At first glance, it’s one of those things that appears relatively benign: Amazon received federal approval the other day to develop a device for tracking your sleep patterns.When you look closer, though, questions arise.Will the device’s radar sensors become an even more intrusive threat to our privacy than the microphones and cameras that the likes of Amazon, Apple and Google … [Read more...] about Column: Amazon wants to use radar so Alexa can watch as you sleep
Technology
Column: Thanks to the pandemic, we now also have ‘an epidemic of sleep deprivation’
Having trouble sleeping? You’re not alone. Sleep disorders have grown so prevalent since the start of the pandemic, there’s a name for it — “coronasomnia.”That got me wondering, as I yet again tossed and turned for much of the night, if this is going to have long-term consequences for society.Simply put, is this the new normal? Are we now, thanks to the pandemic, a nation of … [Read more...] about Column: Thanks to the pandemic, we now also have ‘an epidemic of sleep deprivation’
Why do cell towers in L.A. look like fake trees?
A gentle breeze rustles the eucalyptus tree, its dark green foliage quivering under a cloudy Santa Ana sky. At the base of its sturdy trunk, the leaves of a fallen branch bear the scars of hungry insects.A stand of eucalyptuses sways across the road. But this tree, surrounded by a spiky metal fence, isn’t like the others. “AT&T authorized personnel only!” a sign warns.This … [Read more...] about Why do cell towers in L.A. look like fake trees?
What Biden’s executive order on non-compete agreements means for tech workers
The rest of the country might finally be catching up to California when it comes to workers’ right to hop between jobs.The Biden administration asked the Federal Trade Commission to ban or limit noncompete agreements nationwide as part of a broad executive order Friday. These agreements, which typically prevent workers from quitting their jobs and going to work for a competitor … [Read more...] about What Biden’s executive order on non-compete agreements means for tech workers
The psychics of TikTok, Cameo and Clubhouse are seeing — and making — fortunes
For $15, plus a 75-cent processing fee, Hannah Macintyre is telling me my destiny.“What I’m seeing here with you is this hitting a wall [and] needing to push through, needing to step up,” Macintyre says as she looks over the three tarot cards she’s drawn from her deck: the Page of Fire, Ace of Air and Emperor. “There’s also this information coming in here with these cards about … [Read more...] about The psychics of TikTok, Cameo and Clubhouse are seeing — and making — fortunes
The Glendale company that’s wowing Wall Street
LegalZoom became a publicly traded company Wednesday on the Nasdaq stock exchange, as investors snatched up shares of the Glendale firm founded in 1999 to upend the legal world.The stock debuted at a price of $38 per share just after 9 a.m. Pacific — well above the asking price of $28, rocketing the valuation to over $6 billion in its first moments as a public company.LegalZoom … [Read more...] about The Glendale company that’s wowing Wall Street
A blue-collar tech giant grows in Glendale
When Ara Mahdessian and Vahe Kuzoyan moved back to Glendale after college, they didn’t plan on sticking around.Before heading off to Silicon Valley in the fall for programming jobs, the pair decided to work on a summer project together. Both of their dads were contractors — one in plumbing, the other in construction — and they figured they could cobble together some software to … [Read more...] about A blue-collar tech giant grows in Glendale
Antivirus pioneer John McAfee found dead in prison after extradition ruling
John McAfee, the antivirus software pioneer turned anti-government cryptocurrency promoter and frequent fugitive from the law, was found dead in his prison cell in Spain on Wednesday.The last 15 years of the grizzled tycoon’s life were marked by run-ins with — and flights from — police and governments across the Western Hemisphere. In media interviews and posts on his own … [Read more...] about Antivirus pioneer John McAfee found dead in prison after extradition ruling
Look inside Apple’s new downtown L.A. store and event space, a symbol of its Hollywood ambitions
The Broadway theater that introduced Angelenos to “talkie” movies nearly a century ago is throwing open its doors Thursday in a vastly different entertainment era as a gilded Apple store. The tech giant intends the retail and event space to be one of its most prominent and a symbol of its emergence as a creative force in Hollywood.Downtown Los Angeles backers hope the … [Read more...] about Look inside Apple’s new downtown L.A. store and event space, a symbol of its Hollywood ambitions
LAPD launches investigation into officers’ relationship with Ring
The Los Angeles Police Department has launched an internal investigation into its officers’ communications with the Amazon-owned security company Ring, after a Times report revealed the camera maker provided at least 100 officers free devices or discounts and encouraged them to promote the products to colleagues and members of the community. LAPD Chief Michel Moore said at a … [Read more...] about LAPD launches investigation into officers’ relationship with Ring