Techmeme
May 3, 2018, 9:50 PM

Top News

Parag Agrawal / Twitter:
Twitter urges all users to change passwords after it found a bug that stored unmasked user passwords in an internal log; no indication of breach or misuse found  —  When you set a password for your Twitter account, we use technology that masks it so no one at the company can see it.
Andrew Gebhart / CNET:
Google Assistant now works with 5,000 smart home devices, up from 1,500 in January, and adds support for Dish Hopper, Logitech Harmony remotes, and more  —  With Google's developer conference right around the corner, the search giant wants you to know that its digital assistant is quite proficient at controlling the smart home.
Thuy Ong / The Verge:
Chris Welch / The Verge:
Podcasting app Pocket Casts has been acquired by a collective that includes NPR and will continue to operate as a joint venture  —  One of the best podcast apps just got bought by some of the biggest podcast producers  —  Pocket Casts, widely considered to be one of the best mobile apps …
Josh Constine / TechCrunch:
Instagram confirms it has added a native payments feature to its app with a limited set of partners, letting users purchase items without leaving Instagram  —  Get ready to shop the 'Gram.  Instagram just stealthily added a native payments feature to its app for some users.
Monica Nickelsburg / GeekWire:
Amazon abruptly halts construction of new office in Seattle as it escalates fight over proposed city council tax on large companies to build affordable housing  —  Amazon is pausing construction on a new office tower at its Seattle headquarters and may put one of its biggest future office spaces …
Frederic Lardinois / TechCrunch:
Google opens up Advanced Protection Program, which secures Google services via physical unlock keys, to Apple's native apps like Mail, Calendar, and Contacts  —  Last October, Google launched its Advanced Protection Program for users who want to ensure the highest degree of protection …
Harry McCracken / Fast Company:
Amazon says there are now 40K Alexa Skills, up from 25K in December and 10K in February 2017, and makes in-skill purchases generally available in the US  —  Just six months after Amazon revealed the AI-infused Alexa service and Echo smart speaker in November 2014, it began welcoming third …
The Guardian:
Xiaomi partners with UK's Three to bring its phone to the UK and other European countries, after initially selling phones in Spain in November  —  'China's Apple' turns focus to west and is set to raise $10bn on Hong Kong stock exchange  —  The Smartphone maker Xiaomi will begin selling …
Bloomberg:
Dan Goodin / Ars Technica:
Researchers demonstrate GLitch, an Android exploit that uses Rowhammer attack to remotely execute code; Chrome is patched; Firefox's next patch attempt due 5/9  —  JavaScript based GLitch pwns browsers by flipping bits inside memory chips.  —  Over the past few years …
Paul Sawers / VentureBeat:
French startup Station raises $3.25M seed round, led by Accel, for its enterprise browser that brings various web apps businesses are using into a single portal  —  French SaaS startup Station, which is setting out to build a web browser for the workplace, has raised $3.25 million in a seed round of funding led by Accel.
More: GeekWire
Mark Harris / IEEE Spectrum:
FCC filing and other public records suggest Facebook is quietly developing internet-delivering satellite tech that could rival efforts by SpaceX and OneWeb  —  Public filings suggest the social media giant is quietly developing orbital tech to rival efforts by SpaceX and OneWeb to deliver Internet by satellite
More: CNET and The Outline

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Wall Street Journal:
Matthew Lynley / TechCrunch: