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The Consumer Technology Association says they’re doing it live! As in, an in-person CES once again. Samsung announces two superlight laptops that are nonetheless, still “pro.” Netflix launches a new interface to take away what to watch fatigue. A roundup of tech earnings. And help Microsoft pick a new default font for Office. Sponsors: Red-ID.com/brian Oracle.com/goto/ride Links: CES will return to Las Vegas as an in-person event in 2022 (The Verge) Samsung’s new Galaxy Book Pro and Galaxy Book Pro 360 are lightweight laptops with OLED screens (The Verge) AirPods demand reportedly falling as Apple cuts production by 25-30% (9 to 5 Mac) Inside Netflix’s Quest to End Scrolling: How the company is working to solve one of its biggest threats: decision fatigue. (Vulture) Huawei reports 16.5% drop in revenues in first quarter, warns of ‘another challenging year’ ahead (CNBC) Microsoft is changing the default Office font and wants your help to pick a new one (The Verge) 52-Week High Newsletter Too

Is the EU about to bring the hammer down on Apple? Are Apple M2 chips right around the corner? Spotify launches its Podcast Subscription offering, and it is an interesting contrast to Apple’s. A whole slew of new Fire Tablets from Amazon. Lyft exits the self-driving game. And we’re in a dark new world when it comes to ransomware attacks. Sponsors: Skiff.org/ride Cyberreason.com Links: EU to charge Apple with anti-competitive behaviour this week (Financial Times) Spotify launches podcast subscriptions, but you can’t subscribe in-app (The Verge) Apple's follow-up to M1 chip goes into mass production for Mac (Nikkei Asia) Amazon’s new Fire HD 10 tablet has slimmer bezels and better specs (The Verge) Lyft sells self-driving unit to Toyota’s Woven Planet for $550M (Tech Crunch) Ransomware gang threatens to expose police informants if ransom is not paid (The Record) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Facebook rolls out that Spotify integration. Roku accuses Google of making anticompetitive demands for YouTube TV. iOS 14.5 rolls out, and with it that App Tracking Transparency tool. Apple plans a big new campus in North Carolina. And DoNotPay’s latest service helps protect your selfies from the global panopticon.  Sponsors:   CalderaLab.com use code TECHMEME (all caps one word) at checkout Kiwico.com, Promocode ride for 30 percent off Links: Facebook introduces a new miniplayer that streams Spotify within the Facebook app(Tech Crunch) Zoom launches Immersive View to unify participants in the same virtual room (Venture Beat) Roku says it may lose YouTube TV app after Google made anti-competitive demands (Axios) OnlyFans feels the lockdown love as transactions hit £1.7bn (Financial Times) German groups file Apple antitrust complaint as it makes privacy changes (Financial Times) To Be Tracked or Not? Apple Is Now Giving Us the Choice. (New York Times) Apple will spend $1 billion to open 3,000

Figuring out the AirTags play. New iMac lust. And a deep discussion of the Apple Podcasts Subscription thing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spotify looks like it’s going to quickly counter Apple with a Podcasts Subscription competitor that might be extremely creator friendly. The mystery of the driverless Tesla car crash. Worth noting how quickly things have been turned around for the better over at Snapchat. And of course, the Weekend Longreads Suggestions. Sponsors: Tovala.com/ride AirMedCareNetwork.com/tech offer code TECH Links: Apple, Spotify and the New Battle Over Who Wins Podcasting (Wall Street Journal) Did a Human or a Computer Crash This Tesla? (Intelligencer) Snap reports accelerating revenue growth, strong user numbers for first quarter (CNBC) Weekend Longreads Suggestions: Netflix, Disney and Amazon’s Streaming Wars Heat Up Overseas (Wall Street Journal) The pandemic nearly crushed pet-care startup Rover (Business Insider) Meet Virtual Reality, Your New Physical Therapist (New York Times) TMSC's expansion challenge told in 10 timely charts (Bloomberg) Why the Chip Shortage Is So Hard to Overcome (Wall Street Jo

Dish partners with AWS to build the first public cloud-based 5G network. iPadOS 15 might let you go full widget on the home screen. Some of those stolen schematics suggest we will be getting the MacBook Pros we deserve. I’ve got an interesting raise for a product every Product Manager should know about. And the first reviews of the Apple Air Tags are in. Sponsors: PingIdentity.com NewYorker.com/techmeme, promocode techmeme Links: US satellite company Dish taps Amazon for 5G launch (Financial Times) Apple Plans Notifications, iPad Home Screen Upgrades for iOS 15 (Bloomberg) Stolen MacBook Pro Schematics Confirm Apple's Plans to Add More Ports and Remove Touch Bar (Mac Rumors) Software product planning platform Productboard raises $72M (Venture Beat) AIRTAG LOCATION TRACKERS ARE SMART, CAPABLE, AND VERY APPLE (The Verge) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The EU proposes a big new regulatory framework for AI. A ransomware gang threatens to release Apple product schematics unless they get paid off. Fallout from yesterday’s Apple event including what you can and cannot put on your AirTags. Netflix has disappointed Wall Street, and Amazon is expanding its “pay with your palm” program to more Whole Foods locations. Sponsors: Skiff.org/ride Tovala.com/ride Classified: RobBettis.com Links: Artificial Intelligence, Facial Recognition Face Curbs in New EU Proposal (Wall Street Journal) Instagram launches tools to filter out abusive DMs based on keywords and emojis, and to block people, even on new accounts (Tech Crunch) Apple announces AirTag accessories that cost more than the device (9 to 5 Mac) Ransomware gang tries to extort Apple hours ahead of Spring Loaded event (The Record) Netflix falls after pandemic boom reverses to rare weakness (Bloomberg) Amazon is bringing palm-scanning payment system to Whole Foods stores (CNBC) (Order your own cl

All of the headlines from Apple’s “Spring Loaded” event. All of the announcements Mark Zuckerberg made in that Discord room yesterday. Binance hires a former regulator to be its new CEO. And Fitbit wants to sell you a fashion forward Fitness Tracker. Sponsors: ManlyBands.com/techmeme Kracken.com/techmeme Classified: RobBettis.com Links: Apple updates 11" and 12.9" iPad Pros with M1, 8-core GPU, Thunderbolt, up to 2TB storage, 5G, 1080p FaceTime HD camera, and a miniLED screen on the 12.9" model (Techmeme) Apple introduces Podcasts Subscriptions to pay creators for content in redesigned app (9to5Mac) Facebook unveils suite of new audio products (Axios) Clubhouse’s Monthly Downloads Plunged 72% Last Month (The Wrap) Cryptocurrency Giant Binance.US Hires Former Top Bank Regulator (WSJ) Fitbit’s Luxe is a fashion-focused fitness band that costs $149.95 (The Verge) (Order your own classified at: https://www.ridehome.info/p/classifieds/) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f

Mon. 04/19 – Facebook To Announce Going Big On Audio, Via Audio? Facebook has probably just outlined its plans to go big on audio, via a digital audio room. Clubhouse has officially announced that big new raise, probably in reaction to that, to some degree, A16Z did indeed triple down, and I try to outline all the threads for you. Britain might block ARM’s sale to Nvidia. And what to expect from tomorrow’s Apple event. Sponsors: Masterworks.io promocode ride Fundrise.com/techmeme Links: Facebook plans to go after Clubhouse — and podcasts — with a suite of new audio products (Vox) Clubhouse closes an undisclosed $4B valuation Series C round, as tech giants’ clones circle (Tech Crunch) UK invokes national security to investigate Nvidia's ARM deal (Reuters) Tencent's Ma dangles billions in aid as antitrust scrutiny grows (Bloomberg) Microsoft’s xCloud beta arrives on iOS and PC this week (The Verge) What to Expect From Apple's April 20 Event: New iPads, AirTags and More (Mac Rumors) Le

Chris Fralic of First Round Capital was involved in funding such companies as Ring, Hotel Tonight, Warby Parker, Rec Room, and as you’ll hear today, Roblox. But in addition to being a legend, as you’ll hear, Chris is just an all around good dude... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The biggest semiconductor companies in the world warn than the global chip shortage might roll on for years. Could that recent batch of Facebook accounts showing up on the dark web lead to the dreaded maximal GDPR action? Apple says it pays artists more than Spotify does, but is that really true? Depends on how you run the numbers. And of course, the weekend longreads suggestions. Sponsors: Skiff.org/ride GivingMultiplier.org/techmeme Links: Intel, Nvidia, TSMC execs agree: Chip shortage could last into 2023 (Ars Technica) Facebook faces ‘mass action’ lawsuit in Europe over 2019 breach (Tech Crunch) Apple Music Reveals How Much It Pays When You Stream a Song (Wall Street Journal) Weekend Longreads Suggestions: Dogecoin: The meme that somehow became a real cryptocurrency (Cnet) They were ancient internet memes. Now NFTs are making them rich (Wired) Why did Microsoft spend $19.7 billion to purchase Nuance? The answer may lie beyond health care. (Protocol) A Little-Known Upstart Might Just

Jeff Bezos pens his farewell to the troops, and also, the shareholders. A big Google Earth update. Some thoughts on yesterday’s Coinbase debut. DJI updates its mid-level workhorse drone. And Ford is taking baby steps to that sort of super cruise control that I really want while we’re wait for full autonomy. Sponsors: AirMedCareNetwork.com/tech offer code TECH AwayTravel.com/techmeme Links: Jeff Bezos says Amazon needs to do a better job for employees in his final shareholder letter as CEO (CNBC) Google Earth’s historical 3D time lapses show the ravages of climate change (The Verge) Apple announces $200 million investment fund for forest restoration projects (9 to 5 Mac) Parallels 16.5 with native Apple Silicon support now available, up 30% faster VM performance than Intel (9 to 5 Mac) I funded Coinbase in 2012. Making 6000x on my best startup investment yet (Gary Tan) DJI’s new Mavic Air 2S comes with one big upgrade (The Verge) Ford’s hands-free BlueCruise driving feature coming soon to

Wed. 04/14 – Now It’s the FBI Doing The (Legal?) Hacking The FBI hacked into some Exchange servers to prevent further hacking of Exchange servers. Ming-Chi Kuo thinks the iPhone mini and the notch are both going away after this year. Sony wants you to think of their phones as cameras first. Oculus gets a key new wireless update. And yes, those Boston Dynamics robot dogs have been spotted on the streets of NYC. Sponsors: Startmail.com/Techmeme for 50% off your first year! Blockchain.com Links: FBI Accesses Computers Around Country to Delete Microsoft Exchange Hacks (Vice) Kuo: 2022 iPhones to Feature 48-Megapixel Camera, 8K Video, and 6.1 and 6.7" Sizes With No 5.4" Mini Option (Mac Rumors) Kuo: Apple to Adopt Under Display Face ID Starting With 2023 iPhones (Mac Rumors) Kuo: 2023 iPhones to Feature 'Periscopic' Telephoto Lens (Mac Rumors) Samsung's third Unpacked event of 2021 set for April 28 (Cnet) Sony announces the Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III with variable telephoto lenses (The Verge)

Everyone announced something today. A new Surface Laptop 4. New Nvidia things. New Roku things. Something new from Spotify literally called Car Thing. Oculus is going to hold a product event. Siri leaked the next Apple event. And Grab is going public via a SPAC. Sponsors: LinkedIn.com/ride Fundrise.com/techmeme Links: Microsoft announces Surface Laptop 4 with choice of Intel or AMD processors (The Verge) Siri Reveals Apple Event Planned for Tuesday, April 20 (Mac Rumors) Facebook Announces Oculus Gaming Showcase For April 21 (Upload) Nvidia unveils rental model for DGX Station A100 mini supercomputers (Venture Beat) Roku’s latest streaming device gives 4K, HDR, and a voice remote for $40 (Ars Technica) Spotify’s Car Thing debuts as a limited release for selected US users (The Verge) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Microsoft acquires the biggest name in speech tech. Apple is maybe developing some home gadgets I feel like they should have done years ago. Might we see new iPads by the end of the month? Google wants to stop you from walking and texting. And a review of the new Mercedes-Benz entrant into the EV wars.  Sponsors: Skiff.org/ride Netgear.com/bestwifi and promocode:tech10  Links: Microsoft buys speech recognition firm Nuance in a $16 billion deal (CNBC) Apple Working on Combined TV Box, Speaker to Revive Home Efforts (Bloomberg) Apple Facing Supply Shortage of Upcoming High-End iPad Displays (Bloomberg) Ant to Be Financial Holding Firm in Overhaul Forced by China (Bloomberg) Alibaba’s rivals on alert after China’s regulators hand out record fine (FT) Google starts rolling out “Heads Up” in Digital Wellbeing to stop distracted walking (XDA Developers) THE 2022 MERCEDES-BENZ EQS IS A DECLARATION OF MAXIMUM ELECTRIC LUXURY (The Verge) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon

Here was our Twitter Space from this week. We ended up talking all about Coinbase, helped by some great analysis from Romeen Sheth, who I think you’ll recall I quoted from when we talked about this on Wednesday. You can follow Romeen on twitter @RomeenSheth, link in the show notes. And also, he has a great podcast called Square One, where he interviews founders and investors, folks like Anthony Pompliano, Li Jin, David Sacks, even Andrew Yang. Give it a listen, search Square One on your podcast app of choice. Sponsors: Today In Digital Marketing podcast GivingMultiplier.org/techmeme Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The counting is finally happening, and not to be all Nate Silver, but it’s looking fairly certain that Amazon won its big union battle. Apple and Epic Games are making their first arguments in that big lawsuit. A big new scraping hack, this time for half a billion LinkedIn users. Neurolink shows a monkey playing Pong with its brain. And of course, the weekend longreads suggestions. Sponsors: Blockchain.com FundRise.com/techmeme  Links: Partial tally in Amazon union drive favors ‘No’ votes. (NYTimes) Epic v. Apple discovery details ‘Project Liberty’ scheme to skirt App Store with Fortnite (9to5Mac) Apple Admits Purposely Keeping iMessage Off Android Helps Lock Users In (DroidLife) Hackers scraped data from 500 million LinkedIn users — about two-thirds of the platform's userbase — and have posted it for sale online (Insider) Neuralink's brain-computer interface demo shows a monkey playing Pong (Engadget) Weekend Longreads Suggestions: Silicon Valley Is Flooding Into a Reluctant Austin (Bloom

If the chip shortage is now biting even Apple, things are getting real, y’all. Twitter apparently took a run at buying Clubhouse. Facebook has a new Clubhouse like product called Hotline. Lenovo’s new phone convinces me gaming phones are truly a thing. And are there signs we’re finally gonna see those Apple AirTags… or do the tea leaves reveal the exact opposite? Sponsors: Calderalab.com code TECHMEME at checkout Blockchain.com Links: MacBook and iPad production delayed as supply crunch hits Apple (NikkeiAsia) Apple MacBook and iPad production may be delayed over global chip shortage (AppleInsider) Twitter Held Discussions for $4 Billion Takeover of Clubhouse (Bloomberg) Facebook tests Hotline, a Q&A product that’s a mashup of Clubhouse and Instagram Live (TechCrunch) Lenovo’s Legion Phone Duel 2 has not one but two cooling fans (The Verge) YouTube is social media’s big winner during the pandemic (CNBC) Uber and Lyft ‘throwing money’ at US drivers to ease shortage (FT) Google I/O 2021 wi

Coinbase has revealed the number behind their business, and they are brain exploding emoji. A big Patreon raise shows the moneybags are serious about this creator economy thing. Nobody is crying at Plaid over that failed Visa merger. There’s a new king of the gaming laptop hill. And I try my best to unravel the twisted tale of the latest Facebook data scandal. Sponsors: Kiwico.com, Promocode ride for 30 percent off Blockchain.com Links: Coinbase Posts Blowout Q1 Profit of $730-$800 Million, Days Before Public Listing (Decrypt) Patreon’s Valuation Triples to $4 Billion as Platform Draws Creators, Fans (WSJ) Clubhouse Discusses Funding at About $4 Billion Value (Bloomberg) Plaid raises $425M Series D from Altimeter as it charts a post-Visa future (TechCrunch) Global Venture Funding Hits All-Time Record High $125B In Q1 2021 (Crunchbase News) Alienware’s M15 R5 is its first AMD-based gaming laptop in over a decade (The Verge) What Really Caused Facebook's 500M-User Data Leak? (Wired)

Clubhouse isn’t messing around when it comes to flipping the monetization switch. TikTok translation might make that platform even more global. Yahoo Answers circles the drain. Are NFT prices already dropping? And with the new digital Yuan, would the Chinese government be able to literally turn off the money in your wallet? Sponsors: Today In Digital Marketing Podcast Kraken.com/techmeme Links: Clubhouse’s new direct payments let you toss a coin to creators, and they get 100 percent (The Verge) TikTok adds automatic captions to videos in accessibility push (The Verge) Yahoo Answers will be shut down forever on May 4th (The Verge) The NFT bubble might be bursting already (CNN Business) China Creates Its Own Digital Currency, a First for Major Economy (WSJ) E3 2021 Will Take Place as a Free Virtual Conference, In-Person L.A. Event Targeted for Next Year (Variety) Streaming Services Have Finally Run Out of New Shows. Kind of. (Bloomberg) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho