WSJ Tech News Briefing
Episodes
New York Insurers Can Use Algorithms to Set Rates
01 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
New York State will allow life insurers to use algorithms to comb through data to determine a customer's risk. Wall Street Journal reporter Leslie Sci...
Facebook's Record Profit
31 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Facebook posted a record quarterly profit despite a drumbeat of negative headlines, prompting CEO Mark Zuckerberg to say the social-media giant has tu...
Apple Pulls FaceTime Group After Bug Let Users Eavesdrop
30 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Apple scrambled to fix a bug in its FaceTime video-chat system that lets callers eavesdrop on users of iPhones, iPads and Macs. The Wall S...
Facebook Fights Fake News With New Tools
29 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Facebook plans to make more information available world-wide about political ads purchased on its services, expanding its effort to defend against pol...
Amazon Gets Exclusive Products From Big Brands
28 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
To build a big line of exclusive products on its site, Amazon is pushing other brand manufacturers to do most of the work. The Wall Street Journal's A...
How AI Keeps World's Largest Beer Maker Running
25 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The world's largest beer maker is using machine learning to predict when brewery motors might malfunction. Sara Castellanos, reporter for WSJ's CIO Jo...
Boeing's Autonomous Taxi Takes Flight
24 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Boeing says its prototype for an autonomous air taxi completed a first test flight, heating up a race among aerospace companies hoping to transform ur...
Google Fined $57 Million Under New European Law
23 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A French regulator fined Google $56.8 million-the biggest penalty so far under a new European privacy law-alleging the search-engine giant didn't go f...
Can Microsoft's $500 Million Solve Seattle's Housing Issue?
22 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Microsoft pledged $500 million to support affordable housing in the Seattle area, an effort to address concern that technology companies' financial su...
Netflix Earnings: A Mixed Bag as Competition Heats Up
18 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Netflix continued to expand its customer base at a rapid clip in the fourth quarter thanks to strong growth overseas, but increased spending on conten...
Motorola Razr Phone: The Next Comeback?
17 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Motorola seeks to revive flip phone that was dethroned by the iPhone a decade ago. The Wall Steet Journal's Sarah Krouse has more. Learn more about ...
Netflix Raises Prices on All of Its Subscription Plans
16 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Netflix has raised prices for all of its subscription plans, a move that will give the streaming-video giant more flexibility to continue its aggressi...
Cloud Still Shines for Amazon, Microsoft
15 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Can Amazon and Microsoft keep their cloud businesses growing strong? The Wall Street Journal's Dan Gallagher has more on the new $1.6 trillion questio...
Apple: Time to Blast Through 'Walled Garden?'
14 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
For years, Apple's software and services were only available on its hardware. At this year's CES tech show in Las Vegas, it's become apparent that the...
CES 2019: Air Taxis, Wall TVs, 5G Hype, Walking Cars
11 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
At the annual CES convention, companies showcase their most ambitious projects and hint at what's in store for the future of technology. The Wall Stre...
Fake 5G? Wireless Rivals Fuel Confusion, Controversy
10 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Companies like AT&T and Verizon are putting their own spin on 5G wireless standards to appear more cutting-edge. As some decry fake 5G, the Wall Stree...
AI Robots Speed Up E-Commerce in Warehouses
09 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Companies like XPO Logistics and Rakuten are rolling out automation in warehouses to boost productivity -- increasing human-machine collaboration. The...
Telsa's New China Factory
08 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Tesla started construction of its new China factory, the first wholly foreign-owned car plant in the country and crucial to the electric-auto maker's ...
Apple: Time to Think Very Different?
07 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Slowing iPhone sales triggered a nearly unprecedented warning from Apple about lower-than-expected revenue for its fiscal first quarter. The Wall Stre...
Roku Takes Cues From Amazon With Premium Subscriptions
04 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Beginning later this month, Roku will directly sell subscriptions to premium TV channels such as Starz, Showtime and Epix. The Wall Street Journal's B...
5G Wireless: Time to Dial Down the Hype?
03 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The next-generation wireless standard will bring undeniable benefits, but significant business for 5G technology in 2019 isn't likely. The Wall Street...
More Businesses Adopt a No-Cash Policy
02 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Using Apps to Take Out a Small Business Loan
31 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The Wall Street Journal's Peter Rudegeair says more tech companies have jumped into the banking business, enabling small businesses to take out loans ...
Before Long, A Big EV Rollout
28 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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. Unti...
Amazon HQ2's Big Boon to Cities
27 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Since Amazon announced New York City and Virginia as the home of its newest headquarters, officials have boasted big benefits to local residents. The ...
Fortnite: An Unwinnable Battle at Home?
26 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Fortnite, the last-man-standing videogame, has pushed aside other pastimes and hobbies and transformed family dynamics. The Wall Street Journal looks ...
Will Tech Sector Finally See Growth in Wages?
24 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 broa...
Uber Resumes Robot Car Tests in Pittsburgh After Hiatus
21 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 St...
Musk's 'Boring' Tunnel to Save Your 'Soul' From Traffic
20 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In front of hundreds of supporters, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk showcased his grand vision for alleviating city traffic with a network of tunnels that...
Apple's Sales Go Flat in World's Largest Untapped Market
19 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Amazon's New Changes Target Unprofitable Items
18 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 s...
Will Consumers Embrace a Fake Influencer?
17 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 sa...
Netflix, Hulu to Place Bets on Your Audience Experience
14 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
With providers like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon, and more creative risks, network leaders are placing bets on how audience experience will evolve. Stinso...
Hackers Nab Your Data in a Few Minutes for a Few Bucks
13 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Data thieves' tactics are getting more ingenious and more intrusive, as Marriott's Starwood database breach adds to a string of large-scale corporate ...
Google CEO in Washington Hot Seat
12 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Google CEO Sundar Pichai was thrust into the political spotlight when he testified at his first Congressional hearing on Tuesday. The Wall Street Jour...
Apple Hit With Sales Ban on Older iPhones in China
11 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 Jour...
White House Summit With Big Tech Tackles AI, Job Losses
10 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ar...
Booking a Hotel? Airbnb, Expedia Push Experiences Too
07 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Companies like Airbnb, TripAdvisor and Expedia are looking to organize the roughly 80% of activities done by travelers that are now booked offline. Th...
Trump Hits Amazon, Online Retailers With Proposed USPS Changes
06 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Musk's SpaceX Latest Rocket Launch Marks New Milestones
05 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Amazon Tests Cashierless Tech for Bigger Stores
04 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Amazon is testing its cashierless checkout technology for bigger stores, a strategy that could further challenge brick-and-mortar retailers if success...
Can AT&T's New Streaming Service Take On Netflix?
03 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ser...
Emails Show Facebook Considered Charging for Data Access
30 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Internal emails show Facebook thought about charging companies for access to user data several years ago -- a step that would have marked a dramatic s...
New Amazon Software Analyzes Patient Medical Records
29 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Amazon Gains Ground in Advertising
28 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 Fa...
What to Do When Your Smart TV Loses Its Smarts
27 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
For many consumers, their smart TV's capabilities are being outpaced by new and more advanced programming platforms and services. Wall Street Journal ...
Forget Cyber Monday. Now It's Mobile Monday
26 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
OpenX's Dallas Lawrence examines the shift in consumers seeking out holiday shopping deals from Black Friday to the Monday after Thanksgiving. He also...
Black Friday Shopping? Tips for Deals, Perks ...and Bitcoin
23 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Coupons haven't gone away, but the path to discounts is through shoppers' mobile phones or computers this holiday season. The Wall Street Journal's Sa...
Under the Tree: WSJ's Favorite Holiday Tech Gifts
21 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it's a coffee travel mug with sensors or new noise-cancelling headphones, there's a tech gift for everyone this holiday season. The Wall Stree...
Cord-Cutters Chip Away at Traditional TV Outlook
20 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
With more than 1 million consumers canceling their cable-TV or satellite subscriptions in the past quarter, the Wall Street Journal's Drew FitzGerald ...
PCs: A Recent Bright Spot for Tech
19 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Many think personal computers are a fading business. But it turns out PCs have been a recent bright spot for tech. The Wall Street Journal's Dan Galla...
What the Amazon HQ2 Cities Could Learn from Seattle
16 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Amazon's arrival in Long Island City and Northern Virginia will no doubt transform the two communities. That's if Amazon's presence in Seattle is any ...
Amazon, Google Battle for High-Tech Talent
15 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
As both Amazon.com and Google boost their presences in New York, the battle to lure high-tech talent will be intense. The Wall Street Journal's Eric M...
WSJ Tech D.Live: Instagram, Billboards...and Kevin Hart
14 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Special Edition: At the WSJ Tech D.Live Conference, Instagram's co-founder talks about the evolution of social media. Brex's CEO touts the benefits of...
Amazon H2Q Sparks Long Island City Real Estate Boom
14 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
News that Amazon.com would locate half of its new headquarters in Long Island City, N.Y. sparked a real estate-buying frenzy in the area. Josh Barbane...
WSJ Tech D.Live: How Should Tech Firms Be Regulated?
13 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
D.Live Special Edition: With tech firms under growing scrutiny, how much regulation should they face? Some executives offered their thoughts at the WS...
Banks Partner with the DMV to Fight Identity Fraud
13 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Major banks are partnering with state Departments of Motor Vehicles to combat identity fraud. It comes as more people are opening accounts online. The...
The Next Gaming Frontier: Streaming?
12 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
By making game consoles unnecessary, streaming could dramatically broaden the videogame market. The Wall Street Journal's Sarah E. Needleman talks wha...
Google Addresses Harassment Claims With New Policy
09 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Google said it would end its requirement for employee sexual-harassment claims to be handled in private arbitration, one week after thousands of worke...
Amazon, Google Smart Speakers Still Can't Call 911?
08 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Amazon Echo and Google Home devices can play music, share the weather and dial up friends -- yet most still can't call 911. The Wall Street Journal's ...
Amazon's HQ2 Split: Too Many Jobs, Not Enough Talent
07 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Amazon's decision to split its new headquarters exposes a secret known to many companies: It is tough to find top tech talent. The Wall Street Journal...
Is U.S. Ready for Cyberattacks on Election Day?
06 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
To prevent Russian meddling on Election Day, officials have hired technology experts, established training for poll workers, and in some cases purchas...
Election 2018: Buy Facebook Ads or Risk Losing?
05 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Campaign spending on Facebook isn't just up since the last midterm election-it's exploding. The Wall Street Journal's Christopher Mims has more on ho...
Apple Reports Record Results but Weak Revenue Outlook
02 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Apple reported another quarter of record revenue and profit, but its shares fell in after-hours trading following the company's lackluster sales guida...
Global Tech Backlash Heats Up for Google, Facebook
01 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
All over the world, citizens, bureaucrats and politicians are pushing back against the power of big tech companies. The Wall Street Journal's Christop...
Apple's (Pricier) New MacBook Air, iPad Pro
31 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Apple unveiled two more-expensive versions of its Mac personal computers and a redesigned iPad, as it aims to reinvigorate lackluster sales of PCs and...
Apple Event Preview: Unveiling Latest iPads, Macs
30 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The latest versions of Apple's iPad and Mac are expected to be revealed on Tuesday. The Wall Street Journal's Tripp Mickle talks whether they will be ...
Billionaire Afiniti CEO Says AI Needs More Humans
29 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Despite leading what may be the first pure-play AI company to IPO, Zia Chishti, chairman and CEO of AI company Afiniti, is an AI cynic. He explains wh...
Twitter Loses Users Again As It Purges Fake Accounts
26 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In its continuing drive to purge fake accounts, Twitter said it lost more users than forecast. Twitter also expects more user declines ahead. The Wall...
Tesla Stock Soars With Surprise Earning Quarter
25 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Tesla surprised Wall Street with its latest earnings report, posting a profit for the second time in its history, mostly thanks to the Model 3. The En...
Amazon HQ2 Search Sparks Real-Estate Speculation
24 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Investors say focus on the finalists for Amazon's second headquarters is a way to bet on places with a growing pool of tech talent. The Wall Street Jo...
Google, Amazon and Microsoft Try Hardware This Fall
23 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Google, Amazon and Microsoft are making lots of new devices, but only Apple is making much money from gadgets lately. The Wall Street Journal's Dan Ga...
Facebook Aims to Fix Image With Help From the U.K.
22 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Facebook has hired Britain's former deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, as its top policy and communications executive -- giving a Silicon Valley outsi...
Are Facebook's Bad Metrics to Blame for 'Pivot to Video'?
19 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Allegations that Facebook misled advertisers about video viewership have reignited debate among publishing execs about who is to blame for an ill-fate...
iPad Tipping: The New Awkward Payment Tech
18 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Countertop payment tablets like Square are turning gratuities into a public ordeal. The Wall Street Journal's Jennifer Levitz talks how new payment te...
Amazon, Walmart Upend Retail With Robots and Drones
17 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Amazon, Walmart and others are using AI and robotics to transform everything from appliance shopping to grocery delivery. Welcome to the physical clou...
Can Netflix Avoid Another Earnings Miss?
16 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
On Tuesday, when Netflix reports third-quarter earnings, the streaming giant will get to prove to investors that its earnings miss last quarter was ju...
How to Delete Digital Ghosts of Your Old Accounts
15 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We face constant reminders that our personal data is scattered all over the internet. The Wall Street Journal's Katie Bindley talks how to reduce your...
Google Slammed By Senate Letter Over Data Leak
12 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Top lawmakers sent a stinging letter to Google over its handling of a data vulnerability that affected hundreds of thousands of users of its Google+ s...
Google's New Hardware: Pixel 3, Pixel Slate, Home Hub
11 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Google unveiled two new Pixel smartphones, a Chromebook that acts as both tablet and laptop, and a smart display designed for kitchens and bedrooms. T...
Portal: Facebook's New Video-Chat Home Device
10 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Facebook is launching a pair of video-chat devices that will give it a deeper connection to what users do in their homes -- even as it faces intense s...
Google Exposed User Data, Feared Disclosing to Public
09 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Google exposed the private data of hundreds of thousands of users of the Google+ social network and then opted not to disclose the issue this past spr...
'Always On?' How to Disconnect From Work Culture
08 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In our "Always On" world, colleagues text and email us at all hours, expecting a quick response. But certain strategies can happily keep you out of re...
Honda Invests Billions in GM's Self-Driving Car Unit
05 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
With Honda investing $750 million in GM's self-driving car unit, the Wall Street Journal's Adrienne Roberts talks about how car makers and tech giants...
Online Orders Force Supermarket Shakeup
04 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
With new layouts, curbside pickup zones, and round-the-clock restocking, e-commerce has the supermarket business radically changing. The Wall Street J...
Who's Exposing China's Hacking Army? A Cyber Mystery
03 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The world's cybersleuths are investigating a new mystery: Who is behind an anonymous effort to expose China's hacker army? A group called Intrusion Tr...
Quitting QWERTY: Tech's New Typing Era
02 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The next era of tech won't work with a physical keyboard -- you'll interact with it the same way you do other people. The Wall Street Journal's David ...
Slack Prepares for Early 2019 IPO
01 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Slack Technologies is actively preparing for an initial public offering in the first half of 2019, with an eye toward going public as soon as the firs...
Amazon Opens New York Store to Sell Top Rated Items
28 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Amazon opens a new bricks-and-mortar store that will feature a selection of goods curated partly by local consumers' online shopping habits, part of i...
Google CEO to Meet With Top GOP Lawmakers
27 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Google CEO Sundar Pichai plans to appear at a meeting of top GOP lawmakers Friday, responding to new scrutiny of the its work with China and alleged b...
Instagram Co-Founders Step Down From Facebook
26 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The two co-founders of Facebook's popular Instagram app are stepping down -- a move marking continued tumult at the social-networking giant. Wall Stre...
Apple Seeks Streaming Success With New TV Strategy
25 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Apple wants to make scripted shows for streaming -- but it doesn't want to risk its pristine brand image by including violence and risqué story lines...
Apple iPhone Launch: Customer Turnout Key
24 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
With a large number of customers coming out for the store debut of Apple's new iPhones on Friday, the Wall Street Journal's Tripp Mickle explains how ...
Amazon's Alexa-Enabled Chip Creates New Smart Home
21 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In a bid to control the smart home of the future, Amazon is offering makers of electronics a small chip that would let people use their voice to comma...
Apple's New Strategy? Sell Pricier iPhones First
20 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
For the second straight year, Apple is selling its new iPhones at different times-but this time, it's putting out the priciest model first. The Wall S...
Rise of the Software 'Robots'
19 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
After years toiling in obscurity, startups have suddenly hit the jackpot in a corner of the enterprise-software market sprinkled with artificial intel...
Apple iOS 12: A Review
18 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The latest iOS 12 software from Apple is coming to your iPhones and iPads. The Wall Street Journal's David Pierce explains why you should upgrade -- e...
Elon Musk's SpaceX Signs Up First Moon Tourist
17 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Elon Musk's SpaceX announced that it had signed up the first private passenger to fly around the moon. The Wall Street Journal's Andy Pasztor has more...
Apple Watch's Heart-Monitoring Sparks Health Debate
14 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Apple's smartwatch added heart-monitoring and fall-detection applications that could help detect medical conditions but also trigger false alarms. The...
Apple's Biggest, Priciest iPhone Lineup Ever
13 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Apple is making a bet that larger screens can persuade millions of iPhone owners to not only upgrade to a new device but also fork over more money. Th...