Episodes

Aug. 24, 2020

Mon. 08/24 – Is Apple Evil Now?

Is Apple evil now? Another App Store kerfluffle, this time involving WordPress of all things. Also, more fallout from the Apple/Epic Games/Fortnite battle. Lawsuits flying in the WeChat/TikTok controversies. And let me intro…
Aug. 23, 2020

Introducing the Kottke Ride Home

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Aug. 21, 2020

Fri. 08/21 - Uber’s Former CSO Charged With Obstruction of Justice

Uber’s former CSO charged with obstruction of justice, becoming the first tech executive ever charged for a security incident. A legend of the Amazon C suite is leaving next year. Epic Games continues to gleefully poke Apple…
Aug. 20, 2020

Thu. 08/20 – Lyft Ends Service In California At Midnight

Facebook has removed tons of stuff from what it calls US-based militia organizations. Airbnb has filed for its IPO. Cobalt is an interesting raise. But also, some new tech might remove cobalt for better batteries. DoorDash l…
Aug. 19, 2020

Wed. 08/19 – You Won’t Be Able To Use An Oculus Without A Facebook Account

Soon you can only use an Oculus if you have a Facebook account. But bizarrely, the Facebook Portal (along with the Echo Show and Google Nest Hub Max) is opening up to Zoom. Netflix is testing a “shuffle play” feature. Blackb…
Aug. 18, 2020

Tue. 08/18 – Apple Goes Nuclear Against Epic Games

Apple has chosen the tactical nuclear option in its fight with Epic Games. But Epic might rally a rebel alliance. Would Oracle buying TikTok make any sense to anyone? Uber and Lyft consider reverting to the business model th…
Aug. 17, 2020

Mon. 08/17 – Why Regulatory Change For Big Tech Is Maybe Inevitable

Why I think regulatory impact for Big Tech is maybe inevitable. Amazon seems to be sniffing around Rackspace. The first “mass produced” smartphone with a camera underneath the display? An ex-Googler says Google Cloud’s depre…
Aug. 15, 2020

(Bonus) The Reliance Jio Story With The Diff Newsletter

The whole story of Reliance and Reliance Jio with Bryne Hobart, author of the excellent newsletter The Diff. Subscribe at: diff.substack.com Also, the book about Dhirubhai Ambani we discuss at the beginning is this one: The …
Aug. 14, 2020

Fri. 08/14 – Fortnite Banned! The Epic/Apple/Google Battle Royale

What do you think we’re going to talk about? Apple and Google ban Fortnite. Epic Games turns around and sues Apple and Google for antitrust. Also: Adobe commits to fighting Deepfakes, Streaming is now a quarter of all tv vie…
Aug. 13, 2020

Thu. 08/13 – Apple Subscription Bundles By October?

Apple subscription bundles coming as soon as October according to Gurman. Epic is straight out thumbing its nose at the App Stores. What could render iPhones as “electronic trash” in China. And why are people sniffing around…
Aug. 12, 2020

Wed. 08/12 – Microsoft Launches Surface Duo!

Microsoft’s dual screen Surface Duo is here! Microsoft’s commits to November as a launch month for the Xbox Series X. Foxconn wants to pull back from China itself. Mozilla is in trouble. Silicon Valley and Kamala Harris are …
Aug. 11, 2020

Tue. 08/11 – Google To Create A Global Android-Powered Earthquake Alert System

Android is becoming a worldwide earthquake detection network. Major legal setback for Uber and Lyft in California. Businesses using Bitcoin as their capital reserve. Parallels Desktop supports Big Sur. Nreal still believes i…
Aug. 10, 2020

Mon. 08/10 – Amazon to Turn Malls Into Fulfillment Centers?

Amazon wants to literally take over Malls. How exposed to China is Apple at the moment? Apple is literally doing legal battle with a pear. An app to help guide you on your psychedelic trips. And why I would personally be in …
Aug. 7, 2020

Fri. 08/07 – The Executive Order To Ban TikTok and WeChat

The President officially signs an order to block ByteDance AND Tencent. Apple confirms the reasons why xCloud and Stadia aren’t coming to iOS any time soon. Uber is now, officially, more burrito delivery company than taxi co…
Aug. 6, 2020

Thu. 08/06 – Will The US’s “Clean Network” Plan Break The Internet?

Will the US Government’s “Clean Network” plan lead to the definitive fracturing of the Internet we’ve all feared? Nintendo is killing it thanks to Covid and Animal Crossing. Are Samsung’s new earbuds actually Cool Beans? You…
Aug. 5, 2020

Wed. 08/05 – Samsung’s Unpacked Event And The New Galaxy Note 20s

All of the headlines from the Samsung Unpacked event: new Galaxy Note 20s, New Galaxy Buds, New Galaxy Watch and more. Disney has already hit its goal for Disney+. ByteDance remains defiant even as Facebook launches Instagra…
Aug. 4, 2020

Tue. 08/04 – Last Hurrah? iMacs Get A Major Update

Last hurrah? Intel iMacs get a major update. The TikTok, Microsoft, Trump situation can only be described as nuts-o-butts-o. Looks like Garmin paid the ransom. Why xCloud is launching soon on Android but not on iOS. And get …
Aug. 3, 2020

Mon. 08/03 – The TikTok, Microsoft, Trump Ban Saga Explained

TikTok has not been banned by Trump, but it came close this weekend. Microsoft almost walked away from buying TikTok this weekend, but it looks like it’s back on board and might buy non-Chinese TikTok operations soon. Google…
July 31, 2020

Fri. 07/31 – Nvidia In Talks To Buy Arm?

Sources say Nvidia is in talks to buy Arm. Music Videos are coming to Facebook in a bigger way. The iPhone is delayed a tiny bit. A run-down of the earnings reports: TLDR: Apple made a ton of money when people thought they w…
July 30, 2020

Thu. 07/30 – A Comprehensive (8-Minute) Rundown of the Big Tech Congressional Testimony

A comprehensive rundown of the big tech testimony in Congress yesterday. Don’t worry. I tried to keep it brief. Are seller fees quietly twice as big a business for Amazon as AWS is? There’s a new king of the smartphone hill …
July 29, 2020

Wed. 07/29 – Big Tech CEO’s Testimony Before Congress

A rundown of what the big tech CEO’s told Congress this afternoon. Are Samsung and Google about to get a lot more integrated? The biggest news in the ongoing streaming media transformation of Hollywood. Buying out TikTok is …
July 28, 2020

Tue. 07/28 – Instagram Is Making TikTok-ers An Offer (They Hope) They Can’t Refuse

What to expect from tomorrow’s Big Tech Congressional testimony. Instagram is trying to woo TikTok stars. Qualcomm has some amazing new quick charge tech. Roblox continues to look like the next big thing. And Deadspin—the tr…
July 27, 2020

Mon. 07/27 – Googlers May Not Return To The Office Until NEXT July

Google’s offices might remain closed due to Covid for another full year. Australia has sued Google on competition and consumer grounds. Looks like Garmin is being ransomed. A handheld device to replace guide dogs for the bli…
July 24, 2020

Fri. 07/24 – The US Has A Quantum Internet Plan

Might Twitter have too many cooks in the kitchen to have decent op-sec? Intel has to delay its next gen chip process. Again. The US unveiled official plans for a quantum internet. AT&T announced its nationwide 5G network is …