Tag: Amazon

Shawn and Ross drill down into the House of Representatives report on the market positions of Amazon, Apple, Google, and Facebook

Episode 71. Big Tech gets targeted as Big Blue plans a breakup

In this episode, Shawn and Ross drill down into the House of Representatives report on the market positions of Amazon, Apple, Google, and Facebook. We discuss the potential effectiveness of proposed remedies as well as the challenges in applying today’s antitrust laws to the foursome’s diverse offerings. We also look at Microsoft’s foray into setting app store fairness rules even as it concedes that it operates an app store that doesn’t abide by them. Finally, not all breakups as forced as IBM proposes the next step in divesting one of its businesses, leaving the remaining Big Blue more agile to focus on AI and the cloud.

Google Nest

Episode 70. Google’s low-key device launch, Surface Laptop’s low-priced Go. and Amazon’s high-tech palm reader

In this episode, Shawn and Ross break down the announcements from Google’s scaled-down device event as major lawsuit and regulatory clouds loom, and talk about why the search giant continues to invest in devices despite low market share. Next, it’s on to Microsoft’s new laptops, which both push the envelope on ARM-based device performance while hitting the heart of the back-to-school notebook segment with the Surface Book Go. Finally, we look at two divergent efforts to track physiology: Amazon’s palm-reading technology coming to its Go stores and HP’s addition of heart rate, facial and eye tracking to its Reverb 2 headset intended for corporate training exercises.

Amazon

Episode 69. Amazon’s home drone. Microsoft’s Bethesda purchase, and Epic’s multiplayer app store crusade

In this episode, Shawn and Ross look at Amazon’s big device launch, including a home surveillance drone and the Luna cloud gaming service. In other gaming news, we discuss how Microsoft’s purchase of Bethesda fortifies XBox Game Pass even though Microsoft will have to furnish a few PlayStation exclusives. Finally, we look at Epic’s latest move in its battle against Apple as the Fortnite company enlists developers such as Spotify and Match.com to form an app store reform coalition.

Episode 61. Trips, Chips and Memberships

In this episode, Shawn and Ross look at the latest moves in the self-driving car space as Elon Musk says Tesla is close to perfecting fully autonomous cars in the wake of Amazon buying startup Zoox. Next, we look at the potential for a subscription-based Twitter and how that social network’s latest moves contrast with Facebook’s. Finally, as Nvidia passes Intel’s market cap, we take a look at the initial benchmarks at the chips that will be powering the next generation of Macs.

Episode 54. Big Tech: We’re all in this together

In this episode, Shawn and Ross look at how tech companies are banding together and launching initiatives to help with the COVID-19 crisis, including Facebook’s Data for Good and Apple’s and Google’s joint efforts on a way to trace contact with individuals who have tested positive. Plus, we discuss some new initiatives that should result in dramatically better Wi-Fi and interoperability between connected gadgets in the smart home before discussing the latest rumors about Apple turning to its own chips in the Mac in the near future.

Episode 53. COVID-19 impact on devices, apps, and e-commerce

In this episode, Shawn and Ross look at how some long-neglected device categories have been thriving during the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus we take on how both established app makers such as Facebook and startups such as Quibi to accommodate new realities by focusing on more intimate experiences. Finally, we continue looking at Amazon’s logistics and brand have thrived during the pandemic even as shipping delays have driven consumers to take a second look at alternatives such as Walmart.

Episode 52. Another Week of Social Distancing. Amazon, Zoom, and the new T-Mobile-Sprint

In this episode, Shawn and Ross continue looking at COVID-19’s impact on tech companies, including Amazon and Zoom, two that have seen significant scrutiny while acting as key resources for many businesses and consumers. Plus, a look at the completion of the T-Mobile/Sprint merger and how investment in 5G could change the game if quarantines are needed in the future.

Episode 49. Big Tech Starts 2020 on a Roll

In this episode Shawn and Ross review the earnings from some of the Big Tech companies. We discuss the run-up in Amazon Prime membership and how the service is beating both retail and content memberships, the growth in Apple’s iPhone resurgence and wearables growth, and Facebook’s rising costs. We also offer our take on the prospects for Quibi, the short-form, video-first content company that’s launching soon.

Episode 40. Apple Catching Up on Hardware and Pushing Ahead on Services

In this episode, Shawn and Ross discuss all the major announcements from Apple’s September event, including the evolutionary updates of the iPhone and Apple Watch and the competitively stronger iPad. Plus, we contrast content-rich Disney+ and audience-rich TV+ and end on the latest moves in the grocery battle between Walmart and Amazon.