Gillmor Gang: Who Knew - Tech Podcast & News

The Gillmor Gang and the Evolving Tech Landscape

The Gillmor Gang’s recording sessions take place each Friday at midday on the East Coast, and in the midmorning hours for those on the West Coast. Broadcast live across platforms like Twitter, Facebook Live, and YouTube, the show is subsequently refined with editing, titles, and music before being published on Techcrunch.

It represents a unique blend of podcasting, collaborative Zoom meetings, and a community for those embracing remote work. Originating in the early days of podcasting, the Gang is now adapting to new avenues for connection, including social networks and rapid-following features, such as Facebook’s recently “soft-launched” Live Audio Rooms, initially available to verified individuals and creators.

Facebook's Strategic Moves and the Rise of Social Audio

Facebook consistently monitors emerging features, and appears poised to consolidate strategies from across the market under its own infrastructure, potentially even creating a walled-garden ecosystem. This could encompass features like virtual tipping and hand-raising for speaking, alongside live video streaming and screen-sharing capabilities, mirroring announcements made at Apple’s WWDC for FaceTime.

Naturally, discussion frequently circles back to Clubhouse and its distinct approach to media strategy. Andreessen Horowitz (A16Z) recently launched its publishing platform, which prompted a measured response from the media, careful not to jeopardize relationships with the prominent venture firm.

A16Z's Direct Approach and the Media's Challenges

More noteworthy than the website itself was a Clubhouse launch event, where authors and editors engaged in conversation for approximately two hours. Marc Andreessen participated at the beginning, while A16Z partner Margit Wennmachers offered insights into the launch strategy.

The aim is to establish trust and provide valuable perspectives directly from technologists to the tech and investment community. This occurs during a period where traditional cable media struggles with credibility, attempting to maintain ratings through a constant cycle of crisis-driven news coverage, particularly in the aftermath of the challenges posed by misinformation.

Shifting Entertainment Models and the Future of Work

As vaccination rates increase, streaming television is transitioning from all-at-once releases to the more traditional weekly cliffhanger format. The work-from-anywhere model is being redefined, balancing the benefits of family time with the collaborative advantages of a physical office environment.

During this episode, Keith Teare posited that Netflix might face challenges as the easing pandemic puts pressure on shows delayed by production shutdowns. While the decline in quality is subtle, it hasn’t yet significantly impacted the major streaming services like Disney, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. The rebranding of Discovery/WarnerMedia as “DiscoBros” was noted as potentially engaging, and the suggestion was made that Apple TV+ could benefit from increased production investment.

The Creator Economy and Ongoing Social Audio Developments

New developments in social audio – pivots, acquisitions, and updates – are frequent. Spotify Greenroom, with its auto-record and captioning features, and its integration with Anchor podcasting tools, stands out. Resistance to tip jars is diminishing. Speculation about Clubhouse’s potential decline persists, though it may be premature.

If Future.com continues to emulate The Information’s events model, there appears to be considerable potential for growth. Content centered around Clubhouse, specifically discussions *on* Clubhouse, remains particularly valuable.

Apple's Innovations and the Hardware-as-a-Service Model

Apple’s recent announcements, combining M1 chip advancements with the integration of iOS, MacOS, WatchOS, and TVOS, have generated significant attention. A key point of interest is the list of features exclusive to Apple’s silicon, showcasing its capabilities.

Recent upgrades to M1-powered Macbooks, including the Pro and Air models, have enabled features like Blur mode on Zoom, essentially at no additional cost. The shift towards hardware as a subscription service (HaaS), as exemplified by Salesforce’s trajectory, is likely to become increasingly significant. (Disclosure: I am employed by Salesforce.)

For content creators, the transition from hardware-based solutions like Newtek’s Tricaster and BlackMagic’s ATEM Mini to software-based options like OBS and NDI5 over public networks is progressing, though not yet fully optimized.

from the Gillmor Gang Newsletter

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The Gillmor Gang — Frank Radice, Michael Markman, Keith Teare, Denis Pombriant, Brent Leary and Steve Gillmor. Recorded live Friday, June 11, 2021.

Produced and directed by Tina Chase Gillmor @tinagillmor

@fradice, @mickeleh, @denispombriant, @kteare, @brentleary, @stevegillmor, @gillmorgang

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