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Tech Week: Uber's Tricks, JPMorgan Hacked & A Desk Microwave

Uber's going the distance to try and crowd out its competition, like Lyft and its signature mustached vehicles.
Justin Sullivan
/
Getty Images
Uber's going the distance to try and crowd out its competition, like Lyft and its signature mustached vehicles.

Each weekend, we look back on the tech week that was, which includes original content from NPR and the stories worth noting from across the Internet. Here we go...

ICYMI

Amazon Buys Twitch: In a nearly $1 billion purchase, Amazon bought the exceedingly popular Twitch, which allows viewers to watch live streams of gamers gaming. Amazon edged out Google, which had been expected to pay a similar amount for the service.

Sad Desk Microwave: For our weekly innovation pick, we went with the Brainwave, a UK-based designer's concept for a small desktop microwave, powered by your computer. The only downside is it's only a prototype, for now ...

The Big Conversation

Big Banks Breached: The nation's largest bank, JPMorgan Chase, and four other U.S. banks were attacked by sophisticated hackers. Federal investigators are looking into whether Russians were behind this breach, possibly in retaliation for U.S.-led sanctions.

Smartwatches Galore: So much smart watch news, so little time. LG and Samsung have unveiled new devices, and mark down Sept. 9 for Apple's next announcement. The invite says only, "Wish we could say more," but tech watchers are wondering whether the much-rumored iWatch will finally make its first appearance.

Curiosities

The Verge: This is Uber's Playbook for Sabotaging Lyft
Uber's been aggressively trying to crowd out its competition in various cities, and The Verge says it got the playbook.

NPR: The LA School iPad Scandal: What You Need To Know
The iPad education revolution stalls.

The Atlantic: Inside Google's Secret Drone Delivery Program
It's not just Amazon toying with drones. Can Google rule the skies?

Gizmodo: Twitter Finally Lets You See How Few People Are Faving Your Tweets
Well, this was kinda demoralizing.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Elise Hu is a host-at-large based at NPR West in Culver City, Calif. Previously, she explored the future with her video series, Future You with Elise Hu, and served as the founding bureau chief and International Correspondent for NPR's Seoul office. She was based in Seoul for nearly four years, responsible for the network's coverage of both Koreas and Japan, and filed from a dozen countries across Asia.