Verizon is in advanced talks to acquire Vessel, founded in 2015 by former Hulu CEO Jason Kilar as a site for YouTube celebrities to connect with their biggest fans. Vessel has struggled to attract both video stars and viewers, and is now working on a new product that one source described as "Snapchat-like."
[Peter Kafka | Recode]
Speaking of companies Verizon is buying, Yahoo is poised to confirm a massive data breach of its service affecting several hundred million user accounts. The hacking attack might bring about a government investigation, according to sources, and could have larger implications for the $4.8 billion sale of Yahoo’s core business to Verizon. The scale of the liability could bring untold headaches to the new owners. Shareholders are likely to worry that it could lead to an adjustment in the price of the transaction.
[Kara Swisher | Recode]
Whether or not Apple is talking with supercar maker McLaren or self-balancing motorcycle maker Lit Motors about its stealth car project (the Financial Times and New York Times say it is; McLaren says it isn't; Lit and Apple say nothing), the company will need to hook up with somebody who has the expertise in automotive technology and manufacturing that it lacks.
[Ina Fried and Johana Bhuiyan | Recode]
All parents want a better world for their children, but not all parents have the resources of Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan. With daughter Max and her generation in mind, the First Family of Facebook committed $3 billion over the next decade to bring scientists and engineers together with a modest goal: Cure all diseases.
[Kurt Wagner | Recode]
A day after Comcast confirmed its intent to launch its own cell service next year, the CEO of Charter Communications, the nation's second-largest cable operator, said his company has similar plans. Like Comcast, Charter would lease airwaves from Verizon and lean heavily on its own Wi-Fi hotspots.
[Shalini Ramachandran | Wall Street Journal]
On the latest episode of Recode Media with Peter Kafka, Skip Bayless, co-host of a Fox Sports 1 talk show, describes himself as "a good-hearted psycho" who works out hard to stay in shape for hours of intense arguing with co-host Shannon Sharpe and guests.
[Eric Johnson | Recode]
