CES gadget show shortened to 3 days; some big tech stay away

Organizers of the CES tech convention in Las Vegas say it will run from Jan. 5 to Jan. 7, one day shorter than originally planned.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/ces-gadget-show-shortened-to-3-days-some-big-tech-stay-away/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

2021 was a huge year for space exploration. 2022 could be even bigger

For all the space-related achievements of 2021 -- a rover landing on Mars, a small drone flying in that planet's thin atmosphere, the launch of the most powerful space telescope ever -- 2022 holds as much promise, if not more.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/2021-was-a-huge-year-for-space-exploration-2022-could-be-even-bigger/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Snow closed the highways. GPS mapped a harrowing detour through the Sierra Nevada

The road once carried stagecoaches during the Gold Rush, twisting through a national forest and an area of the Sierra Nevada known for snowmobiling. Google Maps suggested it as an alternative when other roads were closed. That proved to be a bad idea.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/snow-closed-the-highways-gps-mapped-a-harrowing-detour-through-the-sierra-nevada/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Are Apple AirTags being used to track people and steal cars?

Privacy groups sounded alarms about Apple's AirTag and other coin-sized location-tracking devices when they were introduced. Now people are concerned those fears are being realized.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/are-apple-airtags-being-used-to-track-people-and-steal-cars/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Germany shuts down half of its remaining nuclear plants

Germany is shutting down half of the six nuclear plants it still has in operation.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/germany-shuts-down-half-of-its-remaining-nuclear-plants/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Billionaire Peter Thiel hires Austria’s disgraced former chancellor

Billionaire Peter Thiel's investment firm is tapping embattled former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz to become a global strategist. The appointment comes amid multiple criminal probes into Kurz and his inner circle.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/billionaire-peter-thiel-hires-austrias-disgraced-former-chancellor/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

California legislation targets Amazon’s AI warehouse bosses

A new California law designed to prevent the warehousing industry from overworking employees doesn't name a specific company. But the legislation's target is clear: Amazon.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/california-legislation-targets-amazons-ai-warehouse-bosses/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

How Discord, born from an obscure game, became a social hub for young people

Six years after Jason Citron stripped his unsuccessful online game down to just its chat feature and named it Discord, it has exploded in popularity with people who socialize on it. Some say the platform has a “Lord of the Flies” vibe.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/how-discord-born-from-an-obscure-game-became-a-social-hub-for-young-people/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Tesla Model 3 recall over rear camera connection

Electric car maker Tesla is recalling certain Model 3s because a coaxial cable for its backup camera can become worn and fail to transmit to the driver’s main console.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/tesla-model-3-recall-over-rear-camera-connection/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

‘The era of stuffing people into offices like sardines is over’: Costs rise as workers return to airier, cleaner offices

The cost of office maintenance dropped significantly in the pandemic when workers went remote, as companies saved money on services like cleaning and security, as well as perks like dry cleaning and endless pantry snacks.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/the-era-of-stuffing-people-into-offices-like-sardines-is-over-costs-rise-as-workers-return-to-airier-cleaner-offices/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Apple puts iPhone maker on probation for labor violations

Apple put Foxconn's factory in India on probation after protests and an investigation that revealed substandard living conditions. Foxconn gained notoriety after a spate of suicides in 2010 exposed harsh conditions for the migrants it employs.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/apple-puts-iphone-maker-on-probation-for-labor-violations/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

The ‘peanut butter’ secret: A lavish tax dodge for the ultrawealthy

Thanks to the ingenuity of the tax-avoidance industry, investors in hot tech companies are exponentially enlarging a tax break. The trick is to give shares in those companies to friends or relatives.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/the-peanut-butter-secret-a-lavish-tax-dodge-for-the-ultrawealthy/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Bringing home the bacon tops new California laws in 2022

Voter-approved rules kicking in Jan. 1 have prompted concerns about possible shortages of bacon and other pork products, amid last-minute calls to delay the new regulations.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/bringing-home-the-bacon-tops-new-california-laws-in-2022/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Holmes jury resumes deliberations after closed-door meeting

The jury weighing fraud charges against former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes will resume their lengthy deliberations amid some intrigue raised by a closed-door meeting among her attorneys, federal prosecutors and the judge presiding the case.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/holmes-jury-resumes-deliberations-after-closed-door-meeting/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Autonomous trucker TuSimple logs first no-human road test

A semitruck guided by technology from the company TuSimple completed an 80-mile route in Arizona with no human on board and no human intervention during the trip, the company said Wednesday.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/autonomous-trucker-tusimple-logs-first-no-human-road-test/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

China urges US to protect its space station from satellites

China is urging the United States to protect a Chinese space station and its three-member crew after Beijing complained that satellites launched by Elon Musk’s SpaceX nearly struck the station.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/china-urges-us-to-protect-its-space-station-from-satellites/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

TikTok content moderator sues company, alleging trauma from hours reviewing videos of rape and killings

Content management practices at TikTok, which revealed in September that it had more than 1 billion global users, are under scrutiny.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/tiktok-content-moderator-sues-company-alleging-trauma-from-hours-reviewing-videos-of-rape-and-killings/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Apple aims to prevent defections to Meta with rare $180,000 bonuses

Apple has issued unusual bonuses to some employees in an effort to stave off defections to tech rivals such as Facebook owner Meta Platforms. The company's bonus program has irked some workers. Here's who got the bonues and how much they received.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/apple-aims-to-prevent-defections-to-meta-with-rare-180000-bonuses/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Lawyer for Arizona Senate election audit firm wants to quit

The attorney representing the private company that oversaw the Arizona Senate’s partisan review of Maricopa County's 2020 election results is trying to quit.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/lawyer-for-arizona-senate-election-audit-firm-wants-to-quit/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

As miners chase clean-energy minerals across the West, tribes fear a repeat of the past

In the rolling headwaters of central Idaho, where mining interests have long overrun tribal rights, the Biden administration’s promise to safeguard Native American resources is colliding with another priority: starting a renewable energy revolution.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/as-miners-chase-clean-energy-minerals-across-the-west-tribes-fear-a-repeat-of-the-past/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Tusk says hacking marks crisis of democracy in Poland

The leader of Poland’s main opposition party is calling for the creation of a parliamentary commission to investigate surveillance after reports that powerful spyware was used against three people associated with the political opposition.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/tusk-says-hacking-marks-crisis-of-democracy-in-poland/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Holmes jury heads into fifth day of deliberations

The jury weighing fraud charges against former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes faces a fifth day of deliberations Tuesday.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/holmes-jury-heads-into-fifth-day-of-deliberations/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

A new generation stacks up championships in an old game — Tetris

Interest in vintage video games has been growing, and applications for the Classic Tetris World Championships have been increasing. Nostalgia is part of the reason. But tournament organizers have noticed something else: The competitors are younger.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/a-new-generation-stacks-up-championships-in-an-old-game-tetris/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Esports giant Riot settles discrimination case for $100M

Riot Games, the publisher behind esports giant “League of Legends,” agreed to pay $100 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging pay disparity, gender discrimination and sexual harassment.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/esports-giant-riot-settles-discrimination-case-for-100m/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Zuckerberg buys more Hawaii land, including deadly dam site

Billionaire Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has purchased more land in Hawaii, including most of a reservoir that unleashed a deadly flood 15 years ago.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/zuckerberg-buys-more-hawaii-land-including-deadly-dam-site/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

The video game industry is closer to unionization than ever before

Video game companies in North America had never successfully unionized. That changed Dec. 16, when a union at the indie developer Vodeo Games was recognized by management. An industry giant, Activision Blizzard, may be next.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/the-video-game-industry-is-closer-to-unionization-than-ever-before/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

The British baroness who’s taming Big Tech

A House of Lords member and former filmmaker spearheaded 15 standards for all internet companies to make their services safer for children. It has quickly become one of the most impactful pieces of legislation ever to target technology firms.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/the-british-baroness-whos-taming-big-tech/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Nikola’s lost year: Delayed trucks, fallen stock and short on cash

Would-be electric truck maker Nikola has been stuck in neutral since last year, when its founder resigned under a cloud of fraud allegations, General Motors pulled away from a partnership and it lost a key contract.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/nikolas-lost-year-delayed-trucks-fallen-stock-and-short-on-cash/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

The new get-rich-faster job in Silicon Valley: crypto startups

When Sandy Carter left her job as a vice president of Amazon’s cloud computing unit this month, she joined a wave of executives and engineers leaving Big Tech to chase what they see as a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/the-new-get-rich-faster-job-in-silicon-valley-crypto-startups/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Elizabeth Holmes jury to being second week of deliberations

The jury weighing fraud charges against former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes will start their second week of deliberations Monday.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/elizabeth-holmes-jury-to-being-second-week-of-deliberations/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Navigational apps for the blind could have a broader appeal

Nearly every blind person has at least one story of getting lost or disoriented. with the release of new apps specifically designed with pedestrians and accessibility in mind.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/navigational-apps-for-the-blind-could-have-a-broader-appeal/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

From pizza to T-shirts, college athletes are rushing to monetize their brands

Thanks to a recent Supreme Court ruling, more and more college athletes — whether they become future legends or merely show flashes of youthful brilliance — are registering protections based on their name, image and likeness.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/from-pizza-to-t-shirts-college-athletes-are-rushing-to-monetize-their-brands/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Answers to your tech questions about Windows 10, hard drives and ProtonMail use with Google calendar

For this week's Q&A, Patrick Marshall answers questions about SATA and SSD hard drives. And what about ProtonMail? Can you use a Google calendar and use email through ProtonMail?

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/windows-10-hard-drives-and-can-protonmail-be-used-with-google-calendar-qa-with-patrick-marshall/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Google hit with $100 million fine in Russia for ‘systematic failure to remove banned content’

The fine represents an escalation in Russia's push to pressure foreign tech firms to comply with its increasingly strict rules on what it deems illegal content.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/google-hit-with-100-million-fine-in-russia-for-systematic-failure-to-remove-banned-content/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Every tech support task you should do for your family this week

Here's everything tech-savvy relatives should do for their more analog family members while visiting over the holidays or whenever they get together. The tips also are handy reminders for anyone overdue for basic tech maintenance.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/every-tech-support-task-you-should-do-for-your-family-this-week/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

TikTok is the new QVC, retailers hope

Ever since young Americans began their exodus from commercial television to streaming services and social media, advertisers have searched for the digital equivalent of home shopping channels.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/tiktok-is-the-new-qvc-retailers-hope/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Russian court fines Google nearly $100M over content

A Moscow court has fined Google nearly $100 million over its failure to delete content banned by local law.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/russian-court-fines-google-nearly-100m-over-content/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Meta fights U.K. tech regulator over order to sell Giphy

The Facebook parent has filed an appeal of the decision at the U.K.'s Competition Appeal Tribunal and asked the court to halt the regulator's order to sell Giphy, Meta said Thursday. Giphy gives users access to millions of GIFs.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/meta-fights-u-k-tech-regulator-over-order-to-sell-giphy/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

AP Exclusive: Polish opposition senator hacked with spyware

Security researchers say they've confirmed that a third Polish opposition figure had his phone hacked with military-grade spyware from Israeli company NSO Group.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/ap-exclusive-polish-opposition-senator-hacked-with-spyware/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Albanian prime minister apologizes over database leak

Albania’s prime minister has apologized for a large leak of personal records from a government database of state and private employees, which he said seems more like an inside job than a cyber attack.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/albanian-prime-minister-apologizes-over-database-leak/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

In Africa, rescuing the languages that Western tech ignores

Computers have become amazingly precise at translating spoken words to text messages and scouring huge troves of data for answers to complex questions – as long as you speak English or another of the world’s dominant languages.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/in-africa-rescuing-the-languages-that-western-tech-ignores/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Jurors in the Elizabeth Holmes trial may take next week off

The jurors assessing 11 charges of fraud and conspiracy against former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes are scheduled to begin their third day of deliberations Thursday.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/jurors-in-the-elizabeth-holmes-trial-may-take-next-week-off/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Intel apologizes for asking suppliers to avoid Xinjiang

Intel Corp. has apologized for asking suppliers to avoid sourcing goods from Xinjiang after the chipmaker became the latest foreign brand attacked by state media over the region where authorities are accused of widespread abuses.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/intel-apologizes-for-asking-suppliers-to-avoid-xinjiang/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

EXPLAINER: What caused Amazon’s outage? Will there be more?

Robotic vacuum cleaners wouldn't start.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/explainer-what-caused-amazons-outage-will-there-be-more-2/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

U.S. regulator investigating Tesla over driver video game feature

The federal government’s main auto safety regulator has opened an investigation into a feature in Teslas that allows drivers to play games on a dashboard touch screen while the car is in motion.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/u-s-regulator-investigating-tesla-over-driver-video-game-feature/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Amazon scraps CES plans in Las Vegas due to COVID surge

Amazon.com, Meta Platforms, Pinterest, Twitter and several news outlets have canceled plans to attend the annual CES technology conference in Las Vegas, a response to surging COVID-19 cases around the world.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/amazon-scraps-ces-plans-in-las-vegas-due-to-covid-surge/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Amazon Web Services experiences another big outage

Though resolved in roughly an hour, the outage underscores the expansive reach of the cloud and the vulnerabilities that come with it. Several applications, including the workplace communications platform Slack, reported disruptions.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/amazon-web-services-experiences-another-big-outage/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

US probes potential of drivers playing video games in Teslas

The US has opened a formal investigation into the potential for Tesla drivers to play video games on a center touch screen while the vehicle is in motion.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/us-opens-probe-into-tesla-letting-drivers-play-video-games/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

EPL club Arsenal’s ads for crypto tokens banned in Britain

Premier League club Arsenal’s promotion of fan tokens broke advertising regulations and have been banned in Britain for taking advantage of consumers’ inexperience in cryptocurrencies.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/epl-club-arsenals-ads-for-crypto-tokens-banned-in-britain/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

China defends science exchange program following US arrest

China is defending its international scientific exchange programs in the wake of the conviction of a Harvard University professor charged with hiding his ties to a Chinese-run recruitment program.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/china-defends-science-exchange-program-following-us-arrest/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology