Meta Investing Billions in Eyewear? & Netflix Keeps Adding Subscribers
Digest
A global IT outage caused by a CrowdStrike update affected millions of Microsoft Windows devices, disrupting businesses, banks, airlines, and emergency services. The outage impacted everything from flight operations to 911 call centers and news broadcasts. Meanwhile, Meta is reportedly exploring a multi-billion dollar investment in Luxottica, the company behind Ray-Ban, signaling its commitment to wearables. This investment comes as Meta faces competition in the headset market from companies like Apple. Netflix continues its streaming dominance, adding 8 million subscribers in the second quarter and exceeding revenue expectations. The company's success is attributed to its crackdown on password sharing and the introduction of a lower-priced ad tier. EA Sports College Football 25, a highly anticipated video game release, is set to launch today after a decade-long hiatus. The game features updated rosters and allows players to be compensated for their name, image, and likeness. In other news, Elon Musk announced that he is moving the headquarters of SpaceX and X from California to Texas, citing a new gender identity law as the reason. This move has prompted other companies to try and poach employees from SpaceX and X. Finally, schools in New York State are banning phones in classrooms, leading to higher test scores, increased student engagement, and more participation in extracurricular activities. This trend is gaining momentum, with Los Angeles and New York City also planning to implement similar bans.
Outlines
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Meta AI: Your Intelligent Assistant
This Chapter introduces Meta AI, an advanced AI assistant available on Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Messenger. It can answer questions, summarize notes, visualize ideas, and more. Meta AI is described as a powerful tool that can expand your world.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Global IT Outage Disrupts Services
This Chapter discusses a massive IT outage that affected millions of Microsoft Windows devices worldwide. The outage disrupted businesses, banks, airlines, and emergency services, causing widespread chaos. The problem appears to be caused by a CrowdStrike update.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Meta Invests in Ray-Ban Maker
This Chapter explores Meta's potential investment in Luxottica, the company behind Ray-Ban. Meta's interest in wearables is highlighted, with the Ray-Ban glasses being a successful product for the company. The chapter also discusses the competition in the headset market between Meta and Apple.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Netflix's Streaming Dominance
This Chapter focuses on Netflix's strong performance in the second quarter, with a surge in subscribers and revenue. The company's success is attributed to its crackdown on password sharing and the introduction of a lower-priced ad tier. Netflix is described as the undisputed streaming king.
Keywords
Meta AI
Meta AI is an advanced artificial intelligence assistant developed by Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. It is integrated into these platforms, allowing users to access its capabilities through chat or search. Meta AI can answer questions, summarize notes, visualize ideas, and perform various other tasks, making it a versatile tool for everyday use.
IT Outage
An IT outage refers to a disruption or failure of information technology systems, including computers, networks, and software. These outages can affect businesses, organizations, and individuals, causing significant disruptions to operations, communication, and access to services. The recent global IT outage was caused by a CrowdStrike update, highlighting the potential impact of software updates on critical systems.
Luxottica
Luxottica is a multinational eyewear company headquartered in Italy. It is known for its iconic brands, including Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Persol. Luxottica designs, manufactures, and distributes a wide range of eyewear products, including sunglasses, prescription glasses, and sports eyewear. The company has a strong presence in the global eyewear market and is a major player in the fashion and technology industries.
Netflix
Netflix is a global streaming entertainment service that offers a wide variety of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and other content. It is one of the most popular streaming platforms worldwide, with millions of subscribers. Netflix has been a pioneer in the streaming industry and has played a significant role in the shift from traditional television to on-demand entertainment. The company has invested heavily in original content and has produced numerous critically acclaimed and popular shows.
EA Sports College Football
EA Sports College Football is a popular video game franchise that simulates the experience of playing college football. The game features realistic graphics, gameplay, and rosters of real-life college football players. The franchise was discontinued in 2013 due to legal challenges related to the use of player likenesses. However, the game is making a comeback with the release of EA Sports College Football 25, which will allow players to be compensated for their name, image, and likeness.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk is a South African-born entrepreneur and businessman known for his ventures in technology, space exploration, and electric vehicles. He is the founder, CEO, and Chief Engineer of SpaceX; CEO and Product Architect of Tesla, Inc.; founder of The Boring Company; and co-founder of Neuralink and OpenAI. Musk is a prominent figure in the tech industry and is known for his ambitious goals and innovative ideas.
Phone Ban
A phone ban refers to a policy that restricts or prohibits the use of mobile phones in certain locations or during specific activities. Phone bans are often implemented in schools, workplaces, and other settings to reduce distractions, promote focus, and encourage face-to-face interaction. The recent trend of phone bans in schools has sparked debate about the impact of smartphones on student learning and well-being.
Yonder
Yonder is a San Francisco-based company that provides phone pouches and other solutions for managing mobile devices in various settings. The company's products are designed to promote focus, reduce distractions, and create phone-free zones. Yonder has gained popularity in schools, workplaces, and events, where phone bans are implemented. The company's success is attributed to the growing demand for phone-free environments.
Q&A
What caused the global IT outage that disrupted services worldwide?
The outage was caused by a CrowdStrike update that affected millions of Microsoft Windows devices.
What is Meta's potential investment in Luxottica and what does it signify?
Meta is exploring a multi-billion dollar investment in Luxottica, the company behind Ray-Ban. This investment shows Meta's commitment to wearables and its desire to compete in the headset market with companies like Apple.
What factors contributed to Netflix's strong performance in the second quarter?
Netflix's success is attributed to its crackdown on password sharing and the introduction of a lower-priced ad tier. These strategies have helped the company attract new subscribers and increase revenue.
What is the significance of the release of EA Sports College Football 25?
The game is highly anticipated after a decade-long hiatus and features updated rosters and allows players to be compensated for their name, image, and likeness. This release reflects the changing landscape of college sports.
Why is Elon Musk moving the headquarters of SpaceX and X to Texas?
Musk cited a new gender identity law in California as the reason for the move. This decision has prompted other companies to try and poach employees from SpaceX and X.
What are the benefits of banning phones in classrooms?
Schools that have banned phones have seen higher test scores, increased student engagement, and more participation in extracurricular activities. This suggests that phone bans can have a positive impact on student learning and well-being.
What is Yonder and how is it benefiting from the phone ban trend?
Yonder is a company that provides phone pouches and other solutions for managing mobile devices in various settings. The company is benefiting from the growing demand for phone-free environments, particularly in schools, where phone bans are becoming more common.
Show Notes
Episode 369: Neal and Toby discuss Meta’s interest in buying a stake in Ray-Ban owner EssilorLuxottica, signaling it wants to lead the pack in smart eyewear tech. Then, Netflix adds another 8 million subscribers and continues to show why it’s the king of streaming. Next, the EA Sports College Football 25 video game launches after an 11-year hiatus now that NIL allows college players to profit from their likeness. Plus, small cap companies are the week’s standout stock and Bud Light is the week’s Dog of the Week. Meanwhile, Elon Musk is apparently fed up with California and is taking SpaceX and X to Texas. Lastly, high school students are getting better grades, improving attendance, and engaging with one another in NYC. The school needed to lock up their phones.
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00:00 - Microsoft outage
2:30 - Meta leans into eyewear tech
07:30 - Netflix keeps its crown
11:15 - College Football (video game) is back!
16:45 - Stock: Small-cap companies, Dog: Bud Light
22:20 - SpaceX moves to TX
25:00 - Lock away the phones
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