Episode 236: Apple’s AI Shopping Spree, Macs Get More Configurable, SpaceX–xAI Goes Orbital, and Steam Hits the RAM Wall

Jay and Karl cover a week where big money and big compute collide, Apple splashes $2B on a secretive AI startup, Macs hint at a new level of configurability, and SpaceX–xAI goes fully orbital with plans for a giant constellation to power AI. Meanwhile, Valve’s Steam Machine plans hit the RAM wall, with delays and pricing pain. Plus, rumours swirl around a new iPhone launching this month.

Full show notes & links:techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-236/

Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• Apple acquires Q.ai for $2 billion: a secretive AI startup joins Apple’s growing AI portfolio.
• New Mac configurator hints at separate CPU and GPU options: potentially a major shift in how Macs are specced.
• SpaceX acquires xAI: and reportedly plans a massive satellite constellation to power AI workloads.
• Steam Machine delayed again: Valve confirms RAM shortages will affect pricing.

Rumours

• New iPhone launching this month?: report claims four key changes are coming.

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Episode 235: Trump Phone Ultra Appears, Nvidia’s N1X ARM Challenge, AirTag 2 Launches, and Apple’s Next MacBook Pro Overhaul

Jay and Karl unpack another busy week in tech — from the surprise appearance of a Trump Phone Ultra and Nvidia’s looming ARM-based N1X challenge, to Apple launching AirTag 2 and fresh signals about the next MacBook Pro redesign. There’s also Forza Horizon 6 launch news and rumours of an AI-powered Apple wearable.

Full show notes & links:techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-235/

Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• Trump Phone Ultra revealed: yes, there’s apparently another model coming.
• Nvidia’s N1X ARM challenge: could Nvidia take on Intel, AMD, and Apple in laptops?
• AirTag 2 launches: improved range, louder speaker, and more.
• Apple may turn to Intel for iPhone chips: analysts double down on the claim.
• Forza Horizon 6: confirmed to launch in May.

Rumours

• MacBook Pro overhaul incoming: three major upgrades tipped for later this year.
• AI-powered Apple wearable: a smart pin may be in development.

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Episode 234: Booking the Moon, Apple Goes All-In on Gemini, RTX Cards Vanish, and the iPhone Fold Takes Shape

Jay and Karl cover a week where the future feels oddly close — from booking a hotel room on the Moon and Apple’s expanding Gemini partnership, to RTX cards quietly disappearing and fresh clarity around the iPhone Fold. There’s also Creator Studio, revised 007 PC requirements, Meta layoffs, and political pressure on Trump Mobile.

Full show notes & links:techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-234/

Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• You can now book a hotel room on the Moon: reservations open at $250,000.
• Apple’s expanded Google Gemini deal: bigger and more integrated than expected.
• Apple unveils Creator Studio: a new subscription aimed at creators.
• 007 First Light PC requirements revised: IO Interactive tweaks the specs.
• Asus drops the RTX 5070 Ti: memory shortages squeeze supply.
• Meta confirms Reality Labs layoffs: investment shifts towards wearables.
• Democrats push FTC to probe Trump Mobile: pressure mounts over the T1 phone.

Rumours

• iPhone Fold specs leak: analyst Jeff Pu outlines expected hardware.

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Episode 233: RAM Is the New Gold, Google Deletes a Drive, 007 Breaks PCs, and CES 2026 Goes Wild

Jay and Karl kick off with a discussion around Grok and OpenAI Health before diving into a week where RAM has become a luxury item. From Google wiping a user’s entire drive and sky-high DRAM prices stretching into 2028, to Crucial becoming an AI casualty and 007 bringing PCs to their knees. Plus, CES 2026 delivers wild hardware, absurd GPUs, and a Lego brick packed with tech.

Full show notes & links:techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-233/

Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

Opening Discussion

• Grok, OpenAI Health, and where AI products are heading next.

News

• Google Antigravity wipes user’s drive: a vibe-coded disaster deletes an entire disk.
• RAM prices spiral: DRAM shortages may last until 2028.
• Crucial hit by AI RAM demand: consumer memory loses out to data centres.
• 007 First Light melts PCs: recommended specs demand vast amounts of RAM and VRAM.

CES 2026

• SteamOS lands on Lenovo Legion Go 2: Valve’s OS continues its handheld takeover.
• Lego Smart Brick revealed: surprisingly packed with sensors and connectivity.
• Nvidia leans on software: GeForce Super GPUs absent, DLSS takes centre stage.
• MSI’s 1000W RTX 5090: a water-cooled GPU that ignores balance entirely.

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Episode 232: PC Build Chaos, GZW 0.4, BF6 Hopes, Steam Wishlist Fever, and Sweeney vs Steam

Jay and Karl return with a slightly chaotic, very relatable week in tech and gaming. From PC build meltdowns to hands-on impressions of GZW 0.4, early Battlefield 6 hopes, and a tour through the growing Steam wishlists. Plus, Tim Sweeney sparks a fresh debate over Steam’s approach to labelling AI-powered games.

Full show notes & links:techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-232/

Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

PC Build Woes

• A week filled with BIOS confusion, missing video output, questionable cables, and the classic “is it the RAM?” spiral.

Game Talk

• GZW 0.4 — new update, new chaos, new war stories.
• Battlefield 6 — early hopes, concerns, and wishlist features.
• Steam Wishlist Picks — the games Jay and Karl are watching closely.

Industry Chat

• Tim Sweeney vs Steam AI labels — Sweeney pushes back as Valve formalises labelling rules for AI-generated content.

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Episode 231: Cleared Hot Lands, RAM Prices Go Wild, Nvidia’s VRAM Gamble, and Intel’s Nova Lake Strikes Back

Jay and Karl return with a packed week of tech news — from the long-awaited launch of Cleared Hot to RAM shortages so extreme shops are pricing modules like luxury seafood. Nvidia flirts with dropping VRAM bundles, Intel fires back at AMD with an absurdly specced Nova Lake chip, and Apple rumours round out the show.

Full show notes & links:techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-231/

Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• Cleared Hot launches — the long-awaited helicopter sim finally arrives.
• RAM prices surge — shortages push costs high enough that one retailer compares it to lobster.
• Nvidia may stop bundling VRAM — raising concerns over GPU pricing and value.
• Nvidia plays down Google chip threat — insists cloud competition won't dent AI momentum.
• Intel’s Nova Lake strikes back — a monstrous chip with 288 MB vertical cache and 52 cores.

Rumours

• Low-cost MacBook reportedly launching in Q1 2026.
• OLED iPad mini gets fresh launch timing leaks.

Say hello —@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 230: Tim Cook Retirement Rumours, iOS 26.2 EU Restrictions, Shed Data Centres, Nvidia’s Record Quarter, and iPhone Fold Leaks

Jay and Karl cover a busy week of tech stories — starting with fresh rumours about Tim Cook stepping down in 2026, followed by iOS 26.2 limiting Wi-Fi sharing in the EU. They also look at the viral “shed data centre” slashing bills to £40, Nvidia’s record-smashing quarter, and a new battery detail that could give the iPhone Fold a major advantage.

Full show notes & links:techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-230/

Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• Tim Cook retirement rumours — reports suggest he may step aside in January 2026, but not fully retire.
• iOS 26.2 restricts Wi-Fi sharing between iPhone and Apple Watch in the EU.
• The shed data centre — how one man slashed his bills to £40 and heated his home at the same time.
• Nvidia’s record quarter — $57B revenue and “off the charts” AI GPU demand.

Rumours

• iPhone Fold battery leak — early details suggest a major potential advantage over rivals.

Say hello —@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 229: RTX 50 SUPER Shortages Loom, iPhone Air 2 Delayed, £220 iPhone Sock Chaos, and Steam’s Surprise Hardware Drop

Jay and Karl break down a chaotic week in tech and gaming — from looming RTX 50 SUPER memory shortages and Apple’s indefinite iPhone Air 2 delay, to the internet melting down over a £220 “iPhone sock”. Plus, Steam’s unexpected new hardware line-up makes a noisy return.

Full show notes & links:techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-229/

Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• NVIDIA RTX 50 SUPER shortages: supply rumours point to memory constraints.
• iPhone Air 2 delayed indefinitely: Apple reportedly pushes the lightweight iPhone out of its roadmap.
• The £220 iPhone sock: Apple’s new accessory sends the internet into meltdown.
• Steam Frame: Valve reveals its unexpected new VR headset hardware.
• Steam Machine: the surprise return of a brand many thought was long gone.
• Steam Controller: Valve resurrects its oddball controller with new refinements.
• Steam Deck 2: still years away — Valve says the tech just “isn’t there yet.”

Say hello —@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs