Switch 2 early release, RX 9060 XT reviews, Meta de-anonymizing + more! - TechLinked

Summary5 min read

TechLinked Episode Summary: Switch 2 Early Release, RX 9060 XT Reviews, Meta De-anonymizing + More!

Release Date: June 5, 2025
Host: Linus Media Group
Duration Covered: 00:00 – 04:41

1. Nintendo Switch 2 Launch and Early Impressions

Linus Sebastian dives into the highly anticipated release of the Nintendo Switch 2, which is set to launch the day after the episode's release. He expresses both excitement and frustration over not having had the chance to play the console before its official release.

Unboxing and Early Content:
Fans worldwide are already sharing unboxing videos, and prominent content creators like Sirloin and All Out Gaming are livestreaming their first experiences. Early gameplay showcases include titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Mario Kart World, with expectations for a broader game lineup post-launch.
Key Features Highlighted:
- Performance Enhancements: An expanded list of games will receive free performance-boosting updates, courtesy of Nintendo.
- Fortnite Support: Notably, Fortnite will support game chat and mouse controls on the Switch 2, broadening its appeal to more competitive gamers.
- Screenshot Capacity: The console boasts the ability to store up to 30,000 screenshots. Linus quips, “That Switch 2 can store up to 30,000 screenshots. 30,000, you say? Wow, that's gonna be enough for me because the only time I ever take those is when I accidentally hit the button” (00:45).
Additional Considerations:
- The Switch 2 Welcome Tour requires a 4K display and additional purchases like the USB camera and either a Pro Controller or Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip. Linus humorously remarks, “At least you've probably already got a 4K TV if you can afford a Switch too” (01:10).

2. AMD RX 9060 XT Graphics Card Reviews

Transitioning to PC hardware, Linus discusses the latest reviews of AMD's RX 9060 XT graphics card.

16GB Variant Performance:
The 16GB RX 9060 XT has received positive feedback, offering a noticeable performance uplift over its predecessor. However, AMD has strategically limited access to comparisons with the 8GB variant by restricting reviewers' access.

Linus states, “The 16 gig card is solid and offers a reasonable uplift in performance over its predecessor” (02:05).
8GB Variant Availability:
Despite efforts, Linus and the team managed to obtain an 8GB card just before the embargo lift. Preliminary impressions suggest reduced performance at 1080p due to halved memory, hinting that AMD might have intended to position the 8GB model as a budget-friendly option.

He advises, “If you're shopping for one of these soon, maybe check out Brazilian reviews. They didn't have any trouble getting their hands on the 9060 XT 8 gig” (02:45).
Pricing Strategy:
Consumers are cautioned against paying significantly above the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), as evaluating the true value remains challenging. Linus concludes, “So good luck everybody” (02:55).
Additional Resources:
For an in-depth analysis, listeners are directed to the Linus Tech Tips (LTT) full review.

3. Privacy Concerns with Meta and Yandex Integration

Linus raises alarms about Meta (formerly Facebook) and Yandex compromising user privacy through sophisticated tracking methods.

Yandex's Tracking Code:
The Russian technology firm Yandex has embedded tracking codes into millions of websites, effectively de-anonymizing visitors by circumventing core security and privacy protections on both Android OS and web browsers.

Linus explains, “Think of your phone like a sandbox. You know, everything you do within that sandbox is private... But this new bypass that coming back to Facebook now, Meta, adopted back in September, allows the companies to pass cookies and other identifiers from Firefox and Chromium based browsers to native Android apps for Facebook, Instagram and various Yandex apps” (02:15).
Privacy Implications:
This breach undermines the fundamental privacy assurances of mobile operating systems, potentially exposing user data across multiple platforms and applications without explicit consent.
Caller’s Frustration:
In response to these invasive practices, Linus humorously suggests drastic measures: “Should we just all throw our phones in the ocean? Don't worry, I have a dbrand skin. It's fine” (03:19).

4. Rapid Morsels

In the Rapid Morsels segment, Linus covers a variety of tech news snippets:

a. CD Projekt Red's Witcher 4 Gameplay Demo

Impressive Development Pace:
CD Projekt Red has swiftly developed a working gameplay tech demo for Witcher 4, remarkably progressing in just seven months since full production began, despite the last installment launching a decade prior.
Unreal Fest Teasers:
At Unreal Fest, the company showcased "Siri Kelpie" and "Kovir", both running at 4K 60fps with ray tracing enabled. This performance is attributed to innovations like multi-character motion matching, nanite foliage, and a new Unreal animation framework.

Linus notes, “They’re running at 4K 60fps with ray tracing enabled, thanks to new tech like multi character motion matching, nanite foliage and a new Unreal animation framework” (03:50).
No Pre-orders Planned:
Despite the excitement, CD Projekt Red has opted against taking pre-orders for the upcoming title, advising fans to wait for official releases.

b. Crocodilus Malware Alert

Sophisticated Threats:
A new malware variant named Crocodilus is wreaking havoc by altering phone contacts and deploying fraudulent login overlays. This makes phishing attempts more convincing, as spam calls can now display legitimate contact names.

Linus warns, “The scam just keeps getting more and more sophisticated” (04:10).
Impact on Users:
Crocodilus can monitor user activities and manipulate login screens for apps like banking services, posing significant security risks.

c. GTX960 Rejuvenation by Trash Bench

Overclocking Feat:
YouTuber Trash Bench has achieved remarkable performance enhancements with the aging GTX960 GPU. By attaching a 3D-printed CPU tower cooler directly to the GPU die, temperatures have improved, and the card has earned an impressive 184 extra points in 3DMark Firestrike, setting a new record.

Linus exclaims, “Heck. Heck yeah. Bring on the eight slot cards” (04:25).
Community Engagement:
This unconventional mod has garnered attention, showcasing the ingenuity within the tech community to extend the life and performance of legacy hardware.

d. Galaxy Collision Reassessed

Revised Predictions:
Contrary to previous astronomical forecasts predicting a collision between the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies in approximately 10 billion years, recent simulations indicate the outcome is uncertain.
- Simulation Results:
  Out of 100,000 simulations, there's roughly a 50/50 chance that such a galactic collision will occur, mitigating long-held fears and giving humanity a slim chance at cosmic survival.
Linus humorously remarks, “The fate of our galaxy hinges on a coin flip. Let’s see. Call it We Die” (04:40).

Conclusion

This episode of TechLinked provides an insightful exploration of the latest in gaming consoles, PC hardware advancements, privacy concerns in the digital age, and a range of rapid tech updates. From the imminent arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2 and the evolving landscape of AMD's graphics cards to pressing privacy issues involving Meta and Yandex, listeners are kept abreast of significant developments. The Rapid Morsels segment further enriches the episode with diverse tech news, ensuring a comprehensive overview for enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

Note: Advertisements, specifically the sponsor segment promoting the Hoverpen by Novium, have been intentionally excluded from this summary to focus solely on the core content of the episode.

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Transcript7 lines

[00:00]
Linus Sebastian
Where's our Switch 2 Nintendo? We tried asking nicely. We tried asking not so nicely. The Switch 2 is coming out tomorrow and I still haven't played on it yet. How am I supposed to wait any longer? Anyway, welcome to TechLinked. People worldwide are posting unboxing videos of their Nintendo Switch 2s, and content creators like Sirloin and All Out Gaming are livestreaming games on Nintendo's hot new handheld. All I've seen so far is Cyberpunk 2077 and Mario Kart World, but with the console launching tomorrow, there's gonna be a lot more coming. And for all of us who look but not yet touch Here are some morsels to get you through the next couple of days or months as you fail to beat online scalpers. There's this expanded list of games that will receive free performance boosting updates. Thanks Nintendo. And this nugget that Fortnite will in fact support game, chat and mouse controls. Eh? Also the tidbit that switch two can store up to 30,000 screenshots. 30,000, you say? Wow, that's gonna be enough for me because the only time I ever take those when I accidentally hit the button. But if you wanna know my favorite part, that Switch 2 welcome Tour that you have to pay for, it's only 100% able if you're playing on a 4K display, and also pay for the Switch 2's USB camera and either a Pro controller or Joy Con 2 charging grip. At least you've probably already got a 4K TV if you can afford a Switch too. But what you probably don't have yet is AMD's RX9060XT. Reviews are out and the news is mostly good. The 16 gig card is solid and offers a reasonable uplift in performance over its predecessor, but it looks like AMD has been trying to avoid comparisons to their 8 gig variant by not ceding it to most reviewers. You can check out our full review on LTT of the 16 gig card. After complaining to Team Red, we did manage to get an 8 gig card, but it arrived less than 24 hours before the embargo lift. So we can't tell you just how much performance is hindered, even at 1080p due to the memory being cut in half. We feel that may have been AMD's plan all along. So if you're shopping for one of these soon, maybe check out Brazilian reviews. They didn't have any trouble getting their hands on the 9060 XT8 gig. Also, be sure not to spend A lot more than MSRP on this thing. We had no idea how to evaluate the value of it. So good luck everybody. Speaking of things that kind of suck, if you're still using Meta or Facebook, your privacy might as well be non existent. Okay, bear with me here. Yandex, a sanctioned technology company from Russia, started embedding a tracking code into millions of websites that de anonymizes visitors by bypassing core security and privacy protections on both the Android OS and web browser. Think of your phone like a sandbox. You know, everything you do within that sandbox is private. Maybe you build a cool sandcastle, maybe you pooped in it, I don't know. Because normally what happens in the sandbox stays in the sandbox. But this new bypass that coming back to Facebook now, Meta, adopted back in September, allows the companies to pass cookies and other identifiers from Firefox and Chromium based browsers to native Android apps for Facebook, Instagram and various Yandex apps.
[03:19]
Luke Lafreniere
Can we just.
[03:19]
Linus Sebastian
Should we just all throw our phones in the ocean? Don't worry, I have a dbrand skin. It's fine. Speaking of destroying things, why can't the Internet just be cool?
[03:30]
Luke Lafreniere
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[04:01]
Linus Sebastian
Wow.
[04:02]
Luke Lafreniere
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[04:41]
Linus Sebastian
Rapid morsels. Rapid morsels. Rapid morsels. Rapid morsels. What's rapid Today is how rapidly CD Projekt Red have gotten a working Witcher 4 gameplay tech demo up and running. I mean, the last game came out only 10 years ago, but they've allegedly been in full production for like seven months. Really? Yesterday at Unreal Fest, they teased us all with Siri Kelpie and a brief look at Kovir. It was allegedly running at 4K 60fps with ray tracing enabled, thanks to new tech like multi character motion matching, nanite foliage and a new Unreal animation framework. But remember, no pre orders. Not even once. Even if it's really tempting, no clicking weird links either. Because a new malware named Crocodilus is so good that it can change contacts in your phone. So if you're infected, oh my God, the next spam call you get could actually display the name of someone you might actually answer, like bank support or a funeral home or Yo Mom. It can also monitor what you're doing and create a fraudulent login overlay when you go to access something like a banking app. The scam just keep getting more and more sophisticated. This is the problem is there's more money in ripping people off than defending people. Something nobody expected to get any better though, is the now ancient GTX960. And yet YouTuber Trash Bench has proven that you can turn trash into better trash. They grabbed a cpu tower cooler 3d printed amount and stuck it directly to the gpu die to improve temps and even rack up a cool 184 extra points in 3dmark firestrike setting a new record. Heck. Heck yeah. Bring on the eight slot cards. I say you weren't gonna use that space anyway. What are you gonna do? Put a sound card in there? Speaking of space, it turns out you maybe don't need to worry about the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies colliding in the future. I don't know about you guys, but ever since hearing that was gonna happen 10 billion years from now, crippling anxiety gripped me. I just couldn't let it go. That is, until now. Scientists have run about 100,000 simulations, and it turns out it's more like only a 5050 chance that our theoretical multiplanetary descendants face certain doom. That's right, friends. The fate of our galaxy hinges on a coin flip. Let's see. Call it We Die. Subscribe to techlink See you later.