Techmeme
December 28, 2017, 7:20 PM

Top News

Apple:
Apple apologizes for inadequately communicating battery management practices that slowed down iPhones with older batteries, will offer $29 battery replacements  —  We've been hearing feedback from our customers about the way we handle performance for iPhones with older batteries and how we have communicated that process.
Nilay Patel / The Verge:
Apple says it will issue an iOS software update in early 2018 with new features that give users more visibility into the health of their iPhone's battery  —  Batteries are “consumable components” now  —  Apple just published a letter to customers apologizing for the “misunderstanding” …
Mike Isaac / New York Times:
SoftBank agrees to buy at least 14% of Uber from shareholders at a $48B valuation, will invest an additional $1.25B at a $67.5B valuation, documents show  —  SAN FRANCISCO — A group of Uber's largest shareholders have agreed to sell a significant stake in the ride-hailing giant at a steep discount …
Ryan Whitwam / Android Police:
Google removes Pixel C, released in December 2015, from the Google Store; Pixel C was the only Android tablet the company sold  —  Google started selling the Pixel C about two years ago as an Android flagship tablet.  The price was high, but it was a good Android tablet.  Well, as good as Android tablets could be.
Raymond Zhong / New York Times:
South Korean government says people who trade cryptocurrencies must use their real name, as it seeks to curb speculation, following ban on ICOs in September  —  South Korea will require people who trade Bitcoin and other virtual currencies to do so under their real names …
Katie Paul / Reuters:
Sources: Apple and Amazon are in discussions to establish a presence in Saudia Arabia through new investments; Apple in talks for licensed Apple Stores in 2019  —  RIYADH (Reuters) - Apple and Amazon are in licensing discussions with Riyadh on investing in Saudi Arabia, two sources told Reuters …
Chance Miller / 9to5Mac:
CIRP: iPhone X accounted for ~30% of US iPhone sales during the first 30 days of availability while iPhone 8 and 8 Plus made up ~40% of sales in the same period  —  While Apple has yet to breakdown just how many iPhone X units it has sold so far, that hasn't stopped analysts from taking a stab at it.

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Featured Podcasts

Channels with Peter Kafka:
Chuck Klosterman on Why Football Owns TV (and Why It Won't Forever)
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.
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Big Technology Podcast:
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon: Future Of AI Devices, AI Fashion, Blending Reality and Computing
The Big Technology Podcast takes you behind the scenes in the tech world featuring interviews with plugged-in insiders and outside agitators.
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The Social Radars:
Christina Cacioppo, Founder & CEO, Vanta
Come be a fly on the wall as Y Combinator's Jessica Livingston and Carolynn Levy talk to some of the most successful founders in Silicon Valley about how they did it.
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Invest Like the Best:
Patrick O'Shaughnessy - Creating on Principle
The leading destination to learn about business and investing. We do this by showcasing exceptional talent and ideas.
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Lenny's Podcast:
The non-technical PM's guide to building with Cursor | Zevi Arnovitz (Meta)
Interviews with world-class product leaders and growth experts to uncover actionable advice to help you build, launch, and grow your own product.
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Tools and Weapons with Brad Smith:
Special Edition: Key findings from the Microsoft AI Diffusion Report
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.
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Earlier Picks

Brooks Barnes / New York Times:
Yair Rosenberg / New York Times: