We usually talk about a wide variety of topics on the GeekWire radio show and podcast, but even by our normal standards, the breadth of stuff on this week’s show was a little crazy. Don’t worry, we were able to tie it all together! (For the most part, at least.)
John and I kick off the news segment with a discussion of the new Museum of History & Industry, including his back story about sneaking into the partially completed Microsoft exhibit during a media preview this week. (It cracks me up that they’re featuring Microsoft Bob as part of that.)
Then we jump into the news about Amazon’s “Free Time Unlimited” subscription service for kids on the Kindle Fire tablet, which leads us to a discussion about our families’ own struggles to limit screen time for our children. I’m also intrigued by how Amazon is trying to build out its subscription services.
On the topic of Amazon, we’re planning to test out the Amazon Fresh restaurant delivery service, perhaps in combination with some Amazon wine.
Joining us in the studio are Ed Viars, Pam Mandel and Pete Harris, three members of The Castaways, a ukulele rock band with deep ties to the Seattle tech community — fresh off their high-energy performance at Thursday night’s GeekWire Gala.
Pam is a technical writer and travel writer who is also an organizer of Passports with Purpose, a coalition of travel bloggers who raise money for charitable projects around the world each year, helping people and supporting causes in some of the communities they visit.
A performance by the Castaways is one of the possible prizes up for grabs for people who donate to Passports with Purpose this year. Ed, Pam and Pete give us a small sampling of their geeky ukulele awesomeness with in-studio performances of Material Girl and White Wedding.
Pam also talks about the technology she takes on the road and the plane, and how smartphones, in particular, have changed how she does her work as a travel writer.
Just in time for anyone who hasn’t yet sent out holiday cards, our App of the Week is Ink for iPhone, iPad and Android — a personal favorite of mine.
And finally, we give the answer to last week’s Name that Tech Tune challenge, and name the winner.
Phew! Lots of stuff. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Listen to the show above or via this MP3.
