Techmeme
July 31, 2017, 10:25 AM

Top News

Eric Slivka / MacRumors:
HomePod firmware references new iPhone screen design with a notch cut out at the top, presumably for sensors, and an infrared face detection feature  —  Late last week, Apple released early firmware for its HomePod smart speaker, which won't be launching to the public until December.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty:
Putin signs laws banning VPNs in Russia from Nov. 1 and requiring instant messenger operators to establish the identities of users from Jan. 1  —  Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed controversial legislation prohibiting the use of Internet proxy services — including virtual private networks …
Mike Isaac / New York Times:
Inside Uber's CEO search, and how the divided board lost Meg Whitman, while worrying potential Softbank investment may give too much power to Travis Kalanick  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Some members of Uber's eight-person board were excited about the idea of Meg Whitman becoming the ride-hailing company's next chief executive.
Jon Russell / TechCrunch:
Apple removes all major VPN apps from the App Store in China; the apps allowed users to bypass China's internet censorship  —  The Chinese government's crackdown on the internet continues with the news that Apple has removed all major VPN apps, which help internet users overcome …
Nathaniel Popper / New York Times:
Some Bitcoin backers plan to launch a competing version called Bitcoin Cash on August 1, with support for more transactions per block  —  SAN FRANCISCO — For the last two years, rival factions have been vying for control of the Bitcoin virtual currency and its global network of computers and supporters.

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