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This week, Apple seemingly ignores a court order, Steam has a pointless hack, Meta is defending its acquisitions, and streaming is going all-in on AI ads.

Participants

Scott Ertz

Host

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram Piltch

Host

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

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Apple's App Store Changes and Epic Games' Continued Fortnite Struggle

Apple has been forced to make significant changes to its App Store policies following legal battles and regulatory pressure. These adjustments have sparked new opportunities for developers while also leading to ongoing disputes, most notably, Epic Games' unsuccessful attempt to bring Fortnite back to iOS. With Apple continuing to resist broader reforms, the future of app distribution on iOS remains uncertain.

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Valve Responds to Alleged Steam User Hack: What Really Happened?

In recent days, reports surfaced claiming that Valve's Steam platform had suffered a major data breach, allegedly compromising over 89 million user accounts. The accusations quickly spread across gaming communities, raising concerns about the security of Steam users' personal information. However, Valve has since denied these claims, stating that no meaningful breach of Steam systems occurred. So, what really happened? Let's break down the allegations, Valve's response, and what this means for users moving forward.

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US Antitrust Battle: Meta Defends Its Social Media Dominance

The ongoing antitrust case against Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has become one of the most significant legal battles in the tech industry. The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has accused Meta of maintaining an unlawful monopoly in the social media market, particularly through its acquisitions of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014. The case, which began in April 2025, has drawn widespread attention as regulators seek to determine whether Meta's dominance stifles competition and harms consumers.

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AI Advertising Revolution: YouTube and Netflix Embrace AI-Powered Ads

Artificial intelligence is transforming the digital advertising landscape, with streaming giants YouTube and Netflix embracing AI-driven ad placements to enhance engagement and optimize revenue. AI-powered advertising allows these platforms to strategically deliver highly personalized, interactive ads that blend into user experiences without feeling disruptive.

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This week, we delve into the Windows 11 Recall feature, gaming price trends, internet cable vulnerabilities, and the legal levy on streaming services.

Participants

Scott Ertz

Host

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram Piltch

Host

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

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The Return of the Recall Feature to Windows 11: What You Need to Know

After nearly a year of anticipation, Microsoft has reintroduced the Recall feature to Windows 11, a tool designed to enhance productivity by allowing users to retrace their digital steps. However, its journey back to the operating system has been anything but smooth. Here's a closer look at the delays, the reasons behind them, and the concerns that have surrounded this controversial feature.

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Videogame Prices Have Remained Steady But That Might Change Soon

Videogames have been a cornerstone of entertainment for decades, delivering immersive experiences, stunning visuals, and memorable stories. Despite these advancements, one aspect of gaming that has remained surprisingly consistent is its pricing. Standard game prices have hovered around $60 for years - an anomaly considering inflation and rising costs across other industries. However, recent speculation suggests a pending price shift in the gaming landscape.

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Hidden Vulnerabilities of Undersea Internet Cables: A Growing Concern

In the digital age, undersea internet cables form the backbone of global connectivity, transmitting nearly 95% of international data. These cables, stretching over 870,000 miles across the ocean floor, are indispensable for Internet communication, financial transactions, and real-time diplomatic exchanges. However, recent incidents have highlighted their vulnerabilities, raising concerns about the security and resilience of this critical infrastructure.

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The Impact of the UK's Proposed Levy on Video Streaming Services

The video streaming industry has revolutionized how we consume entertainment, offering unparalleled convenience and a vast array of content. However, a recent report from the United Kingdom's Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee has sparked discussions about the future of this industry. The report recommends a 5% levy on the UK subscriber revenue of streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Apple TV+. This levy aims to support British television production and ensure the sustainability of culturally significant content. But what does this mean for the pricing of video streaming services?

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This week, DoorDash offers Buy Now Pay Later, Xbox leaks a new UI feature, Google sues scammers, and a new AI copyright ruling is shaping the tech landscape.

Participants

Scott Ertz

Host

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram Piltch

Host

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

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DoorDash's "Buy Now, Pay Later" Option: A Convenience or a Conundrum?

In a move that has sparked both curiosity and criticism, DoorDash has partnered with Klarna to offer customers the option to pay for their food orders in installments. While this "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) feature may seem like a convenient solution for cash-strapped consumers, it raises significant questions about financial responsibility, societal priorities, and the broader implications for the economy.

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Microsoft's Accidental Xbox UI Leak Sparks Excitement Among Gamers

In a surprising turn of events, Microsoft published a blog post which inadvertently revealed a new Xbox user interface (UI) update that could completely change the gaming experience across platforms. The accidental publishing of this UI mockup, which was quickly removed, showcased a filter tab for Steam games, hinting at potential integration with this and possibly other game stores like Epic Games. This development has sparked widespread speculation and excitement among gamers, as it aligns with Microsoft's ongoing efforts to create a unified gaming ecosystem.

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Google Sues Scammers Exploiting Maps with Fake Business Listings

Google has launched a lawsuit against a group of scammers who manipulated Google Maps by creating or hijacking thousands of fake business listings. This bold move underscores the tech giant's commitment to protecting users from fraud and safeguarding its platform as a reliable tool for finding businesses. The lawsuit, which identifies a Maryland man as the main orchestrator, sheds light on the alarming scale and tactics of this elaborate scam.

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AI and Copyright Law: Why Machine-Generated Content Can't Be Protected

In a groundbreaking decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that works generated solely by artificial intelligence (AI) cannot be copyrighted. This unanimous decision, penned by Judge Patricia Millett, has upheld the position of the Copyright Office. This position sent ripples through the creative and tech industries, redefining the boundaries of copyright law in the age of AI.

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This week, Sonos halts streaming box plans, AI search tools face inaccuracies, Niantic sells to Scopely, and Siri, Gemini and Alexa+ upgrades!

Participants

Scott Ertz

Host

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram Piltch

Host

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

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Alexa+: The future of the smart assistant is coming soon for most

Amazon is set to revolutionize the world of virtual assistants with the launch of Alexa+, the next-generation AI-powered assistant. Packed with cutting-edge features and designed to integrate seamlessly into daily life, Alexa+ promises to be smarter, more conversational, and more capable than ever before. Here's everything you need to know about this exciting new platform, including its features, availability, pricing, and release timeline.

Google plans for Gemini to take over for Assistant across all products

In a significant shift within the realm of digital assistance, Google is set to retire its long-standing Google Assistant by the end of 2025, making way for a more advanced AI, Gemini. This transition marks the end of an era for Google Assistant, which has been a reliable companion for millions of users worldwide. As we bid farewell to this familiar voice, we welcome Gemini, a new AI powerhouse designed to revolutionize our interactions with technology. With enhanced capabilities and personalized features, Gemini promises to deliver a more intuitive and efficient user experience, setting the stage for the future of AI assistance. But, those new features come with some significant drawbacks.

Growing concerns over Siri's AI-powered upgrade and its delay

Apple's Siri has been a staple in the world of digital assistants, but recent developments have sparked growing concerns among users and industry experts alike. The much-anticipated AI-powered upgrade for Siri, initially promised for early 2025, has been delayed, leaving many wondering about the future of Apple's virtual assistant.

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Niantic's sale to Scopely: A fearful new chapter for mobile gaming

The gaming world was recently shaken by the announcement of Niantic's $3.5 billion sale of its gaming division to Scopely. Known for its groundbreaking augmented reality (AR) games like Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now, Niantic's decision to part with its gaming portfolio marks a significant shift in the mobile gaming landscape. While the acquisition promises exciting opportunities for the future of these beloved titles, it has also sparked concerns among players, particularly regarding the potential for expanded microtransactions. Here's a closer look at what this deal means for the future of Niantic's games, the fears it has ignited, and how the gaming community is responding.

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The accuracy of AI-powered search engines: A double-edged sword

Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the way we interact with technology, particularly in the realm of search engines. These tools promise to deliver faster, more personalized, and contextually relevant results. However, a recent study conducted by the Columbia Journalism Review's Tow Center for Digital Journalism has cast a shadow over these promises, revealing that AI-powered search engines cite incorrect sources a staggering 60% of the time. This alarming statistic raises questions about the reliability of these tools and the potential dangers they pose to users.

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Sonos Cancels Streaming Box: A Misstep in a Saturated Market

Sonos, the audio company renowned for its high-quality speakers, has reportedly canceled its plans for a streaming box, codenamed "Pinewood." This decision, while surprising to some, may have been inevitable given the product's questionable utility and the company's ongoing struggles with its software ecosystem. The cancellation highlights broader challenges for Sonos as it navigates a competitive market and attempts to rebuild trust with its user base.

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This week, Microsoft Azure is going Three Mile Island, Nintendo is not making new Pals, SocialAI is not making new pals, and Runway is making new films.

Participants

Scott Ertz

Host

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram Piltch

Host

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

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Three Mile Island no longer just a pejorative, now an AI power plant

For decades, the name Three Mile Island has been a pejorative slur for disaster. The expression "going Three Mile Island" has meant either something that has gone so far off the rails that it's unsalvageable or someone who has gotten so mad they need to be abandoned. No one has wanted to be associated with the name for any reason. That all changed this week with Microsoft's announcement that they are going to brave the waters and reopen the nuclear power plant to keep its AI operations more energy independent.

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Nintendo sues Palworld devs for patent infringement, not copyright

Ever since its introduction, Palworld has been destined for a showdown with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. Out of the box, the game was described as "Pokémon with guns," essentially guaranteeing that they would be targeted eventually. This week, The Pokémon Company and Nintendo finally filed the inevitable lawsuit, however making a surprising claim. While everyone expected a copyright or IP infringement violation, the lawsuit alleges a violation of a patent.

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SocialAI looks to remove the social and network from social networking

If you have spent any time on social media in recent months, you might have noticed that a lot of the interaction appears to be nonsense. That's because the use of AI-powered bots has increased, both in positive and negative ways. This behavior has led to a theory, "Dead Internet Theory," that suggests that the internet is increasingly becoming sterile and lifeless because of the bots. Seemingly attempting to prove this theory correct is new solo social networking platform SocialAI, in which you are the only human.

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Runway to train AI video production model on all Lionsgate content

The past 2 years has turned Hollywood against itself over the topic of AI in video production. Some people think that AI can help speed up production, from voiceovers to video and script creation. Others fear that their jobs will be in jeopardy due to the technology. While still others worry that taking the humanity out of the art form will remove the art aspect and turn the film industry into a factory. Lionsgate has made its position known with a new relationship with AI company Runway.

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This week, Alexa is getting smarter, Concord is losing gamers, Yelp has Google in its sights, and TikTok could be liable for Blackout Challenge death.

Participants

Scott Ertz

Host

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram Piltch

Host

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

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Amazon's Upgraded Alexa Plus: Release Date, Pricing, and New Features

Last year, Amazon announced that an upgrade was coming to the company's digital assistant, Alexa. The move came at a strange time for the company, as Alexa's future was up in the air. The new upgrade will focus on producing answers that the company hopes will be more relevant using generative AI. Unlike the standard Alexa service, however, this one will not be made available for free. But, if the rumors are correct, this upcharged service will be available soon.

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Sony's Concord: A disastrous launch marred by lackluster content

The entire gaming segment of the internet is talking about Sony's recently released multiplayer hero shooter Concord. Normally, this would be a good thing for a newly released videogame, but for Sony this could spell disaster. That's because the conversation is around the potential failure that is Concord.

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Yelp vs. Google: The antitrust battle over local search dominance

Yelp has filed suit against Google once again, this time claiming that the company has continually abused its market position to dominate the locals market. This is not the first time the companies have fought in court over local data and search results, but this one appears to be looking to harm Google's trust more than getting them to stop stealing data.

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TikTok sued over Blackout Challenge: Section 230 immunity challenged

TikTok is known for a lot of things, but its bizarre trends and challenges have become its most controversial. From the more tame trends like the Cinnamon Challenge to incredibly dangerous trends like the Tide Pod Challenge, TikTok has promoted a number of odd things. One of the more dangerous trends was the Blackout Challenge in 2022, which led to several deaths. This week, a court ruled that Section 230 does not insulate the company from fault in relation to the deaths from the Blackout Challenge.

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This week, Anova is changing its charge, Fortnite is back on iPhone, Cox is headed to the Supreme Court, and Kim Dotcom is headed to the US.

Participants

Scott Ertz

Host

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram Piltch

Host

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

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Anova to start charging for currently free companion app for cookers

In a rising trend among tech companies, connected cooking device company Anova has announced that new user accounts created starting August 21, 2024, will be charged a $2 per month fee. This is a change from the current policy, which includes the application as part of the device's purchase price. Users who already have an account before that date will not be required to pay the fee as a "thank you" for helping the company get started.

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Fortnite is finally back on iPhone, but not for most customers

After years of battle between Epic Games and Apple, the popular battle royale title Fortnite has finally returned to the iPhone. Joining the game itself is the all-new Epic Games Store, which is now available to iPhone users, bringing access to games and services that may not be available through the native App Store. But, unfortunately, they are only available to iPhone users in the European Union, leaving out much of the overall customer base.

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Cox petitions Supreme Court to prevent disconnections over piracy

Cox Communications, one of the largest ISPs in the United States, has petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn a previous ruling requiring the disconnection of users accused of piracy. The original case, brought about by Sony, found that Cox had not adequately worked to prevent its users from breaking the law on their network, particularly by terminating the accounts of those who abuse the service.

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Kim Dotcom extradited to the US 12 years after Megaupload arrests

After more than a decade, Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom may finally be extradited to the United States. The New Zealand Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has officially signed an extradition order for the infamous site owner. However, the extradition is not guaranteed as Dotcom still has some options, and has vowed to continue fighting.

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This week, phones could unlock faster, game streaming is getting more complex, CrowdStrike took down the internet, and Netflix wants you to change plans.

Participants

Scott Ertz

Host

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram Piltch

Host

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

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FCC wants a 60-day phone unlocking window, sparked by T-Mobile policy

If you have ever tried to sell a phone purchased directly from a carrier or tried to keep your phone while switching providers, you have likely experienced the process of unlocking that device. It can be an annoying process that can require going into a carrier store, as I recently had to do. However, the biggest challenge is that each carrier handles if and when you can unlock that device differently. That could all change, if a Federal Communication Commission proposal, which would require carriers to unlock devices at 60 days, goes through.

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Game Pass price increases while GeForce Now goes down amid partnership

It's been a strange couple of weeks for videogame streaming. It started with Microsoft announcing a shuffling of the Xbox Game Pass system, including another price increase. Then, Nvidia announced a price decrease (at least temporarily) on GeForce Now, possibly as a tease aimed at Microsoft. But, then a strange announcement that Xbox could launch GeForce Now games from the website, thanks to a new partnership.

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CrowdStrike takes down corporate Windows computers across the world

In a world increasingly reliant on digital infrastructure, the recent global system failure attributed to CrowdStrike's software update has raised significant concerns about cybersecurity and the robustness of global IT systems. The incident, which primarily affected Windows PCs, has not only highlighted the vulnerabilities inherent in widespread technology but also the interconnected nature of modern software platforms.

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Netflix's Strategic Shift: The end of the ad-free Basic plan

In a move that reflects the evolving landscape of digital streaming services, Netflix announced the discontinuation of its ad-free Basic plan, a decision that marks the end of an era for the streaming giant's most economical, commercial-free offering. This change comes as part of a broader strategy to restructure its pricing tiers, compelling customers to embrace the ad-supported Standard Plan at $6.99 or opt for higher-priced, ad-free subscriptions. Now, customers who were on the Basic plan in the United States and France are being forced to choose another plan or lose their accounts.

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This week, Amazon ends the Astro robot, Nintendo ends the Wii U console, hackers end your security, and Paramount+ ends its independence.

Participants

Scott Ertz

Host

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram Piltch

Host

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

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Amazon to brick all Astro robots, pivoting to a consumer focus

Amazon is known for some bonkers product ideas. One of the more inexplicable products was the Astro robot - a product announced in 2021 that had a huge $2350 price tag and seemingly absolutely no point, or at the best case, no focus. Now, Amazon has informed internal staff that those who made the very large purchase will be left with a bricked robot in just a few months.

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Wii U has ended its support life, with Nintendo no longer repairing

The Wii U was certainly Nintendo's most controversial console in history. It divided people from the moment it was announced at E3 2011. Would the screen make the gaming experience better, or would it simply be a distraction? In the end, the console nearly sank the company, with record losses hitting their bottom line before recovering with the Switch. Now, the company has finally put the console out to pasture, as official repairs have ended at Nintendo.

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Largest data dump of passwords ever hit the internet on July 4th

In a staggering revelation, researchers at Cybernews have uncovered what they're calling the largest password compilation ever. The file, titled rockyou2024.txt and released on the Fourth of July, emerged on a popular hacking forum, posted by a user known as ObamaCare. Within this file lies a mind-boggling 9,948,575,739 unique plaintext passwords. This means that there is no encryption and anyone can read the database directly. This collection is the largest database of passwords ever released, making this an unprecedented attack on public safety and security.

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Paramount+ is available for merger again, with MAX possibly interested

Once again, the fate of Paramount is up in the air. The company has struggled in recent years to catch on to modern television trends, perfect its streaming offerings, and produce and maintain programming. Either the company is stretching itself too thin, or they are in over their heads. As such, the company has looked at various options, including selling the company. Now, reports suggest that the goal is not so much to sell the entire company, but to find a company to merge their streaming operations with.

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This week, AI is coming for your data, Adult Swim is giving back games, the EU is investigating Meta, and another streaming service is coming.

Participants

Scott Ertz

Host

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram Piltch

Host

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

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AI models are coming for all of your data, personal and business

When AI technology first hit the mainstream a couple of years ago, the biggest concern came because of where the data came from. It appeared that the models were being trained on data that the companies behind them didn't have permission to train off of. They were scraping websites, blogs, newspapers, artist portfolios, music libraries, and more to train their data. While that was a violation of copyrights in many cases, the next generation of AI is going to find its data in new and even scarier places - your devices.

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Adult Swim Games to return discontinued store listings to developers

A couple of months ago, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) announced that they would be shuttering 16 of the titles under the Adult Swim Games brand. The announcement meant that those titles would no longer be available to play and the games themselves would be lost to time. Now, the company has announced that they have come to an agreement with the independent developers whose games were on the chopping block to return the IP to their creators.

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Meta under investigation in the EU for DSA violations against minors

This week, the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union, initiated an investigation into Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. The Commission believes that the company and its social networks have not done enough to prevent harm to minors and to verify that minors are not able to access aspects of the company's offerings that they are prohibited from according to the Digital Services Act (DSA).

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Venu Sports is yet another streaming services aimed at sports fans

Bad news everyone! There is yet another streaming service headed your way to steal your money and attention. This service, called Venu Sports, is a partnership between Disney (which owns ABC and ESPN), Fox (which owns Fox Sports), and Warner Bros. Discovery (which owns TBS and TNT). Together, Venu Sports hopes to be your one-stop shop for all things sports without a cable subscription, but there are some notable exceptions that might make that a difficult proposition.

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This week, Apple Vision Pro ships less, Garry's Mod cuts Nintendo content, the FCC revives Net Neutrality, and TikTok's time is almost up.

Participants

Scott Ertz

Host

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram Piltch

Host

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

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Apple's XR ambitions may be over as shipments cut for Vision Pro

When Apple announced its ambitious Vision Pro headset, reactions were mixed, to say the least. Apple envisioned people using the product similarly to an iPhone, wearing these dystopian isolation headsets all day Potential users, on the other hand, saw them as an occasional toy. Because of that disparity, it appears that Apple had ordered too many devices for the demand, and that is being corrected.

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Nintendo-based content being removed from Garry's Mod Steam Workshop

Garry's Mod, the popular game design workshop available through Steam, has begun removing content containing anything Nintendo-related. This comes following a takedown notice from Nintendo, as confirmed by the Garry's Mod team. The Steam Workshop contains user-made content spanning 2 decades, making this a long and arduous process.

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Net Neutrality is back, and ISPs seem not to know how to feel about it

Over the past 2 decades, the topic of Net Neutrality has come up a number of times. In the early 2000s, the US had a time-limited set of rules, known publicly as Net Neutrality. When those expired, early in the existence of PLUGHITZ Live, a long-running debate was reignited: should the internet be regulated and, if so, by whom? The FTC has claimed power, but that was short-lived. The FCC has claimed power, but that has been struck down twice. Now, the FCC has tried once again to claim authority over the Internet, and the chaos that brings has already begun.

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TikTok timer has been started - nine months to sell or shut down

In the past two weeks, the US House of Representatives and the US Senate passed a bill with a timer for TikTok, and President Biden signed it into law. This law sets a timer of 9 months for ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, to sell the social network to a Western company or face an outright ban in the US. If it feels like you're living in a time warp, it's because you sort of are. We've been here before, but this time it looks as if the result will be different.

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