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Laura Sydell Laura Sydell is the Digital Culture Correspondent for the NPR's All Things Considered, Morning Edition, Weekend Edition and NPR.org.
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Laura Sydell

Business

Trump Immigration Order Strongly Criticized By Tech Executives

Silicon Valley tech leaders are coming out against the Trump administration's executive action on immigration. The order directly affects employees and international business at many of the companies.

Trump Immigration Order Strongly Criticized By Tech Executives

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Apple Looks To Compete With Netflix Originals, But Making Hits Is Hard

Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new Apple TV app during a product launch event in Cupertino, Calif., in October. The company now plans to make original movies and TV programming, according to sources. Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images

All Tech Considered

Apple Looks To Compete With Netflix Originals, But Making Hits Is Hard

Apple is about to join Amazon and Netflix and get into the content-making business, sources say. Apple stands to boost revenue, analysts say, but finding success in Hollywood isn't easy.

Apple Looks To Compete With Netflix Originals, But Making Hits Is Hard

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Can Virtual Reality Make You More Empathetic?

A Syrian woman and her child sit in their refugee living space in Lebanon. They are featured in Four Walls, a virtual reality presentation by the International Rescue Committee. YouVisit Studios hide caption

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YouVisit Studios

All Tech Considered

Can Virtual Reality Make You More Empathetic?

Charities are using virtual reality to immerse people in the plight of refugees and others who need help. Researchers are studying whether it's more effective than other media. And there are skeptics.

Can Virtual Reality Make You More Empathetic?

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We Tracked Down A Fake-News Creator In The Suburbs. Here's What We Learned

"The whole idea from the start was to build a site that could kind of infiltrate the echo chambers of the alt-right." Fanatic Studio/Getty Images hide caption

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Fanatic Studio/Getty Images

All Tech Considered

We Tracked Down A Fake-News Creator In The Suburbs. Here's What We Learned

"The whole idea from the start was to build a site that could kind of infiltrate the echo chambers of the alt-right," says Jestin Coler, whose company, Disinfomedia, is behind some fake news sites.

We Tracked Down A Fake-News Creator In The Suburbs. Here's What We Learned

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Tech Leaders Vow To Resist Trump, But They Also Hope To Find Common Ground

Aaron Levie, CEO of Box, supported Hillary Clinton and he says he will continue to work and lobby for what he believes. Lisa Lake/Getty Images hide caption

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Lisa Lake/Getty Images

All Tech Considered

Tech Leaders Vow To Resist Trump, But They Also Hope To Find Common Ground

With issues ranging from privacy to trade, many leaders find themselves at odds with the president-elect's campaign stances. But CEOs say they'll look for ways to work with his administration.

Tech Leaders Vow To Resist Trump, But They Also Hope To Find Common Ground

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What's Hot On Netflix? A Startup Aims To Track Ratings In The Streaming Age

A screen shows a Netflix series, The Killing. Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images

All Tech Considered

What's Hot On Netflix? A Startup Aims To Track Ratings In The Streaming Age

Companies like Nielsen aren't able to easily measure the new ways people watch TV since Netflix and Amazon don't release their viewing numbers. Now a startup called Symphony aims to fill the void.

What's Hot On Netflix? A Startup Aims To Track Ratings In The Streaming Age

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Major Trump Backer's Alleged Positive Comments About Apartheid Stir Anger

Billionaire tech investor Peter Thiel allegedly told two of his classmates at Stanford that he thought South Africa's apartheid was "a sound economic system." Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption

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Carolyn Kaster/AP

All Tech Considered

Major Trump Backer's Alleged Positive Comments About Apartheid Stir Anger

Silicon Valley billionaire investor Peter Thiel reportedly told two of his classmates at Stanford that he thought South Africa's former apartheid system of government was "a sound economic system."

Peter Thiel Stands Out In Silicon Valley For Support Of Donald Trump

While much of Silicon Valley has supported Hillary Clinton, billionaire investor Peter Thiel is backing Donald Trump. "We're voting for Trump because we judge the leadership of our country to have failed," Thiel says. Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Bloomberg via Getty Images

All Tech Considered

Peter Thiel Stands Out In Silicon Valley For Support Of Donald Trump

Thiel, a billionaire investor, has caused friction in Silicon Valley, which has largely backed Hillary Clinton. But others who disagree with Thiel's views stand by his right to express them.

Peter Thiel Stands Out In Silicon Valley For Support Of Donald Trump

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It Ain't Me, Babe: Researchers Find Flaws In Police Facial Recognition Technology

A New York Police Department security camera set up along a street in New York City on Aug. 26. Robert Alexander/Getty Images hide caption

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Robert Alexander/Getty Images

All Tech Considered

It Ain't Me, Babe: Researchers Find Flaws In Police Facial Recognition Technology

Nearly half of American adults have been entered into law enforcement facial recognition databases, a new report shows. But problems with the accuracy of the technology could affect innocent people.

It Ain't Me, Babe: Researchers Find Flaws In Police Facial Recognition Technology

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Pundits Vs. Machine: Who Did Better At Predicting Campaign Controversies?

Quid found 228,912 English-language stories in the news and on the blogs about Clinton's health between Sept. 12 and Oct. 12. Quid hide caption

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Quid

All Tech Considered

Pundits Vs. Machine: Who Did Better At Predicting Campaign Controversies?

We pitted two political pundits against an algorithm to compete at predicting the biggest issues to arise over a month in the presidential election. Now we find out who won.

Pundits Vs. Machine: Who Did Better At Predicting Campaign Controversies?

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Technology

Amazon Prepares To Launch Cheaper Music Streaming Service

Amazon is taking a deep dive into the highly competitive music streaming world. It's introductory price of $3.99 a month undercuts every other streaming service, and it does some heavy lifting with artificial intelligence.

Amazon Prepares To Launch Cheaper Music Streaming Service

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Business

Samsung Officially Halts Production Of Galaxy Note 7 Phones

South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co., is reeling Tuesday after announcing it would halt production and sales of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone. Samsung had to issue a recall about a month ago after multiple incidents in which the phone overheated and caught fire.

Samsung Officially Halts Production Of Galaxy Note 7 Phones

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