Techmeme
January 14, 2016, 1:30 PM

Top News

Todd Spangler / Variety:
Netflix says it will block proxy and VPN access, used to bypass country restrictions, in the coming weeks citing content-licensing restrictions  —  Netflix Vows to Shut Down Proxy Users Who Bypass Country Restrictions  —  Netflix, which now offers streaming service in some 190 nations …
Nick Bilton / New York Times:
Nest thermostat bug leaves users in the cold, demonstrating how small glitches in smart home devices can cause huge problems  —  Nest Thermostat Glitch Leaves Users in the Cold  —  The Nest Learning Thermostat is dead to me, literally.  Last week, my once-beloved “smart” …
Steven Levy / Backchannel:
An exclusive look behind the scenes at Google's autonomous car testing center  —  An exclusive look behind the scenes at Google's autonomous car testing center  —  I have backed out of a lot of parking spaces in my life, but today is different.  As I adjust the mirrors, fasten the safety belt …
Sam Byford / The Verge:
Samsung strikes deal to produce Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 processor  —  Samsung announced today that it's begun mass production of chips using the 2nd generation of its 14nm process, the technology that will power both the company's own Exynos 8 Octa processor and that of a major rival: Qualcomm.
Darren Orf / Gizmodo:
Google Cardbaord SDK upgraded with new tools for positional audio to provide 360 degrees of sound  —  Google Cardboard Gets a Big Upgrade With Realistic 3D Audio  —  When you strap on a VR headset, you're immediately in awe of the new digital world that's slowly manipulating your brain.
Ron Miller / TechCrunch:
Looker Analytics Platform Scores $48 Million Led By Kleiner Perkins  —  Looker is trying to simplify the way companies use analytics and today it announced $48 million in Series C funding to continue the mission.  —  The round was led by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB).
Emil Protalinski / VentureBeat:
All Skype for Windows users get real-time translation  —  Skype today announced that its Skype Translator tool is now built directly into its main app for all Windows users.  This means Skype for Windows users no longer need a separate app to translate conversations in seven languages …
Connie Loizos / TechCrunch:
App Annie raises $63M Series E round led by Greenspring Associates  —  Analytics Firm App Annie Raises $63 Million in Series E Funding  —  App Annie, the nearly six-year-old, San Francisco-based app analytics firm that long ago became the first stop for developers, investors …
Sean O'Kane / The Verge:
Sony's $600 Xperia Z5 and $500 Xperia Z5 Compact smartphones will be available to purchase unlocked in US starting February 7  —  The Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact are coming to the US  —  Sony's latest flagship phone, and its smaller sibling, will finally be sold in the US starting next month.

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Earlier Picks

Akin Oyedele / Business Insider:
John Paczkowski / BuzzFeed: