Down Round

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit downround.substack.comSince the last time we did an episode about AI, there’s been enough movement that we are being dragged back in. Join us… A few updates we dive into:– Microsoft is deepening its investment in OpenAI, and integrating it into its cloud computing offering and software like Office.– Google has called a “code red” and plans to roll out more customer-facing AI stuff this year and next.– ChatGPT is turning into a paid product.– Artists are becoming angrier and angrier about AI image generation, and the culture war is getting more intense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Down Round’s 50th episode. We’re celebrating this momentous occasion by discussing a real upper of a topic: the avalanche of layoffs which have hit the tech industry over the past several months. So what’s going on? Is the world economy about to collapse? Or are these hugely profitable big tech companies working themselves into a tizzy? This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit downround.substack.comFans of tech scams will enjoy the first big one of the year. Frank, the student loan startup acquired by U.S. bank JP Morgan, turned out to be less of a business and more of a fraudulent Excel spreadsheet. We discuss how it fits in among the greats.Links* JP Morgan Says Startup Founder Used Millions Of Fake Customers To Dupe It Into An Acquisition – ForbesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the buzziest sectors over the past half a decade is micromobility: e-scooters, e-bikes and the various rental apps which shell them out. Is it actually a good business? Or are they doomed to sink to the bottom of our various urban rivers? This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit downround.substack.comUnfortunately much like stocks, crypto, rare sneakers, NFTs, classic Nintendo games and vibes, Pokemon cards have crashed in value.This week, the collectable boom and bust cycle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s ep we’re joined by Mike Isaac, New York Times tech correspondent and author of Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber. He’s writing a book about Facebook, and we grill him relentlessly for an hour about Zuckerberg, the metaverse, and how things are feeling in Silicon Valley. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit downround.substack.comToday’s episode is all about payments and fintechs. From neobanks to buy now pay later, how are they all weathering the marginal increase in interest rates? Not well, it turns out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the wake of Tesla’s huge stock price drop, Down Round discusses: is the company all that? Or is it going to be smoked by Volkswagen?Happy New Year, and apologies for another episode about Elon Musk. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit downround.substack.comWe’re pausing the free ep this week over the Xmas/NY break. We’re back and firing all cylinders from January 4.For our cherished premium subs, we have 28 red hot minutes of deeply researched analysis on where the tech world is going in 2023. From crypto and AI to corporate mergers and social media, we’re offering sharp analysis and comprehensive, action…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit downround.substack.comMerry Christmas from the Down Round crew. Your present is another listener Q&A episode, packed to the brim with exciting questions about cutting edge companies like IBM and Salesforce. Do you like it? Say thank you Santa.Want to participate in our next Q&A? Follow us on Twitter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.