The WAN Show - "You Said I Was Wrong" | September 13, 2024 Summary

Released on September 14, 2024

Welcome to this week's episode of The WAN Show, where Linus and Luke delve into the latest happenings in the technology universe. In this episode titled "You Said I Was Wrong," the hosts discuss significant product announcements from Apple and Sony, delve into AI advancements and governmental policies, and address community feedback and internal team dynamics. Below is a detailed summary capturing all key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

1. Apple's iPhone 16 Announcement

Models and Features: Apple unveiled the iPhone 16 lineup, which includes the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max. Key upgrades highlighted by Linus include:

• A18 Processor Family: Introduction of both A18 and A18 Pro chips, offering improved CPU, GPU, and neural processor performance.
• Upgraded Glass: Enhanced ceramic shield for greater durability.
• Action Button: A new programmable button now available on the regular iPhone 16, a feature previously exclusive to the Pro models.
• Camera Enhancements: Dedicated shutter button and lidar capabilities on certain models.
• iOS 18 Features: Improved noise cancellation and hearing aid functionalities in AirPods, making them more versatile for everyday use.

Reception and Criticism: While Linus presented a positive outlook, stating, "the iPhone 16 lineup actually looks interesting, pretty compelling" ([02:25]), the broader tech press and influencer community expressed disappointment, labeling the upgrades as incremental and unexciting. Critics argued that the new features were either akin to existing Android functionalities or unnecessary enhancements.

Linus's Personal Upgrade Decision: Linus shared his intention to upgrade to the iPhone 16 Plus, emphasizing practicality over excessive features. "The regular iPhone 16 still doesn't have a high refresh rate display, which for like $800 is pretty embarrassing" ([11:01]), he noted, underscoring affordability and essential functionality over premium features he deemed unnecessary for his use case.

2. PlayStation 5 Pro Announcement

Upgrades and Features: Sony introduced the PlayStation 5 Pro, boasting:

• Enhanced GPU: Significant GPU upgrades for better performance.
• Wi-Fi 7 Support: Faster and more reliable internet connectivity.
• Increased Storage: Higher base storage capacity compared to the original PS5.
• Continued Use of Zen 2 CPU: Despite expectations for a more advanced CPU, Sony retained the Zen 2 architecture.

Economic Considerations: Linus criticized the PS5 Pro's pricing strategy, "it's called iPhone 16, the jumps per generation are gonna slow down. Phones have been boring for a long time now" ([06:55]). He likened the console upgrade cycle to smartphones, suggesting that major generational leaps are no longer feasible or expected, leading to consumer frustration over high prices for marginal improvements.

Linus's Perspective: Echoing his sentiments on the iPhone, Linus asserted that consumers shouldn't feel compelled to purchase the Pro version unless they genuinely need the enhanced features. "People should probably just be getting the regular 16 if they want an iPhone...the same goes for PlayStation" ([16:45]).

3. Merchandise Promotions

Color Block Hoodies and WAN Sweatpants: The show featured a special promotion for returning color block hoodies themed around various LTT channels, available as mystery packs for $39.99. Additionally, WAN sweatpants were offered at a discounted rate of $10 when purchased alongside a hoodie. The limited-time offer includes:

• Color Block Hoodies: Available in mystery colors, themed to channels like LBTT and Tech Quickie.
• WAN Sweatpants: Offered at a reduced price with hoodie purchases.

Instructions for Merch Messages: Listeners were encouraged to send merch messages, which are personalized notes to be displayed on-screen when purchasing merchandise. For example: "Hey lld, did Plex ever fix your issues?" ([46:12]).

4. Plex and NAS Discussion

Plex's Recent Updates: Linus discussed recent changes to Plex, including the split of photo backup functionalities into a separate app. Despite previous frustrations with Plex's performance, he remained optimistic about the service's improvements and intended to give the updates a try, particularly since he holds a lifetime subscription.

NAS Software and Experiences: Linus and Luke touched upon their experiences with Network Attached Storage (NAS) systems, highlighting challenges with TrueNAS and exploring alternatives like Jellyfin. Linus expressed a desire for seamless NAS setups that require minimal maintenance, aiming to streamline file management and reduce technical hassles.

5. iFixit Smart Soldering Iron

Features: iFixit introduced a new Smart Soldering Iron, characterized by:

• 100-Watt Heater: Rapid heating, ready to solder in 5 seconds.
• Web Interface: Configurable through a browser, allowing for remote adjustments.
• Long-Lasting Power: Capable of running continuously for a full workday.

Comparison to LTT's Products: Linus compared the Smart Soldering Iron to LTT’s own precision screwdrivers, emphasizing the unique features of iFixit's product. While acknowledging similarities, he asserted, "our driver was compatible with iFixit Bits...we're not trying to become iFixit" ([67:03]).

iFixit's Reaction and Speculation: There was speculation about iFixit's comments implying that LTT might be copying their products. Linus defended LTT’s innovations, highlighting distinct features like magnetically detachable bits and stackable cases, rejecting claims of direct copying.

6. AI Roundup

OpenAI's Strawberry01: OpenAI unveiled their new AI language model, Strawberry01, available in 01 Preview and 01 Mini versions. Key points include:

• Improved Reasoning and Problem-Solving: Particularly excelling in areas like competitive programming and scientific reasoning.
• User Feedback: While performance shows advancements, users noted delays due to multi-step processing and occasional inaccuracies.

Performance and User Experiences: Linus and Luke experimented with Strawberry01, noting improvements over previous models in tasks like counting characters accurately and solving calculus problems. However, they also observed instances of the AI overcomplicating simple tasks, leading to inefficiencies.

Other AI News:

• Google's Integration with Wayback Machine: To compensate for deprecated cache features, Google now links to the Wayback Machine for archived web pages, enhancing accessibility to historical data.
• Steam Families Feature: Valve introduced Steam Families, allowing up to six household members to share a single game library, including simultaneous access to multiple games.

7. Steam Families Feature

New Features and Benefits:

• Shared Library Access: Up to six family members can play games from a shared library simultaneously.
• Concurrent Gameplay: Unlike the previous system, multiple games can be played at the same time without restrictions on the same library.

Comparison to Previous System: Previously, Steam's family sharing restricted playing multiple games from the same library if the owner was already engaged in one. The new feature eliminates this limitation, providing greater flexibility and convenience for families.

8. Government Policies on VPN Accessibility

US Government Push for Greater VPN Access: Linus and Luke discussed a recent initiative where the White House met with major tech companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Cloudflare to encourage them to offer more bandwidth for government-funded Internet censorship evasion tools. These tools, supported by the Open Technology Fund (OTF), aim to help users in countries with restrictive internet policies, such as Russia, Iran, and Myanmar. OTF President Laura Cunningham noted a surge in VPN usage, prompting the request for discounted or subsidized server bandwidth to meet growing demand.

Implications: While Linus initially expressed skepticism about the government's intentions, he concluded, "Better VPN access seems probably good. Good" ([75:02]). However, the discussion highlighted concerns about potential government surveillance and the ethical implications of supporting such tools.

9. General Tech Community and Media Discussion

Animosity and Negativity in Tech Media: Linus expressed frustration over the increasing negativity within the tech media and community. He recounted experiences where LTT's balanced and transparent coverage was met with hostility on platforms like Reddit, despite the content being fair and informative. Luke and Linus emphasized the importance of fostering a positive and supportive environment to encourage diverse perspectives and the growth of new creators.

Impact on LTT's Relationship with Tech Media: The hosts acknowledged a sentiment shift, noting that while LTT had previously been highly regarded, recent interactions revealed a more hostile reception from certain tech communities. They stressed the necessity of continuous improvement, openness to feedback, and maintaining integrity in their content creation process.

Encouraging Diverse Perspectives: Both hosts advocated for a vibrant and lively tech media landscape, where multiple creators with varied angles and opinions can coexist and thrive. They highlighted the importance of not being excessive in negative discourse, as it stifles innovation and community growth.

10. Conclusion and Sponsor Messages

Merchandise Promotions Continued: The episode reiterated the ongoing promotion for color block hoodies and WAN sweatpants, encouraging listeners to participate in the limited-time offers.

Sponsor Highlights:

• Manscaped: Promotion of the Lawnmower 5.0 Forged Gold Edition, offering discounts with the code WANSHOW.
• Acronis: Introduction of Acronis Cyber Protect, a comprehensive platform integrating security, backup, and disaster recovery for businesses.

Final Remarks: Linus concluded the episode with gratitude towards the team and the community, acknowledging the challenges faced but expressing optimism for future growth and positive developments within the tech landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• "Phones have been boring for a long time now." — Linus ([06:55])
• "Most people cannot tell a 60 Hz display from a high refresh rate display." — Linus ([16:45])
• "Better VPN access seems probably good. Good." — Linus ([75:02])
• "The bigger the install base is, the more of that sweet, sweet app store money they're extracting from you." — Linus ([09:01])
• "We are not trying to become iFixit. We're not going to even begin to approach the kind of replacement parts that they stock." — Linus ([67:03])

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from "You Said I Was Wrong," offering an in-depth overview for those who haven't tuned into the episode. The hosts provided thoughtful analyses of major tech releases, candid reflections on community dynamics, and engaged with listener feedback, all while promoting their merchandise and sponsors seamlessly throughout the show.