TEConnect Podcast teconnect

Retail has “grown up” a lot in the last few years, as competition and shifting customer expectations drive innovation and open the door to new technologies. But that modernization can come with some tradeoffs as retailers determine what is must-have vs. nice-to-have. Intel’s Global Retail Director, David Dobson, joins the pod to explain the outcomes that retailers are pursuing and how we can help. How is AI affecting retail? How do retail leaders determine what innovations to pursue? What’s causing hesitation, and how can VARs & ISVs become go-to solution architects for the industry?
 
#VARValue - What’s your future view on how modernization will happen on the edge and how VARs and their ISV partners can be modern solution architects? 
 
TEConnecting with us:
David - The moon landing and creation of DARPA
Dean - Project Astra
John - Dublin to NYC portal
 
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 
 
Sponsored by:
Intel's Podcast Playlist
Elo Quick Ship Program

Guy-Marie Joseph is not just another AI enthusiast. He has been deeply involved in AI, studying its foundations since college. This extensive experience makes him the perfect person to help us delve into the LLM hype, explore practical use cases, and share insights on the road ahead. What does the “intelligence” part of AI really mean? What’s the next step to make AI more practical? How does ConnecTalk approach AI in their day-to-day business?
 
#VARValue - As a reseller yourself, what are some examples of how ConnecTalk has used AI to improve your internal operations and build better customer solutions?
 
TEConnecting with us:
Guy-Marie - Tools to analyze cybersecurity threats & understanding RF
Dean - Sound-suppressing silk
John - What is the ideal movie run-time?
 
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 
 
Sponsored by:
Elo Wallaby Pro

The electric & hybrid vehicle market continues to grow, spurred by government investment and consumer interest. This week, Jeff Smith, CEO of EVerged, explains why he is all-in on the market and its potential.  What trends and opportunities is he seeing? How does EVerged address sustainability questions? What makes this a perfect time to explore EV charging partnerships?
 
#VARValue—Beyond EV solutions, what else is happening in the public sector that VARs should focus on to find new opportunities? 
 
TEConnecting with us:
Jeff - X's AI & robotics initiatives, Horizon Aircraft's hybrid plane, and Zamboni EVs
Dean - Falling space junk
John - LG washer/dryer
 
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 
 
Sponsored by:
Elo Outdoor Open Frame Touchscreen

Here's some new news, lists, and interesting studies to share around watercoolers both real and virtual!
The effects of the "she"-conomy
The coolest streets in the world
Americans sleep less and stress more
New airline cancellation/fee rules
How much soda is too much?
The end of noncompetes
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - How easy is it to brute force your password?
John - Google Maps photobomb dog
 
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 
 
Sponsored by:
Intel Sales Academy
Elo 70-Series Touch Monitors

We’re normally tech-positive on the show, but this week, Dean & John are sharing some of their “beefs” with technology, the things that frustrate or confuse them, including:
Dynamic fast-food pricing
The death of social media
Pennies
Paywalled news
America's most popular beers
Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” stores
Healthcare information connectivity
It’s the episode that has a few things to get off its chest.
 
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Designing the next moon buggy
John - Lyft
 
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 
 
Sponsored by:
Elo Pay 7" POS System

Technological progress often comes in waves that are met with intense discussion, scrutiny, skepticism, and acceptance. Artificial intelligence is the latest wave disrupting the reseller channel, but one that demands a response sooner rather than later. This week, Intel’s Director of US Distribution, David Allen, is not only explaining the history of such inflection points and why AI is perhaps the most important ever but also shedding light on Intel's strategic approach to partnerships and vetted solutions. This approach is crucial in helping solution providers deliver on the hype of AI. What is the “siliconomy”? How will a "wait and see "attitude affect VARs? What has to change to go to market with emerging technologies?
 
#VARValue - How is Intel helping take BlueStar's TEConnect Program to the next level?
 
TEConnecting with us:
David - Bose headphones & a Bluetooth transmitter for airplane movie viewing
Dean - The emotion of live vs. streamed music
John - Extraordinary on Hulu
 
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 
 
Sponsored by:
Elo I-Series 3 w/Intel