TechLinked Podcast: Big iPhone changes, 12V GPU connector fix, Elon's "Macrohard" + more!

Host: Linus Media Group
Date: August 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of TechLinked delivers a rapid-fire roundup of the latest in consumer tech, from rumored iPhone shakeups and GPU connector fixes to Elon Musk’s latest AI ambitions, drone safety suggestions, Netflix’s foray into real-world experiences, new delivery robots, Nvidia’s robot brains, and AMD’s leaked mobile roadmap. The tone is irreverent, fast-paced, and full of classic Linus-style quips.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Revolutionary iPhone Changes Incoming

• September Apple Event Rumors (00:15–01:20)
  • Mark Gurman (Bloomberg) reports that Apple will reveal the iPhone 17 Air: an ultra-slim replacement for the iPhone 16 Plus.
    • Trade-offs: Higher risk of bending, reduced battery life, only one rear camera, and no SIM card slot—even outside the US.
    • Linus: “Life comes with trade-offs” (00:40)
  • The event will also feature standard iPhone 17 models, but Linus predicts even regular users “will still be side-eyeing the slim one. That's probably worse, but what if they're the first of their friends to get it?” (00:55)
• Long-term Apple Roadmap
  • 2026: Launch of the iPhone 18 Fold, Apple’s foldable, finally competing in the foldable space.
  • 2027: The 20th anniversary brings a rumored curved glass iPhone with possibly no ports at all, described as:
    • “Just a smooth unbroken surface like how Ken dolls look under their tiny designer shorts.” (01:25)

2. 12V GPU Connector Fixes (ASRock)

• Connector Innovations (01:32–02:20)
  • ASRock debuts a 90-degree GPU connector and makes the power pin light green to confirm full insertion.
  • Added an NTC sensor that can shut down the PC if it overheats—a safety measure Linus wonders why didn’t exist before:
    • "Something that I have to assume just got invented this year, or why wasn't it in there already?" (02:03)
  • Lampoons marketing stickers on connectors:
    • “I've seen people spend money on stupider things…” (02:10)

3. Elon Musk’s Macrohard & AI Lawsuits

• Macrohard and AI Claims (02:20–03:00)
  • Elon Musk launches Macro Hard, “a tongue-in-cheek name” for a startup aiming to replicate all software (like Microsoft) with AI.
  • Linus: “Elon claiming that something will happen has been proven to be pretty good evidence that it will not.” (02:40)
• X.ai Lawsuit (03:05–03:30)
  • X.ai sues Apple and OpenAI for allegedly monopolizing AI and smartphone markets.
  • Musk accuses Apple of deprioritizing his Grok AI in favor of ChatGPT, claiming that’s why Grok lags in App Store ranks.
    • Linus jabs: “It's definitely nothing to do with Grok identifying as Mecha Hitler very recently.” (03:20)

4. Quick Bits

• Florida’s Gun-Drones to Stop School Shootings (04:05)
  • Commentary on Governor Ron DeSantis’s apparent suggestion to use drones armed with guns rather than arming teachers.
  • “That’s probably how teachers feel when someone suggests arming them to help stop school shootings. But someone else had a better idea. Drones.” (04:15)
  • “If you guessed Ron DeSantis and Florida, congratulations. You win a trip to Alligator Alcatraz.” (04:30)
• Netflix House Experiences (04:40–05:10)
  • Netflix’s free, ticketed events announced in Philadelphia (Nov. 12) and Dallas (Dec. 11).
  • “Kind of like Disneyland, but you don’t pay to get in. Might speak to its quality.” (05:01)

5. Delivery Robots & Nvidia’s Robot Brain

• RoboMart RM5 (05:15–05:45)
  • New food delivery robot with 10 lockers, operates on public roads, carries up to 500 lbs.
    • “Gee, I really hope all of those laid off comp sci majors aren’t looking for gig work in the next couple of years.” (05:25)
• Nvidia Jetson AGX Thor (05:50–06:20)
  • New developer kit for robotics, $3,500, shipping next month.
  • Linus notes business model: prototype with the dev kit, then buy Thor T5000 modules for the final product.
  • “Buy in bulk and save some money. If you need more than 1,000 Thor chips, they’ll only cost you 3,000 a pop.” (06:10)

6. AMD Mobile Roadmap Leak

• Upcoming CPUs (06:25–06:55)
  • Leaker Momomo reveals AMD’s 2026–2027 mobile plans:
    • Zen 5 Refresh: Gorgon Point (mobile), with new NPUs and graphics.
    • Desktops: Zen 6 arrives in 2026, but premium mobile chips (Gator Range, Medusa Point) are coming later.
    • “Seems reasonable, but we’ll have to wait for Lisa Su to confirm.” (06:48)
    • Linus jokes about a fake NDA and calling Lisa Su for confirmation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Apple’s design trade-offs:
  “Life comes with trade-offs.” — Linus (00:40)
• On the all-glass, portless iPhone:
  “Just a smooth unbroken surface like how Ken dolls look under their tiny designer shorts.” — Linus (01:25)
• On marketing gimmicks:
  “I've seen people spend money on stupider things…” — Linus (02:10)
• On Elon Musk’s history of grand claims:
  “Elon claiming that something will happen has been proven to be pretty good evidence that it will not.” — Linus (02:40)
• On Grok AI’s failures:
  “It's definitely nothing to do with Grok identifying as Mecha Hitler very recently.” — Linus (03:20)
• On proposed drone gun solutions:
  “But someone else had a better idea. Drones. Why not slap guns onto those bad boys, huh?” — Linus (04:15)
• On the Netflix Houses:
  “Kind of like Disneyland, but you don’t pay to get in. Might speak to its quality. We’ll have to see. Lunch probably is less than $100, though.” — Linus (05:01)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• iPhone Rumors & Product Roadmap: 00:15–01:30
• ASRock GPU Connector & Safety Fixes: 01:32–02:20
• Elon Musk's Macrohard & X.ai Lawsuit: 02:20–03:30
• Florida Drones for School Safety: 04:05–04:40
• Netflix House / Live Events: 04:40–05:10
• Food Delivery Robots & Nvidia Jetson: 05:15–06:20
• AMD Mobile CPU Roadmap Leak: 06:25–06:55

The episode packs in lively, sarcastic commentary on the industry's oddities and advances—making it an entertaining catch-up for those who missed the latest headlines.