The Information

The Information’s 411 — Uber Drowning in the Pool

By Priya Anand · Jan 10, 2020 3:57pm PST

Welcome back to The Information's 411. This week, we talked about Amir's exclusive story that outlined Uber's many business problems. As he reported, UberPool loses lots of money. So the company has been working to cut those losses, but when it raises prices, fewer people use Pool. We discuss what that means for Uber's... Welcome back to The Information's 411. This week, we talked about Amir's exclusive ...

The Information’s 411 — Hindsight Is 2020

By Tom Dotan · Jan 3, 2020 2:16pm PST

Tom and Jessica wrap up 2019, looking back at the year for Facebook, startup fundraising and media. Tom and Jessica wrap up 2019, looking back at the year for Facebook, startup fundraising and...

The Information’s 411 — When God Opens a Streaming Door He Closes a Theatrical Window

By Tom Dotan · Dec 27, 2019 4:30pm PST · 1 comment

Jessica Toonkel makes her prediction about how streaming services will affects the theater and movie industries. Kevin discusses AWS and its relationship with the open-source community. Jessica Toonkel makes her prediction about how streaming services will affects the theater and...

The Information’s 411 — Boz and Effect

By Tom Dotan · Dec 20, 2019 2:49pm PST · 1 comment

The Information’s 411 — Boz and Effect

By Tom Dotan · Dec 20, 2019 2:49pm PST · 1 comment

Alex dives into Facebook's massive hardware plans in AR and VR and the executive, Andrew "Boz" Bosworth, who's heading the endeavor. Nick and Kevin talk about Google Cloud and the long-shot effort to beat Amazon and Microsoft. Alex dives into Facebook's massive hardware plans in AR and VR and the executive, Andrew...

The Information’s 411 — Mathletes and Tech-athlons

By Tom Dotan · Dec 13, 2019 3:51pm PST

Wayne explains how Vietnam became a significant business for Facebook and Google, despite censorship pressures. Zoë dives into the trend of tech companies hiring elite athletes. Wayne explains how Vietnam became a significant business for Facebook and Google, despite...

[Bonus] Why Monoculture Moments Are Rare

By Tom Dotan · Dec 12, 2019 11:22am PST

A trio of executives, Universal Pictures' Katie Goldsmith, Attention Capital’s Nick Bell and Instagram’s Charles Porch, explain the next phase of growth for direct-to-consumer brands. A trio of executives, Universal Pictures' Katie Goldsmith, Attention Capital’s Nick...

The Information’s 411 — The Florida Project

By Tom Dotan · Dec 6, 2019 4:11pm PST

Amir joins to talk about DoorDash's money-losing business and Uber's report on sexual assaults. Alex talks about his investigation of Magic Leap's business and the disappointing sales for its AR headsets. Amir joins to talk about DoorDash's money-losing business and Uber's report on sexual...

The Information’s 411 — Disney in a Foxhole

By Tom Dotan · Nov 29, 2019 2:25pm PST

The Information’s 411 — Disney in a Foxhole

By Tom Dotan · Nov 29, 2019 2:25pm PST

Ashley breaks down where the frontrunners for the Democratic nomination stand regarding the tech industry. Martin joins to talk about the math underlying Disney's acquisition of Fox's assets and why it's clear that it seriously overpaid. Ashley breaks down where the frontrunners for the Democratic nomination stand regarding the tech...

[Bonus] Why Jason Blum Says Tech Has Upended Hollywood

By Tom Dotan · Nov 26, 2019 1:36pm PST

Producer Jason Blum explains why we've still got a few more years of big money flowing into Hollywood before business realities set in. Also why Apple should consider buying a studio and why most movie budgets have gotten smaller while TV shows have ballooned in price. Producer Jason Blum explains why we've still got a few more years of big money flowing into...

The Information’s 411 — A Bundle of Nerves

By Tom Dotan · Nov 22, 2019 4:45pm PST

Beejoli talks about the future of cable channels during the streaming era and what it's like working for the "old" part of the business. Cory gives the latest on Airbnb, including a scoop on its money-losing second quarter and its departing chief operating officer. Beejoli talks about the future of cable channels during the streaming era and what it's like...

The Information’s 411 — How Jared Grusd is Expanding Content on Snapchat

By Tom Dotan · Nov 21, 2019 5:32pm PST

Snap's chief strategy officer talks about Snap's Discover section, its explosive growth in India and competition from TikTok and Quibi. Snap's chief strategy officer talks about Snap's Discover section, its explosive growth...

The Information’s 411 — AR You Not Entertained?

By Tom Dotan · Nov 15, 2019 3:54pm PST

The Information’s 411 — AR You Not Entertained?

By Tom Dotan · Nov 15, 2019 3:54pm PST

Nick talks about Apple's internal meeting about its augmented reality plans. Jessica Toonkel discusses Disney's big streaming launch and what comes next. Nick talks about Apple's internal meeting about its augmented reality plans. Jessica Toonkel...

The Information’s 411 — Myths and Origins

By Tom Dotan · Nov 8, 2019 4:00pm PST

Priya talks about the companies that have inflated their origin story and why these myths matter. Kevin dives into the feud between Rubrik and Cohesity. Priya talks about the companies that have inflated their origin story and why these myths...

The Information’s 411 — HBO Appomattox

By Tom Dotan · Nov 1, 2019 3:47pm PDT

Beejoli and Tom discuss the latest battle in the streaming wars as WarnerMedia unveiled HBOMax. Nick Bastone makes his first appearance to talk about how Google has tweaked its hiring strategy to focus less on culture fit. Beejoli and Tom discuss the latest battle in the streaming wars as WarnerMedia unveiled HBOMax....

The Information’s 411 — Finding Humanity in (HBO’s) Silicon Valley

By Tom Dotan · Oct 25, 2019 2:59pm PDT

We interview Thomas Middleditch and Zach Woods, the stars of HBO's Silicon Valley. Ahead of the final season premiere on October 27, they reflect on how the tech industry has changed during the course of the show's run, how they searched for the humanity in the Valley, and why they think the show sticks the landing. We interview Thomas Middleditch and Zach Woods, the stars of HBO's Silicon Valley. Ahead of...

The Information’s 411 — Trump’s Secret Trade Crackdown

By Tom Dotan · Oct 18, 2019 4:06pm PDT

The Information’s 411 — Trump’s Secret Trade Crackdown

By Tom Dotan · Oct 18, 2019 4:06pm PDT

Matt Drange joins to talk about how the Trump administration has cracked down on the volume of sensitive U.S. technology that it allows to be exported around the world. Matt Drange joins to talk about how the Trump administration has cracked down on the volume of...

The Information’s 411 — God-Zillow

By Tom Dotan · Oct 11, 2019 3:51pm PDT

Nick recaps his conversation with Rich Barton and explains why the Zillow CEO is embracing ecommerce despite the heavy investments. He also discusses whether Microsoft's commitment to the surface has paid off. And why Apple's reliance on China may heavily influence its reaction to the protests in Hong Kong. Nick recaps his conversation with Rich Barton and explains why the Zillow CEO is embracing...

The Information’s 411 — Leaks and Geeks

By Tom Dotan · Oct 4, 2019 3:23pm PDT

Alex joins to talk about the new names atop Facebook's organization. Also, we go into its latest attempt to take on Snapchat and the now-infamous leak of Mark Zuckerberg's internal Q & A session. Alex joins to talk about the new names atop Facebook's organization. Also, we go into its...

The Information’s 411 — Thirsty Under Thirty

By Tom Dotan · Sep 27, 2019 3:27pm PDT

Zoë gives a behind the scenes look at how and why people lobby to be on Forbes' 30-Under-30 list. Cory gives the rundown on WeWork's crazy week. Zoë gives a behind the scenes look at how and why people lobby to be on Forbes'...

The Information’s 411 — Why Publishers Are Skeptical of Working With Tech

By The Information · Sep 26, 2019 5:02pm PDT

The Information’s 411 — Why Publishers Are Skeptical of Working With Tech

By The Information · Sep 26, 2019 5:02pm PDT

Jessica Lessin, editor-in-chief of The Information, interviewed Wired Editor-in-Chief Nick Thompson at our media business bootcamp earlier this month. Jessica Lessin, editor-in-chief of The Information, interviewed Wired Editor-in-Chief Nick...