TechLinked — "Win11 password bug, Amazon / Google networking, ChatGPT ads + more!"

Date: December 2, 2025
Host: Riley (Linus Media Group)
Podcast Theme: Thrice-weekly roundup of the latest tech and gaming news, with humor and lively banter.

Episode Overview

In this action-packed episode, Riley breaks down the week’s big tech stories—from a head-scratching Windows 11 login bug and ambitious Amazon/Google cloud collaboration, to the looming reality of ads in ChatGPT. The show also dives into chunky new gaming devices, surprise AMD chip leaks, a Netflix streaming setback, security app mandates in India, and (believe it or not) Japan’s luxury human-washing machine. Expect plenty of wit, sarcasm, and signature TechLinked riffs as Riley serves up the headlines.

Main Stories and Key Discussion Points

1. Windows 11 Password Bug & File Explorer Woes (00:33–01:48)

• Invisible Password Box:

  • Some Windows 11 users found the password sign-in option "vanish" after a recent preview update.
  • Microsoft's fix? "Hover your mouse over where the icon should be"—the entry box is invisible but still works.
  • Riley’s take:

    "I think Microsoft’s just trying to make Windows 11 more appealing by gamifying the login screen. Where is it?" (00:51)

• File Explorer Update:

  • Microsoft touted improved speed by preloading File Explorer in the background.
  • Reality: Still slower than Windows 10, and now "using almost twice as much RAM."
  • Seasonal jab:

    "They think we all want bugs in our stockings. Who are we? Timon and Pumbaa over here? Come on." (01:29)

  • Brief musical reply:

    "Hakuna matata." (B, 01:48)

2. Amazon & Google’s Networking Partnership (01:49–02:24)

• A Major Cloud Step:

  • The two giants launch a service to easily link AWS and Google Cloud for companies using both platforms.
  • Previously, redundancy required expensive and complex workarounds.
  • Riley highlights increasing cloud outages:

    “If we’re all a little sick of having the entire Internet break every few weeks...” (02:15)

• Technical Details:

  • Integration uses AWS’s Interconnect Multi Cloud with Google’s Cross Cloud Interconnect.
  • New open standard—encryption by default, four layers of backup.
  • Riley jokes about the IT crowd’s solemn duty:

    "They may not agree with you, but they will fight for your right to post every one of your deranged inner thoughts." (02:40)

3. ChatGPT Testing Ads (02:41–03:33)

• Monetization Arrives:

  • OpenAI is experimenting with in-conversation ads in ChatGPT.
  • References to an "ads carousel" and "bizarre content" found in the Android beta.
  • Riley clarifies:

    "...bizarre as in marketplace, although there’s plenty of bizarre AI slob out there..." (03:12)

• Wider AI Ad Trends:

  • First major chatbot to integrate ads directly.
  • Google and Amazon already incorporating sponsorship in conversational AI.
  • Reflection on the normalization of monetizing AI, despite model reliability:

    "...if AI is still about as reliable as a McDonald’s ice cream machine." (03:23)

• Industry Critique:

  • 21% of peer reviews at an AI conference found to be AI-generated—AI critiquing other AI, riddled with hallucinations.

4. Quick Bits: Lightning Round (05:53–10:20)

- Ayaneo Next 2 Handheld PC (05:56–06:50)

• Massive, powerful Windows gaming device: 9” OLED, Ryzen AI Max 395, 115Wh battery.
• "Chunky" and “top tier” for AAA games—not for lightweight hauling.
• Quote:

  "...it appears we’re entering the handheld market’s Gears of War era. Things are getting chunky. Girl, you’re thicker than a bowl of oatmeal." (06:36)

- AMD Ryzen 7 9850x3D Leak (06:51–07:25)

• Spotted on an AMD support page, then swiftly removed.
• Essentially a faster Ryzen 7 9800x3D; 8 cores, 16 threads, boost clocks to 5.6 GHz.
• Riley channels AMD:

  "Oh, funny running into you at the mall. Me? I’m just here for a walk. Gotta get my steps in that bag. What bag? Oh, don’t look at that bag." (07:10)

- Netflix Kills Casting for New Devices (07:26–08:00)

• Can't cast from phones to Chromecast with Google TV, most Android TVs.
• Must use Netflix app on the device directly now. Still works on old Chromecasts.
• Riley snarks about the "useless button" left behind.

- India Mandates Security App on All Phones (08:01–08:45)

• State-owned Sanchar Saathi app will come preinstalled (undeletable) on all smartphones.
• For anti-theft, anti-fraud; but privacy advocates are worried:

  "Remember how pissed people were when the iPhone 6 launched with a U2 album in everyone’s iTunes automatically? Now governments are forcing your phones to come with surveillance apps installed and nobody bats an eye. U2 must really suck." (08:36)

- Japan’s $385,000 Human Washing Machine (Mirai) (08:46–09:34)

• Capsule bath uses microbubbles, music, dries and washes user in 15 minutes.
• Viral, now going commercial (very limited production).
• Riley wraps with:

  "I can’t wait for a machine that can clean your body and your shame after buying a 60 million yen bathtub. Apparently that’s US$385,000, so yeah, that’s about shame." (09:28)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Invisible Login Screen Joke:

  "Just hover your mouse over where the icon should be and think happy thoughts because it's invisible but still clickable." (00:43)

• On Cloud IT Defenders:

  "They may not agree with you, but they will fight for your right to post every one of your deranged inner thoughts." (02:40)

• AI Advertisement Satire:

  "If AI companies are gonna keep this bubble bubbling though, they need to monetize even if AI is still about as reliable as a McDonald's ice cream machine." (03:23)

• Handheld Gaming Market:

  "Girl, you’re thicker than a bowl of oatmeal." (06:36)

• U2 Album Callback:

  "Remember how pissed people were when the iPhone 6 launched with a U2 album in everyone’s iTunes automatically? Now governments are forcing your phones to come with surveillance apps installed and nobody bats an eye. U2 must really suck." (08:36)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:33–01:48 – Windows 11 bugs and File Explorer update
• 01:49–02:24 – Amazon & Google’s cloud networking partnership
• 02:41–03:33 – ChatGPT ads and AI-generated peer reviews
• 05:53–10:20 – Quick Bits: Handheld gaming, AMD leak, Netflix casting change, India’s app mandate, Japan’s human washing machine

Final Notes

Riley wraps with signature tongue-in-cheek banter about upcoming episodes and playful threats to the interruptions during the show. The episode is full of energetic delivery, quick wit, and embraces the chaos of the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Perfect For: Listeners looking for a fun, fast-paced tech news fix with plenty of personality and sharp commentary—no prior listening required.