The Switch: It’s official: Google says it wants to offer cellular service

Today's technology and tech policy news  •  Mon., Mar. 2, 2015 View in your Web browser

It’s official: Google says it wants to offer cellular service A top Google exec has confirmed what many have been speculating for months: That the search giant wants to start offering wireless service.Google isn't necessarily looking to become the next Verizon and AT&T, said Sundar Pichai, Google's head of Android, at the annual Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. But, according to various news reports, Pichai said we'll begin to see more details trickle out in the next few months as Google announces partnerships with wireless carriers and other businesses. Analysts say Google is likely to partner with firms such as T-Mobile and Sprint rather than build its own network from scratch.  Read full article »

The Switchboard: Security breach at Uber may have affected tens of thousands of drivers

Published every weekday, the Switchboard is your morning helping of hand-picked stories from the Switch team.Over the next few weeks, we’ll be switching things up with a new Switchboard feature we’re calling "On Our Radar.” If you hate it, tell us.  Read full article »

Innovations: Why we should all be thrilled about the FDA starting to embrace innovation

On Feb. 19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration took a huge step towards patient-centric medicine when it approved the marketing of genetics testing company 23andMe’s carrier test for Bloom Syndrome. This was a startling — and good — development because it affirmed the rights of consumers to drive their own health-care decisions and procedures. But it also means that it has become urgent to develop policies to regulate the rights of companies to resell data derived from the contents of our DNA and from our medical records.  Read full article »

Could IBM’s brain-inspired chip change the way computers are built?

The human brain is a powerful supercomputer, but it consumes very little power.The brain is also excellent at processing information efficiently — billions of neurons are deeply connected to memory areas — which gives us the ability to access the data we need to make a decision, quickly make sense of it and then resume normal operation.   Read full article »

YouTube Kids: For families, a video collection with controls

YouTubeKidsFor families,a video collection with controlsYouTube can be a great way to kick back, learn and explore with your children. But for some parents it can also feel dangerous, as if you’re always just a click or “recommended video” away from having to shield some eyes. Google has a new app for careful parents who want their children to use a version of YouTube made for young minds. The videos are in four categories — Shows, Music, Leaning and Explore — and have been pulled from the site’s more professional video producers such as Sesame Street, Khan Academy and the Vlogbrothers.  Read full article »

Innovations: The epic quest to become the first $1 trillion company

There are plenty of reasons why Apple could become the first $1 trillion company. First of all, there’s the iPhone, still the best business on the planet ever. Then, there’s the company’s unprecedented ability, Steve Jobs or no Steve Jobs, to bring new high-end products to market each year, and make them all part of a networked mega-ecosystem. In just the past year, Apple has introduced the Apple Watch, Apple Pay, Apple HealthKit and Apple HomeKit — four potentially big innovations with the ability to invent (or re-invent) huge industries.  Read full article »

The White House’s draft of a consumer privacy bill is out — and even the FTC is worried The White House on Friday released what it called a discussion draft of a bill aimed at giving consumers more control over how data about them is collected. But privacy advocates, including Democratic members of Congress, raised concerns that the legislation might actually make things worse.  Read full article »

Silent Circle buys out Blackphone stake ahead of Mobile World Congress

Silent Circle, creator of the encrypted Blackphone, has received a fresh infusion of cash from private investors and assumed full ownership of its flagship product, the company said Thursday. Silent Circle co-developed the phone with Madrid-based company Geeksphone. It has now bought out the joint venture between the two, in the first major business move under new chief executive William Conner, who assumed leadership in January.   Read full article »

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