expected October 13 with an A18 chip, anchors the gadget coverage alongside a new Apple TV and HomePod mini.

    Oct 14, 2026·1h 46m·2 clips
  3. 3

    Episode 187 - I'm not happy with it, and I'm Changing it, so get over it.

    Oct 8, 2026·1h 22m
  4. 4

    Episode 186 - Something Really Easy Requires Something Really Complicated

    Christopher Sparrow, Chris Cavula, Joe McLaughlin and Larry McJunkin open Episode 186 with Michael Steele's browser-runnable build of Apple's unreleased Copeland OS, which took 11 patches to get running.

    Sep 29, 2026·1h 27m·2 clips
  5. 5

    Episode 185 - Really Quick Show

    Sep 21, 2026·1h 17m
  6. 6

    Episode 184 - Surprised and Shined

    Sep 16, 2026·1h 9m
  7. 7

    Episode 183 - Waitin' on the Shine

    Sep 9, 2026·1h 20m
  8. 8

    Episode 182 - Surprise and Shine

    Aug 31, 2026·1h 57m
  9. 9

    Episode 181 - No Notice Yet

    Aug 17, 2026·1h 33m
  10. 10

    Episode 180 - Thank You Captain Obvious

    Aug 10, 2026·1h 58m
  11. 11

    Episode 179 - Another Free Year for $30 Bucks

    Aug 5, 2026·1h 54m
  12. 12

    Episode 178 - Return of the Glass-hole

    Jul 27, 2026·1h 35m
  13. 13

    Episode 177 - Smoke 'em if ya got 'em!

    Jul 23, 2026·1h 34m
  14. 14

    Episode 176 - Get in my Belly

    Jul 22, 2026·1h 26m
  15. 15

    Episode 175 - She doesn't look a day over 225

    Jul 7, 2026·1h 25m
  16. 16

    Episode 174 - The March of the 27s

    Jun 15, 2026·1h 43m
  17. 17

    Episode 173 - Lil' Finder Guy

    Jun 12, 2026·1h 55m
  18. 18

    Episode 172 - Still Waiting on WWDC

    Jun 10, 2026·1h 28m
  19. 19

    Episode 171 - Thank You for your Sacrifice 2026

    Jun 8, 2026·2h 12m
  20. 20

    Episode 170 - Again, Just the Tip

    May 6, 2026·2h 19m
  21. 21

    Episodem 169 - The King is Retired. Long Live the King!

    May 3, 2026·1h 48m
  22. 22

    Episode 168 - Ring My Bell

    Hidden gem

    The show opens with live-show banter about what "recorded live" actually means, then corrects a memory about an old Memorex commercial before settling into the usual back-and-forth where people overlap just enough to keep the point sharp.

    Apr 14, 2026·1h 35m·5 clips
  23. 23

    Episode 167 - Stop being so Picky

    Hidden gem

    Christopher Sparrow and Chris Gavula run a stripped-down, two-host version of I-Tech Gear Weekly for Easter Sunday.

    Apr 8, 2026·1h 38m·2 clips
  24. 24

    Episode 166 - So Long MacPro, we barely Knew Ye

    This episode features a tech podcast crew discussing Apple's WWDC event and the MacPro, with humorous banter among the hosts.

    Apr 8, 2026·1h 31m
  25. 25

    Episode 165 - Chuck Norris Counts to Infinity, Twice

    This episode features the podcast crew discussing weather conditions in Chicago and Ohio while introducing various tech-related roles and shows.

    Mar 23, 2026·1h 46m
  26. 26

    Episode 164 - The Neo is Here

    Mar 20, 2026·2h 38m
  27. 27

    Episode 162 - I Love the Smell of a Burnt Billion in the Morning

    This episode is a live recording from iTech Central, featuring the editor-in-chief discussing the absence of Dr.

    Mar 17, 2026·1h 32m
  28. 28

    Episode 163 - There is no Spoon

    Mar 17, 2026·2h 8m
  29. 29

    Episode 161 - We're off to see the Gurman

    Hidden gem

    The show opens live from iTechGear Central on Sunday, February 15, 2026, with Christopher Sparrow introducing the full crew and joking about the chaos of having everyone in the room.

    Feb 22, 2026·1h 43m·5 clips
  30. 30

    Episode 160 - So Many Mistakes So Little Time

    Hidden gem

    Christopher Sparrow opens the live January 25, 2026 show from iTechGear Central with Chris Cavula and Brother Joe McLaughlin.

    Feb 9, 2026·1h 10m·2 clips
  31. 31

    Episode 159 - Trust but Verify

    Feb 5, 2026·1h 38m
  32. 32

    Episode 158 - Another Year TBD

    Jan 9, 2026·2h 1m
  33. 33

    Episode 157 - Clippy says Happy Holidays

    Jan 6, 2026·1h 35m
  34. 34

    Episode 155 - 2025 Holiday Gift Guide

    Hidden gem

    Christopher Sparrow opens episode 155 as the 2025 Holiday Gift Guide.

    Jan 5, 2026·1h 31m·5 clips
  35. 35

    Episode 156 - I'm Mr. 10 Below

    Jan 5, 2026·1h 11m
  36. 36

    Episode 154 - You'll Shoot Your Eye Out Kid

    Dec 14, 2025·1h 29m
  37. 37

    Episode 151 - A New Flavor of Eff-ery

    Dec 13, 2025·1h 34m
  38. 38

    Episode 153 - Not Ready for Prime Time

    Dec 13, 2025·1h 38m
  39. 39

    Episode 152 - It Socks to be You

    Dec 13, 2025·1h 34m
  40. 40

    Episode 150 - If it Ain't Got Freakin' Android Auto in it

    Dec 6, 2025·1h 26m
  41. 41

    Episode 149 - Jobsian is not a Thing

    Nov 30, 2025·1h 48m
  42. 42

    Episode 147 - Goin' Strapless

    Nov 1, 2025·1h 25m
  43. 43

    Episode 148 - That’s Captain MF-er to you!

    Nov 1, 2025·1h 41m
  44. 44

    Episode 146 - What are you Waiting For?

    Oct 20, 2025·1h 34m
  45. 45

    Episode 145 - 5 Years of iTGW

    Sep 18, 2025·1h 26m
  46. 46

    Episode 144 - Timmy Time!

    Sep 11, 2025·1h 16m
  47. 47

    Episode 141 - Copyrights Patents Trolls (oh my)

    Aug 25, 2025·1h 49m
  48. 48

    Episode 142 - Again, Sort of

    Aug 25, 2025·1h 48m
  49. 49

    Episode 143 - WUGNET-Fest-A-Palooza

    Aug 25, 2025·1h 56m
  50. 50

    Episode 140 - Randall says we can Start

    Aug 24, 2025·1h 50m
  51. 51

    Episode 139 - Clippy's got a Brand New Face

    Aug 2, 2025·1h 22m
  52. 52

    Episode 138 - What's with all the Rumors

    This episode of i-tech gear weekly features a roundtable discussion with the editor-in-chief and former contributors from tech publications, focusing on rumors and news in the tech industry.

    Jul 14, 2025·1h 46m
  53. 53

    Episode 137 - You made your Memoji do What??

    Jul 10, 2025·1h 18m
  54. 54

    Episode 135 - Did they use a Red Stapler or not?

    Jul 9, 2025·1h 11m
  55. 55

    Episode 136 - The Week After the Conference Before

    Jul 9, 2025·1h 52m
  56. 56

    Episode 134 - Guilt is Like Garlic - You Can't have too Much

    Jul 7, 2025·1h 39m
  57. 57

    Episode 133 - Thank You for Your Servce

    Jul 7, 2025·1h 21m
  58. 58

    Episode 132 - They Wrote Checks their @$$ Can't Cash

    May 20, 2025·1h 29m
  59. 59

    Episode 131 - May the Fourth be with Youth

    The iTechGear Weekly podcast hosts Christopher Sparrow, Chris Gabula, Joe McLaughlin, and Larry McJunkin banter about their roles, the May 4th Star Wars reference, and local weather in East Tennessee.

    May 19, 2025·1h 38m
  60. 60

    Episode 130 - I'm Just Waiting for Y'all to Say Something Stupid

    Apr 30, 2025·1h 59m
  61. 61

    Episode 129 - Remind Me Again - How do I get to be Exempt??

    Apr 14, 2025·1h 32m
  62. 62

    Episode 128 - Maybe, but you Gotta Buy me Dinner First

    Apr 14, 2025·2h 1m
  63. 63

    Episode 127 - Where, Oh Where have our Dulcet Tones Gone?

    Apr 14, 2025·1h 47m
  64. 64

    Episode 126 - GC Stands for Guest Contributor

    Apr 2, 2025·1h 18m
  65. 65

    Episode 123 - We're Just a Real Quick, Kinda Drive-by

    Mar 23, 2025·1h 23m
  66. 66

    Episode 125 - You don't Want to Damage the Dulcet Tones

    Mar 23, 2025·1h 20m
  67. 67

    Episode 124 - Spring Forward, Fall - Help I've Fallen and I can't Get Up!

    Mar 23, 2025·1h 35m
  68. 68

    Episode 122 - That's What She Said

    Mar 20, 2025·1h 40m
  69. 69

    Episode 120 - When Nature Calls

    This episode of iTechGear Weekly features the crew discussing technology, personal projects like new YouTube channels, and outdoor activities with gear.

    Feb 21, 2025·1h 9m
  70. 70

    Episode 121 - That's a Trip to HR Waiting to Happen

    A casual conversation among tech editors discussing winter weather, personal updates, and podcast introductions.

    Feb 21, 2025·1h 26m
  71. 71

    Episode 119 - Getting Tired of the Merry-Go-Round

    Feb 6, 2025·1h 44m
  72. 72

    Episode 118 - We're OK 'cuz the Band's Still Playing

    Jan 21, 2025·1h 41m
  73. 73

    Episode 117 - It's not for Old Farts

    Jan 13, 2025·1h 21m
  74. 74

    Episode 116 - Bless Your Heart and Happy New Year

    Jan 13, 2025·1h 42m
  75. 75

    Episode 112 - Help! I've Fallen Back and can't get Up!

    Dec 18, 2024·1h 29m
  76. 76

    Episode 115 - Fun, Fluffy & Stupid

    Dec 18, 2024·1h 37m
  77. 77

    Episode 114 - I'm a Pimpin'... And I'm a Poohin'

    Dec 18, 2024·1h 53m
  78. 78

    Episode 113 - Just Stick with the Tech Thing

    Dec 18, 2024·2h
  79. 79

    Episode 111 - If you have to Resort to a Turtle Suit, Something's not Right

    Dec 16, 2024·1h 6m
  80. 80

    Episode 110 - He Ain't Shootin' RAW

    Dec 12, 2024·1h 22m
  81. 81

    Episode 109 - Rip it Real Good

    Dec 12, 2024·1h 17m
  82. 82

    Episode 108 - I'm doin' the Thing

    Nov 27, 2024·1h 19m
  83. 83

    Episode 106 - Google Drive or Else!

    Nov 26, 2024·1h 42m
  84. 84

    Episode 107 - If it’s a procedure that works, Follow it Consistently!

    Nov 26, 2024·1h 42m
  85. 85

    Episode 104 - I like Big Phones (& I Cannot Lie)

    Nov 26, 2024·1h 17m
  86. 86

    Episode 103 - Its More of a Concept than a Reality

    Nov 26, 2024·1h 26m
  87. 87

    Episode 102 - Microsoft Can't Give it Away

    Nov 26, 2024·1h 41m
  88. 88

    Episode 101 - Creepy Epic Failures

    Nov 5, 2024·1h 11m
  89. 89

    Episode 100 - 3 Digits In

    Sep 22, 2024·1h 38m
  90. 90

    Episode 105 - WE are NOT Designed for Apple Intelligence

    Sep 10, 2024·1h 16m
  91. 91

    Episode 99 - It's Really NOT Microsoft's Fault, Kids

    Jul 24, 2024·1h 35m
  92. 92

    Episode 98 - The Hot Sign is Clearly Important

    Jul 17, 2024·1h 27m
  93. 93

    Episode 97 - One of my Favorite, "Here. Hold my Beer!" Moments

    Jul 10, 2024·1h 53m
  94. 94

    Episode 96 - It has a Use Case Problem

    Jul 10, 2024·1h 23m
  95. 95

    Episode 95 - I'm Walkin' Here!

    Jun 26, 2024·1h 33m
  96. 96

    Episode 94 - This Show was NOT AI Generated

    Jun 26, 2024·1h 28m
  97. 97

    Episode 93 - A Zero Mile Sit

    Jun 12, 2024·1h 25m
  98. 98

    Episode 92 - It's not Hard Enough - Apple Nano Glass

    Jun 7, 2024·1h 38m
  99. 99

    Episode 91 - Chris S is a Toys R Us Kid

    May 27, 2024·1h 28m
  100. 100

    Episode 90 - There's No Place Like Gnome

    May 22, 2024·1h 47m
  101. 101

    Episode 89 - STFU, TWSS

    May 20, 2024·1h 28m
  102. 102

    Episode 88 - Sending 1.21Gw Directly into the Flux Capacitor

    May 10, 2024·1h 31m
  103. 103

    Episode 87 - Take these Ads and Shove it, I Ain't Surfin' Here No More!

    May 1, 2024·1h 22m
  104. 104

    Episode 86 - Fine Woven is FINE-Ally Gone!

    Apr 22, 2024·1h 32m
  105. 105

    Episode 85 - Broadband is Tasty AND Nutritious

    Apr 15, 2024·1h 29m
  106. 106

    Episode 84 - Today, We're All Retro

    Apr 9, 2024·1h 2m
  107. 107

    Episode 83: The Other Shoe Dropped

    Mar 27, 2024·1h 24m
  108. 108

    Episode 82 - Tis A Wearin' o' the Green

    Mar 20, 2024·1h 46m
  109. 109

    Episode 81 - It's More than Just a Pretty Face

    Mar 11, 2024·1h 39m
  110. 110

    Episode 80 - It's Dead, Jim!

    Mar 7, 2024·1h 21m
  111. 111

    Episode 79 - AT&T Can't Get it Up

    Feb 28, 2024·1h 32m
  112. 112

    Episode 78 - My Tones are not Dulseting

    Feb 21, 2024·1h 19m
  113. 113

    Episode 77 - I Want my Pi to go from Micro to Mini

    Feb 13, 2024·1h 28m
  114. 114

    Episode 76 - Don't Drive Angry!

    Feb 7, 2024·1h 50m
  115. 115

    Episode 75 - You can Pick Your Friends, but...

    Jan 30, 2024·1h 31m
  116. 116

    Episode 74 - The Mac at 40: Now that's a Computer I'd like to...

    Jan 23, 2024·1h 42m
  117. 117

    Episode 73 - CEMeh! I Can't UnMEH That

    Jan 19, 2024·1h 22m
  118. 118

    Episode 72 - I got your Show Title Right Here!

    Dec 21, 2023·1h 59m
  119. 119

    Episode 71 - Well, Doesn't THAT just Suck?!

    Dec 13, 2023·1h 32m
  120. 120

    Episode 70 - All I want for Christmas is a 32GB Stick

    Dec 6, 2023·1h 39m
  121. 121

    Episode 69 - Like Sands thru the Hour Glass, so it is at OpenAI yaiy-yaiy-yaiy-yaiy

    Nov 27, 2023·1h 40m
  122. 122

    Episode 68 - My Package has a First Name

    Nov 22, 2023·1h 29m
  123. 123

    Episode 67 - It's a Color Issue

    Nov 15, 2023·1h 24m
  124. 124

    Episode 66 - Execute Episode 66

    Nov 6, 2023·1h 47m
  125. 125

    Episode 65 - Full-Sized Twix Bars

    Oct 30, 2023·1h 24m
  126. 126

    Episode 64 - You Blockhead!

    Oct 24, 2023·1h 38m