Morning Brew Daily Sorry Apple, Microsoft is Now Most Valuable US Co. & Hertz is Out on EVs
Jan 12, 2024
The fierce rivalry between Microsoft and Apple heats up as Microsoft pulls ahead in value. Hertz finds itself in a bind, selling off over 20,000 electric vehicles, while Avis thrives in the EV market. The drama at ESPN unfolds, spotlighting conflicts with prominent personalities. Meanwhile, the tech industry faces widespread layoffs, with companies like Google and Amazon cutting jobs after pandemic-era over-hiring. Innovations from CES 2023 take center stage, showcasing AI advancements alongside amusing tales of Eton College's plumbing issues.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Microsoft's Rise
- Microsoft briefly surpassed Apple as the most valuable U.S. company, marking a shift in their trajectories.
- Microsoft's AI embrace and cloud growth contrast with Apple's stagnant iPhone sales and hesitant AI adoption.
Apple-Microsoft History
- Apple and Microsoft, founded around the same time by Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, have a long history of rivalry and collaboration.
- From software partnerships to operating system battles, their relationship has evolved over decades.
Hertz's EV U-Turn
- Hertz is selling 20,000 EVs, a third of its electric fleet, due to high maintenance costs and slowing demand.
- This reverses their 2021 EV bet, which initially boosted investor confidence and Tesla's market cap.