TechLinked Podcast Summary – January 20, 2026
Episode: "W11 no-shutdown bug, RAM Crisis effects, Google appeals 2020 ruling + more!"
Host: Linus Media Group
Run Time: Content 00:30–09:04

Overview

This episode dives into the latest headaches and shake-ups in the tech sphere: a disastrous Windows update that keeps PCs running, a worsening RAM and component shortage, Google’s ongoing search monopoly battle, subscription price hikes (Spotify), Tesla and Musk’s chip ambitions, XAI’s environmental woes, cutting-edge medical tech, and a new TikTok drama app. True to form, the delivery is wry, fast-paced, and peppered with pop culture and playful jabs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Windows 11 No-Shutdown Bug & Other Update Disasters

(00:30 – 02:20)

• Issue: Microsoft’s January Patch Tuesday caused select Windows machines to seemingly "shut down," but the system keeps running in the background.
  • System Guard Secure Launch clashed with the patch, causing shutdown commands to be ignored.
  • Emergency fix shipped within four days (Jan 17), but not all problems are solved.
• Further Breakages:
  • Remote Desktop authentication for Azure, Virtual Desktop, and Windows 365 was broken—users experienced credential prompt loops.
  • Classic Outlook with POP accounts started freezing and wouldn’t relaunch due to background processes.
  • Some users saw random black screens.
  • File Explorer ignored desktop.ini customizations.
• Commentary: The hosts liken Windows updates to “watching your uncoordinated uncle try and deep fry a turkey in your driveway. Deep dangerously close to the garage.” (B, 01:59)

2. RAM Crisis & Component Shortages

(02:21–03:17)

• Data Centers & AI: By 2026, more than 70% of all memory chips will be used by data centers chasing AI and cloud growth, per The Wall Street Journal.
• Consumer Squeeze: This leaves less RAM for consumer devices, keeping prices high and supply tight.
• Tariffs & Geopolitics: U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick threatens up to 100% tariffs on overseas memory unless makers expand production stateside, increasing uncertainty and costs.
• Component Chaos: Shortages now extend to GPUs, high-capacity SSDs, and even traditional hard drives (“a full blown component chaos”).
• Therapy for Tech Stress: Host jokes that tech news now “requires a therapeutic chaser.” (B, 03:11)

3. Google Antitrust Appeal

(03:18–05:18)

• Background: Google is appealing the U.S. federal ruling declaring it a monopoly (suit filed in 2020, ruling delivered in 2024, remedies decided in late 2025).
• Google’s Defense:
  1. Users choose Google by preference, not force.
  2. Judge ignored competition from AI startups.
  3. Deals with Apple and Mozilla are “totally normal” (quality-driven, not market-cornering).
• Remedy Details: Google can keep paying to be default on Apple/Mozilla, but only for 1 year at a time, must share portions of its search index with competitors, and provide syndication services.
• Current Action: Google asks to pause data sharing and syndication until the appeal is resolved—could last years.
• Quote: “Apple chose Google because it’s the best, not because it owns the entire Internet. That would be crazy. You sound crazy right now.” (B, 04:11)

4. Spotify Price Increase & Anna’s Archive Ruling

(05:32–06:19)

• Spotify: Third US price hike in approx. three years—Premium rising to $12.99/month. More price hikes are now “the new normal” for streaming fans.
• Anna’s Archive: Shadow library ordered by a US judge to delete its scraped WorldCat data and stop scraping, but likely won’t comply. Labeled as “renegades” who “do as they please” and “likely even use ad blockers.” (B, 06:11)

5. Elon Musk, Tesla, & XAI Updates

(06:20–07:36)

• Tesla AI Chips:
  • Musk claims new in-house AI chips will now refresh every 9 months, outpacing Nvidia and AMD.
  • The AI5 chip is “almost done,” just 6 months after Musk previously said it was finished. Production delayed until mid-2027.
  • Expected to be the highest-volume AI chip in the world because of shipment scale (in millions of vehicles).
• Dojo Supercomputer Revival: Musk is reviving Dojo, Tesla’s supercomputer for training self-driving AI, months after axing it to focus resources elsewhere.
• XAI EPA Troubles:
  • Their Memphis data center illegally used non-permitted gas generators, exploiting an emissions loophole for “portable/temporary” turbines (site has doubled the turbines recently).
  • EPA’s action likely to slow XAI’s expansion in Memphis.
  • Irony noted: “He makes electric cars over here. He does a little unfettered polluting over there. It’s give and take, everything in moderation, right?” (B, 07:28)

6. Medical Innovation: Spray-On Powder for Rapid Wound Sealing

(07:37–08:09)

• Development: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology has devised a “chalky spray” powder that turns to hydrogel on blood, sealing wounds in 1 second, even on deep/irregular injuries.
• Durability: Stable up to 2 years; potential to revolutionize combat and emergency medicine.
• Host’s Reaction: Jokes about using it for carpentry accidents: “Lose a finger at the table saw, no problem. Just powder that bad boy right back on there.” (B, 08:09)

7. TikTok’s Pine Drama App

(08:10–08:51)

• Concept: Pine Drama is a new TikTok spinoff app for 1-minute or less episode stories (vertical video, serialized, cliffhangers).
• Features: Watch history, favorites, real-time reactions; available in US and Brazil for iOS/Android; broad genre range.
• Host’s Comment: Wonders if microdramas are better or worse for attention spans: “A minute isn’t long, but is this actually going to be better for our attention spans than TikTok classic? I guess it couldn’t be any worse.” (B, 08:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Windows update woes:
  “Windows updates feel less like improvements and more like watching your uncoordinated uncle try and deep fry a turkey in your driveway. Deep dangerously close to the garage.” (B, 01:59)

• On RAM shortage:
  “The RAM shortage, like the numbered Star Wars movies, doesn't just keep going, it somehow gets worse as time goes on.” (B, 02:01)

• On tech news fatigue:
  “Tech news these days does require a therapeutic chaser.” (B, 03:11)

• On the Google antitrust defense:
  “‘Apple chose Google because it’s the best, not because it owns the entire Internet. That would be crazy. You sound crazy right now.’” (B, 04:11)

• On Anna's Archive:
  “They likely even use ad blockers.” (B, 06:12)

• On Musk’s approach to business:
  “With Elon’s companies, it's a balancing act. You know he makes electric cars over here. He does a little unfettered polluting over there. It's give and take, everything in moderation, right?” (B, 07:28)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:30 – Windows 11 bug, January Patch Tuesday breaks
• 02:21 – RAM crisis and component shortages
• 03:18 – Google’s monopoly appeal and its implications
• 05:32 – Spotify price hike and Anna’s Archive order
• 06:20 – Tesla’s AI chips, Dojo supercomputer, XAI environmental issues
• 07:37 – Korean hydrogel powder for wounds
• 08:10 – TikTok’s Pine Drama app

This edition of TechLinked covers a swath of tech derailments and debuts, dissected with brisk, sly humor and packed with context for ongoing industry shifts. The episode is especially insightful for listeners wanting quick clarity on software bugs, the state of hardware supply, legal battles, and consumer tech trends—delivered with classic TechLinked zest.