spacex SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Heavy Communications Satellite for Asia-Pacific Region SpaceX launches a massive jointly-owned communications satellite into orbit using a flight-proven Falcon 9 booster to deliver broadband services across Asia and the Pacific.
instagram Instagram Expands Fact-Checking While Shielding Politicians Instagram partners with 45 fact-checking organizations to hide false content using interstitial warnings, yet it continues to exempt politicians from these rules. The platform also introduces anti-bullying alerts for captions and enforces strict age verification for new users.
instagram Instagram Automatically Flags False Content Shared From Facebook Instagram expands its fact-checking program worldwide and automatically labels known false content shared from Facebook. The platform also penalizes repeat offenders by removing them from Explore and hashtag pages.
spacex SpaceX Nails Falcon 9 Launch and Booster Landing, Misses Fairing Catch SpaceX successfully launches a communications satellite and lands its reusable Falcon 9 booster, but narrowly misses catching the rocket's expensive nose cone fairings at sea.
github GitHub Considers Chinese Subsidiary Amid Rising Tech Decoupling GitHub is exploring the launch of a Chinese subsidiary to navigate ongoing trade tensions, while coworking giant UCommune pushes forward with its U.S. IPO plans.
rcs Google Rolls Out RCS Messaging to All US Android Users Google releases its RCS messaging upgrade for all Android users in the US ahead of schedule. The new protocol brings iMessage-like features to the default messaging app.
rcs Google Completes US Rollout of Next-Generation RCS Texting Google confirms that RCS messaging is now available to all Android users in the US. The feature brings iMessage-like capabilities to Android Messages but currently lacks end-to-end encryption.
spotify Spotify Pushes New Button to Boost Podcast Listening After Massive Investments After spending up to $500 million on podcast content in 2019, Spotify introduces a new button targeting users who have not yet explored podcasts on the platform. The feature aims to convert dedicated music listeners into podcast consumers as the company plans even more spending.
uber Uber Nears $400 Million Deal to Sell Indian Food Delivery to Zomato Uber is in advanced talks to sell its struggling Uber Eats business in India to local competitor Zomato for roughly $400 million. The proposed deal includes an additional Uber investment that gives the ride-hailing giant a sizable stake in Zomato.
south korea South Korea Emerges as Top Startup Hub After $4B Baemin Acquisition South Korea's startup ecosystem reaches a new milestone as Delivery Hero offers $4 billion for food delivery app Baedal Minjok. The massive deal highlights the growing dynamism of a tech scene often overshadowed by its neighbors.
honeywell Honeywell Reveals Top Technological Breakthroughs of 2019 Honeywell highlights its most significant technological advancements from 2019, showcasing innovations across aerospace, industrial automation, and safety sectors. These breakthroughs demonstrate the company's ongoing commitment to solving complex global challenges.
apple music Apple Launches Inaugural Music Awards, Crowns Billie Eilish Top Artist Apple unveils its first-ever Apple Music Awards, honoring Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Lil Nas X, and FINNEAS for their massive cultural impact in 2019. Eilish takes home the top prize as Global Artist of the Year.
fbi Lawmakers Demand Answers Over Secret FBI Data Requests to Credit Agencies Newly released documents show the FBI secretly demands consumer data from major credit bureaus using national security letters. Three senators are now demanding transparency from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion regarding these hidden government surveillance requests.
ransomware New Orleans Declares Emergency as Ransomware Targets City Computers New Orleans officials declare a state of emergency and shut down city computers following a detected ransomware attack. Emergency services remain operational through backup plans while the investigation continues.
startups SoftBank Missteps and CEO Exits Define 2019 Startup Landscape A look back at 2019 reveals a turbulent year for startups, marked by high-profile executive departures, struggling unicorn IPOs, and massive missteps from SoftBank.