Tech Brew Ride Home Wed. 05/18 – Apple Takes A Covid Step Back
May 18, 2022
Apple has indefinitely delayed its return-to-office policy due to COVID-19 and employee feedback. Meanwhile, China surprisingly resurges as a leading player in Bitcoin mining despite a government ban. Netflix faces layoffs, raising concerns over its creative direction during tough financial times. In the tech scene, Acer unveils innovative monitors featuring glasses-free 3D technology. Additionally, Twitter's acquisition drama unfolds as Musk navigates negotiations that continually raise eyebrows.
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Episode notes
Tech Companies as COVID Indicators
- Apple's return-to-office policy is indefinitely delayed due to rising COVID-19 cases.
- This highlights how tech companies often reflect broader societal trends, acting as "canaries in the coal mine."
Goodfellow Leaves Apple
- Ian Goodfellow, Apple's machine learning director, left due to the return-to-office policy.
- He prioritized work flexibility and joined Google's DeepMind, which has a more lenient policy.
China's Covert Crypto Mining
- Despite a ban, China's Bitcoin hash rate share has grown, becoming the second largest globally.
- This suggests a rise in covert crypto mining operations, highlighting the difficulty of enforcing such bans.