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#20: Like Rooting for the Cable Company

September 7th, 2017 · 48 minutes

Silicon Valley companies are back in the political arena with their reactions to DACA. Meanwhile, Apple and Amazon are in a bidding war over James Bond while the Boston Red Sox are cheating using their Apple Watches.

Guest Starring: Serenity Caldwell and Devindra Hardawar

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Links and Show Notes

In a strong rebuke, Microsoft offered to aid employees affected by Trump’s DACA decision - Recode

Apple and Microsoft pledged on Tuesday to protect workers who face the risk of legal trouble and perhaps deportation after President Donald Trump terminated a major immigration program that had broad support among the business community.

Tech community stands by Dreamers after Trump ends protections - Engadget

CEOs and representatives of hundreds of companies and organizations signed the FWD.us open letter last week and many are continuing to stand with Dreamers and DACA today.

Silicon Valley’s Politics: Liberal, With One Big Exception - The New York Times

A politically awakened Silicon Valley, buttressed by the tech industry’s growing economic power, could potentially alter politics long after President Trump has left the scene. But if the tech industry becomes a political force, what sort of policies will it push?

House Passes Self-Driving Car Bill - WIRED

The SELF DRIVE Act lays out a basic federal framework for autonomous vehicle regulation, signaling that federal lawmakers are finally ready to think seriously about self-driving cars and what they mean for the future of the country.

Larry Page Wants Earth To Have A Mad Scientist Island - TechCrunch

Larry Page wishes the world had some sort of permanent Burning Man-esque place for crazy builders to just be crazy. A place with less societal pressure, and without antiquated laws makin’ things sticky.

Apple, Amazon Join Race for James Bond Film Rights - Hollywood Reporter

The franchise, and its future, are up for grabs as Agent 007 is being viewed as one of the last untapped brands that could be a game changer.

Apple: Kim Rozenfeld, Max Aronson, Ali Woodruff & Rita Cooper Lee Join - Deadline

Former Sony TV head of current programming KimRozenfeld has officially landed at Apple, rejoining his former Sony TV bosses Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht, who were named in June to oversee worldwide video programming. Also joining the team of the newly launched video programming division are Sony TV development executives Max Aronson and Ali Woodruff as well as WGN America’s former head of PR Rita Cooper Lee.

Squeezed for profits, maker of $400 connected juice press closes up shop - Ars Technica

In a letter posted on its website on Friday, Juicero said that it would be closing down its business. The Silicon Valley startup sold a cold-press juice machine that squeezed juice out of proprietary bags of fruit and vegetable matter. The bags were delivered to the Juicero owner’s home on a subscription basis.

Boston Red Sox Used Apple Watches to Steal Signs Against Yankees - The New York Times

Investigators for Major League Baseball have determined that the Red Sox, who are in first place in the American League East and very likely headed to the playoffs, executed a scheme to illicitly steal hand signals from opponents’ catchers in games against the second-place Yankees and other teams, according to several people briefed on the matter.

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Devindra Hardawar (@Devindra) - Twitter
Serenity Caldwell (@settern) - Twitter