Get the full experience! Sign up to access transcripts, personalized summaries, and more features.
Is the US government about to get into, or at least, heavily impact the VC investing business? Apparently, the trade war with China is still on. The resurrection of Twitterific. And how Spotify has quietly stopped investing, and started getting real about profitability.
Sponsors:
Links:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In a significant move, President Trump announced an executive action aimed at creating a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, which he hints could facilitate the sale of TikTok's U.S. operations. This fund, directed by Treasury Secretary Scott Besant and Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnik, is proposed to be established within the next year, with a detailed plan expected within 90 days. It's envisioned as a means to leverage the U.S. government's economic scale for strategic investments across various sectors, with a focus on pharmaceuticals as a starting point.
The ongoing trade war with China remains critical, as China retaliated to new U.S. tariffs by launching investigations into American tech giants Google and Intel. The Chinese response appears calibrated to minimize impact on their economy while still sending a message to American firms that rely heavily on Chinese markets. This includes targeted actions such as imposing levies on select U.S. goods and blacklisting companies significant to U.S. operations in China.
The Icon Factory has launched Tapestry, an app that aggregates content from various social media and RSS feeds. This app is seen as a revival of Twitter Rific, bringing back familiar functionalities in a world post-Twitter. Tapestry promises users a chronological feed of combined posts, customization options, and an emphasis on user privacy, resonating well with those who seek to avoid algorithm-driven content.
Spotify has reported a strong fiscal performance, marking its first full year of profitability due to user growth and a strategic shift towards cost control after years of heavy spending. The platform saw a 16% year-on-year revenue increase, alongside a notable rise in monthly active users. This transformation reflects its pivot from deep investment in growth initiatives to establishing a sustainable audio streaming service model.
Opera has introduced a new browser, Opera Air, designed for mindfulness and mental well-being. This browser includes features like break reminders and a variety of ambient sounds aimed at facilitating a more balanced online experience, showcasing an innovative approach to browsing that prioritizes mental health.
Join other podcast enthusiasts who are getting podcast summaries.
Sign Up Free