TechLinked (Linus Media Group)

Episode: Silksong breaks Steam, "Steam Frame", China still wants Nvidia + more!
Date: September 5, 2025

Overview

This episode of TechLinked dives into the chaos surrounding the long-anticipated launch of Hollow Knight: Silksong, Valve's mysterious new "Steam Frame" trademarks, continued chip drama between China, the US, and Nvidia, plus quick hits on new hardware (Lenovo Legion Go 2, Samsung's latest gadgets), and the world's biggest illegal sports streaming shutdown. As always, the episode balances rapid-fire tech news with irreverent banter and sharp observations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Silksong Launch Crashes Steam

[00:30–03:40]

• Hollow Knight: Silksong finally launches for consoles and PCs, but the demand is so high it crashes Steam’s purchasing system.
  • "This is the first and maybe the only time where I'm going to advocate for pre orders. You son of a—" (B, 00:45)
• Some users manage to buy through Humble Bundle before keys run out; GOG remains mostly unaffected.
• The price is noted as "shockingly low" at $20, highlighting indie game pricing vs. impact.
  • “You can do a lot in eight years. Not many people know that.” (B, 02:00)
• Over 500,000 players managed to start playing just hours after launch.
  • The host jokes about “being there on the front lines” refreshing pages for an hour and a half.

2. Valve's "Steam Frame" Hardware Mystery

[03:41–05:20]

• Valve files two trademark applications for "Steam Frame" – one for controllers, the other for general computer hardware.
  • “Speaking of a Steam related thing that costs more than $20, Valve has filed two trademark applications for Steam Frame.” (B, 03:45)
• SteamVR beta leaks, datamined by "professional Valve watcher" Brad Lynch, suggest “Steam Frame” could be the retail name for the much-rumored Deckard VR headset.
  • Overlays may be rebranded to “frames.”
  • Roy VR controllers are no longer marked as prototypes.
  • New Steam Link VR USB dongle is in the works, supporting 6 GHz wireless.
  • "This is all coming together to make it look—oh, and Valve finished making drivers for a Steam Link VR USB dongle..." (B, 04:51)

3. Nvidia H20, US-Chinese GPU Export Tensions

[05:21–07:10]

• Chinese firms are eager for Nvidia’s H20 Enterprise AI cards, but face scrutiny from their own regulators after the US allowed downgrades to be sold there.
  • “Reuters got an exclusive interview with some Chinese tech firms who wanna buy Nvidia's H20 Enterprise AI cards. These sources...prefer to remain anonymous…” (B, 05:30)
• Congress is mulling a law forcing Nvidia and AMD to serve US customers before China—even for cut-down cards.
  • “If there's anyone on US soil who wants that first—back of the line, she—first dibs.” (B, 06:20)
• Nvidia argues this won't affect the supply of their top-tier chips.
  • “Nvidia says this doesn't make any sense because selling these cut down versions doesn't impact production of the big boy H200 and B300. But who knows what the US government will decide next?” (B, 06:32)

4. Quick Hardware & Gadget News

Lenovo Legion Go 2 Launch

[08:10–09:00]

• New handheld models: Z2 ($1,100 USD), Z2 Extreme ($1,350 USD), October release, to compete with Asus Rog Ally X.
  • "Why not? Cause the economy's so good right now." (B, 08:25)
• Price draws a humorous contrast to “when you could pick up a Game Boy for a buck 50 at the corner store.”

Double Audio on Android

[09:01–09:30]

• New Pixels and Androids can now play audio over two different sets of Bluetooth headphones, thanks to LE Audio and LC3 codec (AuraCast).
  • “You can just give someone the other earbud. But also now Pixels and some other Android phones can play audio through two sets of headphones at the same time. Actually lit.” (B, 09:04)
• Host threatens to “ban” listeners for gatekeeping in the comments.

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE & Tab S11

[09:31–10:10]

• S25 FE $150 cheaper than normal S25; “plastic frame, but who cares?”
• New Tab S11 and Galaxy Buds also launch.
  • “And if you're looking to save even more money, just get last year's model. It's still good.” (B, 10:09)

5. Streaming Crackdown & Instagram for iPad

[10:11–11:20]

Stream East Crackdown

• Alleged “largest illicit live sports streaming operation” is taken down in Egypt thanks to global anti-piracy coalition (Apple, Netflix, Disney, Warner Bros).
  • "Companies who just care about protecting civilian settlements from being pillaged by sports pirates." (B, 10:40)
• In a twist, it’s a copycat; original site still operates.
  • “As an ACE rep told Ars Technica, they know it’s a different website. They totally knew that. Shut up.” (B, 10:54)

iPad Gets Instagram

• Instagram finally launches an iPad app after 15 years.
  • “The platform announced they're launching the mode now because, quote, people have asked for this for a while. What? I don't know if a decade and a half is a while, but what matters is that it's here now.” (B, 11:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Purchase what do you mean? There seems to have been an error initializing or updating your transaction.” – B (00:33), acting out the chaos of Silksong’s release.
• “You guys. Plouf was—where were you when Silksong launched? On the clock? Were you there on the front line helping this buggy Masterpiece reach over 500,000 players on Steam...” – B (01:45), poking fun at the event's magnitude.
• Hilariously dry aside on Lenovo pricing: “Why not? Cause the economy's so good right now.” – B (08:25)
• “I hope you like it because it’s never going away.” – B (08:00), unveiling and ironically threatening to keep a silly new catchphrase.
• "There's a lot going on there. And they're alive. Like what? And have you heard about funguses... I hate—they’re the third type of being. I don't like fungus." – B (12:00), spiraling into a comedic reflection as the episode closes.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:30 – Silksong breaks Steam at launch
• 03:41 – Valve’s Steam Frame trademark & VR hardware speculation
• 05:21 – Nvidia’s H20 cards, China-US chip tensions
• 08:10 – Lenovo Legion Go 2 pricing and market context
• 09:01 – Android Bluetooth LE double-audio support explained
• 09:31 – Samsung S25 FE and Tab S11 launch, affordable options
• 10:11 – Huge illegal sports streaming site taken down (sort of)
• 11:00 – Instagram finally comes to iPad

Tone & Language

The episode is rife with sarcasm, playful exasperation, and rapid-fire asides. The host repeatedly riffs on the absurdity of tech launches, corporate decisions, and even the nature of discourse in tech communities. Self-aware jokes about sponsorships and reader comments maintain a light, engaging mood throughout.

For anyone catching up:
This episode is a whirlwind tour of 2025’s latest gaming and tech drama—with winks, groans, and plenty of quotable lines. Whether you’re here for news on Silksong’s launch woes, curious about the next wave of Valve hardware, or looking for galaxy-brain takes on affordable smartphones, this episode sums up the week's manic energy in tech culture.