Daily Tech Headlines

The US CDC and state governments use location data from mobile ads for COVID-19 response planning, App Annie reports video conferencing apps were downloaded 62 million times last week, and Microsoft plans to release a consumer version of Chrome. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Google publishes COVID-19 Community Mobility Reports, using location data across 131 countries, Instacart will provide health and safety kits to its shoppers, and Facebook launches a standalone desktop Messenger app. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zoom CEO Eric Yuan announces that it will freeze feature updates for 90 days to focus on security and privacy, Amazon begins testing employee temperatures in New York and Seattle, and YouTube is reportedly working on a TikTok competitor called Shorts. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The T-Mobile USA meger with Sprint is final, beware of network path links in Zoom, Pokemon Go-creator Niantic steps up its AR talents.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spotify Kids launches in new markets, Snapchat expands Story sharing to 3rd-party apps, Huawei misses revenue target. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the US CDC, state and local governments are using anonymized location data from mobile ads to aid in pandemic response plans, UK telcos agree to remove data caps for wired broadband, and HQ Trivia returns. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Instagram released Co-Watching to let people browse their feeds together, Safari now blocks all third-party cookies by default, and Epic Games launched Epic Games Publishing.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sony Corporation announced it is spinning off its Electronics Products & Solutions business into Sony Electronics Corporation, Epic Games launches Epic Games Publishing, and Huawei launches the P40 phone lineup. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apple reportedly considering delaying the iPhone over week consumer upgrade demand, AMD graphics card IP leaked, and India's MX Player comes to the US, UK, and Canada.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An open source ventilator project launchs from MIT researchers, developers work with epidemiologists on website to help gather data on virus spread, and a Hackathon for needed health tools launches.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mozilla announces Firefox Better Web with Scroll. Apple App Store launches in 20 new countries, YouTube will downgrade video quality by default globally for the next month. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amazon announced orders of non-essential products are suspended in Italy and France, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi calls for gig workers to be included in the stimulus package, and IBM helps to launch the COVID-19 High Performance Computing Consortium.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PS5 and Xbox Series X specifications were revealed, Alphabet's Verily launches its COVID-19 testing and screening website in the Bay Area, and Universal Pictures announces it will make movies available for rental the same day they hit theaters. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Microsoft announced DirectX12 Ultimate, Netflix and YouTube announce steps to use less network bandwidth in the EU, and Apple's 5G iPhones for this year are reportedly still on schedule to ship.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Microsoft Teams now has 44 million daily active users, the New York Stock Exchange will switch to all electric trading, and the US FDIC approves Square to operate a bank.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sony's powerful PS5 specs arrive, Apple launches new iPads and MacBook Air, with mouse support coming to iPads, and a faster cornovirus test looks promsing.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Uber suspends Uber Pool service in US and Canada, TransferWise partners with Alipay, AMC closes all 661 US theaters due to COVID-19.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Microsoft reveals the full specifications of the Xbox Series X, Alphabet's Verily launches its pilot COVID-19 screening and testing website for the San Francisco Bay area, and the US FCC announces the “Keep Americans Connected Pledge” with ISPs. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The FCC's “Keep Americans Connected Pledge” commits dozens of ISPs to not shut off service or charge late fees over the next 60 days, Amazon launches Just Walk Out business to license cashierless tech to retailers, and security researchers demonstrate a side channel attack that affects all AMD CPUs from 2011 to 2019.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AT&T announced it suspended broadband data caps in the US, internet exchange points see record traffic, and Apple reopens all Apple Stores in China.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cloud gaming service Shadows launches a private beta for a cloud VR gaming tier, Ming Chi-Kuo predicts that Scissor switches and custom processors are coming to MacBooks in 2021, and Magic Leap is reportedly investigating a potential sale. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

E3 canceled due to virus, Microsoft takes down huge botnet and Verizon launches a Yahoo branded cellular service.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sensor Data collecting data through its VPN and ad-blocking apps, Apple developing new AR app for iOS, Pixel 4A hands-on video is leaked. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amazon announced it will sell its cashier-less tech as a new line of business, eBay and Facebook block listings for surgical face masks, and security researchers show security exploit for AMD processors made from 2011-2019. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More events are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China's new internet content law goes into effect, and Twitter rolls out a new ephemeral sharing feature called "Fleets" in Brazil. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amazon and Facebook shutdown offices around Seattle following confirmed COVID-19 cases, Oppo announces the Find X2 Pro phone, and security researchers find that a patched vulnerability to the Intel Converged Security and Management Engine can still be exploited. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TCL demoed a working tri-fold smartphone and demoed a rolling concept phone, GM's new Ultium can get 400 miles on a charge, and the security startup Corellium shows Android running on iOS. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Google launches its webpage-reading feature, Twitter tests disappearing posts and Hangouts and Teams offer free upgrades for people working from home. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US tech jobs growing disproportionately, Amazon ramps up same-day deliveries, OnePlus plans 5G robot snowball fight.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Facebook announced it can now create 3D Photos from images captures with a single lens camera, China's new law on internet content, the Provisions on the Governance of the Online Information Content Ecosystem, goes into effect, and the Game Developers Conference is postponed due to COVID-19 concerns. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NBCUniversal reportedly looking to buy Vudu, Google warns about installing Play services on Huawei devices, and Amazon opens Amazon Go Grocery with no cashiers. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Information reports that Apple will release a keyboard with a build in trackpad when it releases updated iPad Pros, COVID-19 virus concerns leads to more event cancellations by tech companies, and the US Senate passes the Secure and Trusted Telecommunications Networks Act. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DoorDash announced it submitted a confidential S-1 filing with the US SEC as the first step to an IPO, security researchers publish details on the Kr00k Wi-Fi chip vulnerability, and the Smithsonian published 2.8 million images in its new Open Access program. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LG's V60 ThinQ 5G offers top specs at less than $1000, Pansonic backs out of Tesla solar panel factory, an exercise machine that perfects your form.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mozilla turns on DNS over HTTPS by default for Firefox users, Instacart says it will appeal worker misclassification ruling, Netflix will now rank most popular content. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Microsoft reveals that the Xbox Series X GPU will be capable of 12 teraflops, NBCUniversal reportedly in talks to buy Vudu from Walmart, and Huawei announces the Mate Xs foldable with an 80% stronger screen. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Facebook announces policy on influencer ads for political candidates, Apple advises it won't hit Q2 revenue figures due to the coronavirus outbreak, and Jeff Bezos commits $10 billion to a fund to fight climate change Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Facebook launches Pronunciations program to compensate users for voice recordings, New Mexico's DA files a lawsuit against Google claiming Chromebook collect student info without parental consent, and Shopify joins the Libra Association. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apple is reportedly considering opening up iOS to third-party default apps, the US House Committee on Oversight and Reform sent a letter to Amazon looking into Ring municipal partnerships, and HTC announces new Cosmos VR headsets. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adobe adds features on Photoshop's 30th anniversary, Facebook is internally testing tabs in the news feed and Twitter acquires the makers of an app to edit a feature Twitter doesn't have.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ring will require 2-factor authentication for all users, Kickstarter employees unionize, Elon Musk says AI should be regulated. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg says harmful content on social media should have a regulation framework between traditional media and a telco, Google plans to shutdown Google Station, and Redbox launches a free ad-supported live TV service. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US Senator Josh Hawley publishes a plan to remake the Federal Trade Commission, a US District judge approves the Sprint T-Mobile merger is approved, and Samsung announces the Galaxy Z Flip. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Google removed over 500 Chrome extensions that were part of an ad-fraud scheme, Xiaomi announced the Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro flagship phones, and component shortages reportedly cause Sony to delay setting the launch price of the PS5. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The GSMA cancels Mobile World Congress over coronavirus concerns, Nextdoor for Public Agencies app launches, and 99% of the second largest Wikipedia edition is created by bots. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Samsung releases a foldable phones, new smartphoens with powerful cameras and new earbuds, Mobile World COngress debates whether it should be canceled and Microsoft Windows 10X can apply a system update and reboot in 90 seconds.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Snap reportedly launching new mental health content searches, Sprint and T-Mobile get judge approval to merge, Apple joins FIDO Alliance. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US Senator Josh Hawley published a plan to overhaul the Federal Trade Commission to provide more scrutiny of big tech, Sony and Amazon pull out of MWC over coronavirus concerns, and an app misconfiguration exposed information on 6.4 million eligible votes in Israel. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

West Virginia bill calls for the state to provide an online ballot marking device for all voters with physical disabilities, Alphabet reveals YouTube ad revenue numbers for the first time, and Nvidia's GeForce Now game streaming service launches in Europe and North America. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Instagram confirms it's prototyping an Instagram Partner Program, the US Department of Homeland Security confirms it purchased access to a commercial database with location data on millions of phones in America, and the US FCC proposes paying nearly $15 billion to satellite companies to free up C-band spectrum for 5G. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/dth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.