A new survey shows the vast majority of tech workers think it’s important that their employers let them work remotely indefinitely. The findings further complicate Big Tech’s efforts to return to the office amid simmering employee backlash and a quickly spreading COVID-19 variant.
Apple dives headfirst into 5G: Reports say it may release a fleet of 5G-enabled phones, roll out a 5G-enabled SE model, and ditch its mini version. If they’re true, Apple’s commitment to 5G could help drive 5G adoption more widely.
Protestors are using a US government-funded tool to bypass state-imposed social media restrictions. As global audiences are increasingly subject to censorship, Big Tech firms may need to offer features capable of bypassing local internet restrictions in order to serve those markets.
New safety issues involving Tesla’s Full Self-Driving feature call into question the company’s choice to test on public roads. Though rapid real-world testing could advance the tech, it may also amplify consumers’ No. 1 concern about AVs: safety.
A new government task force will work to bolster US cyber defenses to combat surging ransomware attacks. Though an important first step, effective ransomware prevention will likely require either comprehensive legislation or scalable local security initiatives.
Counterfeit hearables have proliferated alongside surging consumer demand for AirPods and other devices. Though most counterfeiters seek to replicate well-known brands, the continuing chip shortage has also incentivized production of counterfeit semiconductors, which could pose risks to consumers.
A pair of government watchdog reports into federal use of facial recognition has reinvigorated bipartisan calls for AI regulation generally. Algorithmic amplification of online content could present an opportunity for consensus for both parties, albeit from different angles.
Thanks to hefty spending at the FCC’s C-band auction, AT&T believes it has enough spectrum to bring 5G coverage to 70–75 million people by 2022. But AT&T needs to continue forging partnerships to deploy that spectrum in ways that consumers will actually notice the benefit.
Consumers who opt in to Ring’s encryption will be the only ones able to view their video feeds. The move is an improvement on Ring’s checkered privacy and security past but falls short of critics’ demands.
The company acquired a Facebook team of engineers and physicists to boost its satellite internet venture off the ground. The stealthy acquisition is a much-needed injection of resources and talent as Amazon rushes to enter a market quickly being swallowed up by SpaceX.