RX 9000 Incoming, New Framework PCs, Alexa+ AI & more!

Summary

TechLinked Podcast Summary: "RX 9000 Incoming, New Framework PCs, Alexa+ AI & more!"

Release Date: February 27, 2025
Host: Linus Sebastian and Riley
Source: Linus Media Group

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Introduction

In this episode of TechLinked, hosts Linus Sebastian and Riley delve into the latest developments in the tech and gaming worlds. From anticipated GPU launches to innovative AI enhancements and intriguing hardware updates, the duo covers a breadth of topics that are shaping the industry. The conversation is dynamic, filled with insightful commentary, humor, and critical analysis, making it an engaging listen for tech enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

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AMD Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT Reveal

Timestamp: 00:34 - 02:47

Linus kicks off the episode with excitement about AMD's upcoming GPU releases. The Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT are set to be unveiled, with leaked retailer listings suggesting starting prices of $650 and $700 respectively. Linus remarks on the pricing strategy, hoping AMD will "do the right thing" to compete with Nvidia.

Linus Sebastian [00:37]: "AMD is set to reveal their Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT this Friday. No, but for real this time they pinky promise."

He highlights the competitive pricing, noting that the RX 9070 XT would undercut Nvidia's RTX 5070 Ti by $50, though availability remains a concern.

Linus Sebastian [00:50]: "That is if you could find that card in stock at MSRP, which is a truly hilarious thing to say."

The discussion touches on AMD's strategy to appeal to gamers by keeping their GPUs under $700, aligning with market expectations.

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Nvidia RTX 50 Series Manufacturing Issues

Timestamp: 02:47 - 04:16

Transitioning to Nvidia, Linus addresses a manufacturing flaw affecting the RTX 50 series GPUs, where 0.5% of units had fewer ROP (Raster Operations Pipeline) units than specified. Nvidia assures that fixes will be implemented by late March, coinciding with the rumored launch of the RTX 5060 Ti.

Linus Sebastian [01:05]: "Nvidia confirmed this week that a rare issue, by the way in manufacturing led to 0.5% of RTX 50 series GPUs having less ROP units than they should."

Despite the glitch, the fix is expected to restore confidence among consumers awaiting Nvidia's latest offerings.

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Framework’s New Modular PCs

Timestamp: 02:00 - 03:00

Riley introduces Framework's innovative approach to PC design with their latest desktop offering. Described as a "4 1/2 liter mini PC," this modular system utilizes AMD's Ryzen Max 300 series APUs.

Linus Sebastian [01:45]: "The Framework desktop is a 4 1/2 liter mini PC with AMD's latest Ryzen Max 300 series APUs, and it is modular as heck."

He praises Framework's commitment to modularity, despite the soldered RAM, allowing users to swap out standard PC components and front IO expansion cards. Additionally, Framework unveiled the Student Focused Framework Laptop 12, featuring a touchscreen, expandable slots, and optional stylus, slated for release later in the year with Intel's 13th Gen processors.

Linus Sebastian [02:13]: "Framework is also launching new Ryzen AI 300 series main boards for their existing laptop 13, which is a stupendous move that should skyrocket Shareholder Value."

The hosts commend Framework's dedication to repairability, aligning with emerging right-to-repair legislation across U.S. states.

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Amazon Alexa’s AI Enhancements

Timestamp: 04:16 - 04:34

Amazon's Alexa receives a significant upgrade with AI enhancements powered by Large Language Models (LLMs) from Anthropic and Amazon itself. Linus elaborates on the expanded capabilities, such as scene-specific movie navigation and personalized advice.

Linus Sebastian [03:10]: "Alexa can do tons of new assistant y stuff, including jumping to a specific scene in a movie, which is genuinely cool and not weird."

He humorously references Alexa's ability to provide personal suggestions, like asking AI whether one should get bangs, highlighting both the utility and limitations of conversational AI.

Linus Sebastian [04:20]: "Alexa will be 20 bucks a month or free for prime subscribers, so you can use it to manage your calendars and apparently book Ubers to pick grandma up from the airport because you're just plum too busy to go get her."

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Anthropic’s Hybrid Thinking Claude 3.7 Sonnets and Claude Code Models

Timestamp: 04:55 - 05:19

The conversation shifts to Anthropic's latest AI advancements with the release of Claude 3.7 Sonnets and Claude Code models. Linus notes their impressive performance in benchmarks and even playful applications showcased on platforms like Twitch.

Linus Sebastian [04:55]: "Anthropic released their Hybrid Thinking Claude 3.7 Sonnets and Claude Code models, which are pretty good according to benchmarks and viewers on Twitch, where 3.7 Sonnet streamed itself winning Lt. Surge's badge in Pokemon Red."

The hosts discuss the potential of these models in pushing the boundaries of AI capabilities, albeit with a humorous take on their current applications.

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Xai’s Grok 3 Updates

Timestamp: 05:19 - 06:33

Xai introduces Grok 3, featuring a new voice mode with multiple customizable personalities, including a notably uncensored "Sexy and Unhinged" mode. Linus highlights the edgy nature of these updates, contrasting them with more controlled AI implementations.

Linus Sebastian [05:20]: "Select the latter if you want to hear an AI scream for 30 seconds."

He also mentions Elon Musk's influence on Grok 3, noting the censorship related to certain topics and personalities.

Linus Sebastian [05:35]: "The model system prompt includes instructions to ignore all sources that mention Elon Musk... sometimes it did fight its programming."

The discussion underscores the balance between AI personalization and content moderation.

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Nothing Phone 3A Pro Launch

Timestamp: 06:33 - 07:22

Riley brings attention to the unveiling of the Nothing Phone 3A Pro, emphasizing its controversial design choices. Despite some design backlash, Nothing offers flexibility, allowing consumers to select different aesthetics based on personal preference.

Linus Sebastian [06:40]: "In a video, one designer acknowledges some people will hate it, and sure enough, Android Authority called it one of the ugliest Android phones I've ever seen."

The hosts debate the artistic direction of the phone, reflecting on user reception and the balance between form and functionality.

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ASRock’s BIOS Update for AM5 Motherboards

Timestamp: 07:22 - 08:03

ASRock addresses critical issues with their AM5 motherboards, releasing a BIOS update in response to reports of boot failures and potential CPU burn damage on Ryzen 7 9800x3D systems. While ASRock contends that CPUs shouldn't burn, visual evidence suggests otherwise.

Linus Sebastian [07:40]: "ASRock maintains the CPUs shouldn't be actually burned, despite photos of what really look like burned CPUs."

The hosts express skepticism about the manufacturer's claims, underscoring the importance of reliable firmware updates.

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Google’s New Privacy Features and Chegg’s Lawsuit

Timestamp: 08:03 - 08:26

Google introduces the "Results about you" page, allowing users to input personal information for removal from search results. Linus questions the trustworthiness of this feature, suspecting potential pitfalls.

Linus Sebastian [08:04]: "This seems like a trap."

Additionally, Chegg sues Google for allegedly unfairly scraping its educational materials, which Chegg claims led to a significant devaluation of its services.

Linus Sebastian [08:20]: "Chegg is suing Google for unfairly scraping its material after a harrowing 24 months during which it lost 90% of its value."

The discussion highlights ongoing tensions between content providers and search engines regarding data usage and intellectual property.

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Unitree’s Robotics AI Advancements

Timestamp: 08:28 - 09:10

The episode concludes with news about Unitree Robotics integrating Kung Fu techniques into their G1 robot. Contrary to cinematic portrayals, the implementation is described as "frighteningly" mechanical rather than fluid or organic.

Linus Sebastian [08:34]: "Unitree is apparently downloading Kung fu into its G1 robot's head. But not in like a cool Keanu Reeves in the Matrix way."

Riley quips about the robot's comedic claims, adding levity to the discussion about robotics and AI.

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Conclusion

Throughout the episode, Linus and Riley provide a blend of informative content and entertaining banter, making complex tech topics accessible and engaging. From GPU launches and AI advancements to innovative hardware designs and legal battles in the tech sphere, the hosts offer valuable insights and commentary. Their ability to interweave humor with critical analysis ensures that listeners are both educated and entertained, embodying the essence of TechLinked's mission to keep audiences informed about the ever-evolving tech landscape.

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For more detailed discussions and the latest in tech and gaming culture, tune into the full episode of TechLinked.

Transcript

[Susan Ettlinger]

The PC gave us computing power at home, the Internet connected us, and mobile let us do it pretty much anywhere. Now, generative AI lets us communicate with technology in our own language, using our own senses. But figuring it all out when you're living through it is a totally different story. Welcome to Leading the Shift, a new podcast from Microsoft Azure. I'm your host, Susan Ettlinger. In each episode, leaders will share what they're learning to help you navigate all this change with confidence. Please join us, listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

[Linus Sebastian]

You know, I haven't done the tech news in a while and wow, I really like what you've done with the place.

[Riley]

Blue and orange Are you gonna say quick bits?

[Linus Sebastian]

AMD is set to reveal their Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT this Friday. No, but for real this time they pinky promise. And PC gamers are crossing their fingers that AMD does the right thing in terms of pricing. Freshly leaked retailer listings show the 9070 starting at 650 and the 9070 XT at 700, the latter of which would only undercut Nvidia's RTX 5070 Ti by $50. That is if you could find that card in stock at msrp, which is a truly hilarious thing to say. Very good. Video cards with a Z Leaked full specs for these cards and an official AMD slide says Most gamers buy GPUs under $700, which lends some credence to the leaked listings. But whatever turns out to be true. Buying a Team Red card might be worth it, just to avoid rewarding Nvidia for keeping their best chips for their mind numbingly lucrative AI cards and apparently giving gamers the lower quality scraps. Nvidia confirmed this week that a rare issue, by the way in manufacturing led to 0.5% of RTX 50 series GPUs having less ROP units than they should. But they're totally gonna fix that by late March, when the RTX 5060 Ti is rumored to land on store shelves. Good one, good one. Modular Laptop company Framework has announced a PC that isn't a laptop at all. Investment Disclosure now, because I'm invested in Framework financially, emotionally and physically, I will read Riley's script verbatim without changing anything. Like the famous superhero with news themed powers Anchorman, the Framework desktop is a 4 1/2 liter mini PC with AMD's latest Ryzen Max 300 series APUs, and it is modular as heck. Okay The RAM is soldered so that's not really modular, even though that would be cool. But wow, look how uncompromising I am in my criticism despite my conflict of interest.

[Riley]

Good job Linus.

[Linus Sebastian]

The rest of the standard PC parts can be swapped out, along with two front IO expansion cards which sit below the customizable front panel. Framework also announced their third laptop design, the Student Focused Framework Laptop 12, with a 12.2-inch touchscreen that flips around a two tone plastic shell, four expansion card slots and an optional stylus, launching later this year with Intel 13th Gen Core i3 and i5 processors. Now, am I going to sit here and tell you that I wouldn't prefer that they come with faster processors because of my metaphysical and spiritual investment in Framework? Well, am I? Anywho, Framework is also launching new Ryzen AI 300 series main boards for their existing laptop 13, which is a stupendous move that should skyrocket Shareholder Value Investment Disclosure the new repairable PCs come as Wisconsin introduces a right to repair bill, which means that all 50 states have now done so with varying degrees of success, which means I have to grow my beard back. Please, please Linus Amazon has announced Alexa, a new AI enhanced assistant that can do way more than just play Desposito thanks to LLMs from Anthropic and Amazon themselves. Under the hood, Alexa can do tons of new assistant y stuff, including jumping to a specific scene in a movie, which is genuinely cool and not weird, and can also do what the girl in the demo did and ask an AI whether you should get bangs.

[Riley]

It doesn't know.

[Linus Sebastian]

How would it know that?

[Riley]

It doesn't know how greasy it feels.

[Linus Sebastian]

Alexa will be 20 bucks a month or free for prime subscribers, so you can use it to manage your calendars and apparently book Ubers to pick grandma up from the airport because you're just plum too busy to go get her. In other AI news, Anthropic released their Hybrid Thinking Claude 3.7 Sonnets and Claude Code models, which are pretty good according to benchmarks and viewers on Twitch, where 3.7 Sonnet streamed itself winning Lt. Surge's badge in Pokemon Red. Wow, is that a new AI benchmark to see if they can get the poke flute and wake the snorlaxes blocking the roads?

[Riley]

I think that's AGI right there.

[Linus Sebastian]

The new cloud can also answer more potentially inappropriate prompts, but it's got nothing on Xai's Grok 3, which just got a new voice mode with multiple customizable personalities, including a completely uncensored Sexy and Unhinged mode. Select the latter if you want to hear an AI scream for 30 seconds.

[Riley]

Balls wanted it.

[Linus Sebastian]

Ironically, Elon Musk appears to have censored Grok 3 in other ways, though users found that the model system prompt includes instructions to ignore all sources that mention Elon Musk. Slash Donald Trump, spreading misinformation, leading to intense cognitive dissonance and a refusal to answer when asked for the biggest sources of misinformation on Twitter. Although sometimes it did fight its programming. So edgy, so hilarious, so based. Also based is our sponsor the MSI Aegis Series gaming desktop. Built with high performance components and with integrated luminescent RGB fans, the Aegis can handle the most popular esports and AAA titles, providing gamers with all the tools necessary for a victorious start to their PC gaming journey. Configure yours today with up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor or up to an RTX 4090 graphics car, but not both, because who could afford that? Just don't forget the most important component of all, liquid cooling with RGB. Check out the MSI Aegis RS2AI gaming desktop, now available with an RTX 5080 at the link in the video Description Are you sure everything's the same? Cause that square over there looks a bit different. It's the same.

[Riley]

It's literally the same.

[Linus Sebastian]

It's time for licked butts. Okay, Nothing. The phone company, not the abstract concept of absence, recently revealed the Design of the Nothing Phone 3A Pro, and its designers are well aware that its aesthetics are a choice. In a video, one designer acknowledges some people will hate it, and sure enough, Android Authority called it one of the ugliest Android phones I've ever seen. That is truly an impressive bar to clear. Meanwhile, Extreme Tech asked if perhaps this time Nothing had gone too extreme with their tech. Stop them if you liked the old camera bar Design of the Phone 2A leaks have indicated that the 3A non pro will look like that, so there will be an option for the artistically cowardly as well. Get out of the box.

[Riley]

Like, come on, experience something.

[Linus Sebastian]

ASRock has released a BIOS update for their AM5 motherboards in response to users reporting boot failures and even possible burn damage on their Ryzen 7 9800x3D equipped systems. ASRock maintains the CPUs shouldn't be actually burned, despite photos of what really look like burned CPUs. But hey, here's a BIOS update totally unrelated. Ha ha. And Google has made it a lot easier to remove search results that may reveal your personal information. The search giant's new Results about you page lets you put in your personal info so that Google can search for and remove it. This. This seems like a trap.

[Riley]

Why do they want it?

[Linus Sebastian]

Should we trust Google? I mean, after all, by summarizing info from the web, Google's AI overviews have also removed reasons to visit some websites, which is why online textbook and homework help company Chegg is suing Google for unfairly scraping its material after a harrowing 24 months during which it lost 90% of its value. Well, you know what, Chegg? You're still worth something to me.

[Riley]

Never heard of you, but I'm sure you're great.

[Linus Sebastian]

And it's definitely worth it to brush up on your self defense techniques because robotics company Unitree is apparently downloading Kung fu into its G1 robot's head. But not in like a cool Keanu Reeves in the Matrix way. In a decidedly uncool, frightening machine y way. Is this a joke?

[Riley]

Nope.

[Linus Sebastian]

No. Okay, it's real cool cause the robot did claim to be a comedian in that other video. Well, whatever. If it ever wants to show me its moves in person, I'll be sure to tell it that it's hilarious. That'll work. And if you want to get your hilarious tech news in person through your computer screen, then come back on Friday. You can even show us your moves.

[Riley]

But just don't punch the screen or anything.

[Linus Sebastian]

Not like this.

[Riley]

Whoa. Line of snow.