Mike Brassfield
Google, Microsoft fight over documents in antitrust lawsuit
Policy & legislation
Google, Microsoft fight over documents in antitrust lawsuit
The search giant claims Microsoft won’t hand over records, while Microsoft asks why it should
30 Jul 2021
Twitter, LinkedIn reverse course due to climbing COVID cases
remote access
Twitter, LinkedIn reverse course due to climbing COVID cases
Twitter closes offices while LinkedIn decides to allow remote work after all
29 Jul 2021
PayPal to put hate group funding under the microscope
Security
PayPal to put hate group funding under the microscope
It will research how extremists are using payment platforms for funding
26 Jul 2021
Senator wants social media companies held liable for spreading anti-vax lies
social media
Senator wants social media companies held liable for spreading anti-vax lies
Amy Klobuchar calls for some Section 230 protections to be stripped from social media
23 Jul 2021
Biden names big tech nemesis as antitrust chief
Policy & legislation
Biden names big tech nemesis as antitrust chief
Google critic nominated to lead Justice Department’s antitrust division
21 Jul 2021
US has new cyber security rules for pipelines
Policy & legislation
US has new cyber security rules for pipelines
DHS now requires “urgently needed protections against cyber intrusions”
20 Jul 2021
State Department offers $10 million for tips on foreign hackers
ransomware
State Department offers $10 million for tips on foreign hackers
State Department seeks to rein in the growing risk of ransomware attacks
15 Jul 2021
China tightens the reins on cyber security
cyber security
China tightens the reins on cyber security
The Chinese government will require tech experts to inform it of security flaws
13 Jul 2021
Huawei, Verizon settle patent lawsuit
Policy & legislation
Huawei, Verizon settle patent lawsuit
Verizon called Huawei’s lawsuits “a sneak attack”
12 Jul 2021
New York City opens cyber defense center
cyber crime
New York City opens cyber defense center
It’s the first US city to have a command center designed solely to fight cyber attacks
9 Jul 2021
Apple's M2 chip to debut in early 2022, leaker claims
Hardware
Apple's M2 chip to debut in early 2022, leaker claims
The Apple-built processor will reportedly power colorful new Macbook Air models
6 Jul 2021
Apple plans return to office despite employee complaints
flexible working
Apple plans return to office despite employee complaints
Tech giant wants three-day-a-week in-person work starting in the fall
30 Jun 2021
Smart cane helps guide the visually impaired
Technology
Smart cane helps guide the visually impaired
The cane uses ultrasound to detect obstacles and pairs with smartphones
29 Jun 2021
Microsoft fixes Windows 11 upgrade bug
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft fixes Windows 11 upgrade bug
Users weren’t told why they couldn’t upgrade to Windows 11
28 Jun 2021
AWS buys encrypted messaging app Wickr
Acquisition
AWS buys encrypted messaging app Wickr
Wickr keeps communication secure as more workers shift to remote working
25 Jun 2021
IBM working on AI tools to fight bias in online ads
Business
IBM working on AI tools to fight bias in online ads
Women and minorities can be excluded from seeing certain ads, researchers find
24 Jun 2021
Patent shows Apple is working on improving iPhone’s AR capabilities
augmented reality (AR)
Patent shows Apple is working on improving iPhone’s AR capabilities
The move aligns with the company's recent AR startup acquisitions
22 Jun 2021
Feds rescind prohibited transactions list for TikTok and WeChat
social media
Feds rescind prohibited transactions list for TikTok and WeChat
Trump administration sought to block US downloads of the Chinese-owned apps
21 Jun 2021
Google looks to shake up the way the tech industry classifies skin tones
Business strategy
Google looks to shake up the way the tech industry classifies skin tones
The tech giant is pursuing better ways to test for racial bias in tech products
18 Jun 2021
Senators want the feds to identify tech to keep away from China
Technology
Senators want the feds to identify tech to keep away from China
Republicans claim Commerce Department isn’t doing enough to prevent emerging tech from being pirated
16 Jun 2021
How to take a screenshot in Chrome
web browser
How to take a screenshot in Chrome
Chrome offers several ways to capture a screenshot, but extensions add even more features
14 Jun 2021
Smartphone market projected to grow despite chip shortage
Mobile Phones
Smartphone market projected to grow despite chip shortage
Phone shipments are expected to rise 12%, but prices may increase due to semiconductor costs
14 Jun 2021
FBI still frowns on ransomware payments
ransomware
FBI still frowns on ransomware payments
Even though major companies are paying millions in ransom, the FBI’s policy hasn’t changed
11 Jun 2021
Smart devices more than doubled in US homes amid COVID pandemic
Mobile Phones
Smart devices more than doubled in US homes amid COVID pandemic
The average household has 25 connected devices, up from 11 in 2019, according to a Deloitte survey
9 Jun 2021
TikTok implies it’s collecting users' faceprints and voiceprints
privacy
TikTok implies it’s collecting users' faceprints and voiceprints
New privacy policy gives the app permission to collect biometric data from users
4 Jun 2021
Amazon’s Ring now requires police to request doorbell videos publicly
privacy
Amazon’s Ring now requires police to request doorbell videos publicly
Previously, Ring owners got private messages from police looking for user videos
3 Jun 2021
FCC commissioner calls for big tech to help bridge digital divide
digital divide
FCC commissioner calls for big tech to help bridge digital divide
FCC’s senior Republican wants the likes of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google to help pay for broadband expansion
2 Jun 2021
AMD will power Tesla’s upcoming in-car gaming console
Hardware
AMD will power Tesla’s upcoming in-car gaming console
The 10-teraflop gaming rig is due to arrive June 10
1 Jun 2021
US pipelines ordered to strengthen cyber defenses
Security
US pipelines ordered to strengthen cyber defenses
DHS raises IT security standards after Colonial Pipeline hack
27 May 2021
Google now allows you to password-protect your activity page
data protection
Google now allows you to password-protect your activity page
The page shows your Google searches, locations, and YouTube views
25 May 2021
Huawei’s founder calls for a shift to software due to US sanctions
Software
Huawei’s founder calls for a shift to software due to US sanctions
The Chinese tech giant’s hardware business is struggling due to US trade restrictions on tech deals
24 May 2021
Chip shortage slows production at Nissan and Suzuki
Hardware
Chip shortage slows production at Nissan and Suzuki
The automakers are stopping or scaling back production at auto plants in Japan and Mexico
21 May 2021
Senators introduce a new bill to protect consumer data privacy
data protection
Senators introduce a new bill to protect consumer data privacy
Bipartisan bill would force Facebook and Google to follow Apple’s lead on tracking transparency
20 May 2021
Senate seeks $52 billion to boost US chip production
Hardware
Senate seeks $52 billion to boost US chip production
Federal money would help build and modernize semiconductor plants in the US
19 May 2021
Biden calls for $22 billion in cyber security funding
Security
Biden calls for $22 billion in cyber security funding
New plan will harden the nation’s energy grid
18 May 2021