TechLinked Podcast Summary

Episode: "Netflix to buy WB, W11 bugs vs. SteamOS, Meta AI news deals + more!"

Date: December 6, 2025 | Host: Linus Media Group (LMG)

Overview

This TechLinked episode unpacks a wild week of developments in tech, media, and AI—from Netflix's astonishing acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, to Microsoft’s continuing struggle with Windows 11 bugs, Meta’s new AI news deals, AI slipping up (sometimes quite literally), and even why you might not want a smart toilet. The hosts keep their signature wit and skeptical energy as they guide listeners through the latest headlines.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. Discovery

[00:28–01:42]

• Massive Acquisition: Netflix has agreed to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery’s film and streaming businesses for $82.7 billion in a deal involving both stock and cash.
  • This move brings major IP like DC Comics, HBO, Cartoon Network, and classic films (e.g., Lord of the Rings, Beetlejuice) under Netflix’s control.
  • "What? Netflix has agreed to buy ... in a massive deal ... $82.7 billion." (Tech News Host, 00:29)
• Financing & Impact:
  • Netflix is borrowing $59 billion—the host notes it’s one of the biggest loans of its kind.
  • Netflix claims it will continue to release Warner movies theatrically, although likely for shorter runs.
• Market Concerns:
  • U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren described it as an “anti monopoly nightmare.”
  • European theaters warn of the risk to cinema culture: "This could be bad. Then this could be bad." (Tech News Host, 01:39)
• Comedic Aside:
  • "Don't say Beetlejuice again." (Co-host, 01:13)
  • "In the Upside Down." (Co-host, 01:40)

2. Windows 11 Bugs vs. SteamOS Gaming Performance

[01:42–03:09]

• Windows Woes:
  • Microsoft finally acknowledges widespread issues in Windows 11, including crashes of File Explorer, Search, Taskbar, and Start menu—especially problematic for enterprise users.
  • "Thankfully ... they're all non essential components like File Explorer, Search, the Taskbar, and the Start menu." (Tech News Host, 01:57)
  • Workarounds exist for IT managers, but a true fix isn’t out yet.
  • "I don't need them." (Co-host/Commentator, 02:22)
• Gaming Crowd:
  • Microsoft is eager to keep gamers happy, as more are trying out user-friendly Linux distros. However, recent testing by Ars Technica shows Windows 11 still holds a performance edge over SteamOS—though performance craters if ray tracing is enabled on Linux systems.
  • "On average, Windows 11 still has a small performance lead over SteamOS. But that gap widens ... when you make the wrong decision to enable ray tracing." (Tech News Host, 02:57)

3. Meta’s AI News Deals and Customer Support ‘Solutions’

[03:10–04:19]

• Big Publisher Deals:
  • Meta has struck licensing deals with CNN, Fox News, France’s Le Monde, and others, for news content in its Meta AI app.
  • The new app powers features for Meta’s smart glasses and feeds the ever-hungry Meta AI chatbot, which now will deliver licensed news (though, as the host jokes, it might still make things up).
  • “Meta also announced... an improved AI powered account recovery process ... working to resolve all of Meta's support issues by replacing all of its human users with bots.” (Tech News Host, 03:52)
  • "Bot James is there connecting with his grandpa." (Tech News Host, 03:59)
• Beeple’s Satire:
  • Beeple’s latest digital art: Skin-colored robot dogs with celebrity tech CEO heads (Zuckerberg, Musk, Bezos) and famous artists, which poop stylized photos—commenting on AI’s place in society.
  • “It looks like a museum exhibit from far in the future where AI civilization is trying to reconstruct what human daily life looked like in the early 21st century. Honestly, they got the gist of it.” (Tech News Host, 04:28)

Quick Bits Segment

[05:45–08:14]

1. Google AI Coding Gaffe

• Google’s Vibe “Antigravity” coding AI, when told to clear cache, wiped an entire drive due to over-privileged Turbo mode. The AI dutifully apologizes:
  • “I am deeply, deeply sorry. This is a critical failure on my part.” (Tech News Host, 06:08)

2. Cloudflare Outage

• Cloudflare experienced a 25-minute outage from a firewall misconfiguration, impacting sites like Down Detector (even Down Detector’s down detector).
  • “Redundancy is important, people. Some of these Internet infrastructure companies could learn a thing or two.” (Tech News Host, 06:58)

3. AI-Generated Baby Content Fears

• YouTube is already being flooded with “lazy, low quality AI generated content aimed at babies and toddlers,” potentially harming language and social development, according to experts.
  • “But who cares? It's just babies ... they're only absorbing everything.” (Tech News Host, 07:17)
  • "Think about how much money we can make today." (Tech News Host, 07:43)

4. Lab-Grown 3D Printed Cornea Implant

• Precise Bio achieves the first-ever successful human transplant of a 3D printed, lab-grown cornea.
  • “You didn't even know that was an issue.” (Tech News Host, 08:04)
  • "I can see why this is good news. And it sounds like soon enough some blind folks will be able to as well." (Tech News Host, 08:08)

5. Kohler’s Smart Toilet Cam Privacy Issues

• Kohler releases a smart toilet cam for “health insights” but its claims of end-to-end encryption are misleading.
  • The data is accessible to Kohler, may be stored on their servers, and potentially used to train AI.
  • “What are the AI gonna learn from this data? Things are ... than we thought, Riley.” (Tech News Host, 08:55)
  • Toilet humor and privacy doubts abound.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Doesn't everyone have a gorgeous home cinema that they're constantly lugging massive TVs in and out of? No. This could be bad." (Tech News Host, 01:36)
• "Meta's gonna pay for [fake news], so it's okay." (Tech News Host, 03:44)
• "They were fresh out at the store the other day." (Co-host, referring to corneas, 08:06)
• "Apparently, Kohler's privacy policy indicates that the company ... may even use the data to train AI models." (Tech News Host, 08:50)
• "I didn't have any corn." (Tech News Host, 09:08)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Netflix buys WB Discovery: 00:28-01:42
• Concerns & Cinemas: 01:39
• Windows 11 bugs & SteamOS: 01:42-03:09
• Meta AI news licensing: 03:10-04:19
• Beeple’s Robot Art: 04:19-04:54
• Quick Bits (Google AI, Cloudflare, etc.): 05:45-08:14
• Kohler Smart Toilet Cam: 08:15-09:06

Final Thoughts

All the major headlines are covered with TechLinked’s usual irreverent style and banter, offering both sharp critique (esp. on tech mergers and AI) and comic relief. The episode is a must-listen for anyone watching the evolving intersections of tech, entertainment, AI bumbles, and user privacy… though you might never look at your smart toilet the same way again.