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Laura Sydell
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Laura Sydell

Monday

Law

Department Of Justice Says It No Longer Needs Apple's Help To Unlock iPhone

The Justice Department has asked a federal court to vacate its order that Apple write software to help the FBI access data in the San Bernardino shooter's iPhone.

Department Of Justice Says It No Longer Needs Apple's Help To Unlock iPhone

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Oculus Rift Launch Makes A Splash. Will It Lead A Wave Of VR Tech?

An attendant wearing an Oculus Rift virtual reality headset demonstrates a glove with a Yamaha Corp. rubber-like sensor at the Wearable Expo in Tokyo, on Jan. 13. Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Bloomberg via Getty Images

All Tech Considered

Oculus Rift Launch Makes A Splash. Will It Lead A Wave Of VR Tech?

After four years of hype, the Oculus Rift hits the market Monday. It's just one of several virtual reality systems — but not all the VR gadgets are up to snuff.

Oculus Rift Launch Makes A Splash. Will It Lead A Wave Of VR Tech?

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Tuesday

Technology

Digital Pioneer Andrew Grove Led Intel's Shift From Chips To Microprocessors

Andrew Grove, the former CEO of Intel, has died. During 40 years at the company, he helped it become the most powerful chipmaker in the world.

Digital Pioneer Andrew Grove Led Intel's Shift From Chips To Microprocessors

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Friday

Technology

Virtual Reality Vs. Augmented Reality: Should We Believe The Hype?

At tech conferences and in media reports, word is that Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality are coming. But many people don't know what they are or what the difference is — and why they should care. NPR explains the difference and the hype.

Virtual Reality Vs. Augmented Reality: Should We Believe The Hype?

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Tuesday

Can Computer Programs Be Racist And Sexist?
Guido Rosa/Getty Images/Ikon Images

All Tech Considered

Can Computer Programs Be Racist And Sexist?

When people write computer programs, their biases can creep into code. Computer experts say it's important to talk about the problem because if humans don't fix it, computers won't do so themselves.

Can Computer Programs Be Racist And Sexist?

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Monday

Technology

Can Computers Be Racist? The Human-Like Bias Of Algorithms

As algorithms play a growing role in determining content, critics say the results are often filled with biases. Women see ads for lower paying jobs and African-Americans for cheaper neighborhoods.

Can Computers Be Racist? The Human-Like Bias Of Algorithms

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Saturday

In Apple Security Case, Obama Calls To Strike A Balance

President Barack Obama speaks at the 2016 SXSW Music, Film + Interactive Festival on March 11, 2016 in Austin, Texas. Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for SXSW hide caption

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Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for SXSW

The Apple-FBI Debate Over Encryption

In Apple Security Case, Obama Calls To Strike A Balance

The president's appearance at SXSW's technology conference comes as the Justice Department tries to force Apple to help it unlock an iPhone. Many in the tech world oppose the government's position.

In Apple Security Case, Obama Calls To Strike A Balance

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Friday

At Calif. Campuses, A Test For Free Speech, Privacy And Cybersecurity

The iconic clock tower and library at University of California, Berkeley. The University of California system, especially Berkeley, has a stormy history around free speech and spying by the federal government. John Morgan/Flickr hide caption

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John Morgan/Flickr

All Tech Considered

At Calif. Campuses, A Test For Free Speech, Privacy And Cybersecurity

The University of California president, former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, secretly ordered data monitoring across the system after hackers broke into the UCLA medical center.

At Calif. Campuses, A Test For Free Speech, Privacy And Cybersecurity

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Saturday

In Fighting FBI, Apple Says Free Speech Rights Mean No Forced Coding

New York police officers stand outside an Apple Store on Tuesday while monitoring a pro-encryption demonstration. Julie Jacobson/AP hide caption

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Julie Jacobson/AP

All Tech Considered

In Fighting FBI, Apple Says Free Speech Rights Mean No Forced Coding

Legal precedent says writing software is protected speech, and Apple wants to use that to deny federal authorities a program that would unlock an iPhone used by the San Bernardino shooters.

In Fighting FBI, Apple Says Free Speech Rights Mean No Forced Coding

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Friday

Law

Apple's First Amendment Argument

Is software code speech? Apple says that it is, in its motion to vacate a federal judge's order requiring the company to help the FBI break into the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino terrorists.

Apple's First Amendment Argument

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Apple's CEO Takes A Stand — And A Risk

Privacy is one of a number of issues Apple CEO Tim Cook has called morally important. Ariel Zambelich/NPR hide caption

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Ariel Zambelich/NPR

All Tech Considered

Apple's CEO Takes A Stand — And A Risk

In challenging the FBI, Tim Cook has put himself and Apple front and center in a national debate on digital privacy. But a look at his record makes his confrontation with the government inevitable.

Apple's CEO Takes A Stand — And A Risk

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Thursday

Technology

How Tim Cook's Stand Over Digital Privacy Could Define Apple's Future

The CEO's absolute stand on privacy in the face of a court order may be the defining moment of his leadership at Apple. Is his move motivated by principle, the bottom line or a combination of the two?

How Tim Cook's Stand Over Digital Privacy Could Define Apple's Future

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Monday

National Security

FBI Director James Comey Urges Apple To End iPhone Standoff In Open Letter

In an open letter regarding the standoff with Apple, FBI Director James Comey said the tension between privacy and security should not be resolved by "corporations that sell stuff for a living."

FBI Director James Comey Urges Apple To End iPhone Standoff In Open Letter

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Friday

Can A 1789 Law Apply To An iPhone?

A U.S. magistrate judge has ordered Apple to help the FBI break into an iPhone used by one of the two shooters in the San Bernardino attack in December. iStockphoto hide caption

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iStockphoto

All Tech Considered

Can A 1789 Law Apply To An iPhone?

The All Writs Act of 1789 was cited by a federal magistrate in ordering Apple to unlock an iPhone.

Can A 1789 Law Apply To An iPhone?

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Technology

Experts Ponder Old Laws' Usefulness In The Age Of Smartphones

Apple's clash with the federal government over unlocking the phone used by one of the San Bernardino shooters has exposed how inadequate much of U.S. law is in the face of fast-evolving technologies.

Experts Ponder Old Laws' Usefulness In The Age Of Smartphones

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