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Home / Archive for May 2021
How the ‘Wandering Meatloaf’ Got Its Rock-Hard Teeth
The dentition of the gumboot chiton, a lumbering mollusk, contains a super-hard mineral never before seen in a living animal.
In a World Let Loose, Video Game Makers Are ‘Doubling Down’
The companies won big when the pandemic forced people indoors. In a risky bet, they aren’t slowing down even as behaviors shift again.
Two New Laws Restrict Police Use of DNA Search Method
Maryland and Montana have passed the nation’s first laws limiting forensic genealogy, the method that found the Golden State Killer.
Two New Laws Restrict Police Use of DNA Search Method
Maryland and Montana have passed the nation’s first laws limiting forensic genealogy, the method that found the Golden State Killer.
Air Force Tries Virtual Reality to Stem Suicide and Sexual Assault
Officials are hoping that an immersive virtual reality experience aimed at getting airmen to intervene will succeed where years of tradition...
Cell Service in the Hamptons is...Not Good
An influx of residents during the pandemic has strained cellphone and internet signals, making a booster the new must-have accessory.
Uber and Lyft Surges: What to Know
The companies say they are charging extra because they don’t have enough drivers to match rebounding customer demand.
Emily Wilder's Firing at The A.P. Reminds Us of What We Didn't Expect
A recent firing at The Associated Press is the latest example of the way in which our digital pasts are never far from the present, despite ...
Cell Service in the Hamptons is Not Good
An influx of residents during the pandemic has strained cellphone and internet signals, making a booster the new must-have accessory.
How 'The Drivers Cooperative' is Trying to Compete with Uber and Lyft in NY
About 2,500 drivers in New York are organizing to create what they say is a better deal for drivers than what the ride-hailing giants offer....
A Worker-Owned Cooperative Tries to Compete With Uber and Lyft
About 2,500 drivers in New York are organizing to create what they say is a better deal for drivers than what is offered by ride-hailing gia...
Facebook Takes on Superspreaders
Internet companies are making it harder for those with big followings to spread misinformation. Finally!
7 Podcasts to Soothe Your Back-to-Normal Anxiety
These shows will help you to navigate whatever complex feelings you’re having about the world reopening, and ease you back into society at y...
Flying and Climate: Airlines Under Pressure to Cut Emissions
The airline industry might not be able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for decades because most solutions are not yet viable.
Will the Next Space-Weather Season Be Stormy or Fair?
As another 11-year cycle of solar activity begins, scientists debate how violent our stellar friend is likely to be.
Russia Appears to Carry Out Hack Through System Used by U.S. Aid Agency
Microsoft reported that it had detected the intrusion and that the same hackers behind the earlier SolarWinds attack were responsible.
Senate Poised to Pass $195 Billion Bill to Bolster Competitiveness With China
The legislation, which has bipartisan support, would be the first major industrial policy effort in decades.
NFTs Linked to Nobel Prizes Are Being Auctioned by Berkeley
What would you pay for the invention disclosure forms filed by the creators of CRISPR or cancer immunotherapy?
Twitter Calls on Indian Government to Respect Free Speech
After the government targeted posts criticizing its response to the coronavirus spread, the social media platform decried what it called “in...
The Future Is Velvet Ropes
If digital-world nightclubs get harder to access, we risk missing out on new ideas.
Twitter Calls on Indian Government to Respect Free Speech
The social media platform criticized what it called “intimidation tactics,” saying it would push back on new rules that it said could rein i...
Why Apple and Google’s Virus Alert Apps Had Limited Success
The virus-tracing effort raises questions about the power of Big Tech to set global standards for public health tools.
Astronauts on Set: Space Station May Host Wave of TV Shows and Films
A Discovery reality TV competition, a Russian medical thriller and more productions could be heading to the orbital outpost in the next year...
Why Is Amazon in Entertainment?
Amazon will buy MGM. Cool. But why does the tech giant have a streaming video service at all?
Russia Raises Heat on Twitter, Google and Facebook in Online Crackdown
Its campaign is part of a global wave of actions by governments that are testing how far they can go to control online speech.
James Bond, Meet Jeff Bezos: Amazon Makes $8.45 Billion Deal for MGM
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, while diminished, commanded a premium price, with Amazon seeking to bolster its crucial Prime membership offering.
5 Tips to Take Command of Your iPhone
Recent updates to Apple’s mobile operating system offer new ways to open apps, chat with friends and interact with your device.
A New Crop in Pennsylvania: Warehouses
Huge facilities have sprouted up in and around the Lehigh Valley, fueled by the astonishing growth of e-commerce. Some residents say the are...
WhatsApp Sues India’s Government to Stop New Internet Rules
The rules, which would require WhatsApp to make people’s messages traceable, would violate people’s privacy, the messaging service said.
Indian Police Visit Twitter Offices as Modi Goes on Pandemic Offense
The visit sent a clear message that India’s powerful ruling party is becoming increasingly upset with the company.
Joel Chadabe, Explorer of Electronic Music’s Frontier, Dies at 82
As both a composer and an advocate, Mr. Chadabe devoted himself to what one music critic called the “marriage between humans and their compu...
Amazon Accused of Manipulating Prices by D.C. Attorney General
The District of Columbia said in a lawsuit that Amazon had stopped merchants that use its platform from charging lower prices for the same p...
The Big Deal in Amazon’s Antitrust Case
The claim that Amazon is crushing competition is both novel and railroad baron-style old-school.
Rent the Runway Is Bouncing Back
The pandemic hit the world of clothing rental hard. Now, companies like Rent the Runway say the market is booming like never before.
Archaeologists vs. Computer: New Study Fuels Sorting Competition
When it came to the tedious task of categorizing pottery fragments, a deep-learning model was found to be just as accurate, and far more eff...
Going to the Moon via the Cloud
High-performance cloud computing has allowed start-ups to develop prototypes and run simulations — including one to the moon — that were pre...
Scientists Drove Mice to Bond by Zapping Their Brains With Light
The study, a tour de force in bioengineering, comes after two decades of research on brain-to-brain synchrony in people.
Apple’s Fortnite Trial Ends With Pointed Questions and a Toast to Popeyes
A decision over the antitrust suit filed by Epic Games, and the future of the $100 billion market for iPhone apps, is now in the hands of a ...
What Happened at Adrian's Kickback?
After Adrian Lopez’s birthday ‘kickback’ went viral on TikTok, thousands of teenagers showed up for the party of the year.
The Costly Pursuit of Self-Driving Cars Continues On. And On. And On.
Many in Silicon Valley promised that self-driving cars would be a common sight by 2021. Now the industry is resetting expectations and settl...
Florida, in a First, to Fine Social Media Companies That Ban Candidates
The new law, a direct response to Facebook and Twitter’s suspension of former President Donald J. Trump, affects candidates for statewide of...
When It’s OK to Be a Guinea Pig
It can be fun to try out new products, but only if we know what we’re signing up for.
TikTok, the Fastest Way on Earth to Become a Food Star
The app offers explosive growth for content creators. Gen Z cooks are taking advantage.
Blind Man's Sight Partially Restored with 'Optogenetics' Gene Therapy
Using a technique called optogenetics, researchers added light-sensitive proteins to the man’s retina, giving him a blurry view of objects.
The Costly Pursuit of Self-Driving Cars Continues On. And On. And On.
Many in Silicon Valley promised that self-driving cars would be a common sight by 2021. Now the industry is resetting expectations and settl...
Amazon’s Great Purge
Evictions of some popular products tell us a lot about untrustworthy internet reviews.
In Antitrust Trial, Tim Cook Argues Apple Doesn’t Hurt App Makers
The chief executive of Apple, which was sued by the gaming company Epic, said his company had invested heavily on security and had lowered s...
Shoshana Zuboff Explains Why You Should Care About Privacy
In a wide-ranging interview, the author of “The Age of Surveillance Capitalism” talks about why people should pay attention to how big tech ...
He Promised a Dreamy Wedding Proposal. Fans Got a 5-Hour Sale.
A Chinese influencer was barred from a video-sharing app after luring viewers to a livestreamed engagement, where he promoted makeup, perfum...
Irish Hospitals Are Latest to Be Hit by Ransomware Attacks
Hospitals in Ireland, New Zealand and Scripps Health in San Diego are reeling from digital extortion attacks.
Twitter Has a New Verification Process
The company is changing the verification process after confusion and contention, making it easier for select users to request to be verified...
An Old Conflict With Digital Twists
How the latest violence between Israelis and Palestinians encapsulates the best and worst of digital life.
Once Tech’s Favorite Economist, Now a Thorn in Its Side
Paul Romer’s call for government activism, particularly toward the big tech companies, reflects “a profound change in my thinking.”
TikTok's Owner, ByteDance, Says C.E.O. Zhang Yiming Will Resign
Zhang Yiming steered ByteDance to become China’s first truly globally successful internet company.
Should Alexa Read Our Moods?
The time to debate the power of voice technology is now. (Before Alexa starts suggesting comfort foods.)
Colorado Makes Doxxing Public Health Workers Illegal
The pandemic made health care workers a new target for having their personal information shared online, often with real-world consequences.
Mob Violence Against Palestinians in Israel Is Fueled by Groups on WhatsApp
Jewish extremists have formed more than 100 new groups on the Facebook-owned encrypted messaging app in recent days to target attacks.
After Media Detour, AT&T Confronts Old Problems
Following its spinoff of WarnerMedia, AT&T is back to primarily being a wireless company, with all of the challenges that entails.
Senate Weighs Investing $120 Billion in Science to Counter China
The legislation has drawn bipartisan support amid the coronavirus pandemic as Democrats and Republicans have become increasingly concerned a...
Apple’s Bargain in China
Apple touts its commitment to privacy and free speech. That’s why its China operation is so striking.
OnlyFans Isn’t Just Porn ;)
Despite all assertions that the site isn’t powered by its sexual content, the platform is synonymous with porn. What is it really?
Behind Every Hero or Villain, There Is Tech Support
Cutting-edge technology is often used in comics by the able assistants who fall under the trope “the guy in the chair.” But they are not alw...
MGM Looks to Amazon as the Hollywood Studio Tries to Find a Buyer
A deal would add Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s 4,000 films to Amazon’s streaming library, including the James Bond, Rocky and “Legally Blonde” franc...
Trump Justice Dept. Tried to Use Grand Jury to Identify Nunes Critic on Twitter
An unsealed court filing shows that the social media company fought the subpoena, which the Biden administration is said to have withdrawn.
Censorship, Surveillance and Profits: A Hard Bargain for Apple in China
Apple built the world’s most valuable business on top of China. Now it has to answer to the Chinese government.
Apple’s Compromises in China: 5 Takeaways
To stay on the good side of the Chinese authorities, the company has made decisions that contradict its carefully curated image.
Bill Gates Had Reputation for Questionable Behavior Before Divorce
Melinda French Gates voiced concerns about her husband’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and a harassment claim against his money manager....
How a Colorado Campus Became a Pandemic Laboratory
Colorado Mesa University and the Broad Institute of M.I.T. and Harvard have spent the last year exploring new approaches to managing outbrea...
Rural Areas Are Looking for Workers. They Need Broadband to Get Them.
Rural communities have long complained about their lack of internet access. The pandemic and President Biden’s infrastructure plan are givin...
Dogecoin Went Wild in 2021. Here's What It Taught Us.
Created as a cryptocurrency parody in 2013, Dogecoin languished for years. Then, in 2021, it went absolutely wild. What have its holders lea...
What TikTok Stars Owe ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’
The comedian is ending her daytime talk show after 19 years. Her segment “Ellen’s Wonderful Web of Wonderment” was the start of a new kind o...
The Assorted Teachings of Dogecoin
Created as a cryptocurrency parody in 2013, Dogecoin languished for years. Then, in 2021, it went absolutely wild. What have its holders lea...
Pipeline Attack Reveals Weaknesses in U.S. Cybersecurity
The hack underscored how vulnerable government and industry are to even basic assaults on computer networks.
As Congress Dithers, States Step In to Set Rules for the Internet
Virginia, Florida, Arkansas and Maryland are among dozens of states that have introduced bills to curtail the power of Amazon, Google, Faceb...
How Lies on Social Media Are Inflaming the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Misinformation has flourished on Twitter, TikTok, Facebook and other social media about the violence between Israelis and Palestinians.
On Spotify, an Arranged Marriage Between Music and Podcasts
Music-filled — and Spotify-exclusive — shows like “Black Girl Songbook” and “60 Songs That Explain the ’90s” dance around copyright constrai...
Modern Portrait of George Washington Draws Attention
A bored musician used Photoshop to depict a modern version the first president. A Washington biographer and an impersonator had thoughts on ...
Lies on Social Media Inflame Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Misinformation has flourished on Twitter, TikTok, Facebook and other social media about the violence between Israelis and Palestinians.
He’s a Dogecoin Millionaire. And He’s Not Selling.
Glauber Contessoto went looking for something that could change his fortunes overnight. He found it in a joke cryptocurrency.
Colonial Pipeline Paid Roughly $5 Million in Ransom to Hackers
The payment clears the way for gas to begin flowing again, but it risks emboldening other criminal groups to take American companies hostage...
Colonial Pipeline paid 75 Bitcoin, or roughly $5 million, to hackers.
Colonial pre-emptively shut down its pipeline operations on Friday. President Biden did not rule out a retaliatory strike on those responsib...
Coinbase made $771 million in profit in the first quarter, benefiting from cryptocurrency mania.
The company said rivals were swarming the market and increasing competition and that it was spending heavily on marketing and development to...
Biden Signs Executive Order to Bolster Federal Government’s Cybersecurity
President Biden’s order places strict new standards on software sold to the government.
The Apple and Amazon Side Hustles
The companies say they always do what’s best for us, but their advertising businesses suggest otherwise.
Here's How Disinformation Drives Voting Laws
After former President Donald J. Trump undermined public confidence in elections, Republican lawmakers are defending voting restrictions by ...
How ‘Put That on Top Shot!’ Became a New N.B.A. Mantra
Professional basketball players are buying and selling digital video highlights while preaching the tech industry’s cryptocurrency gospel.
Pipeline Hack Points to Growing Cybersecurity Risk for Energy System
Energy infrastructure has increasingly come under assault, and analysts said the attack that cut off fuel supplies this week should be a “wa...
A Phishing Test Promised Workers a Covid Bonus. Now They Want an Apology
As pandemic-related scams rise, experts say companies should tread carefully with cybersecurity exercises like one that has prompted anger i...
‘Antitrust’ by Amy Klobuchar, and ‘The Tyranny of Big Tech’ by Josh Hawley
The senators are on opposite sides of the aisle, but both speak out on the dangers of big tech in their new books. It’s weird, really, how a...
Tesla stops accepting Bitcoin as payment for its cars.
Elon Musk, Tesla’s chief executive, blamed the amount of energy, increasingly generated from fossil fuels, used by Bitcoin.
Colonial Pipeline Resumes Operation: Latest News on the Shutdown
The company that operates the pipeline said it will take several days before the supply of energy returns to normal.
Inside Jeff Bezos’s Obsessions
Amazon has had a boss with big ideas and incredible persistence. That hasn’t always been helpful.
Low-income households can now apply for a $50 monthly discount for internet.
The Federal Communications Commission said 825 broadband providers have agreed to offer the discounts. The program also allows for a one-tim...
Lordstown Motors Shares Plunge as Investors See Problems
Lordstown Motors said it would start producing and selling electric pickup trucks this year, but there is little evidence it is ready to do ...
Why Is New TV So Much Like Cable?
The standard business practices developing around streaming entertainment are rotten and need to change.
Feeling Stuck on Twitter and Facebook? So Is Everyone Else.
Our complicated relationship with social media might be simpler than it feels. Just remember how it started.
Semiconductor makers and users form a group to push for chip funding.
The new coalition comes amid a global semiconductor shortage that has caused disruptions throughout the economy.
When It Comes to Taxes, Being Tracked Can Be a Good Thing
With remote work more common now, tax apps that track your location have become relevant for professionals who want to work wherever they wa...
FBI Confirms DarkSide as Colonial Pipeline Hacker
The attack by DarkSide, a relatively new criminal group believed to have roots in Eastern Europe, exposed the remarkable vulnerability of ke...
Biden Vows to ‘Disrupt and Prosecute’ Hackers Who Forced Shutdown of U.S. Pipeline
The attack by a relatively new criminal group believed to have roots in Eastern Europe exposed the remarkable vulnerability of key American ...
Colonial Pipeline: A Vital Artery for Fuel
Growing domestic production of oil and gas has led to reduced refining capacity in the Northeast, increasing the reliance on fuel sent from ...
Dozens of state prosecutors tell Facebook to stop its plans for a children’s version of Instagram.
“Without a doubt, this is a dangerous idea that risks the safety of our children and puts them directly in harm’s way,” Letitia James, New Y...
Stay Safe From App Tracking
What we can learn from Apple’s privacy labels, and how we can better protect our information.
Biden Plans Order to Strengthen U.S. Cyberattack Defenses
A hacking of a major pipeline, the latest evidence of the nation’s vulnerabilities to cyberattacks, prompted questions about whether the adm...
As Scrutiny of Cryptocurrency Grows, the Industry Turns to K Street
Companies behind digital currencies are rushing to hire well-connected lobbyists, lawyers and consultants as the battle over how to regulate...
What to Do If Your Car is Recalled
Recalls are common, but receiving a notice can still be unnerving. Here’s what to expect.
Cyberattack Forces a Shutdown of a Top U.S. Pipeline
The operator, Colonial Pipeline, said it had halted systems for its 5,500 miles of pipeline after being hit by a ransomware attack.
Pipeline Shutdown Has Had Little Impact on Supplies So Far
But some energy warned of possible shortages and higher prices if the suspension continues into the week.
Online Cheating Charges Upend Dartmouth Medical School
The university accused 17 students of cheating on remote exams, raising questions about data mining and sowing mistrust on campus.
Cyberattack Forces a Shutdown of a Top U.S. Pipeline
The operator, Colonial Pipeline, said it had halted systems for its 5,500 miles of pipeline after being hit by a ransomware attack.
The Separate Worlds of Bill and Melinda Gates
They built an empire that was essential in the pandemic. Now, their impending divorce makes personal a shift that confidants say was well un...
Seeing the Real Faces of Silicon Valley
For many midlevel engineers and food truck workers and longtime residents, a region filled with extremes has become increasingly inhospitabl...
NASA Mars Helicopter Makes One-Way Flight to New Mission
Ingenuity has flown almost flawlessly through the red planet’s thin air and will now assist the science mission of the Perseverance rover.
Elon Musk: Memelord or Meme Lifter?
The billionaire has been posting content creators’ work without credit. Some are frustrated; others, simply puzzled.
You Can Run From Archaeology, but You Can’t Hide
Plus: A plummeting rocket, a superstar ant, staff recommendations and more in the Friday edition of the Science Times newsletter.
Will Songwriting Survive Streaming? Abba’s Bjorn Ulvaeus Is Worried.
One of pop’s most successful songwriters on fighting for the value of his craft, and on the young talents he admires most.
Despite Chip Shortage, Chip Innovation Is Booming
While a variety of industries struggle with supplies, semiconductor experts say there are plenty of new ideas and, most surprising, start-up...
Lithium Mining Projects May Not Be Green Friendly
A race is on to produce lithium in the United States, but competing projects are taking very different approaches to extracting the vital ra...
Ohio State Senator Is Caught Zooming and Driving
Andrew Brenner, a Republican, used a background to make it appear as if he were at home rather than behind the wheel of his car during a sta...
Glasserie Adopts New Digital Habits in Pandemic
The pandemic forced small businesses to adopt new digital habits, and many are now here to stay.
SpongeBob, ‘Star Trek’ and sports drive subscriptions to Paramount+.
ViacomCBS reports that its decision to revamp and rebrand its streaming service seems is paying off.
Big Internet Providers Funded a Project Behind Fake Comments on Net Neutrality
The attorney general’s office reached an agreement that levies millions in penalties on third-party services that generated the comments.
Facebook Oversight Board Tells Zuckerberg He's the Decider on Trump
The company tried to punt its Trump dilemma to a panel of experts. On Wednesday, the experts punted back.
Facebook’s ‘Supreme Court’ Tells Zuckerberg He’s the Decider
The company tried to punt its Trump dilemma to a panel of experts. On Wednesday, the experts punted back.
Watch SpaceX Launch Starship, Its Mars and Moon Rocket Prototype
The vehicle, known as Starship, will complete its latest high-altitude test flight, with the hope that it will end up on the ground in one p...
Giant Bidens, Tiny Carters: A Look at Photographic Distortion
A picture of two presidents and first ladies led to many Hobbit jokes online. We explain what happened.
Nick Clegg Steers Facebook's Trump Decision
Nick Clegg, a former deputy prime minister, has shaped the company’s handling of Donald Trump at every turn.
Uber shows signs of recovery from the pandemic slowdown.
Excluding a settlement in Europe, Uber’s revenue in the first three months of the year was $3.5 billion, an 8 percent increase from the prev...
The Limits of Facebook’s ‘Supreme Court’
What happens on Facebook has such big consequences, its quasi-independent Oversight Board can only do so much.
Lawmakers slam Facebook’s Oversight Board decision to uphold Trump ban.
“What’s to stop them from silencing you?” Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, replied on Twitter.
Facebook's Ban of Trump Upheld by Oversight Board
A company-appointed panel ruled that the ban was justified at the time but added that the company should reassess the decision to make the b...
How to Power Up Your To-Do List
The free task-reminder app on your phone can keep you and your projects on track.
Facebook Oversight Board Set to Rule on Trump Ban
The panel of about 20 people, including academics and political leaders, will decide whether the company’s ban of former President Donald J....
Judge presses Epic on the impact of its antitrust suit against Apple.
She asked whether the chief executive understood the economics of apps for food, maps, dating and other nongame uses. “I personally do not,”...
Stores Still Matter. Where’s Amazon?
People are eager to return to grocery stores, but Amazon seems to be missing the opportunity.
E.V. Buying Guide: What to Know About Models, Batteries, Charging and More
Buying an electric car can be exciting and bewildering. Consider what kind of car you want and need and where you will charge.
Mr. Beast, YouTube Star, Wants to Take Over the Business World
Jimmy Donaldson, 22, is out to become the Elon Musk of online creators.
Apple and Epic Trial Opens With a Tour of the Fortnite ‘Metaverse’
Epic has accused Apple of unfairly using its App Store’s power to take an undeserved cut of the money made in Fortnite, a popular online gam...
Verizon Sells AOL and Yahoo to Apollo for $5 Billion
Verizon offloaded its media business to Apollo Global Management in a deal valued at $5 billion as the mobile phone giant focuses on buildin...
Bill and Melinda Gates Are Divorcing
The couple’s separation is likely to send shock waves through the worlds of philanthropy, public health and business.
A Teenager Mistakenly Moved Into a Senior Living Complex. TikTok Loves It.
After living for a week in an apartment complex for older adults, Madison Kohout, 19, discovered why she was the youngest resident by decade...
Back to Work the Google Way
Google plans to experiment with new office configurations and more flexibility. Will others follow?
Facebook panel will reveal on Wednesday whether Trump will regain his megaphone.
Facebook’s Oversight Board, an independent panel, will make the final decision on whether the company’s ban of former President Donald J. Tr...
Verizon Near Deal to Sell Yahoo and AOL
In making the deal with the private equity firm Apollo, Verizon is acknowledging that it couldn’t compete with Google and Facebook for digit...
Has Vitaly Borker, Online's Biggest Bully, Returned?
Outraged customers of Eyeglassesdepot.com sound like the victims of a man who’s already spent years in prison for terrorizing consumers.
Apple and Epic Head to Court Over Their Slices of the App Pie
Apple and Epic Games, maker of the wildly popular game Fortnite, square off on Monday in a trial that could decide how much control Apple ca...
Clubhouse App Creates Space for Open Talk in Middle East
The social networking app is booming in authoritarian countries, where users are speaking freely about otherwise taboo topics.
Has Online Retail’s Biggest Bully Returned?
Outraged customers of Eyeglassesdepot.com sound like the victims of a man who’s already spent years in prison for terrorizing consumers.
Watch SpaceX Make the First Nighttime Splash Down Since 1968
Crew-1, which launched to the space station in November, will head home in the capsule called Resilience.
Brie Larson, YouTube Personality. With an Oscar.
The Oscar-winning actress has found therapeutic refuge on YouTube.
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