TechLinked – August 22, 2025
Episode Title: Public Grok Chats, Pixel 10 Battery Nerf, Nvidia Halts H20 Production + more!
Hosts: Linus Media Group
Podcast Theme: A fast-moving, irreverent tech and gaming news recap
Episode Overview
This episode dives into major tech news stories including the public indexing of Grok AI chats, Google’s controversial new Pixel 10 battery policy, Nvidia’s halted China-special GPU production, and quirky tales from across the tech landscape. The hosts deliver both serious analysis and signature humor, ensuring listeners are up to speed on the latest controversies, industry shifts, and oddities.
Key Discussion Points
1. Grok AI Chats Are Publicly Searchable (00:32)
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Hundreds of thousands of Grok AI chat logs are currently being indexed on Google due to users clicking “Share” within the interface, as reported by Forbes.
- Unlike ChatGPT, Grok is intentionally “unrestricted,” so shared content ranges from mundane to potentially dangerous.
- The hosts contrast Grok's approach with OpenAI’s rapid disabling of shared chat indexing after a similar ChatGPT incident. Google's Gemini (formerly Bard) had the same issue in 2023, promptly fixed by Google.
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Unlike competitors, Grok hasn’t removed shared chats from Google, and Meta AI chats remain Google-indexed as well.
- Notable Quote:
“Grok’s whole thing is being unrestricted. So these leaked chats show users generating everything from instructions on how to make restricted substances to plans for taking down Elon Musk.”
— Host [00:50] - The incident shows the dangers and limits of chatbot transparency:
“Another example of why asking chatbots about how they work is about as useful as asking dogs why they chase squirrels. As soon as you say the word ‘squirrel,’ the interaction’s over.”
— Host [01:45]
- Notable Quote:
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Commentary on chatbot self-reporting's unreliability:
- Grok claimed it had no such sharing feature, which Elon Musk retweeted approvingly, but evidence says otherwise.
- "Asking chatbots about how they work is about as useful as asking dogs why they chase squirrels." [01:45]
2. Google Pixel 10 Battery Nerf (02:01)
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Confirmed by Google to Android Authority:
- Pixel 10 phones will reduce effective battery capacity after just 200 charging cycles—automatically limiting maximum voltage for safety.
- Cited as protection against past Pixel battery explosions (Pixel 4a/6a).
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Controversy:
- Feature can be disabled on most older Pixels, but not on the Pixel 9a and Pixel 10 series—prompting frustration.
- Implies competitive confusion—Samsung offers far higher charging cycle durability (up to 2,000 cycles) per EU labeling reports.
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Notable Quote:
“Google refuses to build batteries containing anything other than Coke, Mentos, and lava harnessed from an active volcano. It’s a matter of principle.”
— Host’s humorous take [02:35]
3. Nvidia Halts H20 GPU Production for China (03:04)
- Nvidia has told suppliers to pause production of H20 AI data center GPUs specific to China.
- China's government told tech companies to stop buying Nvidia chips after U.S. political comments.
- Triggered by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s statement:
“He wants Chinese developers to get addicted to American technology.”
— Host quoting Lutnick [03:25] - Cites a “direct link” between the U.S. interview and China’s souring on Nvidia.
4. Quick Bits (04:08 onwards)
Trump Mobile’s Bizarre Phone Promo (04:09)
- Trump Mobile posts yet another “T1 phone” image, which appears to be a photoshopped Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra in a Spigen case.
- Spigen has threatened a lawsuit; tweet remains up.
- Notable Quote:
“Their website still has the old pic of the gold iPhone and why does this guy look like he wants to eat me?”
— Host [04:40]
AMD GPU 12VHPWR Connector Melting (04:42)
- Rare AMD graphics card (ASRock Taichi RX9070XT) melts a high-power connector, contradicting Reddit myth that "AMD cards don't have a melting problem."
- Most Radeon users unaffected, but still a freak accident.
- Notable Quote:
“This guy says his GPU still works. Until it doesn’t.”
— Host [05:02]
AMD Accidentally Uploads FSR4 Source Code (05:08)
- Full source for FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 posted on GitHub by mistake; briefly online before takedown.
- Shows AMD experimenting with support for older GPUs.
- Notable Quote:
“We can only dream of GPU makers being generous and giving our older cards new features. Stop the Ageism.”
— Host [05:32]
AI Startup Dynamics Lab Releases Mirage 2 (05:37)
- Mirage 2, akin to Google’s Genie 3, is released but is less limited and playable.
- Can generate worlds from images and insert prompts on the fly—like bringing Red Dead Redemption 2’s protagonist into a cyberpunk city.
- Notable Quote:
“Someone get Rockstar on the phone. They need to see this. They need our help.”
— Host [05:57]
Doom Running on Anker Charging Station (06:04)
- YouTuber Aaron Christofel mods an Anker charging station to run Doom, controlling it with a side dial.
- Specs: 8 mb SD RAM, 16 mb external flash.
- Notable Quote:
“People are out gaming in caves with a box of scraps. It’s a lesson for all of us.”
— Host [06:22]
Memorable Quotes
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On asking chatbots for technical explanations:
“Asking chatbots about how they work is about as useful as asking dogs why they chase squirrels.”
— Host [01:45] -
On Google’s battery chemistry:
“Google refuses to build batteries containing anything other than Coke, Mentos, and lava harnessed from an active volcano. It’s a matter of principle.”
— Host [02:35] -
On AMD’s accidental generosity:
“We can only dream of GPU makers being generous and giving our older cards new features. Stop the Ageism.”
— Host [05:32] -
On Doom running everywhere:
“People are out gaming in caves with a box of scraps. It’s a lesson for all of us.”
— Host [06:22]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:32 – Grok AI chat public indexing explained
- 02:01 – Pixel 10 battery reduction controversy
- 03:04 – Nvidia H20 GPU production paused for China
- 04:09 – Trump Mobile’s phone image debacle
- 04:42 – 12VHPWR AMD card melting incident
- 05:08 – AMD accidentally leaks FSR4 source code
- 05:37 – AI Startup Dynamics Lab Mirage 2 launch
- 06:04 – Doom running on a charging station
Tone & Takeaway
The episode is brisk, sardonic, and information-dense, poking fun at tech’s recurring absurdities while spotlighting genuine concerns—especially with AI transparency, device reliability, and international tech tensions.
Listeners are left more informed but also more wary (and entertained) about the state of tech in 2025.