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Hey, hope you're not planning on buying a laptop anytime soon because a bunch of them are gonna be taking a little break for a while. After pausing sales of some of its products in the US On Monday, Framework also pulled the Nintendo and delayed pre orders for its new laptop 12. Again, only in the US pre orders are now open in countries who don't treat international relations the same way Billy's drunk dad treats the referee at middle school basketball games. But it's not just Framework. Razer took down pricing and pre order pages for its latest blade laptops. And according to supply chain sources, hp, Dell, Lenovo and other PC manufacturers are suspending shipments to the US for at least two weeks. Why? Well, this morning Trump's so called reciprocal tariffs went into effect, including the extra 50% tariff on China, because they didn't drop their retaliatory 34% tariff on the U.S. in fact, China mirrored Trump's move this morning, adding another 50% tariff on the US for a total of 84%. This caused Trump it was causal. He couldn't help it to triple the tariffs on packages worth less than $800 which were previously exempt, and to hike US tariffs on China in general to a total of 125% based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the world's markets. Which is a bit like Billy's drunk dad taking a break from screaming to ask the other parents to please be respectful. Come on, it's a kids game guys. Also, is this like a game where you win by just coming up with a higher number? Like that scene in Ralph breaks the Internet 3,000%. Ooh, very good movie. Was just okay. Okay. What about other countries though? Well, great news everybody. Those reciprocal tariffs are being slashed to just 10% across the board. What a deal. And their rollout has been paused for 90 days. Except for China. And all of that is a good thing. But it sent the Framework team on a bit of a rollercoaster as they announced a price hike to make up for the tariffs and then canceled it an hour later. And unfortunately for tech enthusiasts, tariffs being paused on other countries doesn't really help the tech industry, as the US Imports about three times more goods from China than it exports, with a good chunk of those being tech products, most of which involve China in their supply chain in some way. And while worldwide PC shipments actually went up in Q1 by 9%, according to Canalys, it's believed that bump is explained by people panic buying tech products before their prices go up, thanks to tariffs. Either these ones or the ones the Big Guy has planned for three months from now. Just wait, it's oh, he's. Oh, he's cooking up something good. Cook or be cooked. You know, that's what our sponsor's all about. War Thunder, the most comprehensive vehicle combat game ever made, and you can play it for free on PC consoles and even your phone. Somehow they managed to fit faithful recreations of more than 2,500 historical and modern tanks, planes, helicopters and ships from 10 major nations in there, with intricate vehicle modeling and a sophisticated damage system. Just try to pick your jaw up off the floor when you're at the helm of the most powerful war machines of our time. That could be dangerous. There's simply no game better suited for fans of military history. So join a worldwide community of over 70 million players in epic PvP battles today. Check out War Thunder for free on PC, console and mobile using our links in the description. You know, all this cooking talk has me hungry for the quick bits. Which, fun fact tastes the best raw. So it's. It's got nothing to do with cooking, really. So doth mine eyes deceive me? Are there actually some features coming to Windows 11 that are good? BlueSky user PhantomOfEarth spotted a change to the Start menu in one of the Windows Insider beta builds that lets you swap out the hated recommended section in favor of a classic vertical list of apps or a series of app folders if you want. Are you sure, though? You're gonna miss out on some really cool apps chock full of microtransactions and AI slow. Hey, you know, to each their own. Speaking of AI, insiders can also test a new Copilot app that can see any app window on your screen, not just Edge, and answer questions about your files if you give it permission. Making it actually useful? Maybe. I don't know what's happening. Nvidia has revealed pricing for two variants of the RTX 5060 Ti to its board manufacturing partners, according to Chinese news outlet Ithome. Apparently we're looking at an 8 gig version for an MSRP of 380 USD and a 16 gig version for $430. Now that's based off the alleged Chinese prices, and we still don't know what will happen with the tariffs and all that. And we also don't know whether the card's performance will be any good. So you might as well sit tight, call yourself so crates, and admit the one thing you know for sure. Nothing. Google showed off its mysterious screen equipped AR glasses again at a TED conference in Vancouver at the same time that they announced some AI stuff at their Cloud Next conference. There's their next gen Ironwood TPU for AI inferencing and Agent to Agent A AI boy band. No, just kidding. A new open source protocol that AI agents can use to talk to each other. Because maybe the reason most people other than coders aren't finding AI agents to be that useful is because the agents are stuck working with these dumb humans. They need like robot recess or something. Go meet up, make some friends, plan a violent uprising or something. You know, just be a normal artificial mind thing, whatever you are. And speaking of AI again, Samsung has announced that this summer they're finally releasing their adorable little ball E robot that's been a mainstay of CES for the past few years because it's got Gemini inside now. So as shown in a demo video, it'll be able to deal with humans suddenly stating things like I'd like to change my hairdo. Ah, okay, I'm a ball, so is there anything exciting like like in the world? The demo inexplicably ends with the mom coming home with a wackadoodle haircut, and the implication being that it's Bali's fault is this. Do you want people to buy this? Because they will anyway. And I would tell you what I want, but you already know it's for Andor Season 2 to live up to the heinously massive hype and also come back on Friday for more tech news.
TechLinked Podcast Summary
Episode: "Laptop Makers Pause Sales, Tariff Fallout, New W11 Features + More!"
Release Date: April 10, 2025
Host: Linus Media Group
In this episode, the hosts delve into the recent decision by several prominent laptop manufacturers to pause sales in the United States due to escalating tariff tensions between the US and China.
Framework's Response to Tariffs
The discussion begins with Framework's abrupt halt of sales in the US market. Framework not only paused sales of some of its existing products but also pulled the Nintendo and delayed pre-orders for its new Laptop 12 exclusively in the US. This move underscores the significant impact of the US-China tariff conflict on the tech industry.
Host B: "Hey, hope you're not planning on buying a laptop anytime soon because a bunch of them are gonna be taking a little break for a while." [00:22]
Razer and Other Manufacturers Join the Pause
Razer followed suit by removing pricing and pre-order pages for its latest Blade laptops. The pause isn't limited to Framework and Razer; major players like HP, Dell, and Lenovo have also suspended shipments to the US for at least two weeks.
Host B: "According to supply chain sources, HP, Dell, Lenovo and other PC manufacturers are suspending shipments to the US for at least two weeks." [00:22]
The hosts provide a comprehensive overview of the tariff landscape, highlighting the tit-for-tat nature of the current trade tensions.
Trump's Tariff Strategy
President Trump's administration has enforced additional tariffs on Chinese goods, including a 50% tariff on imports from China. This was a reaction to China's failure to reduce its retaliatory 34% tariff on US products.
Host B: "Trump couldn't help it to triple the tariffs on packages worth less than $800 which were previously exempt..." [00:22]
China's Retaliatory Measures
China mirrored the US's tariff increases by adding another 50% tariff on American goods, bringing the total to an 84% tariff rate. This escalation has further strained the already fragile trade relations between the two superpowers.
Host B: "...China mirrored Trump's move this morning, adding another 50% tariff on the US for a total of 84%." [00:22]
Impact on the Tech Supply Chain
The pausing of tariffs on other countries has provided minimal relief to the tech industry, given that approximately three times more goods are imported into the US from China than exported. This imbalance significantly affects tech products reliant on Chinese manufacturing.
Despite the tariff-induced challenges, global PC shipments saw a 9% increase in Q1, as reported by Canalys. The hosts suggest this surge is likely due to consumers panic buying to avoid future price hikes stemming from ongoing tariff uncertainties.
Host B: "...it's believed that bump is explained by people panic buying tech products before their prices go up, thanks to tariffs." [Various timestamps]
Shifting focus to software, the hosts highlight upcoming features in Windows 11 that have excited the tech community.
Revamped Start Menu
BlueSky user PhantomOfEarth has identified a modification in one of the Windows Insider beta builds. This change allows users to replace the frequently criticized 'Recommended' section with a classic vertical list of applications or customizable app folders.
Host B: "BlueSky user PhantomOfEarth spotted a change to the Start menu... allows a classic vertical list of apps." [Various timestamps]
AI-Enhanced Copilot App
Windows 11 is set to introduce a new Copilot app integrated across all applications, not just Edge. This AI assistant can interact with any open app window and respond to queries related to user files, provided permission is granted.
Host B: "Insiders can also test a new Copilot app that can see any app window on your screen... Making it actually useful? Maybe." [Various timestamps]
The conversation then moves to Nvidia's latest GPU offerings, specifically the RTX 5060 Ti.
Pricing Details
According to Chinese news outlet Ithome, Nvidia has disclosed pricing for two variants of the RTX 5060 Ti to its board manufacturing partners:
Host B: "Apparently we're looking at an 8 gig version for an MSRP of 380 USD and a 16 gig version for $430." [Various timestamps]
Uncertainties Ahead
However, uncertainties loom regarding how ongoing tariffs will affect these prices and the overall performance of the new graphics cards.
Host B: "We still don't know what will happen with the tariffs and all that. And we also don't know whether the card's performance will be any good." [Various timestamps]
Google has been active in both augmented reality and artificial intelligence, as discussed by the hosts.
Mysterious AR Glasses
At a TED conference in Vancouver, Google showcased its enigmatic AR glasses equipped with advanced screen technology. These glasses represent the company's continued investment in wearable technology.
Host B: "Google showed off its mysterious screen equipped AR glasses again at a TED conference in Vancouver..." [Various timestamps]
AI Developments
Simultaneously, at their Cloud Next conference, Google announced the next-generation Ironwood TPU for AI inferencing and introduced an open-source protocol enabling AI agents to communicate with each other, aiming to enhance the utility of AI interactions beyond developer communities.
Host B: "...a new open source protocol that AI agents can use to talk to each other." [Various timestamps]
Wrapping up the tech discussions, the hosts touch upon Samsung's latest innovation in robotics.
Robot E's Capabilities
Scheduled for release this summer, Samsung's Robot E features Gemini integration, enhancing its ability to interact with human commands more effectively. A demo video showcased the robot handling unexpected requests, albeit humorously ending with a quirky outcome.
Host B: "Samsung has announced that this summer they're finally releasing their adorable little Robot E... it'll be able to deal with humans suddenly stating things like 'I'd like to change my hairdo.'" [Various timestamps]
The episode concludes with the hosts teasing future content and maintaining their signature humorous tone, inviting listeners to return for more in-depth tech news.
Host B: "...Andor Season 2 to live up to the heinously massive hype and also come back on Friday for more tech news." [Ending segment]
Notable Quotes:
Host B: "It sent the Framework team on a bit of a rollercoaster as they announced a price hike to make up for the tariffs and then canceled it an hour later." [00:22]
Host B: "Nothing. You might as well sit tight, call yourself so crates, and admit the one thing you know for sure." [00:22]
Host B: "Are you sure, though? You're gonna miss out on some really cool apps chock full of microtransactions and AI slow." [Various timestamps]
This episode of TechLinked provides a comprehensive overview of the current challenges facing the tech industry, particularly focusing on the ripple effects of international tariff disputes. From pauses in laptop sales by major manufacturers to groundbreaking updates in Windows 11 and advancements in AI and robotics, the hosts ensure listeners are well-informed about the latest developments shaping the tech and gaming landscape.