Reuters - Technology Report

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Friday, January 19, 2018

SEC says bitcoin funds raise 'investor protection issues'

(Reuters) - The U.S. securities regulator on Thursday raised alarm about the safety of bitcoin-themed investments, telling the fund industry they want answers to their concerns before endorsing more than a dozen proposed products based on cryptocurrencies.

South Korean group files complaint against Apple CEO over iPhone slowdown

SEOUL (Reuters) - A South Korean consumer group has filed a criminal complaint against Apple Inc CEO Tim Cook over slower iPhone devices, after probes in Europe into allegations the firm had deliberately shortened the life of its handsets.

IBM returns to growth after six years, but dour forecast hits shares

(Reuters) - International Business Machines Corp's revenue rose for the first time in 23 quarters, beating analysts' estimates, but the company warned that a higher tax rate this year would eat into its profit.

Bitcoin use under scrutiny in Indonesian island of Bali

JAKARTA/KUTA, Indonesia (Reuters) - Indonesian authorities are investigating the use of bitcoin in the holiday island of Bali, amid warnings by the central bank in Southeast Asia's biggest economy over the risks posed by virtual currencies, an official said.

Google announces patent agreement with Tencent amid China push

BEIJING (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's Google has agreed to a patent licensing deal with Tencent Holdings Ltd as it looks for ways to expand in China where many of its products, such as app store, search engine and email service, are blocked by regulators.

Amazon's review of Toronto could escalate tension with Trump

TORONTO (Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc's inclusion of Canada's largest city on a list of 20 finalists for a massive new campus could escalate tensions between the tech giant and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Apple to release software update to resolve iPhone slowdown: CEO

(Reuters) - Apple Inc will release a software update that will allow users to turn off a feature that slows down iPhones when batteries are low on charge, Chief Executive Tim Cook told ABC News.

Senate passes bill renewing internet surveillance program

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a bill to renew the National Security Agency’s warrantless internet surveillance program for six years with minimal changes, overcoming objections from civil liberties advocates that it undermined the privacy of Americans.

SoftBank is now Uber's largest shareholder as deal closes

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A group of investors led by SoftBank Group Corp closed a deal with Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL] on Thursday, making SoftBank the largest stakeholder in the ride-services firm and providing a much-needed boost to controversy-ridden Uber.

Apple, Alphabet employee buses damaged by vandals during commute

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Vandals damaged Apple Inc and Alphabet Inc charter buses carrying employees to and from work in California's Silicon Valley in recent days, police said on Thursday.