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The Industry

Monday

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

The Industry

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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Friday

Wednesday

Google Fiber Won't Accept Any New Cities For Its Superfast Internet Network

A Google broadband technician installs a fiber-optic network at a home of one of the early Google Fiber customers in Kansas City, Kan., in 2012. Julie Denesha/Bloomberg/Getty Images hide caption

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Julie Denesha/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Industry

Google Fiber Won't Accept Any New Cities For Its Superfast Internet Network

Google says it will honor its existing commitments to support or deploy gigabit-speed Internet. But it's scaling back the work on fiber optics to focus on "new technology and deployment methods."

Twitter's Dual Challenges: Taming The Trolls, Attracting More Users

When Twitter started, its founders wanted to connect people from all parts of the world, but the company is struggling to grow beyond its 300 million users. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The Industry

Twitter's Dual Challenges: Taming The Trolls, Attracting More Users

Twitter is a powerful platform for news and conversation, but lingering problems with hate speech hamper its efforts to grow, says Emily Bell of the Columbia Journalism School.

Twitter's Dual Challenges: Taming The Trolls, Attracting More Users

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Tuesday

The AT&T-Time Warner Merger: What Are The Pros And Cons For Consumers?

AT&T wants to buy Time Warner for $85.4 billion, highlighting that the two giants don't compete. But the scope of the deal is already drawing criticism from lawmakers and presidential candidates. Michael Nagle/Bloomberg/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Nagle/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Industry

The AT&T-Time Warner Merger: What Are The Pros And Cons For Consumers?

AT&T positions itself as the future competitor to cable, promising an era of experimentation and innovation. But consumer advocates raise a raft of concerns. Regulators will weigh both sides.

Tuesday

In Samsung's Messy Phone Recall, Lack Of Transparency Takes Center Stage

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was a unique, critically acclaimed phone before the company had to recall every unit, including those issued as allegedly safer replacements, over risks of smoke, fire and explosions. Lee Jin-man/AP hide caption

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Lee Jin-man/AP

The Industry

In Samsung's Messy Phone Recall, Lack Of Transparency Takes Center Stage

It's a toss-up between lack of disclosure, if the problem is known, and lack of accountability, if the causes of early fire reports were unknown or misdiagnosed but blamed on the battery nonetheless.

In S. Korea, Samsung's Recall Troubles Come At An Already Crucial Moment

A woman walks past an ad for the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone at the company's flagship store in Seoul. SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg/Getty Images hide caption

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SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Industry

In S. Korea, Samsung's Recall Troubles Come At An Already Crucial Moment

In Samsung's home country, the conglomerate was already feeling the heat in more ways than one.

In S. Korea, Samsung's Recall Troubles Come At An Already Crucial Moment

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Monday

How Free Web Content Traps People In An Abyss Of Ads And Clickbait

Author Tim Wu says that much of the content on the Internet is created by businesses that are on a "quest for clicks." PeopleImages.com/Getty Images hide caption

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PeopleImages.com/Getty Images

The Industry

How Free Web Content Traps People In An Abyss Of Ads And Clickbait

Fresh Air

Author and law professor Tim Wu says much of the "free" content on the Web comes at a price to users, who are subjected to ads that are targeted specifically at them and increasingly hard to ignore.

How Free Web Content Traps People In An Abyss Of Ads And Clickbait

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Thursday

For The Long Haul, Self-Driving Trucks May Pave The Way Before Cars

Otto developed technology to allow big-rig trucks to drive themselves. Uber, another transportation company working on self-driving technology, acquired Otto in August. Tony Avelar/AP hide caption

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Tony Avelar/AP

Innovation

For The Long Haul, Self-Driving Trucks May Pave The Way Before Cars

Despite being self-driving, big rigs will still need truckers to ride along and take control of in case of emergency situations. But some say they may be the last generation to do their jobs.

For The Long Haul, Self-Driving Trucks May Pave The Way Before Cars

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Wednesday

As Buyers Circle, Could Twitter Be Better Off As A Nonprofit?

Several companies are said to be considering bids for Twitter. Chesnot/Getty Images hide caption

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Chesnot/Getty Images

The Industry

As Buyers Circle, Could Twitter Be Better Off As A Nonprofit?

Disney, Google and others are said to be considering buying Twitter. It's got baggage — lackluster ad sales, abusive trolling — but also millions of users. What if Twitter focused on a public mission?

As Buyers Circle, Could Twitter Be Better Off As A Nonprofit?

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Monday

Air Traffic Controllers And Pilots Can Now Communicate Electronically

Air traffic controllers at Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C., are using new technology that lets them exchange digital messages with pilots. Cliff Owen/AP hide caption

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Cliff Owen/AP

The Industry

Air Traffic Controllers And Pilots Can Now Communicate Electronically

Texting has long become a common way for people to talk with each other. Now text-based messaging is becoming a way for air traffic controllers to communicate with aircraft pilots.

Air Traffic Controllers And Pilots Can Now Communicate Electronically

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Wednesday

Monday

Online Trackers Follow Our Digital Shadow By 'Fingerprinting' Browsers, Devices

New technology helps trackers follow consumers' digital imprints — including across devices — through browser settings, battery levels and other details. Mark Airs/Getty Images/Ikon Images hide caption

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Mark Airs/Getty Images/Ikon Images

The Industry

Online Trackers Follow Our Digital Shadow By 'Fingerprinting' Browsers, Devices

Online tracking is no longer about "cookies." New technology helps trackers link online breadcrumbs — including across devices — through browser settings, battery levels and other details.

Online Trackers Follow Our Digital Shadow By 'Fingerprinting' Browsers, Devices

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Republicans Say Obama Administration Is Giving Away The Internet
Andrew Cowie/AFP/GettyImages

The Industry

Republicans Say Obama Administration Is Giving Away The Internet

The U.S. is about to complete its long-planned handover of Internet domain name management to a global non-profit. Republicans argue it's an example of the Obama administration giving up U.S. power.

Republicans Say Obama Administration Is Giving Away The Internet

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Thursday

Where Did National Forests Go? Green Spaces Disappear From Google Maps

Apple (left) and Google screenshots of the Willamette National Forest. The pins in each image indicate where each app says the forest is located, when searched. Apple & Google/Screenshots by NPR hide caption

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Apple & Google/Screenshots by NPR

The Industry

Where Did National Forests Go? Green Spaces Disappear From Google Maps

#FindYourPark? Numerous forests, nature reserves and wilderness areas lost their green markings on Google's and Apple's maps, catching forest officials by surprise.