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Tech Giants in Flux: Starbucks Rebounds, Microsoft Slides, and Amazon Resets

Published

2 months ago

January 31, 2026

Starbucks rebounds, Microsoft slides, and Amazon resets – GeekWire

This Week’s Highlights on the GeekWire Podcast

Embark on a journey through the latest tech news with us as we explore Starbucks, Microsoft, and an Amazon Fresh store in their final days.

Starbucks Introduces AI Ordering Companion

Starbucks recently reported its first U.S. transaction growth in two years and unveiled plans for an AI “ordering companion” that can interpret customer cravings and preferences to create custom drinks. We sampled a TikTok craze by ordering a “banana bread latte” through the drive-through.

We start our tour with a banana bread latte: blonde espresso, oat milk, hazelnut syrup, brown sugar syrup, caramel drizzle, and cinnamon. Not on the menu, but exactly the kind of order Starbucks says its new AI companion will handle. (GeekWire Photo / Todd Bishop)

Microsoft’s Earnings Beat and Stock Decline

We then visit the Microsoft campus after the company exceeded quarterly earnings expectations but witnessed a 12% drop in its stock value in a single day. Investor concerns arose regarding Microsoft’s reliance on OpenAI, which now makes up about 45% of the company’s future cloud revenue.

Amazon Fresh Store Closures

Lastly, Amazon announced the closure of all its Fresh grocery stores and Go convenience stores in the U.S., exiting its original retail formats entirely. We visit a Seattle Fresh location during its clearance sale, finding a long queue at a store that initially promised a line-free shopping experience.

Join Us for the GeekWire Podcast Live Event

Don’t miss our live recording of the GeekWire Podcast with Todd Bishop and John Cook at Fremont Brewing in Seattle on Thursday, Feb 12 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Register here to secure your spot!