Alex walks us through the first quarter earnings for Snap, Twitter and Facebook to see how they faired at the onset of the pandemic.

Tom and Jessica Toonkel talk about the chaotic world of the movie industry as theaters across the world remain shuttered. We discuss what it will take to get people to feel comfortable again going to theaters and whether the movie industry will finally change from its hard set ways of not making new releases available to rent at home.

Background Reading

Pandemic Forces Studios to Think Outside the Box on Movie Releases

Studios Look to Offload Movies to Netflix, Amazon

Nick Wingfield walks us through the ways Silicon Valley execs—and the rest of us—step up their at home video conference technology.

Background Reading

How to Zoom Like a CEO

Cory joins to talk about the major layoffs at Opendoor. We also discuss how Brian Chesky is leading Airbnb through this bleak period in the company's business and if it stands a chance of going public this year.

Kevin talks about the problems that Azure has had providing service to its customers. It's cropped up before the pandemic, but the surge in use during the work-from-home era has made things even more complicated.

Background Reading

Outbreak Strains Microsoft’s Cloud, but Issues Began Earlier for Customers

Zoe breaks down the new strange world of video conference etiquette. We discuss how the new remote lifestyle has raised a handful of questions about the proper way to interact over video chat. And she explains why an etiquette coach said you technically don't have to wear pants when you're on a Zoom conference (or any video conference for that matter). 

Background Reading

Etiquette in the Age of Zoom

Nick Bastone dives into the way Apple has tried to manage the work-from-home era, where employees have to keep the secret products under wraps while working in a non secretive location

Background Reading

How Apple is Working From Home

Jessica Toonkel talks about why Spotify decided to go on a spending spree to get into the podcasting space. We discuss how this can actually pay off for the company and how long it could take to show results. 

Priya dives into how Amazon has become one of the central pieces holding things together as large swaths of the country remains under stay-at-home orders. We also discuss whether Amazon's increasing role as a utility servicing the nation will change the way people view the company—and what it means for regulatory efforts.

Background Reading

Amazon’s Retail Power Could Grow During Pandemic

We talk to Shai Oster, our Hong Kong bureau chief, about his experience leaving the country as the coronavirus began threatening from China. Then returning to Hong Kong once the US started seeing the effects. He gives us a look at what life looks like after the quarantining ends and people attempt to return to normal.