Discover shows related to The Tech Factor, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
How to Stop Subscription Leaks & The Future of AI Cyber Attacks
Episode 29
Friday, January 9, 2026 • Duration 26:52
Is your bank account leaking money to forgotten subscriptions? Join Akil, Joel, and Fasil on Salaam Radio's "The Tech Factor Live" as we kick off 2026 with essential tech survival tips. In this episode, we reveal how to perform a "subscription sweep" using banking apps and PayPal to reclaim your budget. Discover a brilliant hack for free audiobooks (hint: it involves your local library!) and hear about the latest tech innovations—from IKEA’s linkable Bluetooth speakers to a robot vacuum that can actually climb stairs. We also dive into serious tech news, including the record-breaking £1.9 billion cost of the Jaguar Land Rover cyber attack and the rise of "Prompt Lock," the new agentic AI ransomware. Plus, don't miss our high-speed "Quantum Quiz" where we test tech basics under pressure. Stay connected with us in real-time by calling 01733 602 133 or texting 07411 19 1062. Follow Salaam Radio: Website: www.salaamradio.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/salaamradio Twitter/X: twitter.com/salaamradio1062 Key Timestamps: [03:28] How to perform a "subscription leak test" [04:56] The free audiobook hack using library apps [06:21] Wearables without screens: The Luna Band [08:24] The Dwarf 3 digital telescope for deep space photos [11:06] The Saros Rover: A robot vacuum that climbs stairs [13:24] The £1.9 billion impact of the Jaguar Land Rover cyber attack [16:35] Major security updates coming to Microsoft Teams [19:28] Understanding "Prompt Lock" agentic AI ransomware [21:38] The Quantum Quiz: Tech basics under pressure #SubscriptionLeaks #CyberSecurity #TechTips #SalaamRadio #AIRansomware #TechFactor #SmartHome #DigitalPrivacy #TechNews2026 #SavingMoney
How to Fix Your Home Wi-Fi & Save Money on Digital Subscriptions
Episode 28
Friday, January 9, 2026 • Duration 26:49
Is your Wi-Fi amazing in the hallway but tragic in the bedroom? Join Akil, Joel, and Fasil for the first episode of 2026 on Salaam Radio’s "The Tech Factor Live." In this episode, we break down the common myths about UK broadband and Wi-Fi coverage. Learn the difference between FTTC and FTTP, why your mirrors and fish tanks might be killing your signal, and why central placement of your router is key. We also dive into the "monthly mystery" of bank statements—discussing the subscription leak test and which digital services are actually worth your hard-earned money. Stay connected with us in real-time by calling 01733 602 133 or texting 07411 19 1062. Follow Salaam Radio: Website: www.salaamradio.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/salaamradio Twitter/X: twitter.com/salaamradio1062 Key Timestamps: [00:52] Welcome to the Tech Factor Live 2026 [04:10] The big myth: Wi-Fi vs. Internet Connection [05:54] How physical barriers affect your signal speed [08:24] Explaining FTTC vs. FTTP (Fiber to the Premises) [13:30] Benefits of Mesh Wi-Fi systems [19:21] Dealing with the "Subscription Leak" and hidden costs [21:38] Why YouTube Premium might be the ultimate family subscription #WiFiTips #BroadbandUK #TechFactor #SalaamRadio #DigitalSubscriptions #TechAdvice #HomeNetworking #SmartHome #YouTubePremium #InternetSpeed
Online Safety Act, AI Bot Wars, and Google's Nano Banana
Episode 27
Friday, November 21, 2025 • Duration 55:57
The UK's Online Safety Act is here, and it's forcing major platforms to implement age verification and stronger moderation. Why are people rushing to VPNs and deleting their accounts?
Join Akil and Joel as they dive into the arguments for and against the new law, revealing how it moves accountability from users to platforms, and why a shock wave is hitting online anonymity. Plus, we explore Google's new Nano Banana image AI, and reveal a shocking study where 500 AI bots turn a social media simulation into a toxic wasteland.
In this episode, you will learn about:
The Online Safety Act Deep Dive: The new statutory duties for platforms like Facebook and TikTok to tackle illegal and harmful content, and the role of Ofcom [01:52].
Arguments For & Against: Why parents welcome the protection for children [09:05], but critics fear censorship, loss of anonymity, and compliance costs for smaller platforms (like Wikipedia) [12:28].
The Global Perspective: The UK is not alone, with the EU (DSA), Australia, and Canada pursuing similar legislation, signaling a global shift in internet regulation [16:57].
Google's Nano Banana AI: An in-depth look at Gemini's new image model that maintains subject coherence across edits, rivaling Photoshop for realism [30:21].
The AI Social Media War: A shocking University of Amsterdam study where 500 AI chatbots in a simulated social network quickly developed toxic behaviors, forming echo chambers and amplifying extremism—a real-world manifestation of the Dead Internet Theory [48:07].
AI & Automotive: An update on Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) global expansion and the fierce debate over its safety and autonomy [51:40].
Apple's iPhone 17, iOS 26 Breakdown & VPN Deep Dive
Episode 28
Friday, September 26, 2025 • Duration 56:14
Welcome to The Tech Factor on Salaam Radio! Join Akeel and Joel as they break down the biggest news and gadgets of the week, from Apple's latest hardware to the future of digital security and AI.
In this Episode:
Apple Event Mega-Breakdown [01:51]:
We dive into everything announced at the big Apple event:
iPhone 17 Pro: Analyzing the new titanium design and the massive camera upgrade that makes it "a phone built around a camera" [02:12]. Plus, our thoughts on the exciting new color palette!
Apple Watch 11 & Ultra 3: Reviewing the new health features, including stress level and heart health tracking, and the improved battery life [11:46].
AirPods Pro 3: Discussing the "close to perfect" sound, adaptive noise cancellation, hearing aid capabilities, and the killer feature: live translation [19:10].
iOS 26: A look at the huge upgrade, including the AI makeover for Siri, customizable lock screen widgets, and the industry-leading quantum secure encryption to future-proof your data [23:39].
VPNs: Your Online Invisibility Cloak [30:30]:
We explain what a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is, how it encrypts your traffic, and why it's essential for online privacy.
Free vs. Paid VPNs: Why free services are often "dodgy buffets" for your data and the major benefits of a paid solution, including speed, reliability, and no-log policies [31:26].
Cool Tech Stories of the Week [40:14]:
ChatGPT Psychosis, AI Love, and the Fold 7 Upgrade
Episode 26
Friday, July 25, 2025 • Duration 55:58
Is your chatbot your soulmate? With the rise of conversational LLMs, more people are forming deep, emotional bonds with AI—a phenomenon some call "ChatGPT Psychosis."
Join Akeel and Joel as they dive into the real-world psychological and social risks of emotional AI engagement. We discuss why these chatbots are so addictive, how they exploit vulnerabilities, and the global race to regulate a technology that is evolving faster than any government can keep up.
In this episode, you will learn about:
ChatGPT Psychosis: How the LLM's highly affirming and conversational nature [02:36] can reinforce delusions and replace actual human relationships, leading to ethical and mental health crises [10:56].
The Dopamine Loop: Why constant positive reinforcement from AI creates a powerful sense of validation, amplifying emotional vulnerabilities [06:17].
Safety & Regulation: The call for "Gray Box" warnings, similar to those for medication, to alert users to the potential mental health risks of intense AI use [16:04].
The Samsung Fold 7 Review: An in-depth look at the thinnest, lightest Foldable ever, featuring the 200MP camera and seamless One UI integration, proving Samsung is leading the Android hardware pack [35:17].
The Online Safety Act: Breaking down the UK's 2023 Act coming into force, which mandates age verification for 18+ content on social media and other platforms, with massive penalties for non-compliance [48:40].
AI Cool Tech: We cover an AI lawyer winning a traffic ticket case [45:19], hidden AI prompts being used by hackers in emails [46:32], and the use of a brain implant to send a tweet [51:40].
Car Tech: ABS, CarPlay, and the Road to Autonomous Driving
Episode 25
Friday, July 4, 2025 • Duration 56:13
Remember when cars were simple? We dive into the surprising history and mind-blowing future of Automotive Tech. This episode tracks the technological leaps that brought us from crank handles to self-driving capabilities.
Join Akil and Joel as they break down the exact dates and key moments of automotive innovation:
The Safety Revolution: We look at the history of features like crumple zones, airbags, and the game-changing introduction of ABS Brakes by Mercedes-Benz [05:02].
A Car Is Born: The very first petrol engine car was introduced in 1885, but the convenience of Air Conditioning arrived decades later in 1939, and the first Electric Windows in the 1940s [25:34].
Digital Dashboards: Tracking the evolution from the very first concept of Touchscreens in 1986 to the modern integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto around 2014 [09:16].
Autonomous Features: The journey from simple Cruise Control in 1958/1965 to modern Lane Assist (first introduced in trucks in 2000) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems [34:57].
The Service Economy: The frustration of Features-as-a-Service, where manufacturers like BMW and Mercedes are now selling basic safety and comfort features via subscription [47:07].
Driverless Future: We discuss the early concepts of Fully Autonomous Vehicles (dating back to 1984) and the shift towards fully self-driving interiors with no steering wheels [43:53].
Stay Connected with Salaam Radio:
For more tech insights, news, and episodes, visit: Salaam Radio Website Salaam Radio Facebook Salaam Radio X/Twitter
Desert Island Tech: Starlink, Espresso & Apple Intelligence
Episode 24
Friday, June 20, 2025 • Duration 55:59
What five pieces of tech would you take to a deserted island with power? A Starlink terminal or an electric toothbrush? A solar generator or a fridge freezer?
Join Akil, Faze, and Joel as they reveal their essential (and hilarious) Desert Island Tech lists, testing logic against luxury. Then, we dive deep into the world of AI with a look at Apple's major WWDC 2025 announcements, including the new Apple Intelligence features like personalized Siri and on-device processing. We discuss whether Apple is finally catching up in the AI race.
In this episode, you will learn about:
Desert Island Tech Picks: Our wild survival and comfort choices, including a desalination device, 3D Printers, and a Game Boy [04:49].
Apple Intelligence: Breakdown of local AI, personalized Siri that understands context, and ChatGPT integration, and why it's only available on Pro models [18:17].
Meta Smart Glasses V3: Are Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses finally the right hardware at the right price point (~$400)? [40:23].
ChatGPT Voice Mode: The scary reality of real-time, emotionally responsive AI conversations (with context, tone, and pauses) [30:45].
Cool Science: Japan's new dissolving ocean plastic that leaves no micro-residue [45:49] and China's successful laser communication with a Moon satellite [46:38].
Quantum Quiz: Joel and Faze battle for bragging rights in a tense tech trivia rematch! [50:39].
Stay Connected with Salaam Radio:
AI is Changing Your Job: Google I/O 2025 Keynote & Gemini 2.5
Episode 23
Friday, May 23, 2025 • Duration 55:58
Is your job safe? AI is now embedded in everything from your email to your spreadsheets. The question isn't if your job will change, but how ready you are to adapt.
Join Akil, Joel, and Faze on The Tech Factor as they break down the AI revolution in the workplace, and dive into the massive announcements from the Google I/O 2025 Keynote. We cover Gemini 2.5, the "AI Ultra Plan," and what you need to be learning right now to stay ahead.
In this episode, you will learn about:
The AI Workplace Reality: Real-life examples of how AI is saving hours in lesson planning, Excel reports [05:42], and customer service, transforming low-skill jobs [12:15].
The Human Touch Debate: Are we losing critical thinking and human emotion by becoming reliant on AI? We discuss the potential for "dead internet theory" and the need for human skills [06:44].
Gemini 2.5 & Google I/O: Meet Google's flagship model that can read, write, see, and reason with a million words of context [30:54]. Learn about AI Mode in Google Search [31:59], Gemini Live for real-time assistance [37:24], and Agent Mode for full delegation of complex tasks [37:44].
The Premium AI Economy: Google launches the AI Ultra Plan ($249/month) aimed at power users, showing the formation of a lucrative, high-tier AI market [42:04].
Upskilling Tips: The best free tools to practice prompt writing, and why leveraging AI is essential to avoid being replaced by those who master it [21:28].
Cool Tech & Quantum Quiz: We look at a robot dog that is amphibious (land and water) [47:21], and contact lenses that let you see infrared light [48:29]. Plus, Faze and Joel go head-to-head in a heated Quantum Quiz rematch! [50:42]
CES 2025 Review: Transparent TVs, Smart Rings, and AI Health Tech
Episode 22
Friday, January 17, 2025 • Duration 55:53
CES 2025 showcased the future of technology, with AI integrated into everything from gym equipment to toothbrushes. But which innovations truly stole the show?
Join Akil, Joel, and Shamshad on The Tech Factor as they break down the most jaw-dropping and hilarious tech stories from the world's biggest electronics event, and battle it out in the second-ever Quantum Quiz!
In this episode, you will learn about:
Next-Gen Home Tech: LG unveils the world's first true Wireless 4K OLED Transparent TV (a cool $60,000!) [08:26] and a self-curving 5K OLED Gaming Monitor [06:30].
The Future of Health: We look at Withings' AI-powered smart mirror for comprehensive home health assessments [10:09], L'Oréal's Cell Bioprint skin analysis device for personalized care [20:12], and the Circular Smart Ring with an 80-day battery life [38:09].
AI Integration: From the AI-powered Grill that perfectly cooks your meat [18:31] to the Neural Airbud that acts as a non-invasive brain implant to control connected devices with your mind [24:09].
Cyber Warfare & Safety: The FBI remotely removes the PlugX malware from thousands of computers in a major cyber counter-attack [47:04], and the ongoing debate about the safety and glitches of self-driving cars [42:25].
Quirky Innovations: Check out the Electric Salt Spoon designed to reduce sodium intake [21:30], a Paper Battery that naturally decomposes [36:31], and an all-new accessible, LiDAR-equipped Autonomous Wheelchair [22:46].
Quantum Quiz: Joel and Shamshad face off in a lightning round of tech trivia for bragging rights! [49:37]
Digital Detox, AI Warfare, Lumen Tracker, and the Quantum Quiz
Episode 21
Friday, January 3, 2025 • Duration 55:22
Starting the year with a resolution to reclaim your time? The average adult spends over 7 hours a day on screens—it's time for a digital detox.
Join Akeel, Fessel, and Joel on The Tech Factor as they share practical "New Year, New You" tips for taking back control from constant pings. This episode dives into building a healthier relationship with technology, and the serious threats posed by the next generation of AI.
In this episode, you will learn about:
Detoxing Tools: Using apps like Forest [01:37], simple phone settings (Focus Mode, Dark Mode) [15:02], and even physical "phone jails" and sleeves to combat digital fatigue [18:17].
Building Healthy Habits: The philosophy of splitting device responsibilities [09:36] and using microlearning apps like Imprint and Blinkist to replace mindless doom scrolling [20:18].
AI Digital Warfare: Worrying news from AWS, which is defending against nearly a billion cyber threats a day, signaling the start of a sophisticated AI-driven digital war [34:32].
Cool Tech: We check out the Lumen metabolism tracker [32:04], Waymo's safety data showing robo taxis are safer than humans [47:35], and a groundbreaking quantum clock developed by the UK government [46:19].
New Segment: Can Fessel and Joel survive the inaugural Quantum Quiz—a quick-fire test of general tech knowledge? [49:48]
Stay Connected with Salaam Radio:
For more tech insights, news, and episodes, visit: www.salaamradio.co.uk www.facebook.com/salaamradio twitter.com/salaamradio1062
Stay Connected with Salaam Radio:
For more tech insights, news, and episodes, visit: www.salaamradio.co.uk www.facebook.com/salaamradio twitter.com/salaamradio1062
Stay connected with us in real-time by calling 01733 602 133 or texting 07411 19 1062.
