Thu. 02/01 – A Tech Regulation Tipping Point?
Why I think yesterday’s Congressional hearings might actually be a tipping point for tech regulation. What would a Kids Online Safety Act actually mean? More proof of YouTube’s dominance. Celsius and FTX customers are about to get some money back. And Google’s new text to image AI processor. Sponsors: Kolide.com/ride Links: Microsoft, X throw their weight behind KOSA, the controversial kids online safety bill (TechCrunch) Americans’ Social Media Use (Pew Research Center) Celsius to Distribute $3B Crypto to Creditors as Firm Emerges From Bankruptcy (CoinDesk) Google launches an AI-powered image generator (TechCrunch) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 Feb 202416min
Wed. 01/31 – Tech Execs Back Before Congress
The tech execs have been called before Congress once again. Universal Music Group pulls its songs from TikTok. Is 23andMe in danger of going out of business? Figure is an AI robotics company that Microsoft and OpenAI might be about to invest in. And say hello to the Chief AI Officer job title. Sponsors: Kolide.com/ride Links: Social media chiefs on defensive at US online child protection hearing (FT) TikTok CEO Pledges $2 Billion to Protect 170 Million US Users (Bloomberg) Child Safety Hearing (NYTimes) Universal Music Group Warns It Will Pull Songs From TikTok After Deal Expiration (Variety) 23andMe’s Fall From $6 Billion to Nearly $0 (WSJ) Humanoid Robot Startup Figure AI in Funding Talks With Microsoft, OpenAI (Bloomberg) Figure AI in talks with Microsoft and OpenAI for funding (ReadWrite) Figure-01: AI learns how to make coffee like a human (ReadWrite) Microsoft and OpenAI are in talks to inject $500 million into humanoid robotics startup Figure AI, report says (Business Insider) Hottest Job in Corporate America? The Executive in Charge of A.I. (NYTimes) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
31 Jan 202417min
Tue. 01/30 – The Vision Pro Reviews Are Here
Elon Musk says Neuralink implanted its device into a human for the first time. You can search for Taylor Swift X again, but was a Microsoft tool to blame for the deepfakes? Better AI coding from Meta. And I read all the Apple Vision Pro reviews so you don’t have to. Sponsors: Notion.com/ride Links: Elon Musk’s Neuralink implants brain tech in human patient for the first time (CNBC) Microsoft Closes Loophole That Created AI Porn of Taylor Swift (404 Media) Meta releases ‘Code Llama 70B’, an open-source behemoth to rival private AI development (VentureBeat) Apple Vision Pro review: magic, until it’s not (The Verge) Apple Vision Pro review: A revolution in progress (Tom's Guide) Apple Vision Pro Review: The Best Headset Yet Is Just a Glimpse of the Future (WSJ) Apple’s Vision Pro is nearly here. But what can you do with it? (Washington Post) Apple Vision Pro Review: A Mind-Blowing Look at an Unfinished Future (CNET) YouTube Video Of My Interview With Chris Dixon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
30 Jan 202418min
Mon. 01/29 – Is Arc Search The Future Of Search I Was Talking About?
Amazon calls off its iRobot acquisition. Is Arc Search the future of search we were talking to Baratunde about this weekend? Why you can’t search for Taylor Swift on X at the moment. How many ads will be in streaming? And who is quietly killing it in subscription gaming? The answer may surprise you. Links: Amazon Drops $1.4 Billion iRobot Deal; Vacuum Maker Cuts Jobs (Bloomberg) Arc Search combines browser, search engine, and AI into something new and different (The Verge) Arc’s new iPhone browser wants to be your search companion (TechCrunch) X Halts Taylor Swift Searches After Explicit AI Images Spread (WSJ) Chinese AR Glasses Maker Raises $60 Million to Compete With Apple (Bloomberg) Amazon Is Now Charging Prime Members Extra for Ad-Free Streaming. For Some, That’s a Deal Breaker. (WSJ) Games are helping the New York Times thrive amid media chaos (Axios) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
29 Jan 202415min
(Bonus) Baratunde Thurston On The Apple Vision Pro
The great Baratunde Thurston join Chris and Brian to talk about his hour-long in-person demo with the Apple Vision Pro. In the second half, we discuss the idea of whether or not Google Search (and maybe the web) is doomed in the era of AI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
27 Jan 20241h 1min
Fri. 01/26 – CRACK! The App Store Opens Up. Or Does It?
Apple has announced major changes to the App Store. In the EU, alternative app marketplaces, but does the new Core Technology Fee mean it’s still a shell game? Also in Europe, alternative default browsers. And for everyone, game streaming apps are now permissible. Also, cheaper GPT from OpenAI. And is Cruise in trouble with the Feds? Links: iOS 17.4 Introduces Alternative App Marketplaces With No Commission in EU (MacRumors) Apple will prompt users to set default browsers and allow third-party web engines on iPhone in the EU (9to5Mac) Apple opens App Store to game streaming services (The Verge) Apple's EU Core Technology Fee Could Bankrupt Freemium App Developers (MacRumors) OpenAI drops prices and fixes ‘lazy’ GPT-4 that refused to work (TechCrunch) DOJ and SEC investigate GM-owned self-driving car company Cruise (WashingtonPost) Baratrunde Thurston Bonus Episode Video On YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 Jan 202417min
Thu. 01/25 – Will Nintendo Try To Shut Down Palworld?
As Palworld surpasses 8 million in sales, The Pokemon Company says it will “investigate and take appropriate measures” with regards to those IP infringement allegations. Layoffs at Activision Blizzard and Xbox. Google’s Lumiere is a text to video AI generator. And how the rising prices of streaming services are fueling a resurgence in piracy. Links: Inquiries Regarding Other Companies’ Games (The Pokemon Company) Microsoft lays off 1,900 Activision Blizzard and Xbox employees (The Verge) Google’s latest AI video generator can render cute animals in implausible situations (ArsTechnica) Pixel facing new storage issue, likely tied to January Google Play system update (9to5Google) Microsoft Teams now supports 3D and VR meetings (The Verge) Microsoft Closes at Record, Ends Just Shy of $3 Trillion Value (Bloomberg) Streaming Pirates Are Hollywood’s New Villains (Bloomberg) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
25 Jan 202416min
Wed. 01/24 – Netflix’s Cheapest Ad-Free Plan Is Going Away
Netflix kicks off Tech Earnings Season, and suggests it’s taking it’s cheapest ad-free plan away. The one chart that shows why Netflix is winning the streaming wars. Spotify demos how it plans to break out of Apple’s App Store. Renders of the Pixel 9 have already leaked. Apple scales back its EV car plans. And an interesting raise to help you pay your rent. Sponsors: Notion.com/ride Links: Netflix is going to take away its cheapest ad-free plan (The Verge) The secret to Netflix's total dominance (Business Insider) Spotify plans to launch in-app purchases, if Apple gets out of the way (The Verge) [Exclusive] Pixel 9 Pro 5K Renders and 360 Degree Video Provide First Look At Google’s Flagship Ahead of Launch (MySmartPrice) EBay to eliminate about 1,000 jobs, or 9% of full-time workforce (CNBC) Apple Dials Back Car’s Self-Driving Features and Delays Launch to 2028 (Bloomberg) Apple boosts plans to bring generative AI to iPhones (FT) Bilt Nabs $3.1 Billion Valuation, Ken Chenault Joins as Chairman (Bloomberg) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
24 Jan 202416min
