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Showing posts from December, 2022

Your Memories. Their Cloud.

Google, Apple and Meta offer near-limitless digital basements in which to store photos, videos and important documents, but you should keep a copy of what you hold most dear. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/9KeUqLZ

Google Changes Appeals Process for Suspected Child Abuse Images

People who upload images of children that Google flags as potentially illegal will be able to provide more context to appeal bans. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/ypcYoOs

Tesla Had a Bad Year. Some Investors Are Blaming Elon Musk.

Investors blame Elon Musk and wonder how much more the stock will fall. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/jh0LBK8

Librarians Are Meeting Younger Readers Where They Are: TikTok

The pandemic hurt children’s reading skills. Librarians are doing what it takes to connect them with books — including dance routines. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/UNPI6lq

Turning Sports Statistics Into Riveting Cinema

Jon Bois and his collaborators specialize in documentaries about seemingly unremarkable teams. Then he wields charts and graphs to spellbinding effect. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/ijTNPod

Tim Wu, Architect of Biden Antitrust Push, to Leave White House

Tim Wu has been a leading proponent of a more aggressive approach to reining in the power of big business. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/owNiQrk

Elon Musk’s Cuts at Twitter? A Data Center, Janitors, Some Toilet Paper

Elon Musk has reduced the company to a bare-bones operation, and employees are under a “zero-based budgeting” mandate to justify any spending. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/YGus9hS

31 Hours Inside SpaceX Mission Control

A reporter got an inside look at SpaceX’s attempt to launch and land three rockets in less than two days in October, part of the company’s bid to make spaceflight appear almost routine. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/Cry3Fgm

The 2022 Good Tech Awards

Nuclear fusion, generative A.I., bee tracking and more. There’s a lot to like. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/CXnKRgP

The Tech That Will Invade Our Lives in 2023

Say hello to new-and-improved A.I. assistants, and move over to brands like Twitter and Tesla. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/XfpuGrN

Twitter Users Report Widespread Service Interruptions

The issues surfaced several days after Elon Musk said he had shut down one of the company’s major data centers. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/TGgMfbX

Lawmakers Signal Inquiries Into US Government’s Use of Foreign Spyware

The moves come as Congress passed a measure last week to try to reign in the proliferation of the hacking tools. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/N9bEIhz

Sam Bankman-Fried’s Power Was Contingent on Belief

Operating in shadows, he was a hero; in the light, he quickly became a villain. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/rZv37RW

Finding Community, and Freedom, on VRChat

On any given weekend, there are dozens of parties happening on VRChat, a platform where users assume fantastical avatars of their own design. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/rgca0mz

Is A.I. the Future of Test Prep?

Riiid is one of a handful of companies that believe that A.I.’s algorithms are perfectly suited to track student performance and give individualized attention. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/kZSvxLy

For Sale on eBay: A Military Database of Fingerprints and Iris Scans

German security researchers studying biometric capture devices popular with the U.S. military got more than they expected for $68 on eBay. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/gk9qeW4

She Worked for Twitter. Then She Tweeted at Elon Musk.

Sasha Solomon, a software engineer, joined others in the media business who lost their jobs this year after publicly taking on their employers. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/n5mNOb3

What Happened to Bright Starts Beaming Buggie Take-Along Toy?

The life cycle of a magical baby-soothing toy. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/rjM3kNu

20twitter-military

Internal emails showed the company’s communications with the Pentagon over a network of military-run accounts. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/IOv7DzK

FTX Co-Founder Sam Bankman-Fried to Be Released on $250 Million Bond

The disgraced cryptocurrency executive appeared in court in Manhattan after his extradition from the Bahamas last night. He was granted bail and will live with his parents in California. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/PR2fE0m

ByteDance Inquiry Finds Employees Obtained User Data of 2 Journalists

The company’s internal investigation showed that workers also obtained data on a small number of other U.S. users. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/GxzWTIy

YouTube Reaches Deal for N.F.L Sunday Ticket

Tech giants including Apple, Amazon and YouTube’s owner, Google, pursued the rights to stream the N.F.L. games. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/x0JTLop

Microsoft Gambles on ‘Nice Guy’ Strategy to Close Activision Megadeal

Federal regulators have sued to block the $69 billion acquisition, but the company has settled on a path forward and is preparing to force the issue. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/rXv92Wj

Two Executives in Sam Bankman-Fried’s Crypto Empire Plead Guilty to Fraud

Caroline Ellison, the former chief executive of Alameda Research, and Gary Wang, a founder of FTX, are cooperating in the federal criminal case against Mr. Bankman-Fried. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/nNiRp4H

New I.R.S. Rules for Online Sales Sow Fears About Surprise Tax Bills

Users of digital wallets and e-commerce platforms like Venmo, CashApp, Etsy and StubHub must start reporting small transactions. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/haj4iQb

How to Use ChatGPT and Still Be a Good Person

It’s a turning point for artificial intelligence, and we need to take advantage of these tools without causing harm to ourselves or others. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/i5Gyhpn

TikTok Class Is in Session

Those who can go viral do. And they may also teach a class or two while they’re at it. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/mG3oyX9

A New Chat Bot Is a ‘Code Red’ for Google’s Search Business

A new wave of chat bots like ChatGPT use artificial intelligence that could reinvent or even replace the traditional internet search engine. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/vHTAxMQ

Sam Bankman-Fried Said to Be in Talks With Prosecutors Over Bail Deal

Lawyers for the FTX founder are in talks about a deal that could allow him to be released on bail when he is extradited to the United States on fraud charges. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/SWqmPpG

Bans on TikTok Gain Momentum in Washington and States

At least 14 states have passed bans on the service on government-issued devices in recent weeks. And Congress appears poised to pass a similar prohibition for federal workers. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/ikQxsRp

Amazon and E.U. Reach Deal to End Antitrust Investigation

The online retail giant avoided a major fine but agreed to changes that have long been sought by merchants who depend on Amazon to reach customers. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/vkdCEcf

Clean Energy Quest Pits Google Against Utilities

Google says it can’t meet its goals for renewable power unless state-regulated utilities, particularly in the Southeast, give way to market competition. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/z5DKZfs

How TikTok Became a Diplomatic Crisis

A Chinese app conquered the planet — and now the U.S. is threatening to shut it down. Can the world’s biggest virality machine survive? from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/W3xwsrm

Ex-Google Contractor Settles Lawsuit Over Fellowship of Friends Sect

The suit claimed that the Fellowship of Friends, an obscure group based in the Sierra Nevada foothills, gained influence inside Google. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/UqnD8zg

Sam Bankman-Fried Agrees to Be Extradited to the US

The disgraced FTX founder, who has been in a Bahamas prison for the past week, was expected to agree to extradition to the United States, before a court hearing descended into confusion. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/I3bEAwV

Epic Games, Creator of Fortnite, to Pay $520 Million Over Children’s Privacy

The creator of popular games like Fortnite and Rocket League violated children’s privacy and duped millions of users into unwanted purchases, federal regulators said. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/NqPXTKY

They Created a Drug for Susannah. What About Millions of Other Patients?

Scientists have made rapid progress in customizing drugs for ultrarare diseases. The hard part now is making such treatments on a large scale. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/0midrKv

Tesla’s Direct Sales Model Helps It Thwart Customer Lawsuits

Sales contracts prevent buyers of the company’s electric cars from pursuing class-action suits if something goes wrong. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/Z2SMRUt

Musk Asks Twitter Users If He Should Step Down After Fury Over His Policies

Fury mounted over Mr. Musk’s moves to prevent Twitter users from sharing links to other social media platforms. The billionaire also asked whether he should remain as head of the service. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/ymGt4vr

Sam Bankman-Fried and Allies’ Political Donations Under Scrutiny by U.S.

Federal prosecutors appear to be focusing on possible wrongdoing by cryptocurrency executives, rather than by Democratic or Republican politicians. But the inquiries widen an explosive campaign finance scandal. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/BVTZj2w

Restaurateur, Political Donor, Tipster: The Many Roles of FTX’s Ryan Salame

The co-chief executive of an FTX unit who told regulators about wrongdoing at the exchange was a big Republican donor. He also bought restaurants. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/kBpoSMs

Virtual Reality Pioneer Is Leaving Meta

John Carmack, who was chief technology officer of Oculus, which Meta bought, is departing the company. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/UKpnmrh

DeSantis May Snub Big Tech Inaugural Donations, Strategists Say

The Florida governor, who is considering a 2024 presidential bid, has often railed against tech companies. But while turning down their cash would cheer conservative activists, it’s unclear how much is at stake. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/xTqsA2e

Herbert Deutsch, Co-Creator of the Moog Synthesizer, Dies at 90

An experimental composer, Mr. Deutsch collaborated with Robert Moog to create the first synthesizer to make a significant impact on popular music, launching a revolution in electronic music. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/emYD0yZ

GM Unit’s Self-Driving Taxis Are Subject of US Safety Investigation

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into unexpected braking by cars operated by Cruise, a part of General Motors. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/UsIbK4z

Elon Musk Faces Growing Anger Over Twitter Ban of Journalists

The suspensions, which were criticized by U.S. and European lawmakers, could raise the regulatory heat on the social media platform — and Elon Musk’s other companies. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/ucCBs2D

Twitter Suspends Journalists’ Accounts, Some of Whom Wrote About Musk

The social media service, which is owned by Elon Musk, said that it suspends accounts that “violate the Twitter rules” but did not provide details. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/aBhoe0f

California Reduces Subsidies for Homes With Rooftop Solar

The decision, which would reduce the incentive for homeowners to install solar panels, could influence other states to make similar changes. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/Dvw1YzA

Amazon to Publish the Next Tomb Raider Video Game

The title will be the first major single-player game for Amazon. It is a coup for the retail giant, which has struggled to gain traction with its video game business. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/4P9xIDv

Amazon Agrees to Change Some Business Practices in EU Settlement

The e-commerce giant avoided a fine, but will make a variety of changes regulators believe will help independent merchants who had raised alarms about Amazon’s tactics. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/mMabvUg

Elon Musk Sells Another Big Chunk of Tesla Stock

Twitter’s owner has now sold $23 billion worth of Tesla stock this year, much of it after he pledged in April to stop selling shares to finance his deal to acquire the social media company. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/raKNd3B

An Alternate Reality: How Russia’s State TV Spins the Ukraine War

Leaked emails detail how Russia’s biggest state broadcaster, working with the nation’s security services, mined right-wing American news and Chinese media to craft a narrative that Moscow was winning. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/We9z50K

An Alternate Reality: How Russia’s State TV Spins the Ukraine War

Leaked emails detail how Russia’s biggest state broadcaster, working with the nation’s security services, mined right-wing American news and Chinese media to craft a narrative that Moscow was winning. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/ekITYpC

Tech Trade Group Sues California to Halt Children’s Online Safety Law

NetChoice, whose members include Amazon, Google, Meta and TikTok, said the new law could cause online services to limit important content for minors. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/rVuxULA

Twitter Suspends Over 25 Accounts That Track Billionaires’ Private Planes

The suspended accounts include one that followed the private plane of Elon Musk, Twitter’s owner. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/xaIVRTm

Twitter Suspends Over 25 Accounts That Track Billionaires’ Private Planes

The suspended accounts include one that followed the private plane of Elon Musk, Twitter’s owner. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/c9iNJsq

Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX Engaged in Fraud for Years, Prosecutors Say

A criminal indictment unsealed on Tuesday and a complaint by the S.E.C. describe years of wrongdoing in Sam Bankman-Fried’s crypto empire. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/CnO4rDH

Are Mushrooms the Future of Alternative Leather?

MycoWorks uses mycelium, the substance in the root structure of mushrooms, to make Reishi, which has the look and feel of leather. Big-name companies are very interested. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/V5k4ziG

FTX Chief: Company Appeared to Use ‘Old-Fashioned Embezzlement’

The man charged with recovering customer funds from the collapsed crypto exchange described an “unprecedented” lack of record keeping. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/dP4lYMO

Sam Bankman-Fried and Schlubby Style

Sam Bankman-Fried’s choices may signal an end to the schlubby mystique. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/WUpK5TH

Who Is John J. Ray III, FTX’s New Chief Executive?

Mr. Ray has been involved in picking up the pieces of several prominent corporate failures — the most famous being the collapse of Enron. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/g2qbXh6

Nuclear Fusion Energy Breakthrough: Video and How to Watch

The Energy Department on Tuesday morning will present “a major scientific breakthrough” achieved at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/7cpxn9U

Why Some Scientists Choose China’s Space Station for Research

A project led by researchers from a Swiss university highlights China’s ambition to make the Tiangong outpost broadly available for science. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/UEfFv3B

Sam Bankman-Fried’s Parents Under Scrutiny in FTX Collapse

The FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s mother and father, who teach at Stanford Law School, are under scrutiny for their connections to their son’s crypto business. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/GrMhc8C

Major Nuclear Fusion Energy Breakthrough to Be Announced by Scientists

Researchers working with lasers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are expected to say they made a major advance that could lead to future energy sources. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/dORQwTv

Successful End of NASA Moon Mission Shifts Attention to SpaceX

The splashdown of the Orion capsule in the Pacific Ocean started the Artemis program, which will rely on Elon Musk’s rocket company to build a moon lander for astronauts. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/MlWEI4C

The New Chat Bots Could Change the World. Can You Trust Them?

Siri, Google Search, online marketing and your child’s homework will never be the same. Then there’s the misinformation problem. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/zpYv6Nl

In a Future Filled With Electric Cars, AM Radio May Be Left Behind

Carmakers say electromagnetic interference causes static and noise on AM transmissions, annoying customers. Broadcasters say they could lose a connection to their core listeners, who rely on the radio for emergencies. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/zNLjt0M

The New Chat Bots Could Change the World. Can You Trust Them?

Siri, Google Search, online marketing and your child’s homework will never be the same. Then there’s the misinformation problem. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/XFqhWia

Lina Khan, Aiming to Block Microsoft’s Activision Deal, Faces a Challenge

Ms. Khan, the chair of the Federal Trade Commission, has staked an ambitious trustbusting agenda on a case that may be difficult to win. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/dcEsCJL

They’re Taking Jigsaws to Infinity and Beyond

In upstate New York, two algorithmic artists make wooden puzzles inspired by natural forms. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/mIH5R7U

Tell Us How Your Family Uses Alexa

We want to hear about the creative or surprising ways your household uses digital assistants. Find Alexa creepy? Tell us about that, too. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/cLn7X2B

Sam Bankman-Fried Agrees to Testify Before House Committee

The FTX founder said on Twitter he would appear before a House committee next week, but was quiet about a similar request from a Senate committee. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/9uJsIEp

Can ChatGPT Make This Podcast?

OpenAI’s new chatbot is a coder, a teacher, a potential Google killer, and … a friend? from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/eCrmL3q

Inside the Frantic Texts Exchanged by Crypto Executives as FTX Collapsed

A group chat including crypto leaders shows Binance’s Changpeng Zhao accusing FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried of orchestrating trades to destabilize the industry. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/7fVlaJd

F.T.C. Sues to Block Microsoft’s $69 Billion Acquisition of Activision

The move by the commission signals an aggressive stance by federal regulators to thwart the expansion of the tech industry’s biggest companies. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/QA4WI3b

FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Faces Market Manipulation Inquiry

Federal prosecutors are investigating whether Sam Bankman-Fried and his hedge fund orchestrated trades in a way that led to the collapse of two cryptocurrencies in May. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/DQzEOcC

Ramesh Balwani, No. 2 Theranos Executive, Is Sentenced for Fraud

Ramesh Balwani, the former chief operating officer of the failed blood testing start-up, was convicted of 12 counts of fraud in July. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/wrn8jCN

Apple Details Plans to Beef Up Encryption of Data in Its iCloud

The move could frustrate law enforcement efforts to circumvent the already tough security of iPhones. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/xbQlS3j

Indiana Sues TikTok for Security and Child Safety Violations

The lawsuits are the first by an American state against TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, in a sign of mounting legal pressure. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/9V7UrP2

Why Losing to Meta in Court Could Still Be a Win for Antitrust Regulators

As the Federal Trade Commission prepares to face off in court against Meta over a V.R. start-up deal, the agency is testing a novel argument as part of a strategy to push antitrust law. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/6kqpJLn

Apple Expands Pricing for Apps

At a time of rising inflation, the company is introducing 600 options that could free developers from the days of charging 99 cents. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/XRfbpye

Oversight Board Criticizes Meta for Preferential Treatment

Influential and powerful users on Facebook and Instagram receive “unequal treatment,” an internal report said. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/CVZoHsN

Are You Applying for Tech Jobs or Internships? We Want to Hear About It.

Layoffs and hiring freezes at companies like Amazon and Meta are changing the job market for recent grads and college students. Tell us about your experiences. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/nK8msZ1

Final Fantasy Reunion Review: Reboot Is a Much Better Game

The new Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion was overhauled in graphics and gameplay, making it much better than the original. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/nLIEGQ8

In Phoenix, a Taiwanese Chip Giant Builds a Hedge Against China

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s biggest maker of advanced computer chips, plans to unveil an ambitious factory upgrade in Arizona. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/WLAtuyS

Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield to Leave Salesforce in January

Stewart Butterfield, the chief executive of Slack, which is owned by Salesforce, is the latest to announce an exit from Salesforce in recent weeks. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/jtsPI3X

Detective Sued Over SWAT Raid Based on Wrong Location on the Find My App

A detective relied on flawed information provided by the Find My app for a warrant that led the police to raid the home of a 77-year-old Denver woman, a lawsuit says. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/VClxT1c

Slack C.E.O. Stewart Butterfield to Step Down in January

Stewart Butterfield, the chief executive of Slack, which is owned by Salesforce, is the latest to announce an exit from Salesforce in recent weeks. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/NsZJup7

Video Game Workers at Microsoft and Activision Take Steps to Unionize

A union is testing Microsoft’s pledge to remain neutral on an organizing bid as the Xbox maker seeks regulatory approval for its Activision acquisition. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/KVMpwJm

TikTok Influencer Is Fined After Hitting a Golf Ball Into the Grand Canyon

Katie Sigmond, who has nearly seven million followers on TikTok and posts workout and modeling videos, faced legal trouble after the stunt. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/fLIZJho

The Crypto Industry Struggles for a Way Forward After FTX Collapse

The implosion of the exchange FTX shows how an industry built in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis has drifted far from its original ideals. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/mrbwvXU

Elon Musk and Matt Taibbi Set Off Debate Over Release of Twitter Files

A release of internal documents from Twitter set off intense debates in the intersecting worlds of media, politics and tech. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/mogLFSI

Twitter Keeps Missing Its Advertising Targets as Woes Mount

Under Elon Musk, the company has cut its financial expectations as some advertisers request discounts and are offered incentives. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/O5q7knh

Hate Speech’s Rise on Twitter Under Elon Musk Is Unprecedented, Researchers Find

Problematic content and formerly barred accounts have increased sharply in the short time since Elon Musk took over, researchers said. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/YvrdzGR

Elon’s Two-Day War with Apple + How to Beat an A.I. Censor + S.B.F.’s ‘Bad Month’

Musk takes on tech’s fight against the Apple “tax.” from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/v7UJp8g

The Crypto Crowd Holds a Glittery Awards Night, Despite Fiascoes

The Crypties was intended as a gala evening in Miami to celebrate the currencies of the future. It turned out to be more of a roast. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/CXcxtPB

Kanye West’s Deal to Buy Parler Unravels

The parent company of Parler, a social media service popular with right-wing audiences, said it had “mutually agreed with Ye” to end the deal. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/PV5GHBZ

Facebook Failed to Stop Ads Threatening Election Workers

The ads, submitted by researchers, were rejected by YouTube and TikTok. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/6wksX0r

Sam Bankman-Fried Blames ‘Huge Management Failures’ for FTX Collapse

Mr. Bankman-Fried spoke at The New York Times’s DealBook conference, in his first public appearance since his crypto exchange imploded. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/OCYgIP1

How the Collapse of Sam Bankman-Fried’s Crypto Empire Has Disrupted A.I.

Mr. Bankman-Fried and his colleagues spent more than $530 million to battle what they saw as the dangers of artificial intelligence. Now those efforts are reeling. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/OhezLYB