Farhad’s and Mike’s Week in Tech: Why We’ll Miss Walt MossbergTo me the most amazing thing about Walt is how early he identified computers as a mainstream phenomenon. In the 1980s and 1990s lots of people were writing about tech, but Walt was among the first to understand that this strange new class of nerds would completely change the world, and that they would do so in a way that would affect ordinary people who did not consider themselves techies. In that way he was no less prescient than Steve Jobs and Bill Gates — who, of course, both came to recognize Walt’s importance as a proponent of the industry’s possibilities. So, my hat’s off to Walt. I hope to someday be half as interesting as he was. I hope you are, too. [ NY Times ] Spotify Premium Director Robert Lamvik leaves company for meditation app Headspace Meditation app Headspace recently brought on Robert Lamvik, Spotify’s now-former director of its Premium service, and Dr. Megan Jones Bell, former chief science officer at mental health startup Lantern. Their respective roles at Headspace are head of growth and chief science officer — two new roles at the company. [ Tech Crunch ] These Startups Are Ditching the Uber Model and Hiring Full-Time WorkersA second generation of gig economy startups is abandoning a dependence on contractors in favor of full employees. Silicon Valley has a fresh take on a new movement that could be the future of medicineForward is Silicon Valley's futuristic doctor's office that looks "like an Apple Store meets 'Westworld.'" For $150 a month, it acts as your primary care provider, along with providing some extra perks and technology used with the intent to keep you healthier. [ Business Insider ] The 17 best tech email newsletters you need to subscribe toHow Sheila Lirio Marcelo Raised $100 Million for Care.comEarlier in her career, when she was working at a startup, her parents were helping her care for her son. Then her father had a heart attack while carrying her baby up a flight of stairs. Marcelo was using the Yellow Pages to try to find care for both her dad and her son, all the while working at a tech startup and knowing there had to be a better way. And she knew there were plenty of other people, in situations similar to hers, across the country. That seemed like a huge business opportunity. How David McInerney, a FreshDirect Founder, Spends His SundaysDavid McInerney, 48, isn’t just a founder of the food delivery service FreshDirect, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. He is also the company’s “chief food adventurer,” a gig that has him canvassing the world to source seafood, meats, produce and other products. The exploring has apparently paid off. FreshDirect recently expanded to include delivery service in the Washington area. On Sundays, Mr. McInerney tends to keep his food adventures within New York City. “I like to stay local and hang with my son,” he said, referring to Jackson, who is 4. The two live together in Harlem. [ NY Times ] Slack is a group messaging platform that’s handy for trading notes with your colleagues over the course of your workday. But in my time working at Slack, I’ve figured out some ways to use it for much more than that. More than just a communication platform, Slack has now become my main tool for managing my time and getting tasks done in a pinch. Here’s how. |