How Algorithms Shape Our Worldviews and What You Can Do About It
When social media first came on the scene, our feeds were all about reverse chronology: Posts were organized based on the order in which they were sent. Platforms said they introduced algorithms to help us sort through the noise, but as we now know, those algorithms have had much further-reaching implications. Senior Personal Tech Columnist Joanna Stern explains how we got here and shares some ...
12m Jan 20, 2021
12m
Social-Media Watchdogs Monitor Extremist Chatter Ahead of Inauguration
Social-media researchers work to keep track of extremist content on the internet, and they try to understand which ideas spread, how, and why. Ahead of the inauguration on Wednesday, cybersecurity reporter David Uberti discusses what researchers are seeing, and how the conversation has changed since the Capitol riot earlier this month. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. V...
10m Jan 19, 2021
10m
What Happened at This Year's All-Virtual CES
CES, formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show, is the world's largest tech show and a global crossroads for the tech industry. Personal tech columnists Nicole Nguyen and Joanna Stern tell host Amanda Lewellyn what they saw at this year's all-virtual event. Christopher Zinsli is our supervising producer. Kateri Jochum is the executive producer of WSJ Podcasts. Learn more about your ad cho...
14m Jan 15, 2021
14m
Social Media Is the New Wall Street Trading Desk
Interest in day trading has surged during the pandemic. Some of those new users are turning to communities on Twitter, Facebook, Discord and other platforms to share information and tips about where to invest. Markets reporter Caitlin McCabe explains what is behind the trend, and how it could impact the market. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10m Jan 14, 2021
10m
What Airbnb Has to Do With Section 230
Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act provides legal protections for internet companies as they moderate content. Some lawmakers are calling for those protections to be reformed or even repealed, with those calls growing louder since last week's riot at the U.S. Capitol. Reporter Heather Somerville joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain how Airbnb has relied on Section 230, and how chang...
14m Jan 13, 2021
14m
Capitol Riot Puts More Scrutiny on Big Tech
Amazon, Apple, Google, Twitter, Facebook and other tech companies took unprecedented action to crack down on President Trump and the social platform Parler favored by his supporters, after five people died in riots at the Capitol last week. Tech policy reporter Ryan Tracy joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain how lawmakers and regulators may respond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg...
15m Jan 12, 2021
15m
What to Expect at This Year's All-Virtual CES
The world's largest consumer-electronics show, CES, kicks off today. What's normally an experiential event, where conference attendees can test out all kinds of new technology, will be completely virtual. Personal tech editor Wilson Rothman explains how the show will be different and the potential impact on businesses. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm...
12m Jan 11, 2021
12m
Facebook and Twitter Blocked Trump's Accounts. Why Now?
In the aftermath of Wednesday's riots at the Capitol, social-media companies took their strongest action to date against President Trump. But the tech companies have been under pressure to take this kind of action before. So why now? Global tech editor Jason Dean joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain. Christopher Zinsli is our supervising producer. Kateri Jochum is the executive producer of WSJ...
12m Jan 08, 2021
12m
What Biden's Approach to China Could Mean for Tech
The Trump administration has taken a hard line against China, with both sides ramping up restrictions on each other-and tech has been central in their relationship. Senior editor Bob Davis joins host Amanda Lewellyn to talk about the Biden administration's plans for China, and what they could mean for tech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12m Jan 07, 2021
12m
Why Google Employees Are Pushing to Unionize
In a rare move for the tech industry, a group of about 200 Google employees are forming a union. Reporter Sarah Needleman explains what want, and how their effort fits into the rise in activism among tech workers. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11m Jan 06, 2021
11m
WeChat Becomes a Powerful Surveillance Tool in China
Messaging apps have become even more critical during the pandemic. We report that China is tightening its grip on the country's do-everything app, WeChat. Reporter Jing Yang joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain what the government is doing and the impact on users. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
14m Jan 04, 2021
14m
WSJ's Personal Tech Team Makes Their 2021 Predictions
Our personal tech team puts together a list every December of the technology they think will shape the year ahead. Columnists Joanna Stern, Christopher Mims and Nicole Nguyen join host Amanda Lewellyn to gaze into their crystal balls. Christopher Zinsli is our supervising producer. Kateri Jochum is the executive producer of WSJ Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch...
14m Dec 31, 2020
14m
The Year in Outer Space
While it was a busy year on Earth, some of 2020's biggest stories took place out of this world, in space. Senior special writer Andy Pasztor joins host Amanda Lewellyn to look back at the year's biggest milestones in space travel and exploration, and he explains what to watch for beyond the horizon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
18m Dec 30, 2020
18m
How a Year of Antitrust Action Against Big Tech Could Carry Into 2021
It was a landmark year for antitrust enforcement against Big Tech, with the government bringing a total of four cases targeting Google and Facebook. Legal affairs reporter Brent Kendall explains where things are now and how they could develop in the new year and beyond. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
14m Dec 29, 2020
14m
Five Pricing Moves Tech Companies Made in 2020
Figuring out how to price goods and services is always an experiment, but that can be especially true amid an economic downturn in an atypical year like this one. Our personal tech columnist Nicole Nguyen joins host Amanda Lewellyn to break down five strategies we saw in 2020, and how well they worked out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
16m Dec 28, 2020
16m
Five Pricing Moves Tech Companies Made in 2020
Figuring out how to price goods and services is always an experiment, but that can be especially true amid an economic downturn in an atypical year like this one. Our personal tech columnist Nicole Nguyen joins host Amanda Lewellyn to break down five strategies we saw in 2020, and how well they worked out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
16m Dec 28, 2020
16m
Inside Roku's Quest to Dominate Streaming
Roku acts as a distributor for streaming services. Media reporter Patience Haggin explains how the company has used its gatekeeper status to gain an edge in negotiations for content partnerships. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Christopher Zinsli is our supervising producer. Kateri Jochum is the executive producer of WSJ Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12m Dec 24, 2020
12m
Ripple Spars With Regulators Over How to Oversee Cryptocurrency
The Securities and Exchange Commission is suing the cryptocurrency pioneer Ripple, claiming the startup violated investor protection laws when it sold a digital asset called XRP. Reporter Paul Vigna explains how the dispute fits into a broader debate over regulating cryptocurrencies. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12m Dec 23, 2020
12m
Pandemic Loosens Silicon Valley's Grip on Tech Industry
Some high-profile executives and companies have departed Silicon Valley in recent months. Reporter Eliot Brown tells host Amanda Lewellyn about why the trend is actually years in the making, and how the exits could impact the area. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11m Dec 22, 2020
11m
Why Tesla Joining the S&P 500 Is Significant
Tesla is set to join the S&P 500 index, which is seen as a gauge of the broader stock market. Reporter Tim Higgins will explain what Tesla's inclusion on the index means for the company-and for electric vehicles more broadly. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10m Dec 21, 2020
10m
States File (Another) Antitrust Suit Against Google
A coalition of 38 states files antitrust charges against Google-the second major case of the week, and the third this year. Tech policy reporter Ryan Tracy joins us once again to break down the charges and explain how we got here. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Christopher Zinsli is our supervising producer. Kateri Jochum is the executive producer of WSJ Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...
10m Dec 18, 2020
10m
States Allege Google Cut Deal With Facebook to Rig Online Ad Market
A coalition of state attorneys general is suing Google in the third recent major antitrust action against big tech this year. Reporter Ryan Tracy joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain the charges, and how they fit in with other recent antitrust actions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
14m Dec 17, 2020
14m
Tech Giants Face New Regulations in Europe
The European Commission aims to give regulators more authority to oversee tech companies. Together with other regulations being considered in Europe, the proposals could precipitate the biggest expansion of global tech regulation in years. Reporter Sam Schechner joins to break down the proposals. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
13m Dec 16, 2020
13m
Suspected Russian Hack Said to Have Gone Undetected for Months
Russia's foreign intelligence service is suspected of being behind a major espionage operation that targeted U.S. federal government agencies, as well as other public and private entities. As the smoke clears, it appears the attack began as early as March, and that 18,000 public and private entities may have been exposed. Reporter Dustin Volz will explain what we know. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. L...
12m Dec 15, 2020
12m
How Mobile Chips Overtook Intel
Intel used to be the dominant designer and manufacturer of the microchips that powered nearly all personal and cloud computing. But it's been losing ground to competitors for years. Tech columnist Christopher Mims joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain what the competition looks like now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12m Dec 14, 2020
12m
Elon Musk on the State of Innovation in America
On this special episode, we bring you a conversation between WSJ Editor in Chief Matt Murray and Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, from the WSJ's CEO Council summit earlier this week. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Christopher Zinsli is our supervising producer. Kateri Jochum is the executive producer of WSJ Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
17m Dec 11, 2020
17m
Facebook Hit With Antitrust Suits by FTC, State Attorneys General
The Federal Trade Commission, along with 46 states, sued Facebook on Wednesday, alleging that the social network engaged in a yearslong campaign to acquire or shut out nascent companies that might have become rivals. Legal affairs reporter Brent Kendall breaks down the charges. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
13m Dec 10, 2020
13m
What to Watch For as DoorDash and Airbnb Go Public
Both DoorDash and Airbnb are going public this week, after boosting their price ranges in recent days. Markets reporter Maureen Farrell explains how the companies reached the milestone, and what the offerings tell us about the booming IPO market. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
13m Dec 09, 2020
13m
Cell-Grown Chicken Gets a Nod in Singapore
For years, some have raised concerns about the environmental and ethical implications of traditional meat production. Developers have been working on a slaughter-free meat alternative produced using cell-culture technology. Reporter Jacob Bunge joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain how the technology works, and what a recent approval in Singapore could mean for the widespread adoption of cell-g...
12m Dec 08, 2020
12m
Why Salesforce Agreed to Buy Slack-And What Comes Next
Salesforce has agreed to buy Slack for $27.7 billion. Reporter Aaron Tilley discusses how the deal would help both companies compete with rival Microsoft and how Salesforce could use Slack to position itself in a post-pandemic world. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
14m Dec 07, 2020
14m
India Works Toward Smartphone Dominance
China is the world's largest smartphone producer, but increasing tensions between China and the U.S. have put that reputation in danger. WSJ video journalist Clément Bürge explains how India is plotting a path toward smartphone dominance. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Christopher Zinsli is our supervising producer. Kateri Jochum is the executive producer of WSJ Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choic...
12m Dec 04, 2020
12m
Pandemic Accelerates Use of Mobile Payments, Loans in Africa
Consumers in sub-Saharan Africa have been relying on their phones to pay for goods and services for more than a decade. Our reporter Alexandra Wexler explains how the pandemic has accelerated the adoption of these sorts of mobile payments. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m Dec 03, 2020
9m
Nasdaq Seeks to Require Board Diversity for Listed Companies
The Nasdaq has historically been the stock exchange of choice for tech companies. Tuesday, the exchange operator submitted a proposed rule to the SEC that would require companies listed on its exchange to have women, racial and ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ individuals on their boards. Reporter Alexander Osipovich explains how the rule could impact tech companies. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn mo...
12m Dec 02, 2020
12m
Why Bitcoin Prices Are Soaring Again
The price of Bitcoin set a new record Monday, capping off a year of strong gains. Reporter Anna Hirtenstein explains what is driving the surge. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10m Dec 01, 2020
10m
Google Plans a New Corridor for Internet Traffic
Around 500 major undersea cables carry the world's digital data between data centers around the globe. Now Google is laying the groundwork for a new cable that would connect India and Europe. But while most cables linking Europe to Asia pass through Egypt, this one would go through historical enemies Saudi Arabia and Israel. Reporter Rory Jones explains Google's thinking. Amanda Lewellyn hosts....
12m Nov 30, 2020
12m
Virgin Hyperloop's Jay Walder on the Future of Transportation
On this special episode of Tech News Briefing, we bring you a conversation between Personal Tech Editor Wilson Rothman and Virgin Hyperloop One CEO Jay Walder from WSJ's recent Future Of Transportation live event. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Christopher Zinsli is our supervising producer. Kateri Jochum is the executive producer of WSJ Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...
19m Nov 27, 2020
19m
Best Tech Gifts 2020: WSJ's Favorite Gadgets of the Year
Every year, our Personal Tech team compiles a list of the best gadgets of the year, separating out the truly useful from the overhyped. This year, the list includes some very 2020-specific additions. Personal Tech Editor Wilson Rothman, Senior Personal Tech Columnist Joanna Stern and Personal Tech Columnist Nicole Nguyen join host Amanda Lewellyn to discuss their favorites. Learn more about you...
15m Nov 25, 2020
15m
Some Tech Workers Who Left Silicon Valley Are Also Changing Jobs
Tech workers have been leaving the San Francisco Bay Area in droves, setting up camp in lower-cost locales to wait out the pandemic. Now some workers are also changing jobs, and taking a chance on opportunities outside of Silicon Valley. Reporter Katherine Bindley joins host Amanda Lewellyn to discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12m Nov 24, 2020
12m
GM to Use Data on Your Driving to Sell Car Insurance
Connected cars are on the rise, and automakers are looking for ways to use the data they collect on how you use the vehicles. Now General Motors says it will offer car insurance that will determine customers' rates using data from its OnStar connected-car service. Reporter Mike Colias joins host Amanda Lewellyn to discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12m Nov 23, 2020
12m
The Tech Behind the Leading Covid-19 Vaccine Candidates
As coronavirus case counts continue to surge in the U.S., all eyes are on two promising vaccine candidates from drug companies Pfizer and Moderna. Both use a promising new gene-based technology called messenger RNA. Reporter Peter Loftus joins host Amanda Lewellyn for a look at how it works. Christopher Zinsli is our supervising producer. Kateri Jochum is the executive producer of WSJ Podcasts....
12m Nov 20, 2020
12m
Apple Cuts Developer Fees for Smaller App Makers
One of the biggest tech battles this year has been the fight over developer fees, the 30% cuts that Apple and Google take from transactions in their App Store. In the latest development, Apple says it will cut that fee in half for smaller developers. Reporter Tim Higgins explains how the action fits into the larger battle. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...
11m Nov 19, 2020
11m
Why Aren't Covid Tracking Apps More Effective?
Contact-tracing could help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Tech companies have been working to automate parts of the contact tracing process, but the technology is only helpful if people actually use it. As it turns out, not many people are. Reporter Rolfe Winkler joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain why that is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
13m Nov 18, 2020
13m
Fed Up With Facebook and Twitter, Some Conservatives Turn to Parler
As mainstream social-media companies ramp up restrictions on hate speech and misinformation on their platforms, some complain that the measures unfairly restrict conservatives. Reporter Jeff Horwitz explains how the libertarian social-media app Parler is rising as an alternative. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11m Nov 17, 2020
11m
Tech Startups Look to Go Public Sooner
The stock market has become more bullish on tech stocks during the pandemic. Coupled with the reemergence of special-purpose acquisition companies, more tech startups are choosing to go public at a much earlier stage. WSJ Pro Venture Capital reporter Yuliya Chernova joins host Amanda Lewellyn to discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m Nov 16, 2020
9m
Why Temperature Scanners Are Raising Concerns
The pandemic sparked demand for thermal imaging devices. We've seen them used in schools, offices, and other types of spaces to scan individuals' temperatures before they enter. But the security camera industry has raised concerns about the devices' accuracy, and they've asked the Food and Drug Administration for tighter regulations. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...
11m Nov 13, 2020
11m
TikTok Asks Court for Extension on Divestiture Deadline
Today is the U.S. government's deadline for TikTok to find an American buyer for its U.S. operations. But there's a lot still up in the air. Now, the Chinese-owned video-sharing app is asking for more time to work things out. Reporter Georgia Wells explains where things stand. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m Nov 12, 2020
9m
Private 5G Networks Bring Bandwidth Where Carriers Aren't
A confluence of regulation changes and technological advancements have made it so you don't have to be a big carrier to build a 5G network. Our tech columnist Christopher Mims explains how that's democratizing access to next-generation connectivity. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
13m Nov 11, 2020
13m
Zoom Tackles Tricky Role of Policing Its Service
Earlier this year, the videoconferencing service Zoom experienced an astronomical rise to popularity. But with greater usership comes greater pressure to police content, and the company has caught some heat for its decisions to block certain public events. Reporter Aaron Tilley explains. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12m Nov 10, 2020
12m
How Artificial Intelligence Could Help Predict Election Outcomes
Pollsters have had trouble getting an accurate understanding of the electorate in recent years. Now some experts say artificial intelligence could help fill in some of the gaps. WSJ Pro AI reporter Jared Council joins the show to discuss. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
13m Nov 09, 2020
13m
Why Quibi Shut Down
Quibi, the erstwhile short-form video service, was supposed to revolutionize Hollywood, but just six months after it launched, executives shut it down. Reporter Benjamin Mullin joins us to explain why it failed, and what Quibi's story tells us about the increasingly crowded streaming landscape. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Christopher Zinsli is our supervising producer. Kateri Jochum is the executive...
11m Nov 06, 2020
11m