Techmeme
November 29, 2016, 12:50 PM

Top News

Mark Gurman / Bloomberg:
Sources: Amazon developing premium Echo-like device with a 7-inch touchscreen set at an angle and high-grade speakers, to be announced as soon as Q1 2017  —  Company may release higher-end device early next year  —  New speaker targets kitchens; to cost more than Echo gadgets
Alan Travis / The Guardian:
UK's Investigatory Powers bill becomes law, mandates everyone's browsing histories be stored and available to police, as well as several government agencies  —  Home secretary hails ‘world-leading’ laws, which include forcing web and phone companies to collect browsing histories
Josh Constine / TechCrunch:
Facebook launches Messenger-based platform for HTML5 games, played in message threads; 17 games available at launch, including Pac-Man, Space Invaders  —  Bored while you wait for friends to text back?  Now you can challenge friends for high scores on Facebook Messenger's new Instant Games …
Steve Ranger / ZDNet:
Report: Cyber Monday was the biggest online shopping day in US history with $3.39B in sales, up 10.2% YoY; mobile revenue was 35% of sales, up 48% YoY at $1.19B  —  Online frenzy for Lego, iPads and Playstations saw $3.39bn spent: mobile spending grew fast and shoppers using iOS devices outspent Android users.
Bloomberg:
Samsung will allocate 50% of free cash flow to shareholders, add at least one outside director, and review its corporate structure  —  Company considering adding at least one new outside director  —  Stock buybacks, increased dividends will make up cash return
Mark Scott / New York Times:
Uber defends its business model as a digital platform, not a transportation service, in landmark case in EU's highest court  —  LUXEMBOURG — Uber asserted on Tuesday that it was helping to bolster Europe's digital economy as part of its defense in a long-awaited hearing to decide …
Nitasha Tiku / BuzzFeed:
The White House partners with Stanford University and Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to host an event on Wednesday to discuss how tech can help address poverty  —  President Obama and Mark Zuckerberg in 2011  —  Tomorrow, the White House will partner with Stanford University …
Zac Hall / 9to5Mac:
AT&T's DirecTV Now streaming TV service launches Nov. 30 starting at $35/mo. for 60+ channels, up to $70/month for 120+ channels  —  [UPDATE: Channel lineup below the fold.]  —  AT&T has officially unveiled details about its upcoming streaming TV service called DirecTV Now.
Chris Velazco / Engadget:
Lenovo Phab 2 Pro review: first Google Tango phone shows promise with small yet compelling AR app library but is mediocre for day-to-day tasks  —  I just spent 15 minutes wandering around the office, trying to shoot ghouls in the face with lightning.  Before that, I dropped a virtual rococo sofa …

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Earlier Picks

Om Malik / New Yorker:
Steven Perlberg / Wall Street Journal:
Mark Harris / Backchannel: