This week on the TechFlash Podcast we immerse ourselves in real technology, "not all this consumer Internet crap we talk about all the time," as John jokes at the outset of the show.

Just kidding, of course, but it is refreshing to delve into something as scientific and potentially game-changing as the ability to transmit power via lasers -- which is the technology being developed by LaserMotive, a Seattle-area startup whose president, Tom Nugent, is our guest.

We start with our weekly news roundup, including Microsoft's latest financial results, the rise of the next-generation barcode, and the latest stealthy startup from Seattle entrepreneur Dan Shapiro. And in our final segment we bring back our popular Name that Tech Tune trivia contest. Click here to submit your answer.

Listen above or subscribe to the podcast using this RSS feed (http://feeds.feedburner.com/techflashpodcast), or via iTunes or Zune. Call 206-876-5465 to leave a message for our next show, and continue reading for links related to this week's episode. Here's the MP3 file.

Microsoft earnings: A big quarter for Microsoft, from Office 2010 to 'Halo: Reach' ... Microsoft beats expectations with record $16.2 billion in revenue ... Hiring: Microsoft stays cautious as Google, Amazon ramp back up ... Apple tops Microsoft revenue.

Barcodes: On the Herbfarm menu: QR codes ... Microsoft Tag claims front-runner status among next-gen barcodes.

Startup: Dan Shapiro's stealthy startup Sparkbuy raises $1 million

LaserMotive president Tom Nugent in the 97.3 KIRO-FM studios.

LaserMotive: Company website ... LaserMotive looks to break own record for laser-powered flight ... A laser-powered space elevator? Seattle team leads NASA contest. Here's a video demo showing the laser energy transmission in the LaserMotive shop.

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