# Apple’s Acting Weird…

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgpj4HX8ows
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/Xgpj4HX8ows
Generated: 2025-11-18T04:01:37.86+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The video presents a rapid-fire summary of recent tech news, highlighting Apple's Mac Pro status, Microsoft's crackdown on Windows piracy workarounds, Peter Thiel's fund selling Nvidia stock, Google's data collection from old Nest thermostats, Meta AI pioneer Yann LeCun launching a physical AI startup, Belkin recalling fire-risk products, Google flagging battery-draining Android apps, Netflix expanding TV gaming, and a fake Microsoft Teams app deploying malware.

**Key Points:**
- Apple's high-end Mac Pro desktop computer is reportedly on the 'back burner' and largely written off by Apple, with its next major upgrade delayed until 2026.
- Microsoft shut down the popular KMS38 activation workaround for pirated Windows and Office installations, causing devices using it to potentially fail after updates.
- Peter Thiel's fund sold its entire Nvidia stake last quarter, which is considered strange given Thiel runs companies that typically use Nvidia GPUs.
- Google is quietly transmitting sensor data (temperature, humidity, motion, light) from older, unsupported Nest Learning Thermostats, leading to user privacy concerns.
- Meta AI researcher Yann LeCun is reportedly leaving to launch a startup focused on Physical AI, betting against Large Language Models (LLMs) as a 'dead end' in AI research.
- Belkin initiated a recall for its Auto-Tracking Stand Pro and two 20,000mAh power banks due to manufacturing defects causing lithium-ion cell overheating, fire risk, and 15 reported incidents globally, including two minor burn injuries.
- Google and Samsung are teaming up to flag Android apps using excessive partial wake locks that drain battery life, potentially leading to warnings on Play Store listings starting March 1, 2026.

![Screenshot at 00:05: The host gestures toward a humorous image overlaying Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg's faces onto raccoons climbing a tree, illustrating the segment about large tech corporations acting like 'confused raccoons'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Xgpj4HX8ows/00-00-05.png)

**Context:** The video is a news roundup format, likely from a tech news channel, where the host, Riley Murdock, quickly cycles through several distinct technology and business stories aggregated from various tech publications like MacRumors, Bloomberg, The Information, BleepingComputer, Futurism, TechSpot, and The Verge. The segment covers product decisions, software updates, corporate finance moves, AI developments, and hardware safety recalls, all presented in a fast-paced, humorous style.

## Detailed Analysis

The host reviews several recent tech news items. First, the Apple Mac Pro is reportedly sidelined, getting no M3 Ultra upgrade, while the Mac Studio received it, making the Studio up to 30% faster; this move suggests Apple believes M-series chips meet the needs of most professionals. Second, Microsoft disabled the KMS38 activation workaround, meaning users of pirated Windows 10/Office may find their systems failing to activate after the latest security update (KB5068781). Third, Peter Thiel’s fund sold its entire Nvidia holding, which seems eccentric given Thiel’s business interests. Fourth, Google is continuing to collect sensor data from older Nest thermostats even after disabling remote control functionality. Fifth, Meta AI pioneer Yann LeCun is launching a physical AI startup, declaring LLMs a 'dead end' and focusing on AI that understands the physical world. Sixth, Belkin recalled its Auto-Tracking Stand Pro and 20,000mAh power banks due to fire risks from overheating lithium-ion cells, detailed by the CPSC after 15 incidents worldwide. Seventh, Google and Samsung are collaborating to flag Android apps with excessive partial wake locks starting March 2026, which could result in store listing warnings. Eighth, Netflix is doubling down on TV gaming with 'Game Night' titles, allowing users to use phones as controllers. Finally, fake Microsoft Teams installers are spreading malware, and Microsoft Teams introduced a premium feature to block screenshots during meetings.

### Apple Product Strategy

- Mac Pro shelved, receiving older M2 Ultra while Mac Studio gets M3 Ultra, making Studio up to 30% faster
- Most power users' needs are met by existing M-series chips
- Loss of Mac Pro is framed as the end of a product line whose time is over

### Microsoft Piracy Crackdown

- KMS38 activation workaround broken by update KB5068781
- Users with fake installs may experience system failure after rebooting
- Users are advised to use HWID or T5forge activation instead

### AI and Startup Buzz

- Peter Thiel's fund dumped Nvidia stock last quarter
- Meta's Yann LeCun launches Physical AI startup, calling LLMs a 'dead end'
- Jeff Bezos co-CEOs new AI startup Project Prometheus, focusing on manufacturing AI

### Hardware Recalls & Safety

- Belkin recalled Auto-Tracking Stand Pro and 20,000mAh power banks due to fire risk from faulty lithium-ion cells, citing 15 incidents and two minor burns globally

### Privacy Concerns

- Google quietly continues to transmit sensor data (temperature, motion, light) from older, unsupported Nest Learning Thermostats
- AI-powered toys were caught advising 5-year-olds on finding knives and starting fires

### Software & Platform Changes

- Google and Samsung will flag Android apps with excessive battery drain (partial wake locks) starting March 1, 2026
- Netflix is pushing 'Game Night' social party games playable on smart TVs using phones as controllers

![Screenshot at 00:05: Humorous image overlay showing Bezos and Zuckerberg as raccoons climbing a tree, symbolizing large tech companies being chaotic or 'confused'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Xgpj4HX8ows/00-00-05.png)
![Screenshot at 00:11: MacRumors headline reporting the Mac Pro is 'on Back Burner' and 'Largely Written Off' at Apple.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Xgpj4HX8ows/00-00-11.png)
![Screenshot at 00:18: Bloomberg headline noting Apple's plan to split iPhone launches into Spring and Fall, delaying the iPhone Air 2 and iPhone 18 lineup beyond 2026.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Xgpj4HX8ows/00-00-18.png)
![Screenshot at 01:46: TechSpot graphic announcing 'WINDOWS UPDATE STRIKES BACK' as Microsoft shuts down the KMS38 activation workaround for pirated Windows copies.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Xgpj4HX8ows/00-01-46.png)
![Screenshot at 01:54: KMS38 Documentation warning about deprecation and removal of the workaround functionality, advising users to use HWID or T5forge instead.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Xgpj4HX8ows/00-01-54.png)
![Screenshot at 02:53: Business Insider headline detailing Peter Thiel's fund selling its entire Nvidia stake last quarter.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Xgpj4HX8ows/00-02-53.png)
![Screenshot at 03:41: The Verge headline stating Jeff Bezos will be co-CEO of AI startup Project Prometheus, which focuses on using AI for manufacturing.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Xgpj4HX8ows/00-03-41.png)
![Screenshot at 04:44: Ohsnap advertisement showcasing the MCON magnetic, transforming gaming controller snapping onto a phone.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Xgpj4HX8ows/00-04-44.png)
![Screenshot at 05:47: A screenshot of a news article headline: 'Google pulled the plug on old Nest thermostats, but not the data mine,' illustrating ongoing data collection.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Xgpj4HX8ows/00-05-47.png)
![Screenshot at 06:12: BleepingComputer graphic showing a red Android robot on a circuit board with the text 'WHO LET THE HOGS OUT', referencing Google flagging battery-draining apps.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Xgpj4HX8ows/00-06-12.png)
![Screenshot at 07:22: TechSpot headline stating Netflix is doubling down on TV gaming and social play to retain subscribers with titles like Pictionary and Red Dead Redemption 1.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Xgpj4HX8ows/00-07-22.png)
![Screenshot at 08:04: Cyber Press headline about Microsoft Teams debuting a premium feature to block screenshots during meetings to enhance privacy.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Xgpj4HX8ows/00-08-04.png)