All Things Digital

All Things Digital. It was a pioneering technology news website and conference series founded by veteran journalists Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher. Operating from 2007 until its merger in 2014, the site was known for its high-quality, in-depth reporting and analysis of the digital media and technology industry. It was part of Dow Jones & Company, a subsidiary of News Corp, and served as a major platform for executive interviews and product reviews.

History and founding

The site was launched in 2007 by Walt Mossberg, the renowned personal technology columnist for The Wall Street Journal, and Kara Swisher, a leading reporter on the Internet business. The founding was a natural extension of their successful D: All Things Digital conference, which began in 2003. The venture was backed by their then-employer, Dow Jones & Company, providing a digital-native home for their influential work outside the traditional newspaper format. This move coincided with a period of massive disruption in the media industry, led by companies like Google and Facebook.

Content and coverage

The editorial focus was squarely on the intersection of technology, business, and culture, featuring authoritative product reviews, breaking news, and lengthy interview transcripts. Mossberg's influential column, often critiquing devices from Apple, Microsoft, and Samsung, was a cornerstone of the site's content. Swisher and other reporters conducted penetrating interviews with top executives like Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg, publishing full transcripts. The site also covered major industry trends, legal battles such as those involving the Department of Justice, and the rise of platforms like Twitter and YouTube.

Conferences and events

The D: All Things Digital conference, often referred to simply as "D", was the live embodiment of the brand and a premier event in the technology world. Held annually in Southern California, it was famous for its on-stage, unscripted interviews with industry titans from companies like Apple, Amazon, and The Walt Disney Company. The event fostered major news moments, such as the joint appearance of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates in 2007. Its success led to the creation of other events, including D: Dive Into Mobile, which focused on the burgeoning mobile computing sector.

Impact and influence

The site and its conferences exerted significant influence on the technology journalism landscape, setting a high bar for integrity and access. Mossberg's reviews could materially affect the fortunes of consumer electronics products, while Swisher's reporting consistently broke news on Silicon Valley deals and power struggles. The "D" conference format was widely emulated and helped redefine the tech industry keynote. Its alumni and ethos directly influenced the creation of successor publications like Re/code and The Verge, shaping the next generation of digital media.

Business model and operations

Initially operating under the umbrella of Dow Jones & Company, the site utilized a hybrid revenue model combining advertising, premium conference sponsorships from corporations like Microsoft and AT&T, and, for a time, a paid subscription tier for exclusive content. Its operations were relatively lean, relying on the prestige of its founders and a small team of elite reporters. Following the acquisition of Dow Jones by News Corp, the site continued its operations until 2014, when Mossberg and Swisher departed to found the independent Re/code, leading to the absorption of the All Things Digital web property. Category:American technology websites Category:Defunct technology websites Category:News Corp