TechLinked Podcast Summary – Episode: "Copilot sales low (Microsoft denies), RAM crisis price increases + more!"
Host: Linus Media Group
Date: December 16, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode dives into the latest shake-ups in the tech world: Microsoft responds to reports of AI tool underperformance, the computer memory (RAM) market faces a steep price hike, and consumer hardware takes an unexpected turn. The hosts cover industry shuffles from big names like Samsung and Dell, the fallout from iRobot’s bankruptcy, disappointing news for Google One users, and surprising new approaches to human focus and government hiring—all with the sardonic and rapid-fire delivery TechLinked is known for.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Microsoft Copilot Sales & Internal Disputes
- Slower Than Expected AI Adoption:
- Reports suggest Microsoft scaled back sales targets for its new AI tools due to slower-than-expected customer adoption, particularly for Azure-based Copilot agents.
- Enterprise clients reportedly see less clear value in these AI products:
“Enterprise customers pushed back on paying for agents whose returns they said were hard to measure.” [00:36]
- Microsoft’s Response:
- Microsoft officially denied lowering quotas, insisting the reports “inaccurately combine growth and sales quotas.”
- The host notes a disconnect between public statements and internal signals:
“So maybe tons of people love paying for Copilot. And for everyone who doesn't, great news—the newest update for LG TVs bakes Copilot directly into the home screen, and while it can be hidden, there's no option to uninstall.” [01:18]
- User Backlash Against Mandatory AI Features:
- Growing trend of custom-made AI removal tools for Windows 11, driven by user frustration:
“People want AI removal tools because the world is turning to slop, which is the 2025 Merriam-Webster word of the year. Maybe this is God's way of answering our prayers: 'Dear God, please bring back Clippy and smite this Mico AI baby blob thing.'” [01:39]
- Growing trend of custom-made AI removal tools for Windows 11, driven by user frustration:
2. RAM Crisis: Steep Price Increases
- Framework and Dell Announce Major Price Hikes:
- Framework laptops will see DDR5 RAM kits rising by 50%. Dell to raise enterprise PC product prices by 10–30%.
"Framework says they solemnly do pledge to stay transparent, only raising prices to cover real cost increases and lowering them again if costs fall. But I don't know. They are a for profit company. I'm not gonna hold my breath for that." [02:17]
- Framework laptops will see DDR5 RAM kits rising by 50%. Dell to raise enterprise PC product prices by 10–30%.
- Potential Laptop Downgrades Ahead:
- Dell and Lenovo are considering dropping mid-range laptops down to a mere 8GB of RAM, which the host views as a step backward:
“I thought we were living in a 16 to 32 gigabyte era, but maybe this will force software developers to make less memory hungry products. Or maybe you're just gonna get a worse laptop for your money. Probably that one.” [02:34]
- Dell and Lenovo are considering dropping mid-range laptops down to a mere 8GB of RAM, which the host views as a step backward:
- SATA SSDs May Become Scarce:
- YouTuber "Moore’s Law is Dead" reports Samsung is phasing out cheaper SATA SSDs in favor of high-profit storage for AI data centers. This could "mean even higher prices for regular consumers." [02:51]
3. iRobot Acquired, iRobot Bankruptcy
- iRobot (Roomba) Files for Bankruptcy:
- The robot vacuum giant is to be bought by its Chinese manufacturer Pysia Robotics after years of losses, competition, and a failed Amazon deal.
- The host delivers the news with customary irreverence:
“The deal comes after years of mounting debt, stiff competition and a failed Amazon acquisition and will take iRobot private under Pysea through a court-supervised restructuring expected to finish by early 2026.” [04:22]
- Encouragement for existing Roomba users:
“So don't worry, not much is changing for all you room baddies Room ballers. … Seems like a real missed opportunity [for a fan nickname]. What are you guys doing?” [04:39]
4. Google Kills More Features, Pushes Subscriptions
- Shutdown of Google One's Dark Web Data Leak Reports:
- Feature data to be deleted by February 2026.
"Apparently feedback showed that this feature didn't really help users act on leaks. So Google's just going back to saying, 'Oh you want security? Just turn on Two Factor Authentication.'" [04:55]
- Feature data to be deleted by February 2026.
- Continued Conversation Becomes a Premium Feature:
- Now locked behind $10/month Google Home subscription.
- Host’s frustration:
“This weekend I couldn't even get Gemini to play a Spotify song, something Google Assistant handled fine. Can't even play Spotify this. This is hell. This is a bad place.” [05:18]
5. Intel, OpenAI, Google DeepMind Updates
- Intel Panther Lake Chips and Social Media Flubs:
- New chip spotted in a handheld, shows promising specs but too early to judge. Official Intel Gaming tweet continues to fuel speculation about the canceled ARC B770 GPU.
“I'm pretty sure this is an AI. It's a bot. Reply the V770 is canceled to everyone.” [05:54]
- New chip spotted in a handheld, shows promising specs but too early to judge. Official Intel Gaming tweet continues to fuel speculation about the canceled ARC B770 GPU.
- OpenAI Codex Self-Improvement:
- OpenAI reveals Codex AI is now able to oversee and update its own code, a step towards self-improving AI—but only under human direction:
"Although the nerds told it to do that, so don't panic yet." [06:10]
- OpenAI reveals Codex AI is now able to oversee and update its own code, a step towards self-improving AI—but only under human direction:
- Google DeepMind Opens Automated Lab:
- AI-fueled research in material science. Host wryly hopes results are positive:
"Here's hoping they come up with something good." [06:17]
- AI-fueled research in material science. Host wryly hopes results are positive:
6. US Government Techforce Program
- Federal Tech Talent Drive:
- "US Tech force" aims to bring in 1,000 engineers for two-year stints on government projects.
- Host remarks on government irony:
“Doing it for government people problems, which somehow have rapidly sprung up after the government laid off all of those tech workers that it laid off earlier this year.” [06:36]
- Host remarks on government irony:
- Critics warn of conflicts of interest with tech company recruits.
- "US Tech force" aims to bring in 1,000 engineers for two-year stints on government projects.
7. Stanford's Audio Shield for ADHD
- New Wearable for Mindfulness:
- Device amplifies everyday sounds to help users focus, instead of blocking noise.
"Basically, it's like a hearing aid. It just makes everything louder. In early studies, users stayed on tasks longer and reported higher focus." [07:10]
- Host playfully suggests:
“Next time a loud talker is distracting you from your work, don't tell them to keep it down. Tell them to turn that up. It might just change your life.” [07:20]
- Device amplifies everyday sounds to help users focus, instead of blocking noise.
Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments
-
On Microsoft's Copilot:
“Dear God, please bring back Clippy and smite this Mico AI baby blob thing. I wish to see its face no more.” [01:45]
-
On RAM Price Hikes:
“Framework says they solemnly do pledge to stay transparent...but I don't know. They are a for profit company. I'm not gonna hold my breath for that.” [02:21]
-
On Google's Shifting Features:
“Google's just going back to saying, 'Oh you want security? Just turn on Two Factor Authentication. Why haven't you turned on Two Factor Authentication yet? What's wrong with you?'” [05:05]
-
On OpenAI's Self-Improving Agent:
“Meaning this AI has taken another step towards a self-improving singularity situation. Although the nerds told it to do that, so don't panic yet.” [06:13]
-
On Stanford’s Focus Device:
“It's like a hearing aid. It just makes everything louder.” [07:16]
Important Timestamps
- [00:32] Microsoft Copilot sales tension and AI feature backlash
- [01:59] RAM and laptop memory crisis, Samsung SSD transition
- [04:22] iRobot files bankruptcy, acquired by Pysia Robotics
- [04:55] Google One removes dark web features, shifts to paid subscriptions
- [05:38] Intel chip and social media blunders
- [06:10] OpenAI’s self-improving Codex; Google DeepMind automated lab
- [06:36] US launches federal Techforce; conflicts of interest discussed
- [07:10] Stanford’s audio shield for ADHD and implications for focus
Tone:
The episode maintains a whip-smart, irreverent, and sardonic tone—consistently poking fun at tech company foibles, consumer frustrations, and the absurdities of modern product and policy decisions.
For Listeners Who Missed the Episode:
This episode offers a rapid-fire rundown of the week’s most pressing tech developments, laced with snarky commentary, consumer advocacy, and plenty of skepticism about the tech giants' latest moves. Whether you’re a hardware nerd, AI skeptic, or just want to keep up with how Big Tech is shaping your life—and your devices—TechLinked delivers both the headlines and the grins.