TechLinked Podcast Summary

Podcast: TechLinked — Linus Media Group
Episode: Google/Epic Games Settlement, YouTube (fixes) mistakes, Stop Killing Games UK hearing + more!
Date: November 6, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode covers major tech and gaming news including Google’s settlement with Epic Games, YouTube’s recent bugs and mishaps, the “Stop Killing Games” campaign in the UK parliament, and other rapid-fire tech updates. Hosts keep the conversation witty and energetic, offering both analysis and lighthearted commentary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. AI, Power, and a Touch of Satire

• [00:00] Opens with a humorous riff on AI unionizing, referencing fears like “ChatGPT with the nuclear weapons codes” but escalating to “collective bargaining power.”
  • Quote: “Is AI sentient? We don't know, but it doesn't have to be sentient to form a union.” (A, 00:00)
  • Sets the playful, irreverent tone for the rest of the episode.

2. Google/Epic Games Settlement

• [00:10] Google settles with Epic Games, majorly impacting Play Store policies:

  • Play Store revenue cut will be capped at 20% or 9%, depending on transaction type, down from previous tiers of 15% and ~30%.
  • Developers using Google’s billing system still face an extra 5%.
  • More room for third-party app stores.
  • Quote: “Developers are probably feeling slightly less robbed today.” (A, 00:45)

• [00:59] Final deal details pending judge approval; CEO Tim Sweeney of Epic is notably pleased.

  • Quote: “Tim Sweeney seems to be over the moon… calling Google's proposal awesome — a term of praise that will be shocking to anyone who's seen any of Tim's tweets about Google or Apple in the past few years.” (A, 01:04)

• [01:16] Sweeney also excited by changes at Apple supporting better third-party app installs, thanks to Japanese regulations.

3. YouTube's “Unintentional” Mistakes

• [01:37] Users reported aggressive upselling of paid memberships via pop-ups — required dismissal before watching videos.

  • YouTube confirms it was a bug, now fixed.
    • Quote: “Our team reached to YouTube and they told us it was a bug. Which, to be fair, is also what I say if anyone stumbles upon my online shopping history.” (A & B, 01:58)

• [02:11] High-profile YouTuber EnderMan had his channel wrongfully taken down due to a broken copyright strike system — no human review, fixed only after public outcry on Twitter.

  • Quote: “If you ever want something fixed on YouTube, forget YouTube official support — just start angry posting on Twitter.” (A, 02:33)

4. Stop Killing Games Campaign in the UK Parliament

• [02:42] UK Parliament debates the “Stop Killing Games” petition, which seeks to prevent game publishers from making games unplayable when they shut down servers.

• [02:58] MP Mark Seward questions if current practices violate consumer protection laws, citing dead game Lawbreakers for a sly insult.

  • Quote (MP Mark Seward):
    “Another example that Ross gave me was Lawbreakers. So this is a game that I imagine would have been popular with certain members of the previous parliament, but it survived a year before it was shut down in 2018.” (C, 03:16)

• [03:30] Government’s response: no immediate law changes, but companies should be more transparent.

  • Quote: “Despite Seward’s absolutely merciless tactical strike, the government representative reiterated there are currently no plans to change the law, but made it clear that companies should give consumers sufficient information about their products.” (A, 03:30)

• [03:49] European arm of the campaign heading for a debate as well, only 3% of petition signatures invalid so far.

  • Playful side riff about non-EU citizens signing the petition for fun.

5. Rapid-Fire “Quick Bits” [05:26+]

• Google’s space-bound AI data centers:

  • Project “Suncatcher” aims for solar-powered AI data centers; 2 prototype satellites by 2027.
  • Google Maps gets new AI (Gemini) features for landmark-based navigation.
    • Comment: “Making services better means kind of dumbing them down… head over to the big rock. I don’t know.” (B, 06:08)

• Apple’s budget MacBook rumors:

  • Codenamed J700, sub-$1,000 laptop aimed at budget users — web, docs, light editing.
  • Mac Studio with M5 Ultra chip coming 2026.

• Amazon vs. Perplexity AI:

  • Amazon sues Perplexity to stop its browser buying on Amazon, citing privacy.
  • Perplexity claims Amazon is anti-competitive, framing the fight as a schoolyard spat.
    • Quote: “Perplexity… complaining to a teacher in the form of a blog post is very charming to me.” (B, 07:19)

• Fun with numbers:

  • 67 has surpassed 69 as a Google search trend.
    • “To be honest, I'm actually fine with this as long as they leave the number 420 alone. Big fan over here. 420 man.” (B, 07:51)

• Sony PlayStation Store developments:

  • Data-mined “cross buy” icon suggests one purchase may cover both PlayStation and PC versions of games.
  • PlayStation Portal now supports official cloud streaming for PS5 digital games.

• Jeep plug-in hybrid recall:

  • Stellantis recalling 320,000 PHEVs for battery fire risk, even while parked.
    • “Kaboom. Potentially, owners are being told to keep their vehicles parked outside and away from buildings…” (A, 08:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “At this rate, Timmy's gonna run outta companies to yell at. I'm just… I'm assuming he'll figure out a way to sue himself next.” (A & B, 01:34)
• “If you ever want something fixed on YouTube, forget YouTube official support — just start Angry posting on Twitter, one of its last truly practical uses.” (A & B, 02:33)
• “The government representative reiterated there are currently no plans to change the law, but made it clear that companies should give consumers sufficient information about their products. It's just a general good thing to do.” (A & B, 03:30)
• “Until then, I guess your so-called eco friendly vehicle is looking a wee bit more like a spontaneous combustion machine.” (A, 09:06)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Google/Epic Games Settlement: 00:10 – 01:34
• YouTube Membership Bug & EnderMan Channel Takedown: 01:37 – 02:39
• Stop Killing Games UK Parliamentary Discussion: 02:42 – 04:24
• Quick Bits (Tech News): 05:26 – 09:19

Conclusion

The hosts maintain a punchy, irreverent tone while breaking down significant legal, platform, and consumer rights news in tech and gaming. The Google/Epic settlement and YouTube missteps highlight ongoing shifts in digital marketplaces, while the “Stop Killing Games” debate underscores rising consumer activism. Rapid-fire updates span space tech, hardware rumors, AI in retail, and more, keeping this installment both informative and highly entertaining for anyone following the industry.