This week: Microsoft is offering buyouts to about 60,000 employees, roughly a quarter of its workforce, including some executives. We discuss what's behind the offer, why buyout stories draw so much interest from readers, and how it fits with a blockbuster quarter that included $10 billion in revenue from OpenAI.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy predicts that AWS and Amazon's stores business could each reach $1 trillion in annual revenue in the next five to 10 years, even as the cost of Amazon's AI buildout cuts into its profits.

Todd also tests Amazon's new Bee AI wearable, which listens to the first part of the show, summarizes the conversation and offers a critique of its own. John starts to come around on the device, with reservations about its shopping-related features.

Plus, our Halloween costumes, and a GeekWire Trivia Challenge about T-Mobile perks.

Related stories and links
Microsoft makes new ‘voluntary exit’ offer to about a quarter of its workforce, including some execs
Bigger than Bing or Xbox: Microsoft’s OpenAI haul reaches $10B in quarterly revenue
Choosing their own moment: Why these longtime Microsofties are taking the buyout
Andy Jassy’s prediction: Amazon could have two $1 trillion businesses within a decade
AWS growth hits 39%, its fastest in nearly five years, as Amazon misses on earnings
Amazon’s new AI devices can listen to conversations and suggest things to buy — if you opt in
Amazon’s new Bee AI devices have a bystander problem, says former AWS security engineer
T-Mobile’s new ‘T-Mix’ plans let customers trade phone deals for Netflix, ESPN and other perks

With Todd Bishop and John Cook. Edited by Curt Milton. Music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell.

This week: Microsoft is offering buyouts to about 60,000 employees, roughly a quarter of its workforce, including some executives. We discuss what's behind the offer, why buyout stories draw so much interest from readers, and how it fits with a blockbuster quarter that included $10 billion in revenue from OpenAI.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy predicts that AWS and Amazon's stores business could each reach $1 trillion in annual revenue in the next five to 10 years, even as the cost of Amazon's AI buildout cuts into its profits.
Todd also tests Amazon's new Bee AI wearable, which listens to the first part of the show, summarizes the conversation and offers a critique of its own. John starts to come around on the device, with reservations about its shopping-related features.
Plus, our <a href="https://lnkd.in/p/grCB7iKN">Halloween costumes</a>, and a GeekWire Trivia Challenge about T-Mobile perks.
Related stories and links
<ul dir="ltr">
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/microsoft-makes-new-voluntary-exit-offer-to-more-than-a-quarter-of-its-workforce-including-some-execs/">Microsoft makes new &lsquo;voluntary exit&rsquo; offer to about a quarter of its workforce, including some execs</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/bigger-than-bing-or-xbox-microsofts-openai-haul-reaches-10b-in-quarterly-revenue/">Bigger than Bing or Xbox: Microsoft&rsquo;s OpenAI haul reaches $10B in quarterly revenue</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/choosing-their-own-moment-why-these-longtime-microsofties-are-taking-the-buyout/">Choosing their own moment: Why these longtime Microsofties are taking the buyout</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/andy-jassys-prediction-amazon-could-have-two-1-trillion-businesses-within-a-decade/">Andy Jassy&rsquo;s prediction: Amazon could have two $1 trillion businesses within a decade</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/aws-growth-hits-39-its-fastest-in-nearly-five-years-as-amazon-misses-on-earnings/">AWS growth hits 39%, its fastest in nearly five years, as Amazon misses on earnings</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/amazons-new-ai-devices-can-listen-to-conversations-and-suggest-things-to-buy-if-you-opt-in/">Amazon&rsquo;s new AI devices can listen to conversations and suggest things to buy &mdash; if you opt in</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/amazons-new-bee-ai-devices-have-a-bystander-problem-says-former-aws-security-engineer/">Amazon&rsquo;s new Bee AI devices have a bystander problem, says former AWS security engineer</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/t-mobiles-new-t-mix-plans-let-customers-trade-phone-deals-for-netflix-espn-and-other-perks/">T-Mobile&rsquo;s new &lsquo;T-Mix&rsquo; plans let customers trade phone deals for Netflix, ESPN and other perks</a></li>
</ul>
With Todd Bishop and John Cook. Edited by Curt Milton. Music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell.

Microsoft's big buyout, Amazon's trillion-dollar future, and an AI wearable reviews our show

This week: Microsoft’s longtime communications chief, Frank X. Shaw, looks back on nearly three decades of telling the company’s story as he prepares to leave at the end of the year. Joined by veteran Microsoft reporter and GeekWire contributing writer Mary Jo Foley, Shaw talks about working for Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer and Satya Nadella, the mistakes he’d handle differently, and what companies of any size can learn about the evolution of communications and working with reporters.

Related Stories and Links
Microsoft comms chief Frank Shaw to exit after nearly three decades shaping the company’s message
Internal memos: Microsoft shakes up communications as Nadella makes a push to build in public
Microsoft’s ‘lost decade’: Vanity Fair piece accurate but incomplete
Frank X. Shaw: Things I’m Thinking About
Mary Jo Foley’s GeekWire stories

With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop. Edited by Curt Milton. Music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell.

This week: Microsoft&rsquo;s longtime communications chief, Frank X. Shaw, looks back on nearly three decades of telling the company&rsquo;s story as he prepares to leave at the end of the year. Joined by veteran Microsoft reporter and GeekWire contributing writer Mary Jo Foley, Shaw talks about working for Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer and Satya Nadella, the mistakes he&rsquo;d handle differently, and what companies of any size can learn about the evolution of communications and working with reporters.
Related Stories and Links
<ul dir="ltr">
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/microsoft-comms-chief-frank-shaw-to-exit-after-nearly-three-decades-shaping-the-companys-message/">Microsoft comms chief Frank Shaw to exit after nearly three decades shaping the company&rsquo;s message</a></li>
<li><a href="https://geekwire.com/2026/internal-memos-microsoft-shakes-up-communications-as-nadella-makes-a-push-to-build-in-public/">Internal memos: Microsoft shakes up communications as Nadella makes a push to build in public</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2012/microsofts-lost-decade-vanity-fair-piece-accurate-incomplete/">Microsoft&rsquo;s &lsquo;lost decade&rsquo;: Vanity Fair piece accurate but incomplete</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fxshaw.com">Frank X. Shaw: Things I&rsquo;m Thinking About</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/author/maryjofoley/">Mary Jo Foley&rsquo;s GeekWire stories</a></li>
</ul>
With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop. Edited by Curt Milton. Music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell.

Exit interview: Microsoft’s comms chief on CEOs, reporters, what he got wrong, and stories that stuck

We start this week's GeekWire Podcast by opening the listener mailbag, highlighting some recent comments and emails that set a new standard for critical feedback, in different ways.

We discuss Vayo, the AI travel venture Booking Holdings is launching in Seattle, home of its biggest rival, Expedia. Led by recent guest Mike Fridgen, Vayo uses AI agents to manage your trips. It's an example of the broader push to build personalized AI agents, even as more companies wall off their sites from rival agents.

Then we take on LinkedIn’s list of the top Seattle startups, where four of the top 10, including No. 1 Anthropic, aren’t headquartered in the region.

And in the final segment, we talk about Amazon’s new Bee AI wearables, which can turn things you say into shopping suggestions on Amazon.com if you opt in and pay $12 a month. That leads into the GeekWire Trivia Challenge, about an earlier Amazon wristband that listened to you.

Related links:
Booking Holdings unveils AI travel startup Vayo, based in Seattle, with a planned $100M investment
LinkedIn just released its list of the top 10 Seattle startups: One problem, nearly half aren’t based in the region
Amazon’s new AI devices can listen to conversations and suggest things to buy — if you opt in
Amazon’s Halo disappears: Tech giant discontinues health devices and service, promises refunds

Edited and produced by Curt Milton; Music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell. 

We start this week's GeekWire Podcast by opening the listener mailbag, highlighting some recent comments and emails that set a new standard for critical feedback, in different ways.
We discuss <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/booking-holdings-unveils-ai-travel-startup-vayo-based-in-seattle-with-a-planned-100m-investment/">Vayo</a>, the AI travel venture Booking Holdings is launching in Seattle, home of its biggest rival, Expedia. Led by <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/live-show-amazon-meta-and-the-fight-over-the-future-of-ai-plus-is-seattle-still-the-place-to-build/">recent guest</a> Mike Fridgen, Vayo uses AI agents to manage your trips. It's an example of the broader push to build personalized AI agents, even as more companies wall off their sites from rival agents.
Then we take on LinkedIn&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/linkedin-just-released-its-list-of-the-top-10-seattle-startups-one-problem-nearly-half-arent-based-in-the-region/">list of the top Seattle startups</a>, where four of the top 10, including No. 1 Anthropic, aren&rsquo;t headquartered in the region.
And in the final segment, we talk about Amazon&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/amazons-new-ai-devices-can-listen-to-conversations-and-suggest-things-to-buy-if-you-opt-in/">new Bee AI wearables</a>, which can turn things you say into shopping suggestions on Amazon.com if you opt in and pay $12 a month. That leads into the GeekWire Trivia Challenge, about an earlier Amazon wristband that listened to you.
Related links:
<ul dir="ltr">
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/booking-holdings-unveils-ai-travel-startup-vayo-based-in-seattle-with-a-planned-100m-investment/">Booking Holdings unveils AI travel startup Vayo, based in Seattle, with a planned $100M investment</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/linkedin-just-released-its-list-of-the-top-10-seattle-startups-one-problem-nearly-half-arent-based-in-the-region/">LinkedIn just released its list of the top 10 Seattle startups: One problem, nearly half aren&rsquo;t based in the region</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/amazons-new-ai-devices-can-listen-to-conversations-and-suggest-things-to-buy-if-you-opt-in/">Amazon&rsquo;s new AI devices can listen to conversations and suggest things to buy &mdash; if you opt in</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2023/amazons-halo-disappears-tech-giant-discontinues-health-devices-and-service-promises-refunds/">Amazon&rsquo;s Halo disappears: Tech giant discontinues health devices and service, promises refunds</a></li>
</ul>
Edited and produced by Curt Milton; Music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell.&nbsp;

Amazon’s new AI wearable, Booking's return to Expedia's backyard, and LinkedIn’s not-so-Seattle startup list

This week, we take the GeekWire Podcast to Front Burner Studios near Pike Place Market, where our host is studio co-owner Seth Paul, who's also co-founder and CEO of the Seattle security startup Qinsay.

We discuss the White House crackdown on Microsoft’s green-card sponsorships, hours before President Trump honored Satya Nadella. We also talk about record Seattle startup funding and Shield AI’s plans to build AI-piloted fighter jets in Des Moines, Wash., where a city FAQ assures residents it’s not a data center.

Seth tells us about the vintage console he drove from Detroit, and how he brings a musician’s approach to the startup world. Plus, the return of the GeekWire Trivia Challenge.

Related links:
Microsoft responds to White House immigration crackdown as Trump honors Nadella
From H-1B to CEO: How Satya Nadella traveled the path the U.S. just cut off for Microsoft workers
Seattle-area startups raise a record $3.5B as national VC funding cools
Shield AI selects Seattle area to build X-BAT autonomous fighter jet
Shield AI lands $150M Navy contract for AI-piloted fighter jet

With GeekWire co-founders John Cook and Todd Bishop.

This week, we take the GeekWire Podcast to <a href="https://www.sethpaulproductions.com/">Front Burner Studios</a> near Pike Place Market, where our host is studio co-owner Seth Paul, who's also co-founder and CEO of the Seattle security startup <a href="https://qinsay.com/">Qinsay</a>.
We discuss the White House crackdown on Microsoft&rsquo;s green-card sponsorships, hours before President Trump honored Satya Nadella. We also talk about record Seattle startup funding and Shield AI&rsquo;s plans to build AI-piloted fighter jets in Des Moines, Wash., where a city FAQ assures residents it&rsquo;s not a data center.
Seth tells us about the vintage console he drove from Detroit, and how he brings a musician&rsquo;s approach to the startup world. Plus, the return of the GeekWire Trivia Challenge.
Related links:
<ul dir="ltr">
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/microsoft-responds-to-trump-administration-accusation-that-it-abuses-foreign-worker-programs/">Microsoft responds to White House immigration crackdown as Trump honors Nadella</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/from-h-1b-to-ceo-how-satya-nadella-traveled-the-path-the-u-s-just-cut-off-for-microsoft-workers/">From H-1B to CEO: How Satya Nadella traveled the path the U.S. just cut off for Microsoft workers</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/rocket-fuel-seattle-area-startups-raise-a-record-3-5b-as-national-vc-funding-cools/">Seattle-area startups raise a record $3.5B as national VC funding cools</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/shield-ai-selects-seattle-area-to-build-x-bat-autonomous-fighter-jet-plans-to-add-4000-jobs-by-early-2030s/">Shield AI selects Seattle area to build X-BAT autonomous fighter jet</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/shield-ai-lands-150m-navy-contract-to-advance-ai-piloted-fighter-jet-that-will-be-built-south-of-seattle/">Shield AI lands $150M Navy contract for AI-piloted fighter jet</a></li>
</ul>
With GeekWire co-founders John Cook and Todd Bishop.

White House vs. Microsoft, AI fighter jets, and a visit to a startup founder's Seattle recording studio

This week, GeekWire co-founder John Cook joins University of Washington historian Margaret O'Mara, author of "The Code," and San Francisco journalist Jonathan Weber, author of "City on the Edge," for a live joint taping with the Blue City Blues podcast at the National Nordic Museum in Seattle. With Blue City Blues hosts David Hyde and Sandeep Kaushik, they trace the rise of Microsoft and Amazon, the backlash against big tech, the record of both cities' mayors, and Seattle's place in an AI boom that's largely originating in San Francisco.

This week, GeekWire co-founder John Cook joins University of Washington historian Margaret O'Mara, author of "<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/534709/the-code-by-margaret-omara/">The Code</a>," and San Francisco journalist Jonathan Weber, author of "<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/city-on-the-edge-jonathan-weber/1148560194">City on the Edge</a>," for a live joint taping with the <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-city-blues/id1777289409">Blue City Blues</a> podcast at the <a href="https://nordicmuseum.org/events/two-cities-one-industry-big-tech-power-and-politics-in-seattle-and-san-francisco">National Nordic Museum</a> in Seattle.&nbsp;With Blue City Blues hosts David Hyde and Sandeep Kaushik, they trace the rise of Microsoft and Amazon, the backlash against big tech, the record of both cities' mayors, and Seattle's place in an AI boom that's largely originating in San Francisco.

Seattle and San Francisco: Big tech, political backlash and the AI boom

This week: Amazon is blocking Meta's new Muse AI assistant from shopping on Amazon.com, saying the agent doesn't identify itself and violates the site's conditions of use. We explain why the standoff is an early sign of a much bigger fight over whether AI agents can use websites and apps on people's behalf, and why Amazon has so much riding on the answer.

For the definitive word on the issue, we ask Muse what it has to say for itself, and get an impressively sophisticated and evenhanded answer. 

We recorded this week's show live at Daniel's Broiler in downtown Seattle, in front of a room of startup founders and CEOs, at a dinner hosted and sponsored by Northern Trust.

Mike Fridgen, a longtime Seattle entrepreneur and Madrona venture partner now working on a stealth startup, joins us to talk about whether Seattle is still a good place to build a company. The conversation covers the region's talent, its history and the debate over taxes including Seattle's JumpStart payroll tax, which Mayor Katie Wilson's new budget holds flat.

Then we take questions from the room. Ridge AI CEO Ellie Fields asks how business leaders can engage productively in building the region, Latch CEO Stefan Kalb asks why Seattle has less venture capital than the Bay Area and ACME Brains founder Mary Jesse asks how to get past polarization.

We close with a satellite-themed GeekWire Trivia Challenge and an unexpected announcement from Starfish Space co-founder Austin Link.

Related links
Amazon blocks Meta's Muse AI assistant in new standoff over agentic shopping
Facing 'seismic shifts' in tech sector, Seattle mayor freezes JumpStart tax rates in new budget
'The warning signs are flashing': New regional partnership calls for cohesive Seattle-area tech strategy
Data visualization all-stars unveil Ridge AI with $2.6M to fix the analytics problem for SaaS apps
With NASA's backing, Starfish Space is getting ready for the orbital debut of its flagship Otter spacecraft

With GeekWire co-founders John Cook and Todd Bishop. Music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell. 

This week: Amazon is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/amazon-blocks-metas-muse-ai-assistant-in-new-standoff-over-agentic-shopping/">blocking Meta's new Muse AI assistant</a> from shopping on Amazon.com, saying the agent doesn't identify itself and violates the site's conditions of use. We explain why the standoff is an early sign of a much bigger fight over whether AI agents can use websites and apps on people's behalf, and why Amazon has so much riding on the answer.
For the definitive word on the issue, we ask Muse what it has to say for itself, and get an impressively sophisticated and evenhanded answer.&nbsp;
We recorded this week's show live at <a href="https://danielsbroiler.com/pages/locations-daniels-downtown">Daniel's Broiler</a> in downtown Seattle, in front of a room of startup founders and CEOs, at a dinner hosted and sponsored by <a href="https://www.northerntrust.com/">Northern Trust</a>.
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikefridgen/">Mike Fridgen</a>, a longtime Seattle entrepreneur and Madrona venture partner now working on a stealth startup, joins us to talk about whether Seattle is still a good place to build a company. The conversation covers the region's talent, its history and the debate over taxes including Seattle's JumpStart payroll tax, which Mayor Katie Wilson's new budget holds flat.
Then we take questions from the room. Ridge AI CEO <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliefields/">Ellie Fields</a> asks how business leaders can engage productively in building the region, Latch CEO <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefankalb/">Stefan Kalb</a> asks why Seattle has less venture capital than the Bay Area and ACME Brains founder <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryjesse/">Mary Jesse</a> asks how to get past polarization.
We close with a satellite-themed GeekWire Trivia Challenge and an unexpected announcement from Starfish Space co-founder <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-link-space/">Austin Link</a>.
Related links
<ul>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/amazon-blocks-metas-muse-ai-assistant-in-new-standoff-over-agentic-shopping/">Amazon blocks Meta's Muse AI assistant in new standoff over agentic shopping</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/facing-seismic-shifts-in-tech-sector-seattle-mayor-freezes-jumpstart-tax-rates-in-new-budget/">Facing 'seismic shifts' in tech sector, Seattle mayor freezes JumpStart tax rates in new budget</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/the-warning-signs-are-flashing-new-regional-partnership-calls-for-cohesive-seattle-area-tech-strategy/">'The warning signs are flashing': New regional partnership calls for cohesive Seattle-area tech strategy</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/data-visualization-all-stars-unveil-ridge-ai-with-2-6m-to-fix-the-analytics-problem-for-saas-apps/">Data visualization all-stars unveil Ridge AI with $2.6M to fix the analytics problem for SaaS apps</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/nasa-sspicy-starfish-space-otter-debut/">With NASA's backing, Starfish Space is getting ready for the orbital debut of its flagship Otter spacecraft</a></li>
</ul>
With GeekWire co-founders John Cook and Todd Bishop. Music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell.&nbsp;

Live show: Amazon, Meta and the fight over the future of AI; Plus, is Seattle still the place to build?

On this week's show, recorded live at Atmosphere Seattle on the shores of Lake Union, Zillow Senior Vice President of Engineering Toby Roberts joins us to talk about what AI is doing to the business of buying and selling homes.

The show was recorded in partnership with Real Estate At Work, the networking group hosted by Leka Devatha, a broker with Real Residential and founder of the redevelopment firm Rehabit Homes, in front of a room of brokers, investors and technologists.

Roberts runs Zillow's core technology with a team of about 650 engineers. He says AI agents will work as a copilot for real estate agents rather than replace them — freeing up their time for the more human aspects of the job, helping people navigate the biggest transaction of their lives. We also talk about the line between AI and reality in home listings, and the tech industry's sudden push to slow AI down.

Then it's the GeekWire Trivia Challenge: four extraordinary Zillow listings for unusual buildings converted into homes. Three are real. One is an AI deepfake. Check out the handout here with the four listings, and see if you can tell the difference. 

With GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook. Edited and produced by Curt Milton.

 

 

On this week's show, recorded live at&nbsp;<a href="https://atmosphereseattle.com/">Atmosphere Seattle</a> on the shores of Lake Union, <a href="https://www.zillow.com/">Zillow</a> Senior Vice President of Engineering <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobiasroberts/">Toby Roberts</a> joins us to talk about what AI is doing to the business of buying and selling homes.
The show was recorded in partnership with <a href="https://www.meetup.com/realestateatwork/">Real Estate At Work</a>, the networking group hosted by <a href="https://realresidential.com/agents/leka-devatha">Leka Devatha</a>, a broker with <a href="https://realresidential.com/">Real Residential</a> and founder of the redevelopment firm <a href="https://www.rehabithomes.com/">Rehabit Homes</a>, in front of a room of brokers, investors and technologists.
Roberts runs Zillow's core technology with a team of about 650 engineers. He says AI agents will work as a copilot for real estate agents rather than replace them &mdash; freeing up their time for the more human aspects of the job, helping people navigate the biggest transaction of their lives. We also talk about the line between AI and reality in home listings, and the tech industry's sudden push to slow AI down.
Then it's the GeekWire Trivia Challenge: four extraordinary Zillow listings for unusual buildings converted into homes. Three are real. One is an AI deepfake. <a href="https://cdn.geekwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/trivia_handout_2up.pdf">Check out the handout here</a> with the four listings, and see if you can tell the difference.&nbsp;
With GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook. Edited and produced by Curt Milton.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

AI meets real estate, with Zillow's engineering SVP Toby Roberts

This week: A study commissioned by the City of Seattle warns that the city is not in decline but is in danger, finding that 10 companies, nine of them in tech, pay three-quarters of the payroll tax on large employers, and that the tax structure uniquely penalizes the hiring of senior, high-compensation workers.

The report says Seattle should be most concerned about AI but most active in cleantech, the one industry the city can actually shape, since it owns the electric utility and controls permitting, building codes and land use.

Meanwhile, the Seattle Times and Newsday sue Microsoft and OpenAI, accusing them of copying hundreds of thousands of articles to train their AI models, putting Microsoft's hometown paper against a company that helps fund some of its journalism.

And Apple's first foldable arrives as the iPhone Duo, reviving the name of the dual-screen phone Microsoft gave up on in 2023, with Surface fans arguing Apple took more than the name.

Which leads us to a new GeekWire Trivia Challenge on the Microsoft products that Apple later turned into categories.

Upcoming Event: GeekWire, in partnership with Real Estate at Work, is recording the GeekWire Podcast live at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, with Toby Roberts, SVP of Engineering at Zillow. Grab a ticket. 

With John Cook and Todd Bishop. Edited by Curt Milton. Music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell. 

 

This week:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/seattle-economic-study-finds-strong-tech-assets-a-risky-concentration-and-a-tax-that-penalizes-hiring/">A study commissioned by the City of Seattle</a> warns that the city is not in decline but is in danger, finding that 10 companies, nine of them in tech, pay three-quarters of the payroll tax on large employers, and that the tax structure uniquely penalizes the hiring of senior, high-compensation workers.
<a href="https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/economicDevelopment/SeawallBuildingaResilientSeattleEconomy2026.pdf">The report</a> says Seattle should be most concerned about AI but most active in cleantech, the one industry the city can actually shape, since it owns the electric utility and controls permitting, building codes and land use.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Times and Newsday <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/seattle-times-sues-microsoft-and-openai-alleging-they-trained-their-ai-on-its-journalism/">sue Microsoft and OpenAI</a>, accusing them of copying hundreds of thousands of articles to train their AI models, putting Microsoft's hometown paper against a company that helps fund some of its journalism.
And Apple's first foldable <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/09/apple-unveils-its-first-foldable-the-iphone-duo/">arrives as the iPhone Duo</a>, reviving the name of the dual-screen phone Microsoft gave up on in 2023, with Surface fans arguing Apple <a href="https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/its-more-than-just-the-name-turns-out-iphone-duo-stole-surface-duos-biggest-selling-point-and-apple-is-right-to-copy-it">took more than the name</a>.
Which leads us to a new GeekWire Trivia Challenge on the Microsoft products that Apple later turned into categories.
Upcoming Event: GeekWire, in partnership with Real Estate at Work, is recording the GeekWire Podcast live at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, with Toby Roberts, SVP of Engineering at Zillow. <a href="https://luma.com/45xf4ukv">Grab a ticket</a>.&nbsp;
With John Cook and Todd Bishop. Edited by Curt Milton. Music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Study warns Seattle over-relies on Big Tech; Seattle Times v. Microsoft; Apple's iPhone Duo echoes the past

This week: The NBA suspends former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for a year and hits the Clippers with $30 million in fines and five lost draft picks over allegedly sham endorsement deals for Kawhi Leonard, drawing comparisons to the Microsoft antitrust era.

A new Redfin report says San Francisco's housing market is booming on AI wealth while Seattle slumps, with the Bay Area-to-Seattle migration pipeline nearly dried up.

And the Seahawks sale to the Khosla family officially closes, ending the Paul Allen era, with two familiar Seattle tech names surfacing in the new ownership group.

Plus, the return of the GeekWire Trivia Challenge.

Related Stories and Links

Ballmer / Clippers
NBA suspends Steve Ballmer for 1 year, fines L.A. Clippers $30M over salary-cap scheme
NBA announces penalties and findings arising from investigation of LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard — NBA
Read the NBA's Report on Clippers, Kawhi Leonard, and Aspiration — Front Office Sports
NBA announces punishments for Clippers after Kawhi inquiry — ESPN
The Briefcase, Ballmer's Social Network and Aspiration's House of Cards: Kawhi-Gate Part VII — Pablo Torre Finds Out

Redfin / SF vs. Seattle housing
AI wealth fuels San Francisco's housing boom while tech layoffs weigh down Seattle
Uber laying off 93 Washington state workers, hitting engineer and management roles at Seattle office
Qualtrics cut 117 jobs tied to Seattle headquarters, new filing shows

Seahawks sale
Two familiar Seattle tech figures turn up on Seahawks co-owner list as sale is finalized
'I'm the 12th man ... I want to represent that': New Seahawks co-owner with deep Seattle tech roots
What to know about Vinod Khosla, the Silicon Valley legend whose family is buying the Seahawks
Apptio co-founders reunite to launch enterprise AI startup Thira with $21M in funding led by Madrona

This week: The NBA suspends former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for a year and hits the Clippers with $30 million in fines and five lost draft picks over allegedly sham endorsement deals for Kawhi Leonard, drawing comparisons to the Microsoft antitrust era.
A new Redfin report says San Francisco's housing market is booming on AI wealth while Seattle slumps, with the Bay Area-to-Seattle migration pipeline nearly dried up.
And the Seahawks sale to the Khosla family officially closes, ending the Paul Allen era, with two familiar Seattle tech names surfacing in the new ownership group.
Plus, the return of the GeekWire Trivia Challenge.
Related Stories and Links<a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/seahawks-buyer-vinod-khosla-punts-back-to-team-management-when-it-comes-to-lumen-field-turf-talk/"></a>
Ballmer / Clippers
<ul dir="ltr">
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/nba-suspends-steve-ballmer-for-1-year-fines-l-a-clippers-30m-over-salary-cap-scheme/">NBA suspends Steve Ballmer for 1 year, fines L.A. Clippers $30M over salary-cap scheme</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nba.com/news/nba-investigation-findings-la-clippers">NBA announces penalties and findings arising from investigation of LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard</a> &mdash; NBA</li>
<li><a href="https://frontofficesports.com/article/nba-leonard-ballmer-clippers-full-report/">Read the NBA's Report on Clippers, Kawhi Leonard, and Aspiration</a> &mdash; Front Office Sports</li>
<li><a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/49806356/nba-announces-punishments-clippers-kawhi-probe">NBA announces punishments for Clippers after Kawhi inquiry</a> &mdash; ESPN</li>
<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/4X4qHA9afNqMArDmGVoxm6">The Briefcase, Ballmer's Social Network and Aspiration's House of Cards: Kawhi-Gate Part VII</a> &mdash; Pablo Torre Finds Out</li>
</ul>
Redfin / SF vs. Seattle housing
<ul dir="ltr">
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/ai-wealth-fuels-san-franciscos-housing-boom-while-tech-layoffs-weigh-down-seattle/">AI wealth fuels San Francisco's housing boom while tech layoffs weigh down Seattle</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/uber-laying-off-93-washington-state-workers-hitting-engineer-and-management-roles-at-seattle-office/">Uber laying off 93 Washington state workers, hitting engineer and management roles at Seattle office</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/qualtrics-cut-117-jobs-tied-to-seattle-headquarters-new-filing-shows/">Qualtrics cut 117 jobs tied to Seattle headquarters, new filing shows</a></li>
</ul>
Seahawks sale
<ul dir="ltr">
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/two-familiar-seattle-tech-figures-turn-up-on-seahawks-co-owner-list-as-sale-is-finalized/">Two familiar Seattle tech figures turn up on Seahawks co-owner list as sale is finalized</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/new-seahawks-co-owner-with-deep-seattle-tech-roots-says-im-the-12th-man-i-want-to-represent-that/">'I'm the 12th man ... I want to represent that': New Seahawks co-owner with deep Seattle tech roots</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/what-to-know-about-vinod-khosla-the-silicon-valley-legend-whose-family-is-buying-the-seahawks/">What to know about Vinod Khosla, the Silicon Valley legend whose family is buying the Seahawks</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/apptio-co-founders-reunite-to-launch-enterprise-ai-startup-thira-with-21m-in-funding-led-by-madrona/">Apptio co-founders reunite to launch enterprise AI startup Thira with $21M in funding led by Madrona</a></li>
</ul>

NBA's Ballmer crackdown echoes Microsoft antitrust, SF vs. Seattle housing, and a Seahawks tech twist

This week: Bill Gates published a new essay warning that the AI industry is crossing the safety lines it set for itself, and that nobody is preparing for what's coming. At 70 years old, he also uses AI more than most people half his age, and he finds it enthralling, as you'll hear in highlights from our interview with Gates about the memo. Along the way this week, we dig into his three proposals: new institutions for managing the transition, a category of jobs reserved for humans, and a tax on the use and purchase of AI and robots.

With Todd Bishop and John Cook. Edited by Curt Milton. Music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell.

Related headlines and links
The turbulent AI era is here. The choices we make now are critical. — Bill Gates, Gates Notes
'I am very concerned': Bill Gates says the world needs a plan to deal with AI, and he has three ideas to start
Bill Gates says there's 'no upper limit' on AI, citing opportunity and risk
Etzioni on AI: Bill Gates has the right diagnosis but the wrong prescription
Dwarkesh Podcast: Ryan Greenblatt — What happens once AI can automate AI research?
New York Times: Bill Gates is warning that A.I. is more dangerous than Big Tech will admit
Wall Street Journal: Three takeaways from Bill Gates's 5,784-word warning on AI: 'There is no plan'
MIT Technology Review: Bill Gates says we've passed AI's danger thresholds. Now what?
Axios: Gates confronts the Epstein questions hanging over his AI push
Transcript: Here's what Bill Gates told lawmakers in his recent Epstein testimony

This week: Bill Gates published a new essay warning that the AI industry is crossing the safety lines it set for itself, and that nobody is preparing for what's coming. At 70 years old, he also uses AI more than most people half his age, and he finds it enthralling, as you'll hear in highlights from our interview with Gates about the memo. Along the way this week, we dig into his three proposals: new institutions for managing the transition, a category of jobs reserved for humans, and a tax on the use and purchase of AI and robots.
With Todd Bishop and John Cook. Edited by Curt Milton. Music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell.
Related headlines and links
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.gatesnotes.com/work/make-ai-work-for-everyone/reader/a-turbulent-ai-era-and-critical-choices-to-make">The turbulent AI era is here. The choices we make now are critical.</a> &mdash; Bill Gates, Gates Notes</li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/i-am-very-concerned-bill-gates-says-the-world-needs-a-plan-to-deal-with-ai-and-he-has-three-ideas-to-start/">'I am very concerned': Bill Gates says the world needs a plan to deal with AI, and he has three ideas to start</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/bill-gates-says-theres-no-upper-limit-on-ai-citing-opportunity-and-risk/">Bill Gates says there's 'no upper limit' on AI, citing opportunity and risk</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/etzioni-on-ai-bill-gates-has-the-right-diagnosis-but-the-wrong-prescription/">Etzioni on AI: Bill Gates has the right diagnosis but the wrong prescription</a></li>
<li>Dwarkesh Podcast: <a href="https://www.dwarkesh.com/p/ryan-greenblatt">Ryan Greenblatt &mdash; What happens once AI can automate AI research?</a></li>
<li dir="ltr">New York Times: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/26/technology/bill-gates-ai-risks.html">Bill Gates is warning that A.I. is more dangerous than Big Tech will admit</a></li>
<li dir="ltr">Wall Street Journal: <a href="https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/three-takeaways-from-bill-gatess-5-784-word-warning-on-ai-there-is-no-plan-aa0c3441">Three takeaways from Bill Gates's 5,784-word warning on AI: 'There is no plan'</a></li>
<li dir="ltr">MIT Technology Review: <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/08/26/1142946/bill-gates-ai-danger-threshold/">Bill Gates says we've passed AI's danger thresholds. Now what?</a></li>
<li dir="ltr">Axios: <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/26/gates-confronts-the-epstein-questions-hanging-over-his-ai-push">Gates confronts the Epstein questions hanging over his AI push</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/transcript-heres-what-bill-gates-told-lawmakers-in-his-recent-epstein-testimony/">Transcript: Here's what Bill Gates told lawmakers in his recent Epstein testimony</a></li>
</ul>

Bill Gates in his own words: How he's using AI, and why he's worried about the future

GeekWire brings you the week's latest technology news, trends and insights, covering the world of technology from our home base in Seattle. Our regular news podcast features commentary and analysis from our editors and reporters, plus interviews with special guests.

GeekWire reporters John Cook, Todd Bishop and guests talk about the latest tech news and trends.

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