New Zealand strait crossed for first time by electric plane

The first person to fly across New Zealand’s Cook Strait in an electric plane says he did so with plenty of battery power to spare.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/new-zealand-strait-crossed-for-first-time-by-electric-plane/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Happy Halloween: Gaming platform Roblox is back online

The popular gaming site Roblox is back online after an outage this weekend.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/happy-halloween-gaming-platform-roblox-is-back-online/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Chopra brings Big Tech scrutiny to new consumer protection post

After just days on the job leading the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Rohit Chopra took a shot at Big Tech's payment systems. That may just be the beginning.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/chopra-brings-big-tech-scrutiny-to-new-consumer-protection-post/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Miami mayor seeks 2nd term as he raises national profile

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez is hoping to easily secure a second term Tuesday.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/miami-mayor-seeks-2nd-term-as-he-raises-national-profile/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

An “eraser button”? Focused ideas could help bridle Big Tech

Break up Big Tech.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/an-eraser-button-focused-ideas-could-help-bridle-big-tech/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Crystal Palace player Zaha critical of Instagram over racism

Crystal Palace player Wilfried Zaha has called on Instagram to take racism more seriously after being targeted with abuse after scoring in a 2-0 win at Manchester City on Saturday.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/soccer/crystal-palace-player-zaha-critical-of-instagram-over-racism/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

India, UK to launch global solar grid project at COP26

India and the U.K. will launch a project that aims to create a solar grid connecting countries in different parts of the world at the upcoming U.N. climate talks in Glasgow, Scotland.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/india-uk-to-launch-global-solar-grid-project-at-cop26/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Unhappy Halloween: Gaming platform Roblox crashes

To the dismay of millions of children -- and the parents trying to keep them busy and cope with their anguish -- the popular gaming platform Roblox crashed Friday, and the company was still trying to restore service Saturday.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/unhappy-halloween-gaming-platform-roblox-crashes/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

EXPLAINER: How G20-backed corporate minimum tax would work

Leaders of the Group of 20 countries have expressed support for a deal that makes sweeping changes in how big global companies are taxed.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/explainer-how-g20-backed-corporate-minimum-tax-would-work/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Your browser can tell websites how to treat your data. But companies didn’t have to listen — until now

A special signal called Global Privacy Control is sending mass “do not sell” requests on consumers’ behalf. Here's why that's a big deal, what it means for you and how to enable it.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/your-browser-can-tell-websites-how-to-treat-your-data-but-companies-didnt-have-to-listen-until-now/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

How a mistake by YouTube shows its power over media

Every hour, YouTube deletes nearly 2,000 channels. The deletions are meant to keep out spam, misinformation, financial scams, nudity, hate speech and other material that it says violates its policies. But mistakes happen.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/how-a-mistake-by-youtube-shows-its-power-over-media/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Earth gets hotter, deadlier during decades of climate talks

World leaders have been trying to do something about climate change for 29 years but in that time Earth has gotten much hotter and more dangerous.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/earth-gets-hotter-deadlier-during-decades-of-climate-talks/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Microsoft becomes world’s most valuable stock as Apple drops

The slump in Apple shares on Friday propelled Microsoft to the position of the world's largest listed company by market capitalization. The last time Microsoft dethroned Apple was in the first half of 2020.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft-becomes-worlds-most-valuable-stock-as-apple-drops/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

I’m not a pilot, but I just flew a helicopter

New technology, a few iPads and a quick tutorial can help anyone act like a pilot. Dealing with air traffic control is another matter. Like self-driving cars, self-flying aircraft are regarded as being a long way from reality.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/im-not-a-pilot-but-i-just-flew-a-helicopter/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

How to avoid ‘smartphone pinkie’ and other pains from being glued to your phone

Medical experts say using a cellphone with a one-handed clutch-and-scroll grip can lead to "smartphone pinkie," which is joining other hand, wrist, elbow and neck problems likely connected to overusing handheld tech.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/how-to-avoid-smartphone-pinkie-and-other-pains-from-being-glued-to-your-phone/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Utilities’ old gear is slowing move to clean energy and electric cars

The fastest way to cut greenhouse gas emissions is to move machinery, cars and heating equipment that run on oil and natural gas to electricity generated by zero-emission energy sources. Yet local utilities are often overloaded because of old equipment that is costly to upgrade.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/utilities-old-gear-is-slowing-move-to-clean-energy-and-electric-cars/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Dutch watchdog slams tax office fraud list as privacy breach

A Dutch data protection watchdog has issued a damning report on the country’s tax office, saying it breached the country’s privacy law for years by keeping a list of potential fraudsters.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/dutch-watchdog-slams-tax-office-fraud-list-as-privacy-breach/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Huawei sales off 32% after US sanctions, smartphone sale

Chinese tech giant Huawei's sales fell 32% from a year earlier in the first nine months of 2021 under U.S. sanctions and following the sale of its Honor smartphone brand.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/huawei-sales-off-32-after-us-sanctions-smartphone-sale/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Amazon profit plunges 50% year over year — with more pain to come

Amazon profit in the third quarter of this year fell by nearly 50% compared with the same period in 2020, to $3.2 billion, as the company continues to invest heavily in warehousing and logistics to meet the online shopping boom.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/amazon/amazon-profits-plunge-50-year-over-year-amid-massive-warehouse-expansion-with-more-pain-to-come/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

California wins $3.5M payoff in illegal gambling lawsuit

A company that made and operated casino-style games used for illegal gambling will pay $3.5 million and permanently stop its California operations under a court settlement announced Thursday.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/california-wins-3-5m-payoff-in-illegal-gambling-lawsuit/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Facebook isn’t the first to try a name change. Here are some of the best and worst rebrands

Facebook says it is changing its name to Meta Platforms, joining a long, though not necessarily distinguished, list of companies that have tried to rebrand themselves over the years.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/facebook-isnt-the-first-to-try-a-name-change-take-a-look-at-some-of-the-best-and-worst-rebrands/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Apple posts big quarter, but not enough to ease supply fears

Apple’s iPhone sales soared yet again in the past quarter, but didn’t grow as rapidly as analysts anticipated.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/apple-posts-big-quarter-but-not-enough-to-ease-supply-fears/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

EXPLAINER: What is the metaverse and how will it work?

The term “metaverse” is the latest buzzword to capture the tech industry’s imagination _ so much so that one of the best-known internet platforms is rebranding to embrace the futuristic idea.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/explainer-what-is-the-metaverse-and-how-will-it-work/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Microsoft launches community college campaign to address cybersecurity workforce shortage

Microsoft is funding a cybersecurity curriculum at community colleges across the country. The Redmond-based tech giant will also provide at least 25,000 scholarships for the program.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft-launches-community-college-campaign-to-address-cybersecurity-workforce-shortage/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Facebook Inc. rebrands as Meta to stress ‘metaverse’ plan

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said his company is rebranding itself as Meta, an effort to encompass its virtual-reality vision for the future.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/facebook-rebrands-as-meta-to-emphasize-metaverse-vision/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Documents show Facebook withheld key data about power, spread of COVID and vaccine misinformation

Leaked documents underline just how extensively Facebook was studying coronavirus and vaccine misinformation on its platform as the virus tore across the world. The findings concerned employees, but much of the information was not shared publicly.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/documents-show-facebook-withheld-key-data-about-power-spread-of-covid-and-vaccine-misinformation/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

US companies announce plans for gene-edited strawberries

An Idaho company that successfully brought genetically modified potatoes to the market has announced an agreement to help a California-based plant breeding company grow strawberries they say will stay fresh longer and have a longer growing season.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/us-companies-announce-plans-for-gene-edited-strawberries/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Facebook exec pushes back on whistleblower claims

Monika Bickert, Facebook’s head of global policy management, says the social media giant does not prioritize engagement and user growth over safety.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/facebook-exec-pushes-back-on-whistleblower-claims/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Nokia 3Q profit beats expectations despite chip shortage

Wireless and fixed network equipment maker Nokia has reported third-quarter profit above analyst expectations on increasing sales of 5G technology and trimmed costs.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/nokia-3q-profit-beats-expectations-despite-chip-shortage/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Google Pixel 6 review: Playing catch-Up with the iPhone

With long battery life and nice cameras, the new Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro excel at what popular phones have done for years. Is that enough? Tech writer Brian X. Chen tried out the phones. Here's what you need to know.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/google-pixel-6-review-playing-catch-up-with-the-iphone/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Facebook, Google, Twitter face grilling by UK lawmakers

British lawmakers are set to grill Facebook and other tech giants over how they handle online safety as European efforts to regulate social media companies gain momentum.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/facebook-google-twitter-face-grilling-by-uk-lawmakers/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Samsung reports robust profit thanks to chip demand

Samsung Electronics has reported its highest quarterly profit in three years as it continues to see robust demand for its computer memory chips.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/samsung-reports-robust-profit-thanks-to-chip-demand/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Musk and Bezos Are Now Worth Almost Half a Trillion Dollars

Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk have a combined net wealth approaching $500 billion, which is equal to that of the nation's largest bank. The two billionaires' monetary worth grew because of surging tech and Tesla stocks.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/elon-musk-and-jeff-bezos-are-now-worth-almost-half-a-trillion-dollars/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Frances Haugen took thousands of Facebook documents: This is how she did it

How is it that the Facebook whistleblower came to possess this trove of documents? Its internal research division, coupled with its internal social network that operates almost identically to the Facebook used by billions, created a perfect storm.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/frances-haugen-took-thousands-of-facebook-documents-this-is-how-she-did-it/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Apple’s Carbon-Neutral Suppliers Have Doubled in Number

Apple says that the number of its suppliers exclusively using clean energy has doubled. The company has pledged to have its supply chain completely carbon-neutral by 2030.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/apples-carbon-neutral-suppliers-have-doubled-in-number/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Instacart CEO: We’re leading the ‘fight against Amazon’

Instacart CEO Fidji Simo has her sights set on Amazon, and an IPO for the $39 billion grocery delivery startup.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/instacart-ceo-were-leading-the-fight-against-amazon/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Ransomware gang says it targeted National Rifle Association

A ransomware gang believed to operate out of Russia says it's hacked the National Rifle Association.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/ransomware-gang-says-it-targeted-national-rifle-association/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Maryland congressman deactivates Facebook account

A Maryland congressman has deactivated his official congressional and campaign Facebook and Instagram accounts until their parent company and Congress make substantial reforms to protect children, health and democratic values.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/maryland-congressman-deactivates-facebook-account/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

EU investigates Nvidia’s purchase of chip designer Arm

European Union regulators have opened an investigation into graphics chipmaker Nvidia’s $40 billion purchase of chip designer Arm.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/eu-investigates-nvidias-purchase-of-chip-designer-arm/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Florida judge sends Trump suit against Twitter to California

A federal judge has ruled that former President Donald Trump must pursue his lawsuit against Twitter in California, and not Florida, under a user agreement covering everyone on the social media platform.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/florida-judge-sends-trump-suit-against-twitter-to-california/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

America ‘on fire’: Facebook watched as Trump ignited hate

Internal Facebook documents reveal a country lit “on fire” in the days after controversial social media posts from then-President Donald Trump last year.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/america-on-fire-facebook-watched-as-trump-ignited-hate/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Anonymity no more? Age checks come to the web.

To protect children online, more companies and governments are forcing users to prove how old they are. Critics of the age checks say they could endanger user privacy, dampen free expression and hurt communities that benefit from anonymity online.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/anonymity-no-more-age-checks-come-to-the-web/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Washington orders Chinese phone carrier out of US market

U.S. regulators are expelling a unit of China Telecom Ltd.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/washington-orders-chinese-phone-carrier-out-of-us-market/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Iran says cyberattack affected every gas station in nation

A cyberattack in Iran affected all of the Islamic Republic’s 4,300 gas stations.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/iran-says-cyberattack-affected-every-gas-station-in-nation/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

How Facebook shapes your feed

The evolution of what posts get top billing on users’ news feeds, and what gets obscured.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/how-facebook-shapes-your-feed/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Amazon joins race for quantum computer with new Caltech center

Amazon is entering the race to develop a quantum computer, joining U.S. and Chinese rivals in the quest to harness the properties of nature's tiniest particles into computing power far surpassing existing machines.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/amazon-joins-race-for-quantum-computer-with-new-caltech-center/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Trump could get big ‘bonus’ shares in new social media firm

Donald Trump’s social media company will get tens of millions of special bonus shares in a new publicly traded entity if it performs well.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/trump-could-get-big-bonus-shares-in-new-social-media-firm/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Microsoft profit soars 48% to $20.5 billion

Microsoft produced its most profitable quarter. Again. The financial results for the three months ended in September surpassed analysts’ upbeat expectations, and shares were up slightly in after-hours trading.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft-profit-soars-48-to-20-5-billion/

Microsoft profit soars 48% thanks to cloud growth

Microsoft's cloud-based software helped drive robust sales and profit growth, which topped analysts' estimates for an 11th straight quarter.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft-profit-soars-48-thanks-to-cloud-growth/

Twitter posts Q3 net loss due to lawsuit settlement

Twitter posted a net loss Tuesday due mostly to a lawsuit settlement it paid, but its revenue rose sharply in the third quarter, boosted by solid ad sales around the globe.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/twitter-posts-q3-net-loss-due-to-lawsuit-settlement/

Google ads gain fuels profit for parent company Alphabet

A rebound in digital ad spending at Google continues to lift its parent company's profit.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/google-ads-gain-fuels-profit-for-parent-company-alphabet/

Microsoft profit up 24% in quarter, driven by cloud growth

Growth in Microsoft’s cloud computing business helped push the company's profit up 24% in the July-September quarter.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft/microsoft-profit-up-24-in-quarter-driven-by-cloud-growth/

Congress plans fixes for US military’s AWOL weapons problems

America’s armed services will have to keep better track of their guns and explosives under changes Congress is set to require.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/congress-plans-fixes-for-us-militarys-awol-weapons-problems/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Five points for anger, one for a ‘like’: How Facebook’s formula fostered rage and misinformation

Internal documents show that Facebook wanted to promote content that created emotional reactions, and in doing so, created a formula that also promoted misinformation, toxicity and low-quality news.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/five-points-for-anger-one-for-a-like-how-facebooks-formula-fostered-rage-and-misinformation/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

150 people arrested in US-Europe darknet drug probe

Law enforcement officials in the U.S. and Europe have arrested 150 people and seized more than $31 million in an international drug trafficking investigation stemming from sales on the darknet.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/justice-dept-150-people-arrested-in-darknet-drug-probe/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology