The WAN Show - NVIDIA GTX 970 Buyers All Get $30!! - July 29nd 2016

The WAN Show episode from July 29th, 2016 covers a mix of tech news, consumer electronics, and industry legal drama, all tied together with Linus and the team sharing updates from their studio and personal banter. The opening segment teases a roundup of lawsuits and settlements affecting major tech players, setting the tone for the show as a broad tech news digest. The hosts begin by clarifying the NVIDIA GTX 970 settlement, explaining that buyers would each receive $30 as part of a preliminary class action settlement over false advertising claims related to memory usage. They contextualize the legal outcome, noting that the settlement amount is designed to reflect a portion of the perceived value of the card’s storage and performance claims rather than an outright payment for every memory chip. The discussion then pivots to Microsoft, where two new Windows 10 upgrade lawsuits accuse the company of aggressive upgrade tactics and unsolicited prompts, highlighting a broader concern about software marketing practices in the modern PC ecosystem. The hosts debate the legal arguments around what constitutes advertising versus system prompts, and whether Windows 10’s rollout could be considered an unfair commercial tactic in a free-to-use software environment. A second wave of Windows 10 related litigation is summarized, including claims that upgrades were installed without explicit consent and that users faced significant disruption or added costs. Beyond lawsuits, the show moves into lighter topics aided by sponsor segments and banter around the crew’s daily life and studio improvements. The Dollar Shave Club sponsorship is interwoven with humorous discussion about shaving routines and related products, while the team also jokes about the appearance of sunburn and spray tans after a recent shoot. The Bitcoin-level depth of detail in the episode shines through as Linus and Luke reminisce about the day’s sun exposure and their evolving on-air chemistry, including a playful tease about beard style and a Top Gun inspired volleyball shot recreation. The show then pivots back to substantive tech topics, starting with Nvidia’s GTX 970 purchase-buyer refund and the broader implications of class action settlements, which the hosts analyze for how such settlements shape consumer expectations and industry behavior. The discussion digs into the math and rationale behind the $30 offer, offering perspectives on how much of the original card cost that amount represents and whether the resolution is fair given the claims of memory misrepresentation. The team notes that no cap on total payout was disclosed and that the settlement would apply to all consumers who purchased a GTX 970, while acknowledging that some purchases (like review samples) may not count for individual refunds. Subsequently, Microsoft’s legal challenges are revisited, with the hosts weighing the potential impact on Windows 10 adoption and the broader open PC gaming ecosystem, including debate over whether a more closed Windows Store could hamper innovation and compatibility. The panel references Tim Sweeney’s stance on Windows 10 updates potentially rendering Steam less effective, highlighting how platform dynamics can influence developer decisions and user experience. Discussions around Windows 10 extend to consumer protections and the balance between free software and perceived marketing pressure, with commentary on the possibility of more tens of millions of dollars in potential damages and settlements. The show also touches on the Verizon Yahoo acquisition, analyzing the strategic fit and the broader trend of traditional web brands being absorbed by large tech conglomerates, alongside notes on Yahoo Japan and the evolving digital advertising landscape. The Wan Show crew surveys a range of other tech headlines, including drone delivery pilots by 7-Eleven and Flirtey, Xiaomi’s Mi Notebook Air with a GeForce 940MX, and the sale of Vizio to LeEco, all framed within a stream-of-consciousness style that mixes business news with practical gadget details. The episode closes with a reflective section on the state of PC gaming platforms, Vulcan, and the potential impact of sponsored or sponsored-like developments on the broader ecosystem, while the hosts offer opinions on VR support, platform openness, and the role of independent developers in a potentially more closed software world. Throughout, the hosts demonstrate their typical blend of technical insight, humor, and genuine curiosity about how consumer products and corporate decisions intersect to shape the future of personal computing and digital entertainment.

Topics · technology · business · legal