Lenovo's SteamOS Handheld? YouTube vs clickbait, EU pushes Apple + more!

Summary

TechLinked Podcast Summary Episode: "Lenovo's SteamOS Handheld? YouTube vs Clickbait, EU Pushes Apple + More!"
Release Date: December 21, 2024
Host: Linus Media Group

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1. Lenovo's Potential SteamOS Handheld Revealed

The episode opens with exciting news about Lenovo's upcoming gaming handheld, potentially powered by SteamOS. According to an email received by Sean Hollister at The Verge, Lenovo is set to unveil this device at CES in January. This collaboration involves Valve assisting Lenovo, featuring SteamOS and Steam Deck co-designer Pierre Lou Griffet as a special guest.

Host (00:32): "Many speculate that the Lenovo Legion Go with that mysterious Steam button may indeed run SteamOS instead of Windows."

The inclusion of Xbox executive Jason Ronald, referred to as Microsoft's VP of Next Generation, fuels speculation about the device's OS compatibility. The host humorously doubts Microsoft's enthusiasm for Lenovo adopting a competing operating system but suggests that Jason Ronald might demonstrate integration, insinuating that a SteamOS handheld could function as an Xbox device.

Host (01:48): "They're never gonna release an Xbox handheld. They're just gonna say, look behind you, you already have one."

Additionally, the episode touches on other CES announcements, including Lenovo's laptop with an extending rollable display leaked by Evan Blass and Onexplayer's teased handheld PC with a removable keyboard. The host hints at even more unconventional gadgets to be revealed later in CES.

2. YouTube's Crackdown on Egregious Clickbait

Shifting focus, the podcast discusses YouTube's initiative to eliminate what it terms "egregious clickbait." Defined as videos where titles or thumbnails promise content that the video fails to deliver, this move is particularly significant for news content creators.

Host (02:40): "YouTube says it's gonna start cracking down on what it calls egregious clickbait... which they say is especially important for news content."

The host reflects on the irony, questioning whether the TechLinked episode itself could fall under this category. Examples provided by YouTube include misleading titles like "The President Resigned," where the video doesn't address the actual resignation event, coupled with non-relevant thumbnails.

The discussion extends to Google's conflicting stance on digital fingerprinting. Initially criticized by the UK's data protection regulator for undermining user choice, Google appears to have reversed its position, citing an economist's viewpoint. The host expresses skepticism about Google's consistency in policy messaging.

3. European Union's Stricter Regulations on Apple

The EU is advancing regulations to ensure interoperability between Apple's iOS, iPadOS, and third-party hardware and software. This mandates Apple to support non-Apple accessories, such as earbuds that aren't AirPods, potentially even requiring compatibility features like AirDrop for Android or other platforms.

Host (04:00): "Can you imagine Apple being expected to actually try to support non-Apple accessories like earbuds that aren't AirPods?"

Apple's reaction was notably defensive, as highlighted by their public criticism of Meta in a detailed PDF document. Apple argues that easing restrictions could lead to significant privacy breaches, accusing Meta of pressuring them to allow data access.

Host (04:45): "Apple responded in the only sensible way. They started yelling at Meta in a PDF... they said making it easier to do anything on iOS would cause catastrophic privacy breaches."

While acknowledging Meta's aggressive tactics, the host empathizes with Apple's position, especially concerning privacy and user data protection.

4. Intel's Aero Lake CPUs and Strategic Shifts

TechLinked briefly covers Intel's latest developments, including the retesting of their Aero Lake desktop CPUs by Tech PowerUp. While performance improvements are noted, the host mentions that Intel had earlier announced the termination of its x86s initiative—a project aimed at enhancing the architecture's efficiency—which had only recently been updated to version 1.2 amidst leadership changes.

Host (05:10): "Intel said it was terminating its x86s initiative... But Intel just updated it to version 1.2 in September. Oh, that was so long ago they had a whole another CEO."

5. Advancements in AI: Google vs. OpenAI

The episode delves into the competitive landscape of AI development. Google unveiled its new AI model, Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking, which includes chain-of-thought reasoning capabilities similar to OpenAI's O3 model. OpenAI, in response, released an upgraded version for researchers, humorously named O3, skipping O2 altogether.

Host (06:30): "OpenAI released an upgraded version called O3 for researchers... It's too smart for its own good. It annoyed everyone in the OpenAI office."

The host jokes about internal dynamics at OpenAI, noting that the release caused disruptions, including the departure of senior AI researchers and ex-Google executives.

6. SanDisk's Bold Rebranding Ahead of Spinoff

Storage company SanDisk is preparing for a major spinoff from its parent company, Western Digital, set for next year. The podcast highlights SanDisk's comprehensive rebranding efforts, which include a new logo, coordinated marketing materials, and an engaging hype video featuring impeccable match cuts.

Host (07:15): "Yo, why am I stoked about memory cards right now? Something's wrong. I actually got excited. I was like SanDisk. Yes, let's go."

The host expresses genuine enthusiasm for SanDisk's transformation, appreciating the effort and creativity behind the rebranding.

7. FAA's Temporary Drone Flight Ban in New Jersey

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has enacted a temporary ban on drone flights in specific regions of New Jersey, allowing only exceptions for first responders and similar entities. The affected areas are listed on the FAA's website, leading the host to humorously speculate about alien activity.

Host (07:50): "If you see any weird aircraft in the sky, you can probably assume they're hostile aliens."

While the comment adds levity, it underscores concerns about unauthorized drone usage and the importance of adhering to FAA regulations.

8. UK Court Ruling on Bitcoin Claimant Craig Wright

In a noteworthy legal development, a UK court has ordered Australian computer scientist Craig Wright to cease his claims of inventing Bitcoin. Wright, notorious for his persistent litigation, filed a staggering $1 trillion lawsuit against Bitcoin, Core, and Square, alleging improper implementation of the cryptocurrency.

Host (08:25): "This guy filed a $1 trillion lawsuit... How do you get here? He didn't even have to do this. Just go home, Craig."

The host criticizes Wright's unfounded assertions and legal actions, emphasizing the irrationality and overreach of his claims.

9. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Episodes

The episode concludes with a brief mention of the upcoming Christmas special scheduled for December 25th, followed by a return to regular episodes on December 30th. The host encourages listeners to take a break from concerns about AI dystopia and enjoy the festive season.

Host (09:00): "Take some time off from worrying about the AI dystopia on Monday and Friday. I'll see you on Wednesday."

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Notable Quotes:

• On Lenovo's SteamOS Handheld:
  "Many speculate that the Lenovo Legion Go with that mysterious Steam button may indeed run SteamOS instead of Windows."
  [00:32]

• On Microsoft's Involvement:
  "They're never gonna release an Xbox handheld. They're just gonna say, look behind you, you already have one."
  [01:48]

• On Apple's EU Regulations:
  "Can you imagine Apple being expected to actually try to support non-Apple accessories like earbuds that aren't AirPods?"
  [04:00]

• On SanDisk's Rebrand Excitement:
  "I actually got excited. I was like SanDisk. Yes, let's go."
  [07:15]

• On Craig Wright's Lawsuit:
  "This guy filed a $1 trillion lawsuit... How do you get here? He didn't even have to do this. Just go home, Craig."
  [08:25]

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This episode of TechLinked offered a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in the tech and gaming industries, from Lenovo's anticipated handheld device to significant regulatory changes impacting major companies like Apple and Google. The hosts provided insightful commentary, interspersed with humor, making complex topics accessible and engaging for all listeners.

Transcript

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[Tech News Host]

Is my tech News? And you may ask yourself, how? Why did where did it go? All right, that's enough. Valve will apparently help Lenovo reveal the future of gaming handhelds at CES in January, according to an email received by Sean Hollister at the Verge. Lenovo says they'll have steamos and Steam Deck co designer Pierre Lou Griffet featured as a special guest, causing many to speculate that the Lenovo Legion Go s with that mysterious Steam button that has been leaking all over our feeds the past few weeks, may indeed run steamos instead of Windows. But hold on, there's another special guest, Xbox executive Jason Ronald, who Lenovo's referring to as Microsoft's VP of Next Generation. I can't imagine that Microsoft would be jazzed about Lenovo going with a competing operating system instead of Windows, but given their recent marketing push, Jason might be there just to demonstrate that even a SteamOS powered gaming handheld is somehow also an Xbox. They're never gonna release an Xbox handheld. They're just gonna say, look behind you, you already have one.

[Co-Host]

Aw.

[Tech News Host]

With any luck, a SteamOS handheld not made by Valve will be far from the weirdest thing CES has to offer. Evan Blass, leaker of the Legion G.O. s also leaked Lenovo's laptop with an extending rollable display, and onexplayer has teased their own handheld PC with a removable keyboard. And that's just the vanilla stuff. It gets way crazier. There's like furry robots. Hey, wait, wait, wait. Later, later. I'll show you later. YouTube says enough is enough. It's gonna start cracking down on what it calls egregious clickbait, defined in their blog post as videos where the title or thumbnail promises viewers something that the video doesn't deliver, which they say is especially important for news content. Hey, that's us. Now I know some of you are looking at the title of this video and thinking, eh? But look at the examples. YouTube provides here a video title saying the President resigned, where the video doesn't address the president's resignation, and then a thumbnail saying it's news content when it's not. Is it egregious clickbait to title a video? Wait, what? It's not deceptive. It would have to have some information in it for that. Although some people clearly thought the headline in the thumbnail was correct when the point was to say that it's not. Look, this isn't about me. This is about India because that's where Google says they'll be rolling out this crackdown first. And this is also about Google because you could argue Google click baited users by flip flopping on the issue of digital fingerprinting, which is when software uses little details to create a unique identifier that can track a user across websites. The UK's data protection regulator has called Google out for saying verbatim in 2019 that they think digital fingerprinting subverts user choice and is wrong, yet announcing this month that actually they went to college and they met this really smart guy in econ class and he thinks it's okay. So I'm learning so much he's traveled the European Commission has published a list of measures Apple must take to ensure interoperability between iOS, iPadOS and third party hardware and software. That means Apple will be expected to actually try to support non Apple accessories like earbuds that aren't AirPods. Can you imagine? But the EU may go as far as to require Apple to let Android or other platforms use Airdrop. No thank you. We have our own version that I think no one uses. After suffering this attack from the eu, Apple responded in the only sensible way. They started yelling at Meta in a PDF, going through their usual stance about how making it easier to do anything on iOS would cause catastrophic privacy breaches. Apple called out Meta for basically bombarding Apple with requests to let them slurp up Apple users data. And to be fair, I totally believe that Meta's pushing the boundaries here. But Tim, we're just talking about letting iPhone users try smartwatches that aren't the Apple watch. Why? Well, cause it would just be a li. Why though. You know what? For this example, fair enough. It's fair now to mention our sponsor.

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[Tech News Host]

Code techlinked at checkout and you may ask yourself what even are quick bits? The structure of these videos is perplexing. Tech PowerUp has retested their Intel Aero Lake desktop CPUs with the performance fixes intel outlined this week, and well, you should check the full report out in our news sources in the description. But the gist of it is it's a little better, but we're all waiting for that bigger boost intel said will be coming next month. The company also said this week it was terminating its x86s initiative, announced a year and a half ago to make the architecture more efficient. But intel just updated it to version 1.2 in September. Oh, that was so long ago they had a whole nother CEO. No sooner had Google unveiled a new AI model called Gemini 2.0 flash thinking, equipped with chain of thought reasoning capability like OpenAI's 01, then OpenAI released an upgraded version called called O3 for researchers to start testing. Hold on, what happened to O2? It's too smart for its own good. It annoyed everyone in the OpenAI office. It has too many questions. OpenAI also released one of its most senior AI researchers and the ex Google executive that was heading up ChatGPT search. They must have been particularly annoyed. Storage company SanDisk has undergone a pretty drastic rebrand in preparation for its planned spinoff from parent company Western Digital next year. And honestly, between the bold design, the meticulously coordinated marketing materials, and this shockingly hype video full of impeccable match cuts revealing the new logo. Yo, why am I stoked about memory cards right now? Something's wrong. I actually got excited. I was like SanDisk. Yes, let's go. The US Federal Aviation Administration has finally done something about the dang drones. Drone flights in specific parts of New Jersey have been temporarily banned, with some exceptions for first responders and the like. The FAA has listed the affected regions on their website, so if you see any weird aircraft in the sky, you can probably assume they're hostile aliens. That's what this means. Or I guess they could be friendly aliens and they just didn't check the website. Fair enough. Should have checked though. And a UK court has ruled that Australian computer scientist Craig Wright will face a year in prison if he doesn't stop claiming that he invented Bitcoin and suing people over it. This guy filed a $1 trillion lawsuit. Trillion. Against Bitcoin, Core and Square for implementing the cryptocurrency in an improper way, claiming authority as the creator of Bitcoin for years, using forged documents. How do you get here? He didn't even have to do this. Just go home, Craig. It's gone too far. And I think it's time for all of us to do just that. Listen, next week is Christmas, and there will only be one episode of TechLinked, the Christmas special, on December 25th. Regularly scheduled episodes will resume on Monday, December 30th. So take some time off from worrying about the AI dystopia on Monday and Friday. I'll see you on Wednesday.