Episode 128. As Apple and Google respond to payments pressure, collaboration apps raise the bar for hybrid work

In this episode, we dive deep into the contrast between how Apple and Google have responded to regulatory pressure as Google experiments with letting Spotify use alternative payment schemes for its apps. Plus, we discuss why Apple and Google have shuffled their apps for acquiring video content. Finally, as Zoom embraces avatars, we look at the bevy of announcements from collaboration vendors such as Cisco’s Webex and Microsoft Teams as the realities of hybrid work set in.

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 124. A 3G retrospective, Spotify releases its Car Thing, and Meta’s speech-generated worlds

With AT&T becoming the first of the major U.S. carriers to start shutting down its 3G network, we look back at the advances that the network gave rise to and how its capabilities compared to the shifts of 4G and 5G. Plus, Spotify releases its first device: Car Thing, a thin touchscreen designed to ease access to its phone-based service in the car. We offer our take on its goals and potential. Finally, Meta continues its string of tantalizing demos with its mashup of VR and AI. We look at the potential for speech as the ultimate natural interface for artificial reality.

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 99: Google I/O from privacy to sci-fi, Spotify’s audio turf grab, and Snap snaps up AR tech

Join Shawn DuBravac of Avrio Institute and Ross Rubin of Reticle Research as they provide insights on the biggest tech stories, including:
shift, new Workspace features, natural language leaps, and holographic conferencing
—how Spotify is waging a two-front war against Apple and Amazon in a bid to dominate audio as Netflix eyes gaming
—what obstacles “camera company” Snap must overcome as it steps up its AR investments

Episode 77. Swooping in: Salesforce channels Slack, FedEx clicks to buy ShopRunner, and Amazon hits play on Wondery

Join Shawn DuBravac of Avrio Institute and Ross Rubin of Reticle Research as they provide insights on this week’s biggest tech stories, including:

—Whether Salesforce can keep Slack momentum going as the enterprise chat pioneer faces daunting competition from Microsoft
—How Amazon is expanding its podcast horizons with Wondery as Spotify touts Anchor’s long tail
—How FedEx can leverage ShopRunner versus Amazon’s and Walmart’s free shipping options.

Episode 72. iPhone 12 makes a debut, Zoom makes a platform play, and Spotify makes you the DJ

In this episode, Shawn and Ross share all the news around Apple’s new iPhones from the new value-driven mini to the Pro’s esoteric photography features, as well as discuss HomePod mini as a key component of its home services play against Amazon and Google. Next, we discuss how Zoom is taking advantage of its moment in the sun to move (and drag competitors) deeper into the consumer space.. And finally, Spotify’s new hybrid playlist format lets anyone host their own radio-style playlist-podcast hybrid. We discuss why we think it’s a neat idea, but one that would also play well for Apple.

Episode 56. Microsoft’s Big Plans and Content’s Next Celebrity

In this week’s episode, Shawn and Ross talk about Microsoft’s announcements from this week’s Build conference. We also discuss what’s happening in the world of podcasts. Joe Rogan is going exclusive on Spotify while Bloomberg reports Audible is in talks to acquire celebrity podcasts and Amazon Music is preparing to add podcasts.

Episode 23: Spotify v. Apple and Microsoft’s Cross-platform Ambitions

In this episode, Shawn and Ross look at the dynamics at play in the competitive dispute between Spotify and Apple as well as major trends in the games market such as Microsoft’s cross-platform ambitions. Finally, in our Lightning Round, Garmin makes its Marq on luxury watches, Lyft justifies its scooter and bike push, and Google Docs makes sure kids get the message.

Episode 19: Spotify ups its Podcast Game, Facebook Faces More Regulation, and Sprint Sues AT&T

In this episode. Shawn DuBravac and Ross Rubin talk about the big moves that Spotify has made in the podcast space as it seeks to shore up its business against platform providers and emulate successful models of Netflix and YouTube. In addition, they look at the impact that Facebook and other companies face as new regulations require greater transparency when combining data from multiple media properties. Finally, Ross and Shawn take a look at the latest in 5G as Sprint sues AT&T over its network branding and T-Mobile says it plans to sit out creating a bundle of broadband TV programming.