TechLinked: Microsoft Scared of AI, GPD Win 5 Price/Perf, iPhone 17 "Scratchgate" + More!

Date: September 23, 2025
Host: Linus Media Group
Episode Theme:
A rapid-fire tech news update that highlights Microsoft’s AI anxieties, GPD Win 5 handheld benchmarks and pricing, iPhone 17’s "Scratchgate," and a string of quick bits ranging from TikTok’s restructuring to AI Popes and cyberattacks on European airports.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Microsoft’s AI Anxiety and Corporate Culture Shift

• Satya Nadella’s Worries
  • Microsoft’s CEO is reportedly "scared" that even with aggressive AI adoption (like Copilot everywhere), they aren’t moving fast enough.
  • Satya’s reaction to Elon Musk: Musk tweeted he’d replace Microsoft with "Macro Hard," an all-AI software company. Most people laughed it off, but Nadella took it seriously.
  • The internal mood at Microsoft is described as emotionally colder—employees are uneasy following large layoffs (9000 people) even as the company reports record profits.
• Key Quote:
  • "There's so many once great tech companies that simply vanished and every time it was because of AI and not laying off enough people." (Host, 01:07)
• Takeaway:
  • The pressure of keeping pace in AI is now shaping both strategic decisions and company culture at Microsoft.

2. GPD Win 5 Handheld Benchmarks and Price/Performance

• Specs and Pricing
  • GPD Win 5, the first handheld to use AMD’s Strix Halo chip, gets top marks in performance.
  • According to The Fox (YouTuber): starts at $1,600 (Ryzen 385), $1,850 (Ryzen 395).
  • At low power, matches AMD’s current best; at higher wattage (25W+), outperforms predecessors, but the price point is eyebrow-raising.
• Key Quote:
  • "Is that worth like $2,000 if you're more of a desktop-only person?" (Host, 02:20)
• Takeaway:
  • Performance leap is real, but the price positions this more for enthusiasts than typical gamers.

3. AMD Radeon RX 7700 (Non-XT) GPU Launch

• Announcement and Context
  • AMD finally releases the RX 7700 non-XT, two years after the XT version.
  • Still uses last-gen RDNA 3 architecture.
• Comment on Timing:
  • "If you're going for a nostalgia factor, I think you have to wait a bit longer." (Host, 02:40)
• Takeaway:
  • Incremental upgrades continue; AMD seems to be filling small gaps in their GPU lineup.

4. iPhone 17 "Scratchgate" Controversy

• Widespread Reports
  • New iPhone 17 owners notice devices scratching easily, especially on anodized aluminum corners.
  • Confirmed by JerryRigEverything that a razor blade will scratch the iPhone 17.
• Analysis
  • Blame sits with Apple’s choice of frame material and camera plateau corner design.
  • Critics point out past iPhones also scratched easily, but this is the first to be dubbed a scandal.
• Key Quote:
  • "Throw a case on your phone, or don't and keep scratching on and on until you get inside and scratch off the whole SSD inside the iPhone 17 Pro Max and replace it with another one, like YouTuber Director Feng did here." (Host, 04:00)
• Takeaway:
  • Much of the outrage feels cyclical; host leans toward pragmatism—just use a case.

Quick Bits & Notable News Segments

[05:40] TikTok US 'Split' Deal Confirmed

• New Arrangement:
  • ByteDance to provide a special US-specific algorithm, leased to a US investor group (Oracle to handle security).
  • "Only allow viral dances to country songs. None of that K pop allowed. Cause that's Chinese." (Host, 06:07)
• White House:
  • Will oversee but not hold a stake in the new TikTok.

[07:00] Nvidia’s ARM CPU & SoC News

• Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang:
  • Confirms N1 ARM-based PC processor and GB10 SoC are the same silicon.
  • Combines Nvidia GPU cores + MediaTek ARM CPU cores.
• Market Implication:
  • Competition with Intel CPUs featuring integrated Nvidia GPUs just announced.

[07:40] Lenovo Legion Go2 Pre-Orders Cancelled

• Reason:
  • Overwhelming demand and inability to confirm shipping dates; refunds are being provided.
• Host's Translation:
  • "They could do without incessant emails tearing into their support staff over their order not being ready like the customers in a fast food drive thru." (Host, 08:10)
• Pro Advice:
  • Just don’t preorder.

[08:20] European Airport Cyberattack

• Impact:
  • Ransomware hit Collins Aerospace, causing major delays in cities across Europe.
  • Satirical comment on hackers wanting to end GDPR-related cookie consent popups.
• Regulatory Update:
  • EU considering reworking annoying pop-up consent laws.

[09:00] The AI Pope and Vatican Staff

• Story:
  • Vatican staff asked Pope Leo XIV to create an AI pope for virtual audiences.
  • Pope’s Response: “What is this, OnlyFans?” (paraphrase)
• Host’s Take:
  • AI is spiraling into the absurd, from business to religion.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Microsoft and Layoffs:
  • "There's so many once great tech companies that simply vanished and every time it was because of AI and not laying off enough people." (Host, 01:07)
• iPhone Scratches:
  • “Zach from JerryRigEverything explained that this is why when you scratch the corner with a key, the corner will get scratched. Look, watch his video.” (Host, 03:45)
• Host on Tech Outrage:
  • “Throw a case on your phone, or don't and keep scratching on and on...” (Host, 04:00)
• TikTok’s Future:
  • "Which will only allow viral dances to country songs. None of that K pop allowed. Cause that's Chinese." (Host, 06:07)
• Pope on AI:
  • "What is this? OnlyFans? Not verbatim, but I think that was the vibe." (Host, 09:00)
• Drop-the-Mic Ending:
  • “The robots are now throwing themselves around. They're not even waiting for the testers to kick them anymore. What is it even doing here? It's trying to psych us out.” (Host, 09:20)

Conclusion

This TechLinked episode delivers a humorous blend of anxiety and absurdity: from the self-doubt driving Big Tech layoffs and frantic AI development; to gaming gadgets pushing price limits; to Apple facing yet another "gate"; and cyber-political drama from ByteDance to the Vatican.
If you need the big stories in tech (with a healthy side of snark and skepticism), this episode covers it all—no need to call your doctor, unless you spent $2,000 on a handheld or dropped your naked iPhone with your keys.