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.
2251
Joanna Stern Meets Tech's Top Minds in WSJ Elev...
From Microsoft's Peggy Johnson to GM CEO Mary Barra, personal tech columnist Joann Stern has accidentally "bumped" into some of the top tech minds in 2017 -- inside the elevator of the Wall Street Journal.
8 min
2252
Yes, Apple Slowed Down Your Old iPhone (It Can ...
Facing questions about reduced performance in older iPhones, Apple acknowledged its latest software curtails the computing power of some models to prevent unexpected shutdowns. The Wall Street Journal's Tripp Mickle has more.
5 min
2253
Will the Tax Bill Lead to Big Tech Deal Making?
The GOP tax reform bill would theoretically free up hundreds of billions of dollars that high-tech giants have stashed offshore. But that's unlikely to lead to a lot of deal making, including merger activity. The Wall Street Journal's Dan Gallagher explains.
7 min
2254
GOP Tax Bill Could Hit Large Tech Firms
The Wall Street Journal's Doug MacMillan talks about why tech giants who book most of their profits overseas might see their tax rates rise as a result of the GOP tax overhaul.
7 min
2255
Amazon Echo Price Cuts Upend Smart Speaker Market
Amazon.com has cut the prices for its Echo smart speaker line, including the smallest device, the Echo Dot. The Wall Street Journal's Tripp Mickle says this has forced the hand of rivals including Apple and Google.
7 min
2256
Gamers' Virtual 'Loot Boxes' Cause Money Stir
This holiday season, gaming kids will encounter one of the industry's most contentious moneymaking tactics in years -- the "loot box," an in-game reward that is also for sale. The Wall Street Journal's Sarah E. Needleman has what parents need to know.
7 min
2257
Streamline Pics Cluttering Your Smartphone
Smartphones take photos so easily they're often overwhelmed with useless, repetitive shots. The Wall Street Journal's "Gear and Gadgets" has a beginner's guide to de-cluttering space and saving your best pictures. Sara Clemence breaks it down.
7 min
2258
Why Electronic Arts Needs 'The Last Jedi' Force
Disappointing "Star Wars: Battlefront II" sales have left video-game publisher Electronic Arts in need of a boost from the new "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" movie. The Wall Street Journal's Dan Gallagher has more.
6 min
2259
Apple Hopes Shazam Ups Its Streaming Game
Apple has announced it has acquired Shazam Entertainment, giving it ownership of one of the popular song-recognition apps at a time the iPhone maker is looking to boost its music-subscription service. The Wall Street Journal's Tripp Mickle has more.
6 min
2260
Amazon Sellers Vie for 'Deal of the Day'
Winning a slot in one of Amazon.com's short-term promotions can not only skyrocket a merchant's ranking but also trigger sales for the rest of the season. The Wall Street Journal's Laura Stevens has more on how Amazon picks its seemingly random "Deal of the Day."
6 min
2261
'Alexa for Business' Brings Voice Control to Of...
Leading workplace tech firm Crestron is joining forces with Amazon Web Services to make meetings more productive. Crestron's Head of Enterprise Innovation, Dan Jackson, discusses how voice control is changing productivity.
6 min
2262
Is an 'Amazon' World Ready to Be Lived In?
The Wall Street Journal's Katie Bindley discusses how she went on a week long "Amazon diet" to find out how much life one person can live through Amazon products and services.
7 min
2263
Google Vs. Amazon: Device War Heats Up
With Google pulling YouTube from some Amazon devices in retaliation for Amazon refusing to sell many Google products, the Wall Street Journal's Jack Nicas talks the growing battle between two tech giants as their businesses increasingly overlap.
5 min
2264
Facebook's Messenger Kids: 6-Year-Olds on Socia...
Facebook rolled out a new messaging app for its youngest audience yet -- children between the ages of 6 and 12 -- but experts are questioning whether kids are ready for social-media access. The Wall Street Journal's Betsy Morris has more.
7 min
2265
Apple Watch Gets Healthier
With a new app from Apple enabling its smartwatch to test and track irregular heart rhythms, the Wall Street Journal's Tripp Mickle talks the company's big new health ambitions.
5 min
2266
Silicon Valley's 'Conservative' Problem
As tech companies in Silicon Valley seek to bolster diversity in their workplace, some employees say their politics are unwelcome in an industry dominated by liberal views. The Wall Street Journal's Georgia Wells has more.
6 min
2267
Google Rethinking Nest; Amazon Alexa for Business
Google is reportedly thinking of folding its Nest Labs home-automation unit back into the hardware team. Plus, Amazon.com has unveiled Alexa as a business tool for booking conferences and launching meetings.
6 min
2268
Snapchat Redesign; Domino's Tracking App
Snapchat has redesigned its app to make it more user-friendly and less complicated. Plus, Domino's Pizza has a smartphone tracking app that lets users track every step, from production to delivery. But some customers question its accuracy.
8 min
2269
Waymo-Uber Trial Delayed; a Nike AR Scavenger Hunt
A federal judge has ordered a delay in a trial in which Google's Waymo unit has accused Uber of stealing trade secrets. Plus, Nike is using augmented reality to reinvent the old art of sneaker scavenging.
9 min
2270
Pokemon Go Maker Gets a New Round of Financing
Niantic, the maker of augmented reality hit Pokemon Go, has gotten 200 million dollars of new financing. Plus, Uber's delay in reporting a 2016 hack could affect its stock deal with Softbank.
9 min
2271
Facebook to Alert Users Who Followed Russian Pages
Wall Street Journal reporter Jack Nicas explains how Facebook intends to alert some of its users if they encountered pages created by Russian actors during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign. He also details why the move is drawing criticism.
6 min
2272
Best Tech Gifts of 2017: WSJ's Favorite Gadgets
This holiday shopping season, don't just throw money at things because they're marked down. Instead, buy gifts that retain value. Personal technology editor Wilson Rothman talks the Wall Street Journal's favorite tech gadgets of 2017.
9 min
2273
Uber Paid Hackers $100,000 to Delete Breached Data
Wall Street Journal reporter Robert McMillan discusses a massive data breach that affected roughly 57 million Uber accounts last year and the unprecedented move to pay the hackers to destroy the stolen information.
8 min
2274
Three Reasons to Stay Bullish on Tech
Wall Street Journal reporter Chelsey Dulaney outlines three reasons Credit Suisse says investors should remain bullish on the tech sector, despite a more than 35% gain in tech stock prices in 2017.
6 min
2275
Uber Bets Big on Driverless Cars
Volvo will produce 24,000 self-driving cars for Uber starting in 2019. The Wall Street Journal's Senior Reporter William Boston explains why the deal is significant as companies race to get more driverless cars on the road.
8 min