WSJ Tech News Briefing

How to Shop Online During the Pandemic

10 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With Amazon prioritizing shipment of essential products, your coffee maker or jigsaw puzzle could take weeks to arrive. Our Personal Tech Columnist Ni...

Quibi Launches New Mobile Streaming Service

09 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

There is - yet another - new streaming service in town. Our reporter Benjamin Mullin joins us to tell us about Quibi, which launched earlier this week...

The Robots Cleaning Where Humans Can't

08 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Some hospitals are turning to technology to disinfect rooms during the pandemic, protecting health workers and cleaning staff from coming into unneces...

Washington State OKs Facial Recognition Law Backed by Microsoft

07 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Governor Jay Inslee signed regulations around facial recognition policy into Washington state law. It's expected to be a blueprint for laws all over t...

Google Offers Location Data to Health Officials Fighting Pandemic

06 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Google has announced a new initiative to help governments use location data to figure out if social distancing policies are working. Our reporter Rob ...

Tech News Briefing's Guide to Zoom

03 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

If you're about to join your next Zoom meeting, this episode of Tech News Briefing is for you. Our new Personal Tech Columnist Nicole Nguyen joins us ...

Restaurants Rethink Delivery During Coronavirus Lockdowns

02 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Food-delivery companies can take up to 30 percent in commissions from orders on their platforms. For smaller restaurants restricted to takeout-only be...

Doctors Use Tele-ICU Tech for Coronavirus Patients

01 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

To deal with a shortage of beds and staff, some hospitals are turning to video-conferencing tools to care for patients. Our tech columnist Chris Mims ...

The Cybersecurity Fallout from Coronavirus

31 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As millions of Americans transitioned to working from home, the strain on computer networks created vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Our cybe...

MIT Researchers Launch Tech-Based Contact Tracing

30 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

To stop the spread of the coronavirus, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are now trying to use location-tracking technology to ...

Your Favorite Celebrity is Going Live on Instagram

27 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As the coronavirus pandemic forces cancellations of concerts and other performances, celebrities are turning to livestreams to connect with fans. Repo...

Silicon Valley Tries Disrupting Coronavirus Response

26 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

At tech companies, moving fast and breaking things is the name of the game. Responding to the coronavirus is no exception. Our reporter Asa Fitch join...

Digital Payments Soar Amid Coronavirus Restrictions

25 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As more communities are shut down due to the pandemic, consumers are turning to online retailers to shop. But can digital payment companies handle the...

Apps, Websites and Games for Stir-Crazy Families

24 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

If your family is tired of being cooped up inside - don't worry. Our Family and Tech Columnist Julie Jargon joins us with a roundup of some of the bes...

How to Avoid Coronavirus Misinformation Online

23 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Misleading information about the coronavirus has been spreading through texts and emails, and on the internet, and it can be hard to know what's true ...

Dating in the Age of Social Distancing

20 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Guidelines to keep 6 to 10 feet away from others will help flatten the curve - but it's also making in-person dating pretty difficult. Our reporter Ge...

To Track Covid-19, U.S. Governments Weigh Surveillance Tools

19 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We've reported on the tech that countries in Asia used to track the coronavirus: fever-detecting goggles, disinfecting drones, and location-tracking t...

During Coronavirus, Can Food Delivery - Well, Deliver?

18 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ordering in might be part of your "social distancing" routine. So it might seem like the Uber Eats, GrubHubs, and Seamlesses of the world would be big...

Working From Home: Coronavirus Edition

17 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Silicon Valley's major tech companies were the first U.S. employers to take their operations online because of the coronavirus. As the rest of the cou...

New Federal Rules Ease Access to Your Health Data

16 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The federal government has introduced new rules that will make it easier for tech companies to access health data. Reporter Melanie Evans joins us to ...

Countries Use Tech to Fight Coronavirus

13 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In China, South Korea, Australia, and other countries in the South Pacific, some countries have turned to technology to track the coronavirus. Our Kor...

The Technology Powering the 2020 Census

12 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The census starts today, and for the first time, respondents will have the option to respond online. Wall Street Journal news editor Janet Adamy tells...

Tech Companies Working to Head Off Facial Recognition Bans

11 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

There have been calls for more regulation of facial recognition software, from both privacy advocates and the tech companies themselves. Reporter Ryan...

Coronavirus Closures Spotlight Tech Disparities in Schools

10 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Schools across the country are closing their doors due to concerns over the coronavirus. Our Family and Tech Columnist Julie Jargon will join us to ex...

Some Tech Companies Work to Lure Talent Inland

09 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In the US, tech-industry talent has long been clustered in a handful of cities on the coasts. Our reporter Shayndi Raice joins us to explain how some ...

Amazon Works to Remove Price Gouging

06 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As fears of the coronavirus grow, prices of basic products like hand sanitizer are skyrocketing. Our reporter Sharon Terlep joins us to explain. Plus,...

Lawmakers Push for Info on Google's 'Project Nightingale'

05 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In November, The Wall Street Journal uncovered Google's 'Project Nightingale', the company's secret partnership with healthcare giant Ascension. Now, ...

Coronavirus Misinformation Circulating Online

04 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

False information about the coronavirus has been circulating online, despite big tech companies' attempts to stamp it out. Our reporter Sebastian Herr...

Coronavirus Tests Apple's Dependence on China

03 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Quarantines, tariffs and slumping sales are raising fresh questions about Apple's China-heavy manufacturing strategy. Reporter Tripp Mickle joins us t...

With Coronavirus, A.I. May Have Met Its Match

02 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As the coronavirus continues to spread, people are calling on the makers of AI powered chatbots to add symptoms of the virus to their algorithms. Our ...

Google Plots Course to the Cloud

28 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Google has been making changes to try and deliver growth in its cloud computing business - where it currently has only four percent of the total marke...

Governments Increasingly Shut Down the Internet

27 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The UN considers access to the internet to be a human right. But last year, governments around the world shut off the internet with more frequency tha...

Tech Companies Use AI to Stop Predators Online

26 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Kids spend more time online than ever - making it much harder to protect them from predators on the internet. Our Family and Tech Columnist Julie Jarg...

Amazon Opens Cashierless "Go" Supermarket

25 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The e-commerce giant is opening a new grocery store in Seattle. It'll have everything you normally see in a supermarket - except for cashiers. Amazon'...

Food-Delivery Companies Look To Mergers and Acquisitions

24 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Competition in the food-delivery market is heating up. Some of the biggest players have considered joining forces in order to stay afloat. Tech report...

Google Resists Handing Over Documents in Probe by States

21 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A coalition of states and territories is looking into potential antitrust concerns at Google. But the search giant is pushing back. The WSJ reports ex...

Why Political Texts Are Blowing Up Your Phone

20 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Texts from political groups could reach in the billions this election season. Our reporter Emily Glazer joins us to explain how those communications s...

China Turns to Health-Rating Apps to Control Coronavirus

19 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Chinese government is teaming up with tech giants like Alibaba and Tencent to develop apps that classify people based on factors like health condi...

Facebook Delivers Long-Awaited Data to Outside Researchers

18 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After a longer wait than expected, Facebook has turned over a trove of information that could hold answers about how the platform impacts society. Our...

How Oracle is Lobbying Against Amazon and Google

14 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In Washington, lobbying has historically pit consumer groups against big companies. Now, some of the biggest fights are between companies. And one com...

5G Rollout Hits a Speed Bump

13 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Companies - and countries - have been racing to build 5G networks But recently, it looks like they've been hitting the brakes. Our tech reporter Asa F...

Samsung Galaxy S20: Crazy Cameras and 5G in Every Phone

12 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Samsung made a leap from the Galaxy S10 - all the way to S20. Our personal tech columnist Joanna Stern tested out the phone, and she explains whether ...

Big Tech Dominates ESG Funds

11 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Environmental, social and corporate governance funds-also known as ESG funds-paint themselves as sustainable investments, focused on causes like green...

A Throwback Way to Hire Tech Workers: Apprenticeships

10 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

There's a shortage of tech workers. So recruiters are turning to an older way of getting entry-level employees in the door: apprenticeships. Reporter ...

How China's Using Its Surveillance Tech to Track Coronavirus

07 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

China is tapping into its network of security cameras, facial recognition technology and social media monitoring to try and curb the spread of coronav...

Dept. of Justice Probe into Google Zeroes in on Ad Tech

06 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The DOJ has been investigating Google for suspected antitrust behavior. Now, it looks like the company's advertising technology business is emerging a...

The App That Brought Iowa to a Standstill

05 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The results of the Democratic caucuses in Iowa were delayed by none other than a malfunctioning app. Social media and politics reporter Deepa Seethara...

Alphabet Posts Weak Earnings but Unveils YouTube, Cloud Results

04 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The parent company of Google is the latest tech giant to post fourth-quarter earnings. Tech Editor Bowdeya Tweh joins us to break down what we learned...

World Athletics Won't Ban Nike Vaporfly Shoes

03 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nike Vaporflys are the shoe of choice for many of the world's elite runners, including several record holders. Although some say the shoe gives athlet...

Amazon Reports Stable Profits Despite Higher Costs

31 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Amazon has been stepping up its game when it comes to same-day and one-day shipping. But did it pay off? Reporter Sebastian Herrera joins us to explai...

Google Eyes San Jose For a New Campus

30 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Google is looking to set up another campus in San Jose. Reporter Rob Copeland joins us to explain what that could mean for the city... and why some ar...

Apple Posts Record Earnings on Strong iPhone, App Sales

29 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Last year, Apple looked to be headed for a slump. Instead, Apple's share price more than doubled. Now, it's reported its fourth-quarter earnings - and...

Tech Giants' New Call to Lawmakers: 'Regulate Us'

28 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Big tech companies have long bucked government attempts to regulate them. But now, they're changing their tune. WSJ reporter Sebastian Herrera joins u...

AB InBev Taps Machine Learning to Fight Corruption

27 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rooting out corruption has long been a human process. Meaning: it's long been a process prone to human error. Reporter Dylan Tokar joins us to explain...

Eyeing E-Commerce Players, US Pledges Crackdown On Counterfeits

24 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Wall Street Journal reports exclusively that the Department of Homeland Security is planning new action to curb counterfeits - especially on e-com...

CBS Bets Big on 'Star Trek: Picard' to Boost Streaming Business

23 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

CBS' is planning to boldly go where no streaming service has gone before: into the "Star Trek" universe. In an increasingly crowded place, the streami...

Uber Tests Allowing California Drivers to Set Fares

22 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Facing new regulatory hurdles in California, Uber is rolling out a new feature that would allow drivers to set their own rates for rides. Tech and tra...

Is Peloton a Fitness Fad or a Tech Company?

21 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It seems like every company is trying to brand itself as a tech company. Including: the stationary bike company Peloton. Columnist John Stoll joins us...

Bezos Pledges New $1 Billion India Investment Amid Pushback

17 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is on the charm offensive in India, despite pushback from lawmakers there. Reporter Newley Purnell joins us to explain why Bezos...

Microsoft Patches Severe Windows Flaw Detected by NSA

16 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After the National Security Agency found the flaw, Microsoft released a patch to fix a problem with its Windows operating system. Reporter Bob McMilla...

Despite a US-China Trade Truce, Tech Tensions Rise

15 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The US and China are set to sign phase one of a trade deal today. But on the tech side of things, tensions are still running high. Senior editor Bob D...

Away Chief Steph Korey Reverses Resignation

14 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After an explosive report from The Verge detailing a "toxic" workplace at Away, Co-founder and CEO Steph Korey resigned. But now, just a few weeks lat...

New Tactics Get Around Big Tech's Ad-Fraud Defenses

13 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Fraudsters are using readily-available technology to boost site and ad traffic, bolster search results and pad reviews. Reporter Parmy Olson joins to ...

Co-Parenting Sites Skip Right to the Baby Carriage

10 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A new kind of online service matches people who want to have children - but don't necessarily want romance along with it. Reporter Julie Jargon will j...

The Best of CES 2020

09 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

CES is all about the tech world's first answers to tomorrow's questions. Our Personal Tech team visited the trade show in Las Vegas, and editor Wilson...

Facebook Bans Deepfakes

08 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The social-media giant is working to combat misleading content that's been altered with artificial intelligence tools. WSJ Reporter Betsy Morris joins...

Politics Elbows Its Way Onto TikTok

07 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In the last year, the social media site TikTok has exploded as a go-to place for short-form videos. It's mostly home to lighthearted content, like cut...

Police Tracked a Terror Suspect - Until His Phone Went Dark

06 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Faced with strong encryption, European law-enforcement agencies turned to an Israeli spyware company to track a terror suspect on WhatsApp. Reporter V...

Google AI Beats Doctors at Breast Cancer Detection - Sometimes

03 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

More tech companies are entering into healthcare. WSJ Reporter Brianna Abbott joins us to explain how Google's health research unit is using artificia...

Our Personal Tech Team's 2020 Predictions

02 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Every year, the WSJ's Personal Tech team uses their tech-spertise to make predictions about the year ahead. We sat down with editor Wilson Rothman and...

The Times Square New Year's Eve Ball: Behind the Scenes

31 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Waterford Crystal's Tom Brennan explains the technology behind the famous ball in Times Square, including how it descends at midnight on New Year's Ev...

What Our Personal Tech Team Got Right About 2019

30 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Every year, our Personal Tech team makes predictions about the year ahead. But before they publish their lookahead to 2020, we sit down with editor Wi...

Decade in Review: Tech and the Corner Office

27 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

As the 2010s wind down, we're taking a look back at the tech that's shaped the decade. Today: how tech has changed the job description for CEOs. Our C...

Decade in Review: Smartphones

26 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's the end of the decade. So we're looking back at the tech that shaped the 2010s. Our Personal Tech columnist Joanna Stern challenged herself to sp...

Decade in Review: Streaming

24 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's the end of the decade, and we know it. So we're looking back at the tech that's shaped the 2010s. Today, our Charlie Turner sits down with report...

Decade in Review: Big Tech

23 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In the final days of the 2010s, we're looking back at the tech that's shaped the decade. Today, our Charlie Turner sits down with reporter Rolfe Winkl...

Why You Still Can't Have a Decent Conversation with Alexa

20 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you've ever used a voice assistant, you've probably also been disappointed by a voice assistant. Personal Tech editor Wilson Rothman joins us to ex...

Rule Change Could Extend Tech Firms' Reach Into Banking

19 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Tech firms have been partnering with banks to extend their reach into the banking industry. The Wall Street Journal's Telis Demos says a planned FDIC ...

Peter Thiel's Outsized Influence on Facebook's Leadership

18 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Facebook's top executives are increasingly divided over how to address criticism of the company's influence on politics. Right in the middle of that i...

How to Repair Your Image: An Online Makeover

17 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Wall Street Journal's Rachael Levy says that some of the wealthiest among us are using the services of a reputation-management company to repair t...

Your Internet Provider Likely Juiced Its Official Speed Scores

16 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Paying for fast internet isn't a guarantee that you're actually getting it. Even if it's rated highly in the FCC's yearly report. WSJ Reporter Shalini...

Facebook Pledges $130 Million to Fund 'Supreme Court' for Content

13 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The social media giant has announced a new way it'll review how the company moderates content. WSJ Reporter Jeff Horwitz joins us to explain. News Cor...

For First Time Since Facebook Debacle, Nasdaq To Overtake NYSE

12 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Nasdaq and the New York Stock Exchange typically battle it out for major IPOs. In a year of tech unicorn IPOs, exchanges reporter Alexander Osipovich ...

Scientists Store Data in Synthetic DNA

11 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The future of digital memory may be inside a small plastic bunny. Reporter Lee Hotz joins us to explain why scientists are now turning to synthetic DN...

Netflix Sweeps Golden Globe Nominations

10 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When Golden Globe nominations were announced, streaming services emerged as the star. Entertainment reporter John Jurgensen explains what that means f...

NY Lawmakers Look to CA Gig-Worker Bill

09 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lawmakers in New York are considering a measure that would require companies to extend more benefits to gig workers. They're looking to California, wh...

Hoverboards: How Amazon Dodges Responsibility for Unsafe Products

06 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

From ride-sharing companies to online babysitting services, internet marketplaces have long argued that it's the sellers' responsibility to make sure ...

Google Co-Founders Step Away, CEO Steps Up

05 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

As the co-founders of Google give up management roles at Alphabet, WSJ reporter Rob Copeland explains the challenges their replacement, current CEO Su...

With Brits Used to Surveillance, More Companies Try Tracking Faces

04 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

WSJ Reporter Parmy Olson explains why so many UK companies are adopting facial recognition technology, and how it's legal. Learn more about your ad c...

Diabetes Patients' Blood-Sugar Data Aren't Being Shared

03 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The DexCom glucose monitor stopped sharing data with smartphones. WSJ Reporter Peter Loftus explains why that's so dangerous. News Corp, owner of The ...

Welcome to the Button Wars

02 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's Cyber Monday, and the battle for the future of payments is being fought in the shopping cart. Heard on the Street columnist Telis Demos joins us ...

On Amazon, Don't Just 'Buy Now'

29 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

'Tis the season... for shopping online. Amazon is probably part of your routine. Personal tech reporter Katie Bindley explains how to skip getting sca...

Our Favorite Gadgets of 2019: Phone Accessories Edition

27 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Personal Tech Editor Wilson Rothman breaks down the best gadgets for your phone. Correction: HMD Global, which licenses the Nokia brand for phones and...

Our Favorite Gadgets of 2019: Kids Edition

26 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The holidays are fast approaching. So we sat down with Personal Tech Editor Wilson Rothman to break down the best gadgets for the tech-savviest demogr...

Our Favorite Gadgets of 2019: Smart Home Edition

25 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Personal Tech Editor Wilson Rothman breaks down the best gadgets for a smarter home. Reporter Betsy Morris explains how tech companies are combating d...

Facebook Weighs Steps to Curb Narrowly-Targeted Political Ads

22 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Facebook may be the next tech company to respond to controversy over political ad policies. Reporter Emily Glazer explains. News Corp, owner of the Wa...

Please Like My Vacation Photo. I Hired a Professional.

21 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Travelers are paying pros to help them curate the best possible vacation Instagrams. Reporter Harriet Torry explains. Dow Jones & Co. has a commercial...

Google Stadia, Apple Arcade: So Many Ways to Play...and Pay

20 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

There are more devices and gaming platforms than ever before. Wall Street Journal videogame reporter Sarah E. Needleman explains what to know ahead of...

TikTok Looking at Ways to Shake Off Its Ties to China

19 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Wall Street Journal reporter Georgia Wells explains why the video streaming app TikTok is trying to downplay its ties to China and gain more traction ...

Twitter to Restrict How Advertisers Target Users

18 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Wall Street Journal reporter Emily Glazer explains how Twitter will no longer allow groups promoting causes to target users by their ZIP Code or poli...