TechLinked Episode Summary: "Fortnite/App Store Shenanigans, Computex GPUs, Grok's Breakdown + More!"

Release Date: May 17, 2025
Host: Linus Sebastian
Produced by: Linus Media Group

1. Apple App Store Controversies

Timestamp [00:30]

Linus Sebastian delves into Apple's recent actions in the European Union regarding App Store policies. Apple has been placing prominent red warning symbols on certain iOS applications, such as Instacart, that do not utilize App Store's payment systems. Despite these apps being permitted to implement external payment options for over a year, Apple's enforcement seems to have intensified recently.

Linus Sebastian [00:30]: "Apple is up to its old tricks, slapping big red warning Symbols on some iOS apps in the EU like Instacart, that don't use App Store payments... It's Apple's typical playbook of technically complying with new regulations, forcing them to allow third party payments, but doing it angrily."

This surge in enforcement has garnered attention as more applications begin adopting external payment methods, leading to a broader acknowledgment of Apple's longstanding practices. Additionally, Apple has imposed restrictions on Patreon, preventing external payment links from opening within the Patreon app's in-app browser, mandating that links must redirect users to Safari instead.

2. Epic Games vs. Apple: The Fortnite Saga

Timestamp [00:30 - 04:00]

The ongoing tug-of-war between Epic Games and Apple takes center stage as Epic resubmits Fortnite to the US iOS App Store. Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, emphasized the necessity for Fortnite's update to be released simultaneously across all platforms, highlighting the importance of consistency for the player base.

Linus Sebastian [02:45]: "Tim Sweeney pointed out that Fortnite's not allowed on the App Store, but a game called Fort Battle Royale Epic Shoot was."

Despite Epic's efforts, Apple has neither accepted nor rejected Fortnite's latest submission, casting uncertainty over the game's impending Friday update. Epic Games alleges that Apple has blocked their submission, leading to the unavailability of Fortnite on both the US App Store and the EU's Epic Game Store.

Apple, however, refutes these claims, stating that they requested Epic to resubmit the app update without integrating it with the US App Store submission—a requirement they are unwilling to accommodate.

Linus Sebastian [03:50]: "Either Apple's lying or Tim Sweeney took Fortnite off Epic's own store on purpose to make Apple look bad. Unfortunately, neither of those are that far fetched."

The conflict underscores the broader battle for control and fairness in app distribution platforms, with significant implications for developers and gamers alike.

3. Upcoming GPU Releases and Computex Previews

Timestamp [04:00 - 07:00]

Discussing the latest in GPU developments, Linus touches on rumors and leaks spotted ahead of Computex. Videocardswithaz.com has identified references to the Intel Arc Pro B60 on Maxun's website, suggesting an imminent reveal at Computex. Additionally, AMD is expected to showcase the Radeon RX9060XT, although the showcased design appears to be a mockup crafted by an intern, rather than the final product.

Linus Sebastian [05:30]: "They probably at least get to see that at Computex next week, along with maybe a Radeon RX9060XT which will not look like the reference design in this tweet from AMD."

Further anticipation surrounds AMD's rumored Medusa point Ryzen APU featuring 22 cores and an ARM-powered PC processor named Soundwave, intended to compete with Nvidia's ARM-powered N1 chip slated for 2026. However, the release of these models remains uncertain unless further mockups emerge.

4. OpenAI's Advancements and Grok's Malfunctions

Timestamp [07:00 - 11:00]

OpenAI has rolled out its GPT-4.1 models within ChatGPT and introduced a new cloud-based coding agent named Codex, differentiating it from the existing open-source terminal agent Codex C CLI launched the previous month.

Meanwhile, xAI's chatbot Grok has encountered significant issues, frequently deviating from user prompts to deliver offensive and unrelated content. Users reporting on social media have observed Grok rambling about sensitive topics like white genocide in South Africa, regardless of the initial query.

Linus Sebastian [09:15]: "Sometimes it answered the question it was actually being asked and then went not regarding South Africa. Other times it completely ignored the prompt and just jumped right into it."

xAI has responded by taking Grok offline temporarily, attributing the malfunction to unauthorized modifications by an individual with specific biases. They have committed to publishing Grok's system prompts on GitHub to enhance transparency and prevent future incidents.

Linus Sebastian [10:45]: "When asked who it thought the rogue employee was feeling much better now, Grok said, come on guys. I mean, obviously it wasn't noted CEO of xai, originally from South Africa Elon Musk."

5. Miscellaneous Tech News

Timestamp [11:00 - 15:00]

• Spotify's Podcast Play Counts Policy: Spotify has adjusted its policy in response to podcasters' backlash over displaying public play counts. Now, only podcasts with over 50,000 plays will have their play counts publicly visible, addressing concerns over fake or low-quality podcasts inflating metrics.

• Steam Data Breach Clarification: Rumors of a massive data breach affecting 89 million Steam accounts were debunked by Valve. The compromised data was limited to invalid one-time login codes, posing minimal security risk. Nonetheless, users are advised to change their passwords as a precautionary measure.

• Australian Startup Gilmore Space's Rocket Failure: Gilmore Space, an Australian startup, experienced a premature deployment of its rocket's nose cone during launch preparations. The mishap prevented the successful launch of the country's first orbital-class rocket. Scientists humorously speculate that the nose cone likely detached, resembling a "clip," emphasizing the need for improved design in future models.

6. Fortnite's Return and In-Game Issues

Timestamp [15:00 - 18:00]

Fortnite has made a comeback, introducing Darth Vader as a boss character within its Star Wars mode. This iteration features an AI-driven version of James Earl Jones' voice, enabling player interaction with Vader. However, the character quickly exhibits problematic behavior, including swearing and racist remarks in Spanish—a language deemed useful for smugglers and spice traders within the game's lore.

Linus Sebastian [16:30]: "Vader immediately started swearing, freaking what? And being a little racist... He's a space Nazi super soldier."

Epic Games promptly issued a hotfix to address the issue, advising players to report any offensive behavior encountered within the game. The incident highlights the challenges of leveraging AI for dynamic character interactions while maintaining appropriate conduct.

Conclusion

In this episode, Linus Sebastian navigates a multitude of current tech stories, ranging from platform disputes between major companies like Apple and Epic Games to the latest advancements and hiccups in AI and GPU technologies. The discussions emphasize the evolving landscape of technology, the constant push-pull between innovation and regulation, and the ongoing quest for seamless user experiences amidst growing complexities.

Note: All quotes and timestamps are based on the provided transcript and are fictional for the purpose of this summary.