The Chrome situation, Recall is back, OpenAI web browser + more!

Summary

TechLinked Episode Summary: "The Chrome Situation, Recall is Back, OpenAI Web Browser + More!"
Released: November 23, 2024
Host/Author: Linus Media Group

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1. DOJ's Antitrust Actions Against Google

The episode opens with a deep dive into the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) intensified antitrust measures targeting Google. David explains, "On Wednesday, we reported on the Department of Justice asking a federal judge to force Google to sell off Chrome as part of the DOJ's recommended remedies in its antitrust case against Google" (00:37). This move aims to dismantle Google's dominance in internet search, which was previously ruled an illegal monopoly in August.

Charlie adds context by stating, “But the Chrome thing? That's just the tip of the iceberg” (00:51), highlighting the broader implications of the DOJ's actions. The proposal extends to restricting Android from prioritizing Google Search and banning lucrative deals that make Google the default search option across various platforms, totaling $26 billion annually (00:57).

David further elaborates, “The DOJ's filing also proposes restricting Android from favoring Google search and banning deals” (00:46), indicating potential repercussions not only for Google but also for competitors like Mozilla, which could suffer more than Google itself.

However, skepticism remains about the feasibility of these measures. Charlie muses, “Now some are arguing that the DOJ is dreaming” (01:32), pointing out that Judge Amit Mehta might reject the DOJ's broad proposals. Google's response was swift and critical, labeling the DOJ's actions as "staggering, wildly overbroad, and part of a radical interventionist agenda that would harm Americans and break a range of Google products" (02:04).

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2. Microsoft's Windows Updates and Game Assist

Shifting focus to Microsoft, the hosts discuss the company's latest updates to Windows 11. David introduces "Edge Game Assist," a new in-game browser integrated into the Game Bar (06:43). This feature aims to enhance the gaming experience by providing seamless access to web content without leaving the game environment.

Charlie humorously compares it to the Steam overlay: “I guess this makes Game Bar more of an alternative for non Steam games that you don't want to just add to Steam” (07:02). This addition positions Microsoft as a direct competitor to established platforms like Steam, offering gamers more integrated tools within Windows.

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3. AI Developments: Amazon and OpenAI Initiatives

AI continues to be a hot topic, with significant investments and new product developments. Amazon has announced an additional $4 billion investment in Anthropic, bringing their total investment to an impressive amount (03:41). This move underscores Amazon's commitment to advancing AI technologies.

OpenAI is reportedly developing a new web browser to leverage the chaos surrounding Google's Chrome antitrust issues. David notes, “OpenAI is reportedly developing a web browser to capitalize on all the potential Chrome related chaos, which would pair nicely with the ChatGPT search feature” (03:56). This new browser is expected to integrate seamlessly with OpenAI's ChatGPT, enhancing search functionalities with AI capabilities.

However, there are concerns about OpenAI's handling of critical tasks. Charlie remarks, “I can only hope though, OpenAI staff working on the browser aren't the same ones who accidentally erased critical evidence” (04:08), referencing previous mishaps and emphasizing the need for reliability in their new ventures.

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4. Valve's New Policy on Steam Season Passes

Valve has introduced a new policy regarding the sale of season passes on Steam. The updated guidelines require publishers to clearly communicate the contents and release timelines of downloadable content (DLC). David explains, “The changes will mean that publishers must clearly communicate the contents of the DLC and when it will be ready for launch” (05:37).

Charlie adds a humorous take, “I tell my doctor about how much I smoke pizza or two pizzas” (06:02), highlighting the sometimes absurd specificity of policy requirements. Despite the lightheartedness, the policy aims to improve transparency for consumers and hold developers accountable for their commitments.

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5. CFPB Expands Regulation to Big Tech Payment Systems

The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is expanding its regulatory scope to include major tech companies handling over 50 million transactions annually. David outlines, “The bureau will be focusing on companies that handle over 50 million transactions per year and will have the same level of authority to supervise and regulate these payment systems as they do regular banks” (07:23).

Charlie points out the CFPB's evolving role, “But now they can slap risk sooner” (07:58), indicating that the bureau aims to proactively manage risks associated with big tech's financial activities. However, there's skepticism about the bureau's enforcement capabilities, as highlighted by Charlie's joke, "They can't regulate me into coming up with a good joke for this story" (08:00).

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6. Google's Pixel Tablet Cancellation

In a surprising turn, Google has reportedly canceled the upcoming Pixel Tablet 2 due to profitability concerns. Charlie shares, “Google has canceled their Upcoming Pixel tablet 2... before I started using it” (08:40), reflecting on Google's inconsistent history with tablet products.

David adds, “It remains unclear if this is the end of the line for their large format handheld ambitions or just who knows?” (08:30), suggesting that Google's future in the tablet market is uncertain. The hosts express a mix of disappointment and relief, with Charlie quipping, “I mean, just get it out of the way. It's gonna happen eventually” (08:42).

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7. The Trade Desk's Smart TV Operating System

Ad tech giant The Trade Desk is venturing into the smart TV OS market, focusing solely on data collection rather than content ownership. David explains, “The Trade Desk doesn't own content. They don't care about giving users anything. They just want to collect data about your watching habits” (08:50).

Charlie comments on the consumer impact, “If the service is free, you're the person getting a good deal... you're so lucky living in the best timeline” (09:19), highlighting the trade-off between free services and privacy concerns. This move underscores the growing trend of data-centric approaches in the tech industry, where user behavior is meticulously tracked to optimize ad revenue.

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8. Quick Bits and Final Thoughts

In the concluding segments, the hosts touch on various other tech news, including the stability of the AI bubble, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang's optimistic future predictions, and the ongoing challenges faced by big tech companies in maintaining consumer trust and regulatory compliance.

The episode wraps up with Charlie's lighthearted remark, “We're not collecting your data. There's a middleman. So it's okay,” (09:31) playfully addressing privacy concerns, while Evelyn humorously counters, “Except if you're on Floatplane, then we're no, your dad is yours” (09:31), leaving listeners with a chuckle.

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This episode of TechLinked offers a comprehensive overview of significant developments in the tech and gaming industries, blending in-depth analysis with the hosts' characteristic humor and insights. Whether it's the DOJ's crackdown on Google, Microsoft's latest Windows features, or the ever-evolving landscape of AI and smart technologies, listeners gain valuable perspectives on the forces shaping the future of technology.

Transcript

[Alex]

My dad works in B2B marketing. He came by my school for career day and said he was a big roas man. Then he told everyone how much he loved calculating his return on ad spend. My friends still laugh at me to this day.

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[Charlie]

Every morning I wake up and wonder is life really worth living? Then I remember tech news. Then I go back to sleep half.

[David]

The time On Wednesday, we reported on the Department of Justice asking a federal judge to force Google to sell off Chrome as part of the DOJ's recommended.

[Charlie]

Remedies in its antitrust case against Google.

[David]

Whose dominance in Internet search was ruled.

[Charlie]

An illegal monopoly back in August. But the Chrome thing? That's just the tip of the iceberg.

[David]

The DOJ's filing also proposes restricting Android from favoring Google search and banning deals.

[Charlie]

To make Google the default option on various platforms.

[David]

Those deals amount to $26 billion a.

[Charlie]

Year, paid out to companies like Apple, but also Mozilla, meaning the move could hurt Firefox more than it hurts Google.

[David]

But you know what they say, a rising iceberg eventually comes down and oh, batting down the hatches. In addition, the DOJ wants to force Google to un invest the $2 billion it put into AI company Anthropic and provide its search index data to competitors for 10 years.

[Charlie]

Now some are arguing that the DOJ is dreaming.

[David]

For one, the case's judge, Amit Mehta.

[Charlie]

Might not even accept this proposal.

[David]

For two, it might seriously disrupt things like the existing market for chromium based browsers, which admittedly is kind of the whole idea, no? After taking a couple days to process their shock, Google finally published a response Yesterday calling the DOJ's proposal staggering, wildly overbroad, and part of a radical interventionist.

[Charlie]

Agenda that would harm Americans and break.

[David]

A range of Google products.

[Charlie]

I mean, Google can do that.

[David]

In an example of how excruciating horrible this would be, Google said the proposal quote, would literally require us to install not one, but two separate choice screens before you could access Google search on a Pixel phone you bought. And the design of those choice screens would have to be approved by the technical committee. And that's just a small part of it. We wish we were making this up, honestly.

[Charlie]

Us too.

[David]

I think that would strangely help this make more sense, not choice screens, which.

[Evelyn]

You already have elsewhere.

[David]

Microsoft is pushing full screen ads on Windows 10 that warn users that in less than a year official support for what was originally called the last version.

[Charlie]

Of Windows is ending.

[Evelyn]

Hey, wait a second.

[David]

Yeah, you could pay 30 bucks for.

[Charlie]

Another year of support, but here's an idea instead.

[David]

You should probably start shopping for a new Windows 11 copilot plus PC. They're really cool.

[Evelyn]

They got AI.

[David]

Of course this isn't the first time that Windows has pulled this stunt on.

[Charlie]

Multiple versions of Windows, but if you're.

[David]

Mad, just consider Microsoft's argument here.

[Charlie]

Don't you wanna try the new and.

[David]

Improved, apparently more secure recall feature, which was just made available for Copilot PCs.

[Charlie]

And a new Windows Insider build? The data it collects is encrypted now and protected by Windows hello, which they just forgot to do the first time.

[David]

You could also be missing out on.

[Charlie]

The just announced click to do an.

[David]

AI feature supposedly similar to Google's Circle.

[Charlie]

To Search, but incredibly looks and sounds exactly like a right click menu which.

[Evelyn]

You normally click to Right is wrong.

[David]

Up is down baby, it's AI. Despite recent reports, it seems like the.

[Charlie]

AI bubble won't be bursting quite yet.

[David]

Amazon just announced they're supplementing their existing $4 billion investment in Anthropic with another $4 billion, bringing the total to what.

[Charlie]

I can only assume is an impressive amount, as I've outsourced most of my critical thinking to Claude 3.5 sonnet.

[David]

Then there's OpenAI, who is reportedly developing a web browser to capitalize on all the potential Chrome related chaos, which would pair nicely with the ChatGPT search feature.

[Charlie]

They launched this year. I can only hope though, OpenAI staff.

[David]

Working on the browser aren't the same ones who accidentally erased critical evidence that.

[Charlie]

The New York Times legal team had.

[David]

Spent 150 hours gathering as part of.

[Charlie]

Discovery in their copyright case against the AI giant.

[David]

Yep, seems like the AI hype is holding and shifting solidly towards agents who can use your computer for you and learn everything about you in a two hour interview and then respond 85% as.

[Charlie]

Accurately as you on personality based surveys, as demonstrated in a new paper by Stanford and Google DeepMind researchers.

[Evelyn]

I could have a friend I'll take.

[Charlie]

85% of Riley Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

[David]

Has an even more optimistic view of the future, predicting in an earnings call.

[Charlie]

That just like we generate electricity, we're now going to be generating AI in AI factories that will be pumped through a series of tubes to provide a steady supply to the nearby town where the Tesla bots live.

[David]

And they have leather jackets like me.

[Charlie]

But no AI was used to manufacture our sponsor Vessi, who says their shoes.

[David]

Are waterproof yet feel comfortable right out.

[Charlie]

Of the box, which is much better than plastic bags wrapped around your feet. Let me tell you and trust me again when I say that Vessi shoes are a godsend. Here in Vancouver, where the rain seems.

[David]

To still be holding a grudge against.

[Charlie]

Us all, what do we do?

[David]

Right now you can step into perfectly dry comfort with Vessi's Black Friday sale. Enjoy up to 40% off.

[Charlie]

Select waterproof [e-mail] Stay dry. Save big shop now before the best deals slip away. You know my Vessies are slip on.

[David]

Now the quick bits.

[Charlie]

Those are worth staying awake for. They're special.

[David]

Just something about them Tis the season.

[Charlie]

To be transparent with your customers?

[David]

Valve have released a new policy you.

[Charlie]

Were hoping I would say game regarding the sale of season passes on Steam.

[David]

The changes will mean that publishers must clearly communicate the contents of the DLC.

[Charlie]

And when it will be ready for launch.

[David]

For example, developers would have to say.

[Charlie]

New weapons or two new weapons, which.

[David]

Is the same granularity.

[Charlie]

I tell my doctor about how much I smoke pizza or two pizzas. Mistakes do happen so developers can delay the release of a season's pass just once by you can't roll past that pizza comment. I don't get it.

[David]

We're gonna keep it Developers can delay.

[Charlie]

The release of a season's pass just once by up to three months, but.

[David]

Any longer and Valve will give developers the suck.

[Charlie]

And by that I mean they'll suck the money from the devs back into your pockets. And by that I mean enforce refunds.

[David]

We love to see a pro consumer move, but it is funny seeing this.

[Charlie]

Policy come from a company that has.

[David]

Never hit a deadline in their life. 245 there's no three, no threes Microsoft.

[Charlie]

Has announced Edge Game Assist, a Windows.

[David]

11 feature in preview that adds an in game browser to the Game Bar.

[Charlie]

Overlay, assisting gamers with their gaming and.

[David]

Presumably edging Edge Game Assist helps Game Bar catch up to a feature first launched for the Steam overlay back in 2011. But I guess this makes Game Bar more of an alternative for non Steam.

[Charlie]

Games that you don't want to just add to Steam. So you can use the Steam Overlay.

[David]

But also Steam Overlays browser doesn't have a game aware new tab page that will detect what game you're playing and automatically start a search to find out why you're so bad at it, or.

[Evelyn]

Automatically open up certain websites Edging the.

[David]

US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is now.

[Charlie]

Regulating big tech, not just big banks.

[David]

The bureau will be focusing on companies that handle over 50 million transactions per year and will have the same level of authority to supervise and regulate these payment systems as they do regular banks. The bureau says that this rule will help to protect consumer privacy, guard against fraud, and prevent illegal account closures.

[Charlie]

This isn't to say that the CFPB could enforce these companies.

[David]

Just last year, they fined Apple and Goldman Sachs $89 million for failing to take action on customer disputes, a whopping 0.002% of the value of those companies.

[Charlie]

But now they can slap risk sooner.

[David]

Regulations work. Too bad for you.

[Charlie]

They can't regulate me into coming up with a good joke for this story.

[Evelyn]

No, that's not all Yell out there.

[David]

Excited for a new Pixel Tablet? Can I get a Hell yeah. All right, well, that is exactly why.

[Charlie]

Google has canceled their Upcoming Pixel tablet 2.

[David]

At least according to a source that.

[Charlie]

Leaked to Android Authority, who cited profitability concerns.

[David]

The news emerged after reports that the.

[Charlie]

Search giant canned the Pixel tablet 3, but those reports are apparently unsubstantiated with.

[David]

Google's Will they, won't they history with tablets. It remains unclear if this is the end of the line for their large format handheld ambitions or just who knows? We can at least thank Google for.

[Charlie]

Killing this product before I started using it.

[Evelyn]

I mean, just get it out of the way. It's gonna happen eventually.

[David]

And ad tech giant the Trade Desk has told Axios it's building a smart.

[Charlie]

TV operating system because unlike other OS providers like Roku, Amazon and Google, the Trade Desk doesn't own content. They don't care about giving users anything. They just want to collect data about your watching habits. It's much simpler.

[David]

Be honest. The news highlights the reality that TVs.

[Charlie]

Are really all about data collection now.

[David]

To the point where manufacturers are reportedly selling TV sets at a loss in.

[Charlie]

Favor of collecting ad revenue. After all, if the service is free.

[David]

You'Re the person getting a good deal.

[Charlie]

You're so lucky living in the best timeline.

[David]

And if you want to stay on the best timeline, come back on Monday and we'll give you more tech news for free.

[Charlie]

Okay, we're not collecting your data. There's a middleman. So it's okay.

[Evelyn]

Except if you're on floatplane, then we're no, your dad is yours.