James Farrell
Latest from James Farrell
Facebook Reality Labs is exploring what’s coming in the next decade of human-computer interaction, and it’s not going to be something you hold in your hand. “Imagine a world where a lightweight, stylish pair of glasses could replace your need for a …
EU gives green light to Microsoft’s $7.5 billion ZeniMax acquisition
The European Union has approved Microsoft Corp.’s $7.5 billion acquisition of ZeniMax Media Inc., the parent company of videogame publisher Bethesda Softworks. Microsoft said it was going to buy ZeniMax back in September, but the company still had to get the approval …
Arizona House passes bill to let app makers use their own payment processing
In what could have major consequences for Google LLC and Apple Inc., the Arizona House of Representatives voted 31-29 today to advance a bill that would let app makers create their own payment processing systems. If HB 2005 becomes law, it will force companies …
Facebook Oversight Board wants access to the company’s algorithm
A former Guardian editor who’s on Facebook Inc.’s Oversight Board said today that the board now wants to get a better understanding of the company’s algorithm for which posts run on its News Feed. Talking to the House of Lords communications and …
Twitter introduces strikes system to crack down on vaccine misinformation
Twitter Inc. announced today that it’s expanding its efforts to reduce the amount of dubious COVID-19 vaccine-related content appearing on the platform. In a blog post, the company revealed that from now on, when tweets appear that appear to contain false or …
Twitter considers a makeover with plans to offer a raft of new features
Twitter Inc. may have not changed much over the years, but today the company announced some new features that could give its users quite a different experience. During the its Analyst Day, the company revealed that it will introduce a feature called …
YouTube will introduce supervised content for tweens and teens
Google LLC-owned YouTube announced today that it’s rolling out a new feature aimed at youngsters too old for YouTube Kids. For years YouTube met with criticism after it was revealed young children were watching content that was adult in nature. The company …
Microsoft supports tech firms paying European media for content as Facebook cuts deal with Australia
Updated: Microsoft Corp. announced today that it’s joining a coalition of European media publishers in an effort to ensure they get paid for content shared online. The move comes after Microsoft gave its support for what’s now being called the Australia model, …
Pundits weigh in on Facebook’s Australian news outage
Following Facebook Inc.’s decision to block users from viewing or sharing Australian news, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he won’t back down from implementing the new media law, a decision that has drawn criticism as well as plaudits. This morning Australians …
YouTube soon will launch Shorts, its version of TikTok, in the US
TikTok is about to get some stiff competition: Google LLC-owned YouTube announced today that it will release “Shorts” in the U.S. in the coming weeks. “Every year, increasing numbers of people come to YouTube to launch their own channel,” the company said …