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

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

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].

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.

#OnlineSafetyAct, #AgeVerification, #AIBots, #NanoBanana, #DeadInternetTheory, #SocialMediaRegulation, #TeslaFSD, #GeminiAI, #TheTechFactor, #Ofcom

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]:

A quick roundup of the weird and wonderful from the tech world:

Qualcomm's AI Chip: The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 aims to beat Apple's chip in the next generation of Android flagships [40:20].

NASA Artemis 2: Humans are going back to the moon as soon as February 2026! We discuss the mission's importance [44:02].

Microsoft's Wet PCs: A look at the innovative liquid cooling technology that makes computers run better when they get wet [47:50].

AI Healthcare: The new Deli2M AI tool can predict a person's risk of over a thousand diseases up to 20 years in advance [53:42].

💬 Join the Conversation!

What's the one iPhone feature you absolutely could not live without? Let us know in the comments!

Stay connected with us in real-time by calling 01733 602 133 or texting 07411 19 1062.

#AppleEvent #iPhone17 #iOS26 #VPN #DigitalPrivacy #TechFactor #GadgetGeek #Qualcomm #Artemis2 #LiquidCooling #AIHealth #TechNews #SalaamRadio

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].

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.

#ChatGPTPsychosis, #AILove, #SamsungFold7, #OnlineSafetyAct, #LLM, #EmotionalAI, #AIregulation, #TechEthics, #FoldableTech, #TheTechFactor

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

Stay connected with us in real-time by calling 01733 602 133 or texting 07411 19 1062.

#AutomotiveTech #CarTech #AutonomousDriving #AppleCarPlay #AndroidAuto #EVs #CarSafety #MercedesBenz #TheTechFactor #ICE

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:

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.

#DesertIslandTech, #AppleIntelligence, #WWDC2025, #Starlink, #ChatGPTVoice, #AITech, #SmartGlasses, #MetaGlasses, #Siri, #QuantumQuiz, #TheTechFactor

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]

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.

#AIJobs, #GoogleIO2025, #Gemini25, #FutureofWork, #Upskilling, #AIUltraPlan, #TheTechFactor, #QuantumQuiz, #GoogleAI, #DeadInternetTheory, #Robotics