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