Techmeme
April 1, 2020, 5:15 AM

Top News

Michael Potuck / 9to5Mac:
Weather app Dark Sky says it's been acquired by Apple along with its team; the Android app is no longer available and the API will shutter on Dec. 31, 2021  —  In a big move to improve its weather app, Apple has purchased the highly popular iOS app Dark Sky.
The Intercept:
Zoom's marketing and product make the claim that it uses “end-to-end encryption”, but video and audio content from meetings is not end-to-end encrypted  —  Zoom, the video conferencing service whose use has spiked amid the Covid-19 pandemic, claims to implement end-to-end encryption …
Felix / @c1truz_:
[Thread] Security researcher finds Zoom uses a “shady” technique to install its Mac app without user interaction, applying tricks used by macOS malware  —  Ever wondered how the @zoom_us macOS installer does it's job without you ever clicking install? Turns out they (ab)use preinstallation scripts, manually unpack the app using a bundled 7zip and install it to /Applications if the current user is in the admin group (no root needed). https://twitter.com/...
New York Times:
Catalin Cimpanu / ZDNet:
Marriott discloses data breach from mid-January affecting 5.2M hotel guests, exposing personal contact information including mailing addresses and phone numbers  —  Marriott says a hacker gained access to the accounts of two employees.  —  Hotel chain Marriott disclosed today a security breach …
Catalin Cimpanu / ZDNet:
After reports in tabloids of Houseparty users having social media accounts hacked, Houseparty offers $1M reward to unmask those behind apparent “smear campaign”  —  App maker denies getting hacked after multiple reports in British media.  —  Houseparty, a video conferencing desktop …
Tom Warren / The Verge:
Microsoft's years of missteps with Skype following its $8.5B acquisition have led to an opening for apps like Zoom and Houseparty to explode during the pandemic  —  If the coronavirus pandemic had swept across the world in 2011, everyone would have been using Skype to connect over video and voice calls.
Cara Lombardo / Wall Street Journal:
Xerox plans to end its $30B+ tender offer for HP and proxy fight to replace HP's board after the pandemic undercut its ability to execute a merger  —  Coronavirus pandemic prompts copier maker to walk away from challenging merger attempt  —  Xerox Holdings Corp. is pulling the plug …
Wall Street Journal:
Amazon's retail business has struggled to find its footing during the pandemic, as surging order volume has resulted in shortages, delays, and worker unrest  —  Tech giant faces overwhelming demand, mass absences and a restive workforce  —  On a mid-March midnight shift …
Chance Miller / 9to5Mac:
Report: Apple commits to paying its contractors during the COVID-19 pandemic, after initially saying some jobs would be suspended without pay  —  As shutdowns caused by COVID-19 remain in place, Apple has committed to paying its contractors.  The Wall Street Journal reports that initially …
Mary Jo Foley / ZDNet:
Sources: Microsoft plans to make most public and some internal events digital-only through first half of 2021, including Ignite, Build, and Inspire conferences  —  Microsoft is moving to make most of its external (and some internal) events digital-only for its FY'21 in light of impacts of the coronavirus.
Jon Brodkin / Ars Technica:
Comcast's waiving of data caps has had little effect on internet speeds even as peak traffic increased 32%, giving lie to their stance that caps are needed  —  Pandemic shows Comcast could kill data caps forever without ruining its network.  —  Back in the before times …
Lauren Feiner / CNBC:
Analysis finds that almost 4,000 jobs across 40+ US startups, operating in sectors including hospitality, transportation, and AI, were eliminated in March  —  - Over 3,500 start-up jobs were eliminated this month as the coronavirus crisis disrupted business-as-usual across the economy.

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Earlier Picks

OnePlus Community:
Arjun Kharpal / CNBC:
Josh Dzieza / The Verge: