The Weekly Tech Rant

Jay + Karl

Two guys, one podcast and a whole load of the latest technology news, games and gadget reviews, film insights and the occasional rant! Join us as we review the main tech talking points of the week!

  1. 1 day ago

    Episode 254: Microsoft Cuts 4,800 Jobs, Meta Faces a $1.4 Trillion Lawsuit, Apple Loses in Europe, and the iPhone Ultra Nears

    Episode 254: Microsoft Cuts 4,800 Jobs, Meta Faces a $1.4 Trillion Lawsuit, Apple Loses in Europe, and the iPhone Ultra Nears Jay and Karl discuss another turbulent week across big tech, AI, gaming, and consumer hardware. Microsoft announces another round of layoffs that hits Xbox particularly hard, Meta finds itself fighting legal battles on multiple fronts, and Apple loses an important appeal over the App Store in Europe. We also look at Meta's continued investment in mixed reality hardware, fresh evidence that Nvidia's long-rumoured RTX 50 Super cards may finally be on the way, and the latest reports suggesting Apple's iPhone Ultra could launch in extremely limited numbers. Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube In This Episode News Microsoft cuts 4,800 jobs and shrinks Xbox in 'significant restructure'Microsoft announces another major restructuring, with significant impacts across Xbox and other divisions. Meta is facing $1.4 trillion in state lawsuits over social media addictionUS states continue legal action against Meta over the impact of its platforms on younger users. Disable autoplay and infinite scroll or risk massive fines, EU tells MetaEuropean regulators increase pressure on Meta to redesign key engagement features. Apple loses legal fight over its App Store 'gatekeeper' status in EuropeApple's appeal fails, meaning it remains subject to the EU's Digital Markets Act requirements. Meta reaffirms work on multiple next-generation headsetsMeta confirms several future VR and mixed reality devices remain in active development. RTX 5080 Super, RTX 5070 Ti Super and RTX 5070 Super appear in PSU calculatorNew evidence suggests Nvidia's refreshed RTX 50 Series GPUs could arrive sooner than expected. Rumours Report: iPhone Ultra to have incredibly limited availability at launch, may ship slightly laterApple's premium iPhone Ultra could be difficult to buy at launch if the latest reports prove accurate. Say hello:@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

  2. 8 Jul

    Episode 253: Sony Kills Physical Games, Gabe Newell Explains Piracy, Rocket Lab Takes on Starlink, and Apple’s Email Privacy Questioned

    Episode 253: Sony Kills Physical Games, Gabe Newell Explains Piracy, Rocket Lab Takes on Starlink, and Apple’s Email Privacy Questioned Jay and Karl explore a fascinating mix of gaming, space, privacy, and PC hardware. Rocket Lab makes a bold move against Starlink with its acquisition of Iridium, Gabe Newell's famous comments on piracy are more relevant than ever as Sony moves away from physical PlayStation games, and fresh questions emerge over Apple's Hide My Email service. We also discuss Russia's latest threat against Apple, and Intel's next-generation Nova Lake processors appear set to push desktop power consumption to new heights. Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube In This Episode News Rocket Lab buys satellite company Iridium to go up against Starlink and Amazon's LEO networksRocket Lab makes a major acquisition as competition in low Earth orbit intensifies. Gabe Newell: "Piracy is not a pricing issue. It's a service issue"Valve's co-founder explains why convenience beats enforcement. Sony is killing all physical PlayStation game discsSony continues its move towards an all-digital future. Apple's Hide My Email may not be hiding anythingResearchers raise questions about the effectiveness of Apple's privacy feature. Russia threatens Apple with a $52 million fine over alleged app discriminationApple faces further international regulatory pressure. Intel's mega-core Nova Lake processors could consume dramatically more powerNext-generation desktop CPUs may require significantly larger power budgets. Say hello:@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

  3. 1 Jul

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

    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. Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube In This Episode News Valve just imported 13 tons of VR headsets in one dayNew 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 modelsValve returns to the living room PC market with a premium SteamOS gaming machine. GTA VI finally gets a price tagRockstar’s next Grand Theft Auto finally has a price attached. Teardown finds that the Trump Phone is practically the same as an HTC handsetA 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 USA major acquisition could reshape the US streaming and connected TV market. SpaceX purchases Cursor, a Claude Code and OpenAI Codex competitorSpaceX makes an unexpected move into AI coding tools. Anthropic hit with lawsuit over its Claude Max usage limitsAnthropic faces legal pressure over how Claude Max usage limits are presented. Italy is probing Apple over iCloud services like iPhone backupsItalian regulators investigate Apple’s iCloud services and backup options. Say hello:@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

  4. 16 Jun

    Episode 251: WWDC 2026, OpenAI’s Government Courtship, Forza’s Success, and Apple’s Foldable Future

    Episode 251: WWDC 2026, OpenAI’s Government Courtship, Forza’s Success, and Apple’s Foldable Future Jay and Karl unpack a packed week across gaming, AI, and Apple’s WWDC announcements. Forza Horizon 6 appears to be a major hit before its PS5 release, Crazy Taxi is heading back to the streets, and Gears of War: E-Day reportedly remains off Sony’s console. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is reportedly exploring a stake in OpenAI, raising big questions about government involvement in frontier AI. Then it’s over to WWDC 2026, where Apple reveals iOS 27, a new Siri AI experience, iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, and more. Plus, the iOS 27 beta may have leaked references to Apple’s foldable iPhone. Full show notes & links: https://techrant.online/ Also available on: Apple Podcasts | YouTube In This Episode News Forza Horizon 6 has reportedly sold 6.4 million copies The latest Forza appears to be performing strongly before its PS5 version has even arrived. Crazy Taxi World Tour reboots the series in 2027 Sega’s chaotic arcade driving series is preparing for a modern return. Gears of War: E-Day isn’t coming to the PS5 Microsoft’s major prequel appears to remain firmly tied to Xbox and PC. The Trump administration is reportedly in talks about taking a stake in OpenAI A potential government stake in OpenAI raises major questions about AI, power, and public influence. WWDC 2026 Apple unveils new Siri AI, dedicated app, and enhanced Apple Intelligence features in iOS 27 Apple’s long-awaited Siri overhaul takes centre stage at WWDC. iOS 27’s most powerful on-device AI requires iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air Apple’s newest AI features may depend on its latest hardware. iCloud+ subscribers will get new benefits in iOS 27 Apple adds more value to its paid iCloud plans. Apple officially announces iOS 27 The next major iPhone update brings new AI, interface, and system features. Apple unveils iPadOS 27 iPadOS gets speed, productivity, and platform improvements. watchOS 27 for Apple Watch unveiled Apple’s wearable platform receives its next annual update. Apple announces macOS Golden Gate 27 The Mac receives its next named software release. Apple is redesigning Screen Time and overhauling child controls Apple updates parental controls and child account protections. Rumours Apple leaks foldable iPhone references in iOS 27 beta References inside the beta suggest Apple’s foldable iPhone may be moving closer. Say hello: @WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

  5. 12 Jun

    Episode 250: Anthropic Heads for Wall Street, Nvidia’s RTX Spark Arrives, AM5 Lives On, and Apple’s Ultra Future Takes Shape

    Episode 250: Anthropic Heads for Wall Street, Nvidia’s RTX Spark Arrives, AM5 Lives On, and Apple’s Ultra Future Takes Shape Jay and Karl unpack another busy week across AI, PC hardware, and Apple's future product roadmap. Anthropic appears to be preparing for life as a public company, Nvidia enters the Windows-on-Arm market with its new RTX Spark platform, and AMD commits to supporting AM5 through at least 2029. Meanwhile, reports suggest Apple Music could be heading towards new subscription tiers, while fresh rumours continue to build around both an iPhone Ultra and a MacBook Ultra. Full show notes & links:https://techrant.online/ Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube In This Episode News Apple Music could soon get different subscription tiersReports suggest Apple is exploring additional subscription options for Apple Music users. Anthropic is set to go public after filing paperwork with the SECAnthropic takes its first formal steps towards an IPO. Nvidia RTX Spark comes to Windows PCs with Arm CPU, RTX GPU, and unified memoryNvidia enters the Windows-on-Arm market with a new high-performance platform. AMD extends Socket AM5 support through at least 2029; AM4 refuses to dieAMD continues its long-term platform support strategy while AM4 remains surprisingly relevant. Rumours Leaker reveals new iPhone Ultra feature, release timing updateFresh details emerge about Apple's potential flagship Ultra smartphone. New MacBook Ultra report covers release timing, display, moreReports suggest Apple may be preparing a new tier above the MacBook Pro. Say hello:@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

  6. 8 Jun

    Episode 253: Sony Kills Physical Games, Gabe Newell Explains Piracy, Rocket Lab Takes on Starlink, and Apple’s Email Privacy Questioned

    Episode 253: Sony Kills Physical Games, Gabe Newell Explains Piracy, Rocket Lab Takes on Starlink, and Apple’s Email Privacy Questioned Jay and Karl explore a fascinating mix of gaming, space, privacy, and PC hardware. Rocket Lab makes a bold move against Starlink with its acquisition of Iridium, Gabe Newell's famous comments on piracy are more relevant than ever as Sony moves away from physical PlayStation games, and fresh questions emerge over Apple's Hide My Email service. We also discuss Russia's latest threat against Apple, and Intel's next-generation Nova Lake processors appear set to push desktop power consumption to new heights. Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube In This Episode News Rocket Lab buys satellite company Iridium to go up against Starlink and Amazon's LEO networksRocket Lab makes a major acquisition as competition in low Earth orbit intensifies. Gabe Newell: "Piracy is not a pricing issue. It's a service issue"Valve's co-founder explains why convenience beats enforcement. Sony is killing all physical PlayStation game discsSony continues its move towards an all-digital future. Apple's Hide My Email may not be hiding anythingResearchers raise questions about the effectiveness of Apple's privacy feature. Russia threatens Apple with a $52 million fine over alleged app discriminationApple faces further international regulatory pressure. Intel's mega-core Nova Lake processors could consume dramatically more powerNext-generation desktop CPUs may require significantly larger power budgets. Say hello:@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

  7. 8 Jun

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

    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 dayNew 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 modelsValve returns to the living room PC market with a premium SteamOS gaming machine. GTA VI finally gets a price tagRockstar’s next Grand Theft Auto finally has a price attached. Teardown finds that the Trump Phone is practically the same as an HTC handsetA 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 USA major acquisition could reshape the US streaming and connected TV market. SpaceX purchases Cursor, a Claude Code and OpenAI Codex competitorSpaceX makes an unexpected move into AI coding tools. Anthropic hit with lawsuit over its Claude Max usage limitsAnthropic faces legal pressure over how Claude Max usage limits are presented. Italy is probing Apple over iCloud services like iPhone backupsItalian regulators investigate Apple’s iCloud services and backup options. Say hello:@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

  8. 30 May

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

    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 layoffsAn unusual retention strategy follows a 22 percent workforce reduction.Nvidia plans $150B annual investment in TaiwanJensen Huang describes Taiwan as the epicentre of the AI revolution.Valve raises Steam Deck pricesThe handheld becomes significantly more expensive as pricing pressure grows.iOS 27 leak reveals redesigned Siri and Camera appApple’s next software release may already be showing its hand.Xbox warns of difficult decisions aheadQuestions grow around Helix, Xbox studios, and the future of exclusives.Say hello:@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Two guys, one podcast and a whole load of the latest technology news, games and gadget reviews, film insights and the occasional rant! Join us as we review the main tech talking points of the week!

Information

  • Creator
    Jay + Karl
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    258
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 566362
  • Show Website
    The Weekly Tech Rant