Today in Tech

Mark Zuckerberg takes his beef with Elon Musk to new levels with the launch of Threads, an Instagram-based microblogging platform that looks exactly like Twitter. Plus, we review highlights of the Microsoft vs. FTC case in terms of the Activision Blizzard acquisition, and wonders if Gen Xers really want to go back to a digital-free lifestyle.

The best and worst of humanity was on display last week during the events of the OceanGate Titan sub disaster, including rescuers looking for potential survivors, but also dark Internet memes and inappropriate comments due to 24/7 social media. Keith chats with author Justin Bean and analyst Jack Gold about what lessons we can learn, including those that work at startups and other “innovation” firms.

Workplace innovations such as eliminating scheduled meetings for a month, as well as flexible work options like four-day workweeks, have helped a technology company with issues around meeting fatigue and email overload. Keith chats with Amy Casciotti, vice president of human resources at TechSmith, about these innovations.

Tesla’s deal with Rivian to allow access to its Supercharger network seems to indicate a growing dominance of the Tesla charging system, creating a de facto standard. Also, the FTC goes after Amazon for its Prime subscription signups and cancellation policies, while also continuing to go after the

Several new articles suggest that the ongoing drive for electric vehicles may be shifting into a more cautious approach as questions rise around charging station availability, infrastructure questions, and the true range of vehicles. Also, we look at how some employees are pushing back against office mandates and whether companies need to have a “fun squad” that allows co-workers to become friends.

A New York case where a lawyer was admonished for using ChatGPT to research previous case law (in which the cases were made up by the AI) is softening enthusiasm for the technology by lawyers and others. Paul Lopez, an attorney and partner at Tripp Scott in South Florida, chats with Keith about the upsides and downsides of using generative AI for use in the legal space. Guest:Paul Lopez, a labor and employment attorney with South Florida-based Tripp Scott. Paul has more than 30 years of experience in commercial litigation and advises business owners, HR executives and compliance regulations on labor and employment laws. 

One week after Apple’s Vision Pro augmented reality headset, has the shine and hype subsided? Keith checks in with Computerworld editor Ken Mingis about whether this is just a case of Apple fan fervor, or if the company has revolutionized the ‘spatial computing’ space.

Recent incidents around companies and government organizations suffering shutdowns due to legacy and outdated technology systems is shining a spotlight on the problems around modernization. Richard Wiedenbeck, Chief Technology & Transformation Officer at insurer Ameritas, chats with Keith about the obstacles that many organizations face in trying to modernize their systems. 

Apple announced its augmented reality headset, the Vision Pro, at its Worldwide Developer’s Conference (WWDC). But at $3,500, the heavy price tag limits a potential audience and use cases are hard to define beyond entertainment and gaming. Keith is joined by Ramon Llamas, research director at IDC; Michael Simon, editor of Macworld; and Jonny Evans, a Computerworld columnist who covers Apple, to discuss the Vision Pro and its features, along with other WWDC announcements. 

The dynamics between employees and employers continues to swing back and forth in the face of massive layoffs, hiring and staffing shortages, and return-to-office mandates. How can employers become better at creating an environment where employees feel engaged? Does technology solutions help or hurt with improving morale? We chat with Joe Mull, author of the book “Employalty: How to Ignite Commitment and Keep Top Talent in the New Age of Work” about these and other employee/employer issues.Guest:Joe Mull, the author of three books and the founder of the BossBetter Leadership Academy. His most recent book is titled “Employalty: How to Ignite Commitment and Keep Top Talent in the New Age of Work.”