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Why do smart teams launch bad products? Brett Faulk breaks it down by analyzing 3 famous product failures: Quibi, Google Stadia, and Peloton Guide. Learn the hidden reasons bad products get funded, why experienced leaders miss warning signs, and what product managers can do to prevent costly mistakes. This episode breaks down real-world lessons in product management, product strategy, product launches, innovation, and leadership.

In This Video:

✔ Why smart teams still make bad product decisions

✔ Why Quibi failed after raising $1.75B

✔ Why Google Stadia collapsed

✔ Why Peloton Guide missed the market

✔ 6 reasons bad products get funded

✔ 6 red flags to catch early

✔ 4 best practices for product managers

Perfect For:

Product Managers

Product Leaders

Startup Founders

Corporate Innovation Teams

Product Marketing Professionals

Strategy Leaders

Key Lesson:

Bad launches rarely happen because teams are dumb. They happen because smart teams follow weak processes, false signals, politics, and unchecked assumptions.

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SmartTechCheck shares practical lessons on product management, AI strategy, innovation, leadership, and real business case studies.

#ProductManagement #ProductStrategy #ProductFailures #Quibi #GoogleStadia #Peloton #StartupLessons #Innovation #ProductLaunch #BusinessStrategy

👉 Visit SmartTech Research at: https://www.smarttechresearch.net/

🆓 Subscribe for FREE to the SmartTechCheck newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relati...

🆓 Subscribe for FREE to the SmartTechCheck Podcast Channel: / @smarttechcheck

🗓️ Book a Meeting with SmartTech Research at: https://calendly.com/smarttechresearch

✅ Connect with Mark Vena on LinkedIn: / marknvena

✅ Connect with Brett Faulk on LinkedIn: / brett-faulk-profile

✅ Connect with Will Townsend on LinkedIn: / wstownsend

Apple is entering a new era. In this SmartTechCheck EduSeries episode, Mark Vena explores Tim Cook’s impact on Apple’s explosive growth and explains why John Ternus could reshape the company with a stronger hardware and engineering focus. Watch for smart analysis on Apple leadership, Apple Silicon, services, AI, foldable iPhones, smartglasses, and Apple’s future after Tim Cook.

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✅ Connect with Brett Faulk on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-faulk-profile/

✅ Connect with Will Townsend on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wstownsend/

In this SmartTechCheck EduSeries episode, Mark Vena breaks down NTT Research’s Upgrade 2026 event and asks the big question: did it really move the needle? He explores NTT Research’s push beyond pure science into commercialization, spotlighting photonics, quantum safe security, bio digital twins, Scale Academy, and the SaltGrain zero trust platform. The episode also tackles NTT’s biggest challenge in the U.S., weak brand awareness and inconsistent messaging, despite world class innovation and global scale. If you care about AI infrastructure, enterprise tech, cybersecurity, networking, and future computing trends, this episode delivers sharp analysis and practical perspective.

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https://open.spotify.com/show/7CxF4cT2AYCbzA8trCPnAl

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This SmartTechCheck EduSeries episode breaks down why the Apple AirPods Max 2 may be one of the smartest product strategy moves of 2026. Instead of giving buyers a flashy redesign, Apple kept the same basic hardware shell and focused on what really matters: the H2 chip, better software, stronger noise cancellation, Adaptive Audio, spatial audio improvements, and tighter integration with the broader Apple ecosystem. That is the trick. Apple upgraded the experience without blowing up its supply chain or its margins.  The episode argues that Apple also fixed a major credibility problem. For too long, the premium AirPods Max lagged behind cheaper AirPods Pro models on important features. With AirPods Max 2, Apple restores feature leadership where it belongs. That matters because premium products cannot live on industrial design alone. They need to lead in intelligence, capability, and user value.  Another key takeaway is how Apple found new utility in old hardware. The Digital Crown now works as an iPhone camera shutter, proving that great product management is often about unlocking hidden value instead of adding more parts. Apple also smartly launched the AirPods Max 2 alongside bigger platform products, borrowing momentum from the iPhone 17 and MacBook Neo.  The bottom line is simple. AirPods Max 2 is not really a redesign. It is a masterclass in premium pricing discipline, product lifecycle management, and roadmap strategy. This episode shows why Apple still knows how to make an old product feel new, relevant, and very hard to ignore.

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In this SmartTechCheck EduSeries episode, Mark Vena breaks down whether the Apple AirPods Max 2 are actually worth the premium price or just another polished Apple upgrade. The episode explores the real changes, including the H2 chip, USB-C charging, and new colors, while making it clear that the overall design and weight remain largely unchanged. It highlights why AirPods Max 2 still leads in active noise cancellation, transparency mode, call quality, and Apple ecosystem integration across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. It also takes a hard look at the competition from Sony, Bose, and Sonos, which now deliver serious premium headphone performance at lower prices. The biggest warning is simple: at 385 grams, these are not ideal workout headphones. The verdict is balanced but blunt. If you live inside the Apple ecosystem, AirPods Max 2 still rule. For everyone else, better value exists.

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Follow Mark Vena on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkVenaTechGuy

Follow Rob Pegoraro on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobPegoraro

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https://open.spotify.com/show/7CxF4cT2AYCbzA8trCPnAl

Subscribe to the SmartTechCheck newsletter:

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Follow Mark Vena on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkVenaTechGuy

Follow Rob Pegoraro on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobPegoraro

Follow John Quain on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jqontech

Follow Stewart Wolpin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stewartwolpin

https://open.spotify.com/show/7CxF4cT2AYCbzA8trCPnAl