Instant Message

By The Wall Street Journal

What's Instant Message about?

Feel overwhelmed by the never-ending waves of technology news? Join The Wall Street Journal's technology columnists as they talk about the most important tech trends -- and why you should care.

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Instant Message episodes:

08.16.2019
#42: Looking Back ... to the Future (of Everything)
In a special encore presentation, a look back at the WSJ Future of Everything Festival, the three-day event filled with speakers, panels and demos showing us where the world is going-for better or worse. Lots of Hyperloop, self-driving vehicles, AR...
08.09.2019
#41: Fancy Phones and Fancier Credit Cards
David and Joanna discuss the new Samsung Galaxy Note 10, the phone for people who get stuff done. (Stuff. Not other words.) It has a new stylus and some new software and a bunch of new cameras. Later, WSJ reporter...
08.02.2019
#40: Where Are the Good Netflix Movies?
David, Joanna and Christopher start by discussing the future of retail, which at least partly involves all those brands you see in Instagram ads suddenly showing up in a store near you. (The gang also learns a new word: "omnichannel.")...
07.26.2019
#39: The Fight For Faster Internet
This week, it's all about how to make the internet faster--and how the world changes when we do. David, Joanna and Christopher talk about Joanna's nationwide test of the new 5G network. Later, WSJ's Scott McCartney comes on to talk...
07.19.2019
#38: How the Moon Landing Changed Tech Forever
This week marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. Even if you don't care about space travel, there's a good chance the work NASA did to get men on the moon affects your life even now. First,...
07.12.2019
#37: Why the Family Phone Plan Rules
David and Christopher start the show by discussing a technology that drove decades of innovation: the spreadsheet. Dan Bricklin, creator of VisiCalc - the Lotus and Excel predecessor that was so successful people bought Apple computers just to use it...
07.03.2019
#36: How to Survive Holiday Travel
With Christopher on vacation (again), David and Joanna go through their best tips for surviving the coming July 4th travel craziness. They each bring their best gadget, app, and tip for getting where you're going a little more easily. Later,...
06.28.2019
#35: Google Maps to Nowhere
David, Joanna and Christopher unpack the coming fight between tech companies and regulators, and get into the messy meaning of an important term in the antitrust world: "consumer harm." Next, Katie Bindley joins to talk about how she discovered millions...
06.21.2019
#34: Call Him Mr. 'Fortnite'
Joanna and David didn't want to talk about Facebook, but they had to: Facebook launched a new digital currency, Libra, that could upend the way we pay for things. With the help of WSJ reporter AnnaMaria Andriotis, Joanna and David...
06.14.2019
#33: Facebook's Potentially Problematic Privacy Practices: A Recap
This week, WSJ broke news of internal Facebook Inc. emails that suggested the company lacked urgency to stop data leaks. With David out in Hong Kong at the Journal's Asia tech conference, Joanna and Christopher take you down Memory Lane...
06.07.2019
#32: The World According to Apple
Apple's annual developer conference, WWDC, was this week, and there's a lot of news that could impact you come the fall. David, Joanna and Christopher sort out the game-changers from the who-caresers. The hosts also dig into Apple's latest privacy...
05.31.2019
#31: My Way or the Huawei
David and Christopher talk about Amazon's new strategy for winning the smart-home wars. Hint: It involves getting in with property managers and home builders. Next, David and Joanna call WSJ reporter Stu Woo in Beijing to catch up on the...
05.24.2019
#30: Dispatches From the Future (of Everything)
We have a special episode for you this week. We just finished the WSJ Future of Everything Festival, a three-day event filled with speakers, panels and demos showing us where the world is going-for better or worse. Lots of Hyperloop,...
05.17.2019
#29: Don't Face ID Me, Bro
Now that Big Tech's two biggest privacy invaders can't stop talking about privacy, David, Joanna and Christopher won't stop talking about them. Google and Facebook, that is. Next, the team turns to WSJ reporter Asa Fitch to discuss a San...
05.10.2019
#28: Uber for Everything and Everything for Uber
To ring in the Uber IPO, David, Christopher and Joanna team up with WSJ reporter Eliot Brown to explore the vast scope of the newest publicly traded tech giant. Prior to that, they recap Google's I/O conference, and discuss the...
05.03.2019
#27: The New New New Facebook
David, Christopher and Joanna attempt to explain TikTok, the hottest new thing in social media. It's like Vine meets Snapchat meets Instagram meets Spotify, sort of. Then, WSJ reporter Jeff Horwitz comes on to talk about F8, Facebook's annual developer...
04.26.2019
#26: All Netflix and No Chill
David, Joanna and Christopher talk about the bizarre non-launch and Joanna's non-review of the Samsung Galaxy Fold, and what it means for the future of foldable phones. Then, WSJ reporter Shalini Ramachandran comes on to talk about her story on...
04.19.2019
#25: The Movies Come To You Now
David, Joanna and Christopher dive into the algorithms that determine everything from social media feeds to jail sentences, and try to figure out how to make them better and more transparent. Then Erich Schwartzel comes on, from the front seat...
04.12.2019
#24: The First Black Hole, The Worst Car Dashboards
First, the Wall Street Journal's digital science editor Daniela Hernandez joins David, Joanna and Christopher with all details of the first-ever image of a black hole -- and why it's made everyone space and science nerds again. Plus, WSJ's automotive...
04.05.2019
#23: How Amazon Changed Delivery and How Delivery Changes Everything
This week, it's all about how we buy stuff and how that stuff gets to us. David, Joanna and Christopher bring on WSJ reporter Katie Bindley to talk about how to make sure you're getting the best deals on Amazon-and...
03.29.2019
#22: Apple News and Apple News Plus... Plus Other Apple News
David, Chris and Joanna gather to discuss the week's Apple news. Which was Apple News. And Apple News Plus. Plus a credit card, a videogame arcade and a promise-if not proof-of A-list original videos. Our own Apple reporter Tripp Mickle...
03.29.2019
#22: Apple News and Apple News Plus... Plus Other Apple News
David, Chris and Joanna gather to discuss the week's Apple news. Which was Apple News. And Apple News Plus. Plus a credit card, a videogame arcade and a promise-if not proof-of A-list original videos. Our own Apple reporter Tripp Mickle...
03.22.2019
#21: Apple AirPods and Google Games
David, Joanna and Christopher try to remember-and discuss-the many new Apple gadgets from this week. Bonus: Christopher's Jony Ive impression makes its first appearance on the show. Next, WSJ's Sarah Needleman comes on to discuss Google's new game-streaming service, Stadia,...
03.22.2019
#21: Apple AirPods and Google Games
David, Joanna and Christopher try to remember-and discuss-the many new Apple gadgets from this week. Bonus: Christopher's Jony Ive impression makes its first appearance on the show. Next, WSJ's Sarah Needleman comes on to discuss Google's new game-streaming service, Stadia,...
03.15.2019
#20: Tesla's Got a Brand New Car
David and Joanna talk about the many strange consequences of sharing your kids' pictures on social media. What happens when they get older and see what you've shared, or their image ends up somewhere you never expected? Later, Tim Higgins...
03.15.2019
#20: Tesla's Got a Brand New Car
David and Joanna talk about the many strange consequences of sharing your kids' pictures on social media. What happens when they get older and see what you've shared, or their image ends up somewhere you never expected? Later, Tim Higgins...
03.08.2019
#19: What Facebook Means When Facebook Says Privacy
Following Mark Zuckerberg's big encryption pivot for Facebook, David, Joanna and Christopher unpack the privacy talk. Reporter Katie Bindley comes in to share her own stories of Facebook's creepy ad behavior, then David interviews Frank Yang, CEO of Simplehuman, about...
03.08.2019
#19: What Facebook Means When Facebook Says Privacy
Following Mark Zuckerberg's big encryption pivot for Facebook, David, Joanna and Christopher unpack the privacy talk. Reporter Katie Bindley comes in to share her own stories of Facebook's creepy ad behavior, then David interviews Frank Yang, CEO of Simplehuman, about...
03.01.2019
#18: Phone Reveals, Facebook Deals, 5G Appeals
David, Joanna and Christopher each bring their favorite new thing from this year's Mobile World Congress, the annual showcase of all things smartphone. Then WSJ reporter Sam Schechner comes on to discuss his investigation into apps that share sensitive data-everything...
03.01.2019
#18: Phone Reveals, Facebook Deals, 5G Appeals
David, Joanna and Christopher each bring their favorite new thing from this year's Mobile World Congress, the annual showcase of all things smartphone. Then WSJ reporter Sam Schechner comes on to discuss his investigation into apps that share sensitive data-everything...
02.22.2019
#17: Samsung Fold, Pinterest Scold, Oscar Gold
David, Joanna and Christopher ponder the wisdom of a folding Samsung smartphone following its debut. Reporter Bob McMillan joins the crew to explain how Pinterest has shut off search for one of its most controversial topics. And, as Oscar night...
02.22.2019
#17: Samsung Fold, Pinterest Scold, Oscar Gold
David, Joanna and Christopher ponder the wisdom of a folding Samsung smartphone following its debut. Reporter Bob McMillan joins the crew to explain how Pinterest has shut off search for one of its most controversial topics. And, as Oscar night...
02.15.2019
#16: Fast News, Fast Food, Fast... DNA Tests?
David, Joanna and Christopher talk about the Journal's scoop on Apple News' subscription plans, and whether "Netflix for news" can work. Reporter Greg Bensinger shows up to explain why Silicon Valley suddenly can't get enough of food delivery. Then, WSJ's...
02.15.2019
#16: Fast News, Fast Food, Fast... DNA Tests?
David, Joanna and Christopher talk about the Journal's scoop on Apple News' subscription plans, and whether "Netflix for news" can work. Reporter Greg Bensinger shows up to explain why Silicon Valley suddenly can't get enough of food delivery. Then, WSJ's...
02.08.2019
#15: Hacking Crackdowns, Houseparty Smackdowns, Hamburger Showdowns
First, Joanna tells David and Christopher about her experiment with an "ethical hacker" who got into as many of her webcams as he could-and the key insights she learned from him about staying safer online. Then reporter Betsy Morris joins...
02.08.2019
#15: Hacking Crackdowns, Houseparty Smackdowns, Hamburger Showdowns
First, Joanna tells David and Christopher about her experiment with an "ethical hacker" who got into as many of her webcams as he could-and the key insights she learned from him about staying safer online. Then reporter Betsy Morris joins...
02.01.2019
#14: Privacy Foes, iPhone Slows, Halftime Shows
David and Christopher talk through the brewing privacy battle between Apple and Facebook, and figure out how a developer certificate became a weapon. Then reporter Tripp Mickle comes on to talk through Apple's latest earnings, including what it means for...
02.01.2019
#14: Privacy Foes, iPhone Slows, Halftime Shows
David and Christopher talk through the brewing privacy battle between Apple and Facebook, and figure out how a developer certificate became a weapon. Then reporter Tripp Mickle comes on to talk through Apple's latest earnings, including what it means for...
01.25.2019
#13: Rating Inflation, Startup Deflation, Location Location Location
David, Joanna and Christopher discuss WSJ's investigation into companies inflating their Glassdoor ratings. Next, reporter Rob Copeland joins them on the mic to describe how he reported his story on the decline of Silicon Valley's legendary fundraising. After a quick...
01.25.2019
#13: Rating Inflation, Startup Deflation, Location Location Location
David, Joanna and Christopher discuss WSJ's investigation into companies inflating their Glassdoor ratings. Next, reporter Rob Copeland joins them on the mic to describe how he reported his story on the decline of Silicon Valley's legendary fundraising. After a quick...
01.18.2019
#12: Razr Phones, Huawei Woes, 'Valley' Bros
David, Joanna and Christopher ponder the flip phone's future after WSJ broke news of Motorola's upcoming Razr reboot. Then they call up reporter Stu Woo in London to explain why we keep hearing about Huawei in the news, and what...
01.18.2019
#12: Razr Phones, Huawei Woes, 'Valley' Bros
David, Joanna and Christopher ponder the flip phone's future after WSJ broke news of Motorola's upcoming Razr reboot. Then they call up reporter Stu Woo in London to explain why we keep hearing about Huawei in the news, and what...
01.11.2019
#11: All the Gadgets You Can Eat
David hits the CES tech show in Vegas, then reports back to Joanna and Christopher, who decided to avoid the crowds this year. His favorites: Hyundai's walking car and Samsung's modular MicroLED TV, which could be plastered across an entire...
01.11.2019
#11: All the Gadgets You Can Eat
David hits the CES tech show in Vegas, then reports back to Joanna and Christopher, who decided to avoid the crowds this year. His favorites: Hyundai's walking car and Samsung's modular MicroLED TV, which could be plastered across an entire...
01.04.2019
#10: Fewer iPhones, Cheaper Teslas, More Chips
David, Joanna and Christopher ring in the New Year with their tech resolutions, but first they wring their hands over Apple's latest drama (China dragging down the iPhone King?) and Tesla's new headache (How can supply AND demand be down?)....
01.04.2019
#10: Fewer iPhones, Cheaper Teslas, More Chips
David, Joanna and Christopher ring in the New Year with their tech resolutions, but first they wring their hands over Apple's latest drama (China dragging down the iPhone King?) and Tesla's new headache (How can supply AND demand be down?)....
12.21.2018
#9: Amazon Fakes, Facebook Flops, Gadget Fails
David, Joanna and Christopher dive into the hidden world you didn't know was lurking behind the reviews you see on Amazon. Then reporter Deepa Seetharaman comes in to explain the latest in a long line of Facebook scandals, and debate...
12.21.2018
#9: Amazon Fakes, Facebook Flops, Gadget Fails
David, Joanna and Christopher dive into the hidden world you didn't know was lurking behind the reviews you see on Amazon. Then reporter Deepa Seetharaman comes in to explain the latest in a long line of Facebook scandals, and debate...
12.14.2018
#8: Google Politics, Scooter Economics, Sound Dynamics
David and Christopher discuss Google CEO Sundar Pichai's visit to Washington. Will technologists and politicians ever speak the same language? Then they grab reporter Eliot Brown to recount the electric scooter craze that's swept the country in 2018. After a...
12.14.2018
#8: Google Politics, Scooter Economics, Sound Dynamics
David and Christopher discuss Google CEO Sundar Pichai's visit to Washington. Will technologists and politicians ever speak the same language? Then they grab reporter Eliot Brown to recount the electric scooter craze that's swept the country in 2018. After a...

What's Instant Message about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Instant Message episodes:

#42: Looking Back ... to the Future (of Everything)

#41: Fancy Phones and Fancier Credit Cards

#40: Where Are the Good Netflix Movies?

#39: The Fight For Faster Internet

#38: How the Moon Landing Changed Tech Forever

#37: Why the Family Phone Plan Rules

#36: How to Survive Holiday Travel

#35: Google Maps to Nowhere

#34: Call Him Mr. 'Fortnite'

#33: Facebook's Potentially Problematic Privacy Practices: A Recap

#32: The World According to Apple

#31: My Way or the Huawei

#30: Dispatches From the Future (of Everything)

#29: Don't Face ID Me, Bro

#28: Uber for Everything and Everything for Uber

#27: The New New New Facebook

#26: All Netflix and No Chill

#25: The Movies Come To You Now

#24: The First Black Hole, The Worst Car Dashboards

#23: How Amazon Changed Delivery and How Delivery Changes Everything

#22: Apple News and Apple News Plus... Plus Other Apple News

#22: Apple News and Apple News Plus... Plus Other Apple News

#21: Apple AirPods and Google Games

#21: Apple AirPods and Google Games

#20: Tesla's Got a Brand New Car

#20: Tesla's Got a Brand New Car

#19: What Facebook Means When Facebook Says Privacy

#19: What Facebook Means When Facebook Says Privacy

#18: Phone Reveals, Facebook Deals, 5G Appeals

#18: Phone Reveals, Facebook Deals, 5G Appeals

#17: Samsung Fold, Pinterest Scold, Oscar Gold

#17: Samsung Fold, Pinterest Scold, Oscar Gold

#16: Fast News, Fast Food, Fast... DNA Tests?

#16: Fast News, Fast Food, Fast... DNA Tests?

#15: Hacking Crackdowns, Houseparty Smackdowns, Hamburger Showdowns

#15: Hacking Crackdowns, Houseparty Smackdowns, Hamburger Showdowns

#14: Privacy Foes, iPhone Slows, Halftime Shows

#14: Privacy Foes, iPhone Slows, Halftime Shows

#13: Rating Inflation, Startup Deflation, Location Location Location

#13: Rating Inflation, Startup Deflation, Location Location Location

#12: Razr Phones, Huawei Woes, 'Valley' Bros

#12: Razr Phones, Huawei Woes, 'Valley' Bros

#11: All the Gadgets You Can Eat

#11: All the Gadgets You Can Eat

#10: Fewer iPhones, Cheaper Teslas, More Chips

#10: Fewer iPhones, Cheaper Teslas, More Chips

#9: Amazon Fakes, Facebook Flops, Gadget Fails

#9: Amazon Fakes, Facebook Flops, Gadget Fails

#8: Google Politics, Scooter Economics, Sound Dynamics

#8: Google Politics, Scooter Economics, Sound Dynamics