The True Cost of Cutting the Cord

This episode of The Technology Geek Podcast is a densely packed commentary on tech, media, and current events. Brandon begins with updates on local sponsors and services, highlighting a comic book shop and his own digital consulting company. He then reflects on a conversation from the Grawlix Podcast about using Google Calendar to track bill payments and subscription services. This leads to an in-depth exploration of the costs and trade-offs of cutting the cord versus keeping traditional cable, especially when considering the cumulative price of streaming subscriptions like Netflix, Hulu, HBO, WWE Network, and more. The host challenges the assumption that cord-cutting is always cheaper, emphasizing how subscription-based models have infiltrated both entertainment and software—citing services like Office 365, Adobe Creative Cloud, and cloud storage.

Brandon continues by discussing how companies lock users into ecosystems with recurring billing, making it difficult to opt out without losing access to stored files or essential services. This transitions into a broader critique of Pennsylvania’s new tax on streaming services, which the host sees as an unfair burden on consumers, especially when the state is also raising tolls and cigarette taxes. At the same time, he points out the state’s move to offer Amazon tax breaks to open more warehouses, potentially creating thousands of jobs. Though the move is controversial, the host argues it’s a strategic way to reduce unemployment in the region, even if it benefits a massive corporation like Amazon.

Later, the podcast dives into tech news, such as the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, which brought major changes including Cortana enhancements, Xbox Play Anywhere, and improved Windows Defender, but also caused issues for users with dual-boot systems. He covers Microsoft’s evolving product ecosystem, their acquisition of LinkedIn, and concern that they could mishandle it like they did with Nokia. Other topics include Yahoo’s massive data breach, Microsoft’s HoloLens entering the general market at a steep $3,000 price, and Apple’s security push, including a bug bounty and a change from pistol to water gun emoji. The episode wraps up with commentary on Facebook cracking down on clickbait, Pokemon Go’s technical troubles, and reactions to Suicide Squad’s mixed reviews. The host encourages listeners to trust fan reviews over critics, as everyday viewers are more likely to judge based on entertainment rather than professional detachment.

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