Qualcomm

Episode 119. Qualcomm jump-starts a portable gaming platform as Samsung merges mobile and consumer groups

At Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit, the chip giant announced a collaboration with Razer to launch a new category by merging high-end smartphone gaming with physical game controls. The resulting reference design is designed to inspire a new category to steal thunder from the Nintendo Switch and shave off a slice of the hardcore mobile gaming market. We analyze whether the move rekindles the convergence vs. standalone device debate. Meanwhile, in another kind of merging, Samsung is bringing together its mobile and consumer electronics groups as its competitive landscape changes. We dig into whether the move can boost the company’s ecosystem strength

96. Apple’s sales boom, Instagram’s Clubhouse features, and Samsung’s strengthening ecosystem

Join Shawn DuBravac of Avrio Institute and Ross Rubin of Reticle Research as they provide insights on the biggest tech stories, including:

—whether Apple’s earnings reveal continued pandemic demand or more generational change drivers as 5G expands
—how Facebook continues to seek business diversification via a Clubhouse-like Instagram mode, a greater commerce focus, and more 
—how Samsung has continued to weave its ecosystem message together with the Galaxy Book Pros

Episode 88. Facebook praises ads, TV OS wars hit prime time, and Fry’s meets its demise

Join Shawn DuBravac of Avrio Institute and Ross Rubin of Reticle Researchas they provide insights on the biggest tech stories, including:
—whether Facebook’s make a better case against Apple that people want personalized advertising
—how Google and LG are ramping up their smart TV operating systems to take on Samsung and Roku
—what the passing of the iconic Fry’s Electronics retail chain means for the future of tech discovery

Quest 2 VR headset

Episode 68. Apple Watch and Oculus target broader markets as LG takes Wing

In this episode, Shawn and Ross analyze the launch of Apple's announcement of the Apple Watch Series 6 and SE, and how the Fitness+ service they drive fits into its new Apple One service bundle that demands more affordable hardware. We also look at the launch of the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset, which surpasses its predecessor at a lower price, and how it plays into Facebook's grand design for social computing. Finally, as these next-gen platforms take hold, LG has launched the Wing. We discuss how the swiveling dual-screen phone offers a different proposition than designs from Samsung and Microsoft in a telecom market that's undergoing consolidation

Episode 66. Cheap 5G, the Pricey Galaxy Z, and Moving In With Alexa

In this episode, Shawn and Ross examine the impact of Qualcomm’s plans to bring 4G to entry-level phones. Plus, we take on how Samsung can justify it’s $2,000 Galaxy Z Fold 2 during the pandemic. And finally, how Alexa Residential is offering homebuilders a chance to welcome new buyers with a familiar helpful assistant.

Episode 63. When Samsung’s Galaxy Meets Microsoft’s World

In this episode, Shawn and Ross look at Samsung’s latest announcements, including its latest smartphone tour de force, the Galaxy Note 20, its attempt at Android tablet relevance with the Tab S7, and its promising preview of the next Galaxy Fold Z. Meanwhile, as the electronics giant steps up its relationship with Microsoft, we take on why its corporate-focused partner would have interest in TikTok, as well as the challenges that it and other Big Tech rivals face as they navigate the rules of Apple’s app store with streaming game services.

Episode 48. Seeking Sea Changes at CES

In this episode Shawn and Ross look at two major forces expected to loom large at the annual CES technology event next week. First, we look at the latest AI medical milestone as software outperforms radiologists in detecting breast cancer. Next, it’s on to 5G where we take on Samsung’s progress report and discuss long-term implications for the next generation network in PCs and far beyond.