|
June 17, 2021, 11:15 AM
|
Mediagazer
memeorandum
WeSmirchTop News
| Salvador Rodriguez / CNBC: |
Facebook says it will begin testing ads on Oculus headsets, starting with the shooter game Blaston, and won't use data stored on devices to target ads — - Facebook on Wednesday announced that it will begin testing advertisements that will appear within the company's Oculus virtual reality headsets.
More:
Oculus Blog, The Verge, Ars Technica, Road to VR, TechCrunch, XDA Developers, Forbes, GamesIndustry.biz, Engadget, ExtremeTech, MSPoweruser, Gamasutra, Reuters, Tom's Guide, VRFocus, thegamer.com, Pocketnow, The Overspill, Variety, Social Media Today, Mashable, CNET, PC Gamer, PYMNTS.com, UploadVR, ZDNet, Neowin, PCMag, IGN, Trusted Reviews, and SlashGear
Tweets: @boztank, @levie, @joabyjojo, @justinhendrix, @t3hero_, @giygaimpact, @lanceulanoff, @psythor, @humancell, @sub8u, @martyswant, @kavyapearlman, @glytchtech, @kentbye, @ericpresidentvr, @uncooldana, @qtpop, @leojtravis10, @cixliv, @thelinuxexp, @danieltg85, @starfire2258, @gamoid, @bcarr, @yoda, @yoda, @ceciliakang, @shortformernie, @stevekovach, @stevekovach, and @shiraovide. Thanks:@sal19
| Casey Newton / Platformer: |
By acquiring promising VR games and software companies, Facebook seems to be cornering the VR market, reminiscent of its Instagram and WhatsApp acquisitions — A recent shopping spree is giving some folks Instagram-in-2012 vibes — Imagine that, over the past year, Facebook had managed … | Bloomberg: |
Wise, previously known as TransferWise, plans to go public on the LSE via a direct listing, the first company to choose an alternative listing in the UK — - Founders, employees get extra voting rights for limited time — Direct listings are becoming more popular among U.S. startups
More:
PYMNTS.com, CNBC, Reuters, Finextra, altfi.com, Coinspeaker, and cryptodaily.co.uk
Tweets: @technation and @abhinavvr
| Mary Ann Azevedo / TechCrunch: |
Unit, which helps companies build financial and banking products, raises $51M Series B led by Accel, bringing its total raises to ~$70M — We've all heard the phrase, “Every company is a fintech.” — But these days, that's becoming more and more true as an increasing number of companies …
More:
Globes Online, CTech, and Unit - Blog
| Elias Saba / AFTVnews: |
Amazon Appstore unveils a new program that reduces its share of developer revenue from 30% to 20% for developers earning less than $1M per year, starting in Q4 — The Amazon Appstore has announced that it will be reducing its cut of developer revenue from 30% to 20% for developers that earn less than $1 million in revenue per year.
More:
Amazon Developer Blogs, AppleInsider, XDA Developers, 9to5Mac, The Verge, SlashGear, Gizchina, and Engadget
| Jordan Novet / CNBC: |
Microsoft has named CEO Satya Nadella as chair of its board, replacing independent director John Thompson who succeeded Bill Gates as chair in 2014 — - Satya Nadella, Microsoft's CEO, is becoming the software company's chair, after running the company for seven years, when he replaced Steve Ballmer.
More:
Microsoft, Windows Central, CNET, The Register, AppleInsider, GeekWire, Insider, cloudpro.co.uk, Engadget, Neowin, MSPoweruser, CNN, Financial Times, Gizmodo, OnMSFT.com, IT Management, Thurrott, Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Bloomberg, and Seattle Business Journal
Tweets: @matthewsekol, @danielnewmanuv, @therohitbansal, @chandrarsrikant, and @rmnth
| Igor Bonifacic / Engadget: |
In Xbox's June update, Microsoft adds a Stories-like feature to the Xbox mobile app and rolls out text-to-speech and speech-to-text accessibility features — June update is here, and Microsoft has — detailed the latest software tweaks Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S users can look forward to trying out on their consoles.
More:
Xbox Wire, The Verge, KnowTechie, OnMSFT.com, and govtech.com
Tweets: @chrismessina, @workwombatman, @basche42, @neonepiphany, @majornelson, @mattnavarra, and @tomwarren
| Sarah Krouse / The Information: |
Sources: Google is developing a conversational AI product, known internally as Tivoli, which aims to teach foreign languages through Google Search — Google CEO Sundar Pichai last month previewed an artificial intelligence model that he said would enable people to have open-ended conversations with technology.
More:
Android Police, androidauthority.com, and TNW
Tweets: @bysarahkrouse, @glenngabe, @glenngabe, @glenngabe, and @amir
| Reuters: |
Russian lawmakers pass legislation that would force US tech giants to open offices in Russia by January 2022 or face punitive measures — Russian lawmakers passed legislation on Thursday that would oblige U.S. tech giants to open offices in Russia by January 2022 or face punitive measures … | Insider: |
Sources: Google is downsizing its health team, which was working on sensors and health records, and moving them to Fitbit as part of a major reorganization — - Google's young health division is splintering, according to employees and an email seen by Insider.| Washington Post: |
The recent surge in ransomware attacks has upended the cyber insurance industry, increasing costs and requirements just as more companies need it — Cyber insurance carriers are raising premiums and limiting coverage in the face of severe ransomware attacks, just as organizations are clamoring for more protection| Jack Nicas / New York Times: |
Profile of Doug Guthrie, an enthusiast for doing business in China who advised Apple from 2014-2019, as he now warns of the risks of China's nationalist turn — Doug Guthrie, once one of America's leading China bulls, rang the alarm on doing business there. He spoke about his time at Apple.
Tweets: @nytimes
| Mike Butcher / TechCrunch: |
Akur8, which uses AI to automate insurance claims, raises $30M Series B, bringing its total raised to $42M — Automating insurance claims is a big business, and the world of AI is coming at it ‘full pelt’. The latest is Akur8, an insurtech automating insurance platform whose ‘Transparent AI’ product …
More:
Tech.eu, FinSMEs, and Silicon Canals
| Ashley Carman / The Verge: |
In an email to creators, Facebook says it will launch its podcast platform on June 22; podcasters can link up RSS feeds and decide if users can clip shows — Along with podcast clips — Facebook is planning to start rolling out its podcast product next week, on June 22nd, and, eventually …
More:
Stratechery, Axios, Gizchina, MacRumors, Cult of Mac, iPhone in Canada Blog, iDownloadBlog.com, TNW, 9to5Mac, SlashGear, Social Media Today, Input, AppleInsider, mobilesyrup.com, and KnowTechie
Tweets: @ashleyrcarman, @trungtphan, @strngwys, @yoda, @k_trendacosta, @kantrowitz, @teslatidbits, @aggrowill, @davechensky, @backseatvc, @jonathanlack, @richlightshed, @colinbrauns, @mediaevan, @film_girl, @akilahobviously, @mikeisaac, @cgates123, @mikeisaac, @evelyndouek, @wongmjane, @ashleyrcarman, @lanceulanoff, and @ashleyrcarman
| Strategy Analytics: |
In Q1 2021, global 5G smartphone shipments grew 6% QoQ, with Samsung up 79% QoQ and Vivo up 62% QoQ, while Apple maintained its lead despite a 23% dip — BOSTON—(BUSINESS WIRE)— According to new research from Strategy Analytics, Samsung and Vivo were the world's fastest growing 5G smartphone vendors in the first quarter of 2021.
More:
MacRumors, 9to5Mac, phonearena.com, Patently Apple, Wccftech, AppleInsider, and equalocean.com
| Joseph F. Kovar / CRN: |
Claroty, which develops security tech for industrial companies, raises $140M Series D, bringing its total raised to $235M, ahead of an IPO — 'We are able to reverse-engineer OT protocols and use them thanks to help from Schneider Electric, Rockwell Automation, and Siemens.
More:
FinSMEs, Geektime, TechCrunch, CTech, PR Newswire, and SecurityWeek
| Ashley Carman / The Verge: |
Snap launches Creative Kit for Spotlight, which will let developers put their apps inside Snapchat's TikTok rival Spotlight — Ride the wave of virality for downloads — Snapchat is making it easier for developers to use viral content to directly promote their apps.| Liza Lin / Wall Street Journal: |
Leaked memo: ByteDance says its annual revenue in 2020 grew 111% YoY to $34.3B, while gross profit rose 93% YoY to $19B — ByteDance's gross profit rose 93% to $19 billion last year, according to a memo to staff — ByteDance Ltd., the owner of popular short-video app TikTok …
More:
Forbes, CNBC, Coinspeaker, Financial Times, and Bloomberg
Tweets: @chinarealtime, @stockmktnewz, @lizalinwsj, and @stokel
| Paul Sawers / VentureBeat: |
Nylas, an API platform that helps developers integrate features like email and calendar into apps, raises $120M Series C led by Tiger Global — Elevate your enterprise data technology and strategy at Transform 2021. — Nylas, an API (application programming interface) …
More:
San Francisco Business Journal, TechCrunch, and Nylas
| Reuters: |
At the summit, Biden told Putin that certain critical infrastructure should be “off-limits” to cyberattacks; Putin agreed to “begin consultations” on the issue — U.S. President Joe Biden told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday that certain critical infrastructure …
More:
The White House, Bloomberg, CyberScoop, Reuters, Axios, MeriTalk, TechRadar, Washington Post, Associated Press, New York Times, The Hill, Politico, Politico, ZDNet, The Hill, and Politico
Tweets: @securitycurrent, @_joaogui1, @kay06934926, and @gbgrick
| Ingrid Lunden / TechCrunch: |
Beamery, which develops software to manage hiring and retaining staff, raises $138M, sources say at a $800M valuation — Online job listings were one of the first things to catch on in the first generation of the internet. But that has, ironically, also meant that some of the most-used … | Nilesh Christopher / Rest of World: |
Experts say India's courts, not India's government, have power to decide whether Twitter should keep its safe harbor protections in India under new IT rules — India's courts, not the government in New Delhi, have the authority to end ‘safe harbor’ protections for the platform. — • BANGALORE, INDIA
More:
Times of India. Tweets: @internetfreedom, @mishichoudhary, @restofworld, @anupkaphle, @divijualsuspect, @nilchristopher, @restofworld, @nina11_arora, @iam_anandv, @pranavdixit, and @pranavdixit
| Gillian Tan / Bloomberg: |
Fleet management software provider KeepTruckin raises $190M led by G2 Venture Partners at a $2.3B valuation — KeepTruckin Inc. raised $190 million in a new funding round that values the San Francisco-based provider of fleet management software at $2.3 billion.| Sohini Podder / Reuters: |
Filing shows that Confluent, which offers a streaming platform based on Apache Kafka, is seeking to raise $759M at ~$8.3B valuation in its US IPO — Confluent Inc is aiming for a valuation of about $8.3 billion in a U.S. initial public offering, cashing in on a surge in demand … Sponsor Posts
Google:
Try Gemini 3 Pro — Google's newest and most intelligent AI model that helps you bring any idea to life
Try Gemini 3 Pro — Google's newest and most intelligent AI model that helps you bring any idea to life
Soxton:
AI-powered law for startups — Soxton automates startup legal so founders can move faster and sleep better. We handle incorporation, advisor, employment and commercial contracts. Join the waitlist for early access!
AI-powered law for startups — Soxton automates startup legal so founders can move faster and sleep better. We handle incorporation, advisor, employment and commercial contracts. Join the waitlist for early access!
Zoho:
Zoho Webinar: A look back at 2025 — As 2025 comes to a close, it's the perfect time to look back at how Zoho Webinar has transformed the way businesses connect, engage, and grow.
Zoho Webinar: A look back at 2025 — As 2025 comes to a close, it's the perfect time to look back at how Zoho Webinar has transformed the way businesses connect, engage, and grow.
IDrive:
Protecting your Cloud Applications Data — Backing up Office 365, Google Workspace, Dropbox & Box data is critical to preventing data loss or corruption, complying with laws and avoiding critical downtime in case of a disaster.
Protecting your Cloud Applications Data — Backing up Office 365, Google Workspace, Dropbox & Box data is critical to preventing data loss or corruption, complying with laws and avoiding critical downtime in case of a disaster.Featured Podcasts
The Talk Show With John Gruber:
'A Naughty Citizen', With Quinn Nelson
The director's commentary track for Daring Fireball. Long digressions on Apple, technology, design, movies, and more.
Subscribe to The Talk Show With John Gruber.
Big Technology Podcast:
2025 In Review, 2026 Predictions — With Reed Albergotti
The Big Technology Podcast takes you behind the scenes in the tech world featuring interviews with plugged-in insiders and outside agitators.
Subscribe to Big Technology Podcast.
Channels with Peter Kafka:
Podcast Pioneer PJ Vogt's Second Act: Less Budget, More Control
Media and tech aren't just intersecting - they're fully intertwined. To understand how those worlds work, Peter Kafka talks to industry leaders, upstarts and observers.
Subscribe to Channels with Peter Kafka.
BG2 Pod:
AI Enterprise - Databricks & Glean
Open-source podcast on all things tech, markets, investing, and capitalism, hosted by Brad Gerstner.
Subscribe to BG2 Pod.
Great Chat:
The stories we told ourselves in 2025
A podcast mostly about tech. Brought to you weekly by Angela Du, Sally Shin, Mac Bohannon, Helen Min, and Ashley Mayer.
Subscribe to Great Chat.
Tools and Weapons with Brad Smith:
Ted Sarandos: Netflix and how tech changed storytelling
Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith speaks with leaders in government, business, and culture to explore the most critical challenges at the intersection of technology and society.
Subscribe to Tools and Weapons with Brad Smith.
About This Page
This is a Techmeme archive page. It shows how the site appeared at 11:15 AM ET, June 17, 2021.
The most current version of the site as always is available at our home page. To view an earlier snapshot click here and then modify the date indicated.
From Mediagazer
Todd Spangler / Variety:Alex Ritman / Variety:
Henry Blodget / Regenerator:
Upcoming Tech Events
Earlier Picks
| Mathew Olson / The Information: |
More:
Mapbox Workers Union. Tweets: @josheidelson, @gregbensinger, @bigblackjacobin, @code_cwa, @mapboxunion, and @greenhousenyt
| Rebecca Kern / Bloomberg: |
More:
Fortune, ZDNet, Philip Elmer‑DeWitt, XDA Developers, Reuters, AppleInsider, BGR, The Mac Observer, Tom's Guide, iMore, SlashGear, Slow Boring, CNBC, MacDailyNews, Pixel Envy, iDownloadBlog.com, iPhone Hacks, HotHardware.com News, 9to5Mac, phonearena.com, and The Verge
Tweets: @rebeccamkern, @richluchette, @lutherlowe, @benedictevans, @benedictevans, @gartenberg, @lacker, @eric_seufert, @benedictevans, @benedictevans, @migueldeicaza, @jason_kint, @charlesarthur, @charlesarthur, @benedictevans, @cstar_ow, @mattyglesias, @stevesi, @repkenbuck, @lutherlowe, @eric_seufert, @jonahdispatch, @rebeccamkern, @marshacollier, @timothysandefur, @seanhackbarth, @benedictevans, @politicalmath, @benedictevans, @charlesarthur, @kantrowitz, @minimaxir, @benjarom3, @eric_seufert, @adamthierer, @heathmayo, @bobwyman, @benedictevans, @gartenberg, @repkenbuck, @alexlindsay, @benedictevans, @migueldeicaza, @repkenbuck, @chrismlacy, @hoeglaw, @adamkovac, @cbed32, @thekenyeung, @neil_chilson, @carnage4life, @johnpaczkowski, @benedictevans, @harrymccracken, @benedictevans, @benedictevans, @alecstapp, @alecstapp, @carnage4life, and @benedictevans
| Tim Bradshaw / Financial Times: |
More:
The Information and Fortune
| James Vincent / The Verge: |
More:
Facebook AI, NPR, The Register, Softpedia News, MSUToday, SlashGear, Ubergizmo, and Tech Xplore
Tweets: @schrep and @facebookai
| James Vincent / The Verge: |
More:
About Facebook, Facebook, PCMag, Vox, SiliconANGLE, Social Media Today, CNN, Android Central, Protocol, and MUO
Tweets: @alexvoica, @brandyzadrozny, @jeffhorwitz, @alexvoica, and @alexvoica
| Dieter Bohn / The Verge: |
More:
The Keyword, Fast Company, Android Central, Digital Trends, YouTube, AppleInsider, TechSpot, Android Police, and Fortune
| Lauren Feiner / CNBC: |
More:
Waypoint, Financial Times, Input, The Last Driver License Holder, The Verge, Tech Xplore, CNN, and SiliconANGLE
Tweets: @waymo, @waymo, @techtekedra, @leokelion, and @stevekovach