Reuters - Technology Report

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Friday, December 22, 2017

In Silicon Valley, much-feared tax bill pays dividends for workers

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The U.S. tax overhaul is a boon to Silicon Valley technology companies like Apple Inc and Alphabet Inc , which will enjoy big tax cuts and the chance to bring back billions of dollars from overseas at a reduced rate.

Exclusive: U.S. experts resign from monitoring China’s ZTE Corp - sources

(Reuters) - Two consulting firms hired to help the United States police ZTE Corp’s compliance with trade sanctions have resigned, according to four people familiar with the matter.

Belarus adopts crypto-currency law to woo foreign investors

MINSK (Reuters) - Belarus has legalized transactions in crypto-currencies, part of a drive to foster private sector growth and attract foreign investment by liberalizing parts of its Soviet-style economy.

Alphabet's Eric Schmidt to step down as executive chairman

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc said on Thursday its Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt will step down in January, ending a 17-year-run in which he played a central role in building a promising startup called Google into a global technology powerhouse.

Robot growing pains: Two U.S. factories show tensions of going digital

COLUMBUS, Ind. (Reuters) - When Sandy Vierling took a job at a new robot-packed factory her company built just a few miles from an older plant where she made automotive exhaust systems, she crossed into the future of manufacturing in the United States.

As energy markets evolve, blockchain powers up

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Energy startups have been using blockchain to power electricity sharing in microgrid trials from Texas to Tasmania for a year or so.

Bracing for EV shift, NGK Spark Plug ignites all solid-state battery quest

NAGOYA, Japan (Reuters) - Facing the eventual demise of gasoline engines, the world's biggest maker of spark plugs is turning its focus to a component it believes will be just as vital in the coming era of electric vehicles - next-generation all solid state batteries.

Exclusive: IPO hopeful Xiaomi set to blow past 2017 revenue target - sources

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Inc has told bankers it would top its annual revenue target by as much as 18 percent, sources with knowledge of the matter said, marking a comeback from a sales slump in recent years that triggered a business overhaul.

Britain's digital banks: profitable or just popular?

LONDON (Reuters) - British app-based bank Monzo and others like it want to make money by allowing other firms access to their customers rather than lending to them, but this is an untested path to profitability.

Japan Display says reports of seeking funds not true, wants partner

TOKYO (Reuters) - Smartphone screen maker Japan Display Inc said in a statement on Friday that recent reports that it was seeking funds were not true, and that it was seeking a partnership with a "global company".