Episode 55. Big Tech swoops in for acquisitions

n this episode, Shawn and Ross look at how Big Tech is taking advantage of market volatility to swoop in and acquire companies that fill out their offerings. These include direct competitive response in the case of Facebook buying Giphy and Uber eyeing GrubHub, market expansion in the case of Microsoft buying Metaswitch, and farther-flung VR dreams in the case of Apple buying NextVR. Plus, we look at the competitive dynamics of the video meeting market among Zoom, Microsoft and Google in the context of office population. Finally, we end with a note about Huaweii's clever circumvention of the U.S. tech ban as it puts a sheen of new tech on last year's P30 smartphone.

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 45. Google Buys Fitbit, Apple Reports Earnings, and NBC’s Peacock Shows Its Feathers

In this episode, Shawn and Ross discuss Google’s acquisition of Fitbit and what it means for the company’s wearable ambitions. Then it’s on to Apple earnings where the company’s growing services have overcome slumping iPhones, and, finally, how NBC’s streaming service may have to muscle its way into a crowded field.

Episode 43. Google’s Hardware Event and Netflix Earnings

In this episode, Shawn and Ross discuss the products announced at Google’s hardware event, including the promising PixelBuds, midrange PixelBook Go, and the maligned Pixel 4 with its innovative radar sensor. Plus, we share thoughts on Netflix’s recent earnings and how it can possibly outmaneuver the growing flood of competitors that own valuable content properties.

Episode 34: Facebook Turns to Transactions

In this episode, Shawn and Ross return from a break to look at Facebook's many transactional initiatives, including its plan to monetize subscriptions to content creators and the tie-in to its cryptocurrency Libra. How far can the company go in creating a WeChat-like platform? Plus, some thoughts on what we can expect at next week's antitrust hearings for Big Tech as Amazon and Google decide put aside their battle over video devices and YouTube.

Episode 28: A Week of Reconciliation

In this episode, Shawn and Ross feel the love as they discuss the sudden reconciliation between Apple and Qualcomm’ just as its court case was getting underway and the role Intel likely played along with Amazon’s and Google’s progress toward supporting each others’ video efforts. Then, the Lightning Round includes discussion of the Samsung Galaxy Fold screen issues, free music tiers for smart speakers from Amazon and Google, and Google opening up Android in the EU to new browser and search engine choices. Plus, we celebrate the launch of the podcast’s new web home at https://techspansive.com/

Episode 26: Apple’s media momentum

In this episode, Shawn and Ross look at some of the early signs of momentum around Apple’s music and news services. Meanwhile, Netflix drops support for an Apple technology in what may be a sign of growing pains. Our Lightning Round takes on AirPower’s failure, Alexa earbuds and the quick end of Google’s ethics board. Finally, our new startup spotlight looks at Ouvos, crowdsourced navigation for bikes and scooters.

Episode 14: End of Year Grading for Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft

In this episode, Shawn DuBravac and Ross Rubin hand out report cards to five big tech ecosystem companies — Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft. We’ll discuss some of their biggest highlights and lowlights and assign a final grade for the year as well as consider what’s in store for them in 2019.

Episode 13: How Good if your Voice Agent Anyways?

In this episode, Shawn DuBravac and Ross Rubin discuss the implications of recent tests that show how well major voice agents fare when asked a range of questions across topics and what Apple’s promotion of a recent Google hire to the executive team might mean for the future of its AI efforts. Also, on the day that AT&T launches its mobile 5G network, we share some thoughts about what the long-awaited wireless standard means in the short-term and what applications it may enable in years to come.