Reuters - Technology Report

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Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Fiat Chrysler joins BMW-Intel self-driving car alliance

SAN FRANCISCO/FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Fiat Chrysler will join an alliance led by BMW to develop self-driving cars, intensifying a race by carmakers and technology companies to develop "robotaxis" which can be called up via smartphone and paid for by the minute.

Tech companies ramp up NAFTA lobbying on eve of trade talks

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Technology companies, such as Microsoft and Cisco Systems have ramped up lobbying ahead of talks to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, looking to avoid any future restrictions on cloud storage and to promote an international pact to eliminate technology goods tariffs.

Mobile language app Babbel, Cambridge team up for English tests

OXFORD (Reuters) - Germany's Babbel, the highest grossing maker of mobile language-learning apps, has teamed up with Cambridge University's English language certification arm, setting a new, high-quality standard for digital language testing, the companies said on Wednesday.

Amazon adds 'Instant Pickup' in U.S. brick-and-mortar push

BERKELEY, Calif (Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc is rolling out U.S. pickup points where shoppers can retrieve items immediately after ordering them, shortening delivery times from hours to minutes in its latest move into brick-and-mortar retail.

Amazon maintains UK investment push with Bristol distribution center

LONDON (Reuters) - Online retailer Amazon said on Wednesday it would create over 1,000 jobs next year when it opens a distribution center in Bristol, south west England, maintaining its investment push in Britain.

China e-car newcomer Future Mobility raises $200 million from Suning, others

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese electric-car venture Future Mobility Corp, co-founded by former BMW and Nissan Motor executives, has raised $200 million from investors including China's Suning and Fullshare Holdings in its latest round of financing.

State-owned China Unicom to raise $11.7 billion from private firms

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Telecoms group China Unicom said it is raising $11.7 billion from investors including tech giants Alibaba Group and Tencent Holdings , as part of Beijing's push for state-owned enterprises to be revitalized with private capital.

Uber settles U.S. allegations over data privacy

WASHINGTON/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL] has agreed to two decades of audits after U.S. regulators found the ride-services company failed to protect the personal information of drivers and passengers and deceived the public about efforts to prevent snooping by its employees.

Tech companies urge Supreme Court to boost cellphone privacy

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More than a dozen high technology companies and the biggest wireless operator in the United States, Verizon Communications Inc , have called on the U.S. Supreme Court to make it harder for government officials to access individuals' sensitive cellphone data.

Lawsuit over false online data revived after U.S. top court review

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Tuesday revived a California man's lawsuit accusing Spokeo Inc of publishing an online profile about him that was filled with mistakes.