The WAN Show This Country Gave YouTube The Smack Down - WAN Show January 9, 2026
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Jan 10, 2026 Vietnam's new rules on unskippable ads stir debates about YouTube's ad model. The hosts dive into AI's impact on filmmaking, spotlighting Disney's AI creature montage and discussing whether AI can replace practical effects. Benchmarks show surprising performance from Windows 8.1 compared to Windows 11. They also tackle privacy concerns raised by lawsuits against TV makers for collecting ACR data. Plus, a fun staff survey game reveals quirky workplace favorites, and insights from CES showcase the latest tech trends.
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Vietnam's Ad Limits Force Platform Trade-Offs
- Vietnam limited unskippable ads to protect user experience and curb intrusive ad designs.
- Linus notes that tighter ad rules challenge platform monetization and require new business trade-offs.
Windows 8.1 Outperforms Newer Windows In Some Tests
- A community benchmark found Windows 8.1 often outperformed newer versions on lightweight tasks.
- Luke and Linus highlight Windows 11 as heavier and generally slower on older hardware.
Hosts React To Disney's AI Creature Montage
- Linus and Luke reacted with disbelief to Disney/ILM's AI creature montage shown at a TED-style talk.
- They called the AI-generated creatures amateurish and inappropriate for a major studio presentation.