Foundering

Copyright: 2024 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia

Latest Episodes:

The Untold Story of One of Uber's Very First Drivers Jan 30, 2017

Show notes

More than 1.5 million people drive for Uber in cities all over the world. And yet, as the company finds new ways to make rides cheaper for customers, it's become harder for the app's contractors to make a decent living. This week, Brad visits one of Uber's very first drivers, and, together, they explore the complicated history between the ride-sharing app and its workers. Brad and Bloomberg Technology's startups reporter Eric Newcomer also discuss where that relationship is headed.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Trump's Tweets Mean for Twitter, and Democracy Jan 23, 2017

Show notes

We still don't know what Trump's presidency means for the broader tech industry, but one thing is clear: He loves Twitter. On the one hand, a president speaking directly with the people seems like a good thing. But will there be unintended consequences? This week, Bloomberg Technology's Brad Stone and Josh Brustein dig deep with two former Twitter employees, and also ask why a tool that's cemented its role in our public discourse is still struggling as a business.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inside a Multinational Cyber Weapons Deal That Went Bust Jan 18, 2017

Show notes

As cyber-spying gets ever more sophisticated, governments worldwide are rushing to get equipped with the most cutting-edge technology. This week, Bloomberg Technology's Jordan Robertson and Aki Ito take you into the heart of a multimillion-dollar deal to help a West African nation spy on its own people. But the deal goes south -- offering a rare glimpse into the shadowy world of the global cyber weapons industry.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Happened When a Startup Tried Affirmative Action Hiring Jan 09, 2017

Show notes

It's something that just about every technology company says it wants to address -- diversifying its workforce. So why is the industry so full of men, most of whom are white or Asian? Bloomberg Technology's Ellen Huet and Aki Ito follow Mitchell Lee, co-founder of a startup called Penny, as he tries to hire someone who doesn't look like your typical Silicon Valley programmer. The process raises some surprising challenges and poses plenty of uncomfortable questions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These Are the Worst Things That Could Happen in 2017 Dec 23, 2016

Show notes

It's been a year full of surprising developments, from Brexit to the election of Donald Trump. This week we're bringing you our pessimist's guide to 2017: What might happen in the tech industry if it all goes horribly wrong? These are the most dire scenarios our team of reporters could come up with.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Creepy Obsession Techies Have With Living Forever Dec 19, 2016

Show notes

A lot of people in the tech industry have a fascination with defying death. But only a few of them are actually working on ways to achieve it. This week, Bloomberg Technology's Ashlee Vance goes to Russia to meet one of the pioneers of the cryonics movement. We'll take a look at the technology he's developing, and see how close really he is to cracking the code to eternal life.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inside Pixar's Make-or-Break Gamble to Make Toy Story a Hit Dec 12, 2016

Show notes

Computer animated movies are everywhere these days. But in 1995 when Pixar was preparing to release Toy Story, the public had never seen a fully computer-animated movie before. Toy Story was years in the making and for Pixar everything was on the line. This week, Bloomberg Technology's Brad Stone and Pia Gadkari take us back to those final months, when CEO Steve Jobs, CFO Lawrence Levy and Pixar's other employees were racing to finish its first feature film, while also planning an all-important IPO.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a French Billionaire Built a Free Tech School in the U.S. Dec 05, 2016

Show notes

Coding boot camps are everywhere these days, promising to arm you with the most highly sought skill in the modern economy: computer programming. While many programs charge thousands of dollars for just a few months of instruction, one school, started in Paris by the French billionaire Xavier Niel, offers a three-year curriculum for free. This week Bloomberg Technology's Sarah McBride and Marie Mawad report on Ecole 42's newly-opened Silicon Valley branch, which is hoping to repeat the Paris school's success in training underprivileged youth. But things haven't quite turned out the way administrators were expecting.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fake Reviews and Counterfeits That Amazon's Trying to Quash Nov 25, 2016

Show notes

(Bloomberg) -- Now that the holidays are approaching, chances are you'll be doing at least some of your gift shopping on Amazon.com. But before you click "buy" on the first favorably-reviewed item you find, take a minute to learn about how you can avoid getting duped by the site's fake reviews and phony products. This week, Bloomberg Technology's Brad Stone and Spencer Soper report on the extreme tactics some vendors are using to get an edge on the competition, and what Amazon is doing to crack down on those people who are gaming the system. As we do more of our shopping on the internet, the stakes are only getting higher.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Fake News Blew Up Into a Political Crisis for Facebook Nov 21, 2016

Show notes

On the night of the U.S. presidential elections, one of Facebook’s former product designers turned to Facebook to vent. His claim: The social media platform may have helped inaccurate and partisan news stories reach more voters, setting the stage for Donald Trump’s victory. Two weeks later, Facebook’s fake news problem has become one of the most hotly debated issues in America. This week, Bloomberg Technology’s Aki Ito and Sarah Frier speak to not only that former Facebook employee, but also two prominent investors in Silicon Valley as well as an editor of fact-checking site Snopes.com. Together, they grapple with the responsibilities that Facebook shoulders as a source of news for a growing portion of the world.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected