Techmeme
April 17, 2020, 3:25 PM

Top News

Josh Constine / TechCrunch:
Sources: Google is working on a “Google card” co-branded with banks, including Citi and Stanford Federal Credit Union, to compete with Apple Card  —  Would you pay with a “Google Card?”  TechCrunch has attained imagery that shows Google is developing its own physical and virtual debit cards.
Jessica Guynn / USA Today:
Facebook to add two new “Care Reactions”: an emoji hugging a heart on the main Facebook app and a pulsating heart on Messenger  —  Need a reassuring hug during the COVID-19 pandemic?  Facebook has a new feel-good reaction for that.  —  When even the smallest physical gesture …
Julia Carrie Wong / The Guardian:
Facebook to notify users who liked, commented, or reacted to COVID-19 misinfo and guide them to WHO resources, as report finds debunked claims on the platform  —  Users who have liked, shared or commented on posts with false claims will be directed to WHO's ‘myth busters’ page
David Carnoy / CNET:
Apple Music head Oliver Schusser will take over Beats, replacing its president, Luke Wood, who's leaving the company on April 30  —  Apple Music head Oliver Schusser will be taking the top post at Beats, replacing Luke Wood, who's leaving the company on April 30.  —  Enlarge Image
Financial Times:
UK's competition watchdog provisionally approves Amazon's investment in Deliveroo, after concluding the startup risked collapse absent new funds  —  CMA says delivery group was at risk of failing without fresh funding  —  The UK's competition regulator has granted provisional approval …
Mark Gurman / Bloomberg:
Sources: at virtual all-hands, Tim Cook reiterated Apple's strong financials when asked about job cuts, said he doesn't know when staff will return to offices  —  - Tim Cook: Apple to make ‘really significant’ R&D investments  — Company's retail staff begin preparing for store re-openings
Kyle Wiggers / VentureBeat:
Microsoft claims it can use AI to distinguish between security and non-security bugs 99% of the time, plans to open-source the methodology in coming months  —  Microsoft claims to have developed a system that correctly distinguishes between security and non-security software bugs 99% of the time …
George Nott / The Grocer:
Sources: Amazon UK to launch an “Ultra Fast Fresh” service, merging Amazon Fresh and Prime Now, retrofitting nine existing depots to handle fresh produce  —  The project could involve making Amazon Fresh a free benefit of Prime in the UK  —  It is thought to involve retrofitting …
More: Reuters
Financial Times:
Profile of Nextdoor CEO Sarah Friar, as the social network becomes a hub to help neighbors during the pandemic with DAUs up 80% globally from February to March  —  As usage of the hyperlocal social media hub explodes, the boss is coming under pressure  —  As coronavirus lockdowns have spread …
Kyle Wiggers / VentureBeat:
Amazon introduces a long-form speaking style for news and music within third-party Alexa skills, making speech sound natural by inserting conversational pauses  —  Amazon today announced a long-form speaking style for news and music content within third-party Alexa skills (i.e., voice apps).
Natalia Drozdiak / Bloomberg:
EU issues guidelines to make COVID-19 contact tracing apps interoperable and says it will scrutinize Google and Apple's proposed APIs to ensure compatibility  —  - Bloc set common approach on tracking apps to exit lockdowns  — Apple, Google announced new contact-tracing tech last week
Alex Hern / The Guardian:

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