Joshua Topolsky | |
|---|---|
_%40_SXSW_2017_(32732363973)_(cropped).jpg) Topolsky atSXSW in 2017 | |
| Born | Joshua Ryan Topolsky (1977-10-19)October 19, 1977 (age 48) |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Known for | Engadget,This Is My Next,The Verge,The Outline |
| Spouse | Laura June |
Joshua Ryan Topolsky (born October 19, 1977) is an Americantechnologyjournalist. He is also arecord producer, andDJ under thestage nameJoshua Ryan. Topolsky was the co-founder andeditor-in-chief of technology news networkThe Verge, and a co-creator of its parent companyVox Media.[2] Previously, he was the editor-in-chief ofEngadget.
On August 4, 2014, Topolsky stepped down from The Verge and Vox Media to joinBloomberg "as the editor of a series of new online ventures it is introducing as part of a revamped journalism strategy".[3] He left Bloomberg in July 2015 after clashes withMichael Bloomberg over the direction of its digital media strategy[4] and started the digital news companyThe Outline.
Between August 2008 and March 2011, Topolsky was the editor-in-chief of the technology blogEngadget.[5] Since 2009, he has been the technology correspondent forNBC'sLate Night with Jimmy Fallon, and thenThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. In March 2011, he resigned his position atEngadget.[6]
Following his departure from Engadget, Topolsky began a new site calledThis Is My Next, a temporary home for him and his ex-Engadget colleagues as they built a new technology network.[7] Like Engadget, the website included a wide variety of technology news, reviews, and editorials. The website name is a play on a phrase Topolsky often says when reviewing a device that he especially likes (e.g. "This is my next phone."). Topolsky's team atThis Is My Next included formerEngadget editors and contributors including Paul Miller,Nilay Patel,Joanna Stern, Chris Ziegler, and others.
On July 18, 2011, Topolsky announced onLate Night that he and his team were developing a new permanent network calledThe Verge.[8]The Verge launched on November 1, 2011, with Topolsky as the founding editor-in-chief.[7] He appeared in many of the early audio and video podcasts that the site released while writing articles. He also appeared onFallon's shows several times after the announcement of the site with products the site reviewed that he also showcased to the audience.
The New York Times reported on July 24, 2014, that Topolsky would be leavingThe Verge on August 4, 2014, to pursue an editorial position atBloomberg. TheTimes noted, "He will develop and run Bloomberg’s new ventures, which will cover specific topic areas such as politics and luxury."[3]
The New York Times reported on July 10, 2015, that Topolsky would be leavingBloomberg Business after clashes with founderMichael Bloomberg. This follows a radical redesign ofBloomberg Business web properties.[9][10]
In April 2015, Topolsky startedTomorrow, a weekly podcast about current trends in technology, news, and culture. Each episode ofTomorrow features cohost Ryan Houlihan and a special guest, ranging from Google designerMatías Duarte to Topolsky's wife.[11]
In 2016, Topolsky pursued initial funding for a new digital media outlet. The company is titled Independent Media and launched its first publication,The Outline, on December 5.[12][13]
In 2023, Topolsky was hired byRobinhood to launch Sherwood Media a website dedicated to, "deliver actionable, illuminating news on the markets, business, tech, and the culture of money in a way that's authoritative, engaging, and speaks in the language of this moment".[14][15] As of 2025 Topolsky is Sherwood's editor-in-chief and president.[16]
Under the stage nameJoshua Ryan, Topolsky was a well knowntrance music DJ[17] whose tracks were included on several gold certifiedcompilation albums. His tracks have been licensed byPalm Pictures,Moonshine Music,Ministry of Sound, andSony Music Entertainment (UK). In 1999, Fragrant Records released his single "Pistolwhip", which was re-released onNuLife Recordings in 2001 and reached number 29 on theUK Singles Chart.[18] Topolsky and his brother Eric Emm are known as the producing duoThe Brothers.
Topolsky lives outside New York with his wife, Laura June, who was also an editor atThe Verge and now writes for various publications such asThe Awl[19] andJezebel,[20] and their daughter.[21] Topolsky was raised in aJewish family.[22]
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