Friday 29 July 2022

Tech: Instagram buckles after backlash

10 THINGS IN TECH

Is anyone else's neck sore? Mine's absolutely aching from a week of watching Instagram going back and forth over whether or not it's releasing the features that sparked widespread backlash.

I'm your host, Jordan Parker Erb, and I'd love to know: How did you feel about the changes to the app? Email me your thoughts.

Now, let's dive in.

If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Insider's app here.

1. After mounting criticism, Instagram is killing a major product overhaul. In an attempt to compete with TikTok, the platform had been leaning into video, testing full-screen videos and photos, and showing users more content from strangers. The internet was not stoked, and the overhaul has been nixed.

Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian were among the biggest voices to speak out against the proposed changes, warning the platform to "stop trying to be TikTok."
Three days after that warning, Instagram pulled the plug — a stunning admission, columnist Linette Lopez writes, that Zuckerberg basically has no idea what he's doing.
And while he was right to heed their advice, she continues, Zuck needs to figure out how to make Meta cool again before it goes the way of Yahoo.

Read Linette's full column here.

In other news:

2. Tinder wants you to start swiping from your work computer. The dating app relaunched "Desk Mode," a feature that lets users swipe through matches while at work — then quickly hides their activity. Here's how it works.

3. The inside story of how a 29-year-old failed his way to creating an app now valued at over $100 million. Alex Ma, cofounder of the popular photo-sharing app Poparazzi, spoke with Insider about how he and his brother struggled their way to success. He explains the backstory of the buzzy, Gen Z-favored app.

4. The FTC sued to stop Meta from buying a VR fitness app. The lawsuit is meant to keep Meta from acquiring Supernatural and its developer, a company called Within, a move the FTC said could "create a monopoly" in the VR fitness market. More on that here.

5. VCs shared the biotech startups they think will take off in the next year. The investors' picks include companies using AI to find new drugs, exploring genetic technologies, and developing new platforms. Meet the 23 startups poised to take off.

6. Ford's electric F-150 is coming to a police station near you. The company just unveiled an electric pickup truck built for "specialized departmental needs," like helping out at a crash scene or towing a boat. Check it out here.

7. Amazon's drone delivery ambitions are delayed once again. Amazon must complete 7,000 flights of its autonomous delivery drone to meet a federal licensing requirement — but so far, not a single flight has counted toward that goal. What we know about the latest roadblock.

8. A creative assistant at Netflix explains how he landed the role. Sam Gilliland landed the Netflix interview, which he said felt like a "vibe check," through a connection. He shares how he nailed the interview and moved up in Hollywood.

Odds and ends:

9. Mini just showed off a funky, futuristic electric SUV. With a bold, chunky design, a circular touchscreen, and a projector, the concept SUV is a glimpse at what Mini's future electric car will look like. Check out the Mini Aceman.

10. This 3D-printer built the walls of a 400-square-foot concrete tiny home in just 22 hours. Though the tiny house took a total of five weeks to complete, the printer was only running for less than a day. See the huge printer in action.

The latest people moves in tech:

Vince McMahon retired from WWE amid an investigation into misconduct allegations.
Jay Carney joined Airbnb as its global head of policy and communications.
Herbert Diess was ousted as Volkswagen's chief executive three years before his contract ended.
Shopify VP of engineering Cathy Polinsky left for data-privacy firm DataGrail.

Keep updated with the latest tech news throughout your day by checking out The Refresh from Insider, a dynamic audio news brief from the Insider newsroom. Listen here.

Sign up now: Ready for the next step? Whether you feel the need to get that promotion, pivot industries or simply just want to shake things up, Morning Brew offers a career Accelerator to get you where you want to go. Get all the details here.

Curated by Jordan Parker Erb in New York. (Feedback or tips? Email jerb@insider.com or tweet @jordanparkererb.) Edited by Hallam Bullock (tweet @hallam_bullock) in London.

Thursday 28 July 2022

Tech: TikTok is coming for Spotify

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10 THINGS IN TECH

Do you hear that? That's the sound of TikTok gunning for Spotify's throne.

A trademark filing shows that TikTok's parent company applied for "TikTok Music" — a sign the social media giant could be gearing up to compete with Apple Music and Spotify.

Speaking of Spotify… The company's short-lived Car Thing is officially dead, but you can still buy one at a steep discount.

I'm Jordan Parker Erb. Let's get to the good stuff.

If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Insider's app here.

1. TikTok is coming for Spotify and Apple Music. ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, filed to trademark a streaming service called "TikTok Music," which could feature an app for users to purchase, play, share, and download music.

TikTok is already a hub for discovering new music, often propelling songs into the mainstream and to the tops of charts like Billboard 100 and Spotify Viral 50.
Now, the company appears to be inching closer to launching a standalone music streaming service of its own — ByteDance submitted its "TikTok Music" trademark in the US on May 9.
TikTok is already a major rival to social media companies like Facebook and Instagram, and this move could place it in direct competition with companies like Spotify and Apple Music.

What we know about TikTok's music-streaming ambitions.

In other news:

2. Spotify has stopped producing its Car Thing. In its quarterly earnings report, Spotify announced it'd no longer be making the dashboard accessory, which was intended to help navigate the streaming service from your car. Inside the Car Thing's downfall.

3. Employees are defying orders to return to the office — and getting away with it. A national survey shows that more than half of employees who have been ordered back to the office full-time are refusing to comply. Why workers are refusing to acquiesce, without repercussions.

4. Meta reported its first-ever year-over-year decline in quarterly revenue. Amid increased competition from TikTok and a slowdown in ad spending, the company posted the first revenue decline in its history. Mark Zuckerberg also said Facebook will steadily reduce the number of employees it hires and shrink some teams over the next year.

5. Google is delaying its plan to kill off third-party tracking cookies in Chrome. The company is pushing back its deadline for killing off tracking cookies until at least 2024, giving advertisers and publishers more time to test cookieless alternatives. Everything we know so far.

6. Hulu is changing its policy to allow political ads. Facing backlash from Democrats over its refusal to show ads about gun safety and abortion, the streamer will now accept ads from a "wide spectrum of policy positions." Get the full rundown here.

7. An Amazon warehouse builder with ties to a polygamous cult is under investigation. Oregon state is investigating a warehouse builder linked to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The investigation centers around allegations of child labor and wage theft violations. What we know about the investigation.

8. Clash of the Tech Titans. Mark Zuckerberg told staff Meta is in "deep, philosophical competition" with Apple to build the metaverse. But he isn't the only one noticing a rivalry. Insider's Lara O'Reilly writes that Apple CEO Tim Cook has been taking shots at Zuckerberg for years — and it's working.

Odds and ends:

9. Comparing Rivian's electric pickup and SUV. Insider's transportation reporter tried out each of the electric vehicles on-road and off, and checked out all of their interesting features. See how the startup's first two models stack up.

10. Uber passengers can't figure out how to get into Teslas. As part of Uber's new service, Comfort Electric, passengers can request a Tesla or other premium EV — but the company is having to send instructions on how to open Teslas' doors. More on that here.

What we're watching today:

Apple, Amazon, Roku, and others are reporting earnings today. Keep up with earnings here.
Lollapalooza music festival kicks off today in Chicago.

Keep updated with the latest tech news throughout your day by checking out The Refresh from Insider, a dynamic audio news brief from the Insider newsroom. Listen here.

Curated by Jordan Parker Erb in New York. (Feedback or tips? Email jerb@insider.com or tweet @jordanparkererb.) Edited by Hallam Bullock (tweet @hallam_bullock) in London.

Wednesday 27 July 2022

Tech: Will Meta faceplant?

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10 THINGS IN TECH

Hey y'all. Jordan Parker Erb here, taking a break from mourning the Choco Taco to share some tech news with you.

All eyes are on Meta today as we enter the meat of tech earnings season, and Instagram is defending changes to its platform that have sparked widespread backlash.

Ready? Let's dive in.

If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Insider's app here.

1. It's a big day for tech earnings. Meta, Spotify, Shopify, and other major tech companies are set to report earnings today — and everyone has their eyes on Meta. Here's what to look out for this afternoon:

Last week, Snap's dismal earnings set the tone for what could be coming: As TikTok continues to grab market share, it's wreaking havoc on its more established social media rivals — Meta included.
As the company continues to grapple with competition from TikTok, a slowdown in advertising, and employees steeling themselves for layoffs, Wall Street analysts are bracing for disappointment.
Meanwhile, Shopify's earnings come on the heels of the announcement that it'd be laying off 10% of its workforce, or about 1,000 workers, news that sent its shares plunging 14% Tuesday.
On Tuesday, Microsoft and Google reported better-than-expected results. Both nodded to the ad slowdown, but their main businesses, Azure cloud and Google Search, performed well.

In other news:

2. Amazon is raising the price of Prime memberships in Europe. Just months after increasing the price for members in the US, Amazon is hiking prices across Europe — by up to 43%. Here's how much Prime members can expect to pay.

3. After 10 rejections, this 28-year-old got into Google without a tech background. Tennessee Watt, a London-based marketing manager at Google, told Insider she tweaked her résumé to focus on transferable skills and refined her elevator pitch to land the job. See the résumé that got her in.

4. Leaked documents show a second Amazon Prime Day is coming in October. The Prime Early Access Sale is described as a "high-velocity" sales event to celebrate Prime members' loyalty by giving them early access to exclusive deals when they least expect it. Everything you want to know about the second major sales event of the year.

5. Amazon aggregator Boosted Commerce laid off around 5% of its staff. Boosted has raised $380 million in outside funding to date, and is just the latest aggregator to lay off staff as volatility among rollup companies continues. What we know about the layoffs.

6. Twitter says it "significantly" slowed hiring in the second quarter. According to a filing with the SEC, the company pulled back on hiring to manage costs as it prepares for a legal fight with Elon Musk. Here's what else the filing said.

7. Tech workers who chose to get paid in crypto are still buying the dip and doubling down. Even as crypto markets teeter, the demand for crypto salaries among workers has held steady, payroll providers say. We break down why.

8. Instagram boss Adam Mosseri responded to backlash. In a video, Mosseri addressed frustrations over changes to the platform, saying that while the app would still support photos, "more and more of Instagram is going to become video over time." Everything else Mosseri said.

Odds and ends:

9. Alexis Ohanian wants to save the Choco Taco. After 40 years, Klondike confirmed it will discontinue the iconic chocolate taco. But in a tweet, Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian offered to buy the rights to the novelty treat: "I can't let this happen."

10. Mark Zuckerberg sold his San Francisco home for $31 million. The off-market sale is the biggest residential real estate deal in the city so far in 2022, according to The Real Deal. Get the full rundown here.

What we're watching today:

Spotify, Meta, Shopify, and others are reporting earnings. Keep up with earnings here.
Turing Fest is happening today and tomorrow in Edinburgh.
Spirit Airlines stockholders are set to vote on the proposed merger with Frontier Airlines.

Keep updated with the latest tech news throughout your day by checking out The Refresh from Insider, a dynamic audio news brief from the Insider newsroom. Listen here.

Curated by Jordan Parker Erb in New York. (Feedback or tips? Email jerb@insider.com or tweet @jordanparkererb.) Edited by Hallam Bullock (tweet @hallam_bullock) in London.

Tuesday 26 July 2022

Tech: Facebook employees expect layoffs

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10 THINGS IN TECH

Hey, maybe you should take it easy. Yes, you. While major industry figures like Elon Musk believe working 80 hours a week is the only way to "change the world," research suggests working less can actually make you more productive — and happier.

Plus, as we stare down a big week for tech earnings, some Meta employees are bracing for the worst: layoffs.

I'm your host, Jordan Parker Erb. Let's get to it.

If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Insider's app here.

1. Meta employees are bracing for job cuts. Facing new performance requirements and a tougher market, some Meta (formerly known as Facebook) employees believe the company could reduce headcount by as much as 10% this year.

In an internal memo earlier this month, Meta's HR chief Lori Goler suggested cutting employees who can't meet expectations as the company begins to operate with "increased intensity."
Some employees said the looming layoffs feel like a "witch hunt" as the company looks to weed out low performers.
"It hasn't started yet," one employee told Insider, "but it's coming."

What employees are saying about layoffs at Meta.

In other news:

2. A man accidentally threw away 8,000 bitcoins. Now he's on a quest to get them back. After throwing away a hard drive holding $176 million worth of bitcoin nine years ago, James Howells has devised a plan — which includes two robotic dogs — to retrieve it. Here's how he plans to get it back.

3. How much does Dropbox pay its talent? The cloud-storage firm pays senior talent up to $235,000 — and it's remote-first. We rounded up salary ranges for engineers, data scientists, managers, and more. See how much you could be making at Dropbox.

4. Twitter has already spent $33 million on its deal with Elon Musk. In its Q2 earnings report, the social-media company said it had already incurred $33 million in costs related to Musk's "pending acquisition," and those costs are expected to balloon even further as the two prepare to face off in court. More on Twitter's mega Musk fees.

5. Maybe you should stop working so hard. Studies have shown the ideal work day is actually around five hours long, and that the most successful — and the happiest — employees are those who work smarter, not harder. The case for not working hard.

6. Elon Musk has denied having an affair with the wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin. After The Wall Street Journal reported on the alleged affair, Musk shared photos of him and Brin at a party, and added he hasn't "even had sex in ages (sigh)."

7. Around 10% of all Big Tech employees have been impacted by the reversal of Roe v. Wade. An Insider analysis found that nearly 10% of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft employees live in a state that implemented laws banning abortions once the case was overturned. These maps show how many employees are in states that are affected.

8. It could be the end of the social-networking era as we know it. As Facebook changes its app to become more like TikTok, it's prioritizing consumption over connection with friends and family. It comes as Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian also called on Instagram to "stop trying to be TikTok."

Odds and ends:

9. You can now download the iOS 16 beta. Though it won't be officially available for a few months, you can test out its new features — like a reinvented Lock Screen design and the ability to edit or unsend messages — by signing up for Apple's Beta Software Program. Here's how to do it.

10. You can take a course to become a social media influencer. A community college in Ohio is offering students the option to earn a Media Influencer Certificate after taking a two-semester course. Get the full rundown here.

What we're watching today:

Google and Microsoft are reporting earnings. Keep up with earnings here.
AWS re:Inforce kicks off today in Boston.
The Bipartisan Policy Center is hosting a discussion on big tech and competition policy at 2 p.m. ET.

Keep updated with the latest tech news throughout your day by checking out The Refresh from Insider, a dynamic audio news brief from the Insider newsroom. Listen here.

Curated by Jordan Parker Erb in New York. (Feedback or tips? Email jerb@insider.com or tweet @jordanparkererb.) Edited by Hallam Bullock (tweet @hallam_bullock) in London.