Transcript: 1: What’s Up Docs?

Introduction to the Tech Docs

Clip: Paging all Tech Docs. Your technology has a fever? Your network is short of breath, or your system just stopped responding? You're in the right place. Here we diagnose digital disorders, troubleshoot stubborn symptoms, and prescribe real-world fixes for modern tech problems. No guesswork, no snake oil, just practical solutions. Welcome to...

Stuart H: Hello, everyone, and welcome to our first episode of our new podcast, The Tech Doc Podcast. I'm Stuart Haxell, one of your hosts here on the podcast, along with some other fantastic hosts. Let's go round the table and introduce everyone. So first up, we have Jackie.

Jackie: Hi, everyone. I'm sitting here with a wounded paw. I've just had surgery, so that's dedication. I'm an iPhone, Windows, Mac and iPad user, and I've got enough devices around the house. So hi, everyone.

Stuart H: Can you guess where she's from? Next we have Jade.

Jade: Hi, everyone. I am Jade, one of the hosts on The Tech Doc Pod. Most people think I'm from America, but surprisingly, I'm actually Irish. I have a passion for all things technology, whether it's assistive tech or smart devices for the home or basically anything. My grandfather was given the nickname Gadget Man, and I think I followed in his footsteps.

Stuart H: Oh right. I didn't actually know that about your grandfather being called Gadget Man. That's a new one. Okay, Ken, how about you?

Ken: Hi, everyone. I'm a rebel from Cork, the real capital. I mainly dabble with iPhone, iPad and my Apple Watch. I do a bit on Windows, but I'm primarily using Apple devices. I was going to say Android there. Boo! Well, yeah, it's great to be here.

Stuart H: Fantastic. Not Android users. I don't think any of us are. And finally, we have Pat.

Pat: Hi, everyone. Yeah, Pat here, and everybody thinks I'm from Cavan, so I'm from Cavan. I'm part of this group of misfits. My main area would be iOS: iPhone, iPad, Mac, and again AirPods and Apple Watch. So yeah, that's it. Great to be here.

Stuart H: Fantastic. I guess since I asked everyone where they're from and what type of technology they use, I might as well do the same. I'm Stuart. I live in Sligo, not any of the places I mentioned. I use Apple devices, primarily an iPhone and AirPods, and I have one Alexa device.

Why We Chose the Name Tech Doc

Stuart H: The aim of The Tech Doc Podcast is to talk about assistive and non-assistive technology. We are all very passionate users of our technology. So I'd like to open it up to the floor: why we decided to go with Tech Doc as our name. Does anyone want to chime in on that topic?

Jackie: Well, to start off, just to say, in case anybody is listening: I'm in Donegal, and I live very close to Stuart. Well, I got a call from a friend, Paul, and he was asking me for some advice, and he called me a doctor. And I liked the power that had. And I cured his ailment. So I shared it with everybody here, and we thought it was a brilliant idea for a name, because we're healers. Not of the medical variety.

Stuart H: No, absolutely. Disclaimer here: we are not medical doctors. Do not seek us out for any medical advice.

Jackie: Even though I did come to the hospital on Friday for my surgery, in case it was cancelled for the third time, with a pair of secateurs in my bag.

Stuart H: Yes, and that is exactly why we are not providing medical advice on this podcast.

Jade: We could talk about medical devices that can help those of us who are visually impaired, like the talking thermometer, for example.

Jackie: Yes, and not something that can cut off your fingers.

Jade: No, Jackie. No, absolutely not.

Stuart H: I don't think they've invented a talking pair of secateurs for the visually impaired yet.

Ken: I do believe, Jackie, they're in Lidl this week, if you want a sharper pair.

Pat: Can I just, for the sake of Jackie's safety, point out... please don't travel from Donegal to Sligo with secateurs.

Stuart H: So you're the crazy one here on the podcast. That's why you decided to join: because you like the power. What about anyone else? What do ye all think of the name Tech Docs?

Jade: I love it. All of us share the passion and drive for technology and helping people. I get people who would always say, "Oh, I didn't know I could do something like this," when you tell them. It's a nice kind of feeling, and it's almost like you're saying, "Oh, you could try this if something doesn't work." It's almost like, let's plug it out and plug it back in again.

Pat: Yeah, The IT Crowd. I think technology does frequently get little bugs that require a little tenderness, a little treatment. So I think it's a great name.

Ken: And we were just saying a while ago, before the podcast actually started: sure, if it doesn't work, just switch it off and switch it back on. That usually fixes the problem.

Stuart H: Exactly. It usually does. Not usually advisable, though. That's another reason why we're not providing medical advice.

Ken: Exactly.

Stuart H: So I fully agree with what everyone else was saying. I love the name. I think it's very catchy: Tech Doc.

Ken: Or if you're on a lot of medication, like Jackie in her case, it could be a bit of a tongue twister.

Pat: We will never recommend Siri to control a life support machine. Let's be honest about this.

Stuart H: Sorry if I've just set off half a million devices.

What we are aiming for with this podcast is one particular topic per month that we will hash out around the table. We could talk about different pieces of technology. And alongside that, we will aim to have unique segments every month. So stay tuned for more. And if any of ye have any suggestions, you can contact us.

Jade: Would you like to get in touch with us in relation to your assistive technology or any technology queries? If so, then please do so by email to thetechdocpod@outlook.com. That's thetechdocpod@outlook.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

(The show's email address has since changed: you can now reach us at hello@thetechdocpod.com.)

Favourite Pieces of Technology

Stuart H: I think I have an interesting topic that we can talk about here. How about we ask everyone what is their favourite piece of technology? And to make it even harder, I'm going to exclude Apple. I might be in trouble for that one now. I'll give mine here to start off with. Something I've been using the last couple of years is my Meta glasses. I found them so unique, and I love how discreet they are: being able to walk around and take pictures and get descriptions of places. Over the last couple of years, I've had the opportunity to take pictures, get descriptions and take videos, and it has been fantastic.

Jackie: Being a walking tripod!

Stuart H: Yes. I've had family members grab my head and point it in the right direction, and just say, "Click the camera." So I'll go around to everyone, in the same order as well, to make it simpler.

Jackie: Mine would have to be... I actually have two, but they're the same. I have Edward and Michael, and they are both air fryers.

Jade: You took my answer!

Jackie: Sorry.

Jade: I'll have to think of something else.

Jackie: I love the air fryer. Even with my wounded paw, I'm still able to control them, just very basic. And I have Michael connected to the Google. I can't start Michael from Google, because of fire and health and safety, but I can ask Google to stop Michael. And I call all my devices male names, because it's nice to be dominant over them.

Stuart H: As I said, she's the power-hungry one. And if you don't mind me asking, what model of air fryer are they?

Jackie: Don't even ask me to pronounce it.

Stuart H: If you could send me the link, I might include it in the show notes, if people want to have a look.

Jade: The reason I said Jackie stole my answer was because we actually have the same air fryer, and it's a Cosori. C-O-S-O-R-I, I think, but don't quote me on that. They are a smart air fryer that works perfectly with your devices.

Stuart H: Fantastic. And Jade, has that given you enough time to think of a second answer?

Jade: It has. I blame Jackie for this purchase. My favourite device that I've been using the last month or so, more so than any other time, because my dog for some reason is shedding so badly, is my robot hoover. I use a Roomba. To say it has been a game changer for me, with a six-year-old child, a dog and a cat, is an understatement.

Jackie: The question is, have you named your hoover?

Jade: The six-year-old has currently named the hoover Daisy.

Stuart H: That's a nice name for a hoover. And how long have you had it at this point?

Jade: I got her in, I want to say, November. I think I may have had one before that, but it broke, though I didn't use it at all.

Stuart H: Oh right. I don't have one personally. Does anyone else have one, apart from you and Jackie?

Ken: No.

Jade: Not that I'm lazy, but I genuinely feel like when you have a child, a dog and a cat, if it just picks up the lightest of messes, it makes life easier.

Jackie: I would agree. I also have a hoover. It's a Eufy, and it's called James. And James is brilliant. I get notified if James gets stuck somewhere as well.

Jade: I do as well, or when the brushes need cleaning. Mine also mops the floor, which is great, because my downstairs is wooden floors, so it will mop the floor as well as vacuum.

Stuart H: That is quite good. I used to have a guide dog, and the amount of hair... even though she wasn't allowed upstairs, it got everywhere, and it sticks around for a couple of years. No, I do think that's a very good device to have if you have children and pets. So Ken, what device have you been using?

Ken: So I was sitting here, and I was hoping before you came to me that Jade wouldn't steal my idea, but thankfully she hasn't. So my Alexas, definitely. As I say, I was sitting here struggling to think, but apart from my phones and iPads, definitely Alexa, for my audiobooks and for the radio. I don't have as many as Jackie. I think she's up at fourteen or fifteen, maybe. I have about five of them. I got the first one for free, and I was a bit sceptical whether I'd like them or not, and then I bought four more. I have one fifth generation, and the rest are fourth generation. Mainly for audiobooks and for listening to the radio. And I have an awful habit of walking into a room and calling it different names: Ziggy or Alexa.

Stuart H: I wonder how many you've set off.

Ken: As I say, I walk into a room and I'm trying to remember what I called her, and I'm roaring different names.

Jade: I actually, Ken, use mine for turning the light in my bedroom on and off.

Ken: I did use that years ago, Jade, actually, but for some reason it became disconnected from the app, and it was a headache to try and get it back. So in the end, I didn't bother.

Jackie: Well, I know the names of the rooms and the devices, so my sister would be up, and she'd be going, "Alexa, turn on TV, living room..."

Stuart H: I personally have a dehumidifier connected to my Alexa, and I just say "Turn on dehumidifier" or "Turn on smart laundry mode" or whatever, and I find that to be quite good. It's a Meaco.

Jade: Smart laundry? Does it dry your clothes?

Stuart H: It will if you hang them near it. And there's a night mode in it, but I don't recommend sleeping with a dehumidifier on in the room. It could be a bit dangerous. That's medical advice you can accept from us.

Jade: Yes, and also not suitable for asthmatics.

Pat: I have it on at night. It's exactly to take the moisture out of the air. That's why I have it on.

Ken: And it hasn't done you any harm, Pat. You're still here anyway.

Pat: Well, maybe that's debatable. Maybe that's the cause of all my problems.

Stuart H: Well, do you have anything to bring up, Pat, about your favourite?

Pat: Okay, my favourite bit of tech is my Android phone, which I use to hold my door open, as a door wedge.

Stuart H: Appropriate use for an Android phone there.

Pat: I also enjoy the Apple television thing that you can talk to. Rather than having to go through menus looking for programmes and what have you, you just use the voice command.

Stuart H: Is that the Apple TV?

Jade: That's really handy.

Stuart H: Oh yeah, that is good. And you speak to the Sky remote as well, isn't it?

Pat: Plus Alexa as well, for switching lights on and off and stuff like that, because I'm just fundamentally lazy: sitting in my armchair, commanding technology to do things.

Jade: So we have Jackie, the one who holds all the power, and Pat's the commander.

Stuart H: And I'm the one trying to keep it all together.

Jade: Have you noticed the two rebels are just being compliant?

Pat: That's not compliance. That's sitting back, waiting for your moment to take over.

Stuart H: Ready to take advantage.

Jade: We learned from the best: Michael Collins.

Pat: From this point onwards, I think myself and Jackie should be referred to as Captain Kirk and Spock.

Fun with Alexa Drop-In Features

Jackie: One of the features of Alexa I love, and I've done it with my family, and it's hilarious: Drop In. I only have Drop In enabled so that I can drop in on them. So my sister was minding my dog, and I dropped in and muted myself, so she didn't know I was there. She was talking to my dog and having a cup of coffee, and I unmuted and scared the living daylights out of her.

Jade: Like you, Jackie, I use the Drop In feature, and I have it enabled so that only I can do it. Do you know what it's useful for? Calling the six-year-old for dinner.

Jackie: Oh yeah. I had family up for a few days looking after me with the wounded paw, and I'd use it to make an announcement.

Ken: Great feature.

Stuart H: That's her showing that she likes having the power.

Pat: And just so we know, this is like The Late Late Show: there's one for everybody in the audience. We are dropping in on everybody right now as we speak.

Jade: We are listening.

Jackie: Listening to what you're saying about us.

Contact Info and Closing Thoughts

Stuart H: If you want to listen to our podcast, you can catch us wherever you listen to podcasts. Just look for The Tech Doc Podcast.

Pat: And we will not be on The Late Late Show any time soon, trust me.

Ken: And everyone won't be getting an Alexa in the audience. Our budget doesn't cover that.

Jade: I think it's fair to say, if anyone has anything tech-related that you want us to discuss or diagnose...

Stuart H: Or consult on.

Jade: Exactly. We'd be more than happy to help, and you can do so with the contact info we gave earlier.

Jackie: Or if you just want weird solutions for everyday problems. We have done it, we've been there. For instance, and I'll stop talking after this, I used my signature stamp to sign my consent form in the hospital. I thought legally that mightn't be allowed, but the doctor was going, "We've all seen you doing it." So it was much less stressful for me. I just put my little stamp on the page and pressed it down, and I signed for them to wreck my arm.

Pat: Let's mark this moment for everyone, moving forward: just remember, Jackie said she was going to stop talking. Just watch this space.

Stuart H: So please do come back in April, when we will have our first full episode of The Tech Doc Podcast.

Clip: What's up, Doc?

(The episode closes with a song about the Docs.)