We talk the persistence of the 14 year old smartphone, and the failure of voice, AI and the metaverse to usurp it.

Links

Everybody promised to disrupt the smartphone — and the smartphone outlasted them all – The Verge

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thank you to everyone who made the FTX and Sam Bankman-Fried episode our most listened ever. As a reward for your loyalty, you get another episode about it. Say thank you.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we're responding to listener questions put to us via the Down Round Twitter: @downroundpod

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Bob replaces Bob (who in turn replaced Bob) we look at the recent goings on at The Walt Disney Company, and how it all fits into the streaming landscape.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re checking back in on Twitter under the Musk regime. It’s all going great!

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where do we begin with this mess?The world's second biggest exchange, and crypto's golden boy has collapsed in a matter of days - from $36b to nothing.

Even by crypto standards this story is absurd. Allow us to take you through it.

Links

The FTX "balance sheet"

How Sam Bankman-Fried’s Crypto Empire Collapsed – NY Times

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Airbnb sort of sucks now, and it seems like the company realises it. It has announced guest-friendly changes, but are they enough?

Raph and James dive into all the thorny problems surrounding the company, and come to a final decision on whether you should be forced to do the dishes in your Byron Bay short-term stay. (The answer is no.)

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The EU is forcing Apple change its iPhone cable, and they’re huffy even though they were definitely going to do it anyway. The boys discuss European regulation more generally.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent series of high-profile hacks of Australian companies including Optus and Medibank have people worried about user data and privacy.  Given Raph and James are both terminally chill about their own data, they brought on someone who actually knows what they're talking about: ABC journalist Ariel Bogle.

Links

• The biggest hack in history: Australians scramble to change passports and driver licences after Optus telco data debacle – The Guardian


• ‘The damage here is potentially irreparable’: Scale of Medibank hack worsens – Sydney Morning Herald


• Critics say more needs to be done to stop the next Optus or Medibank style of data breach – ABC

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elon's first few days at Twitter HQ have been eventful. 

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.