The WAN Show - Google Pixel COOL! 30FPS Lock BAD! - October 7, 2016
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Promos
Squarespace: squarespace.com offer code LINUS to save 10%. Join Dollar Shave Club: dollarshaveclub.com Forum link: linustechtips.com Soundcloud Link: soundcloud.com Timestamps courtesy of Brandom Axtmann, Ghost, and JJMC89. 00:04:34 - Google Event 4 October 00:28:28 - Post-recall Galaxy Note 7 caught fire on Southwest Airlines flight 00:30:49 - Apple patents fingerprint sensor that works through displays 00:33:33 - Washington state gambling commission orders valve to stop skin gambling via Steam 00:37:45 - HoloLens 00:42:09 - Sponsor: Squarespace 00:44:23 - Sponsor: Dollar Shave Club 00:46:44 - Microsoft discontinues the Band 2 and confirms no replacement in 2016 00:47:40 - MSI and ASUS release BIOS updates for their LGA1151 boards for upcoming Kaby Lake 00:50:00 - Core i7 7700k benchmark 00:51:40 - Mafia 3 appears to be locked to 30FPS on PC 00:55:18 - YouTube singles ads 00:57:13 - Oculus Rift has a new minimum spec 01:00:14 - Windows 10 losing market share 01:03:16 - World of Warcraft has reached 10 million subscribers again, Blizzard denies 01:05:43 - Spotify is serving malware-infested ads to its users 01:07:08 - Pascal GP107 PCB pictured 01:09:54 - Amazon bans reviews based on free or discounted products 01:13:18 - Sharp revealed a prototype 27" 8K 120Hz HDR IGZO monitor in CEATEC 2016 01:15:10 - Nike has self-tying shoes 01:16:30 - AMD reportedly launching Zen and X370 motherboards at CES
The WAN Show episode from October 7, 2016 covers a wide range of technology topics tied to the Google Pixel launch and adjacent tech news. The hosts start with a light, playful tone, briefly addressing the show setup and tech anecdotes before diving into the day’s big announcements. The first major focus is Google’s Pixel and Pixel XL, including design choices such as an aluminum unibody, glass accents, and the shift to a Google manufactured device experience rather than a partner edition. The discussion then pivots to the Pixel’s camera ambitions, battery options, storage configurations, and the notable decision to retain a 3.5 mm headphone jack, which the hosts ironically debate as a point of curiosity rather than necessity. Throughout, they compare Pixel to contemporaries, speculate on color naming, and reflect on how Google is positioning hardware as a fully integrated Google ecosystem play. The show then transitions to Daydream VR and the Daydream View headset, explaining the certification process for phones, design goals around comfort, fabric facings, and the unique positioning of Google in the VR space. They contrast Daydream with other VR platforms, discuss the potential of content and the importance of motion tracking, and admit that hands-on impressions will require more time with hardware to form solid judgments. The Pixel is contrasted with older Google hardware strategies, such as Nexus and Play Editions, highlighting how Google is now insisting on a fully Google-driven hardware/software combination. The hosts also review Google’s home product push, including Google Cast Ultra and Google WiFi, emphasizing mesh-network benefits, setup simplicity, and the promise of improved streaming with 4K HDR content. They acknowledge practical considerations like network bandwidth, compression, and the realities of delivering true 4K over home networks, while also touching on the broader ecosystem advantages of Google Home, Google WiFi, and related services. The episode covers a handful of broader tech topics in quick-fire fashion, including Galaxy Note 7 recalls, Apple fingerprint sensor patents, and Valve’s Steam-related regulatory scrutiny, all threaded with Linus and Luke’s characteristic banter. The hosts offer provisional judgments on the day’s news, admitting that some predictions require hands-on testing to confirm, while others invite future updates as new information becomes available. The show closes with optimistic notes about upcoming content, sponsorships, and the ongoing evolution of consumer tech along with the team’s plans for further coverage of VR, mobile hardware, and home networking. Overall, the episode blends live reaction to a major product reveal with thoughtful critique of VR advancements, display quality debates, and the realistic capabilities of new streaming ecosystems in everyday home setups.
Topics · technology · hardware · consumer_electronics · virtual_reality · networking · home_entertainment
Questions answered
- What are the key hardware characteristics of Google Pixel and Pixel XL announced in this episode?
- The Pixel family features an aluminum unibody with glass accents, a high definition AMOLED display, Snapdragon 821, 4 GB of LPDDR4 RAM, a rear fingerprint sensor, battery options around 2770 or 3450 mAh, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
- How do the hosts compare Pixel to previous Google hardware lines like Nexus and Play Editions?
- They explain that the Pixel marks a move away from Nexus and Play Editions toward a device that is built and controlled by Google end to end, with hardware and software both optimized by Google rather than a partner brand.
- What are the host’s initial impressions of Daydream View and VR hardware overall?
- They describe Daydream View as Google’s first Daydream-ready headset, focusing on comfort, fabric-facings, ease of use, and wireless connectivity to the phone, while noting that hands-on impressions require more time with demos.
- What networking solutions does the episode discuss for enhancing home streaming?
- The show covers Google Cast Ultra and Google WiFi, highlighting mesh networking, network assist features, and a management app to improve coverage and streaming quality across a home.
- Why is the 3.5 mm headphone jack a recurring topic in the Pixel discussion?
- The host finds it notable that Google kept a 3.5 mm jack, prompting a broader debate about wired audio’s relevance versus newer wireless-era design choices.
- What concerns about 4K HDR streaming are raised during the Chromecast Ultra discussion?
- They point out that true 4K HDR streaming over the internet involves compression and bandwidth constraints, so even with Chromecast Ultra there will be artifacts unless bandwidth is ample.
- What other major hardware topics are touched on in this WAN Show episode?
- The episode touches on Galaxy Note 7 recalls, Apple fingerprint sensor patents, Valve Steam gambling scrutiny, and various PC hardware and gaming topics alongside Google devices.
- How do the hosts handle product naming and branding confusion in their home tech segment?
- They discuss the proliferation of product naming practices across brands like Google and Samsung, acknowledging the potential for confusion and the benefit of standardized naming conventions.