Tech Brew Ride Home

Spotify takes a bold step, filing an antitrust complaint against Apple, spotlighting fierce App Store practices. Microsoft gears up, unveiling cloud gaming just before Google's big gaming announcement. Meanwhile, Google is reassessing its hardware goals, raising eyebrows about its future. Discord's sudden rise to fame is captivating the influencer community, while a mind-bending quantum experiment suggests there may be no such thing as objective reality. Get ready for a mix of tech skirmishes and philosophical quandaries!

Facebook stirs controversy after removing Senator Warren's ads, raising questions about criticism and corporate culture. Spotify sweetens the deal with a free Hulu subscription for Premium users. The podcast discusses the changing startup landscape as big tech looms large, with some entrepreneurs migrating to new hubs like Atlanta. Marking 30 years since the Web's inception, Tim Berners-Lee reflects on its evolution and the collective responsibility to ensure a vibrant future, peppered with humorous cultural insights.

Nvidia's massive acquisition of Mellanox signals a shift in data center strategies. Tesla is adapting its retail approach amidst pricing pressures while keeping stores open. TikTok's rapid content consumption and engaging algorithms are reshaping user interactions, particularly among younger audiences. The discussion also highlights Facebook's plans for messaging privacy and critiques around big tech breakups proposed by Senator Warren. Plus, the rise of dark mode in apps is explored, praised for reducing eye strain and saving battery life.

Brady Dale, a reporter at Coindesk with deep insights into the cryptocurrency industry, shares compelling thoughts on the evolving landscape of crypto. He discusses Facebook's recent moves in the space and highlights institutional adoption, particularly from public pension funds. The conversation touches on the cautious sentiment within the crypto community regarding tech giants, and the intriguing potential of Mimblewimble technology for enhancing privacy. The dynamic competition between platforms like Facebook and WeChat also sparks interesting considerations for the future of collaboration in crypto.

MG Siegler, a notable venture capitalist at GV and former TechCrunch journalist, dives into the intriguing world of foldable phones. He dissects the Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X, evaluating their design, durability, and practicality. The nostalgia of the clamshell Motorola Razr makes a cameo, highlighting its unique blend of charm and modern tech. MG also questions whether foldables are true innovations or just flashy trends, pondering Apple's potential entry into this market and what it could mean for consumers.

Senator Warren's bold proposal to break up big tech stirs up a discussion about competition and innovation. Airbnb's acquisition of HotelTonight signals its shift in strategy, while Facebook tackles the challenges of vaccine misinformation. The podcast addresses the ethical dilemmas tech companies face, especially regarding data protection and harmful content. Lastly, it highlights the emerging dangers of Triton malware and reflects on the risks in the startup world, like the rise and fall of Munchery.

Facebook is making a bold shift towards privacy in its messaging services, challenging its traditional business model. Meanwhile, Huawei is taking legal action against the US government, claiming bias in product bans. On the tech front, Amazon unveils its healthcare venture, revealing a new name for its collaborative project. Also, innovations in the scooter market are on the rise, as companies like Bird seek to expand their electric scooter offerings while avoiding bankruptcy.

Fitbit launches a budget-friendly smartwatch while Samsung gears up for more foldable phones. The podcast dives into the debate of plastic versus glass in foldable displays. It highlights cybersecurity threats targeting universities and reflects on Uber’s legal findings regarding its self-driving car incident. Grab secures a massive investment from SoftBank's Vision Fund, showcasing its growth in Southeast Asia. Plus, Waymo shifts its strategy to sell LiDAR sensors, impacting various industries. All this is celebrated alongside a nostalgic look back on a year of tech news.

The NSA's controversial phone surveillance program might finally be over. Microsoft is gearing up to launch Windows Lite for new dual-screen devices. Falling iPhone sales are causing serious hardship for Foxconn workers. Meanwhile, Netflix navigates a fierce streaming landscape, working hard to maintain its edge against competitors like Disney Plus. And, surprisingly, a common password like 'ji32k7au4a83' reveals deeper cultural insights while posing serious cybersecurity risks for many users.

Facebook lets randos look you up by your phone number; Huawei is about to sue the U.S. government; a Vermont law exposes more than 100 data brokers; USB 4 is announced; Facebook offers a way to log in with your face...kind of; and the W3C has a new standard that promises to do away with passwords forever. Sponsors: Keeps - https://keeps.com/techmeme MetaLab - https://metalab.co Links: Facebook won’t let you opt-out of its phone number ‘look up’ setting (TechCrunch) Scammers abused Facebook phone number search (BBC News) Huawei Said to Be Preparing to Sue the U.S. Government (New York Times) Here are the data brokers quietly buying and selling your personal information (Fast Company) With USB 4, Thunderbolt 3’s benefits become open to all (The Verge) USB Promoter Group Announces USB4 Specification (AP News) Harry McCracken's Facebook tweet (Twitter) Facebook explains how it’ll review nude photos to stop revenge porn (The Verge) Facebook’s New CAPTCHA Test: ‘Upload a Clear Photo of Your Face’ (Wired) W3C approves WebAuthn as the web standard for password-free logins (VentureBeat)  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices