Brothers in Tech

Hosted ByAlan Jackson & Brian Jackson

Whether you are the person who everyone calls for tech support, are the person who is doing the calling, or simply interested in technology…this podcast is for you!

Do you find yourself serving as the go-to “I.T.” person in your family? Or are you someone that tends to call other family members for technical support and would rather learn things on your own? Brothers in Tech is a weekly podcast focusing on home technology and provides help to the “default family IT person”. Hosted by Alan & Brian Jackson, a new topic will be discussed each month (main episode) followed by 3 weekly “deep dive” episodes (the B-sides) with additional information. Whether you are the person who everyone calls for tech support, are the person who is doing the calling, or simply interested in technology…this podcast is for you!

Your Hosts

Alan Jackson:
 Alan Jackson (the older brother) lives in works in Hickory, North Carolina as the Strategic Director of Jackson Creative and Jackson Insight.  Alan specializes in creating marketing campaigns and resources for a variety of clients as well as consulting on marketing research and satisfaction surveys.  In his free time, Alan runs a film society and annual film festival in Western North Carolina.  Alan started his technology journey at a young age, learning to program in BASIC on an Apple IIE and being one of the first people in his area to use and master the original Macintosh.  He earned extra lunch money by drawing pictures of superheroes in MacPaint and selling printouts to friends for a quarter each, officially earning him the title of the nerdiest kid at school.  Alan has always enjoyed learning new technologies and helping others incorporate tech into their everyday home and work lives.  Oh, and he is definitely the favorite child… no matter what his siblings suggest.

Brian Jackson:
 Originally from Hickory, North Carolina, Brian Jackson (the younger Brother) currently lives just outside of Portland, Oregon where he works a professor of Kinesiology at Pacific University. Academically, he is a “motor behaviorist” (studying motor skill learning and performance) who has used his passion for technology to research the use and effectiveness of a number of fitness and learning devices. He is a former coach (tennis), craft beer connoisseur (well…at least a consumer and admirer), and competitive dart player (yes…darts). Although admittedly deeply connected/invested in the Apple ecosystem, Brian enjoys finding, researching, and critiquing all types of new and creative technology solutions…and consulting others on educational and home technology practices (including trying to correct any mistakes that Alan has made with family advice). Oh, and he is definitely the favorite child…no matter what his siblings suggest.


All Episodes

How is Apple’s Fitness+ Shaping Up?

So, you have your usual New Year’s resolution to get in shape…and you are looking for some technology to help out. Enter Apple’s new service, Fitness+. At $9.99/month (or $29.99 as part of the highest level of Apple One subscription, which includes several other services), Fitness+ attempts to compete in a crowded fitness service market. Check out this episode as the Brothers (and our guest, Jeff Hartman) discuss how the service stacks up, and where it has fallen short. Unsurprisingly, Alan chose to play the “haven’t had a chance to try it out” role in this one.

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The State of the Apple Watch

2021 kicks off with a new year, new format, and a guest “brother”! In this first episode of Season 2 of Brothers in Tech, the Brothers (and our ‘brother from another mother’, Jeff Hartman) discuss the Apple Watch. We cover the good, the bad, and our expectations/hopes for the future of this popular device. And guess what?  We actually keep this one under an hour! Rock on 2021!

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Home Automation – Deep Dive #3: Home Automation for Safety

Just when you think we had covered all there was to cover in the home automation realm…we have more. Want to know whether you left your fridge open, whether your water heater is leaking, or…and obviously more importantly, whether your beer kegs are getting close to being empty? There are sensors for that. In the final episode of the Home Automation topic (and, the final episode of Season 1 of Brothers in Tech), the Brothers discuss some creative ways that automation is being used for home safety. And, while you are listening…see what ideas we have for new products in the future (copyrighted, of course)!

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Home Automation – Deep Dive #2: Home Automation for Security

Now that we got you hooked with the ‘gateway drug’ of automation (lighting), it is time to step things up a notch and figure out how you can use automation to protect/secure your home. In the second deep-dive into the Home Automation series, the Brothers discuss the types of home security devices, and considerations you should have when choosing which is right for you. Oh, and you will want to stick around until the end (not that you wouldn’t normally…) to see what system Alan is going with in his new home! We know you are on the edge of your seat…

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Home Automation – Deep Dive #1: Home Automation for Convenience

Are you looking to set up your own version of Doc Brown’s automatic dog feeder (you gotta love when Back to the Future gets some love on the podcast…)? Well, the Brothers are ready to get you your first fix. Check out the first deep dive into the world of home automation as the Brothers provide you with what they so eloquently term the ‘gateway drug’ of automation…devices that provide convenience and efficiency. Be careful though, because once you go automated…

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Health & Fitness – Deep Dive #3: Health & Fitness Home Devices

Now that you are on the health and fitness technology kick…let’s look around the house to see what other types of devices we can upgrade! In the final episode of the health & fitness series, the Brothers discuss some useful (and maybe not so useful) home technology devices that can enhance your workouts, your health tracking, and even your cooking. Be sure to listen and enjoy the final episode where Brian serves as the “teacher” on a topic…as we know that all good things must come to an end.

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Health & Fitness – Deep Dive #2: Health & Fitness Services

Looking for a way to cancel your gym membership and working on your health and fitness from home? You may want to look into one of the many health and fitness subscription services that are now on the market. There are a lot of them…but that is where we come in! In the second deep-dive into our Health & Fitness series, the Brothers talk through the considerations you should make before signing up for a health and fitness subscription service.

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Health & Fitness – Deep Dive #1: Mobile Apps

Maybe you are wanting to step up your fitness game without purchasing a lot of new equipment…well, there’s an app for that! Actually…there are a bunch of them. Whether you are looking for a central hub for all of your fitness data, a way to harness the data that your phone is already collecting, or have a virtual fitness/health coach, this episode is for you. Check out the first deep-dive in our Health & Fitness series where the Brothers (or, at least one of them) discuss the considerations for choosing a mobile app for your health and fitness needs. And, Alan works on his health by catching up on some much-needed sleep as Brian is talking…

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Health & Fitness – Wearables

Whether you are wondering how technology can help achieve your health and fitness goals, trying to decide which tech equipment/sensors are worth paying for, or just wanting to hear Brian show off to his big brother? This episode if for you! In the first episode of our Health & Fitness series, the Brothers (well…Brian) discuss the benefits and features of wearables, and considerations you should make when purchasing.

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Audio and Music Services – Deep Dive #3: Making Music

After listening to the first 3 episodes of our Audio series (which we know you have!), you have lots of ideas of how to obtain and listen to digital music…but maybe you are inspired to create your own? In the final deep-dive into the Audio series, the Brothers discuss what you need to enter the world of digital music creation. Although there is admittedly not a lot of musical talent between them (unless you count playing power chords or making mix tapes), Alan certainly seems to know what he is talking about. Brian is just along for the ride…

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