Daily Tech Headlines – September 13, 2016
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| Daily Tech Headlines – September 13, 2016 | |
| Number | 69 |
| Broadcast Date | SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 |
| Episode Length | 6:43 |
| Hosts | Tom Merritt |
iPhone 7 bats records, Twitter ads exemptions to 140 character limit, Netflix fights data caps.
Headlines
- The new iPhone begins shipping Friday and though Apple says it will no longer release sales figures, T-Mobile and Sprint both announced pre-orders are the highest the two carriers have seen since each started selling iPhones. T-Mobile said iPhone 7 is its biggest preorder in history, and Sprint says sales were up 375% over last year in the first three days.
- Monday, Apple launched the iMessage App Store for the iOS 10 beta. The store features sticker packs for $1.99, as well as apps and games. Apps can either be standalone for iMessage, or a companion to a standard iOS app. Downloading an iMessage companion app will prompt the download of the parent app onto a user's device. The iMessage App Store will rollout to all users with the launch of iOS 10 later today.
- Once iOS 10 starts arriving for phones with new features like pressing the home button instead of swiping to unlock, 3D touch for notifications, the ability to hide default apps and app integration with Siri among others.
- Chris Welsh at The Verge reports his sources say Twitter will rollout more exemptions to character counts starting September 19th. Attached media, quoted tweets, and usernames at the beginning of replies will no longer count against the length of a tweet. Twitter announced plans to do this in May, and has not confirmed this leaked date.
- Netflix filed a request last week asking the US FCC to consider data caps as part of its annual investigation of broadband deployment. Netflix called caps an "unnecessary constraint on advanced telecommunications capability". Netflix argues a 300GB data cap limits video viewing. The NCTA objected saying data caps are outside the FCC's congressional mandate to "accelerate deployment of advanced telecommunication capability."
- Renesas Electronics Corp. has agreed to purchase chipmaker Intersil Corp. for $3.2 billion. Intersil specializes in chips for automotive applications, including managing battery voltage of electric vehicles, running displays and infotainment systems, and camera operations that can be used in autonomous cars. Renesas will pay $22.50 per share in cash, the deal is expected to close in the first half of 2017.
- EBay launched a phone trade in program called Quick Sale, an extension of the eBay Valet service, which connects users to large volume sellers who handle the actual sale. With Quick Sale, users can get a quote on a phone, print a shipping label and send it to the power seller, and get paid ahead of the sale, within 7-10 days. Quick Sale also shows what users can expect if selling the phone directly, and eBay will even guarantee the price shown. There's also a handy section on proper data wiping.
- The US Environmental Protection Agency released its mileage rating for Chevy's upcoming Bolt electric car, estimating it will go 238 miles on a charge. The only other electric car on the market to top the 200 mile range is the Tesla Model S, which retails for about $30,000 more than the Bolt's $37,500 starting price. The Bolt is expected to arrive at dealerships by the end of 2016.
- AdBlock Plus is opening an ad marketplace that allows website to choose "acceptable" ads that will replace allegedly ugly or intrusive ads for users of AdBlock Plus. Acceptable ads do not track users and are limited in dimensions and page location. Publishers get 80% of the revenue, AdBlock Plus keeps 6 and the rest goes to ad-serving companies. The Ad marketplace launches in beta today.
- Pandora announced Tuesday it has signed licensing deals with Sony, Universal and more than 30 independent labels and distruibutors for a new version of the streaming service meant to compete with the likes of Spotify and Apple Music. Pandora purchased Rdio and shut it down in December 2015.
- Amazon accidentally posted a tweet about a new cheaper Echo Dot then removed it. The post listed the price as $50. Previously when it was available the Echo Dot sold for $90. It has been sold out since July.
- Samsung will switch battery suppliers for the new non-exploding Note 7. China's Amperex Technology Limited AKA ATL, will becoem the main supplier. ATL supplied 30% of the Note 7 batteries previously with Samung's own SDI subsidiary providing the majority. ATL also supplies parts for Apple. ATL is owned by Japan's TDK.
- A dispute over water-sharing and ensuing strikes in Bangalore has caused many of the city's tech startups to suspend operations. Major online retailer Flipkart suspended services Monday out of concerns for the safety of its delivery staff. Most food delivery services, like Zomato Order, Swiggy, BigBasket and Grofers have suspended operations as well. Tech In Asia reports Uber and Ola are still operating but cab availability is sparse.
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| Preceded by: "Daily Tech Headlines – September 12, 2016" |
Daily Tech Headlines – September 13, 2016 |
Followed by: "Daily Tech Headlines – September 14, 2016" |