Technology

Network security on high alert: Security spending is rising as cyber threats and ransomware become more sophisticated. SMBs are most vulnerable yet most likely to cut expenses.

Google doesn’t have all the answers: A Search update could help reduce online misinformation with alerts. But its success will rely on the algorithm’s performance and winning the public’s trust.

Baidu’s Apollo robotaxis break driverless barrier: 10 fully-driverless taxis will run in two of China’s busiest city centers. The ultimate test for a fully autonomous robotaxis could herald wider global AV adoption.

A 60-minute doomsday hack: The federal government’s leading security solution against the post-quantum cybersecurity threat is child’s play for hackers. Businesses could invest in nimbler security solutions amid growing vulnerability.

Amazon is acquiring Roomba vacuum maker iRobot, adding yet another connected device to its offerings.

Can’t afford a picnic: Microsoft cut contractors, laid off an entire division, and tightened its expense belt. Between gloomy cloud forecasts and regulations, things could get tougher for Big Tech.

Foxconn shifts from smartphones to tractors: The iPhone maker’s deft moves led to strong Q2 profits. Now, as demand changes, it positions itself to weather uncertainty with a diverse manufacturing base.

Our Retail Reimagined podcast team talked connected fitness this week. Here are the highlights.

The rise of cybersecurity threats is changing the behaviors of both consumers and companies.

Google’s expanding cloud: Weeks after announcing its Latin America expansion, Google Cloud set its sights on Thailand, Malaysia, and New Zealand. Cloud providers are racing for coverage in the APAC region.

The great disconnection: Google is imploring Apple to enable cross-platform messaging between iPhones and Android devices. But the blue bubble is the crown jewel of its walled garden.

For the love of bots: Economic uncertainty and continued supply chain angst aren’t stopping the robotics sector from making science fiction a reality. With bots permeating society, ethics battles will follow.

An EV pricing debacle: Rising prices for EVs like Ford’s F-150 Lighting run afoul of proposed US tax credit requirements. Premature pressure for domestic EV battery sourcing could make inflation worse.

Self-scanning stores are about to get a lot more common: 7-Eleven, Dollar General, and Best Buy are among the US merchants that are bullish on self-checkout services.

CHIPS and Science Act a boon for US manufacturing: President Biden signs the bipartisan bill, and chipmakers like Intel, Micron, Qualcomm, and GlobalFoundries are on board with expanding their US chip fabrication.

‘Google Search outage’ was its own query: The search stalwart’s downtime left users scrambling for answers, with some pointing to a data center explosion. Data vulnerabilities are escalating.

Cloud waste is ubiquitous: A majority of cloud business users are wasting money. Trouble awaits as Big Tech’s cloud earnings pacify Wall Street while cloud users look for alternatives.

Retailers need to ensure their ecommerce sites are accessible: Taking some simple steps can position merchants to better serve disabled Americans.

EV credits or EV crisis? The Inflation Reduction Act moves forward, but automakers think its requirements are bad for the industry. Without robust domestic battery manufacturing, EV adoption could falter.

Amazon’s Roomba acquisition is a data privacy nightmare: Regulators are worried that Amazon, which already has eyes and ears in consumers’ homes, will now be able to map and monitor those homes.