Can Amazon-backed EV maker Rivian grow out of its ‘awkward’ teen years?

Rivian's stock has plunged as it faces supply chain woes, wary consumers and, now, potential changes in EV policy under a second Donald Trump administration.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/can-amazon-backed-ev-maker-rivian-grow-out-of-its-awkward-teen-years/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Meta shrinks in the Spring District as Bellevue office market rebounds

Downtown Bellevue's quality office spaces are commanding higher rents than before, but larger tech tenants are still rethinking real estate needs.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/meta-shrinks-in-the-spring-district-as-bellevue-office-market-rebounds/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

When your workouts turn into a work of art

Using the maps from his daily runs, Duncan McCabe took the Strava art trend to new heights by creating an animated stickman that has become an online sensation.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/when-your-workouts-turn-into-a-work-of-art/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Stealth destroyer to be home for 1st hypersonic weapon on a US warship

The U.S. Navy is making progress in deploying its first shipborne hypersonic weapon.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/stealth-destroyer-to-be-home-for-1st-hypersonic-weapon-on-a-us-warship/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Canadian news publishers sue OpenAI over alleged copyright infringement

A coalition of Canadian news publishers, including The Canadian Press, Torstar, Globe and Mail, Postmedia and CBC/Radio-Canada, has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI for using news content to train its ChatGPT generative artificial intelligence system.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/canadian-news-publishers-sue-openai-over-alleged-copyright-infringement/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Cryptocurrency entrepreneur who bought banana art for $6.2 million eats the fruit in Hong Kong

A cryptocurrency entrepreneur who had bought a piece of conceptual art consisting of a simple banana, duct-taped to a wall, for $6.2 million last week ate the fruit in Hong Kong on Friday.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/cryptocurrency-entrepreneur-who-bought-banana-art-for-6-2-million-eats-the-fruit-in-hong-kong/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Cellphone outage in Denmark causes widespread disruption and hits emergency services

One of Denmark’s largest cellphone networks suffered severe outages Thursday that prevented people from contacting emergency services, forced at least one hospital to reduce non-critical medical care, and prompted security services in some regions to patrol the streets in search of people in need to help.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/cellphone-outage-in-denmark-causes-widespread-disruption-and-hits-emergency-services/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

One Tech Tip: Home for the holidays? Show relatives you care with some tech support

As the holiday season kicks off, the journey home could also mean that those who are more tech-savvy will be called on to provide a backlog of tech support to parents, grandparents and other family.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/one-tech-tip-home-for-the-holidays-show-relatives-you-care-with-some-tech-support/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

The outlook is uncertain for AI regulations as the US government pivots to full Republican control

The federal government is about to transition from one that prioritized safeguards for artificial intelligence to one more focused on eliminating red tape.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/the-outlook-is-uncertain-for-ai-regulations-as-the-us-government-pivots-to-full-republican-control/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

A social media ban for under-16s passes the Australian Senate and will soon be a world-first law

The Australian Senate has passed a social media ban for young children that will soon become a world-first law.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/australian-senate-passes-a-social-media-ban-for-young-children-that-will-soon-be-a-world-first-law/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Mark Zuckerberg meets with Trump at Mar-a-Lago

The president-elect has long been critical of Zuckerberg’s social media platforms, saying they censor conservative viewpoints.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/mark-zuckerberg-meets-with-trump-at-mar-a-lago/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Microsoft faces broad antitrust investigation from FTC

The Federal Trade Commission has opened an antitrust investigation of Microsoft. 

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft/microsoft-faces-broad-antitrust-investigation-from-ftc/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

It’s almost time for Spotify Wrapped. When can you expect your 2024 recap?

Spotify has been giving its listeners breakdowns of their data since 2016. And each year, it’s become a bigger production. It's almost time for the 2024 edition.

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 review: A welcome shot in the narrative arm

The latest entry in the long-running first-person-shooter franchise delivers one of the better single-player campaigns in recent years, writes our reviewer.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/video-games/call-of-duty-black-ops-6-review-a-welcome-shot-in-the-narrative-arm/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Biden administration will loan $6.6 billion to Rivian to build Georgia factory that automaker paused

President Joe Biden’s administration will loan $6.6 billion to Rivian Automotive to build a Georgia factory.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/biden-administration-will-loan-6-6-billion-to-rivian-to-build-georgia-factory-that-automaker-paused/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Interpol clamps down on cybercrime and arrests over 1,000 suspects in Africa

EMBARGOED UNTIL 1200 GMT.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/interpol-clamps-down-on-cybercrime-and-arrests-over-1000-suspects-in-africa/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

An AI granny is phone scammers’ worst nightmare

Daisy Harris, an AI-generated granny, has been stymying scammers with meandering, time-wasting conversations. But can she actually make a dent in the flood of fraud?

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/an-ai-granny-is-phone-scammers-worst-nightmare/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

As Amazon expands use of warehouse robots, what will it mean for workers?

Amazon has introduced a handful of robots in its warehouses that the e-commerce giant says will improve efficiency and reduce employee injuries.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/as-amazon-expands-use-of-warehouse-robots-what-will-it-mean-for-workers/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Substack’s great, big, messy political experiment

The value of Substack, according to the dozen publishers interviewed for this article, primarily lies in the company’s customer service offerings and recommendation network.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/substacks-great-big-messy-political-experiment/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Judge to hear arguments on whether Google’s advertising tech constitutes a monopoly

The Justice Department and Google are set to make closing arguments in a trial alleging Google’s online advertising technology constitutes an illegal monopoly.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/judge-to-hear-arguments-on-whether-googles-advertising-tech-constitutes-a-monopoly/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom has suffered a serious stroke, a post on his X account says

The X account for internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom says he has suffered a “serious stroke.”.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/internet-entrepreneur-kim-dotcom-has-suffered-a-serious-stroke-a-post-on-his-x-account-says/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Social media sites call for Australia to delay its ban on children younger than 16

An advocate for major social media platforms has told Australia's Parliament that a plan to ban children younger than 16 from the sites should be delayed rather than being rushed to approval this week.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/social-media-sites-call-for-australia-to-delay-its-ban-on-children-younger-than-16/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

How to add extra security layers to your phone or tablet

New features in Apple’s iOS 18 and Google’s Android 15 can lock up apps with sensitive information and even hide them from view.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/how-to-add-extra-security-layers-to-your-phone-or-tablet/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Hasbro, owner of Renton’s Wizards of the Coast, refocuses on play

What makes Magic: The Gathering so successful "is what will drive Hasbro's future success," says Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/hasbro-owner-of-rentons-wizards-of-the-coast-refocuses-on-play/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Australia withdraws a misinformation bill after critics compare it to censorship

Australia’s government has withdrawn a bill that would give a media watchdog power to monitor digital platforms and require them to keep records about misinformation and disinformation on their networks.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/australia-withdraws-a-misinformation-bill-after-critics-compare-it-to-censorship/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

The man behind the legendary Donkey Kong Country soundtracks

As players led a brawny ape and a cartwheeling monkey through jungles, ruins and snowscapes, they were treated to a musical smorgasbord of atmospheric tunes.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/the-man-behind-the-legendary-donkey-kong-country-soundtracks/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Can AI spot the next bomb cyclone far in advance? Microsoft hopes so

Tech companies are promising faster forecasting models. The challenge is predicting extreme weather.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/can-ai-spot-the-next-bomb-cyclone-far-in-advance-microsoft-hopes-so/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Apple and Google face UK investigation into mobile browser dominance

A British watchdog says Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/apple-and-google-face-uk-investigation-into-mobile-browser-dominance/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

DirecTV calls off acquisition of rival Dish, possibly ending a yearslong pursuit

DirecTV is calling off its planned acquisition of rival Dish after the offer was rejected by bond holders at that company.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/directv-calls-off-acquisition-of-rival-dish-possibly-ending-a-yearslong-pursuit/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Australia rejects Elon Musk’s claim that it plans to control access to the internet

An Australian Cabinet minister has rejected X Corp. owner Elon Musk’s allegation that the government intends to control all Australians' access to the internet through legislation that would ban young children from social media.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/australia-rejects-elon-musks-claim-that-it-plans-to-control-access-to-the-internet/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Bitcoin is at the doorstep of $100,000 as post-election rally rolls on

Bitcoin is jumping again, rising above $98,000 for the first time Thursday.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/bitcoin-is-at-the-doorstep-of-100000-as-post-election-rally-rolls-on/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

US ahead in AI innovation, easily surpassing China in Stanford’s new ranking

The U.S. leads the world in developing artificial intelligence technology, surpassing China in research and other important measures of AI innovation, according to a newly released Stanford University index.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/us-ahead-in-ai-innovation-easily-surpassing-china-in-stanfords-new-ranking/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Thai court dismisses activist’s suit against Israeli spyware producer over lack of evidence

A Thai court has dismissed a lawsuit brought by a pro-democracy activist who alleged spyware produced by an Israeli tech firm had been used to hack his phone.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/thai-court-dismisses-activists-suit-against-israeli-spyware-producer-over-lack-of-evidence/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

One Tech Tip: How to get started with Bluesky

Looking for a new social media platform.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/one-tech-tip-how-to-get-started-with-bluesky/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

US gathers allies to talk AI safety. Trump’s vow to undo Biden’s AI policy overshadows their work

President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to repeal President Joe Biden’s signature artificial intelligence policy when he returns to the White House for a second term.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/us-gathers-allies-to-talk-ai-safety-trumps-vow-to-undo-bidens-ai-policy-overshadows-their-work/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Microsoft pitches AI ‘agents’ that can perform tasks on their own at Ignite 2024

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella told customers at a conference in Chicago on Tuesday that the company is teaching a new set of artificial intelligence tools how to “act on our behalf across our work and life.”.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft-pitches-ai-agents-that-can-perform-tasks-on-their-own-at-ignite-2024/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Thomas E. Kurtz, a creator of BASIC computer language, dies at 96

Long before the days of laptops and smartphones, Thomas E. Kurtz worked to give more students access to computers. That work helped propel generations into a new world. Kurtz has died at 96.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/thomas-e-kurtz-a-creator-of-basic-computer-language-dies-at-96/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Australia won’t force social media users to share their personal details when child ban takes effect

Australian communications minister says the government won’t force social media users to hand over personal information to tech companies, as children younger than 16 are set to be banned from the platforms.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/australia-wont-force-social-media-users-to-share-their-personal-details-when-child-ban-takes-effect/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Trump appears to be planning to attend SpaceX ‘Starship’ launch scheduled for Tuesday in Texas

President-elect Donald Trump appears to be planning to attend a SpaceX “Starship” rocket launch on Tuesday, in the latest indication of founder Elon Musk’s influence in the Republican’s orbit.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/trump-appears-to-be-planning-to-attend-spacex-starship-launch-scheduled-for-tuesday-in-texas/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Germany’s defense minister says damage to 2 Baltic data cables appears to be sabotage

Germany’s defense minister says officials have to assume that damage to two data cables under the Baltic Sea was caused by sabotage.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/germanys-defense-minister-says-damage-to-2-baltic-data-cables-appears-to-be-sabotage/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Forget driverless cars. One company wants autonomous helicopters to spray crops and fight fires

A New Hampshire company is working to develop a fleet of autonomous helicopters that it hopes can be used to put out fires, spray crops and handle other dangers jobs.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/forget-driverless-cars-one-company-wants-autonomous-helicopters-to-spray-crops-and-fight-fires/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

A data cable across Baltic Sea between Finland and Germany has broken and the cause is unknown

Authorities in Finland say a submarine data communications cable across the Baltic Sea between Finland and Germany has broken and the cause for the disruption is being investigated.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/a-data-cable-across-baltic-sea-between-finland-and-germany-has-broken-and-the-cause-is-unknown/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Swiss esports event canceled after 3 squads pull out over host team founder’s anti-abortion comment

An event billed as Switzerland’s biggest esports competition has been canceled after the host team’s founder posted an anti-abortion comment on social media that led three rival squads to pull out.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/swiss-esports-event-canceled-after-3-squads-pull-out-over-host-team-founders-anti-abortion-comment/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Pakistan’s top cleric says use of VPNs is against Islamic laws as the government seeks to ban them

Pakistan’s top body of clerics, which advises the government on religious issues, has declared the use of virtual private networks against Islamic laws as the government seeks to ban them.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/pakistans-top-cleric-says-use-of-vpns-is-against-islamic-laws-as-the-government-seeks-to-ban-them/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

What to stream: ‘The Piano Lesson,’ ‘Wicked’ album, ‘Spellbound’ and ‘Cruel Intentions’ TV series

The animated movie “Spellbound” with a heroine voiced by Rachel Zegler and Denzel Washington’s son Malcolm directing August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” for Netflix are some of this week’s new streaming entertainment releases.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/what-to-stream-the-piano-lesson-wicked-album-spellbound-and-cruel-intentions-tv-series/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Slash first, fix later: How Elon Musk cuts costs

On a Saturday morning in December 2022, Elon Musk summoned finance executives at Twitter, which he had bought six weeks earlier, to a conference call. Then he drilled into a spreadsheet that contained the social media company’s expenditures.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/slash-first-fix-later-how-elon-musk-cuts-costs/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

How this Kent space company is building rockets to fly, and fly again

Stoke Space is developing a rapidly reusable rocket in Kent and testing in Moses Lake. A novel second-stage engine design aims for full reuse of the rocket.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/how-this-kent-space-company-is-building-rockets-to-fly-and-fly-again/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

What is Bluesky, the fast-growing social platform welcoming fleeing X users?

Disgruntled X users are once again flocking to Bluesky, a newer social media platform that grew out of the former Twitter before billionaire Elon Musk took it over in 2022.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/what-is-bluesky-the-fast-growing-social-platform-welcoming-fleeing-x-users/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Amazon makes it harder for disabled employees to work from home

The company recently told employees with disabilities that it was implementing a more rigorous vetting process for remote work requests.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/amazon-makes-it-harder-for-disabled-employees-to-work-from-home/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Cyprus in talks with Gulf energy companies over natural gas licences, president says

Cypriot authorities are in talks with major energy companies from Persian Gulf states over potential natural gas reserves off the Mediterranean country's southern coastline, President Nikos Christodoulides told an energy conference Friday.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/cyprus-in-talks-with-gulf-energy-companies-over-natural-gas-licences-president-says/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology