Amazon Archives - Techspansive

Episode 130. Twitter enters the Muskaverse, Snap takes flight with the Pixy drone, and Instacart delivers its tech infrastructure

As Elon Musk moves closer to acquiring Twitter, we discuss the role that it could play in his portfolio and how it may compete for his heavily divided attention. Next, we zoom out to the big picture of Snap’s new Pixy drone and whether it can take off where the selfie stick left off. Finally, we check out how Instacart is responding to the post-pandemic drop-off and growing competition by taking a page from Amazon’s book and becoming an infrastructure vendor.

Join Shawn DuBravac of Avrio Institute and Ross Rubin of Reticle Research as they dig deep into tech news in every episode of Techspansive!

Episode 129. Elon adds Twitter, Warner Bros. Discovery subtracts CNN+, and Amazon multiplies Prime shipping vendors

As Elon Musk was gearing up to purchase Twitter, we discussed some of the changes we might see as the pioneering social network joins his impressive portfolio of companies. Plus, we look at what the streaming video shakeout means in light of Netflix<'s subscriber loss and the axing of CNN+ by Warner Bros. Discovery Finally, as Amazon extends Prime's original shipping benefit to third parties with Buy With Prime, we look at what the new program and Amazon's supply chain investments mean for its status as a tech vendor, its customers, and its epic battle with Walmart.

Join Shawn DuBravac of Avrio Institute and Ross Rubin of Reticle Research as they dig deep into tech news in every episode of Techspansive!

Episode 127. Amazon’s pulls in MGM Studios, the FIDO Alliance pushes away passwords, and Instagram serves up NFTs

With Amazon finalizing its acquisition of MGM Studios, we dive into what the studio assets can do for the retail and cloud giant, why the acquisition evaded regulatory challenges, and how the content fits into adjacent Amazon moves in content, advertising, and devices. Plus, a look at moves by the FIDO Alliance to use our ordinary devices as trusted identification sources as one of several initiatives moving us toward the passwordless future. Finally, we look at Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement that Instagram will enable creators to mint NFTs on the platform and how that could fit into the metaverse plans of Meta and others.

Join Shawn DuBravac of Avrio Institute and Ross Rubin of Reticle Research as they dig deep into tech news in every episode of Techspansive!

Episode 125. Tech giants respond to the Ukraine invasion, Amazon reshuffles retail and launches Luna, and Disney+ adds ads

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has set off reactions from tech companies that range from misinformation blocking campaigns to pulling out as suppliers. We look at the impact of the response in terms of its impact both on the industry and their target. Plus, Amazon shutters some of its first retail stores as it pushes deeper into groceries with the first Whole Foods stores featuring its cashierless tech. We look at what it means for Amazon Go as well as look at how its Luna gaming service fits into its online subscription efforts. Finally, as Netflix acquires a strategically important game developer, Disney gets more aggressive with plans for an ad-supported Disney+ tier. We look at what could be next for its content bundles.

Episode 121. The Facebook face-plant, Amazon’s ascendant advertising, and Wordle for the win

As Meta points us toward the future, investors slapped the company for its ad revenue shortfall and discouraging forecast, particularly in light of strong quarters from Alphabet and Snap, as the company again turns to Instagram to battle a challenger in TikTok. We discuss why the metaverse is so important to Meta as Amazon builds on its own commerce site to become the #3 digital advertising platform. Finally, we offer a few reasons why The New York Times purchase of Wordle might not result in screams of four-letter words.

Join Shawn DuBravac of Avrio Institute and Ross Rubin of Reticle Research as they dig deep into tech news in every episode of Techspansive!

Episode 120. Alexa on the wall and your wrist, Redditor reactions, and Google takes influencers shopping

As the gift-giving season is upon us, Amazon’s device group is going big… and small. We share thoughts on the significance of the Echo Show 15 as well as the Halo wearable. Plus, we took at why the Reddit community has concerns about the company’s filing to go public and how Google’s easy storefront play Qaya allows the company to squeeze into bios on Instagram<, TikTok, and, of course, its own YouTube.

Join Shawn DuBravac of Avrio Institute and Ross Rubin of Reticle Research as they dig deep into tech news in every episode of Techspansive!

Episode 113. Apple maxes its mini, checking out Walmart+ vs. Prime, and how Discord could save Facebook

With a look at Apple’s recent media event where the iPhone 13 failed to reach for the skies as Apple beefed up the Apple Watch and iPad mini. Next, we check out the progress in Walmart’s shopping subscription service and look at how much of a threat it is to Amazon Prime. Finally, we discuss how Discord has bridged gaming and NFT investing, and why Facebook is loving the competition.

Join Shawn DuBravac of Avrio Institute and Ross Rubin of Reticle Research as they dig deep into tech news in every episode of Techspansive!

Episode 112. Facebook weaves into Wayfarers, Amazon delivers telehealth, tuition and TVs, and Google hawks hybrid hardware

In this episode, we start out assessing Facebook’s stylish but functionally modest smart glasses developed with Ray-Ban. Next, we look at Amazon’s many recent moves, including expanding Amazon Care, equipping more Whole Foods for cashierless checkout, offering college tuition for its 750,000 hourly workers, releasing new smart TVs, and updating its Luna streaming game service.

Episode 111. Apple softens on reader apps, may tie AR efforts to iPhone. Plus, Amazon’s smart TV

In this episode, we assess the significance at Apple’s latest app store concession, allowing developers of “reader” apps to link to websites for account setup and management. Plus, why Apple may be going for a hybrid approach that relies on the iPhone as it launches its first augmented reality glasses. Finally, we look at the prospects for an Amazon-branded smart TV.

Episode 104. Facebook pwns the FTC, Instagram vs. TikTok, and teaming up against Teams

As Facebook’s court win against the FTC dredges up limitaitons of antitrust laws, Instagram chases TikTok, which is chasing YouTube. Meanwhile, in less entertaining applications, Salesforce, now armed with Slack, may be driving an alliance with Amazon and Dropbox to take on rival Microsoft as Windows 11 integrates Teams.

Join Shawn DuBravac of Avrio Institute and Ross Rubin of Reticle Research as they dig deep into tech news in every episode of Techspansive!