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#2: Television Is Technology

May 4th, 2017 · 62 minutes

Microsoft's new Surface Laptop and Windows 10 S, the future of TV and cord-cutting as seen by streaming services and cable companies, Facebook hiring thousands of people to detect disturbing content, and recent quarterly earnings from three tech giants.

Guest Starring: Lisa Schmeiser and Carolina Milanesi


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Links and Show Notes

Windows 10 S: What You Need to Know About Microsoft's New Lightweight OS - Gizmodo

In short, this version of Windows will only run apps from the Windows Store. Microsoft says this allows the OS to run leaner, be faster at login and give users greater battery life. For those who need more, the full version of Windows can be unlocked for $49.

Microsoft unveils $999 Surface Laptop running Windows 10 S - The Verge

Starting at $999, the Surface Laptop is a notebook in the traditional form factor; no screens are popping of here. It's designed to run Windows 10 S, and the company is pitching it hard to college students, a crowd where products like the MacBook Air have enjoyed great popularity.

Apple Can’t Ignore Microsoft’s Slick, New Laptop - Bloomberg

A behind-the-scenes look at the two-year design process that went into the new Microsoft Surface Laptop.

Microsoft's Windows 10 S event in 7 minutes - YouTube

The Verge chopped down Microsoft's keynote, highlighting the most important segments.

The Incomparable - Smart, funny pop culture podcasts

The Incomparable is a network of podcasts full of smart, funny people who love talking about TV, movies, books, comics, games, sports, and other aspects of popular culture.

Twitter still thinks it’s a TV platform - Recode

Twitter is building a streaming video service featuring content from nearly a dozen partners, including Bloomberg, Live Nation, BuzzFeed, Vox Media and the WNBA.

Hulu's Live TV Service Is Now Available in Beta - Gizmodo

The new service combines live TV and Hulu's ever-growing library of content. ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, ESPN, CNN and more are present in the beta.

Another half-million Americans cut the cord last quarter - Recode

With its subscriber base continuing to shrink, cable networks may be continue to warm to skinny bundles like those offered by Hulu and YouTube.

WGA Strike: Peak TV, Labor Strife Led to Tension in Hollywood - Variety

The Writers Guild of America negotiations show just how much has changed in the business of TV.

Facebook will hire 3,000 moderators to tackle livestreamed violence - Engadget

After a series of crimes were live-streamed on the social network, Facebook's team to review and remove content is getting a boost in headcount.

Cloud Produces Sunny Earnings at Amazon, Microsoft and Alphabet - The New York Times

Microsoft’s Azure cloud hosting business grew by 93 percent from the year-earlier quarter. And the cloud version of its productivity software Office 365, sold to companies as an online service, grew by 45 percent.

Alphabet beat profit estimates for its first-quarter earnings but lost more money on its ‘Other Bets’ - Recode

Google parent company Alphabet beat Wall Street estimates for first-quarter earnings, but it continued to lose more money on its experimental division that includes its self-driving car business and its life sciences group.

6 key takeaways from Apple’s Q2 2017 earnings call - Macworld

It as business-as-usual in Cupertino this time around, but Apple blames iPhone rumors for slightly suppressed sales.

Apple’s AirPods: a Hit With 98% Customer Satisfaction - Tech.pinions

98% of AirPod owners said they were very satisfied or satisfied. Remarkably, 82% said they were very satisfied. The overall customer satisfaction level of 98% sets the record for the highest level of satisfaction for a new product from Apple.

The tragic twilight of Bill Mantlo
Lisa Schmeiser (@lschmeiser) - Twitter
So What, Who Cares? - Newsletter by Lisa Schmeiser
Carolina Milanesi (@caro_milanesi) - Twitter
Tech.pinions – Perspective, Insight, Analysis – Perspective. Insight. Analysis.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) - IMDb
"Guardians of the Galaxy": The tragic twilight of the comic book mastermind who created Rocket Raccoon - Quartz