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☆ Google's TikTok update: The 24 year-old internet giant is updating its most important products to appeal to younger, more visual users
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( Hugh Langley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The company is trying to appeal to younger users who are moving away from text-based searching. "Until you really stop and think about it, you don't realize how many questions you have each day that you do not actually search for," Google Search VP Cathy Edwards told Insider in an interview. Additionally, Google is updating its 'Live View' to let Maps users search for nearby restaurants, parking, and other amenities from within the app as they navigate using their smartphone. In July, Google Search lead Prabhakar Raghavan suggested the company's Search and Maps products were threatened by the rise of new apps being adopted by a younger generation of users. Speaking at Fortune's Brainstorm Tech conference, Raghavan said younger people were turning to apps like TikTok and Instagram for discovery purposes.

☆ Google and Amazon ignore employee protests and plow ahead with deals involving the US military, ICE, and CBP
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( Caroline Haskins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Google and Amazon used third parties for contracts with DHS and DOD agencies in the past year. Their dissent has been largely ignored, according to an Insider review of contracts involving Google and Amazon. In the same time frame, Amazon used third parties to work with DHS agencies at least 28 times, including at least 14 contracts with CBP. As Insider previously reported, these companies have used third parties to work with CBP as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Google and Amazon employees have a history of speaking out against their companies' work with the military and immigration enforcement.

☆ Elon Musk's vision for Twitter has freaked out employees so much that they are leaving the social media company in droves
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Kali Hays | Hugh Langley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Hundreds of Twitter employees have fled since June, two people with knowledge of the matter said. Two months after Elon Musk declared his intent to acquire Twitter in a $44 billion deal, the billionaire spoke directly with Twitter employees. At that virtual meeting in June, Musk spoke to Twitter employees about topics ranging from aliens to layoffs being needed to ensure the health of the company. In the last week, Twitter has posted scores of open positions on LinkedIn, from brand strategists and engineering managers to privacy experts. "The general morale is so low," a worker who recently left Twitter previously told Insider.

☆ Special interest groups representing Amazon to Uber oppose possible crypto regulation in California
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-23 | by ( Caroline Haskins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Industry groups representing Amazon, Apple, Block, Coinbase, Genesis, Google, GrubHub, Lyft, Facebook/Meta, Uber, and other companies wrote to the state assembly opposing the law. Nine organizations representing consumers and advocating for economic justice wrote to the state assembly expressing support for the law. Several tech industry groups representing major companies and venture capital firms wrote in to oppose the law. Several organizations advocating for consumers and economic justice wrote to the state assembly expressing support for the law. Interest groups argued that regulation presents an "undue burden"on crypto companiesBlockchain Advocacy CoalitionThe Blockchain Advocacy Coalition wrote to Assemblymember Grayson on August 26.

☆ Palantir accused of securities fraud in class-action suit after the company did not profit from 'armed conflicts' and 'economic crises' as claimed
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Caroline Haskins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A lawsuit alleges that Palantir made "materially false and misleading statements" about the company ahead of its earnings reports released May 9. The complaint says that the COVID-19 pandemic and Russo-Ukrainian War are the "destabilizing conditions" that Palantir had said would be "tailwinds for its business." A Palantir investor hit the company with a suit seeking class-action status on September 15, alleging that the software company committed securities fraud by making "materially false and misleading statements" by claiming "armed conflicts" and "economic crises" would help its business and earnings. "As a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times," the complaint says. The law offices of Howard G. Smith also announced it was launching an "investigation" into possible violations of US securities law.

☆ Kitty Hawk, the flying car company backed by Google cofounder Larry Page, is winding down
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( Hugh Langley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Kitty Hawk, the flying car company backed by Larry Page, is winding down. It recently wound down its Heaviside flying car project and moved back to research and development. Kitty Hawk, the flying car company backed by Google cofounder Larry Page, is winding down. Thrun, a self-driving car pioneer and a Google veteran, founded Kitty Hawk in 2010, and Page financially propped it up. Page also backs another flying car company named Opener, although Kitty Hawk sources say the two companies barely interact.

☆ Twitter is facing an exodus of hundreds of workers since Elon Musk pitched them on his vision for the company three months ago
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( Kali Hays | Hugh Langley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Hundreds of Twitter employees have fled since June, say two people with knowledge of the matter. Two months after Elon Musk declared his intent to acquire Twitter in a $44 billion deal, the billionaire spoke directly with workers at Twitter. Nothing he said seemed to reassure workers, and since then, waves of Twitter employees have left the company. This trend of increased attrition has only continued as Musk and Twitter entered an ongoing legal saga after Musk said he no longer wanted to buy Twitter. In the last week, Twitter has posted scores of open positions on LinkedIn, from brand strategists to engineering managers to privacy experts.

☆ Salesforce, Oracle, Palantir and other tech companies are interested in building a new Army tool to manage weapons distribution and troop deployment
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Caroline Haskins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The US Army is looking for tech companies to build a prototype for its new "operational back-bone." Palantir, Gitlab, Salesforce, Oracle, RedHat, IBM, and others submitted "Requests for Information" to build the prototype, a step before submitting a bid. The prototype would manage the deployment of troops, and the supply and distribution of missiles, guns, tanks, and other weapons. Palantir has an $823 million Army contract for data mining and analytics. It's also unclear if Amazon, Google, or Microsoft will contribute to the project in some capacity, including as a subcontractor.

☆ In Amazon's future world, robots may detect your screams
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-16 | by ( Caroline Haskins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Thirty-one of Amazon's Astro patents mention using the sound of a "human yell" to stop robots. Amazon has been granted 31 patents for Astro, its $1000 home robot, that mention using the sound of a "human yell" to stop the robot. US Patent and Trademark OfficeThe patents say that Astro has safety features that use a "minimum sound threshold" to stop the robot. As an example, the patents say that "detection of sound such as a human yell" would stop Astro. An Amazon spokesperson declined to answer questions from Insider, including whether Astro actually has the feature where a human yell stops the robot.

☆ Leaked memo says Google Cloud will unfreeze hiring in more areas across the org by October but it must fix its priorities in 2023: 'We have too many Code Yellows and Purples'
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-15 | by ( Hugh Langley | Rosalie Chan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Google Cloud aims to unfreeze hiring in more areas across the org by October, a leaked memo said. "We have too many Code Yellows and Purples," he told staff in the memo. Google Cloud will unfreeze hiring in more areas across the organization by October, a memo sent to staff Wednesday and obtained by Insider said. We continue to aggressively hire for critical roles that support our long-term goals and customer needs," a Google Cloud spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that individual teams at Google Cloud would decide whether to unfreeze hiring based on that team's needs and priorities.

☆ In leaked memo, Google's controversial, visionary healthcare executive Andy Conrad lays out Verily's challenges and a path toward independence: 'I have drifted away from my true passion.'
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-09 | by ( Hugh Langley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

"Verily is increasingly becoming a more commercial-stage company," Conrad told employees. "I've come to realize that I have drifted away from my true passion — science," Conrad said in the memo. "So at the New Year I want to move away from running the company day to day to concentrate on projects for which I have a deep interest and can contribute in a meaningful way." Insider previously reported that Conrad had taken a step back from day-to-day responsibilities as Gillett had increasingly absorbed more leadership responsibilities. Conrad said the company would search for a new CFO "with a deep healthcare background for the next phase of our growth."

☆ Some VMware partners say they're optimistic about the $61 billion Broadcom buyout and see it as an opportunity to cozy up to customers who fear they'll get lost in the deal's fallout
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-01 | by ( Paayal Zaveri | Jessica Xing | Jacob E. Robbins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

But some partners say they're optimistic and see an opportunity to cozy up to VMware customers. In fact, several VMware partners view the seismic buyout as an opportunity and hope to use it to their advantage. Even those who weren't as optimistic about Broadcom's takeover told Insider the 24-year-old company was in need of a shake-up. Why VMware partners are optimisticBefore the acquisition announcement, Broadcom told investors the firm was "totally focused on the priorities" of 600 top strategic accounts. "Broadcom is where good software goes to die," an employee from a VMware partner told Insider.

☆ Broadcom CEO makes surprise appearance at VMware's big conference amid customer and employee concerns about the $61 billion takeover deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-30 | by ( Paayal Zaveri | Jessica Xing | Jacob E. Robbins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

VMware's conference for customers, employees, and partners kicked off this week in San Francisco. Broadcom CEO Hock Tan made a surprise appearance at VMware's big annual conference, VMware Explore, which kicked off this week in San Francisco. Prior to the acquisition announcement, Broadcom told investors the firm is "totally focused on the priorities" of 600 top strategic accounts. "What typically happens with acquisitions like this is that innovation stops," an IT professional for a smaller VMware customer in the oil industry told Insider at the conference. Several smaller customers told Insider they're worried that when the buyout closed, they may be forced to switch to bigger vendors like Microsoft, despite preferring VMware services.

☆ Leaked VMware memo reveals its global support VP is the latest exit in an employee exodus amid the Broadcom buyout
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-27 | by ( Jessica Xing | Jacob E. Robbins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Karen Egan, VMware's vice president of global support, is leaving the company after 15 years. Another high-level executive has announced their departure from cloud computing firm VMware. In her role as senior vice president of global support, Egan oversees critical customer accounts and support escalations for all VMware clients. Contact the reporter Jessica Xing via the encrypted messaging apps Signal or Telegram at +1 (551)-280-9140, encrypted email (jessica.xing@protonmail.com) or at jxing@insider.com. Contact the reporter Jacob E. Robbins via the encrypted messaging apps Signal or Telegram at +1 (413)-717-0171, encrypted email (jacoberobbins@proton.me), or Twitter DMs (@JacobERobbins).

☆ VMware employees describe 'aggressive' recruiter outreach from AWS, Google, and IBM after Broadcom deal announced
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-25 | by ( Jessica Xing | Jacob E. Robbins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

VMware employees are leaving the firm in droves after Broadcom announced its plans to buy the firm. Employees told Insider they received an "onslaught" of recruiter emails after the announcement. Days after the chip firm Broadcom announced a $61 billion deal to acquire the cloud-computing company VMware, recruiters could sense the malaise within VMware — and they pounced. Seven current and recent VMware employees said they'd been approached by recruiters in large volumes following the announcement of the acquisition. Unless I'm actively looking and applying for positions, I haven't been directly reached out to," the engineer told Insider.

Netflix has overhauled key leadership, naming a co-CEO, talent chief, and heads of TV and marketing. Insider identified 71 of the most powerful execs at the streamer, in an interactive org chart. Insider identified the 71 of the most powerful executives now at Netflix, following the recent executive changes. Netflix has many leaders — not all of whom are included here — but the chart below gives an inside look at who to watch in 2021. The executive shuffle came as Netflix's global audience reached 209 million paid subscribers in March, driven mainly by international viewers.

☆ Следственный комитет Беларуси заявил, что писем о бомбе на борту рейса Ryanair было два
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-28 | by ( ) nokta.md time to read: +1 min

Следственный комитет Беларуси заявил, что в Национальный аэропорт Минск поступили два письма о бомбе на борту рейса Ryanair, который совершил экстренную посадку в Минске. В настоящий момент подробно изучаются и анализируются записи переговоров с пилотами авиасудна, проводятся иные многочисленные следственные действия«, — заявил СК, передает meduza. Ранее сервис ProtonMail заявил, что сообщение о «минировании» рейса Ryanair было отправлено уже после разворота самолета к Минску. Согласно расшифровке переговоров экипажа рейса и белорусских диспетчеров, которую опубликовал Минтранс Беларуси, самолет получил от диспетчеров сообщение о бомбе в 12:30 и начал разворот в сторону Минска в 12:45. Белорусские власти заявили, что сообщение о бомбе на борту рейса Ryanair, было отправлено от имени палестинской организации ХАМАС.

Organizations: Следственный комитет, Национальный аэропорт, СК, Минтранс, Досье, Литовские аэропорты, ХАМАС Locations: Беларусь, Минск

☆ ProtonMail: сообщение о «минировании» рейса Ryanair прислали уже после разворота самолета к Минску
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-27 | by ( ) nokta.md time to read: +1 min

Электронное сообщение о минировании , экстренно посаженного в Минске 23 мая, было отправлено уже после того, как рейс развернули в сторону белорусской столицы. Об этом говорится в заявлении швейцарской компании Proton Technologies AG, разработчика сервиса шифрованной электронной почты ProtonMail. «Мы не видели достоверных свидетельств того, что утверждения белорусской стороны соответствуют действительности, — цитирует Reuters заявление компании. 26 мая Александр Лукашенко на встрече с парламентариями в Доме правительства Беларуси, рассказывая об инциденте с рейсом Ryanair, заявил, что сообщение о заложенной бомбе на его борту поступило в аэропорт Минска из Швейцарии. По их данным, оно было отправлено с адреса ahmed_yurlanov1988@protonmail.com и поступило в аэропорт Минска почти через полчаса после того, как диспетчеры сообщили пилоту о возможном минировании рейса Ryanair.

Persons: —, Der Spiegel, Медуза, Александр Лукашенко, Артем Сикорский Organizations: Proton Technologies AG, ProtonMail, — Reuters, Ryanair, Дом правительства, ХАМАС, Досье Locations: —, Минск, Беларусь, Швейцария

☆ В Швейцарии заявили, что угрозу о минировании рейса Ryanair отправили после его разворота
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-27 | by ( Mld Media Srl | Степанов Георгий | ) noi.md time to read: +3 min

Швейцарский интернет-провайдер Proton Technologies AG заявил, что сообщение о минировании самолета Ryanair было отправлено уже после его разворота в сторону Беларуси. Как утверждает интернет-провайдер, в ProtonMail "не видели внушающих доверие свидетельств" того, что изложенная белорусскими властями версия событий, касающихся рейса Ryanair, достоверна. При этом интернет-провайдер пояснил, что с лета 2020 года власти Беларуси "предпринимали попытки блокировать ProtonMail", и такие действия вызывают <...> осуждение". В среду президент Беларуси Александр Лукашенко, выступая на встрече с парламентариями, членами Конституционной комиссии и представителями органов государственного управления, заявил, что сообщение о минировании самолета Ryanair поступило из Швейцарии. Представитель швейцарского внешнеполитического ведомства Пьер Ален Эльчингер рассказал ТАСС, что не обладает информацией об угрозе взрыва лайнера Ryanair.

Persons: Александр Лукашенко, Пьер Ален Эльчингер, Лукашенко, Роман Протасевич, Артем Сикорский Organizations: ТАСС, Конституционная комиссия, Швейцарские, Следственный комитет, Министерство транспорта и коммуникаций, ХАМАС Locations: Беларусь, Швейцария, Берн, Афины, Вильнюс, Минск, Беларусью

☆ ХАМАС отрицает причастность к инциденту с самолетом Ryanair
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-25 | by ( Mld Media Srl | ) noi.md time to read: +1 min

Палестинское радикальное движение ХАМАС в понедельник опровергло заявления белорусских властей о возможной причастности движения к инциденту с самолетом компании Ryanair, который совершил экстренную посадку в Минске 23 мая из-за сообщений о его минировании. Представитель ХАМАС заявил, что движение "не имеет к этому абсолютно никакого отношения". Самолет ирландской бюджетной авиакомпании Ryanair, следовавший по маршруту Афины - Вильнюс, 23 мая приземлился в аэропорту Минска после сообщения о взрывном устройстве на борту. По словам директора департамента по авиации Министерства транспорта и коммуникаций Белоруссии Артема Сикорского, на электронную почту аэропорта Минска с сервиса Protonmail поступило письмо на английском языке, авторы которого угрожали взорвать самолет авиакомпании Ryanair над Вильнюсом. Авторами письма якобы были представители палестинского радикального движения ХАМАС.

Persons: Артем Сикорский Organizations: ХАМАС, Министерство транспорта и коммуникаций Locations: Минск, Афины, Вильнюс, Белоруссия, Вильнюсом, Газа, Европейский союз, Израиль

☆ Стали известны подробности из опубликованной стенограммы рейса Ryanair
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-25 | by ( Mld Media Srl | Степанов Георгий | ) noi.md time to read: +2 min

Стало известно, о чем именно велась речь в переговорах пилота рейса Ryanair и диспетчера аэропорта Минска. Подробные сообщения из стенограммы публикует Telegram-канал Mash. Командир воздушного судна задал повторный вопрос о том, откуда наземные службы получили информацию о бомбе, на что там ответили, что «служба безопасности получила мейл». Пилот попытался уточнить, какая именно служба безопасности — литовская или греческая — получила электронное сообщение, на что диспетчер сказал, что сообщение «разослали в несколько аэропортов». Далее экипаж начал задавать вопросы о том, почему самолет перенаправляют в аэропорт Минска: «Эта рекомендация перенаправит в Минск, откуда она взялась?

Persons: — —, Роман Протасевич Organizations: Ryanair, Лента.ру, ВВС Locations: Минск, Вильнюсом, Белоруссия, Афины, Вильнюс

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