Microsoft's retail bombshell; Amazon's robotaxi deal; Trump vs. tech, again

Here’s what we’re talking about on the GeekWire Podcast this week.

• Microsoft shocked the tech world Friday morning by announcing it would be closing all of its retail stores. What does this tell us about Microsoft's business strategy and what might it portend for the future of physical retail stores?
• Amazon made a bold move in a new direction by acquiring robotaxi startup Zoox. Why would Jeff Bezos want to get into autonomous vehicles? And which fellow tech billionaire called him a copycat?
• President Trump shuts the door on employment-based visas for foreign workers, and tech leaders are ticked off. We’ll explain what he did, and why they’re not happy.
• Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella laid out an ambitious plan to address racial injustice at the company and across society. Can Microsoft save the world? We’ll assess its chances.
• Amazon bought the naming rights to Seattle's basketball and hockey arena ... and you won't believe what they're going to call it. So, of course, we have to crash Amazon's party by coming up with nicknames for the venue.

With GeekWire’s Todd Bishop, John Cook, Monica Nickelsburg, Taylor Soper and Kurt Schlosser. Produced by Curt Milton. Theme music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell.

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