Techmeme
May 25, 2016, 6:35 PM

Top News

BBC:
Foxconn replaces 60K factory workers with robots, denies that it means long-term job losses  —  Apple and Samsung supplier Foxconn has reportedly replaced 60,000 factory workers with robots.  —  One factory has “reduced employee strength from 110,000 to 50,000 thanks to the introduction of robots” …
Tom Warren / The Verge:
Report: Microsoft to announce a basic Chromecast-like Xbox streaming device and a more advanced option at E3  —  Microsoft is said to be planning to unveil new Xbox streaming devices at E3 next month.  The software giant has been considering an “Xbox TV” device for at least three years …
Kotaku:
Sources: Microsoft is planning a cheaper, smaller Xbox One for E3 and a more powerful model in 2017; possible partnership with Oculus in the works  —  Microsoft is preparing at least two new Xbox models for release in the next two years, sources tell Kotaku.
Ingrid Lunden / TechCrunch:
Microsoft is laying off 1,850 to “streamline” its smartphone business, takes $950M charge  —  Following last week's news of Microsoft selling off its feature phone business for $350 million, today Microsoft turned its attention to smartphones: the company announced it would lay off 1,850 staff …
Bloomberg:
Sources: Google is aiming to reduce Android fragmentation by pressuring carriers, OEMs into pushing out updates more quickly  —  Web giant creates rankings that could shame ecosystem laggards  —  Friendly tactics also used to unify top phone operating system
Alex Kantrowitz / BuzzFeed:
Source: Twitter curtails development of Buy button and product pages, moves commerce team to other projects  —  Jack Dorsey puts Dick Costolo-era project on backburner as Twitter refocuses on core product.  —  Twitter has curtailed product development on its ‘Buy’ button and product pages …
Forbes:
Sources: Peter Thiel has played a lead role in bankrolling Hulk Hogan's lawsuits against Gawker Media  —  One of Silicon Valley's best-known investors has been footing a former wrestler's legal bills in lawsuits against a shared enemy.  —  Peter Thiel, a PayPal cofounder and one of the earliest backers …
Jon Russell / TechCrunch:
Xiaomi launches Mi Drone with 360-degree camera in China, priced at $380 with 1080P video or $450 with 4K  —  Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi officially unveiled its first drone today, ending a week of teasers about it, and the low price of the product might bring some serious competition to the space.
David Carnoy / CNET:
OtterBox's uniVERSE case works with over a dozen accessory modules such as memory expansion, battery packs, speakers, more, costs $50 for iPhone 6/6s version  —  OtterBox has partnered with a number of accessory makers to create a new platform for iPhone accessories.  CNET goes hands-on with it.
Paul Mozur / New York Times:
Alibaba says its accounting practices are under investigation by the SEC  —  HONG KONG — The Alibaba Group, the Chinese e-commerce giant, said it was under investigation by United States securities regulators over whether its accounting practices had violated federal securities laws.
Jacob Pramuk / CNBC:

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More News

David Muller / MLive.com:
Mark Scott / New York Times:
Billy Steele / Engadget:

Earlier Picks

Sam Schechner / Wall Street Journal:
Katie Roof / TechCrunch: