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.
2076
Google, Facebook Target Accounts Linked to Iran
America's biggest tech companies are zeroing in on Iran, scrubbing their online networks of fake accounts, videos and social-media posts by the rising cyber adversary aimed at spreading misinformation. The Wall Street Journal's Robert McMillan has more.
7 min
2077
Apple AirPods: Cultural Statement, Visual Shield
Apple's white wireless earphones transmit music and conversations, but some users wear them all day as a shield, a secretary and a hiding place. The Wall Street Journal's Rebecca Dolan has more.
6 min
2078
Facebook Shuts Down Accounts From Iran, Russia
Facebook dismantled a new set of influence campaigns originating in Iran and Russia designed to sow division in global politics, part of the social-media company's broader purge of bad actors on its site. The Wall Street Journal's Deepa Seetharaman has more.
6 min
2079
Luxury Tech: Farfetch IPO Sees Crowded Market
Farfetch, the latest tech company to seek a U.S. listing, specializes in selling expensive items online. The Wall Street Journal's Stephen Wilmot explains why the online luxury market isn't as unique as it would have investors believe.
8 min
2080
Videogames: Harder to Turn Off Now?
Videogames have gotten harder to turn off -- a concern that has mental-health experts and parents questioning the impact of gaming on players' lives. The Wall Street Journal's Sarah E. Needleman has the details.
8 min
2081
Google CEO Defends Launching Search Engine in C...
Google CEO Sundar Pichai responds to criticism over reports that Google would tailor a search product to meet China's strict censorship laws. The Wall Street Journal's Douglas MacMillan has the details.
7 min
2082
Best Buy to Acquire Jitterbug Parent for $800 M...
Best Buy looks to invest more in tech that meets the needs of older Americans, agreeing to buy GreatCall Inc., the maker of senior-focused Jitterbug mobile phones, for $800 million. The Wall Street Journal's Robert Barba has the details.
5 min
2083
SEC Sends Subpoena to Tesla Over Musk Tweets
Federal regulators have subpoenaed Tesla, ramping up an investigation into whether Chief Executive Elon Musk was truthful when he tweeted last week that he had secured funding to take the electric-car maker private. The Wall Street Journal's Emily Glazer has the details.
6 min
2084
Amazon, Alphabet Promise Access to Health Data
This week, major tech companies committed to removing tech barriers that have hindered patient and provider access to health-care data online. The Wall Street Journal's John D. McKinnon has more.
5 min
2085
A Security App That Actually Makes Browsing Easy
Password manager Dashlane has new tools that keep you safe online --- and free you from the relentless hassle of typing your passwords. The Wall Street Journal's David Pierce explains why it makes browsing easier.
9 min
2086
Is Amazon's Bezos Really the Richest of Them All?
Is Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos really the richest man of modern times? The answer depends on exactly how you decide to calculate wealth. The Wall Street Journal's Jo Craven McGinty explains.
7 min
2087
Has Artificial Intelligence Hit a Wall?
The biggest breakthrough in AI, deep learning, has hit a wall, and a debate is raging about how to get to the next level. The Wall Street Journal's Christopher Mims explains.
7 min
2088
New York Plans to Cap Uber and Lyft. What Now?
New York plans to cap ride-hailing services including Uber and Lyft, becoming the first U.S. city to take such a step. The Wall Street Journal's Paul Berger has the details.
5 min
2089
Venmo Social Feed: Are You Sharing Too Much?
Venmo, the popular PayPal app that lets users send money along with a message, has prompted criticism about the extent of information shared. The Wall Street Journal's Peter Rudegeair has the details.
7 min
2090
Microsoft Surface Go: Small Device, Big Trade Off?
Microsoft's cheapest Surface yet tries to be both laptop and tablet. The Wall Street Journal's David Pierce talks whether it nails either one.
9 min
2091
'Fortnite' Coaches: Parents Enlist Videogame Tu...
As "Fortnite" becomes a social proving ground for children, the Wall Street Journal's Sarah E. Needleman explains how parents are more than willing to pay for their offspring to gain an edge.
7 min
2092
New Facebook, Instagram Tools Curb Your Binge
As part of a larger trend of tech companies helping to wean users off their more-addictive products, Facebook has announced new tools that tally time spent and nudge you when it's time for a break. The Wall Street Journal's Katie Bindley has the details.
7 min
2093
Apple's (Very) Costly Path to $1 Trillion
As Apple spends more to keep its devices competitive, the Wall Street Journal's Dan Gallagher explains how the ride to a $1 trillion market-value hasn't been cheap -- and those costs are rising.
6 min
2094
iPhones and Apps Help Apple Top Estimates
Apple delivered its best-ever revenue for the June quarter, as demand for high-price iPhones remained resilient and services soared to new records. The Wall Street Journal's Tripp Mickle has more.
5 min
2095
Walmart Takes on Netflix With Streaming Service
Walmart is exploring a subscription video-streaming service that would challenge Netflix and Amazon by offering programming that targets Middle America. The Wall Street Journal's Joe Flint has more.
7 min
2096
How Amazon's Profit Soared to New Records
Amazon's profit topped $2 billion for the first time, powered by the company's newer services businesses that are ushering the online retail giant into an era of swelling profitability. The Wall Street Journal's Laura Stevens has more.
7 min
2097
Facebook Shakes Investor Faith
The Wall Street Journal's Deepa Seetharaman explains how concerns about revenue growth, monetizing Instagram Stories and the impact of new privacy laws have hit Facebook's shares this week.
6 min
2098
'Ford Autonomous Vehicles' Revs Up Self-Driving...
Ford is carving out its autonomous-vehicle program into a separate wholly owned company, a bid to accelerate its driverless-car efforts by attracting outside investors. The Wall Street Journal's Mike Colias has more.
7 min
2099
Google's Strong Results Offset Worries
Google parent Alphabet's strong earnings results have helped offset growing worries about big costs and political risks. The Wall Street Journal's Dan Gallagher has more.
7 min
2100
Tesla Asks for Cash Back to Help Turn a Profit
Tesla, in a memo, asks suppliers to return a meaningful portion of money spent since 2016. The Wall Street Journal's Tim Higgins has more on its urgency to sustain operations during a critical production period.
7 min