All three services experienced interruptions throughout the day on Wednesday. Grief and chaos ensued. Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp Go Down. At the Same Time. Source: NY Times Tech
Read MoreTiffany Hsu / New York Times: Amazon has delisted two books that claimed to hold cures for autism, following a letter from Rep. Schiff criticizing anti-vaccine misinformation on the platform — Amazon has removed the online listings for two books that claim to contain cures for autism, a move that follows recent efforts … Amazon
Read MoreThe American Medical Association worries misinformation could lead to the spread of preventable diseases. Google, Facebook and others pressed to stop spread of anti-vax information – CNET Source: CNet
Read MoreThe talks precede Uber’s initial public offering and may ease worries about how costly it is to develop autonomous vehicles. SoftBank and Other Investors May Buy Billion Stake in Uber’s Self-Driving Cars Source: NY Times Tech
Read MoreFacebook: Facebook is rolling out Watch Party support for live TV, with tools for adding trivia, polls, and more, testing first in Facebook Groups with live sports events — Today at SXSW, we’re sharing updates on how we’re bringing people together around video and music on Facebook … Facebook is rolling out Watch Party support
Read MoreThe social network gave tech companies special access to user data, says a New York Times report. Facebook's data-sharing deals reportedly under criminal probe – CNET Source: CNet
Read MoreTumblr’s ban on adult content is costing it dearly. In December, we reported on news of Tumblr invoking the nuclear option and banning pornography and other adult content from the popular blogging platform. A month later, it had lost more than 100 million views — a 17 percent decline in just 30 days. According to
Read MoreGoogle’s Android Q beta is here for early adopters. Android Q beta available for Pixel phones – CNET Source: CNet
Read MoreCNBC: Cloudera misses Q4 FY2019 analyst estimates with revenue of $144.5M, up 37% YoY, and losses of $85.5M; stock down ~15% after hours following weak Q1 guidance — Cloudera plummeted as much as 15 percent in extended trading on Wednesday after the developer of software for managing … Cloudera misses Q4 FY2019 analyst estimates with
Read MoreA report published in the UK says the big tech companies are overly powerful. Tech giants are guilty of 'bullying tactics,' says Obama's former economic advisor – CNET Source: CNet
Read MoreA federal grand jury is looking at partnerships that gave major tech companies broad access to Facebook users’ information. Facebook’s Data Deals Are Under Criminal Investigation Source: NY Times Tech
Read MoreProminent scientists and ethicists believe a temporary pause is necessary. CRISPR experts call for moratorium on creating gene-edited babies – CNET Source: CNet
Read MoreNew York Times: Sources: Facebook’s data-sharing deals under federal criminal investigation; an NY grand jury subpoenaed at least two device-makers who partnered with Facebook — Federal prosecutors are conducting a criminal investigation into data deals Facebook struck with some of the world’s largest … Sources: Facebook's data-sharing deals under federal criminal investigation; an NY grand
Read MoreFor those with 3D printers, taking a 3D model and spitting out a physical object is so routine as to be blasé. The reverse is something a little different. There are many ways to create a digital 3D model of a physical object, of varying complexity. [Eric Strebel] favors photogrammetry, and has shared a useful
Read MoreCarmen Sandiego, renowned lady thief and the original superstar of edutainment, has finally made her way into a new video game — only this time, the actual world is her canvas in Google Earth. I don’t know who came up with this idea, but I’m so glad they had that brainwave, because this combination of
Read MoreMaureen Farrell / Wall Street Journal: Sources: a consortium that includes SoftBank and at least one automaker is in late-stage talks to invest $1B or more into Uber’s self-driving vehicle unit — A consortium that includes SoftBank Group is in late-stage talks to invest $1 billion or more into Uber Technologies’ self-driving vehicle unit. Sources:
Read MoreOne Windows 10 user discovered what potentially could be a new setting coming to Windows 10 Home, allowing those users to pause updates for 35 days. Microsoft might give Windows 10 Home users the option to pause updates for 35 days Source: ZDNet Microsoft
Read MoreAaron Tilley / The Information: Apple has acquired Laserlike, a small Silicon Valley-based ML startup, likely to strengthen its AI efforts; Laserlike had raised $24M+, per Crunchbase — Apple has acquired Laserlike, a small Silicon Valley-based machine learning startup, which could help strengthen the company’s artificial … Apple has acquired Laserlike, a small Silicon Valley-based
Read MoreFaith Ryan / GovernmentCIO Media: Microsoft makes Teams available in Microsoft 365 Government and announces Power Platform and Dynamics 365 for government as it bids for $8B Pentagon contract — The tech-giant announced new advancements in cloud-based services that will enhance government IT modernization efforts. Microsoft makes Teams available in Microsoft 365 Government and announces
Read MoreSenator Elizabeth Warren has an interesting plan for reform. But it has shortcomings worth considering. The Shift: A Better Way to Break Up Big Tech Source: NY Times Tech
Read MoreAs rumored earlier this week, Google has released the first beta for the next version of its mobile os, Android Q. Google saves the best stuff until after its I/O conference in the spring, but Beta 1 is already packed with goodies. While the changes so far are mostly aimed at developers, it’s a good
Read MoreEmil Protalinski / VentureBeat: Google debuts the first preview of Android Q to devs, available on all Pixel devices, with granular privacy settings, better support for foldable devices, more — Google today launched Android Q Beta 1, available for download now at google.com/android/beta. Google debuts the first preview of Android Q to devs, available on
Read MoreThe 737 Max 8 has had two deadly crashes in five months. Now President Trump has weighed in, and the plane is grounded. Boeing's 737 Max 8: All about the aircraft, flight ban and investigations – CNET Source: CNet
Read MoreThe FAA also releases a statement on why it’s now calling for the aircraft’s grounding. Trump: All Boeing 737 Max 8 planes are grounded 'immediately' – CNET Source: CNet
Read MoreBond 25 director Cary Joji Fukunaga reportedly pushed for 007 to go green. James Bond ditches V12 Aston Martin, goes electric for next film, report says – Roadshow Source: CNet
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