In this episode of Tech Teardown, Erin Kennedy discusses the latest developments in the tech sector with Evan Niu, CFA, our tech and telecom bureau chief.

  • Facebook agrees to acquire WhatsApp for a whopping $19 billion. That's an awful lot to pay, but Facebook will be getting an awful lot in return.
  • WhatsApp costs users just $1 per year. That insanely low price point is precisely how its disrupting a $100 billion industry, which is why Facebook wants it in the first place.
  • Facebook is choosing to pay for WhatsApp mostly in the form of stock. That transfers some future risk to WhatsApp's prior owners, for better or for worse.
  • BlackBerry jumps on news that WhatsApp is selling for $19 billion. Is this move misplaced?
  • LinkedIn makes a big move into content, in part to boost engagement. However, the professional network relies on engagement much less than its peers.
  • One Street analyst compares Apple's future to Microsoft's past. Will Apple be in store for a lost decade?
  • All the recent talk about Apple buying Tesla is just plain silly. Despite Steve Jobs dreams of making a car, this fantasy will never become reality.
This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium advisory service. We’re motley! Questioning an investing thesis -- even one of our own -- helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer.