Techspansive

techspansive

Shawn DuBravac, CEO of Avrio Institute, and Ross Rubin, Principal Analyst at Reticle Research, connect the tech news from the week with the bigger trends underpinning the tech industry. They discuss the implications for not only the tech industry but for the broader society.

  • 31 minutes 26 seconds
    132. Reviewing Google I/O: search, AI, and comparing Google and Meta's approaches to device ecosystems and smart glasses

    We take a comprehensive look at the announcements in search, AI, and hardware and how it's all coming together at Google I/O. We also take another look at the ecosystem approaches of Google versus Meta, including both companies' pitches on design and value.

    Join Shawn DuBravac of Avrio Institute and Ross Rubin of Reticle Research as they dig deep into tech news in every episode of Techspansive!

    23 May 2022, 4:56 pm
  • 25 minutes 52 seconds
    131. TikTok shares its Pulse, Fortnite goes free in the cloud, and T-Mobile brings 5G home

    131. As we await the role of advertising in post-Musk Twitter, we talk about the implications of TikTok matchmaking advertisers and stars and sharing ad revenue with TikTok Pulse. Meanwhile, pandemic breakout Cameo is cutting back. Next, Microsoft and Epic Games are teaming up to bring Fortnite back to iOS and other major platforms via a free tier of Game Pass. We discuss the implications for cloud gaming and the free-to-play model. Finally, we look at how T-Mobile is putting 5G to the test with its new fixed wireless broadband service and whether it can pull off the same level of disruption as it has in mobile.

    Join Shawn DuBravac of Avrio Institute and Ross Rubin of Reticle Research as they dig deep into tech news in every episode of Techspansive!

    12 May 2022, 3:27 pm
  • 25 minutes 57 seconds
    130. Twitter enters the Muskaverse, Snap takes flight with the Pixy drone, and Instacart delivers its tech infrastructure

    As Elon Musk moves closer to acquiring Twitter, we discuss the role that it could play in his portfolio and how it may compete for his heavily divided attention. Next, we zoom out to the big picture of Snap's new Pixy drone and whether it can take off where the selfie stick left off. Finally, we check out how Instacart is responding to the post-pandemic drop-off and growing competition by taking a page from Amazon's book and becoming an infrastructure vendor.

    Join Shawn DuBravac of Avrio Institute and Ross Rubin of Reticle Research as they dig deep into tech news in every episode of Techspansive!

    5 May 2022, 1:27 pm
  • 28 minutes 22 seconds
    129. Elon adds Twitter, Warner Bros. Discovery subtracts CNN+, and Amazon multiplies Prime shipping vendors

    As Elon Musk was gearing up to purchase Twitter, we discussed some of the changes we might see as the pioneering social network joins his impressive portfolio of companies. Plus, we look at what the streaming video shakeout means in light of Netflix's subscriber loss and the axing of CNN+ by Warner Bros. Discovery Finally, as Amazon extends Prime's original shipping benefit to third parties with Buy With Prime, we look at what the new program and Amazon's supply chain investments mean for its status as a tech vendor, its customers, and its epic battle with Walmart.

    Join Shawn DuBravac of Avrio Institute and Ross Rubin of Reticle Research as they dig deep into tech news in every episode of Techspansive!

    27 April 2022, 4:56 pm
  • 27 minutes 3 seconds
    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!

    1 April 2022, 6:40 pm
  • 28 minutes 34 seconds
    127. Amazon's pulls in MGM Studios, the FIDO Alliance pushes away passwords, and Instagram serves up NFTs

    With Amazon finalizing its acquisition of MGM Studios, we dive into what the studio assets can do for the retail and cloud giant, why the acquisition evaded regulatory challenges, and how the content fits into adjacent Amazon moves in content, advertising, and devices. Plus, a look at moves by the FIDO Alliance to use our ordinary devices as trusted identification sources as one of several initiatives moving us toward the passwordless future. Finally, we look at Mark Zuckerberg's announcement that Instagram will enable creators to mint NFTs on the platform and how that could fit into the metaverse plans of Meta and others.

    Join Shawn DuBravac of Avrio Institute and Ross Rubin of Reticle Research as they dig deep into tech news in every episode of Techspansive!

    22 March 2022, 3:34 pm
  • 25 minutes 33 seconds
    126. Apple achieves peak performance, the U.S. contemplates crypto, and Android enters the iPhone chat

    Apple's Peek Performance event featured a new iPhone, iPad, and a surprising new Mac, but it was Apple's silicon prowess that was at center stage. We talk about how Apple continues to set the industry agenda with the M1 as the Mac Pro and M2 wait in the wings. Plus, we discuss President Biden's executive order establishing a cross-government effort to examine the impact of cryptocurrency and the potential of a digital dollar. Finally, we look at a significant update to Android and key Google apps months ahead of Google I/O brings many welcome features, including removing some of the "green bubble" stigma.

    Join Shawn DuBravac of Avrio Institute and Ross Rubin of Reticle Research as they dig deep into tech news in every episode of Techspansive!

    12 March 2022, 11:42 pm
  • 32 minutes 26 seconds
    125. Tech giants respond to the Ukraine invasion, Amazon reshuffles retail and launches Luna, and Disney+ adds ads

    The Russian invasion of Ukraine has set off reactions from tech companies that range from misinformation blocking campaigns to pulling out as suppliers. We look at the impact of the response in terms of its impact both on the industry and their target. Plus, Amazon shutters some of its first retail stores as it pushes deeper into groceries with the first Whole Foods stores featuring its cashierless tech. We look at what it means for Amazon Go as well as look at how its Luna gaming service fits into its online subscription efforts. Finally, as Netflix acquires a strategically important game developer, Disney gets more aggressive with plans for an ad-supported Disney+ tier. We look at what could be next for its content bundles.

    Join Shawn DuBravac of Avrio Institute and Ross Rubin of Reticle Research as they dig deep into tech news in every episode of Techspansive!

    7 March 2022, 7:36 pm
  • 34 minutes 9 seconds
    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!

    2 March 2022, 12:57 am
  • 25 minutes 33 seconds
    123. nVidia and Intel chase cars, Google chases PCs, and we chase our Uber rider ratings

    We check in on nVidia's earnings and progress in gaming and data center applications and other sources of growth and discuss announcements from Intel's Investor Day, where the CPU giant announced its intent for a stronger push into automotive. Plus, we look at Chrome OS Flex as the latest incursion of Google onto the PC as both it and Microsoft bring Android apps to Windows. Finally, we check out the new Uber feature that allows you to break down your ratings and find that we've been model rideshare customers... mostly.

    Join Shawn DuBravac of Avrio Institute and Ross Rubin of Reticle Research as they dig deep into tech news in every episode of Techspansive!

    26 February 2022, 4:50 pm
  • 33 minutes 10 seconds
    122. The iPhone takes payments, CEO shakeups at Peloton and Arm, and Microsoft's blizzard of app store promises

    Closing the loop on Apple Pay, Apple announces that it will enable the iPhone to take contactless credit card payments. We look at who could benefit as progress against the pandemic continues. Plus, the company adds to its measures to prevent AirTags-based stalking. Next, we look at the CEO transitions following the financial fortunes at Peloton and Arm's breakup with Nvidia, discussing the path forward for those companies. Finally, we look at Microsoft doubling down on its disruptive app store principles as it seeks to cut off scrutiny into its acquisition of Activision Blizzard as Big Tech monopoly evaluation evolves

    Join Shawn DuBravac of Avrio Institute and Ross Rubin of Reticle Research as they dig deep into tech news in every episode of Techspansive!

    15 February 2022, 11:48 pm
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