The Weekly Tech Rant

Episode 252: Steam Machine Finally Arrives, GTA VI Gets a Price, SpaceX Buys Cursor, and Apple Faces Another iCloud Probe

Jay and Karl dive into one of the busiest weeks in gaming, streaming, AI, and consumer technology. Valve appears to be gearing up for new VR hardware while finally bringing Steam Machine back to life, Rockstar puts a price on Grand Theft Auto VI, and a teardown of the Trump Phone raises questions about its origins.

Elsewhere, Fox makes a huge move into streaming with its acquisition of Roku, SpaceX expands into AI developer tools with the reported purchase of Cursor, Anthropic faces legal scrutiny over Claude Max, and Apple finds itself under investigation in Italy over iCloud services.

Full show notes & links:
https://techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-253/

Also available on:
Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

Valve just imported 13 tons of VR headsets in one day
New shipping records suggest Valve could be preparing for a major VR hardware launch.

Steam Machine is here, starts at $1,049 with 512 GB and 2 TB models
Valve returns to the living room PC market with a premium SteamOS gaming machine.

GTA VI finally gets a price tag
Rockstar’s next Grand Theft Auto finally has a price attached.

Teardown finds that the Trump Phone is practically the same as an HTC handset
A hardware teardown suggests the device may be closer to a rebadged handset than a new design.

Fox is buying Roku for $22B to become the third-largest TV player in the US
A major acquisition could reshape the US streaming and connected TV market.

SpaceX purchases Cursor, a Claude Code and OpenAI Codex competitor
SpaceX makes an unexpected move into AI coding tools.

Anthropic hit with lawsuit over its Claude Max usage limits
Anthropic faces legal pressure over how Claude Max usage limits are presented.

Italy is probing Apple over iCloud services like iPhone backups
Italian regulators investigate Apple’s iCloud services and backup options.

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@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 249: Steam Deck Gets Pricier, Xbox Faces Hard Decisions, Nvidia Goes All-In on AI, and iOS 27 Leaks Early

Jay and Karl unpack another turbulent week in tech. Valve pushes Steam Deck pricing sharply upward, Nvidia doubles down on Taiwan and AI investment, and early iOS 27 leaks give us a glimpse of Apple’s next software direction. Meanwhile Xbox leadership warns of difficult choices ahead, and ClickUp attempts an unusual post-layoff morale strategy.

Full show notes & links:
https://techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-249/

Also available on:
Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• ClickUp promises seven-figure salaries after layoffs
  An unusual retention strategy follows a 22 percent workforce reduction.
• Nvidia plans $150B annual investment in Taiwan
  Jensen Huang describes Taiwan as the epicentre of the AI revolution.
• Valve raises Steam Deck prices
  The handheld becomes significantly more expensive as pricing pressure grows.
• iOS 27 leak reveals redesigned Siri and Camera app
  Apple’s next software release may already be showing its hand.
• Xbox warns of difficult decisions ahead
  Questions grow around Helix, Xbox studios, and the future of exclusives.

Say hello:
@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 248: WWDC26 Is Coming, Fortnite Returns, Musk Loses in Court, and the iPad Fold Rumour Grows

Jay and Karl unpack another busy week in tech. Apple sends out WWDC26 invites ahead of iOS 27, Fortnite returns to the App Store worldwide, and Elon Musk comes out on the losing side of the OpenAI court case. There is also disappointment for GTA 6 hopefuls, worrying GPU price rumours from Nvidia, and Plex testing the limits of subscription pricing.

Full show notes & links:
https://techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-248/

Also available on:
Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• Apple sends WWDC26 keynote invitesThe countdown begins as Apple prepares to unveil iOS 27 and its next software wave.
• GTA 6 preorder leak falls flatThe Best Buy rumour fails to materialise, leaving hopeful fans disappointed again.
• RTX 5090 price hike rumours emergeNvidia may be preparing to make an already painful GPU market even worse.
• Fortnite returns to the App Store worldwideEpic claims victory as the long-running dispute takes another turn.
• Elon Musk loses OpenAI court case
  The jury rules against Musk in one of the AI industry's highest-profile legal battles.
• Plex raises Lifetime Pass to $750A pricing jump that has Plex users wondering just how “lifetime” should be priced.

Rumours

• iPhone Ultra may pave the way for an iPad FoldApple’s premium handset could become the stepping stone toward foldable tablets.

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@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 247: eBay Rejects GameStop, Apple Returns to Intel, Steam Machine Versions Appear, and GTA 6 Preorder Leaks

Jay and Karl unpack the fallout from GameStop’s attempted eBay takeover, fresh reports that Apple may return to Intel-made chips in part of its roadmap, and growing signs that Valve is preparing multiple Steam Machine models. There is also a bizarre Forza Horizon 6 leak situation, Google’s new Fitbit Air wearable, and the latest GTA 6 preorder rumours.

Full show notes & links:
https://techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-247/

Also available on:
Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• eBay rejects GameStop’s acquisition offerThe company dismisses the bid as “neither credible nor attractive”.
• Apple reportedly reaches new Intel chip agreementA surprising development that could reshape part of Apple’s future hardware plans.
• Meta fights Ofcom over user numbersA dispute over “billions” turns into another strange regulatory showdown.
• Forza Horizon 6 leaks earlyThe response involves bans lasting just under 8,000 years.
• Steam update hints at four Steam Machine modelsValve may be preparing a broader hardware launch than expected.
• Googlebooks evolve the Chromebook conceptGoogle appears ready to rethink lightweight computing once again.
• Google launches Fitbit AirA screenless fitness tracker focused on simplicity and battery life.

Rumours

• Xbox Elite 3 controller leak appears onlineNew buttons and revised hardware features emerge in leaked images.
• GTA 6 preorder rumours returnThe internet prepares itself for another round of Rockstar chaos.

Say hello:
@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 246: GameStop Tries to Buy eBay, Steam Controller Chaos Crashes Steam, GTA 6 Snubs PC Players, and Apple Pays for Siri’s AI Delays

Jay and Karl cover one of the strangest weeks in gaming and tech in quite some time. GameStop launches a staggering $56 billion bid for eBay, the Steam Controller relaunch crashes Steam almost instantly, and Take-Two openly says PC players are not GTA 6’s “core” audience. Apple also agrees to pay $250 million over delayed Siri AI features, while Google buys into the creators of EVE Online to help train its AI models.

Full show notes & links:
https://techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-246/

Also available on:
Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• GameStop confirms $56B bid to acquire eBayA wildly ambitious takeover proposal that would reshape both companies overnight.
• Steam Controller relaunch crashes SteamValve’s revived controller sold out almost instantly and took chunks of Steam down with it.

• Take-Two says PC players are not GTA 6’s “core” audience
  An honest answer that will not make PC players particularly happy.

• Apple to pay $250M over delayed Siri AI featuresThe fallout from Apple’s AI struggles is now becoming expensive.
• Google buys stake in EVE Online developerThe company wants to use the game’s famously complex economy to help train AI models.

Say hello:
@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 245: Steam Controller Is Back, OpenAI Breaks Free, Agentic Phones Rise, and Apple Kills the Bezel

Jay and Karl dive into a week where old hardware returns and new paradigms emerge. Valve brings back the Steam Controller, OpenAI moves away from Microsoft exclusivity, and the idea of “agentic” smartphones starts to take shape. There’s also a potential $60B SpaceX deal in the background, and rumours that Apple may finally ditch the bezel for its anniversary iPhone.

Full show notes & links:
https://techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-245/

Also available on:
Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• Steam Controller returns with price and release date confirmedValve revives its experimental controller, even as the Steam Machine remains stuck in pricing limbo.
• SpaceX lines up potential $60B Cursor acquisition
  A massive deal that would push SpaceX deeper into the AI tooling space.
• OpenAI reportedly building an AI-first smartphone
  A device designed around agents rather than apps could redefine the mobile experience.
• Qualcomm teases ‘agentic’ smartphones and dedicated CPUs
  Chipmakers are already preparing for a world where AI agents drive the user experience.
• OpenAI ends Microsoft exclusivityThe partnership shifts tone as OpenAI signals a more independent future.

Rumours

• 20th anniversary iPhone may ditch bezelsApple could be preparing a major design leap for its milestone device.

Say hello:
@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 244: Tim Cook Steps Down, Amazon’s $25B Anthropic Bet, Xbox Game Pass Reshuffle, and Framework Takes on the MacBook Pro

Jay and Karl unpack a huge week in tech. Tim Cook is set to step down as Apple CEO, with John Ternus confirmed as successor. Amazon deepens its Anthropic partnership with a deal worth up to $25 billion, Xbox reshapes Game Pass again, and Framework unveils what many are calling a MacBook Pro for Linux users. There is also fresh detail on Microsoft’s Helix gaming chip.

Full show notes & links:
https://techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-244/

Also available on:
Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• Tim Cook stepping down, John Ternus named next Apple CEO - One of the biggest leadership transitions in modern tech is now underway.
• Amazon to invest up to $25 billion in Anthropic - A massive AI partnership that strengthens Amazon’s position in the race for frontier models.
• Xbox reshuffles Game Pass pricing and day-one releases - Prices fall, but blockbuster launches lose a major subscriber perk.
• Microsoft’s Helix chip tied to next-gen Asus and MSI consoles - The next Xbox wave may be broader than expected, but not open to DIY builders.
• Framework unveils its MacBook Pro for Linux users - Repairable hardware meets premium laptop ambition.

Say hello:
@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 243: Xbox Game Pass Backlash, Trump Phone Returns, Europe’s Age ID App Lands, and Nvidia Eyes a PC Giant

Jay and Karl cover a week where platforms, policy, and rumours collide. Xbox Game Pass faces internal criticism over pricing, the Trump Phone returns with a redesign, and Europe rolls out its age verification app. There’s also a look at Anthropic’s Project Glasswing, plus rumours around the next MacBook Neo, new iPhone satellite features, and Nvidia potentially making a huge move into the PC market.

Full show notes & links:
https://techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-243/

Also available on:
Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• Project Glasswing – Mythos previewAnthropic teases a new concept that hints at where AI systems could be heading next.
• Xbox Game Pass backlash over pricingA leaked memo suggests even Microsoft leadership thinks the service may have gone too far.
• The new Trump Phone design is hereA redesign lands, but questions remain over what it actually offers.
• Europe’s online age verification app launchesA major step toward enforcing digital identity checks across the web.

Rumours

• Next MacBook Neo upgrade teasedEarly signs point to a surprisingly meaningful improvement in Apple’s entry lineup.
• New iPhone satellite features rumouredApple may be expanding its off-grid capabilities in a big way.
• Nvidia may acquire a major PC companyA potential deal that could reshape the PC landscape if it materialises.

Say hello:
@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 242: Apple Kills the Mac Pro, WWDC 2026 Announced, CPU Shortages Worsen, and Microsoft vs OpenAI Tensions Rise

Jay and Karl cover a packed week across big tech, chips, and gaming. Apple locks in WWDC 2026 and quietly kills the Mac Pro, CPU shortages continue to worsen, and Microsoft’s relationship with OpenAI looks increasingly strained. Add a US router ban, Musk’s Terafab ambitions, and layoffs at Epic, and it’s another chaotic week in tech.

Full show notes & links:
https://techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-242/

Also available on:
Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• Apple confirms WWDC 2026 starting June 8
  The next major software cycle is locked in, with AI expected to dominate the agenda.
• Apple discontinues the Mac Pro
  No replacement planned, marking the end of an era for Apple’s most powerful desktop.
• US bans consumer routers made outside the country
  A major policy shift with wide implications for networking hardware and supply chains.
• Elon Musk announces Terafab chip project
  A bold claim to build the largest chip manufacturing facility ever.
• Microsoft reportedly considers suing OpenAI
  Tensions rise after Amazon’s massive deal challenges their exclusive partnership.
• Forza Horizon 6 system requirements revealed
  Good news for older PCs and handhelds as the barrier to entry stays relatively low.
• CPU shortage worsening rapidly
  Supply pressures continue to intensify, now matching the severity of memory shortages.
• Epic Games lays off 1,000 employees
  Signs that Fortnite’s dominance may finally be softening.

Rumours

• iPhone with quad-curved display in development
  A new design direction could reshape Apple’s hardware aesthetic once again.

Say hello:
@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 241: Apple Updates AirPods Max, Nvidia Upsets Gamers, OpenAI Leaks Something Awkward, and WorldCoin Wants Your Eyes Again

Jay and Karl unpack another week of strange, messy, and slightly dystopian tech news. Apple refreshes AirPods Max, Nvidia annoys gamers with DLSS 5, OpenAI appears to have let something awkward slip, and WorldCoin returns with yet another pitch involving your eyeballs. There is also intrusive TV advertising, fresh Nvidia security talk, and a new Meta headset rumour to round things out.

Full show notes & links:
https://techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-241/

Also available on:
Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• Apple unveils AirPods Max 2 with H2 chip, upgraded noise cancelling, and more A premium refresh that finally gives Apple’s over-ear headphones the internals many expected years ago.
• Gamers react with overwhelming disgust to DLSS 5’s generative AI glow-ups Nvidia’s next AI push lands badly with players who would quite like their games to stop inventing things.
• Nvidia’s version of OpenClaw could solve its biggest problem: security A more controlled AI agent framework may help Nvidia tackle one of the biggest risks in autonomous tooling.
• OpenAI's hardware device just leaked, and you will cringe A reveal nobody asked for, and not exactly the kind of product leak that inspires confidence.
• Hisense TVs force owners to watch intrusive ads when switching inputs, visiting the home screen, or even changing channels The smart TV experience somehow finds a way to get worse.
• WorldCoin's newest pitch: scan your eyeballs to prove AI agents really represent you Because apparently the answer to the AI identity problem is still more biometrics.

Rumours

• Meta's next headset will reportedly have 2.5K Micro-OLED displays A sharper, brighter display upgrade could be the clearest sign yet that Meta still wants to chase premium XR.

Say hello:
@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs