Microsoft is offering buyouts to about 60,000 employees, about a quarter of its workforce, including some execs. Unlike the retirement program Microsoft offered in the spring, this one has no age or tenure requirement, and business leaders decide whether their groups take part.
On this week’s GeekWire Podcast, we discuss what’s behind the offer, why buyout stories draw so much interest from readers, and how it fits with a blockbuster quarter for Microsoft. That includes $10 billion in revenue from OpenAI, more than Microsoft made from Xbox or Bing.
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. AWS grew 39% in the third quarter, its fastest pace in nearly five years, but Amazon’s profit fell short of expectations as the cost of its AI buildout and growing debt cut into earnings.
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.
We talk about what it’s like to wear a device that records the people around you, a concern raised by a former AWS security engineer. John starts to come around on the device, with reservations about its shopping features.
Plus, our Halloween costumes, and a Trivia Challenge inspired by T-Mobile’s new T-Mix plans.
Listen above, and subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
Edited by Curt Milton. Music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell.
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