The WAN Show - GTX 980 & 970 Released & Microsoft buys Minecraft! - September 19, 2014

The WAN Show episode covering September 19, 2014 dives into a packed lineup of tech headlines, product launches, and industry moves. The hosts set the stage by recapping their location at Nvidia's Mod24 event in California, explaining how they ended up hosting a PC case modding competition and meeting notable modders. They immediately pivot to the GTX 980 and GTX 970 previews, noting that both GPUs were the centerpiece of the week and promising hands-on coverage with videos to come. The discussion then shifts to Microsoft’s surprise acquisition of Mojang, the creators of Minecraft, and what that could mean for the game’s future under new ownership. A segment on DisplayPort 1.3 follows, emphasizing higher bandwidth, the potential for 5K and higher refresh rates, and how DisplayPort may become the standard for next-gen displays. The show also touches on a controversial Comcast moment involving Tor usage, NSA internet mapping ambitions, and Apple’s updated data protections in iOS, framing broader conversations about privacy, government surveillance, and tech company responsibilities. As the hosts move through the topics, they highlight the AMD “infiltration” email rumor and reflect on the evolving overclocking landscape with new GPUs, including autobalancing power rails that impact tuning. The lineup continues with a look at a tiny, battery-free radio prototype powered by harvested signals, illustrating how the Internet of Things could drive new hardware and software ecosystems without significant energy costs. The show includes a rapid-fire sponsor segment and live chat antics, with the hosts joking about streaming fatigue and the logistics of sharing links in the Twitch chat. They close by revisiting the Mojang acquisition and the human side of the Minecraft community, debating whether Notch’s departure marks a turning point and what the new ownership might mean for the game’s community-driven identity. Throughout, Linus and Luke balance enthusiasm for hardware breakthroughs with critical commentary on pricing, availability, and the broader tech policy landscape, keeping a steady pace even as they admit fatigue after a long Mod24 event. The episode ends with a sense of curiosity about where the tech industry is headed next, from GPU performance and display technology to the ethical and practical implications of sweeping corporate acquisitions and government data initiatives.

Topics · Technology · Gaming · Business