2018 ends with a lot of grim dystopia type stuff involving social media services and the synergy power of media companies and internet providers. Meanwhile, Apple takes the lowers its ecosystem walls and adding Apple Music to Amazon Echo devices.

This episode of Download is sponsored by:

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Guest Starring:

Shahid Kamal Ahmad and Aleen Simms

Links and Show Notes:

Submit your Download Stories of the Year!

As Facebook Raised a Privacy Wall, It Carved an Opening for Tech Giants - The New York Times

How the new AT&T could bully its way to streaming domination - The Verge

Verizon Takes $4.6 Billion Write-Down on Oath Unit | Hollywood Reporter

Verizon plans to cut 10 percent of Oath staff

Oath officially becomes Verizon Media Group on January 8 | TechCrunch

Magic Leap prescription lenses are available now for $249

Apple Music Now Playable on Amazon Echo Speakers via Alexa in United States - MacRumors

Apple Heavily Promotes the Amazon Echo’s Apple Music Integration – MacStories

Service dog assisting college student gets honorary diploma from New York school | abc7.com

Airport service lets you cuddle puppies to calm pre-flight nerves - Mirror Online