Tech Brew Ride Home Fri. 01/22 – Alphabet Sends Loon To The Deadpool
Jan 22, 2021
Alphabet's closure of its Loon project raises questions about the future of innovation. Australia's push for digital platforms to compensate media sparks a fierce battle with Google. Exciting changes are on the horizon for Apple's MacBook, including a lighter design and the return of the SD card slot. The fintech world sees shifting dynamics as Plaid navigates valuation issues post-Visa merger collapse. Plus, the ongoing discussion about privacy protection and the enduring relevance of PDFs. Don't miss tips on weekend reads!
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Loon's Demise Signals Potential Issues for Alphabet
- Alphabet shut down Loon, its internet balloon project, deeming it commercially unviable.
- Loon's demise raises concerns about Alphabet's other bets and its ability to generate profits beyond Google.
Alternative Perspectives on Loon's Failure
- Michael Greenwich suggests SpaceX's reusable rockets made satellite internet inevitable, rendering Loon obsolete.
- Parker Thompson argues Google's innovative projects, though risky, may eventually yield significant returns.
Australia's Proposed News Media Bargaining Code
- Australia wants digital platforms to pay media companies for content snippets.
- Google threatened to remove its search engine from Australia if the law passes, while Facebook threatened to block news sharing.