Daily Tech Headlines – September 22, 2016
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| Daily Tech Headlines – September 22, 2016 | |
| Number | 76 |
| Broadcast Date | SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 |
| Episode Length | 7:04 |
| Hosts | Tom Merritt |
Yahoo once more may announce a breach, Twitter’s transparency report, Rocket Internet cuts costs.
Headlines
- Recode reports several sources say Yahoo is close to confirming a data breach exposing several hundred million user accounts. Yahoo said earlier this summer it was investigating claims that an attacker had accessed 200 million user accounts from 2012. Such a revelation could affect Verizon's pending acquisition of Yahoo's core business.
- The New York Times reports that McLaren spokesman Wayne Bruce said the car company is, "not in discussion with Apple in respect of any potential investment." But added, "We’re not in a position to confirm or deny any previous conversation." The Times also says it has sources who say Apple is in talks to acquire Lit Motors. Lit Motors announced the C1 in 2012, an electric motorcycle pod balanced by two gyros, but to date has not shipped to consumers. Apple previous hired several former Lit Motors engineers.
- Twitter released it's transparency report Wednesday. The company saw a 12.5% increase in government requests to take down data, 5,195 in total in the first half of 2016. Russia and Turkey combined accounted for 80% of the requests. Twitter also received 5,600 requests for information on 13,152 accounts, including 2500 requests from the US government alone. This does not reflect subpoenas sent as National Security Letters, the company has an ongoing lawsuit with the US government to allow them to disclose such requests.
- Hot on the heels of Comcast's announcement of a US wireless service, Charter Communications CEO Tom Rutledge announced his company will also use Verizon's network to offer such a service. Charter obtained an agreement with Verizon to offer wireless service when it acquired Time Warner Cable. Similar to Comcast, Charter's service would combine wifi hotspots with cellular connectivity.
- Rocket Internet, the poster child of German e-commerce, announced Thursday it will cut losses at its main startups and believes three will generate profits by the end of 2017. Rocket also continues to work toward a public listing of one of its ten main startups in food delivery, fashion and home furnishings. Rocket pulled the listing of HelloFresh last year. Delivery Hero and Global Fashion Group are among the likely candidates for an IPO.
- Facebook's latest update to Messenger adds support for Apple's CallKit, allowing VOIP calls through Apple's CarPlay interface. VOIP calls over Facebook Messenger will come in like standard calls on a car's head unit. The app currently lacks Siri support, so users cannot place calls, only receive them. Facebook Messenger also added a polls icon that lets you create and send a poll to a group of friends. Chat assist will also start prompting payment links when it thinks you want to send money. The new features are available in the US only for now.
- Online dating site Tinder announced a new app for Apple's iMessage App Store called Tinder Stacks. The app lets users create simple polls with images stacked on top of each other. Users "swipe" right or left to indicate their opinion on each image. An example poll would ask friends what outfit they like for a night out. Users must install the Tinder app to take advantage of Tinder Stacks.
- US UAV services provider Airware acquired Redbird, a French UAV analytics company for mining and construction companies. Airware is acquiring both Redbird's technology stack and staff, and plans to continue operating the brand in Europe. Redbird was the first recipient of Airware's Commercial Drone Fund back in 2015, contributing to the Redbird's $3.19 million in venture funding.
- Flickr announced it's shutting down Marketplace, its user image licensing business over the next several months. Until all images are out of distribution channels, all rights holders will be paid for any licensing royalties. Flickr cited user feedback showing dissatisfaction with the service in the shutdown announcement.
- Taiwan Defense Ministry spokesman Chen Chung-chi said on Wednesday that "under the pre-condition of protecting military secrets and security, we have requested Google blur images of important military facilities." The facilities are on an island in the South China sea known variously as Taiping Island or Itu Aba. The island is claimed by Taiwan, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. The image shows four structures in a semi-circle next to what appears to be an airstrip and a port. Google is reviewing the request.
- The South China Morning Post reports Softbank has been working with Huawei and ZTE to develop 5G infrastructure, much of which is already in place. CNET notes ZTE and Huawei signed memorandums with SoftBank in the middle of last year to develop new mobile communication technologies. Verizon aims for some kind of 5G deployment in the US by 2017, Telstra in Australia in 2018. South Korea's SK Telecom only says it will be the first to offer 5G service. T-Mobile and Singtel have begun 5G trials. 5G technology is capable of Gigabit wireless service.
- BlueStacks announced it is bringing its platform for streaming apps on video to Facebook Live. Streamers with an Android device will be able to stream an app to Facebook Live and control layout and design. Bluestacks previously brought the service to Twitch. The service is free with ads or $2 a month to be ad-free and get premium support and features.
- Verizon said Thursday that sales of the iPhone 7 are up from the iPhone 6S last year at its stores thanks to a free with trade-in promotion. T-Mobile and Sprint have also announced increases in iPhone sales. AT&T says sales are exceeding expectations. Verizon CFO Fran Shammo told the Goldman Sachs investment conference he believes sales may slow after the promotion ends and ultimately iPhone 7 sales will be similar to 6S sales.
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| Preceded by: "Daily Tech Headlines – September 21, 2016" |
Daily Tech Headlines – September 22, 2016 |
Followed by: "Daily Tech Headlines – September 23, 2016" |