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.
1976
5G Wireless: Time to Dial Down the Hype?
The next-generation wireless standard will bring undeniable benefits, but significant business for 5G technology in 2019 isn't likely. The Wall Street Journal's Dan Gallagher explains.
7 min
1977
More Businesses Adopt a No-Cash Policy
A growing number of retailers have banned cash payments from their stores, only allowing payments to be made digitally or with plastic. That's made it awkward for customers who come in with just cash, says the Wall Street Journal's Katie Bindley.
9 min
1978
Using Apps to Take Out a Small Business Loan
The Wall Street Journal's Peter Rudegeair says more tech companies have jumped into the banking business, enabling small businesses to take out loans through smartphone apps.
8 min
1979
Before Long, A Big EV Rollout
The Wall Street Journal's Dan Neil tells why he thinks top-notch electric vehicles will start rolling off the line over the next 18 to 36 months. Until then, he's spray-painting his old minivan.
8 min
1980
Amazon HQ2's Big Boon to Cities
Since Amazon announced New York City and Virginia as the home of its newest headquarters, officials have boasted big benefits to local residents. The Wall Street Journal's Katie Honan talks what it means for the thousands of students with tech degrees each year in New York.
7 min
1981
Fortnite: An Unwinnable Battle at Home?
Fortnite, the last-man-standing videogame, has pushed aside other pastimes and hobbies and transformed family dynamics. The Wall Street Journal looks at how the game is not only reshaping how young people spend their time, but how they communicate.
6 min
1982
Will Tech Sector Finally See Growth in Wages?
Harley Lippman, CEO of tech staffing company Genesis10, explains why the tech industry has yet to see gains in hourly wages that have reached the broader labor market.
8 min
1983
Uber Resumes Robot Car Tests in Pittsburgh Afte...
Eight months after pulling its self-driving cars off the road following a fatal accident, Uber is putting the vehicles back into service. The Wall Street Journal's Greg Bensinger talks where this leaves the company in the autonomous car race.
7 min
1984
Musk's 'Boring' Tunnel to Save Your 'Soul' From...
In front of hundreds of supporters, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk showcased his grand vision for alleviating city traffic with a network of tunnels that can transport electric cars underground and shuttle them at high speeds. The Wall Street Journal's Tim Higgins has more.
9 min
1985
Apple's Sales Go Flat in World's Largest Untapp...
Global smartphone sales are flattening, which is why big tech companies are looking to India and its millions of consumers for growth. For Apple, that's easier said than done. The Wall Street Journal's Tripp Mickle explains.
8 min
1986
Amazon's New Changes Target Unprofitable Items
In an effort to sharpen is's bottom line, Amazon is making key for changes in product packaging and is pushing big brands to change how they use its site. The Wall Street Journal's Laura Stevens explains.
6 min
1987
Will Consumers Embrace a Fake Influencer?
Lil Miquela is an online star with a big Instagram following. She's also fake, a computer-generated influencer. The Wall Street Journal's Yoree Koh says CGIs are a test of the power of social media celebrity.
7 min
1988
Netflix, Hulu to Place Bets on Your Audience Ex...
With providers like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon, and more creative risks, network leaders are placing bets on how audience experience will evolve. Stinson Carter explains.
8 min
1989
Hackers Nab Your Data in a Few Minutes for a Fe...
Data thieves' tactics are getting more ingenious and more intrusive, as Marriott's Starwood database breach adds to a string of large-scale corporate data intrusions. The Wall Street Journal's Robert McMillan has more.
8 min
1990
Google CEO in Washington Hot Seat
Google CEO Sundar Pichai was thrust into the political spotlight when he testified at his first Congressional hearing on Tuesday. The Wall Street Journal's Douglas MacMillan has more on the range of topics, including Google's handling of user data.
9 min
1991
Apple Hit With Sales Ban on Older iPhones in Ch...
A Chinese court ruled that Apple infringed on two Qualcomm patents related to photo editing and swiping on a touch-screen device. The Wall Street Journal's Tripp Mickle has more.
6 min
1992
White House Summit With Big Tech Tackles AI, Jo...
White House gathered top Silicon Valley executives for a discussion on how to equip U.S. workers with skills necessary to retain jobs in the age of artificial intelligence. The Wall Street Journal's Douglas MacMillan has more.
8 min
1993
Booking a Hotel? Airbnb, Expedia Push Experienc...
Companies like Airbnb, TripAdvisor and Expedia are looking to organize the roughly 80% of activities done by travelers that are now booked offline. The Wall Street Journal's Aisha Al-Muslim has more.
7 min
1994
Trump Hits Amazon, Online Retailers With Propos...
A Treasury-led task force is proposing that the U.S. Postal Service charge more for certain package deliveries -- going after Amazon and other online retailers that President Trump has said benefit at the post office's expense. The Wall Street Journal's John D. McKinnon has more.
6 min
1995
Musk's SpaceX Latest Rocket Launch Marks New Mi...
The latest successful rocket launch by Elon Musk's SpaceX marked new milestones for the company's drive to ease access for commercial satellites into orbit. The Wall Street Journal's Andy Pasztor has the details.
7 min
1996
Amazon Tests Cashierless Tech for Bigger Stores
Amazon is testing its cashierless checkout technology for bigger stores, a strategy that could further challenge brick-and-mortar retailers if successful. The Wall Street Journal's Laura Stevens has more.
6 min
1997
Can AT&T's New Streaming Service Take On Netflix?
AT&T, trying to reassure investors it can capitalize on its big acquisition of Time Warner, plans to offer three versions of a new streaming video service next year that will feature original movies and television series from Warner Bros., Turner and HBO. The Wall Street Journal's Drew FitzGerald has more.
7 min
1998
Emails Show Facebook Considered Charging for Da...
Internal emails show Facebook thought about charging companies for access to user data several years ago -- a step that would have marked a dramatic shift from its policy of not selling that information. The Wall Street Journal's Deepa Seetharaman has the details.
9 min
1999
New Amazon Software Analyzes Patient Medical Re...
Amazon.com has begun selling to doctors and hospitals new software that analyzes patients' medical records. We have more on Amazon's latest move into healthcare from the Wall Street Journal's Melanie Evans.
7 min
2000
Amazon Gains Ground in Advertising
Amazon is becoming a bigger player in advertising, rising to the number three spot in the U.S. digital ad market, after Google parent Alphabet, and Facebook. The Wall Street Journal's Laura Stevens has more on what that means for the industry and competitors.
7 min