iRobot's downfall stemmed from a mix of strategic missteps, intense competition from well-supported Chinese manufacturers, and the failed Amazon acquisition blocked over antitrust concerns. The decision left American consumer robotics without a flagship player, raising alarms about the nation’s ability to scale homegrown tech firms. Meanwhile, the hosts reviewed their 2025 predictions—hitting on AI regulation and X’s rebranding but missing on crypto and AGI—then laid out bold forecasts for 2026: an AI solving a Millennium Prize problem, growing political backlash shaping midterms, and AI-generated content earning award nominations. Speculation swirled around Apple’s next CEO and whether Sora will thrive or fade. With signs of an AI-driven economic bubble emerging, including overvalued startups and disruption to traditional software models, the episode closes on a festive note with a tech-themed holiday carol.