TechLinked — Episode Summary
Episode: Android for PC, Snapdragon X2 Elite EXTREME, Steam malware + more!
Date: September 25, 2025
Host: Linus Media Group
Episode Overview
This episode delivers a rapid-fire roundup of the latest in tech and gaming culture. Major stories include Google’s plans for Android-powered PCs, Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon processors, a Steam malware incident that rocked the gaming community, Nvidia’s massive investment in OpenAI, and several quick updates spanning AI, cooling breakthroughs, and quirky gadgets.
Main Discussion Points
1. Android Laptops and Desktops Incoming
[00:30]
- Official Confirmation: Google exec Rick Osterloh confirmed at Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit that Android laptops and desktops are coming in 2026.
- Host’s Take: Playfully skeptical, the host muses, “After years of intense yearning for such devices by people like me who know full well that it would be just like a normal PC. But worse. What’s wrong with me?”
- Samsung Dex Shoutout: Nods to existing Android-on-PC solutions and jokes about users’ likely feedback.
- Qualcomm’s Enthusiasm: CEO Cristiano Amon is bullish about Android on PC, calling it “incredible,” though the host notes Amon’s vested interest.
- Strategic Move: Google’s Sameer Samat was previously coy, but now confirms the hybridization of Chrome OS and Android is happening next year.
- Quote: “This official confirmation follows Google’s president of the Android ecosystem…casually mentioning…they're combining Chrome OS and Android. Yep, just, you know, combining them…figured, you know.” — Host [01:10]
2. Snapdragon X2 Elite & X2 Elite Extreme Processors
[02:00]
- Qualcomm’s Announcement: Second-generation X Series laptop processors introduced.
- Model Confusion: The Extreme is nearly identical to the X2 Elite, except for higher clocks and fewer cores.
- Host’s Frustration: “Are you confused by my explanation? You should tweet at Qualcomm about it, because what the is this?”
- Exaggerated Marketing: Qualcomm hypes these chips as “the fastest and most efficient processors for Windows PCs. Period.”
- Quote: “Having learned nothing from their previous round of obscenely overhyped marketing…Qualcomm claims these unreleased chips are the fastest…Period. Fastest. I’m not gonna touch it.” — Host [02:45]
3. Steam Malware Scandal
[03:15]
- Incident: Steam briefly hosted malware via an update to the game Block Blasters, affecting under 500 users.
- Impactful Story: Latvian streamer and cancer patient Rivo Plavnics (“Rastaland”) lost $32,000 in crypto during a stream, elevating the story to mainstream media.
- Valve’s Response: Block Blasters delisted and users notified, but no announced plan to start malware scanning all updates.
- Snarky Critique: “Is that like a skin you can get in Counter Strike or something? We’re pretty busy.” — Host [04:10]
- Quote: “Plavnik’s heart-wrenching circumstances elevated the story to mainstream media…Fortunately, that lost cryptocurrency was actually made up by donations from the community.” — Host [03:45]
4. Nvidia’s $100 Billion OpenAI Investment
[04:35]
- Deal Details: Nvidia to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI, raising antitrust concerns as both are juggernauts in AI hardware and software.
- Regulatory Eyebrow: “The Department of Justice did say last week that protecting competition supports the AI innovation it wants to encourage, so it might be taking a little look see at this deal.”
- OpenAI’s Aggressive Expansion: Partnering with Oracle and SoftBank to launch five new data centers (Stargate initiative), with total capacity equivalent to seven nuclear reactors.
- Quote: “If the AI bubble isn’t bursting quite yet, could we at least get some AI tools that are actually useful?” — Host [05:35]
5. Fresh AI Tools and Mental Health Innovations
[05:50]
- Google Labs Mix Board: A concepting and mood-board tool in beta, similar to Adobe Firefly Boards and Figma’s FigJam.
- Mindstate Design Labs: AI model aims to produce “psychoactive drugs without the trip” for PTSD treatment.
- Host’s Wit: “Literally meeting your fears face to face in another dimension isn’t considered productive treatment. So it’s a good thing. It’s good for the people… Maybe not for my weekend plans, but it’s good for the people.” — Host [06:30]
Quickfire Tech News (“Quick Bits”)
Microfluidic Cooling from Microsoft
[08:10]
- Cuts “hair-sized channels” into chip silicon and uses AI to direct coolant, tripling heat removal.
- Host quips: “AI is physically improving itself. Kind of. And it’s only a matter of time before the missiles are launched.”
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Pilot with Ford F150 Lightning
[09:05]
- Owners earned up to $1,000 by sending stored power back to the grid during peak times.
- “Boss makes a dollar, I make a dime. That’s why I sell my company’s electricity back to the grid.”
Logitech’s New Solar Keyboard K980
[09:50]
- Solar charging, up to four months use without light, AI button for Copilot or Gemini integration.
- “It costs 100 bucks… The predecessor…came out in 2012. For whoever’s been waiting to upgrade, I guess it’s finally time.”
Origin Code’s Supercharged DDR5 RAM
[10:30]
- World’s fastest high capacity RAM; unique cooling mounts offer 40% extra heat dissipation.
- Host: “Hello, performance. Goodbye tower cooler compatibility.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- [00:10] “They’re like the plastic food you see in Ikea. You’re not supposed to eat them anyway.” — Host (on Walmart’s in-house baked goods)
- [01:55] “Look at this bro moment between these two. Rick smiling. It’s like he built Android for PC in his garage.”
- [04:10] “Because is that like a skin you can get in Counter Strike or something? We’re pretty busy.” — Host (on Valve’s slow response)
- [06:30] “Maybe not for my weekend plans, but it’s good for the people.”
Episode Wrap-up
The host wraps up with energetic sign-offs and more signature dry humor, promising more news in Friday's episode.
[11:30]: “And now it’s time for me to spread my wings. This little bird’s gonna fly the coop for now. But don’t worry, I’ll be back on Friday for more tech news. Caw.”
This summary covers the most important topics, moments, and tone of the episode for anyone who missed it!