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Friday

Long Before Net Neutrality, Rules Leveled The Landscape For Phone Services

Operators at a Bell System telephone switchboard, as photographed by the Department of Labor Women's Bureau. U.S. National Archives hide caption

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U.S. National Archives

The Industry

Long Before Net Neutrality, Rules Leveled The Landscape For Phone Services

The new FCC rules require service providers to be a neutral gateway to the Internet. The move has precedent in the 1930s, when regulators enacted "common carrier" rules on phone service companies.

Long Before Net Neutrality, Rules Leveled The Landscape For Phone Services

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Tuesday

Thursday

Wednesday

Sunday

Virtual Games Try To Generate Real Empathy For Faraway Conflict

Allison Begalman, a student at the University of Southern California, wears goggles and headphones to experience a virtual mortar strike on civilians in Aleppo, Syria. James Delahoussaye/NPR hide caption

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James Delahoussaye/NPR

Society

Virtual Games Try To Generate Real Empathy For Faraway Conflict

A corner of the video game industry is covering the news through immersive experiences. One game transports players into the middle of the Syrian civil war.

Virtual Games Try To Generate Real Empathy For Faraway Conflict

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Wednesday

The Battle Over Open-Internet Rules Shifts To Congress

President Obama called on the Federal Communications Commission to implement a strict policy of net neutrality and to oppose content providers in restricting bandwidth to customers. Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images

Policy

The Battle Over Open-Internet Rules Shifts To Congress

President Obama is urging the Federal Communications Commission to protect the principle of net neutrality. But Republicans presented their own set of rules at a subcommittee hearing Wednesday.

The Battle Over Open-Internet Rules Shifts To Congress

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Friday

Tech Giants Will Pay $415 Million To Settle Employees' Lawsuit

Google, a company with a motto of "Don't Be Evil," is one of four tech companies paying $415 to settle a lawsuit that alleges collusion on employee wages and recruitment. The other defendants are Adobe, Apple and Intel. Paul Sakuma/AP hide caption

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Paul Sakuma/AP

The Industry

Tech Giants Will Pay $415 Million To Settle Employees' Lawsuit

Apple, Google, Intel and Adobe were accused of colluding to keep tech worker salaries low and avoid recruiting one another's employees.

Saturday

In Vegas, Intel Hopes A Smart Idea Takes Flight

Developers Jelena Jovanovic (from left) and Christoph Kohstall and Intel Corp. CEO Brian Krzanich watch the Nixie wearable drone camera at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Ethan Miller/Getty Images hide caption

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Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Innovation

In Vegas, Intel Hopes A Smart Idea Takes Flight

Chipmaker Intel made Silicon Valley possible. But now the company is searching for a new identity — and business stream. As consumers abandon PCs, the CEO is looking toward an untested area.

In Vegas, Intel Hopes A Smart Idea Takes Flight

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Wednesday

When It Comes To Smartphones, Are Americans Dumb?

Irene Chen and Longlai Zuo, with the China-based company Quality Technology Industrial, show off their top-line phones, which cost about $100. Aarti Shahani/NPR hide caption

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Aarti Shahani/NPR

The Industry

When It Comes To Smartphones, Are Americans Dumb?

If you paid top dollar for a top phone, Asian vendors at the International Consumer Electronics Show have a message: You paid for a brand, not quality. And this year, they want to sell to you.

When It Comes To Smartphones, Are Americans Dumb?

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Saturday

Tech Week: FBI Still Blames North Korea; App Encourages Sharing

Amid much speculation by private security analysts, the FBI stood by its claim this week that North Korea was responsible for the hack against Sony Pictures. Damian Dovarganes/AP hide caption

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Damian Dovarganes/AP

The Industry

Tech Week: FBI Still Blames North Korea; App Encourages Sharing

This week in tech, private security experts continued to question the FBI's claim that North Korea was behind the cyberattack on Sony Pictures. Also, a new app connects people and their stuff.

Monday

The 2014 Tech Trends We'll Still Be Talking About Next Year

A video about the Apple Watch is shown during an Apple special event in Cupertino, Calif. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The Industry

The 2014 Tech Trends We'll Still Be Talking About Next Year

Apple is ending an influential 2014 but faces another big test ahead. And we revisit the mega-hacks of the year and look to a more voice-controlled future.

The 2014 Tech Trends We'll Still Be Talking About Next Year

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Saturday

Tech Week: Video Game Console Sites Attacked; Uber's Crazy Year

The Interview starring James Franco and Seth Rogen opened in 331 mostly independent theaters and on streaming sites Christmas Day. It's estimated to rake in $4 million in its opening weekend. Marcus Ingram/Getty Images hide caption

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Marcus Ingram/Getty Images

The Industry

Tech Week: Video Game Console Sites Attacked; Uber's Crazy Year

In our weekly roundup of tech headlines, Sony and Microsoft video game console sites streaming The Interview were possibly hacked, and a look at Uber's year of hyper-growth and backlash.

Friday

As Uber Expands, It Asks Cities For Forgiveness Instead Of Permission

The app-based car service Uber has had a big year for business --€” and controversy. Ariel Zambelich/NPR hide caption

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Ariel Zambelich/NPR

The Industry

As Uber Expands, It Asks Cities For Forgiveness Instead Of Permission

In 2014, Uber became one of the most valuable privately held companies on Earth. It expanded to more than 200 cities, but criticism and legal battles have ballooned in parallel with its revenues.

As Uber Expands, It Asks Cities For Forgiveness Instead Of Permission

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Tuesday

Is Sony Hack Really 'The Worst' In U.S. History, As CEO Claims?

Sony Pictures CEO Michael Lynton says the computer hacking against his company is "the worst cyberattack in U.S. history." Experts say other attacks have affected more people. David McNew/Reuters/Landov hide caption

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David McNew/Reuters/Landov

Privacy & Security

Is Sony Hack Really 'The Worst' In U.S. History, As CEO Claims?

Sony Pictures is still reeling from the damage caused by the cyberattack. The company's reputation and Americans' free speech were put on the line. But experts dispute how to measure the damage.

Is Sony Hack Really 'The Worst' In U.S. History, As CEO Claims?

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Monday

What You Need To Know About Subprime Lending For Smartphones

Startup Better Finance is offering lease-to-own programs for high-end smartphones. But some customers say that retail stores, such as MetroPCS, aren't always clear about the lease terms up front. Larry W. Smith/EPA/Landov hide caption

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Larry W. Smith/EPA/Landov

The Industry

What You Need To Know About Subprime Lending For Smartphones

A new startup focuses on offering loans for the purchase of top-of-the-line smartphones. But what seem like deals come with hefty markups.

What You Need To Know About Subprime Lending For Smartphones

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