Techmeme
February 15, 2017, 2:10 PM

Top News

Bloomberg:
Sources: Verizon is close to negotiating a new deal with Yahoo, which reduces the price tag by around $250M  —  Verizon has tentatively reached a revised Yahoo deal that would lower the price by about $250 million, Bloomberg News reports.
Facebook:
Facebook debuts video playback changes, including autoplaying with sound unless device is muted, picture-in-picture video, and rollout of vertical video format  —  People are watching and sharing more video on Facebook than ever, and we're focused on continuously improving the video experience.
Kurt Wagner / Recode:
Dustin Volz / Reuters:
David Katzmaier / CNET:
Caavo unveils eight-port device that connects streaming boxes to TV and gives apps one interface with voice control, coming this fall for $399  —  Imagine saying, “Alexa, ask Caavo to show ‘The Young Pope.’”  —  Your TV turns on and after a few moments, the show picks up where you left off.
Wall Street Journal:
Sources: Amazon and Google are considering adding voice calls to Echo and Home smart speakers, amid concerns about privacy and telecom regulations  —  Amazon's Echo or the Google Home could be used to make or receive calls, people familiar with the matter said, a functionality that would give …
Dan Goodin / Ars Technica:
Security researchers uncover new macOS malware Xagent, a modular backdoor from the Russian group APT28 that's been linked to last year's DNC hacks  —  Xagent for Macs steals passwords, grabs screenshots, and exfiltrates iPhone backups.  —  APT28, the Russian hacking group tied …
Bloomberg:
Sources: Apple struggles to make big M&A deals due to risk aversion, inexperience closing and integrating deals, a reluctance to work with external advisers  —  IPhone maker mostly buys small startups for new tech, talent  —  CEO hints at larger transactions as analysts seek new growth
Ingrid Lunden / TechCrunch:
SoftBank to acquire Fortress Investment Group for $3.3B; Fortress has holdings in Lyft, Xapo, Jawbone and other tech companies  —  Japan's SoftBank has made another acquisition to widen both its business strategy and its portfolio of investments.  Today the company announced it would pay $3.3 billion …
Devin Coldewey / TechCrunch:
Makerbot says it will lay off 30% of its staff, or around 90 people, and deepen its focus on core products  —  MakerBot is laying off 30 percent of its staff as part of an ongoing effort to adapt to a changing market, the company announced in a blog post today.
More: MakerBot and Gothamist

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Earlier Picks

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