Amazon Episodes

Amazon news and rumors, including the latest on Alexa, AWS, and Echo devices.
Nov. 6, 2018

Tue. 11/06 - Schrodinger's Amazon HQ2

Facebook takes down more accounts ahead of the election, the new Chrome might block ALL ads on some websites, Macbook Air reviews, and why you might not be able to read election results in tomorrow’s newspaper. Links: Medium Post on Facebook and the Election (Jonathan Albright) Chrome will soon ad-block an entire website if it shows abusive ads (The Verge) Amazon Plans to Split HQ2 Evenly Between Two Cities (WSJ) APPLE MACBOOK AIR (2018) REVIEW: THE PRESENT OF COMPUTING (The Verge) The 2018 Re...
Sept. 20, 2018

Thu. 09/20 - Alexa For Friggin' Everything!

Amazon announced Alexa for friggin everything, AmazonGos might soon be friggin everywhere, a life insurer will only sell you a policy if you own a smartwatch, and they’ve finally found Spock’s home planet of Vulcan. Links: Amazon Will Consider Opening Up to 3,000 Cashierless Stores by 2021 (Bloomberg) Strap on the Fitbit: John Hancock to sell only interactive life insurance (Reuters) Life Insurance Offering More Incentive to Live Longer (NYTimes) ESPN's new streaming service passes 1 million p...
Sept. 18, 2018

Tue. 09/18 - Alexa for Microwaves

A reported criminal investigation around Elon Musk’s tweets, Twitter brings back the chronological feed, Alexa for microwaves, and a wrap up of the iPhone XS and XS Max reviews. Links:Tesla Is Facing U.S. Criminal Probe Over Elon Musk Statements (Bloomberg)The Tweet that got Twitter to bring back the chrono-feed (@EmmaKinema)Amazon plans to release at least 8 new Alexa-powered devices, including a microwave, an amplifier, and an in-car gadget (CNBC)Trump Hits China With Tariffs on $200 Billion i...
Aug. 16, 2018

Tue. 8/16 - Now Bezos Wants Movie Theaters?

Amazon might buy a chain of movie theaters, why the Saudis invest the way they do, Twitter pisses everyone off because… what else is new? And reviews of the Note 9 and Android Pie are in. Links:Amazon in Running to Acquire Landmark Movie Chain (Bloomberg)Saudi Arabia Goes High-Tech in Approach to Investing (WSJ)Twitter company email addresses why it’s #BreakingMyTwitter (TechCrunch)Samsung Galaxy Note 9 review: A better Note for most of us (Engadget)You Can Really Feel the Samsung Note 9's $1000...
Aug. 15, 2018

Wed. 8/15 - Alexa and Cortana, BFFs

Today, Twitter takes action on Alex Jones, a new Intel chip vulnerability, Alexa and Cortana play nice together, consolidation in podcasting and a “rest and vest” for the ages. Stories from: @AnneMarieSteele, @dseetharaman Tweets: @MattRosoff Links:SPECTRE-LIKE FLAW UNDERMINES INTEL PROCESSORS' MOST SECURE ELEMENT (Wired)After a year's wait, Amazon and Microsoft bring Alexa and Cortana to each other's devices (CNET)OneDrive can now automatically backup your PC’s documents, pictures, and desktop ...
June 28, 2018

Thursday, June 28, 2018 - Amazon Kneecaps Walgreens

Amazon makes a ton of news including buying into pharmaceutical commerce and creating its own mini-package delivery army, Apple considers one subscription to rule them all, and the long Apple/Samsung war is over. Stories from: @angelicalavito, @jacknicas Tweets: @eugenegu Links:Amazon shakes up drugstore business with deal to buy online pharmacy PillPack (CNBC)Amazon’s new blue crew: Tech giant enlists entrepreneurs to own the ‘last mile,’ delivering packages in Prime vans and uniforms (GeekWire...
June 7, 2018

Thursday, June 7, 2018 - The Fire TV Cube

ZTE makes a deal with Uncle Sam, but Google might be in trouble because of Huawei, the new Amazon Fire TV Cube is announced, a new Blackberry phone, a redesigned Lyft app and more Instagram video rumors. Stories from: @stuwoo, @meganrosedickey LinksAfter Scrutinizing Facebook, Congress Turns to Google Deal With Huawei (WSJ)Lyft redesigns rider app to encourage shared rides (TechCrunch)Instagram plans to launch Snapchat Discover-style video hub (TechCrunch)For BlackBerry Key2, privacy is (again) ...
May 25, 2018

Friday, May 25, 2018 - Musk Rages and Alexa Listens In

European Union privacy restrictions kick in, Tesla settles a suit, Alexa is listening, Essential becomes a misnomer, and San Francisco brakes scooters. Tweets: @bxchen, @ktbenner, @geoffreyfowler, @zeynep, @cathyyoung63, @mccanner Links:Publications block EU readers (New York Times)Google late to update advertisers and ad-tech networks on GDPR changes (Digiday)Tesla settles on auto-pilot (Reuters)Alexa forwards private conversation by couple (KIRO)Amazon’s statement on Alexa recording and forwar...
May 23, 2018

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 - Why Might Amazon Ban You?

Facebook helps you find a plumber, Apple lets you download your data, Comcast wants to buy 21st Century Fox, why would Amazon ban you, and Bill Gates’ summer reading recommendations. Stories from: @kottke, @LauraStevensWSJ Links:Next Generation iPhone Chips Go Into Production (Bloomberg)HTC Announces U12 Plus With Pressure-Sensitive Buttons and Sides (The Verge)Banned From Amazon: The Shoppers Who Make Too Many Returns (WSJ) Bill Gates' Summer Reading List Recommendations:Origin Story: A Big His...
May 22, 2018

Tuesday, May 22, 2018 - Amazon Vs. The ACLU

Another chip flaw found, privacy activists turn their attention to Amazon, ZTE might be saved by the Trump Administration, Zuckerberg’s European sojourn is a damp squib, and now you can mute annoying people on Instagram. Stories from: @katienotopoulos, @sarafischer Links:The Privacy Scandal That Should Be Bigger Than Cambridge Analytica (Slate)Impatient, distracted consumers upend the media landscape (Axios)Overall Q1 US Smartphone Sales Dip 11% YoY, Apple Grows a Record 16% YoY (Counterpoint)In...
April 24, 2018

Tuesday, Apr. 24, 2018 - Amazon Wants to Deliver to... Your Car?

Amazon now delivers to your car, Spotify updates its app for free users, a wrap up of Alphabet’s earnings, jailbreak-able Nintendo Switches, and Mt. Gox’s Mark Karpelès breaks his silence. Stories from: @ShiraOvide, @KyleOrl, @jenwieczner Links:Google's Writing Checks and Trusts Investors Won’t Bounce (Bloomberg)The “unpatchable” exploit that makes every current Nintendo Switch hackable (Ars Technica)Mt. Gox and the Surprising Redemption of Bitcoin’s Biggest Villain (Fortune) Credits: Produced b...
April 23, 2018

Monday, Apr. 23, 2018 - Amazon's Robot For Your Home

Alphabet's Q1 earnings, Amazon's working on a domestic robot, Aleksandr Kogan says he worked more closely with Facebook than has been reported, spies—like us—fear digital tracking, and the state of the music industry. Stories:Amazon Has a Top-Secret Plan to Build Home Robots (Bloomberg)Cambridge Analytica Data Scientist Aleksandr Kogan Wants You To Know He’s Not A Russian Spy (BuzzFeed)Who Has More of Your Personal Data Than Facebook? Try Google (WSJ)CIA agents in 'about 30 countries' being trac...
April 19, 2018

Thursday, Apr. 19, 2018 - Bezos' Shareholder Letter

Amazon Prime tops 100 million subscribers, clarifying Facebook’s GDPR compliance, Netflix has mobile previews, what metrics show that is Reddit bigger than Facebook, and will you soon be able to letter in eSports? Stories from: @David_Ingram, @aatilley Links:Amazon CEO Shareholder Letter (SEC)Exclusive: Facebook to put 1.5 billion users out of reach of new EU privacy law (Reuters)Facebook Is Forming a Team to Design Its Own Chips (Bloomberg)Intel Plans to Shut Down Smart Glasses Group (The Infor...
April 18, 2018

Wednesday, Apr. 18, 2018 - Amazon and Best Buy Join Forces (for TVs)

Facebook rolls out better privacy tools globally, Amazon and Best Buy partner to sell TVs, the IRS suffered from a terribly timed outage, YouTube tries to reassure creators, and the great San Francisco scooter debate. Stories:A flaw-by-flaw guide to Facebook’s new GDPR privacy changes (TechCrunch)Welcome to the Wikipedia for Terms of Service Agreements (Wired)ToSDR.org Credits: Produced by @brianmcc and the @techmeme staff Music by @jpschwinghamer
March 15, 2018

Thursday, Mar. 15, 2018 - How Amazon Conquers

Apple's troubles with Siri, Amazon's had an amazing last three years, but it didn't kill Toys "R" Us, Nest launches a video doorbell, Google answers with no search results, and Drake crashes Twitch. Stories from @ShiraOvide and @rustybrick and tweet analysis from @taralach Credits: Produced by @brianmcc and the @techmeme staff Music by @jpschwinghamer
March 5, 2018

Mon. 03/05 - Amazon Checking Accounts

Amazon checking accounts, Apple noise canceling earphones, Google sells Zagat, Facebook posts a cringeworthy user survey, and VCs take a road trip! Sources: Amazon is in talks with big banks including JPMorgan Chase about a checking-account-like product that would appeal to those without bank accountsWall Street JournalNew York Magazine Sources: Apple is planning to launch high-end headphones with noise canceling and wireless pairing as early as end of 2018, but has faced development challengesB...