Zoe and Cory join to discuss how the pandemic has hit the job market in tech. Zoe talks about the phenomenon of job postings that turn out not to be real. And Cory gives some historical context around how the current job losses in tech compare to previous recessions.

Cory joins to discuss Mark Zuckerberg's announcement that Facebook is fully embracing the work from home office. We explore the reasons tech is rushing to adopt the policy and whether it will have a big effect on cities. Then Tom gives the backstory on Kevin Mayer, TikTok's new US CEO. He explains what it means for Disney to lose its top streaming executive and the challenges Mayer will face coming to the controversial Chinese company.

Chris Stern gives us an update on the ongoing battle to win the Pentagon's cloud computing contract. He explains why Amazon is still fighting to win the account back from Microsoft in the courts. And how Oracle fits into the puzzle.

Background Reading

Microsoft’s Secret Ally Against Amazon in Cloud Deal: Oracle

Amir joins to talk all things ride hailing, including why Uber and Lyft had to undergo massive layoffs. We also explain how Uber's side businesses like food delivery and bikes are on diverging paths during the crisis.

Background Reading

Uber Discusses Plan to Lay Off About 20% of Employees

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