Walt Mossberg

Walt Mossberg
Name	Walt Mossberg
Caption	Mossberg in 2010
Birth date	27 March 1947
Birth place	Warwick, Rhode Island
Education	Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism (M.S.), Brandeis University (B.A.)
Occupation	Journalist, technology columnist
Known for	Personal technology columns, co-founding AllThingsD and Recode
Spouse	Eddy Hartenstein, 2015
Employer	The Wall Street Journal (1970–2013), Vox Media (2014–2019), The Verge (2020–present)
Awards	Loeb Award (1999, 2007)

Walt Mossberg is an American journalist widely regarded as a pioneering and influential voice in personal technology criticism. For over two decades, his weekly column in The Wall Street Journal served as an essential guide for consumers navigating the digital revolution, earning him the moniker "the Kingmaker" for his ability to shape the fortunes of tech products. He later co-founded the influential technology news sites AllThingsD and Recode, and his career has been defined by a consumer-first, accessible writing style that demystified complex gadgets for a mainstream audience.

Early life and education

Born in Warwick, Rhode Island, Mossberg developed an early interest in current events and writing. He attended Brandeis University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and served as the editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, *The Justice*. Following his undergraduate studies, he pursued a Master of Science from the prestigious Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, solidifying the foundation for his career in reporting. Before entering the technology field, he served in the United States Army as a journalist, including a tour during the Vietnam War.

Career at The Wall Street Journal

Mossberg joined The Wall Street Journal in 1970 as a reporter, initially covering national security and foreign affairs from the Washington, D.C. bureau. His shift to technology journalism began in the early 1990s, recognizing a gap in coverage that treated consumers as an afterthought. In 1991, he launched "Personal Technology," a groundbreaking weekly column that evaluated personal computers, software, and emerging digital devices from the perspective of the average user. His reviews of products from companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Dell carried significant weight in the industry, and his annual "Mossberg's Mailbox" column was highly anticipated. During this period, he also wrote for the Journal's sister publication, SmartMoney.

The Mossberg Solution and AllThingsD

In 2000, he introduced a second column, "The Mossberg Solution," co-written with Katherine Boehret, which focused on solving practical tech problems for readers. His most significant venture at the Journal began in 2003 when he, along with journalist Kara Swisher, founded the AllThingsD website and conference. This independent editorial section of the Journal became a must-read for tech insiders, known for its sharp reporting, in-depth interviews with figures like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, and the exclusive D: All Things Digital conference. The success of AllThingsD cemented Mossberg's role as a central node in the technology media landscape.

Recode and later career

In 2014, Mossberg and Swisher left Dow Jones & Company to spin out AllThingsD into an independent media property called Recode, backed by NBCUniversal and later owned by Vox Media. At Recode, he continued writing columns and conducting major interviews while also serving as an executive editor. He and Swisher sold Recode to Vox Media in 2015. After departing Vox Media in 2019, Mossberg joined The Verge as an editor-at-large in 2020. He has also served on the board of directors for Twitter and remains a prominent commentator through appearances on programs like CNBC's *Squawk Box*.

Influence and legacy

Mossberg's legacy is defined by establishing the model of the consumer technology critic. His work at The Wall Street Journal empowered millions of readers and held powerful Silicon Valley firms accountable to usability and design. The "Mossberg Test," his personal benchmark for evaluating products, became an industry standard. By co-founding AllThingsD and Recode, he helped shape modern technology journalism, creating platforms that blended news, analysis, and high-profile events. He is a multiple-time winner of the Loeb Award and is often cited as an influence by a generation of tech journalists.

Personal life

Mossberg married Eddy Hartenstein, the former publisher of the Los Angeles Times and a former executive at The DIRECTV Group, in 2015. He resides in Washington, D.C. and maintains a keen interest in policy issues related to technology and privacy. An avid user of the products he reviews, his personal engagement with technology informs his hands-on, practical approach to criticism.

Category:American technology journalists Category:Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism alumni Category:Brandeis University alumni