Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Amazon is working on a new smartphone, code-named "Transformer," more than a decade after the Fire Phone debacle, according to Reuters (reuters.com/technology/amazon-plans-smartphone-comeback-more-than-decade-after-fire-phone-flop-2026-03-20/) . We dig into the connection to a past GeekWire scoop (geekwire.com/2024/former-microsoft-xbox-leader-j-allard-joins-amazon-in-latest-surprise-career-twist/) : former Microsoft Xbox leader J Allard joined Amazon's devices team in 2024, and he's now leading a group called ZeroOne (geekwire.com/2025/amazon-has-a-secretive-new-hardware-group-led-by-former-xbox-leader-j-allard/) with a mandate to create "breakthrough" gadgets. Is this an AI-native device? A companion to your iPhone? J Allard's shot at redemption? Maybe all of the above.
There's more great Fire Phone background in this Vergecast "Version History" podcast. (theverge.com/podcast/816739/amazon-fire-phone-version-history)
Then: Microsoft shakes up its Copilot team (geekwire.com/2026/microsoft-revamps-copilot-structure-elevating-former-snap-exec-as-suleyman-shifts-to-ai-models/) , shifting Mustafa Suleyman to a narrower role and unifying consumer and enterprise AI under a new leader. Todd has strong feelings about Microsoft's history of cutesy consumer tech, from Clippy to Mico.
Plus: Todd's adventure using Claude CoWork to browse LinkedIn (and the stern warning he got in response), King County Metro's slick new tap-to-pay feature (geekwire.com/2026/seattle-transits-new-tap-to-pay-feature-goes-live-next-week-well-ahead-of-world-cup/) catches the transit system up with the modern world, the opening of cross-lake light rail, and an Amazon Treasure truck trivia question.
With GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook. Audio editing by Curt Milton.
See omnystudio.com/listener (omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
Amazon is working on a new smartphone, code-named "Transformer," more than a decade after the Fire Phone debacle, according to Reuters (reuters.com/technology/amazon-plans-smartphone-comeback-more-than-decade-after-fire-phone-flop-2026-03-20/) . We dig into the connection to a past GeekWire scoop (geekwire.com/2024/former-microsoft-xbox-leader-j-allard-joins-amazon-in-latest-surprise-career-twist/) : former Microsoft Xbox leader J Allard joined Amazon's devices team in 2024, and he's now leading a group called ZeroOne (geekwire.com/2025/amazon-has-a-secretive-new-hardware-group-led-by-former-xbox-leader-j-allard/) with a mandate to create "breakthrough" gadgets. Is this an AI-native device? A companion to your iPhone? J Allard's shot at redemption? Maybe all of the above.
There's more great Fire Phone background in this Vergecast "Version History" podcast. (theverge.com/podcast/816739/amazon-fire-phone-version-history)
Then: Microsoft shakes up its Copilot team (geekwire.com/2026/microsoft-revamps-copilot-structure-elevating-former-snap-exec-as-suleyman-shifts-to-ai-models/) , shifting Mustafa Suleyman to a narrower role and unifying consumer and enterprise AI under a new leader. Todd has strong feelings about Microsoft's history of cutesy consumer tech, from Clippy to Mico.
Plus: Todd's adventure using Claude CoWork to browse LinkedIn (and the stern warning he got in response), King County Metro's slick new tap-to-pay feature (geekwire.com/2026/seattle-transits-new-tap-to-pay-feature-goes-live-next-week-well-ahead-of-world-cup/) catches the transit system up with the modern world, the opening of cross-lake light rail, and an Amazon Treasure truck trivia question.
With GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook. Audio editing by Curt Milton.
See omnystudio.com/listener (omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
