WAN Show: Data Centers, AI, Gaming and Tech

The hosts discuss ballot measures opposing data-center construction, voters' concerns about power costs, water, noise, tax breaks and jobs, and OpenAI's announced commitments on NDAs, infrastructure costs and public disclosure. They connect local resistance to public costs and the economics of AI.

The hosts explain clustered geometry and partitioned TLAS, features in a DirectX developer preview. They discuss Microsoft's test results while emphasizing that the update is not a shipping release and that the reported gains may not translate directly to games.

The hosts react to Lisa Su calling AMD a data-center-first company and consider what that means for consumer gaming GPUs. The discussion includes how AI accelerators differ from graphics cards, a detour into an AI 3D-model benchmark, and the view that PC gaming is being deprioritized rather than ended.

The hosts discuss Discord's planned move from Electron to Rust, possible performance benefits and contrasting reactions to AI-assisted coding. The conversation turns to Warcraft 3's campaign, game pacing and padding, and the expansion of long-running fictional universes.

The hosts discuss reports that Instagram is offering creators payments to cross-post long-form videos to its Features format. They compare Instagram's approach with YouTube's revenue-sharing model, debate whether creators have a reason to participate without ongoing ad revenue, and talk about Instagram's social-sharing habits and mobile-first design.

The hosts describe Google's report on a botnet infecting Android TV boxes and other devices through a firmware backdoor, and Google's steps to disrupt it. They discuss the compromised boxes' remaining software, options for streaming hardware and concerns about media ownership and consolidation.

The hosts make announcements about cable pricing, a holiday promotion, towels, woven cotton blankets and a Floatplane anniversary shirt and voucher. They also promote upcoming Floatplane events.

The hosts read viewer messages and discuss costly projects that did not proceed, including a Cat Turret project. They describe the time and work involved and distinguish between that project and hardware or product costs.

Responding to a viewer's software-development assignment, the hosts discuss ethical concerns about cloud models, the different power dynamics of local models and the practical pressure to use AI tools. They also consider how AI changes the work of people who enjoy coding.

Linus shows an early prototype of a computer-shaped desk ornament and explains how its design grew to include a custom board, wireless features and certification costs before the project was dropped. The hosts also describe the Cat Turret, a proposed device that would spray cats when they scratched carpet.

The hosts discuss a supplier ending ROM-chip production and the possible effect on Switch 1 physical media. They talk about digital sales, resale value, carrying physical games and storage options.

The hosts walk through Binance's account of a months-long attack involving compromised devices, a fake job interview and an internal AI tool. They discuss Binance's stated plan to refund users, the amount of crypto reported frozen or intercepted, and whether crypto works as a currency or store of value.

Linus describes why he got braces, the problems with bite blocks and ceramic brackets, and how the braces affected speaking and eating. He discusses having them removed and using retainers, with more detail planned for a separate story-time video.

The hosts announce a live discussion about company revenue and finances at Whaleland, recap a Floatplane Magic: The Gathering stream and promote an upcoming anniversary stream.

The hosts read sponsor spots for Vessi, Odoo, Proton and Ahrefs.

The hosts discuss reported scam ads using AI-generated celebrity likenesses, including ads associated with Mark Cuban and MrBeast. They also describe fake appeals involving animals and handmade goods, and warn viewers to alert relatives to these scams.

The hosts examine a headline comparing the stocks' recent performance and note that the chart reflects different longer-term trends. They caution that short-term movements and investor sentiment do not establish what will happen next.

The hosts flag a reported remote-code-execution vulnerability in Microsoft Paint and briefly discuss the current state of the application.

The hosts say they plan to pause Tech House videos while contractors complete drywall, insulation and wiring, then return to the project when finishing work can begin.

The hosts return to Lisa Su's comments about AMD's data-center focus and discuss why gaming products may receive less priority. They also comment on how investor expectations can affect technology-company stock prices.

The hosts discuss a reported Spotify plan to let subscribers make AI remixes of licensed tracks for an additional fee. They consider rights ownership, artist opt-in and whether artists can freely refuse, as well as possible uses such as personalized songs and social-media trends.

The hosts discuss reports of hackers manipulating supermarket temperature controllers and the resulting food losses. They question why remote control is needed and consider whether systems could permit monitoring without allowing remote changes.

The hosts summarize lawsuits alleging that Brave enables access to paywalled articles, replaces publishers' ads and makes crawled content available to AI companies. They discuss Brave's opt-in advertising and the claims about its search index.

In response to a question about over-engineered failsafes, the hosts discuss NASA's coding rules and why strict practices can matter for systems that are difficult to update after deployment. They consider how hard it can be to tell over-engineering from simply doing the job reliably.

Linus describes visiting a community center in Whitehorse and contrasts its available space with the limited facilities he sees locally. The hosts discuss community recreation, public libraries and a tool for finding films available through libraries.

The hosts discuss jobs people may not expect, including selling fire hydrants and maintaining seasonal displays. They also consider whether attending events anonymously can offer a more ordinary chance to browse and meet people.

The hosts continue discussing the value of meeting people without being recognized, then answer a question about older LTT-era items they still use, including an old adhesive material and computer equipment.

Linus recounts starting in retail sales at NCIX, moving into product work and building its water-cooling business, and taking on broader category-management responsibilities. He explains how the experience, followed by running his own companies, informs his view of business decisions and product quality.

The hosts discuss why a magnetic motorcycle tank-bag system is not a current product priority, considering the niche market and limited resources. They also talk about the costs and challenges facing specialist motorcycle retailers competing with online shops.

The hosts discuss the IP rating and hinge design of a folding phone, then consider whether students should be asked to remove smart glasses in class. They weigh privacy concerns against the possibility that a student relies on the glasses to see.

Linus discusses his interest in a possible Ocarina of Time remake and his limited time for long games. The hosts also answer questions about towels and describe their preferences for towel texture and absorbency.

The hosts respond to a viewer considering a career change from law toward tech or gaming, emphasizing that the choice is personal. They also discuss smartwatch battery life and Linus's limited attention to his own watch.

The hosts explain when products use custom buttons or rivets, then recount hardware failures, including a costly processor failure and a RAID failure.

The episode closes with a Shopify advertisement.