LTX 2019 Announcement, YouTube Rewind, and Ryzen 3000 Rumors

Summary of the Latest Topics

The episode covers a variety of tech industry developments, community updates, and project announcements. The hosts discuss both personal experiences with major platform trends and technical anticipation for upcoming hardware releases.

LTX 2019: A New Chapter

• The hosts announce that LTX 2019 will be a two-day event held on July 27th and 28th at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
• The event is expanding significantly, featuring a massive footprint, an overnight LAN party, and a partnership with DreamHack.
• The goal is to provide a comprehensive hardware-focused experience that addresses previous feedback regarding vendor space and attendee capacity.

YouTube Rewind and Viral Trends

• The hosts share mixed reactions to YouTube Rewind 2018, noting a disconnect between the video's content and the creators who actually impacted the platform's landscape throughout the year.
• There is a discussion on the rise of Indian YouTube channels, specifically the massive growth of T-Series, and whether the content served in Rewind felt curated for advertiser preferences rather than genuine community interest.

Hardware Expectations: Ryzen 3000

• Leaks regarding the upcoming AMD Ryzen 3000 series suggest it will be based on TSMC's 7nm process.
• Potential performance gains of up to 30% are discussed, bolstered by higher clock speeds and IPC improvements, which could challenge Intel, especially given Intel's current hurdles with the 10nm node.

Gaming: CS:GO and Industry Shifts

• The conversation touches on Counter-Strike: Global Offensive going free-to-play, the introduction of a "Battle Royale" mode, and the implementation of Prime Status to mitigate cheating.
• The hosts also weigh in on the complexities of 5G infrastructure, with OnePlus warning that 5G-capable smartphones will likely see a significant price premium due to technical requirements.

"I am potentially willing to say I'm more excited about this event than PAX."

Industry Concerns

• The episode briefly covers the concerning legislation in Australia regarding the breaking of encryption on online services, with the hosts suggesting that major tech companies should prioritize their security standards above all else.