Steve and Ben discuss the Microslop meme that has taken on a life of its own despite Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella’s best attempts to argue against its use. Steve and Ben also discuss Dell realizing the XPS brand was valuable and that people do not care about AI, while OpenAI CEO Sam Altman shows off how much he likes to take note with pen and paper.

Steve and Ben wrap up 2026 with a quick chat of how AI tech and AI enthusiasm may have different paths in the next twelve months.

Steve and Ben discuss Microsoft’s recent announcements about turning Windows 11 in to an agentic OS, as well as the introduction of AI agents to help coders build apps in the Microsoft Power Platform. Steve and Ben also touch on Paramount’s proposed hostile takeover of Warner Brothers.

Steve and Ben discuss the implications of Netflix taking over Warner Brothers Discovery, on Hollywood more broadly, and the future of cinema. Steve and Ben also discuss the newly announced Samsung Galaxy Z Trifold Phone.

Steve and Ben discuss how the quest to build more data centres to service AI is leading to a shortage of critical components such as RAM chips which is causing those RAM chip prices to skyrocket. Steve and Ben also discuss the Hubble crisis, and the Mars Rover Perseverance recording thunder sounds on Mars.

Steve and Ben discuss the concept of agentic AI tools arriving in the travel agent space, with AI being able to research, book, and pay for your trips end to end based on simple prompts, with the theory being that you will not have to worry about the hassle of all the work that normally would go in to booking your dream vacations. Steve and Ben also discuss the recently announced iPhone Pocket from Apple.

Steve and Ben discuss the apparent disappointing sales number for the iPhone Air and what it could mean for the product line, as well as the apparent cancellation of the Samsung Galaxy Edge. Steve and Ben also discuss the implications from the recent AWS outage, as well as the surprising association between the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine and helping to fight cancer.

Steve and Ben discuss OpenAI’s announcement of the Sora 2 video generator and AI actress Tilly Norwood, and their implications of their use as AI tools. Steve and Ben also discuss why installing a dual-boot macOS can be useful in certain situations.

Steve and Ben discuss the improved ergonomics of the new iPhone 17 Pro Max compared to previous iPhones, NASA’s Mars Rover Perseverance finding the best potential evidence yet of ancient life, and how aliens could eavesdrop on our radio communications via an Earth-Mars orbital alignment.

Steve and Ben discuss Apple’s announcement of the new iPhone 17 Series, including the iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Steve and Ben also celebrate their 350th episode, and recording it 11 years to the date from the first episode of SciTech Culture.