W Show Highlights: Hacking, Collaborations, and Tech Updates

The W show reveals the importance of collaboration and transparency in content creation while addressing misconceptions about personal interactions.

### Behind the Scenes: Controversies, Collaborations, and Tech Innovations
* 🔒 The host shares a personal update about being **hacked again**, this time by Vitassium, and discusses the **lack of respect** he feels from his wife, sparking wild comments from viewers.
* 🎥 A recent controversy involving a friend in the industry is mentioned, with plans to **review it later on the show**.
* ☁ Cloudflare's initiative to **block AI training bots** is highlighted as a significant development in tech, alongside California's new law requiring digital storefronts to **clarify that purchases are for licenses, not ownership**.
* 🤝 The host expresses excitement about collaborating with Veritasium, emphasizing the **importance of getting out of their Vancouver bubble** and **working with other creators again after a long hiatus**.
* 🐱 The interaction with his wife during the collaboration is explained, clarifying that she hung up not out of **disrespect** but due to a **misunderstanding and concern for their sick kitten**.
* 📜 California's new law, AB 2426, mandates **clear communication about digital licenses at the point of sale**, aiming to **protect consumers from false advertising** regarding ownership of digital products.
* 📱 The "**Phone-Free School Act**" is also discussed, as California becomes the **15th state** to limit student access to cell phones, reflecting **growing concerns about their impact on developing minds**.
* 🛠 The show wraps up with updates on new product launches, including **cargo pants and improved water bottle lids**, alongside discussions about **future product development and inventory management strategies**.

### Tech Talk: Updates, Reviews, and Controversies in the Industry
* 📦 The team is working on assembling products for the store, and interested customers are encouraged to **sign up for notifications from Modmat** to avoid missing out.
* 🎥 A humorous segment featuring Riley showcased a backflip attempt, raising **concerns about safety and the potential for injury at work**.
* 🌟 Riley week is coming up on Floatplane, featuring exclusive content such as an **18-minute Star Wars rant** and personal clips about Riley.
* 💻 Intel's new Lunar Lake CPUs show promising benchmarks, with the Ultra 7 performing well, although it **trails behind AMD's top models**.
* 🔋 The new iPhone 16 has received a significant repairability score of **7 out of 10**, highlighting improvements in **battery adhesive** and **safety during repairs**.
* 🚗 The US government is planning to **ban certain Chinese and Russian technologies** in vehicles due to security risks, while Kaspersky has begun **uninstalling its antivirus software** from American computers.
* ⚖ A controversy arose when Ghost Keyboards used a **misleading quote from a team member** in an advertisement without consent, leading to calls for a **public retraction**.
* 📈 The discussion also touched on the potential for future product developments, including a focus on **belts and shirts** if the cargo pants launch is successful.

### Controller Controversies and Community Reactions
* 🎮 The sales of the new 30th Anniversary controller have been promising, with **about a fifth of the inventory sold**, indicating potential for restocking in various sizes.
* 🛑 A customer expressed frustration over the **scalping of the DualSense controller**, prompting a discussion on what companies like Sony can do to **combat this issue**, which remains a **significant challenge** despite previous efforts.
* 📦 There was confusion regarding whether the controller comes with a special charging cable, leading to a realization that "**cable not included**" was the case, highlighting ongoing conversations about **product expectations**.
* 🤖 The community has been critical of the verified gamer program, noting its **accessibility issues**, which complicate efforts to ensure that **true gamers receive limited-edition products**.
* 💰 A recent controversy arose when MKBHD released a wallpaper app with a **$50 annual subscription**, leading to backlash over its **perceived value** and the app's functionality being likened to a **shared Google Drive**.
* ⚖ The discussion clarified that while the app might not offer great value to everyone, labeling it a "**scam**" is misleading since it **transparently communicates what users receive for their payment**.
* 🖼 The segment concluded with a light-hearted note on the potential for launching their own wallpaper subscription service, emphasizing that it would **not fundamentally change the market**.
* 🗣 Overall, the conversation reflected a broader trend of community reactions to product pricing and perceived value, urging for **better communication and understanding** between creators and their audiences.

### Community Engagement and Gaming Insights: A Conversation Recap
* 😺 The community engagement around memes and likenesses is appreciated, with **humorous gifts being a highlight**.
* 🐱 An update on the cat reveals he is **recovering well** after a minor health scare involving inflammation and fever, treated with **anti-inflammatories**.
* 🎮 A discussion about the game "Body Cam" indicates a negative reception, particularly regarding its **gameplay mechanics and drone features**, which were deemed **frustrating**.
* 🗣 The conversation shifts to the challenges of remote work, with opinions on management styles and employee performance being shared, emphasizing the **complexity of the work-from-home debate**.
* 🏢 The dynamics of management are explored, highlighting the balance between **empowering employees and ensuring accountability**, with a nod to the **polarized views on workplace policies**.
* 📊 Insights into video retention on platforms like YouTube suggest that **returning to finish a video** can be a **positive signal of engagement**, despite low immediate retention rates.
* 📱 The conversation touches on the transition to Apple products, with a mention of **potential future tech upgrades** and the **importance of personal preferences** in tech ecosystems.
* 🔋 Lastly, the discussion wraps up with thoughts on consumer ecosystems in tech, particularly regarding power tools, emphasizing **brand loyalty** and the **complexity of consumer experiences**.

Why Does Everybody Keep Hacking Me - WAN Show September 27, 2024

Linus Tech Tips is a passionate team of "professionally curious" experts in consumer technology and video production who aim to educate and entertain.


Linus Tech Tips

The host of the show was recently hacked by Vitassium and is facing criticism for his wife's reaction in a video.

Cloudflare is taking steps to block AI training bots, and California is changing communication requirements for companies.

The host is also working on more collaborations with other creators and shared the background of a recent project with Veritasium.

The video's attack scene was real, and the creator's awkwardness was due to calling from an unfamiliar number.

Cloudflare has launched AI audit tools for website owners to monitor and manage Bots crawling their sites.

California has passed two new laws: one requiring digital storefronts to clearly state license restrictions and another limiting student access to cell phones in schools.

The Impact of Phones in School and New Cargo Pants Launch

The conversation highlights the negative effects of phones on developing minds and questions their necessity in school.

The speaker shares personal experiences of having belongings confiscated in school and argues that kids don't need to be trained to use their phones more.

The discussion also features the launch of new cargo pants with various practical features, addressing a slight controversy over the offered inseam lengths.

New Product Updates: Cargo Pants and Water Bottle Lids

The new cargo pants with additional inseam lengths are being restocked due to their popularity.

The LTT water bottles now have a new and improved spout lid, offering better durability and cleanability.

The spout lid V2 fits the old bottles but has slightly different threading, and the new design includes pull tabs for easy cleaning.

The idea is to offer a customizable screwdriver by mixing and matching blades and handles, allowing customers to choose their desired configuration.

The development has included prototypes and a modular labeling system, but has stalled due to the complexity of assembly and stocking various SKUs.

The team is now exploring a new approach for fixed shaft screwdrivers and is also launching a high-quality modmat, with signups available for notifications.

Managing Inventory and Upcoming Promotions

The company has been adjusting its inventory strategy, focusing on eliminating dead and aging stock, and is now flush with orders for the right products.

The unique supply chain setup, with direct orders from factories and custom product creation, has led to challenges in smoothing out inventory gaps.

The upcoming "Riley Week" on Floatplane will offer exclusive content and fun clips, while also addressing the rise in YouTube Premium prices and showcasing Intel's promising Lunar Lake CPUs.

Intel's New Mobile Processor and Its Impact

Intel's new mobile processor offers an 8% performance boost, potentially benefiting Arc graphics and putting pressure on competitors like Nvidia.

The processor's battery life is impressive, lasting 21 hours on a 73w hour battery during a 4K video test.

Intel also released a mic code update for Raptor Lake CPUs to prevent power issues, while the company plans to ban certain Chinese and Russian hardware from vehicles due to surveillance concerns.

Controversies Surrounding Kaspersky and Reboot's Restoration

Kaspersky's uninstallation of its antivirus software from American computers, followed by the controversial auto-installation of Ultra AV, has raised user concerns and claims of malware.

The Reboot Rewind documentary team is making progress in restoring the classic 1994 CGI TV series Reboot, with one D1 machine running and tapes being captured.

The use of a photo and falsely attributed quote from a team member in a Ghost Keyboards ad has led to frustration and a discussion on intellectual property and fair use.

Controversy Over Ghost Keyboards' Marketing Tactics

Ghost Keyboards faced criticism for their aggressive marketing, including a meme post and email solicitation for keyboard sales.

The company's actions were seen as inappropriate and misleading, leading to a call for a public retraction.

In response to the backlash, Ghost Keyboards removed the offending post and issued an apology, but the author remains hesitant to collaborate with them until a public correction is made.

Secure Remote Desktop Software and Business Solutions

The remote desktop software offers secure connections to home PCs using private relay servers and cloud services, with low latency and support for up to 4K resolution.

It is currently available on Windows and Android, with Mac OS and iOS versions launching in 2025, and offers a free version without time restrictions.

The show is also sponsored by Squarespace and JumpCloud, providing website building and centralized device management solutions.

The speaker enjoys playing as characters with unique moves, like the one that sends duplicates across the screen and the one with the autocrossbow.

They are trying to be thorough in the game, often attempting to steal from mobs, despite it being mostly unproductive.

The conversation also touches on the challenges of finding a good supplier for a specific product and the company's success in selling cargo pants.

Controversy Over PS1 Gray Controller and MKBHD's Wallpaper App

The discussion revolves around the PS1 gray controller's release and its nostalgic appeal, with mixed reactions to its design and the difficulty in making the program accessible for all gamers.

The conversation shifts to MKBHD's wallpaper app, which faced backlash for its $50 a year premium subscription and controversial permissions, leading to community frustration and bot scraping of the wallpapers.

The revenue share and Marquez's response to the community's concerns further fueled the controversy surrounding the app.

The speaker discusses the overuse of the word "scam," arguing that not all situations with poor value are scams.

They emphasize that a scam involves deception and fraud, while the wallpaper app in question is transparent about its value proposition.

The speaker also announces a $50 subscription for wallpaper images, clarifying that it's not a scam but rather a business decision.

The Controversy Over Wallpaper Subscriptions

The discussion revolves around the difference between a ripoff and a scam, with the latter not being applicable.

The speaker humorously addresses the number of LTT shirts that can be bought for $400 and the impact of Floatplane's wallpaper subscription.

The conversation also touches on the misinterpretation of privacy policies and the common struggles creators face in reaching out for help.

The controversy surrounding the high cost of art has led to significant backlash, with some people expressing extreme anger towards the artist.

The discussion includes the idea of creating a "scam" t-shirt as a humorous response to overpriced products.

The speaker expresses gratitude towards the artist for taking the heat off them for a change and mentions the launch of their own wallpaper subscription, which may lead to similar controversy.

A money clip with extra silver screws for customization was showcased.

YouTube Premium prices are increasing in various parts of the world.

Discord is introducing end-to-end encryption for audio and video calls, while also rolling out automated moderation for user safety.

Game prices have remained relatively stable, leading to a standoff among companies.

The remastering of older games has caused some price spikes, but upgrading from the original version offers a solution.

The discussion also touches on community engagement, personal updates, and opinions on game mechanics and company policies.

Managing remote workers can be challenging, with some employees needing more micromanagement than others.

The debate between the employer's right to dictate work conditions and the employee's desire for flexibility creates a polarized environment.

Successful remote work management requires good faith from both employers and employees, recognizing that different individuals have varying needs and responses to remote work.

Managing Team Dynamics and Leadership Roles

The speaker discusses the recent video swap with Dennis, highlighting the effort to make sponsorship spots more engaging.

They emphasize the collaborative decision-making process within the upper management team and the importance of consulting shareholders and the board of directors.

The speaker also reflects on their own role in the company, balancing executive responsibilities with creative tasks, and the challenges of leading a diverse team.

The Dystopian Concept of a Chief Happiness Officer

The term "Chief Happiness Officer" is seen as dystopian, with a sarcastic take on its role in improving morale.

The discussion touches on the ethics of ad-blocking and the automation of attention as a form of payment.

The conversation also explores the challenges of career growth in small companies and the speaker's past experiences in Saskatchewan.

The Impact of Video Retention on YouTube Creators

Stopping a long-form YouTube video and finishing it later can actually send a positive signal to the algorithm, as it indicates strong engagement with the content.

Videos with low retention can still perform well over time, as longer watch time and viewer return can boost their visibility.

The discussion also highlights the difference in audience impact between power tool companies and tech giants, emphasizing the importance of brand loyalty and personal relevance in consumer behavior.

Review Plugin Update and Personal Insights

The review plugin's recent update caused unintended changes in gradient colors, leading to confusion, but the issue has been fixed.

The speaker and their partner have been emotionally enmeshed for 20 years, navigating their mutual neediness in relationships.

They shared tips for dealing with power outages and offered advice for playing Anno 1800, emphasizing the importance of production balance and efficient resource management.