# AZ Computer Guru Show Notes - March 28, 2026

Today's Theme: Big Tech is reaching deeper into your wallet AND your personal life

## Segment 1: The Price of Everything Is Going Up

### Netflix Price Hikes

- All subscription tiers increased
- Standard plan seeing largest percentage increase
- Part of broader streaming service price trend
- Users facing "subscription fatigue" across multiple services

### RAM Shortage Driving Up Device Prices

- AI applications requiring more memory than ever
- High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) in short supply
- Affecting prices of laptops, phones, and PCs
- Samsung and SK Hynix struggling to meet demand
- AI data centers competing for same memory chips

## Segment 2: How Far Into Your Life Should Tech Reach?

### Tinder's AI Scanning Your Camera Roll

- New AI feature scans your entire photo library
- Picks "best" photos for your dating profile
- Raises privacy concerns - what else is it learning?
- Do we really want apps having that much access?
- Part of larger trend of AI accessing personal data

### FCC Bans Foreign-Made Wi-Fi Routers

- New rules target routers from China and other foreign manufacturers
- Cybersecurity concerns about backdoors and surveillance
- Affects popular brands many people already own
- Government balancing security vs. consumer choice
- Shows how connected devices can be national security issues

## Segment 3: The Big Picture - Where Is All This Headed?

### EU's "Digital Divorce" from U.S. Tech

- European Union investing 20 billion euros in homegrown tech
- Wants independence from American tech giants
- Building European alternatives to Google, Amazon, Microsoft
- Part of "digital sovereignty" movement
- Could fragment the global internet

### OpenAI Kills Sora Video Generator

- Sora AI video tool shut down after just months
- Too expensive to run - compute costs unsustainable
- Shows AI bubble may be hitting reality
- Not every AI tool is profitable or practical
- Reminder that "free" AI tools have hidden costs

### Big Tech Signs Anti-Scam Accord (Quick Hit)

- Meta, Google, others agree to combat fraud
- Coordinated effort to stop scammers across platforms
- Voluntary for now - regulation may follow

## Segment 4: Arizona Tech Corner - Local Good News

### Tucson/Southern Taiwan MOU Signing

- Partnership announced March 16 for optics and semiconductors
- Tucson's optics expertise + Taiwan's chip manufacturing
- Could bring investment and jobs to Southern Arizona
- Building on Tucson's "Optics Valley" reputation

### Pima Community College FIT Lab Opening

- New Flexible IT Training Laboratory
- Hands-on tech training for workforce development
- Addressing Arizona's tech skills gap
- Free or low-cost training for Tucson residents

### Arizona Adding 4,000+ Tech Jobs in 2026

- CompTIA report shows strong growth
- Jobs across software, cybersecurity, cloud computing
- Arizona climbing tech hub rankings
- More opportunities for local talent

### Zoox Self-Driving Cars Expanding to Phoenix (Quick Hit)

- Amazon-owned Zoox bringing robotaxis to Phoenix
- Joining Waymo in Arizona's autonomous vehicle ecosystem
- Shows Arizona's leadership in self-driving tech

## Sources

- TechRadar Weekly Roundup
- Bernard Marr Consumer Tech Trends 2026
- Tech Startups (March 26-27, 2026)
- Digital Applied AI Roundup (March 2026)
- StyleTech (March 2026)
- Arizona Commerce Authority
- Inside Tucson Business
- AZ Big Media
- CompTIA Tech Jobs Report

Show Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026

Host: Mike - AZ Computer Guru