The Best One Yet

📹 “The Next TikTok” — Whatnot’s $5B shop app. Nvidia’s uranium problem. Sonos’ CEO oopsie.

Jan 14, 2025

As TikTok faces a potential ban, Whatnot emerges as a powerful replacement, merging e-commerce and social media. The resignation of Sonos' CEO highlights the importance of app quality in retaining customer trust. Meanwhile, Nvidia grapples with new export restrictions, likening chips to a modern uranium crisis in the AI race. Plus, discover the surprising origin of America’s favorite candy, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, tracing back to a frog salesman’s legacy!

23:00

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Whatnot is positioning itself as a formidable alternative to TikTok by blending elements of live shopping with social interaction and urgency.

NVIDIA faces significant challenges due to new export restrictions on AI chips, highlighting the geopolitical significance of technology in global markets.

Deep dives

Whatnot: The New Contender for TikTok's Crown

Whatnot is emerging as a strong alternative to TikTok in the realm of live shopping. As TikTok faces a looming ban, Whatnot has garnered attention by blending elements of Instagram, eBay, and reality TV into a singular shopping experience. This platform allows users to engage in real-time shopping, where sellers demonstrate collectibles and products via live videos, creating an engaging environment that feels like a night market. With a recent $265 million funding round and a valuation of $5 billion, Whatnot's innovative approach capitalizes on psychonomics by leveraging social interaction and urgency, making it a significant player in the evolving e-commerce landscape.

Intro

4min

The Evolution of Live Shopping: Whatnot & Beyond

16min

The Importance of Apps in Product Success and Industry Updates

2min

Community Resilience Amidst Wildfires in Los Angeles

2min

Celebrating Listeners and a Holiday Podcast Introduction

3min

TikTok will be banned in 5 days… but its replacement is Whatnot: It’s Instagram + eBay + MTV.

Sonos is known for its fancy sounds systems… but the CEO just quit because of 1 big mistake.

Nvidia chips have export restrictions… because in the AI arms race, chips are the new uranium.

Plus, the #1 candy in America was invented by a frog salesman… It’s Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and it’s the next episode of our weekly deepdive show The Best Idea Yet 🥜

$SONO $NVDA $META

To hear more on Reese’s PB cups, subscribe to The Best Idea Yet: Wondery.fm/TheBestIdeaYetLinks to listen.

“The Best Idea Yet”: The untold origin stories of the products you’re obsessed with — From the McDonald’s Happy Meal to Birkenstock’s sandal to Nintendo’s Super Mario Brothers to Sriracha. New 45-minute episodes drop weekly.

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