Larry and Sergei Step Down from Alphabet Roles
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| Larry and Sergei Step Down from Alphabet Roles | |
| Number | 1012 |
| Broadcast Date | DECEMBER 4, 2019 |
| Episode Length | 5:20 |
| Hosts | Tom Merritt |
Big changes as Sundar Pichai takes over Alphabet CEO position, Amazon announces a new portable Echo smart speaker, and four Avast extensions get kicked out of Mozilla’s store.
Headlines
- Tuesday, Alphabet announced that Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin will step away from their duties as CEO and President and Google CEO Sundar Pichai will take on the additional role of CEO of Alphabet. Page and Brin will retain their board seats and controlling stock ownership. In their statement Page and Brin said they will “continue talking with Sundar regularly, especially on topics we’re passionate about.”
- Amazon announced the Echo Input Portable Smart Speaker Edition, which includes a 4800mAh battery promising 10 hours of music playback or 11 hours of standby battery life. The new portable smart speaker will be available in India for 4,999 rupees (US$70) shipping December 18. Amazon intends to bring it to other markets eventually. Amazon's previous portable smart speaker, the Echo Tap was discontinued in December of last year.
- The latest version of Firefox supports picture-in-picture video playback on Windows. On most videos playing in the browser a blue picture in picture option will show up when you hover over the video. Clicking it will open he video in a window that will not be obscured by other windows. Mozilla says the feature will come to Linux and Mac in January.
- Qualcomm announced details of new chips including its Snapdragon 865 and 765 mobile chips. The 865 mobile platform includes the discrete X55 5G Modem-RF System and the 765 includes an integrated 5G modem. Qualcomm also announced the Sonic Max in-screen fingerprint reader which Qualcomm says has a 17 times larger surface area than Qualcomm's previous version. Xiaomi and Oppo announced they will use the Snapdragon 865 in new handsets to launch in Q1.
- Four extensions from Avast, Avast Online Security, AVG Online Security, Avast SafePrice, and AVG SafePrice -- have been removed from the Mozilla add-on portal. Two warn about suspicious sites and two show shopping deals. Mozilla removed the extensions after investigating a complaint from Wladimir Palant, creator of AdBlock Plus. Palant found the extensions were collecting more data than necessary, including site visit length, clicks, open tab count and tab switching. Mozilla and Google prohibit this kind of extensive data collection. Avast told ZDNet the URL history is necessary for the proper functioning of the extensions but that user identification is not stored. Avast is working with Mozilla to release updated versions that are compliant and transparent. The extensions are still available for Chrome.
- Plex launched its ad-supported free streaming service with movies and shows from MGM, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, Lionsgate, and Legendary. Plex's service will stream in 220 countries worldwide. Users will not need a subscription to access the service. Plex says the ad load will be 50-60% less than broadcast television.
- Nintendo is partnering with Chinas Tencent to put the Nintendo Switch on sale in China starting December 10 for 2099 yuan (US$300). The Switch Lite will also be released in China. New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe will be available at launch with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Mario Odyssey coming in the following weeks.
- The annual Jumia Food Index report expects food on demand in Kenya to double in 2020 with strong-growth in non-restaurant items like groceries. The report attributes the expected 50% increase to more affordable menu items, availability of popular vendors, increased mobile penetration and increased awareness. International brands like KFC, Java House, Debonaires, Big Square, Subway, Artcaffe and Mugg and Beans lead in delivery.
- Google's Focus Mode is out of beta and available for users of Android 10 and Android 9 Pie. Focus mode lets you blacklist apps you find distracting. When in Focus Mode they get grayed out and shut down in the background. Attempts to launch them give you a popup reminding you that you'r in focus mode, though a second tap will launch them. The mode can be schedule to turn n and off automatically and includes an option to take a break from focus mode for five, 15 or 30 minutes.
- Motorola announced the One Hyper which features a pop-up selfie camera, meaning no notch, and a 6.5-inch 2340x1080 display with 90 percent screen to body ratio. It also features a 45W USB-C "hyper" charging feature for fast charging. Otherwise its a typical midrange Android 10 phone available for $399 available December 4.
- The Seoul High Court decided Wednesday to uphold an $873 million fine against Qualcomm for unfair patent licensing and modem chip sales. Qualcomm was appealing the fine by the Korea Fair Trade Commission. The court also confirmed an order to stop discriminating against rivals but dismissed a claim that comprehensive licensing deals were unfair, meaning Qualcomm will not need to renegotiate licensing terms. Qualcomm will appeal the ruling.
Links
| Preceded by: "Ring Says Customer Heat Map Used By Authorities No Longer Exists" |
Larry and Sergei Step Down from Alphabet Roles |
Followed by: "Microsoft Reportedly Working on a Lower Power Next-Gen Xbox" |