WSJ Tech News Briefing
Tech News Briefing is your guide to what people in tech are talking about. Every weekday, we’ll bring you breaking tech news and scoops from the pros at the Wall Street Journal, insight into new innovations and policy debates, tips from our personal tech team, and exclusive interviews with movers and shakers in the industry.
2126
Alexa Eavesdrops: Shared Chat Without Permission
Amazon said that one of its Echo home speakers mistakenly recorded a private conversation and sent it to a person in the owners' contact list -- raising questions about the security of such voice-operated devices. The Wall Street Journal's Laura Stevens has the details.
6 min
2127
Microsoft's Peggy Johnson on New AI Breakthroughs
Microsoft's executive vice president of business development, Peggy Johnson, discusses what's brewing on the artificial intelligence front for Microsoft, and hints at the next innovations on the horizon.
9 min
2128
Uber Ends Arizona Self-Driving Car Testing
Uber is closing down its self-driving vehicle program in Arizona about two months after the state barred it from road-testing the tech when one of the company's robot cars struck and killed a pedestrian. The Wall Street Journal's Greg Bensinger talks what happens now.
5 min
2129
Geocaching App Makes Life Treasure Hunt
The Wall Street Journal's Matthew Kitchen explains how a geocaching app puts a digital gloss on the adventure glorified in "The Goonies" and other films of summers past.
6 min
2130
Banned From Amazon? Stop Returning So Much
The Wall Street Journal's Laura Stevens explains why Amazon accounts are being closed without warning -- and how it happens when "you're creating a lot of headaches for Amazon."
6 min
2131
HP Hangs Tough in Shrinking PC Market
By focusing on sleeker designs and high-performance game machines, HP managed to boost revenue and gobble market share from smaller competitors even as the PC market shrank. The Wall Street Journal's Jay Greene has the details.
6 min
2132
YouTube Launches New Music-Streaming Service
This week, YouTube will relaunch YouTube Music as a music-streaming service much like Spotify or Apple Music. The Wall Street Journal's Anne Steele has the details.
6 min
2133
Prime Perks? Amazon's New Discounts at Whole Foods
The Wall Street Journal's Laura Stevens talks the new deals from Amazon designed to lure the estimated 40% of Whole Foods shoppers who aren't Prime members.
5 min
2134
Forget Hackers, Watch Out for Screen Snoopers
Peeking to see what others are doing on mobile devices is a temptation few can resist. The Wall Street Journal's Sue Shellenbarger explains the rise of "visual hackers" snooping over our shoulders.
6 min
2135
Facebook Suspends 200 Apps in Data-Abuse Probe
Facebook has suspended some 200 applications for suspected misuse of users' information shared on its platform. The Wall Street Journal's Maria Armental has the latest on its investigation of outside developers.
6 min
2136
Tackling Tesla's Autopilot System
As new details emerge about Tesla execs rejecting various tech warnings to inattentive drivers, the Wall Street Journal's Tim Higgins explains the tricky task of mastering the electric car maker's driver-assistance system.
7 min
2137
Why Google Wants You to Put Down the Phone
Addressing criticism that their products are too addictive, Google's new version of its Android mobile operating system would tell users how much time they've spent on various apps. The Wall Street Journal's Douglas MacMillan has more on big tech's "digital wellness" initiative.
7 min
2138
Fatal Tesla Crash Prompts More Investigations
A U.S. transportation-safety agency is examining the fiery crash of a Tesla Model S car that killed two teenagers -- marking the fourth active federal probe involving the company's vehicles. The Wall Street Journal's Tim Higgins has more.
6 min
2139
Handling Tweets From NYC Subway: Worst Job in U.S?
Every day, the frustrations of New York City subway riders spew out in the form of 2,500 often profanity-laced tweets directed at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The Wall Street Journal's Mike Vilensky talks how running a company's social media can be intense.
6 min
2140
Inside Tesla's Model 3 Factory
The next six months will determine whether Tesla's Model 3 can reshape the U.S. auto industry or serve merely as a flashy footnote. The Wall Street Journal's John D. Stoll has more.
6 min
2141
3,000 Russian-Linked Facebook Ads Released Soon
Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee are preparing to release 3,000 Russia-linked Facebook ads, in what would offer the broadest picture yet of how the social network has been manipulated. The Wall Street Journal's Deepa Seetharaman has more.
6 min
2142
Apple's Big Services Boost from Google May Slow
Apple's fast-growing services business gets a big boost from the licensing fees the tech giant receives from Google. But the big growth in those fees may slow, and the Wall Street Journal's Dan Gallagher explains why.
8 min
2143
Tesla CEO Musk Spars with Analysts in Earnings ...
Tesla is burning through cash as it tries to meet ambitious vehicle production goals. And its CEO, Elon Musk, squared off with analysts in a conference call after Tesla's earnings report. More from the Wall Street Journal's Tim Higgins.
9 min
2144
Amid Privacy Concerns, Facebook Unveils Dating ...
Facebook is testing an opt-in dating service on its platform. The Wall Street Journal's Deepa Seetharaman says unveiling a dating feature was a surprise, given the issues Facebook faces regarding user data and privacy.
8 min
2145
Facebook Unveils Privacy and Download Tools
Facebook has introduced new tools aimed at better protecting users' data. The Wall Street Journal's Katie Bindley says one tool lets users see and delete their browsing history. The other is an updated tool that allows you to download more of your information.
9 min
2146
Video Game Headset Sales Shine, Thanks to 'Fort...
The popularity of big, online multiplayer games has boosted sales of headsets. One game in particular that has spurred headset demand is "Fortnite," according to the Wall Street Journal's Sarah E. Needleman.
7 min
2147
Amazon's Sucker Punch Doubles Profit
Amazon delivered a double punch, reporting its best revenue growth in more than six years while topping $1 billion in profit for the second straight quarter. The Wall Street Journal's Laura Stevens talks where the tech giant goes from here.
7 min
2148
Snap Tries Again With High-Tech 'Spectacles'
Snap is trying a reboot with its video-recording sunglasses, Spectacles, that had a splashy debut-and then fizzled-when introduced just over 18 months ago. The Wall Street Journal's Georgia Wells has more.
6 min
2149
Google's New Gmail: A Review
For its Gmail redesign, Google put tasks, calendars, notes and email on a single screen, so now you can live your whole work life in one app. The Wall Street Journal's David Pierce has more.
9 min
2150
Can Google Keep Its Success Secret?
As Google parent Alphabet posts surging profits, its strong advertising growth shines fresh light on a controversial business. The Wall Street Journal's Dan Gallagher has more.
8 min