Sharp Tech with Ben Thompson

Microsoft mistakenly reveals secret game plans in court case, including plans for refreshed Xbox console and unannounced video games. Discussion about the backlash on Twitter and the consequences of spreading misinformation.

Google's history as a predictor, Disney's challenges in a shifting landscape, considerations for consumers and content makers in the new era, missed exit opportunities, antitrust digressions, and an iPhone 15 grievance.

Reactions to Tuesday’s iPhone event at Apple, the recent history of the development landscape in gaming, and an overview of the flaws in the plan Unity announced this week. At the end: Competing thoughts on the NFL and NBA, John Malone’s portfolio, and Taylor Swift in theaters. To email the show: email@sharptech.fm Apple’s iPhone Event; Innovation and Iteration; Pricing, Inflation, and Services — Stratechery Update Get Sharp Tech Premium, Sharp China, Stratechery Update, Stratechery Interviews, Greatest of All Talk and the Dithering Podcast as part of Stratechery Plus for $12/month.

Charter and Disney reached an agreement that benefits both parties, highlighting Charter's win and the potential of rebundling failed streaming services. The podcast also discusses ESPN's strategy of selling its service to internet TV providers and Charter's advancements in the broadband market. Additionally, it explores China's progress in chip technology and the geopolitical situation between the US and China, focusing on sanctions and chip development. The skewed incentive structure in systems without effective market feedback loops and the violation of US sanction rules by SMIC are also discussed.

John Kosner, an expert in the past and future of sports, discusses ESPN's transition to streaming, the ongoing dispute between ESPN and Charter Spectrum, and the risks faced by ESPN in negotiations with cable operators. The chapter also explores collaboration possibilities between cable companies and streaming services, the impact of ESPN's declining TV economics on sports leagues, and the potential landscape of sports broadcasting in the internet era.

Harley Finkelstein discusses Amazon and Shopify's surprising partnership. They also explore a more precise definition of disruption and the potential streaming nightmares for Warner/ESPN/Disney.

Nvidia's success and growth, timing and impact of AI on consumer behavior, divergent views on the future of Nvidia, potential use cases of the metaverse, Sony's success in various industries, challenges of customization, and discussions on nut management and naming infrastructure.

Chris Miller, Author of Chip War, discusses China's economic challenges, the power of demand aggregation, Microsoft's re-launch of Bing, and Spotify's algorithmic boost for white noise podcasts.

To email the show: email@sharptech.fm Disney Earnings, A Split Disney?, ESPN’s Advertising — Stratechery Update Disney to Significantly Raise Prices of Disney+, Hulu Streaming Services — Wall Street Journal Disney is open to finding a new strategic partner for ESPN, Iger says — CNBC Disney could soon sell its TV assets as Iger says business ‘may not be core’ to the company — CNBC Bob Iger on CNBC, The End of Linear TV, ESPN and Strategic Partnerships (and Apple?) — Stratechery Update Cable’s Last Laugh — Stratechery Big Ten Blame — Stratechery Get Sharp Tech Premium, Sharp China, Stratechery Update, Stratechery Interviews, Greatest of All Talk and the Dithering Podcast as part of Stratechery Plus for $12/month.

To email the show: email@sharptech.fm It’s Taylor Swift’s Economy, and We’re All Living in It — Wall Street Journal Non-Fungible Taylor Swift — Stratechery Taylor Swift v Apple — Stratechery Update Taylor Swift v Daniel Ek, What Swift Gets Right, The Problem with Spotify — Stratechery Update The Secret Talks That Could Have Prevented the Apple vs. Facebook War — Wall Street Journal For Taylor Swift, the Future of Music Is a Love Story — Wall Street Journal Differentiation and Value Capture in the Internet Age — Stratechery Bob Iger Back at Disney; Chapek’s Tactics, Iger’s Strategy; Tactics, Strategy, or Environment — Stratechery Update How Apple Will Save Billions of Dollars on Chips for New iPhone — The Information Apple Earnings; OpenAI, GPTBot, and Robots.txt; Zoom’s Terms-of-Service — Stratechery Update Is that viral ‘superconductor’ legit? — The Verge Get Sharp Tech Premium, Sharp China, Stratechery Update, Stratechery Interviews, Greatest of All Talk and the Dithering Podcast as part of Stratechery Plus for $12/month.