In this episode of TLDR, we’re taking a look back at some of our favorite and most fun GeekWire moments of 2018.
It was a big year for our reporters and editors, from interviewing some of the top names in tech to setting up our own temporary HQ2 in Pittsburgh. Click on the video below to watch our 2018 highlights, and scroll down to continue reading about some of our favorite moments.
‘The Expanse’ is saved: Jeff Bezos says Amazon will pick up sci-fi TV saga, and the crowd goes wild
Back in May, NBC Universal’s Syfy network announced the cancellation of “The Expanse,” which set off a worldwide fan campaign to save the show. While he was on stage with GeekWire’s Alan Boyle at the National Space Society’s International Space Development Conference, Jeff Bezos announced that Amazon decided to pick up the series. Watch the crowd’s reaction in a video posted to Twitter by Cas Anvar, who plays Alex Kamal in the sci-fi saga:
I'll just let him say it…#TheExpanse#RocinanteIsSafe#BreakingNews
Thank you @JeffBezos pic.twitter.com/wxHN31zgJs
— Cas Anvar (@Casanvar) May 26, 2018
Charles Barkley on why we don’t need smart toilets and more tech talk from our CES interview
CES 2018 featured high-tech toilets with voice assistant technology, bidets and music. But Charles Barkley told GeekWire that he isn’t a fan.
“America, if you’re too sorry to wipe your ass, that’s sad,” Barkley said. “You just get toilet paper, get you one of those moist towelettes … you don’t need a smart toilet. Please stop it.”
T-Mobile’s John Legere wins CEO of the Year, sings “What a Wonderful World” to the crowd
This year, GeekWire received thousands of votes for the annual GeekWire Awards, which honors the top Pacific Northwest companies and entrepreneurs. In May, John Legere won the 2018 CEO of the Year award. To the delight of 900 attendees, the magenta-clad T-Mobile CEO ended his acceptance speech with a performance of “What a Wonderful World.”
I’m serious about karaoke. Who’s up for a challenge? ? https://t.co/WqMnrm25CP
— John Legere (@JohnLegere) May 11, 2018
GeekWire heads to Pittsburgh
Inspired by Amazon’s search for its second headquarters, GeekWire decided to pack its bags to temporarily explore another emerging city. We put out our own “GeekWire HQ2” request for proposals and narrowed down to Cincinnati, Denver, Pittsburgh and Raleigh. GeekWire ultimately chose to set up shop in Pittsburgh in February, covering the city’s transformation into an innovation powerhouse.
Geek on the Street: What was first Nintendo game you ever played, and can you hum the theme?
In this episode of Geek on the Street, we asked folks at Seattle Center to tell us about the first Nintendo games they ever played. They reminisced about games like Mario Brothers and Donkey Kong. One person even sang the theme song to Rad Racer.
This Geek on the Street video was shown during the 2018 GeekWire Summit, which featured a fireside chat with Reggie Fils-Aime, president of Nintendo of America. Watch Fils-Aime’s discussion with GeekWire’s Todd Bishop here.
Geek Dog on the Street: GeekWire’s most-viewed Instagram video in 2018
While reporting on the Amazon Spheres, GeekWire’s Kurt Schlosser interviewed an Amazon dog, Chewy, for the first installment of Geek Dog on the Street. Our Instagram followers enjoyed this clip so much that they could not help but compliment Kurt on his investigative reporting skills.
