Down Round

Raph has returned from the land of the free, and we're back in the regular studio for some more Down Round. Nvidia has just been slapped with a new restriction on exporting its slightly less than cutting edge H20 chip, which cost it a $5.5 billion charge. We talk about chips and continue our chat from last week's premium episode about how Trump's trade war is affecting tech.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hosts dive into the quirky world of smart home tech mishaps, sharing humorous anecdotes about battling with their air conditioning units. They then explore the heated debate around AI-generated art, reflecting on its emotional disconnect compared to Studio Ghibli's classic animations. Discussions on the financial implications of streaming Ghibli content reveal the impact of currency fluctuations. Finally, they tackle the ethical dilemmas of using pirated material for AI training, drawing parallels to history's creative shifts.

The chickens have come home to roost for 23andme, the consumer genetic testing company which has gone from making people feel nice about being 4% Italian to languishing in bankruptcy. With the vultures circling the carcass, we reflect on its very weird business model and why it should never have gone public. Then we talk about Google, which has been cooking on the AI front recently, and how it looks like their overall strategy in that space is coming into focus.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dive into the quirky world of HR SaaS as Rippling and Deel engage in bizarre corporate warfare. Allegations of espionage, a mole in the ranks, and a failed toilet phone flush make for riveting drama. The rivalry highlights hilariously absurd stories alongside serious business insights. In a surprising twist, the conversation also meanders into the 'acai wars' of Australia, revealing a flavorful competition among vendors. This mix of tech intrigue and lighthearted commentary keeps the discussion lively and engaging!

Curious about the intersection of politics and technology? Dive into the hot takes on Trump and Elon Musk's influence on Tesla's stock performance. Discover the complexities of the creator economy, particularly the legal and ethical challenges surrounding platforms like OnlyFans. There's a lively discussion about AI's role in data labeling and the implications for content creators. Plus, get insights on the evolving payment processing landscape and the strategies companies are employing to thrive amidst controversies.

Unfortunately due to circumstances within our control we are unable to record an episode this week. We promise we'll record a really really extra good one next week. Thank you for your patience. Enjoy this AI generated James reading a text message from James.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tech stocks have been having a rough time since December. The Magnificent Seven, the undisputed kings of the market, have slipped 10% since then — even before the DeepSeek moment.  But not all are made equal. Meta, for example, is doing basically fine. Apple isn't too terrible. Tesla, on the other hand, has lost 37% of its value since then. In this ep, we discuss the market correction, including a long chat on Tesla and whether its reality distortion field is looking a little shaky.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plenty of tech industry nonsense to chat about this week, folks. Elon Musk is fathering his 13th child (and a new Grok model) and trying to destroy OpenAI. Everyone is trying to match OpenAI's Deep Research with similar products of their own. The markets are back. As always, Down Round is here to guide you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The discussion kicks off in a hot jacuzzi, humorously likening social discomfort to today's complacency regarding AI. Insights dive into OpenAI's Deep Research feature, spotlighting its potential to disrupt white-collar jobs. The nuances of AI's role in job duplication emerge, emphasizing human oversight in tasks like legal research. As automation reshapes organizational dynamics, the future of middle management and employee development takes center stage, revealing a balancing act between efficiency and job security.

Apple is worth $3.5 trillion. Trillion with a T. But all is not necessarily well in Tim Cook's kingdom. iPhone sales are slowing and the Apple Intelligence rollout was unimpressive and underwhelming. Now rumours abound that they are abandoning their rescue mission for their VR and AR ambitions. Are Apple floundering? Or just doing things The Apple Way? Who better to discuss than the Down Round boys?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.