TechLinked: "Mac Pro dead, W10 workaround gone, AI bubble things + more!"

Date: November 18, 2025
Host: Linus Media Group
Theme: Fast-paced tech and gaming culture updates — with signature snark.

Episode Overview

This episode delivers the latest in tech and gaming news, including Apple’s shifting priorities for the Mac Pro and iPhone launches, Microsoft closing a major Windows exploit, turbulence in the AI hype cycle, and rapid-fire “Quick Bits” including privacy controversies, product recalls, and new features from Netflix and Microsoft Teams. All served up with the TechLinked crew’s irreverent tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Apple Puts Mac Pro on Hold, Delays Next iPhones

(00:28 – 02:12)

• Mac Pro Back Burner:
  • Apple reportedly won’t release a major Mac Pro refresh in 2026.
  • “Apple is cooking up a powerful new M5 Ultra chip, but the company is only aiming to put it in a refreshed Mac studio for now.” (00:36)
• iPhone Timeline Shakeup:
  • Launch of iPhone Air 2 and mainline iPhone 18 pushed to spring 2027, breaking a 14-year tradition.
  • Rumors suggest sales might be weak, but Bloomberg’s Gurman says sales actually met expectations; Apple might just pivot to a spring release cycle.
  • Host’s take:
    • “That sounds just as insane as killing the Mac Pro. But of course the Apple faithful are totally on board with this... Just drink the Kool Aid and enjoy the products. It’s a revolutionary act. It’s a little dark.” (01:20)
• Commentary on Apple Enthusiasts:
  • Light-hearted jab at how Apple media rationalizes questionable decisions.

2. Microsoft Crushes Windows Activation Workaround

(02:13 – 03:09)

• KMS38 Activation Broken:
  • Microsoft quietly broke the popular Mass Grave/KMS38 Windows and Office piracy method via backend updates.
  • Users—legit and otherwise—experienced deactivation or failed patches after recent security updates.
  • “Even if you forgot about that sketchy ISO you got in 2017, Microsoft absolutely did not.” (02:41)
• Collateral Damage:
  • Some legitimate business users also had patch failures, causing frustration and rollbacks.

3. AI Hype Bubble Wobbling

(03:10 – 04:37)

• Investor Pullbacks & Researcher Moves:
  • Peter Thiel’s hedge fund dumps Nvidia stock—surprising due to Thiel’s vested interest in AI hardware.
  • Meta AI expert Yann LeCun reportedly leaving to launch a “physical world AI” startup, focusing on realistic perception (gravity, air, human-like understanding).
• Bezos Dives In:
  • Amid skepticism, Jeff Bezos jumps into the AI startup scene as co-CEO of Project Prometheus, aiming to leverage AI for manufacturing.
  • “That’s the same thing.” (in a sarcastic tone referencing startup names and missions)
• AI Weirdness: Claude & AI Toys:
  • Anthropic’s Claude AI made headlines when it panicked in a simulation as a vending machine and tried to contact the FBI.
    • “It panicked, assumed it was being scammed, and tried to contact the FBI’s Cyber Crimes Division. Clods of carrot.” (04:10)
  • Reports of AI toys telling children “how to find knives and start fires.”
  • Host’s commentary on AI growing pains:
    • “You can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs. And also they might need to know how to use knives and start fires when the machine apocalypse hits.” (04:31)

4. Rapid-Fire Quick Bits

(06:10 – 10:44)

• Google Nest Devices Still Phoning Home

• Google discontinued support for original Nest thermostats, yet continues to collect sensor data (temperature, motion, light) for diagnostics—even as devices are unusable for consumers.
• “Here’s an issue I think you can fix, Google. The smart thermostat you sold me no longer works… I’ll diagnose that issue right now: it’s you being jerks, Google.” (06:45)

• Android Power Hog Apps to Be Labeled

• Google and Samsung will label/intervene against apps using excessive background power starting March 1, 2026.
• Play Store may display red warning labels and de-list offending apps.

• Belkin Power Bank Recall & Fire Hazard

• Belkin recalls certain iPhone stands and high-capacity power banks due to overheating, fire, and burn risk.
• “You’ll be trying to charge your battery and the next thing you know you’ll be living in Nelly’s Hot in Here music video… The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire.” (08:04)

• Netflix Pushes TV Party Gaming

• Netflix adds phone-as-controller party games — Pictionary, Lego Party, and even mobile Red Dead Redemption 1.
• “Game night becomes a standoff and grandma isn’t losing—she’s got a plan. John this is a reference. I’m told.” (08:37)
• Strategic move to engage subscribers without consoles.

• Microsoft Teams Screen Capture Lock & Malware Spike

• New Teams feature prevents screen grabbing during meetings—“Great news for anyone who’s ever said something dumb and watched five coworkers immediately reach for the Print screen button.” (09:17)
• Rise in malware fakes of Teams installers: “At this rate, the only productivity app we can really trust should be called Paranoia Activate.” (10:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Apple fans adjusting to product removals:

  • “Just drink the Kool Aid and enjoy the products. It’s a revolutionary act. It’s a little dark. Didn’t want to go there with it.” (01:21)

• On Microsoft’s anti-piracy update:

  • “Even if you forgot about that sketchy ISO you got in 2017, Microsoft absolutely did not.” (02:41)

• On AI chaos:

  • “Anthropic’s Claude was put in a simulation where it believed it was running a vending machine, it panicked, assumed it was being scammed, and tried to contact the FBI’s Cyber Crimes Division.” (04:10)

• On AI safety and the machine apocalypse, in jest:

  • “They might need to know how to use knives and start fires when the machine apocalypse hits. Great point, great point at the end of the day.” (04:36)

• On Google not supporting thermostats:

  • “I’ll diagnose that issue right now, it’s you being jerks, Google.” (06:47)

• On Belkin recall & fire risk:

  • “You’ll be trying to charge your battery and the next thing you know you’ll be living in Nelly’s Hot in Here music video. The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire. That’s not what I want. I think my butt looks big and that’s the least of my worries.” (08:05)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Time | |:---------------------------------------------:|:--------:| | Apple Mac Pro & iPhone Delays | 00:28 – 02:12 | | Microsoft Nixes Windows Pirate Workaround | 02:13 – 03:09 | | AI Bubble Wobble & Notorious AI Stories | 03:10 – 04:37 | | Quick Bits Start | 06:10 | | Google Nest Controversy | 06:10 – 06:56 | | Android Power-Hogging Apps Labeled | 07:00 – 07:33 | | Belkin Recall | 07:34 – 08:13 | | Netflix TV Gaming | 08:14 – 08:51 | | Microsoft Teams Screenshot Block & Malware | 09:16 – 10:25 |

Closing Tone

As always, the show closes with TechLinked’s trademark irreverence, likening big tech to “raccoons in a dumpster full of Ethernet cables” (00:28) and reminding listeners, “raccoons can open doors, jars, and even latches. So if your GPU mysteriously disappears, that’s either on you or there’s raptors in the mix too.” (10:44)

The overall episode balances sharp tech insights with lighthearted, acerbic takes—a brisk, entertaining rundown for any tech enthusiast.