Tech Brew Ride Home Tue. 12/17 - Alexa Is A Hit, But Is It A Business?
Dec 17, 2019
Tensions escalate in the tech industry, with Google facing accusations of union-busting and Amazon clashing with FedEx. Meanwhile, Amazon grapples with monetizing Alexa, aiming to create a profitable ecosystem through subscriptions and media partnerships. Microsoft launches its Edge add-ons store while pushing for automatic browser updates. A look back at the decade reveals that the top apps share a common ownership. Lastly, a chess champion surprises everyone by excelling in fantasy football, showcasing the surprising overlap between strategy games.
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Google Firing
- A fifth Google employee, Catherine Spears, was fired for allegedly adding a labor rights pop-up to an internal Chrome browser.
- Google claims she abused privileged access and violated security protocols.
Amazon vs. FedEx
- Amazon is blocking third-party sellers from using FedEx Ground for Prime shipments due to declining delivery performance.
- FedEx says this impacts a small number of sellers, especially during peak season.
Alexa's Monetization Struggle
- Despite Alexa's popularity, Amazon is struggling to monetize it, falling short of its revenue targets.
- They're exploring options like sharing revenue with subscription services and ad partnerships.