Sharp Tech with Ben Thompson
Andrew Sharp and Ben Thompson
A podcast about understanding how tech works and the way it is changing the world. Hosted by Andrew Sharp with Ben Thompson.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 29, 2024 • 11min
(Preview) Virtual Reality and the Innovator's Solution, Meta Embraces the Android Approach, Uber as an Aggregator
Ben Thompson discusses potential updates to disruption theory, Meta market skepticism, Facebook vs. Apple, and whether Uber could become the future aggregator for transportation. Topics include the metaverse, Apple's Vision Pro challenges, and Facebook's hardware expansion strategy.
Apr 25, 2024 • 11min
(Preview) TikTok and the E-Commerce Giants, The FTC Moves to Ban Noncompete Agreements, 'Bluey' and Streaming Leverage
Discussion on why TikTok suits Walmart and Amazon more than Oracle and Microsoft, FTC's ban on noncompete agreements impact on trust, the influence of noncompetes in Silicon Valley, Bluey's appeal to streamers, and Drake's AI freestyle update.
14 snips
Apr 22, 2024 • 13min
(Preview) What Taylor Swift Can Tell You About Netflix, What Meta Wants from Generative AI, Google and the Moonshot
Netflix's subscription number reporting change in 2025, Meta's AI ambitions, Google competing with iPhone, Drake's rap battle with AI Tupac
12 snips
Apr 18, 2024 • 1h 10min
10 Years of Stratechery: Best and Worst Takes, Creating on the Internet, AI as a Threat, and Memories of Day 1
Celebrating 10 years of Stratechery with insightful reflections on past tech predictions, challenges in digital publishing, the future of robotics, navigating criticism, and the impact of AI on content creation. Delving into tech company perceptions, political influence, and unconventional recording spots while maintaining independence in the tech industry.
Apr 15, 2024 • 11min
(Preview) When AI Hits Digital Advertising, What the IT Era Can Teach Us About AI's Impact, Chip Questions and EV Mechanics
Exploring the advertising potential of AI for big players like Meta and TikTok, predicting AI's impact on the economy by looking at past technologies, and chip questions mixed in with EV mechanics anecdotes.
Apr 11, 2024 • 16min
(Preview) Mailbag: AI Hardware, NBA Newsbreakers as Aggregators, Reels vs. Shorts, The Best Approach to Age Verification
Ben and Andrew dive into Jony Ive's new venture, AI hardware challenges, the rise of sports journalists Shams Charania and Adrian Wojnarowski, Instagram's Reels strategy, updates on Neuralink, and approaches to age verification for teens.
Apr 8, 2024 • 1h 6min
Amazon and the “Just Walk Out” Parable, Mythbusting on Meta and TSMC, The XZ Backdoor and Its Implications
The podcast discusses Amazon's 'just walk out' technology, Meta's data access controversy, TSMC's Arizona fab progress, and the XZ backdoor issue. Topics include tech skepticism, human oversight in AI, debunking data myths, TSMC's expansion in the US, tradeoffs in tech regulations, and the perils of open-source vulnerabilities.
Apr 2, 2024 • 17min
(Preview) Apple Flunks a Vision Pro Test, Microsoft Unbundles Teams from Office, AI and Energy Consumption
Exploring Apple's VR resolution in Vision Pro, Microsoft separates Teams from Office due to antitrust concerns. Microsoft's Windows history, cross-platform shift, and Teams strategy. Legal challenges of bundling products, AI concerns, and regulatory hurdles for tech giants in the EU.
4 snips
Mar 28, 2024 • 1h 15min
New Laws to Regulate Big Tech, The Distinction Between Platforms and Aggregators, Apple’s API and Accessories
The podcast discusses new antitrust laws for Big Tech, the distinction between platforms and aggregators, and the Apple API controversy. They also touch on bridging antitrust confusion and criticize Boeing's CEO search.
Mar 25, 2024 • 11min
(Preview) US v. Apple, Specific Allegations and Broad Implications, The Decisions that Made Apple a Target
Exploring US v. Apple complaint, consumer control of app store, text messaging tech, smartwatches, Apple's strategic decisions making it an antitrust target
