TechLinked Podcast Summary
Episode: Windows 7 usage spike, OpenAI's Sora app, Meta AI chat data + more!
Host: Linus Media Group (A)
Date: October 2, 2025
Overview
This episode of TechLinked serves up the latest news in tech and gaming culture, mashed together with the show’s signature humor. Key topics range from the surprising resurgence in Windows 7 usage, major updates from OpenAI and Meta in the AI sphere, privacy battles with Apple, notable hardware advancements, and a touch of robotic innovation. The host weaves in banter about sausages, personal nostalgia, and skeptical optimism toward Big Tech – making for an entertaining, sharply opinionated, and informative listen.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Windows 7 Usage Spike (00:32)
- StatCounter reports a jump: Windows 7 reportedly surges from 2% to 9.6% market share.
- Skepticism on data accuracy: The metric is based on page views on tracked sites, not direct device counts.
- The “Warmth of the Womb” analogy: The host jokes about users fleeing the end of Windows 10 support for the comfort of the familiar Windows 7.
- Quote: “Because who doesn’t miss the safety and warmth we all enjoyed inside our mother’s wombs? I say we go back…” (00:45)
- Extended support context: Free year of extended security for Windows 10 and improvements in Windows 1125 H2 make moving to Windows 7 seem odd.
- Nostalgia in tech: The host quips, “When you used Windows 7, your mom made you dinner all the time. And maybe she will again.” (02:05)
2. OpenAI’s Sora 2 & Meta’s Vibes (03:00)
- OpenAI launches Sora 2: A new app introduces advanced video and sound generation. Features improved physics and body mechanics.
- Quote: “According to Sora 2’s launch video, it will generate videos that include sound and better physics and body mechanics to improve realism.” (03:32)
- Deepfakes & personal cameos: Users can insert themselves into generated videos via a one-time recording.
- Algorithmic control and “sloptimized” feeds: OpenAI claims more user control to avoid doomscrolling – coining the term "sloptimized."
- Quote: “They came up with the term sloptimized? Yeah, they’re just leaning into it so that way you’ll have more control over what their algorithm is showing you.” (04:50)
- Meta’s new Vibes feed: Announced last week but not widely discussed or adopted.
- Concerns about AI moderation: Sarcasm about trusting OpenAI’s approach to parental controls.
3. Meta AI Chat Data Collection (06:08)
- Meta to collect chat data for ads: Begins December 16th, promoting more personalized advertising.
- Quote: “Meta is doing their users a solid—the tech giant will start collecting your AI chat data to serve you personalized ads on December 16th. But, on the plus side, they’re giving you a heads up first. Oh my God, Zuck is so cool now. He’s like one of the bros.” (06:15)
- Instagram boss Adam Mosseri denies eavesdropping: Reiterates Meta products don’t use microphones, but plenty of data is still gathered.
- Quote: “Those eerie ads for the thing you were just talking to your friend about pop up because of all the other ways they spy on you, but not the microphone. That would be too far.” (07:00)
- User privacy skepticism continues.
4. Google Gemini for Home & "Nothing" OS (07:23)
- Gemini replaces Google Assistant: Now live in almost all Nest & Home devices, and joined by new, high-res Nest Cams & Doorbell.
- “Nothing Playground” app store: Promotes an “AI-native” OS, but really just a new app store — poking fun at tech marketing.
- Quote: “It’s called the Nothing Playground and will host essential apps. You know, apps for people who just cannot go without filling their phone with slop apps. I wish I could call them Slaps, but they don’t.” (08:15)
5. Apple vs. UK Government on Encrypted Data (09:00)
- Renewed British demand for cloud access: UK requests user data access with warrant & national security justification.
- Ongoing back-and-forth: US recently pressured UK to back off; now the fight resumes.
- Quote: “Apple will now need to defend its walled garden standing as a bastion of user privacy. I’ll admit it’s weird every time I find myself cheering for a mega corporation, but you know what they say about strange bedfellows?” (09:42)
- Sardonic reflections on privacy “allies.”
6. Xbox Game Pass Price Hikes (10:25)
- Significant price increases: PC Game Pass jumps to $16.49/month; Ultimate rises to $30/month.
- Added perks: Includes Ubisoft Classics and higher quality cloud streaming (up to 1440p).
- Value debate: Host questions if it still remains “too good a deal to pass up.”
- Quote: “I have some friends that swear Game Pass is genuinely too good a deal to pass up. Well, how about now?” (11:20)
7. Qualcomm Wins Against ARM (11:35)
- Court victory for Qualcomm: Allows selling of Nuvia-developed chips; ARM will appeal.
- Legal saga expectation: Host jokes about tech litigation fatigue.
- Quote: “Which is great because, you know, we love updating you on licensing litigation. Exhilarating.” (12:25)
8. Intel ARC Driver Updates & GPU Improvements (12:29)
- Significant boost in certain games: Example – Spider Man Remastered sees 31 FPS gain with new drivers.
- Quote: “Using a B580 with the new drivers… saw the average FPS increase by 31 frames. Whoa, that is some frames.” (12:45)
- Improvements are game-specific.
- Encouragement to Intel: “Keep working Intel. You’re going to be a real competitor in the tech industry someday.” (13:15)
9. Charlotte the Spider Robot (13:24)
- Crest Robotics unveils ‘Charlotte’: Spider-like robot which extrudes building material to construct structures quickly—even on other planets.
- Quote: “...spider robots that build you houses. Build the house and get out of here.” (13:34)
- Potential to build moon base: Offers “catharsis” for arachnophobes by sending the spider robot to space.
- Quote: “So you might get the catharsis of seeing a spider shot far away from you into space.” (13:59)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
Windows Nostalgia:
- “Because who doesn’t miss the safety and warmth we all enjoyed inside our mother’s wombs? I say we go back…” (00:45)
- “When you used Windows 7, your mom made you dinner all the time. And maybe she will again.” (02:05)
OpenAI’s Video App & Sloptimized Feeds:
- “They came up with the term sloptimized? Yeah, they’re just leaning into it...” (04:50)
Meta & User Data:
- “Meta is doing their users a solid—the tech giant will start collecting your AI chat data to serve you personalized ads on December 16th.” (06:15)
- “Those eerie ads for the thing you were just talking to your friend about pop up because of all the other ways they spy on you, but not the microphone.” (07:00)
Apple & Privacy:
- “I’ll admit it’s weird every time I find myself cheering for a mega corporation, but you know what they say about strange bedfellows?” (09:42)
Xbox Value Perception:
- “I have some friends that swear Game Pass is genuinely too good a deal to pass up. Well, how about now?” (11:20)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:32 — Windows 7 Usage Spike & StatCounter Skepticism
- 03:00 — OpenAI Sora 2 Launch, Deepfakes, Meta Vibes
- 06:08 — Meta Begins AI Chat Data Collection for Personalized Ads
- 07:23 — Google’s Gemini for Home Launch & Nothing Playground
- 09:00 — Apple vs. UK Government on User Data Access
- 10:25 — Xbox Game Pass Price Hikes & New Features
- 11:35 — Qualcomm’s Legal Victory Over ARM
- 12:29 — Intel ARC GPU Driver Improvements
- 13:24 — Charlotte: The Spider Building Robot
Tone & Final Thoughts
The host’s lively and irreverent tone flavors every topic, combining genuine curiosity, healthy skepticism, and a flair for the absurd. This is tech news with a sausage-loving twist—reflecting concerns about privacy and tech overreach while poking fun at corporate spin and user nostalgia.
If you haven’t listened to this episode, expect a whirlwind tour through the latest trends and debates in tech, peppered with humor, memorable analogies, and a pinch of skepticism about Big Tech’s intentions.