The Information

A Town Fights Amazon Trucks — The 411 Podcast

By Cory Weinberg · Jul 9, 2021 1:59pm PDT

What happens when a small town becomes a choke point for tens of thousands of Amazon deliveries every day? Cory talks to The Information’s Paris Martineau about what residents' struggles in a small Massachusetts town tell us about the challenges of Amazon’s rapid physical expansion. Then, Hong Kong bureau chief Shai... What happens when a small town becomes a choke point for tens of thousands of Amazon...

Benchmark’s Dilemma — The 411 Podcast

By Cory Weinberg · Jul 2, 2021 11:01am PDT

Does one of the most storied venture capital firms need to adapt to a changing startup environment? Cory talks to The Information’s Berber Jin about his profile of Benchmark, known for a deliberative style that could handcuff it amid more fast-paced dealmaking. Then, Josh Sisco breaks down what the latest antitrust news means for... Does one of the most storied venture capital firms need to adapt to a changing startup...

Amazon’s China Whistleblower — The 411 Podcast

By Cory Weinberg · Jun 25, 2021 2:11pm PDT

Why did Amazon fail to protect an employee who disclosed labor violations at a Foxconn factory that makes Amazon devices? Cory talks to The Information’s Wayne Ma about the lack of corporate whistleblower protections in China and why U.S. tech companies aren’t living up to their own standards in the manufacturing hub. Wayne ... Why did Amazon fail to protect an employee who disclosed labor violations at a Foxconn factory...

Playbook of Jonah — The 411 Podcast

By Cory Weinberg · Jun 18, 2021 12:43pm PDT

Playbook of Jonah — The 411 Podcast

By Cory Weinberg · Jun 18, 2021 12:43pm PDT

BuzzFeed might become the first of its generation of digital media upstarts to go public. How is CEO Jonah Peretti trying to grow the company? Cory talks to The Information's Jessica Toonkel and Sahil Patel about Peretti's consolidation strategy. Plus, reporter Paris Martineau discusses the implications of Amazon's growing air cargo... BuzzFeed might become the first of its generation of digital media upstarts to go public. How is...

Are You Better Than the Average Human? — The 411 Podcast

By Cory Weinberg · Jun 11, 2021 10:19am PDT

It’s been a difficult couple of years for self-driving car developers trying to bring robotaxis to the public. How do they get out of the so-called "trough of disillusionment?" Listen to highlights of The Information’s Autonomous Vehicles Summit. Amir Efrati interviews Argo AI CEO Bryan Salesky and former Zoox CEO Tim... It’s been a difficult couple of years for self-driving car developers trying to bring...

Amazon’s Next Chapter — The 411 Podcast

By Cory Weinberg · Jun 4, 2021 2:50pm PDT

Amazon has been making big moves in Hollywood. What does that tell us about the company’s new CEO Andy Jassy? Cory talks to The Information’s Kevin McLaughlin and Jessica Toonkel about their recent reporting on what Amazon's incoming boss is up to. Then, Cory and senior editor Wendy Pollack discuss the downfall of Katerra, the... Amazon has been making big moves in Hollywood. What does that tell us about the company’s...

Tip Your Influencers – The Information’s 411 Podcast

By Cory Weinberg · May 28, 2021 11:51am PDT

Why are Instagram, Snap and TikTok rushing to build ways for influencers to make money? Cory talks to The Information’s Kaya Yurieff about what she is tracking with her new creator economy newsletter. Then, did the momentum shift in the Apple–Epic trial? Josh Sisco covered the trial for The Information, and explains how the... Why are Instagram, Snap and TikTok rushing to build ways for influencers to make money? Cory...

Amazon’s Highway Tragedies — The Information’s 411

By Cory Weinberg · May 21, 2021 12:44pm PDT

Amazon’s Highway Tragedies — The Information’s 411

By Cory Weinberg · May 21, 2021 12:44pm PDT

Fast deliveries by Amazon and other online retailers have brought tremendous convenience for consumers, but the e-commerce boom has come at a cost. A five-month investigation by The Information identified a pattern of serious and sometimes deadly crashes involving drivers moving freight for Amazon. We explore the toll of Amazon’s trucking... Fast deliveries by Amazon and other online retailers have brought tremendous convenience for...

Apple and Uyghur Labor — The Information’s 411

By Cory Weinberg · May 14, 2021 4:34pm PDT

The Information found evidence of Apple working with suppliers suspected of using forced labor. How? Cory talks to Wayne Ma about how he discovered Apple's links to the Xinjiang region of China. Then, an interview with scholar Laura T. Murphy about how tech companies can look for evidence of forced labor in their supply chains. The Information found evidence of Apple working with suppliers suspected of using forced labor....

Extreme Makeover: Zuck Edition — The Information’s 411

By Cory Weinberg · May 7, 2021 2:04pm PDT

How is Mark Zuckerberg planning to revamp his public image? Cory talks to The Information’s Sylvia Varnham O’Regan and Alex Heath about why Facebook’s CEO is going on another charm offensive. Then, Cory interviews Justin Bedecarre, CEO of Raise Commercial Real Estate, a Founders Fund-backed startup, about how tech firms... How is Mark Zuckerberg planning to revamp his public image? Cory talks to The Information’s...

The Andreessen Effect — The Information’s 411

By Cory Weinberg · Apr 23, 2021 12:17pm PDT

Cory talks to Kate Clark about what her recent reporting on Andreessen Horowitz tells us about the firm’s history and its strategy to win deals. Then, Kevin McLaughlin discusses his story looking at why high-profile artificial intelligence startup DataRobot ousted its CEO. Cory talks to Kate Clark about what her recent reporting on Andreessen Horowitz tells us about...

Jab Credentials — The Information’s 411

By Cory Weinberg · Apr 16, 2021 1:57pm PDT

Jab Credentials — The Information’s 411

By Cory Weinberg · Apr 16, 2021 1:57pm PDT

We dive into some of the tech questions facing the potential rollout of vaccine passports. Paul Meyer, CEO of the nonprofit Commons Project, talks to Nick Wingfield about why it is important that people's proof of vaccination not get locked up in walled gardens. Then, Cory talks to The Information's Juro Osawa about Grab's $40... We dive into some of the tech questions facing the potential rollout of vaccine passports. Paul...

Tech’s Tiger King — The Information’s 411

By Cory Weinberg · Apr 9, 2021 12:22pm PDT

Cory talks to Kate Clark about the new king of venture capital deals: Tiger Global Management. The New York hedge fund has invested at a rapid pace, at higher and higher valuations. What does it mean for venture capital in 2021? Plus, Wendy and Cory discuss whether venture-backed travel firms will get a lift after a bleak year. Cory talks to Kate Clark about the new king of venture capital deals: Tiger Global Management....

Behind the Fintech Frenzy — The Information’s 411

By Cory Weinberg · Apr 2, 2021 11:35am PDT

Why are startups like Stripe, Plaid, Ramp and Fast raising so much money so quickly? Cory talks about the phenomenon with Bain Capital Ventures partner Merritt Hummer and The Information reporters Kate Clark and Berber Jin. Plus, an interview with Henrique Dubugras, co-CEO of Brex, a corporate credit card startup, about the pandemic,... Why are startups like Stripe, Plaid, Ramp and Fast raising so much money so quickly? Cory...

Google’s Cloudy Future — The Information’s 411

By Cory Weinberg · Mar 26, 2021 3:44pm PDT

This week, Cory and Kevin McLaughlin talk about why Google Cloud loses so much money, and why this year will be crucial for the company. Then, The Information’s Kevin Delaney talks with former Google executive and “Radical Candor” author Kim Scott about how women and non-white employees sometimes face prejudice when being... This week, Cory and Kevin McLaughlin talk about why Google Cloud loses so much money, and why...

The Information’s 411 — Katerra’s Shaky Foundations

By Tom Dotan · Mar 19, 2021 3:30pm PDT · 1 comment

The Information’s 411 — Katerra’s Shaky Foundations

By Tom Dotan · Mar 19, 2021 3:30pm PDT · 1 comment

Cory and Wendy dive into the disaster that befell Katerra, the high-profile construction tech startup that nearly went bankrupt. They also explore the future of construction tech. Also, co-host Tom bids a fond farewell to the podcast we launched five years ago. Cory and Wendy dive into the disaster that befell Katerra, the high-profile construction tech...

The Information’s 411 — Condé Nast Turns a New Page

By Tom Dotan · Mar 12, 2021 3:28pm PST

Tom speaks to Roger Lynch, the CEO of magazine giant Condé Nast, about how he’s trying to turn the company around and build out newer businesses like e-commerce, longform video and digital subscriptions. He also talks about how the company handled its cultural reckoning last year. Then Alex and Mat join to recap their interview with... Tom speaks to Roger Lynch, the CEO of magazine giant Condé Nast, about how he’s...

The Information’s 411 — Facebook Needs Kustomer Support

By Tom Dotan · Mar 5, 2021 4:48pm PST

Cory chats with Josh Sisco about the reason regulators are probing Facebook’s deal to acquire Kustomer. Tom talks to Kevin McLaughlin about the next group of enterprise software companies to go public. Cory chats with Josh Sisco about the reason regulators are probing Facebook’s deal to...

The Information’s 411 — IPOs and Female CEOs

The Information’s 411 — IPOs and Female CEOs

By Tom Dotan · Feb 26, 2021 4:28pm PST

Tom talks to Zoë about the next wave of companies going public that are led by female CEOs. Then, Cory chats with Kate and Ross about the reason SPACs are looking at early-stage companies. Tom talks to Zoë about the next wave of companies going public that are led by female...

Facebook on My Wrist, Apple on Your Eyes – The Information’s 411

By Cory Weinberg · Feb 19, 2021 12:56pm PST

Facebook on My Wrist, Apple on Your Eyes – The Information’s 411

By Cory Weinberg · Feb 19, 2021 12:56pm PST

Reporters Alex Heath and Wayne Ma discuss their exclusive reporting on Facebook's efforts to build a smartwatch and Apple's work on a mixed-reality headset. This is another Facebook vs. Apple battle worth following. Reporters Alex Heath and Wayne Ma discuss their exclusive reporting on Facebook's efforts to...