Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Big Tech Archive

Archives for October 2017

Technology
Alibaba is doubling its R&D spend to $5 billion — but that’s less than a third of what Amazon spendsAlibaba is doubling its R&D spend to $5 billion — but that’s less than a third of what Amazon spends
Technology

Alibaba plans to spend $15 billion over the next three years.

By Rani Molla
Technology
Facebook, Tesla and other tech giants are giving aid to Puerto Rico in the form of VR, ‘internet balloons’ and batteriesFacebook, Tesla and other tech giants are giving aid to Puerto Rico in the form of VR, ‘internet balloons’ and batteries
Technology

Example: Mark Zuckerberg announced an augmented-reality mapping tool to help the Red Cross.

By Kat Borgerding
Technology
People are spending more time in top shopping apps like Amazon’sPeople are spending more time in top shopping apps like Amazon’s
Technology

Time is money.

By Rani Molla
Technology
Apple is partnering with Steven Spielberg on its new TV strategy. (What is Apple’s new TV strategy?)Apple is partnering with Steven Spielberg on its new TV strategy. (What is Apple’s new TV strategy?)
Technology

Apple will reboot “Amazing Stories” as part of its move into original content. But we still don’t know why it’s making that move.

By Peter Kafka
Technology
Microsoft is reviewing its records for signs of potential Russian meddling during the 2016 electionMicrosoft is reviewing its records for signs of potential Russian meddling during the 2016 election
Technology

Tech giants continue to fear that their platforms helped spread misinformation.

By Tony Romm
Technology
Google has found a small number of 2016 election ads tied to Russian government forcesGoogle has found a small number of 2016 election ads tied to Russian government forces
Technology

But the company, which isn’t saying much publicly, is still investigating

By Tony Romm
Technology
All the ways Lyft and Uber are competing to be the friendlier app for driversAll the ways Lyft and Uber are competing to be the friendlier app for drivers
Technology

While Uber repairs its image, Lyft is rolling out driver features in lockstep to maintain its promise to drivers.

By Johana Bhuiyan
Technology
Netflix spends more than any other streaming service on contentNetflix spends more than any other streaming service on content
Technology

It’s also raising its prices.

By Rani Molla
Technology
Silicon Valley’s Russian ads problem, explainedSilicon Valley’s Russian ads problem, explained
Technology

Why Facebook, Google and Twitter find themselves in the middle of an investigation into the 2016 election.

By Tony Romm and Kurt Wagner
Technology
Here’s how a tender offer like Uber’s would unfoldHere’s how a tender offer like Uber’s would unfold
Technology

There’s no guarantee that the transaction with Japan’s SoftBank will get done.

By Theodore Schleifer
Technology
Google is paying publishers working on ‘Stamp,’ its version of Snapchat’s DiscoverGoogle is paying publishers working on ‘Stamp,’ its version of Snapchat’s Discover
Technology

The new mobile format could debut this month for some users.

By Peter Kafka
Technology
Facebook and Twitter will testify to the U.S. Congress on Russia and the 2016 presidential electionFacebook and Twitter will testify to the U.S. Congress on Russia and the 2016 presidential election
Technology

Google has not said if it will also appear before the House and Senate committees

By Tony Romm
Technology
Senate lawmakers fear future elections are at risk from Russian meddlingSenate lawmakers fear future elections are at risk from Russian meddling
Technology

The Senate Intelligence Committee also urged Facebook, Google and Twitter to testify at a November 1 hearing.

By Tony Romm
Technology
The Pixel market share chart Google probably won’t be showing at its event todayThe Pixel market share chart Google probably won’t be showing at its event today
Technology

The Google phone has captured less than 1 percent of U.S. smartphone subscribers.

By Rani Molla and Dan Frommer
Technology
Europe has ordered Amazon to pay nearly $300 million in back taxesEurope has ordered Amazon to pay nearly $300 million in back taxes
Technology

The e-commerce giant is considering an appeal

By Tony Romm and Jason Del Rey