Techmeme
February 5, 2017, 1:50 AM

Top News

Chris Welch / The Verge:
PlayStation 4's 4.5 software update adds support for external hard drives, “Boost Mode” to PS4 Pro to help older games run faster and smoother  —  Coming as part of the 4.50 update  —  Sony is rolling out the beta preview of the PlayStation 4's latest firmware update, version 4.50 …
Colin Lecher / The Verge:
New FCC Chairman Ajit Pai confirms the agency has closed inquiries into sponsored data offerings by T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast  —  Under recently departed chief Tom Wheeler, the FCC opened inquiries into how companies might be using free data programs, which allow customers …
Brian Fung / Washington Post:
FCC revokes permission for nine companies to use $9.25/mo Lifeline credit to subsidize broadband service  —  Regulators are telling nine companies they won't be allowed to participate in a federal program meant to help them provide affordable Internet access to low-income consumers …
Corazon Victorino / International Business Times:
Viber for mobile now supports expiring messages, rich notifications, and the ability to send photos and videos in original sizes  —  Free messaging and calling app Viber has a new update.  The new software comes with a couple of new features that will make the iOS and Android app's user experience even more entertaining.
Kyle Orland / Ars Technica:
Oculus CTO John Carmack defends his code against ZeniMax's copyright infringement accusations  —  During expert testimony, the Oculus CTO “just wanted to shout ‘You lie!’”  —  Oculus CTO John Carmack was largely vindicated last week when a jury cleared him of any personal liability in a case …
Business Insider:
Planet Labs will acquire the satellite imaging unit Terra Bella from Google; source says deal is worth $300M+, Google will be a major shareholder of Planet Labs  —  Terra Bella, the satellite imaging company that Google bought about two years ago for $500 million, will be sold to mapping startup Planet Labs …
Ryan Whitwam / Android Police:
E-mail to OEMs: Google will discontinue Google Now Launcher in the coming weeks  —  Google currently has two launcher apps in the Play Store; Google Now Launcher and Pixel Launcher.  In a few months, there will only be one.  According to an email forwarded to us by a tipster …
Abner Li / 9to5Google:
With Chrome 57, Progressive Web Apps will appear in Android's app drawer, settings, more  —  The ambitious goal behind Progressive Web Apps is to allow websites to have the same capabilities and features as a native app, but without the initial download.  Google has been a heavy backer …

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More News

Zac Hall / 9to5Mac:
Ina Fried / Recode:

Earlier Picks

Todd Bishop / GeekWire:
Ryan Lawler / TechCrunch: