The rhetoric of the president-elect in his meeting with technology executives was more worrying that it appears. Then, Google is forcing its self-driving car initiative to actually build a business, while Uber launches self-driving cars in San Francisco in the most Uber way possible.
Tech and Trump, Tech and Politics
Tech executives are meeting with Trump, and it’s the right decision; now is the time, though, to establish the conditions when opposition is appropriate. Then, why technologists should not outsource politics.
The State of Technology at the End of 2016
The annual Stratechery review of the state of technology, and call to build products that unlock human potential
Slack + G Suite; Facebook Facing Board Lawsuit; Yik Yak Layoffs
Slack + G Suite is intriguing, but is it the end of the story for Slack and identity? Then, a new lawsuit against Facebook is a reminder that no outside entity has any leverage over the social network. Plus, how Snapchat took Yik Yak’s market and why it was still worth investing in.
Facebook’s China Censorship Tool, The Fake News Connection, A Thanksgiving Note
Facebook has pre-emptively built a tool for censoring content in China even as the Chinese government is talking about “fake news”. Then, a note of thanks from me to you.
Amazon Explores Sports Rights, Insta-Snapchat-Gram, Zuckerberg on Fake News
Amazon is looking into sports, but real changes won’t happen for a while. Then, Instagram continues to battle Snapchat, which is a useful reminder that the best Facebook antidote is competition.
Fake News Follow-up and Twitter Bans, Facebook Screws Up More Measurements, Snap Files for IPO
A follow-up to Fake News, and why Twitter’s bans are different. Then, the better approach to Facebook’s power is more transparency. Plus, Snap is both IPOing and showing why they are following in Facebook’s footsteps.
Fake News
Facebook is under fire for fake news and filter bubbles; they are a problem, but most of the proposed solutions are far worse.
Snapchat Spectacles “Launch”, Facebook’s Real Problem
Recent news about Snapchat (Spectacles) and Facebook (its effect on elections) couldn’t be more different; that’s why they are, in fact, related.
Twitter vs Facebook and Adam Bain’s Departure, Samsung Readies AI Assistant, Three Snapchat Updates
A reminder that the bubble problem applies to everyone, while Twitter is losing a key exec. Then, the riddle of Assistants on premium Android, and three Snapchat updates.