Blogs

• Kazuhisa Hashimoto, inventor of the Konami Code used in multiple video games, is dead -Kazuhisa Hashimoto, creator of the ubiquitous Konami Code used in multiple video games, is dead at age 79.
  
  
• Clearview AI has billions of our photos. Its entire client list was just stolen -Clearview AI, a startup that compiles billions of photos for facial recognition technology, said it lost its entire client list to hackers.
  
  
• Online shopping can be worse for the environment than driving to a store -If you think shopping online is more eco-friendly than driving to a store, think again.
  
  
• Big Tech's honeymoon with the world's second-largest internet market is ending -In the 2010s, India's internet exploded. More than half a billion Indians came online in the 10 years to September 2019, according to the latest government data, and the country now has twice as many internet users as the entire population of the United States.
  
  
• Uber Eats head steps down as company focuses on making meal deliveries profitable -Uber Eats is getting a new boss as the company works to continue growing its meal delivery service without bleeding as much money.
  
  
• Grab lands $850 million to pump into financial services -Ride hailing company Grab just secured nearly $1 billion to help achieve its super app ambitions.
  
  
• Tesla and regulators need to do more to prevent Autopilot deaths, safety agency says -The National Transportation Safety Board called for Tesla, regulators and others to improve the safety of automated driving technologies. The recommendations follow an investigation into the fatal crash of a distracted Tesla driver who was using the company's Autopilot system two years ago.
  
  
• Virgin Galactic shares fall after it posts further losses -Virgin Galactic, the ambitious space tourism startup founded by British entrepreneur Richard Branson, posted a net loss of $73 million for the fourth quarter.
  
  
• These startups raised billions and then laid off thousands. Workers are shocked and frustrated -Just a few months ago, discount hotel chain OYO seemed unstoppable. The India-based startup touted plans for global expansion and saw its valuation double to $10 billion in October. But in mid-January, the company began sweeping layoffs that have seen thousands lose their jobs.
  
  
• These 26 words 'created the internet.' The US government is coming for them -For decades, many of the biggest names in tech have leaned on a little-known law to avoid being held responsible for some of the most controversial content on their platforms. The companies have invoked this federal law, known as Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, in one court case after another to dismiss potentially costly lawsuits over messages, videos and other content created by users.
  
  
• US Supreme Court denies Apple's bid to avoid paying $440 million damages in patent fight -The United States Supreme Court on Monday dealt a blow to Apple in a decade-long legal battle over whether the iPhone maker infringed on another company's patents.
  
  
• Fintech company Intuit to buy Credit Karma for $7.1 billion -Intuit has agreed to acquire Credit Karma for approximately $7.1 billion in cash and stocks, the companies announced Monday.
  
  
• The coronavirus outbreak is a test for China's massive tech industry -China has spent decades nurturing its tech sector. Now, faced with a massive public health crisis, Beijing is pushing its tech companies to join the fight against the novel coronavirus.
  
  
• Warren Buffett finally traded in his flip phone for an iPhone -Warren Buffett, one of Apple's largest shareholders, finally owns one of the company's most popular products.
  
  
• Microsoft hopes its technology will help Americans trust voting again -When voters in Fulton, Wisconsin, arrived to cast their ballots in a local election Tuesday, the voting process looked a little different.
  
  
• A 22-year-old Harvard grad launched his own amateur esports company for adult gamers -Teens won millions of dollars in video game competitions in 2019, and they're set to do it again this year. Last year, the oldest finalist in the most competitive rounds of the "Fortnite" World Cup was only 24 years old, despite the World Cup being open to all ages online.
  
  
• How TikTok became a hitmaker for the music industry -During the 1980's, artist Matthew Wilder composed a song in about 30 minutes. That song, "Break My Stride," has been featured in films and commercials over the years and turned him into a one-hit wonder.
  
  
• Facebook will pay you up to $5 to record your voice -Facebook will pay you for your voice, but don't expect to get wealthy.
  
  
• The latest controversial trend in 'sharenting': Filming reactions to kids' report cards -A mother reaches into an envelope and pulls out her child's report card while her young son stands visibly anxious nearby. Report card season can be a nerve-wracking time for any student, but in this situation, the stakes are even higher: She reads out loud his teachers impressions, filming the process for her millions of YouTube subscribers.
  
  
• A jetpack company just reached a major milestone in our quest to fly like Iron Man -We may be closer to seeing a real-life Iron Man suit than you think. The team at Jetman Dubai has built a jet-powered wingsuit, and they say they just reached a major milestone in our quest to fly.