TechLinked Podcast Summary: "Switch 2 Reveal, TikTok Ban, Intel Arc B570 + More!"

Release Date: January 18, 2025
Host/Author: Linus Media Group
Duration: Approximately 8 minutes

1. Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal

Timestamp [00:30]
Speaker B dives into the highly anticipated reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2, addressing the impact of persistent leaks on its official unveiling.

• Design Enhancements: The Switch 2's physical design closely mirrors leaked images, featuring an adjustable kickstand, larger Joy-Cons with an additional mysterious button, and a hint towards a rumored mouse mode. Speaker B remarks, “The video confirmed many previously leaked details... adjustable kickstand, bigger Joy-Cons with a mysterious extra button.”

• Specifications and Performance: Without official specs, Ars Technica estimates a 7.9-inch screen and a 33% larger body compared to the original Switch. Speaker B concurs, stating, “That about matches my own estimates.”

• Market Positioning: The Switch 2 faces competition from numerous Steam Deck alternatives and must persuade gamers to embrace design changes, including updates to iconic characters like Donkey Kong. Additionally, Nintendo grapples with legal challenges as their top IP lawyer admits that emulators are technically legal, limiting their ability to prosecute unauthorized software.

• Upcoming Announcements: Nintendo plans a direct event on April 2 for further details, indicating extensive preparation behind the scenes.

2. TikTok Ban in the United States

Timestamp [02:15]
Speaker B discusses the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to uphold federal law potentially banning TikTok unless ByteDance divests its ownership.

• Legal Implications: The ruling maintains pressure on TikTok, with President Biden deferring the app's fate to President Trump’s administration. Speaker B humorously notes, “Biden will leave TikTok's fate in President Trump's capable orangish hands.”

• Security Concerns: The ban stems from fears of Chinese data access and potential cybersecurity threats, highlighted by incidents like Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s alleged hacking.

• Alternative Platforms: In response to TikTok's uncertainty, American social apps are vying for its user base. Speaker B mentions, “Substack straight up offering $25,000 in cash for the most popular TikTok video,” aiming to attract creators to their platform.

• Impact on Users: The Chinese app Xiaohongshu (RedNote) plans to segregate accounts based on IP addresses, affecting Chinese Americans and other international users who rely on the platform.

3. Intel Arc B570 Graphics Card

Timestamp [04:00]
The conversation shifts to Intel's release of the Arc B570 graphics card, Intel’s second offering in their Battlemage series.

• Specifications and Pricing: The B570 is priced at $220 USD, equipped with 10GB of VRAM. However, it features slightly reduced specifications compared to its predecessor, the B580. Speaker B explains, “It's like a less powerful version of the B580. It's not an RTX 5090.”

• Performance Analysis: Initial reviews indicate underperformance on older chipsets, as highlighted by Hardware Canucks and Hardware Unboxed. Despite this, the B570 serves as a viable alternative to the RTX 4060 for 1440p gaming.

4. AMD's RX9070 and RX9070 XT Delays

Timestamp [04:45]
Speaker B expresses frustration over AMD's delayed release of the RX9070 and RX9070 XT graphics cards, first announced at CES.

• Market Expectations: The names RX9070 and 9070 XT have been criticized for poor branding. Speaker B laments, “Amd this is getting a little ridiculous. Just come out from behind.”

• Speculations and Leaks: Despite the delays, rumors suggest that full specifications are being leaked by influencers like Momomo on Twitter, with reports that the cards are already available in European retail markets.

5. Microsoft Windows 11 Updates and Microsoft 365 Pricing

Timestamp [05:30]
Microsoft's recent updates have stirred conversations around Windows 11 and its associated services.

• Windows 11 Upgrade Path: Speaker B clarifies misinformation regarding the discontinuation of free Windows 11 upgrades. Instead, Microsoft is actively encouraging upgrades by mandating updates to the problematic 24H2 version. Speaker B quips, “They want you to upgrade so bad, they're now forcing Windows 11 users to update.”

• Microsoft 365 Price Increase: The subscription fee for Microsoft 365 has increased by $3 per month, now including Copilot integration. This AI feature allows users to generate content within applications like Word, albeit humorously noted for creating "recipes that authentically taste exactly like something thought up by a machine with no taste buds."

6. SpaceX Starship Test Flight Incident

Timestamp [06:45]
A discussion on SpaceX’s recent Starship rocket test flight highlights both setbacks and successes.

• Test Flight Challenges: The Starship experienced a "rapid unscheduled disadvantage assembly," leading to flaming debris and flight path diversions. Despite the mishap, spectacular footage captured by Media Tricks was shared, including a humorous mention of TMZ's involvement.

• Competitive Milestones: On a positive note, SpaceX successfully recovered the Starship's booster for the second time. Additionally, Blue Origin, owned by Jeff Bezos, achieved orbit with its new Glenn rocket, setting the stage for future collaborative and competitive endeavors in space exploration.

7. Apple Pauses AI-Generated Notification Summaries

Timestamp [07:30]
Apple has temporarily halted its AI-driven notification summaries feature in the iOS 18.3 beta following negative feedback.

• User and Press Backlash: The AI summaries were criticized for inaccuracies, leading to the feature's suspension. Speaker B sarcastically remarks, “Apple wants to fix the feature. But now I'm wondering how the AI will summarize all the articles about this Apple pausing AI summaries.”

• Future Fixes: Apple plans to refine the feature to address the accuracy issues before relaunching it in future updates.

8. Additional Tech News

Timestamp [07:50]

• Largest Battery Power Plant Fire: Monterey County, California, saw a major lithium-based battery power plant fire, resulting in evacuations. The cause remains unclear, with speculation ranging from tampering to accidental damage.

• New Smartphones: The release of the iPhone Air and Samsung Galaxy Slim is anticipated later in the year. These models emphasize sleek designs, though humorously critiqued for promoting "bat wings" through their arm designs.

• Super Ozempic: Novo Nordisk's new weight loss drug, dubbed "Super Ozempic" by Gizmodo, promises faster weight loss results compared to the standard Ozempic, pending further studies and approvals.

Conclusion

Speaker B wraps up the episode with a light-hearted invitation to listeners, encouraging them to return for more tech news and updates. The discussion spans a broad spectrum of current technology trends, product releases, and industry challenges, providing listeners with comprehensive insights into the latest happenings in the tech and gaming worlds.

Notable Quotes:

• [00:30] Speaker B: “The video confirmed many previously leaked details... adjustable kickstand, bigger Joy-Cons with a mysterious extra button.”

• [02:15] Speaker B: “Biden will leave TikTok's fate in President Trump's capable orangish hands.”

• [04:00] Speaker B: “It's like a less powerful version of the B580. It's not an RTX 5090.”

• [05:30] Speaker B: “They want you to upgrade so bad, they're now forcing Windows 11 users to update.”

• [07:30] Speaker B: “Apple wants to fix the feature. But now I'm wondering how the AI will summarize all the articles about this Apple pausing AI summaries.”

This episode of TechLinked provides a thorough overview of significant tech developments, blending technical analysis with a touch of humor, ensuring both engagement and informativeness for listeners seeking to stay updated in the ever-evolving tech landscape.