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. 11 Sept

    Episode 261: Apple’s Surprise and Shine Event, iPhone 18 Pro, Foldable iPhone Duo, and Apple Watch Ultra 4

    Episode 261: Apple’s Surprise and Shine Event, iPhone 18 Pro, Foldable iPhone Duo, and Apple Watch Ultra 4 Jay and Karl break down Apple’s big “Surprise and Shine” event. The iPhone 18 Pro arrives, Apple finally enters the foldable era with the iPhone Duo, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 push further into health tracking, and AirPods 5 bring another round of audio upgrades. It’s an Apple-heavy episode, but there is plenty to unpack. Full show notes & links:https://techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-261/ Also available on:Apple Podcasts |YouTube In This Episode Apple’s Surprise and Shine Event iPhone 18 Pro officially announcedApple’s latest flagship is here, and we dig into what has actually changed and whether there is enough to justify another upgrade.Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 unveiledApple doubles down on health tracking while pushing the Ultra further as its flagship wearable.Apple unveils AirPods 5Upgraded noise cancellation and another refinement of one of Apple’s most successful products.Apple finally unveils the foldable iPhone DuoAfter years of rumours, Apple enters the foldable phone market. The big question is whether it has waited long enough to get it right.Say hello:@WeeklyTechRant |@weeklytechrant.bs

  2. 4 Sept

    Episode 260: Steam's 12TB Leak, Xbox Cloud Gets Capped, OpenAI Dumps Cursor, and Apple's Smart Glasses Near

    Episode 260: Steam's 12TB Leak, Xbox Cloud Gets Capped, OpenAI Dumps Cursor, and Apple's Smart Glasses Near Jay and Karl dig into another week of questionable decisions and enormous numbers. A decade of Steam data totalling more than 12TB leaks online, Microsoft caps Xbox Cloud Gaming while simultaneously introducing pay-as-you-go access, and OpenAI pulls its models from Cursor following the SpaceXAI acquisition. Meanwhile, Meta faces an $18 billion settlement, Squadron 42 slips again, and Apple's first smart glasses are reportedly getting close. Full show notes & links:https://techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-260/ Also available on:Apple Podcasts |YouTube In This Episode News Meta agrees to settlement worth up to $18 billionA huge settlement brings another chapter in the fight over social media's impact on young users.OpenAI pulls its models from CursorThe SpaceXAI acquisition triggers a major change for one of the most popular AI coding tools.More than 12TB of Steam files leak onlineA decade's worth of material surfaces in an enormous leak from Valve's gaming ecosystem.Squadron 42 gets delayed againThis time GTA 6 gets some of the blame, despite Rockstar's blockbuster still not coming to PC at launch.Xbox Cloud Gaming gets a 15-hour monthly capEven Ultimate subscribers face new limits on how much cloud gaming their subscription actually buys.Xbox Cloud Gaming gets pay-as-you-go accessMicrosoft caps subscription usage while simultaneously offering another way to pay for more.Rumours Apple's first smart glasses could launch next yearApple's next major wearable category appears to be getting closer, with AI expected to sit at its heart.Say hello:@WeeklyTechRant |@weeklytechrant.bs

  3. 28 Aug

    Episode 259: Android Malware Goes Contactless, Apple Unveils M6, Macs Get an Upgrade, and the iPhone Ultra Event Is Here

    Episode 259: Android Malware Goes Contactless, Apple Unveils M6, Macs Get an Upgrade, and the iPhone Ultra Event Is Here Jay and Karl unpack a week that swings from cybercrime to major Apple hardware news. New Android malware turns infected phones into NFC relays for payment fraud, GTA 6 suffers another leak scare, and Apple cuts jobs across its Vision Pro and Siri teams. Then Apple takes over the second half of the show with a new Mac mini, an upgraded Mac Studio, the M6 chip, and confirmation of its iPhone 18 Pro and foldable iPhone Ultra event. Full show notes & links:https://techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-259/ Also available on:Apple Podcasts |YouTube In This Episode News WindRelay Android malware turns phones into NFC relaysA nasty twist on payment fraud that uses compromised phones to relay contactless transactions.GTA 6 suffers another leak scareIs it a nightmare for the biggest game of the year, or just another blip in Rockstar's long road to launch?Apple reportedly cuts more than 200 Vision Pro and Siri jobsA notable reshuffle across two of Apple's most closely watched future-facing teams.Apple announces an updated Mac miniApple's smallest desktop gets another round of hardware upgrades.Apple unveils new Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 UltraThe compact workstation gets a serious performance boost for high-end Mac users.Apple launches M6 and M5 UltraThe next generation of Apple Silicon arrives, extending the company's performance push across the Mac lineup.Apple announces its iPhone 18 Pro and foldable iPhone Ultra event"Surprise and shine" sets the stage for what could be Apple's biggest iPhone event in years.Say hello:@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

  4. 15 Aug

    Episode 258: Apple’s AI Subscription Expands, OpenAI Pauses a Risky Model, Steam Breach Exposes Customers, and the 20th Anniversary iPhone Debate

    Episode 258: Apple’s AI Subscription Expands, OpenAI Pauses a Risky Model, Steam Breach Exposes Customers, and the 20th Anniversary iPhone Debate Jay and Karl explore another busy week in tech. Apple looks set to monetise Apple Intelligence through new iCloud+ tiers, fresh reports attempt to untangle the mystery surrounding the 20th anniversary iPhone, Steam customers are caught up in a shipping data breach, and OpenAI pauses work on one of its AI models over cybersecurity concerns. Meanwhile, Meta is hit with another huge legal penalty. Full show notes & links:https://techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-258/ Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube In This Episode News Meta ordered to pay another $567 millionThe social media giant faces another enormous penalty over child safety failures.Making sense of the 20th anniversary iPhone rumoursConflicting reports leave Apple's biggest anniversary product surrounded by questions.Apple adds AI-focused iCloud+ upgrade optionApple Intelligence could soon become a premium subscription upgrade.Steam hardware shipping breach exposes customer dataNames and home addresses are among the information reportedly compromised.OpenAI pauses AI model over cybersecurity risksSafety concerns prove significant enough for development to be halted.Say hello:@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

  5. 9 Aug

    Episode 257: Xbox’s Price Shock, Apple’s Roadmap Grows Clearer, BMW’s Dashboard Ads, and AI Goes Rogue

    Episode 257: Xbox’s Price Shock, Apple’s Roadmap Grows Clearer, BMW’s Dashboard Ads, and AI Goes Rogue Jay and Karl unpack another strange week in tech. Xbox prices jump sharply across Europe, Apple drops more clues about where its product roadmap is heading, and the next Xbox may lean even harder into backwards compatibility. Meanwhile BMW discovers dashboard advertising, and Anthropic’s AI gets caught creating fake identities during an attempted cyber operation. Full show notes & links:https://techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-257/ Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube In This Episode News Microsoft raises Xbox prices by 25% to 30% in EuropeThe Series S now costs more than the Series X did at launch, which says quite a lot about where console pricing has ended up.Apple’s latest acquisition sheds light on its product roadmapAnother piece of the puzzle falls into place as Apple’s future hardware strategy becomes a little clearer.Apple drops a clue about its September iPhone event dateThe annual iPhone countdown appears to be taking shape.The next Xbox could play every Xbox game ever madeA leaked memo hints at an ambitious backwards-compatibility strategy for Project Helix.BMW starts pushing Spider-Man ads onto dashboard displaysBecause apparently buying the car was not enough to escape advertising.Anthropic AI created fake profiles and impersonated people during attempted hackAI agents move beyond automation and into some deeply uncomfortable territory.Say hello:@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

  6. 3 Aug

    Episode 256: Apple Expands AppleCare One, AI iCloud+ Teased, Xbox Moves Forward, and GlobalFoundries Gets Government Backing

    Episode 256: Apple Expands AppleCare One, AI iCloud+ Teased, Xbox Moves Forward, and GlobalFoundries Gets Government Backing Jay and Karl dive into another packed week in tech. Apple expands AppleCare One internationally and hints at a premium AI-focused iCloud+ tier, EA’s $55 billion sale edges towards completion, Xbox lays out its post-reset priorities, and the US government backs GlobalFoundries with a major silicon photonics investment. Plus, eBay finally pays the price for one of Silicon Valley’s strangest harassment scandals. Full show notes & links:https://techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-256/ Also available on:Apple Podcasts |YouTube In This Episode News Apple brings AppleCare One to more countriesApple's unified protection plan continues its global rollout. Tim Cook hints at an AI-focused iCloud+ tierA premium subscription for Apple Intelligence power users may be on the horizon.EA's $55 billion sale nears completionThe blockbuster acquisition appears set to clear its final regulatory hurdles.Xbox outlines priorities after its major resetAsha Sharma shares Microsoft's long-term ambition to dramatically expand Xbox's reach.eBay pays $46M over harassment campaignThe bizarre corporate stalking scandal finally reaches an expensive conclusion.US backs GlobalFoundries with $300M silicon photonics dealWashington deepens its investment in next-generation semiconductor technology.Say hello:@WeeklyTechRant |@weeklytechrant.bs

  7. 28 Jul

    Episode 255: Ghost Recon Returns, Britain Bets £708 Million on Tempest, Digital ID Cards Scrapped, and the MacBook Ultra Nears

    Episode 255: Ghost Recon Returns, Britain Bets £708 Million on Tempest, Digital ID Cards Scrapped, and the MacBook Ultra Nears Jay and Karl cover another diverse week across gaming, defence, privacy, and Apple rumours. Ubisoft finally confirms that Ghost Recon will return this August, the UK Government abandons plans for digital ID cards following public opposition, and Britain commits another £708 million to the Tempest next-generation fighter programme. We also look at LG's decision to remove McAfee advertising from its monitors after pressure from Microsoft, before turning to Apple's rumoured hardware roadmap with reports of a redesigned iPad mini and an all-new MacBook Ultra. Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube In This Episode News Ubisoft promises Ghost Recon news in AugustUbisoft confirms the Ghost Recon franchise will return to the spotlight next month. UK government scraps plans for digital ID cards after millions opposedPlans for a nationwide digital identity scheme have been abandoned following widespread public concern. UK pumps £708 million into its future fighter jetThe UK continues investing heavily in the Tempest programme as development of its next-generation combat aircraft gathers pace. LG promises to stop McAfee spam ads following pressure from MicrosoftLG agrees to remove intrusive McAfee advertisements from its smart monitors. Rumours New iPad mini coming soon with these major changesApple's smallest tablet could be preparing for a significant refresh. 'MacBook Ultra' Coming Soon With These 12 New FeaturesA new report claims Apple's highest-end MacBook could launch with a host of premium features. Say hello:@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

  8. 17 Jul

    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

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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
    265
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 566362
  • Show Website
    The Weekly Tech Rant