Seniors Seeking Vaccines Have a Problem: They Can’t Use the Internet
Older adults living alone often lack access or an understanding of technology, and many are unsure how to sign up for an appointment.
Home / Archive for February 2021
Digidog, a Robotic Dog Used by the Police, Stirs Privacy Concerns
The New York Police Department has been testing Digidog, which it says can be deployed in dangerous situations and keep officers safer, but ...
How One State Managed to Actually Write Rules on Facial Recognition
Massachusetts is one of the first states to put legislative guardrails around the use of facial recognition technology in criminal investiga...
Want to Buy a Hair-Scrunchie Mask? Great. But Forget About That N95.
Scientists are urging Americans to upgrade their face coverings. But Amazon, Google and Facebook restrict the sale of medical-grade masks. C...
Amazon Moves From Film Industry’s Margins to the Mainstream
With several films competing for Golden Globes on Sunday and a number of high-priced movies coming this year, the streaming service has alte...
Can Tech Break Us Out of Our Bubbles?
We need more ways to find new movies, books and activities — especially those that challenge us.
A Spreadsheet of China's Censorship Shows the Human Toll
An online spreadsheet with an anonymous minder tabulates Xi Jinping’s crackdown on speech.
Away From Silicon Valley, the Military Is the Ideal Customer
While much has been made of tech’s unwillingness to work with the Pentagon, start-ups are still plumbing the industry’s decades-long ties to...
A Critic of Technology Turns Her Gaze Inward
Sherry Turkle is best known for exploring the dysfunctional relationships between humans and their screens. She takes on a new focus — herse...
What Kind of Plane Am I Flying On?
After engine debris from a Boeing 777-200 rained down on a Denver suburb, some fliers may want to know more about plane safety and maintenan...
F.C.C. Approves a $50 Monthly High-Speed Internet Subsidy
The money, aimed at low-income households, is part of an effort to bridge the access gap to broadband connectivity amid the pandemic.
AT&T, loaded with debt from its DirecTV deal, sells part of its TV business to a private equity firm.
The spinoff, which will give TPG a minority stake, values the TV business at $16.25 billion — about a third of what AT&T paid just for D...
Dispo, David Dobrik's Photo-Sharing App, Is Taking Off
Some are calling David Dobrik’s new photo app, Dispo, the next Instagram.
Twitter Shakes Off the Cobwebs With New Product Plans
Though it has received outsized attention for the last few years, the company has not changed very much. But a recent acquisition spree sign...
The long, painful path of net neutrality
Where the war over net neutrality stands, and why it (sort of) matters today.
The + That’s Taking Over Streaming Platforms
An idea that seemed like a real plus when streaming was newer has fallen into cliché.
Can Clubhouse Move Fast Without Breaking Things?
The 11-month-old audio social network is compelling. It also has some very grown-up problems.
Plus + Plus + Plus = Streaming Name Surplus
An idea that seemed like a real plus when streaming was newer has fallen into cliché.
Facebook Bans Myanmar Military Accounts in Aftermath of Coup
The move plunges the social network into the post-coup politics of the roiled nation, after years of criticism over how Myanmar’s military h...
This Website Is My Pandemic BFF
JustWatch makes finding where shows or movies are streaming online super easy. Hallelujah.
A New Generation of Wi-Fi to Improve Your Home Network
The technology, Wi-Fi 6, is designed to reduce congestion from devices. We put it to the test.
California Wins Court Victory for Its Net Neutrality Law
A federal judge’s ruling can allow the state to go ahead with its law while a lawsuit works its way through the courts.
After Russian Cyberattack, Looking for Answers and Debating Retaliation
Key senators and corporate executives warned at a hearing on Tuesday that the “scope and scale” of the hacking of government agencies and co...
The Best Law You’ve Never Heard Of
Taking back control of our personal data can feel like a lost cause. But there’s hope!
A Digital Firewall in Myanmar, Built with Guns and Wire Cutters
As the military seized power again, the generals moved quickly to take the country offline, criminalize online dissent and block social medi...
Kazuo Ishiguro Sees What the Future Is Doing to Us
With his new novel, the Nobel Prize-winner reaffirms himself as our most profound observer of human fragility in the technological era.
A.I. Is Everywhere and Evolving
Many of us already live with artificial intelligence now, but researchers say interactions with the technology will become increasingly pers...
Facebook Strikes Deal to Restore News Sharing in Australia
The agreement means users and publishers in Australia can once again share links to news articles, after Facebook had blocked the practice l...
F.C.C. Broadband Plan Includes $50 Monthly Subsidy for Millions
A proposal released by the acting chairwoman of the commission is an attempt to close the digital divide.
A City With Amazon at the Center: California’s Inland Empire
What happened to California’s Inland Empire when Amazon came to town.
Why an Animated Flying Cat With a Pop-Tart Body Sold for Almost $600,000
A fast-growing market for digital art, ephemera and media is marrying the world’s taste for collectibles with cutting-edge technology.
She Beat Cancer at 10. Now She'll Join SpaceX's First Private Trip to Orbit.
St. Jude Hospital and Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur, selected Hayley Arceneaux for a trip to orbit in a SpaceX capsule.
Airbnb Is Driving Hosts Elsewhere With Costly Pandemic Policies
Hurt by refunds, some are trying to cut the site out of bookings or taking legal action. The company says it is working to reduce tensions.
Team Molly: The Family After Molly Steinsapir's Death
While her daughter was hospitalized, one mother built more room for our national grief.
China Censors the Internet. So Why Doesn’t Russia?
The Kremlin has constructed an entire infrastructure of repression but has not displaced Western apps. Instead, it is turning to outright in...
Hurt by Lockdowns, California’s Small Businesses Push to Recall Newsom
The pain for such enterprises been particularly acute in the state, leading some to back an effort to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Hurt by Lockdowns, California’s Small Businesses Push to Recall Governor
The pain for such enterprises been particularly acute in the state, leading some to back an effort to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Rupert Neve, the Father of Modern Studio Recording, Dies at 94
His equipment became the industry standard and influenced the sound of groups like Nirvana, Fleetwood Mac, the Grateful Dead, Santana, Chica...
Uber Drivers Are Entitled to Worker Benefits, a British Court Rules
The decision was an important victory for labor activists in the U.S. and Europe who are pushing for better wages and stronger protections f...
Why We Want Tech Copycats to Fail
Big Tech likes to copy the hot new thing. But that’s not always good for the rest of us.
Bruce Blackburn, Designer of Ubiquitous NASA Logo, Dies at 82
He was known for the NASA “worm,” which has become synonymous with space exploration. He also designed the 1976 American Revolution Bicenten...
Who Wins the (Online) Corner Store?
A big question about the future of commerce is how local businesses will succeed online.
Meet Elizabeth Ann, the First Cloned Black-Footed Ferret
Her birth represents the first cloning of an endangered species native to North America, and may bring needed genetic diversity to the speci...
Facebook restricts the sharing of news in Australia as Google says it will pay some publishers.
The decision is in response to a proposed law in the country that would require tech companies to pay publishers for linking to stories acro...
Facebook restricts the sharing of news on its platform in Australia.
The decision is in response to a proposed law in the country that would require tech companies to pay publishers for linking to stories acro...
The Internet Is Splintering
Facebook and Google exist in so many countries. Who should decide the rules in each one?
Google Is Suddenly Paying for News in Australia. What About Everywhere Else?
Pathbreaking legislation showed that even a small nation can get the tech giant to bend. But the United States seems unlikely to follow.
How to Buy a Real N95 Mask Online
Fakes and little-known brands still abound, even as health officials have advised us to up our mask game. Here’s what to do.
This Cloud Computing Billing Expert Is Very Funny. Seriously.
Corey Quinn has made it his business to understand Amazon’s cloud-computing charges and have some fun at the company’s expense.
Meet Me at the Virtual Water Cooler
Sick of boring grids of heads? A new crop of start-ups aims to bring some serendipity and spark to remote meetings.
The Rise of the Wellness App
They’re everywhere, but they can’t address the real problem: the alienation of 21st-century work.
New York Sues Amazon, Saying It Inadequately Protected Workers From Covid-19
The case focuses on two of the company’s facilities in New York.
Technology Executive Apologizes After Dozens of Event Attendees Contract Covid-19
Peter Diamandis thought extensive testing could help create an “immunity bubble” for a conference in Culver City, Calif. It didn’t work. “I ...
The State House Versus Big Tech
State and local governments are looking to assert more control over tech companies.
Big Tech’s Next Big Problem Could Come From People Like ‘Mr. Sweepy’
Government antitrust lawsuits have created openings for numerous private cases against Big Tech, with more expected to come. If successful, ...
Parler, a Social Network That Attracted Trump Fans, Returns Online
After being cut off by Amazon and other tech giants, Parler worked for weeks to find a way to get back on the internet.
An Inside Look at Cuba’s Constant Struggle for Clean Water
Across the country, battling water scarcity requires a vast array of workers, from inspectors and fumigators to truck drivers and pipe layer...
Clubhouse, a Tiny Audio Chat App, Breaks Through
The 11-month-old app has exploded in popularity, even as it grapples with harassment, misinformation and privacy issues.
An Inside Look at Cuba’s Constant Struggle for Clean Water
Across the country, battling water scarcity requires a vast array of workers, from inspectors and fumigators to truck drivers and pipe layer...
Big Tech’s Unlikely Next Battleground: North Dakota
A vote on a bill this week is part of a movement that could cost Apple and Google billions of dollars. State legislatures are becoming the f...
Silicon Valley’s Safe Space
Slate Star Codex was a window into the psyche of many tech leaders building our collective future. Then it disappeared.
Voyager 2 Has Entered the Space Between Solar Systems
It is the second spacecraft to make the crossing into interstellar space, providing a new look at what lies beyond our local galactic neighb...
Amazon Sues N.Y. Attorney General to Block Covid-19 Charges
The tech company said that the attorney general, Letitia James, had overstepped her authority in investigating workplace safety.
Maryland Nears Country’s First Tax on Big Tech’s Ad Revenue
Analysts estimate that the tax would generate up to $250 million for schools in the state in the first year. It would also probably face fie...
What Sun Dawu's Prosecution Says About China
A rural businessman, Sun Dawu, angered Beijing twice. His fate the second time around could augur the future of the world’s other superpower...
Earth to Voyager 2: After a Year in the Darkness, We Can Talk to You Again
NASA’s sole means of sending commands to the distant space probe, launched 44 years ago, is being restored on Friday.
Maryland Nears Country’s First Tax on Big Tech’s Ad Revenue
Analysts estimate that the tax would generate up to $250 million for schools in the state in the first year. It would also probably face fie...
Twitter vs. India
Twitter is defying a democratically elected government. We should all watch what happens next.
Why Is Facebook Rejecting These Fashion Ads?
The automated intelligence systems of Instagram and Facebook have repeatedly denied ads placed by small businesses that make stylish clothin...
Canadian Woman Behind Online Attacks Is Arrested in Toronto
Nadire Atas trashed the reputations of dozens of people. On Tuesday, she was charged by the Toronto police with harassment and other offense...
Facebook Is Said to Be Building a Product to Compete With Clubhouse
The social network, which has a history of cloning its competitors, has started working on an audio chat product.
Twitter Removes Accounts in India Under Pressure from Narendra Modi
The social media platform’s problems in the country offer a stark example of the difficulty of adhering to its free-speech principles amid g...
Create a Digital Commonplace Book
Readers have collected their favorite literary lines for centuries. Now compiling a portable word scrapbook is easier than ever.
Facebook Dials Down the Politics for Users
News feeds will start getting less political content in Canada, Brazil and Indonesia, the social network said, with the change reaching the ...
‘I’m Not a Cat,’ Says Lawyer Having Zoom Difficulties
The video was immediately shared widely and brought joy to many. The lawyer, Rod Ponton, said he was happy people got a much-needed laugh.
You Can’t Find a Laptop. Or a Car?
Buying electronics now is rough. Be patient. Shop around. And try not to break anything important.
What Is Amazon Web Services?
Andy Jassy, the successor to Jeff Bezos, was already running the company’s most profitable business.
How This New Yorker Created a Vaccine Appointment Website for $50
New Yorkers with tech skills were appalled when they tried to make vaccine appointments for older relatives. They knew there was a better wa...
Clubhouse Cracked China's Firewall. A People Shined Through.
China’s censors finally blocked Clubhouse, but not before users were able to bypass the caricatures painted by government-controlled media a...
N.Y.’s Vaccine Websites Weren’t Working. He Built a New One for $50.
New Yorkers with tech skills were appalled when they tried to make vaccine appointments for older relatives. They knew there was a better wa...
Remote Learning Isn’t Just for Kids
New online tools and an array of remote classes and programs are ramping up education and training for adults.
Reddit, the Talk of the Internet, Raises $250 Million
The start-up, which was at the center of a recent stock market frenzy, was valued at $6 billion in the new funding round.
Bitcoin and Dogecoin Are Boosted by Elon Musk
Bitcoin and even Dogecoin, which began as a playful experiment, are soaring in value as billionaires, companies and celebrities promote the ...
The Gig Economy Dipped Again in the Fall. But How Bad Was It?
Uber and Lyft will report financial results this week for a year that upended hopes that the companies would soon turn around big losses.
The Auto Revolution Is Here
Traditional automakers and tech-focused companies, like Tesla, race to rule the future of cars.
Facebook says it plans to remove posts with false vaccine claims.
The move targets unpaid posts to the site and particularly Facebook pages and groups.
China Blocks Clubhouse App After Brief Flowering of Debate
For a little while, the social media platform Clubhouse provided the rare opportunity for cross-border dialogue on contentious topics free f...
Where Do Vaccine Doses Go, and Who Gets Them? The Algorithms Decide
Health agencies and hospitals are using different formulas to allocate the coronavirus shots, exacerbating disparities in vaccine access.
Three false claims about the election made in Mike Lindell’s new film.
One America News ran an extensive disclaimer before the broadcast.
Winning With Uncle Sam’s Help
Other countries are plowing cash into homegrown technologies. Should the United States follow?
Russian Campaign Promotes Homegrown Vaccine and Undercuts Rivals
Russian news outlets with connections to the Kremlin ran disingenuous Spanish-language stories targeting vaccines made in the United States ...
On Ballet TikTok, a Place for Young Dancers to Be Real
“On TikTok, rather than your technique going viral, you could have your ideas about ballet go viral.”
Quest for Hollywood Fame Splits Redditors at Heart of Market Frenzy
The moderators of the Reddit message board WallStreetBets battled over movie deals after their sudden fame with the GameStop mania.
Paris Hilton Has a Podcast, With a Twist
The aughts fixture and proto-influencer’s new show with iHeartMedia aims to stake out a middle ground between podcasting and social media.
Instagram Bans Hundreds of Accounts With Stolen User Names
Accounts operating under rare “O.G. user names” obtained through hacking were banned on Thursday after a monthslong investigation.
Uber for Everything
Delivery apps like Uber and Instacart are branching out. How this shakes out will affect all of us.
‘A Glitch in the Matrix’ Review: Is This All Just a Simulation?
This documentary, from the director of “Room 237,” is a lively yet superficial exploration of the theory that our reality is actually a comp...
Parler CEO John Matze Says He Was Fired
John Matze, who led the social media platform that was popular with conservatives, said he recently disagreed with one of the site’s backers...
Clearview AI’s Facial-Recognition App Called Illegal in Canada
Canadian authorities declared that the company needed citizens’ consent to use their biometric information, and told the firm to delete faci...
How Andy Jassy, Amazon’s Next C.E.O., Was a ‘Brain Double’ for Jeff Bezos
Mr. Jassy, who will become Amazon’s chief this summer, has spent more than two decades absorbing lessons from Mr. Bezos.
Jeff Bezos Renews Focus on Blue Origin, Which Has Been Slower to Launch
The Amazon founder started his private rocket company in 2000, but its busiest phase could just now be starting.
What Comes Next For Amazon Without Jeff Bezos?
Amazon has reimagined entire industries. What happens next to the $1.7 trillion company?
What Can You Buy With Bitcoin?
Pornography, patio furniture and an at-home coronavirus test are among the odd assortment of goods and services people are purchasing with t...
Are Private Messaging Apps the Next Misinformation Hot Spot?
Telegram and Signal, the encrypted services that keep conversations confidential, are increasingly popular. Our tech columnists discuss whet...
Jeff Bezos to Step Down as Amazon Chief Executive
Andy Jassy, the chief of Amazon’s cloud computing division, will become chief executive, while Mr. Bezos, the company’s founder, will become...
SpaceX’s Starship Launches and Again Crashes in Test of Prototype
After defying the F.A.A. during its last test flight in December, the company got approval but didn’t succeed in sticking the landing.
Robinhood's C.E.O., Vlad Tenev, Is in the Hot Seat
Vlad Tenev has incited the fury of the trading app’s fans amid a stock market frenzy. His lack of preparedness on nuts-and-bolts issues was ...
How to Fix Facebook Groups
Facebook groups spread conspiracy theories and shield abuse. Here are ways to make them less toxic.
How the Biden Administration Can Help Solve Our Reality Crisis
These steps, experts say, could prod more people to abandon the scourge of hoaxes and lies.
To Get on This SpaceX Flight, You Don’t Have to Be Rich, Just Lucky
Jared Isaacman, 37-year-old founder of Shift4 Payments, is chartering a trip to orbit and raffling a seat to a random winner to raise money ...
What Is GameStop, the Company, Really Worth? Does It Matter?
The frenzy for the troubled retailer’s stock has been a headscratcher for the analysts who try to determine a company’s value.
America Stinks at Video Games?
Young video game pros from abroad are being lured to play in the United States.
Alzheimer’s Prediction May Be Found in Writing Tests
IBM researchers trained artificial intelligence to pick up hints of changes in language ahead of the onset of neurological diseases.
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