Tech Tales

Corbin Davenport

Tech Tales is a podcast exploring the technology world's epic failures, forgotten successes, and everything in between. Hosted by Corbin Davenport. read less
TechnologyTechnology

Episodes

Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
Sep 12 2024
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States, helping guide the country through the Civil War and advocated for an end to slavery. Nearly 100 years later, he was resurrected as a robot for the 1964 New York World's Fair. Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Mason Conrad. Follow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/techtalesshow.com Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales Support the Show: https://techtalesshow.com/support Videos & Photos: • https://youtu.be/mvfjvBO2l2Y?t=138 • https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lincoln_Audio-Animatronic_(42346731335).jpg Sources: • https://www.britannica.com/biography/Abraham-Lincoln • https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-emporia-gazette-electric-robots/154380075/ • https://web.archive.org/web/20110717093240/http://d23.disney.go.com/articles/070709_NF_FEAT_StoryofHall.html • https://www.disneyhistoryinstitute.com/2014/04/disney-history-institute-celebrates.html • https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-edwardsville-intelligencer-disney-de/154344993/ • https://archive.org/details/IllinoisLandOfLincolnIllinoisPavilionInformationNewYorkWorldsFair19641965/mode/1up • https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-register-live-lincoln-created-by-d/154516626/ • https://www.newspapers.com/article/sun-tattler-disneys-lincoln-star-at-fai/154518175/ • https://www.newspapers.com/article/wilmington-news-journal-lincoln-at-1964/154519665/ • https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-herald-review-of-lincoln-figur/154520514/ • https://www.newspapers.com/article/mt-vernon-register-news-electronic-abe/154523531/ • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvfjvBO2l2Y • https://d23.com/reliving-one-mans-dream-in-this-walt-disney-world-attraction/ • https://www.ocregister.com/2021/07/31/disneyland-blinkin-lincoln-animatronic-used-to-go-crazy-and-smash-his-chair-in-a-robotic-fit/ • https://www.newspapers.com/article/freeport-journal-standard-animated-abe-l/154552579/ Chapters: 0:00:00 Intro 0:01:26 Abraham Lincoln 0:06:08 Building Robot Lincoln 0:20:25 The 1964 World’s Fair 0:22:33 Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln 0:29:08 Reactions to Robot Lincoln 0:38:07 Lincoln at Disneyland 0:41:10 Outro
Apple's Intel Transition
Apr 22 2024
Apple's Intel Transition
Apple helped develop PowerPC processors as competition against Intel in the 1990s, but by the early 2000s, the architecture was falling behind. Apple's switch to Intel x86 processors revived its Mac computers, kicked off the Hackintosh era, and made AMD jealous. Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs. Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales Support the Show: https://techtalesshow.com/support Videos: • https://archive.org/details/wwdc-2005 Sources: • https://lowendmac.com/1998/powerpc-vs-pentium-ii-escargot/ • https://lowendmac.com/2014/cpus-powerpc-604-and-604e/ • https://lowendmac.com/2015/cpus-powerpc-g5/ • https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2003/06/23Apple-Unleashes-the-Worlds-Fastest-Personal-Computer-the-Power-Mac-G5/ • https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2004/06/09Apple-Unveils-New-Power-Mac-G5-Line/ • https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/apple-on-g5-powerbook-not-so-fast/ • https://www.macworld.com/article/174337/pbg5-2.html • https://www.cnet.com/science/amd-says-intel-only-deal-struck-at-apple-in-2005/ • https://www.macstories.net/stories/this-is-not-a-product-the-apple-developer-transition-kit/ • https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2006/05/16Apple-Unveils-New-MacBook-Featuring-Intel-Core-Duo-Processors/ • https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2006/01/10Apple-Unveils-New-iMac-with-Intel-Core-Duo-Processor/ • https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2006/02/28Apple-Unveils-Mac-mini-with-Intel-Core-Duo/ • https://forums.macresource.com/read.php?1,261038,261270 • https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2006/01/10Apple-Introduces-MacBook-Pro/ • https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2006/05/16Apple-Unveils-New-MacBook-Featuring-Intel-Core-Duo-Processors/ • https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2007/12/santa-rosa-macbook-review/ • https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2006/08/macpro/ • https://www.macworld.com/article/666300/15-inch-macbook-pro-2006-review.html • https://www.wired.com/2005/08/mac-hacks-allow-os-x-on-pcs-2/ • https://www.anandtech.com/show/7204/ibm-offers-power-technology-for-licensing-forms-openpower-consortium • https://www.theregister.com/2020/08/17/ibm_t7nm_power10/ Chapters: 0:00:00 Intro 0:00:48 The PowerPC era 0:12:00 The Intel announcement 0:23:01 Apple Developer Transition Kit 0:26:03 The Intel Macs 0:35:51 The reviews 0:40:34 Hackintosh PCs 0:44:49 AMD's complaints 0:47:36 Farewell to PowerPC 0:50:28 PowerPC after Apple 0:53:16 Outro
The Intellivision Amico
Oct 9 2023
The Intellivision Amico
The Intellivision arrived in 1979 as an exciting new game console, and almost 40 years later, Tommy Tallarico picked up the rights and began work on a sequel. The Intellivision Amico aimed to bring family fun back to living room gaming, but it didn't go well. Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Evan Hirsh. Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales Support the Show: https://techtalesshow.com/support Videos: • https://youtu.be/5bhMdhcdfMY • https://youtu.be/m-p7p3jasbY?t=841 Sources: • https://www.mobygames.com/company/1435/intellivision-productions-inc/ • https://venturebeat.com/games/intellivsion-lives-tommy-tallarico-will-relaunch-1980s-console/ • https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-new-intellivision-amico-console-aims-to-revive-family-videogames/ • https://www.gamezone.com/originals/why-was-earthworm-jim-for-the-psp-canceled/ • https://venturebeat.com/games/intellivision-takes-more-than-10000-vip-edition-preorders-for-amico-console-in-a-few-days/ • https://kotaku.com/the-new-gaming-console-thats-become-a-giant-car-crash-1847699027 • https://www.gamesindustry.biz/intellivision-amico-delayed-to-april-2021 • https://republic.com/intellivision-amico • https://web.archive.org/web/20210701025946/https://twitter.com/ConVito/status/1410340382270017545 • https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/06/what-the-hecks-an-intellivision-amico-consoles-leaky-dev-portal-offers-hints/ • https://screenrant.com/intellivision-amico-report-legal-threats-ceo/ • https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/intellivision-amico-game-lands-tommy-tallarico-in-hot-water • https://www.eurogamer.net/intellivision-cuts-fundraising-campaign-for-amico-short-setting-alarm-bells-ringing • https://www.reddit.com/r/Intellivision_Amico/comments/13gka8f/11_months_of_philfoolery_and_kicking_the_can/ • https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/02/debt-stricken-intellivision-asks-for-more-funds-to-last-past-july/ • https://intellivision.com/press-releases/intellivision-update-may-2023
CyanogenMod
Aug 27 2023
CyanogenMod
CyanogenMod started as a custom build of Android for one smartphone, and quickly grew into an operating system spanning hundreds of devices. With the corporate backing of Microsoft and partnerships with OEMs, it seemed unstoppable... until it wasn't. Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Joe Fedewa. Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales Support the Show: https://techtalesshow.com/support Videos: • https://youtu.be/Yo93KcPJhwQ Sources: • https://web.archive.org/web/20090529101257/http://forum.xda-developers.com:80/showthread.php?t=518851 • https://web.archive.org/web/20100207180125/http://www.cyanogenmod.com/about • https://www.androidpolice.com/2010/05/17/custom-rom-review-cyanogenmod-for-the-nexus-one/ • https://www.androidpolice.com/2010/05/17/custom-rom-review-cyanogenmod-for-the-nexus-one/ • https://web.archive.org/web/20160711211620/http://www.cyanogenmod.org/blog/a_new_chapter • https://techcrunch.com/2013/09/18/cyanogen-mod-7m-benchmark/ • https://www.theverge.com/2014/1/15/5241970/oppo-n1-with-cyanogenmod-review • https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/open-source-android-startup-raises-80m-with-help-from-twitter/ • https://www.theinformation.com/articles/cyanogen-spurns-google-acquisition-interest-seeks-1-billion-valuation • https://www.theverge.com/2014/11/18/7241755/cyanogens-next-stop-is-india • https://www.androidpolice.com/2014/12/16/oneplus-has-been-ordered-to-stop-selling-the-oneplus-one-in-india-after-legal-action-by-micromax/ • https://www.androidpolice.com/2014/12/19/emails-from-indian-court-docs-show-cyanogen-oneplus-relationship-ended-poorly-cyanogen-ceo-is-kind-of-a-jerk/ • https://www.forbes.com/sites/miguelhelft/2015/03/23/meet-cyanogen-the-startup-that-wants-to-steal-android-from-google-2/ • https://www.businessinsider.com/cyanogen-ceo-kirt-mcmaster-interview-mods-virtual-reality-smartphones-2016-2 • https://www.androidpolice.com/2016/12/01/steve-kondik-blames-kirt-mcmaster-for-cyanogen-incs-failure-cyanogenmod-to-reorganize-and-regroup/ • https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/16/8427381/cyanogen-microsoft-partnership-apps-services-bundle • https://www.theverge.com/2015/9/14/9323131/microsoft-cortana-cyanogen-os • https://www.androidpolice.com/2016/10/10/kirt-mcmaster-out-as-cyanogen-inc-ceo-gets-eric-schmidted-to-executive-chairman/ • https://www.androidpolice.com/2017/10/13/cyanogen-inc-rebrands-cyngn-autonomous-tech-company/ • https://web.archive.org/web/20181116144621/https://www.xda-developers.com/nintendo-approached-cyanogen-to-partner-for-the-switch-cyanogen-refused/
The Internet Explorer Story: Part 10
May 30 2023
The Internet Explorer Story: Part 10
Microsoft tried one last time to reinvent Internet Explorer in 2015, with the arrival of Microsoft Edge alongside Windows 10. It had a modernized engine and new features, but only a few years later, the last remnants of Internet Explorer were removed. Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs. Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales Support the Show: https://techtalesshow.com/support Videos: • https://youtu.be/4A5ZXWTIlHw Sources: • https://blogs.windows.com/msedgedev/2015/01/22/project-spartan-and-the-windows-10-january-preview-build/ • https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2015/03/30/introducing-project-spartan-the-new-browser-built-for-windows-10/ • https://www.theverge.com/2015/7/29/9066255/microsoft-windows-edge-browser-review • https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2018/12/06/microsoft-edge-making-the-web-better-through-more-open-source-collaboration/ • https://www.zeldman.com/2018/12/07/browser-diversity-starts-with-us/ • https://andy-bell.design/wrote/browser-diversity/ • https://blog.mozilla.org/en/mozilla/goodbye-edge/ • https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18697824 • https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2022/06/15/internet-explorer-11-has-retired-and-is-officially-out-of-support-what-you-need-to-know/ • https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/5/16428658/microsoft-edge-ios-android-preview • https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/19/18148736/google-youtube-microsoft-edge-intern-claims
The Internet Explorer Story: Part 9
May 7 2023
The Internet Explorer Story: Part 9
Internet Explorer 10 arrived in 2012, alongside the release of Windows 8, sporting a new Metro look and a controversial privacy change. Microsoft followed it up with IE 11 in 2013, which would ultimately be the final release branded as Internet Explorer. Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Cody Toombs. Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales Support the Show: https://techtalesshow.com/support Sources: • https://www.reuters.com/article/microsoft-browser/update-1-germany-urges-public-to-stop-using-internet-explorer-idUSL1E8KILM020120918 • https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-to-begin-automatic-internet-explorer-upgrades-in-2012/ • https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/council-foreign-relations-website-hacked-flna1C7755879 • https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/14/technology/do-not-track-movement-is-drawing-advertisers-fire.html • https://www.csoonline.com/article/2905861/microsoft-rolls-back-commitment-to-do-not-track.html • https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/microsoft-internet-explorer-10 • https://web.archive.org/web/20130312025639/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ie/archive/2013/03/11/flash-in-windows-8.aspx • https://pureinfotech.com/internet-explorer-10-for-windows-7-now-whats-next/ • https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18440979 • https://www.zdnet.com/article/internet-explorer-11-arrives-with-windows-8-1-preview/ • https://www.cnet.com/news/privacy/internet-explorer-exploit-release-could-trigger-a-surge-in-attacks/
Apple's Free U2 Album
Apr 2 2023
Apple's Free U2 Album
Apple partnered with Irish rock band U2 in 2014 to give the group's new album, Songs of Innocence, to everyone with an Apple account. Apple called it the largest album release of all time, but it immediately sparked controversy in the music industry, and many of Apple's own customers weren't thrilled. Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Joe Fedewa. Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales Support the Show: https://techtalesshow.com/support Videos: • https://youtu.be/38IqQpwPe7s?t=6179 • https://youtu.be/4_9YWhyHmPg • https://youtu.be/wAxmGAZBBtY Sources: • https://time.com/3397067/u2s-mission-to-save-music/ • https://qz.com/262852/u2s-apple-deal-shows-why-musicians-dont-sell-music-anymore • https://www.billboard.com/pro/itunes-numbers-u2-songs-innocence-album/ • https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/after-innocence-u2-look-ahead-to-tour-new-lp-songs-of-experience-51361/ • https://web.archive.org/web/20141101181749/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/nick-mason-im-not-entirely-sure-pink-floyd-is-over-20141031?page=2 • https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/20/u2-uk-album-charts-first-week-songs-of-innocence-sales-meghan-trainor • https://web.archive.org/web/20141101025133/http://blogs.seattletimes.com/soundposts/2014/10/15/black-keys-drummer-patrick-carney-u2-and-spotify-devalue-music/ • https://loudwire.com/buckcherry-keith-nelson-calls-out-u2-free-album-decision/ • https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/sep/15/apple-u2-album-itunes-delete • https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/oct/22/bono-memoir-birth-of-u2-itunes-album-live-aid-mullet
Mission SPACE
Feb 11 2023
Mission SPACE
Walt Disney World partnered with Hewlett-Packard to open Mission SPACE in 2003, a high-tech space flight simulator attraction. However, Disney quickly became embroiled in a lawsuit with the manufacturer, and the intense motion sickness led to the death of two people. Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Ryan Gillie. Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales Support the Show: https://techtalesshow.com/support Videos: • https://youtu.be/hhreiaMODJo?t=128 • https://youtu.be/OLM-uy4dQdw?t=112 Sources: • http://www.intercot.com/themeparks/epcot/futureworld/horizons/default.asp • https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/mission-space/news/02mar2000-more-space-news-from-the-orlando-sentinel.htm • https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/mission-space/news/20apr2000-mission-space-announcement-press-release.htm • https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2000-04-21-0004200555-story.html • https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/15/us/national-briefing-south-florida-findings-in-death-after-disney-ride.html • https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/mission-space/news/20aug2003-some-mission-space-facts-and-fugures.htm • http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/11/15/disney.death/ • https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2006-06-25-spacesick25-story.html • https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/mission-space/news/11aug2017-video---first-look-at-the-relaunched-mission-space.htm • https://twitter.com/wdwnt/status/682677721177153536 • https://casetext.com/case/environmental-tectonics-corp-v-walt-disney-world-co • https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/stories/2009/01/05/daily11.html
The Saygus Scam
Dec 5 2022
The Saygus Scam
Saygus, and its CEO Chad Sayers, made headlines in 2015 when it revealed the Saygus V SQUARED smartphone. Many broken promises and shipping delays later, Chad Sayers became the center of a U.S. Justice Department investigation. Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Katie Janzen. Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechTalesShow Follow on Mastodon/Fediverse: https://mas.to/@techtales Support the Show: https://techtalesshow.com/support Videos & Images: • https://imgur.com/jhsCdPO • https://youtu.be/eUOxkJllBI4 • https://youtu.be/4v0nc0Oi_Wc Sources: • https://web.archive.org/web/20080414040050/http://www.saygus.com/news.php • https://web.archive.org/web/20121216163117/http://gigaom.com:80/mobile/the-v1-android-phone-looks-pretty-slick-but-who-is-saygus-anyway/ • https://www.pcmag.com/archive/hands-on-with-the-saygus-vphone-245965 • https://www.pcmag.com/opinions/how-i-got-suckered-by-an-alleged-10m-phone-scam • https://www.androidpolice.com/2015/01/29/hands-saygus-v2-pre-orders-open-today-549-act-quick-want-intriguing-smartphone-saw-ces/ • https://www.androidpolice.com/2015/06/15/saygus-delays-the-v-squared-yet-again-launches-mega-suspicious-indiegogo-campaign/ • https://www.androidpolice.com/2016/01/19/saygus-phone-switches-manufacturers-again-company-undams-lake-of-word-vomit-on-twitter-to-justify-actions/ • https://www.androidpolice.com/2016/08/06/saygus-says-its-restarting-the-fcc-approval-process-for-the-long-delayed-v-squared/ • https://www.phonearena.com/news/Remember-Saygus-We-got-an-exclusive-sit-down-with-founder-and-CEO-Chad-Sayers_id90433 • https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut/united-states-vs-chad-leon-sayers • https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-capitol-mob-antifa-undercov-idUSKBN29E0QO • PACER: 2:21-cr-00163-DS, 2:21-cr-00229-DS-1