Episode 253: Sony Kills Physical Games, Gabe Newell Explains Piracy, Rocket Lab Takes on Starlink, and Apple’s Email Privacy QuestionedJay 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 | YouTubeIn This EpisodeNewsRocket 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

Episode 252: Steam Machine Finally Arrives, GTA VI Gets a Price, SpaceX Buys Cursor, and Apple Faces Another iCloud ProbeJay 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 | YouTubeIn This EpisodeNewsValve 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

Episode 251: WWDC 2026, OpenAI’s Government Courtship, Forza’s Success, and Apple’s Foldable FutureJay 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 | YouTubeIn This EpisodeNewsForza Horizon 6 has reportedly sold 6.4 million copiesThe latest Forza appears to be performing strongly before its PS5 version has even arrived.Crazy Taxi World Tour reboots the series in 2027Sega’s chaotic arcade driving series is preparing for a modern return.Gears of War: E-Day isn’t coming to the PS5Microsoft’s major prequel appears to remain firmly tied to Xbox and PC.The Trump administration is reportedly in talks about taking a stake in OpenAIA potential government stake in OpenAI raises major questions about AI, power, and public influence.WWDC 2026Apple unveils new Siri AI, dedicated app, and enhanced Apple Intelligence features in iOS 27Apple’s long-awaited Siri overhaul takes centre stage at WWDC.iOS 27’s most powerful on-device AI requires iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone AirApple’s newest AI features may depend on its latest hardware.iCloud+ subscribers will get new benefits in iOS 27Apple adds more value to its paid iCloud plans.Apple officially announces iOS 27The next major iPhone update brings new AI, interface, and system features.Apple unveils iPadOS 27iPadOS gets speed, productivity, and platform improvements.watchOS 27 for Apple Watch unveiledApple’s wearable platform receives its next annual update.Apple announces macOS Golden Gate 27The Mac receives its next named software release.Apple is redesigning Screen Time and overhauling child controlsApple updates parental controls and child account protections.RumoursApple leaks foldable iPhone references in iOS 27 betaReferences inside the beta suggest Apple’s foldable iPhone may be moving closer.Say hello:@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 250: Anthropic Heads for Wall Street, Nvidia’s RTX Spark Arrives, AM5 Lives On, and Apple’s Ultra Future Takes ShapeJay 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 | YouTubeIn This EpisodeNewsApple 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.RumoursLeaker 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

Episode 253: Sony Kills Physical Games, Gabe Newell Explains Piracy, Rocket Lab Takes on Starlink, and Apple’s Email Privacy QuestionedJay 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 | YouTubeIn This EpisodeNewsRocket 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

Episode 252: Steam Machine Finally Arrives, GTA VI Gets a Price, SpaceX Buys Cursor, and Apple Faces Another iCloud ProbeJay 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 | YouTubeIn This EpisodeNewsValve 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

Episode 249: Steam Deck Gets Pricier, Xbox Faces Hard Decisions, Nvidia Goes All-In on AI, and iOS 27 Leaks EarlyJay 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 | YouTubeIn This EpisodeNewsClickUp 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

Episode 248: WWDC26 Is Coming, Fortnite Returns, Musk Loses in Court, and the iPad Fold Rumour GrowsJay 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 | YouTubeIn This EpisodeNewsApple 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 caseThe 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.RumoursiPhone Ultra may pave the way for an iPad FoldApple’s premium handset could become the stepping stone toward foldable tablets.Say hello:@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 247: eBay Rejects GameStop, Apple Returns to Intel, Steam Machine Versions Appear, and GTA 6 Preorder LeaksJay 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 | YouTubeIn This EpisodeNewseBay 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.RumoursXbox 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 DelaysJay 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 | YouTubeIn This EpisodeNewsGameStop 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” audienceAn 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