

Stratechery
Ben Thompson
Content from Stratechery, via podcast or RSS
Episodes
Mentioned books

17 snips
Mar 25, 2024 • 28min
United States v. Apple
The U.S. government's antitrust lawsuit against Apple raises serious questions about monopolistic practices and user experience. The struggle between Apple's strict app review policies and app developers highlights a battle for revenue and innovation. Apple's refusal to create a cross-platform iMessage app for Android showcases tactics aimed at maintaining dominance in the smartphone market. Additionally, the control over its App Store is impacting competition in digital wallets and smartwatch devices, sparking debate about the balance between user choice and market fairness.

10 snips
Mar 19, 2024 • 17min
Nvidia Waves and Moats
NVIDIA's recent chip launch marked a cultural moment, transforming CEO Jensen Huang into an AI icon amidst enthusiastic crowds. The launch resonates with historical tech events, showcasing NVIDIA's role as a hardware-software powerhouse. The innovative Blackwell chip architecture promises improved performance, particularly for generative AI, while NVIDIA aims for seamless enterprise AI deployments in 2024 with new inference services. Lastly, the focus on creating a structured GPU-centric ecosystem highlights both the competitive landscape and the emerging challenges of software lock-in in the AI realm.

19 snips
Mar 4, 2024 • 28min
Aggregator's AI Risk
The impact of the printing press parallels today's internet revolution, shifting power from institutions to the public. Tech aggregators like Google and Meta reshape how information influences society and politics. Philosophical reflections on societal progress challenge our understanding of technological advancement. The complexities of AI image generation raise concerns about bias and diversity. Lastly, the Topics API balances privacy with effective interest-based advertising, critiquing the political landscape for tech companies.

20 snips
Feb 26, 2024 • 17min
Gemini and Google's Culture
The discussion kicks off with Google's Gemini AI and its cautious approach to politically sensitive imagery, raising Orwellian concerns about truth. The conversation shifts to the backlash Gemini faces over historical comparisons, underscoring the corporate responsibility in AI. Microsoft's cultural struggles during the Windows Phone era are highlighted, revealing its hurdles in innovation. The focus then turns to ethics in tech, stressing the need for unbiased search results and user trust, while exploring how Google's culture influences its AI development and leadership.

12 snips
Feb 20, 2024 • 17min
Sora, Groq, and Virtual Reality
Dive into the evolution of virtual and augmented reality, uncovering the technological strides necessary for a 3D internet. Discover Sora, a groundbreaking video generation model, and debate its role in shaping the future of AI. Explore Grok's innovative approach to deterministic computing and how it enhances machine learning. Finally, consider the convergence of tech advancements that might redefine our experiences, blurring the lines between the real world and digital realms.

16 snips
Feb 6, 2024 • 29min
The Apple Vision Pro
Dive into the evolution of Apple’s devices, from the iPod to the Vision Pro, and explore their impact on tech. Discover the pros and cons of the Vision Pro, weighing its immersive entertainment features against productivity trade-offs. Learn how this new device can revolutionize personal media experiences, including tailored entertainment for small screens. Finally, compare augmented reality and virtual reality capabilities, addressing user challenges and what sets Apple apart from its competitors.

11 snips
Jan 30, 2024 • 22min
Intel's Humbling
Dive into the tumultuous journey of Intel as they navigate leadership shifts and strategic challenges in semiconductor manufacturing. Explore the fierce competition they face, particularly in the data center segment, and their ambitious 18A technology. Discover their partnership with United Microelectronics Corp to enhance production capabilities. Compare Intel’s strategies with TSMC’s adaptability in a rapidly evolving market, highlighting Intel’s historical struggles and their quest for a comeback through innovation and acquisitions.

11 snips
Jan 22, 2024 • 20min
The Apple Vision Pro's Missing Apps
The discussion highlights the Apple Vision Pro's focus on media consumption over productivity. It considers how this innovative device could revolutionize personal viewing and home theaters. Key challenges in the app ecosystem are explored, particularly regarding Apple's revenue sharing and the absence of major streaming services like Netflix and YouTube. The implications of these missed opportunities on user experience and content accessibility are analyzed, suggesting possible collaborations to enhance the Vision Pro's app offerings.

17 snips
Jan 8, 2024 • 27min
The New York Times' AI Opportunity
The podcast dives into the plagiarism allegations against Claudine Gay, revealing a generational clash over authority and academic integrity. It discusses how individuals redefine their identities in the digital realm, contrasting traditional institutional power. A pivotal lawsuit from The New York Times against AI giants raises urgent copyright concerns, highlighting complexities in content usage. The conversation also addresses the evolving landscape of journalism, emphasizing a shift towards subscription models, as outlets adapt to the challenges posed by AI.

18 snips
Dec 18, 2023 • 27min
Google's True Moonshot
The podcast dives into the development hurdles of Google's digital assistant, comparing it to Siri and Alexa. It tackles the antitrust challenges Google faces after losing its default status in Apple's ecosystem. The discussion covers Google's ambitions in machine learning with TensorFlow and its partnerships, particularly with NVIDIA. A controversial demo of the Gemini AI raises questions about its true capabilities. Finally, the podcast explores the integration of Gemini within Google's product ecosystem and the competitive landscape impacting its future.