The Briefing by Martin Peers, Jessica Lessin and the team at The Information

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The Briefing

By Martin Peers, Jessica Lessin and the team at The Information

Get smarter about the day’s news in tech, media and finance by following Silicon Valley’s most-read executive newsletter.

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Recent Editions

A SpaceX launch in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on June 3. Photo by Associated Press (Bill Ingalls/NASA via CNP).

Private Tech Prices Jump in Secondary Market

By Alfred Lee · Jun 13, 2017 7:02am PDT · 5 comments

Shares of many large private technology companies have seen a run-up in prices and trading activity this year on the secondary markets, brokers say, rebounding from a sluggish 2016.Fueling the surge in the secondary markets, in which employees and early investors of a private company sell their shares, is growing interest from institutional and... Shares of many large private technology companies have seen a run-up in prices and trading...

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick. Photo by Bloomberg.

Uber CEO Still Considering Options for a Break

By Amir Efrati · Jun 12, 2017 12:02pm PDT · 6 comments

On Monday, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick was still discussing whether to take a leave of absence from his embattled ride hailing company, as his right-hand man, Emil Michael, was pushed out of the company. But he also has told the board of directors it would be a big problem for him to do so now, given the gaping leadership holes, according to... On Monday, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick was still discussing whether to take a leave of absence from...

Photo by The Associated Press.

Dropbox in Talks for Logo Redesign as Part of Brand Refresh

By Eugene Kim · Jun 12, 2017 10:00am PDT · 1 comment

Dropbox’s iconic blue box logo could soon get a makeover. The cloud file storage company is considering a logo change as part of a broader rebranding effort to highlight the company’s growing emphasis on the business market, according to three people familiar with the matter.The brand refresh is aimed at modernizing the look and feel... Dropbox’s iconic blue box logo could soon get a makeover. The cloud file storage company is...

A Waymo minivan in Phoenix. Source: Waymo.

The Information’s Leaders and Laggards in Self-Driving Cars

By Amir Efrati · Jun 12, 2017 7:00am PDT · 7 comments

A Waymo minivan in Phoenix. Source: Waymo.

The Information’s Leaders and Laggards in Self-Driving Cars

By Amir Efrati · Jun 12, 2017 7:00am PDT · 7 comments

The race to produce millions of cars that can drive themselves in almost all situations is getting more intense, and more perplexing, by the week. Integrating autonomous vehicles into regular city traffic might be many years away, but even at this early stage, some companies are further along than others. Indeed, the past year has proven that... The race to produce millions of cars that can drive themselves in almost all situations is...

Modest Conversations

Modest Conversations: Jobs, Inequality, and UBI

By Sam Lessin · Jun 11, 2017 8:21am PDT

Joe Lonsdale, the founder of 8VC, joins to discuss jobs, inequality, and universal base income - as well as several other dangerous topics. Joe Lonsdale, the founder of 8VC, joins to discuss jobs, inequality, and universal base income -...

Cartoon by Matt Vascellaro.

The Weekly Digest

The Information You Missed This Week

By The Information Staff · Jun 10, 2017 8:01am PDT

Good Morning!Apple finally rolled out “Planet of the Apps” this week. Stay tuned for the episode when Gwyneth Paltrow and Will.i.am realize the earth has actually been conquered by a band of Android-wielding talking apes. Good Morning!Apple finally rolled out “Planet of the Apps” this week. Stay tuned for...

The Information’s 411 — Monetizing the Peace and Quiet

By Tom Dotan · Jun 9, 2017 3:01pm PDT

Sam talks about the near-term, realistic expectations for AR and VR. Kevin talks about the future of HPE. Sam talks about the near-term, realistic expectations for AR and VR. Kevin talks about the future...

Apple CEO Tim Cook at WWDC. Photo by Bloomberg.

How Music Drowns Apple’s Innovation

By Jessica E. Lessin · Jun 9, 2017 7:01am PDT · 5 comments

Apple CEO Tim Cook at WWDC. Photo by Bloomberg.

How Music Drowns Apple’s Innovation

By Jessica E. Lessin · Jun 9, 2017 7:01am PDT · 5 comments

Of all the things that are a little odd about Apple’s new “Planet of the Apps” reality show, perhaps the strangest is that—unlike virtually every show on television—you won’t be able to download the series through iTunes. With the exception of the first episode, you’ll have to be an Apple Music... Of all the things that are a little odd about Apple’s new “Planet of the Apps”...

Ofo bicycles available for rent. Photo by Ofo.

China’s Bike-Sharing Craze Gains Speed

By Yunan Zhang · Jun 8, 2017 10:02am PDT · 1 comment

In little more than a year, China’s city sidewalks have become crowded by the brightly hued bicycles of dozens of rival bike-sharing startups. As the bikes lure throngs of riders, investors have taken notice: The two largest bike rental companies, Ofo and Mobike, have raised a combined $1 billion from funders, including Yuri Milner’s... In little more than a year, China’s city sidewalks have become crowded by the brightly hued...

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel. Art by Jeff Greco.

At Snap’s New York Clubhouse: Views, No Photos

By Tom Dotan · Jun 8, 2017 7:02am PDT · 2 comments

Last December, high above Times Square, the who’s who of the New York media world gathered for an exclusive holiday party. Betwixt an atrium-like foyer abutting a well-appointed private library, NBC “Late Night” host Seth Meyers and “Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski mingled among top cable... Last December, high above Times Square, the who’s who of the New York media world gathered...

Decoded - June 7, 2017

By Matt Vascellaro · Jun 7, 2017 5:41pm PDT · 1 comment

Jana CEO Nathan Eagle in 2016. Photo: Collision Conf

Verizon-Backed Jana Lays Off 19% of Staff

By Cory Weinberg · Jun 7, 2017 2:17pm PDT · 1 comment

Jana CEO Nathan Eagle in 2016. Photo: Collision Conf

Verizon-Backed Jana Lays Off 19% of Staff

By Cory Weinberg · Jun 7, 2017 2:17pm PDT · 1 comment

Jana, a mobile advertising startup focused on providing internet access to people in developing countries, laid off 13 employees this week, as the company planned to shut down what had been its flagship product.The cuts, confirmed by CEO Nathan Eagle, underline Jana’s ups and downs, as it fired sales and marketing employees that had worked... Jana, a mobile advertising startup focused on providing internet access to people in developing...

Katerra CEO Michael Marks. Art by Matt Vascellaro.

The Big Interview

Electronics Veteran Wants to Bring Tech Velocity to Housing Construction

By Cory Weinberg · Jun 7, 2017 10:01am PDT · 3 comments

Several startups have tried to take a bite of the hundreds of billions of dollars spent annually on the construction of residential buildings in the United States. Few have succeeded. The latest to try, and perhaps the most ambitious, is Katerra. Led by several veterans of electronics and supply chain management, Katerra is now trying to put... Several startups have tried to take a bite of the hundreds of billions of dollars spent annually...

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick. Credit: LeWeb Conference via Flickr

After Revolt, Uber Changes Employee Compensation

By Amir Efrati · Jun 7, 2017 7:01am PDT · 5 comments

In mid-2015, Uber Chairman Garrett Camp and Uber investor Bill Gurley, who were part of the board of directors’ compensation committee, expressed concern to company leaders that Uber was doling out so much equity compensation to new hires that it was quickly diluting existing shareholders.So CEO Travis Kalanick, who owned more than 30% of... In mid-2015, Uber Chairman Garrett Camp and Uber investor Bill Gurley, who were part of the board...

Photo: Associated Press

Uber Terminated About 20 People for Misconduct

By Amir Efrati · Jun 6, 2017 11:31am PDT · 2 comments

Uber has fired around 20 people this year as a result of an internal investigation into workplace misconduct, such as discrimination, sexual harassment, bullying, retaliation and physical safety, company executives revealed to employees this morning, according to two people who listened to a briefing on the findings.In addition, after about 200... Uber has fired around 20 people this year as a result of an internal investigation into workplace...

Blue Apron provides fresh ingredients for cooking. Photo by The Associated Press.

Blue Apron Maintains Edge in Recipe for Growth, but Competition Looms

By Alfred Lee · Jun 6, 2017 7:01am PDT · 3 comments

Blue Apron provides fresh ingredients for cooking. Photo by The Associated Press.

Blue Apron Maintains Edge in Recipe for Growth, but Competition Looms

By Alfred Lee · Jun 6, 2017 7:01am PDT · 3 comments

Among the surprises in Blue Apron’s IPO filing last week was that at first blush, it looked worse off than its biggest competitor in meal delivery services, HelloFresh. But a closer look suggests that Blue Apron is positioned to be worth more than HelloFresh in the long run. In the first three months of this year, Blue Apron posted a... Among the surprises in Blue Apron’s IPO filing last week was that at first blush, it looked...

Art by Sam Lessin.

Modest Proposals

A Game Plan for VR and AR in 2017

By Sam Lessin · Jun 5, 2017 10:01am PDT · 14 comments

The VR and AR push of the last several years is at a crossroads. The PR wave that had helped create excitement is subsiding against the backdrop of disappointing technology, content, and adoption. In the last several months the grand vision of useful Augmented Reality has been shelved in favor of fun photo-filters that are fleetingly engaging.... The VR and AR push of the last several years is at a crossroads. The PR wave that had helped...

Hewlett Packard Enterprise's Enterprise Group chief Antonio Neri. Photo by Bloomberg

HPE’s Last Man Standing

By Kevin McLaughlin · Jun 5, 2017 7:01am PDT

Employees of Hewlett Packard Enterprise are due to gather on Wednesday for a quarterly all-hands meeting. Half a dozen executives will speak but the one most closely watched will be Antonio Neri, who runs HPE’s main business. He is now seen by current and former HPE executives as CEO Meg Whitman’s most likely successor.A 22-year... Employees of Hewlett Packard Enterprise are due to gather on Wednesday for a quarterly all-hands...

Modest Conversations

Modest Conversations: Cryptocurrency & ICOs vs. Venture Capital

By Sam Lessin · Jun 4, 2017 10:47am PDT · 2 comments

Alexia Tsotsis and I discuss cryptocurrencies and the evolving conversation about the future of fundraising - initial coin offerings and venture capital. Alexia Tsotsis and I discuss cryptocurrencies and the evolving conversation about the future of...

The Information You Missed This Week

By The Information Staff · Jun 3, 2017 8:01am PDT

The Weekly Digest

The Information You Missed This Week

By The Information Staff · Jun 3, 2017 8:01am PDT

Good Morning!Can’t wait for Twitter’s next earnings call when executives analyze the business implications of covfefe. Good Morning!Can’t wait for Twitter’s next earnings call when executives analyze the...