DawentsIT: All Things Technology news you need to know this Tuesday-
1.Google’s DeepMind solved the protein folding problem. Its AI program AlphaFold can predict the shape of proteins to a high degree of accuracy, enabling researchers to better understand everything from viruses to human biological processes.
2.Facebook is buying Kustomer. The transaction reportedly values Kustomer, which allows businesses to pull customer conversations from various channels into a single screen, at around $1 billion.
3.The FTC and state attorneys general are going after Big Tech. Four new lawsuits are intended to determine if the internet giants improperly used their power in the online marketplace.
4.Ajit Pai is leaving the FCC. Online reactions showed that people expect a relitigation of net neutrality under a Biden-appointed FCC chairman.
5.Zoom reported lower margins for the quarter. CFO Kelly Steckelberg told Wall Street analysts that this was due to a higher base of free users during the quarter, including K-12 schools, who are given complimentary access to Zoom.
6.Apple reportedly lobbied against a ban on Chinese forced labor. Nike, Coca-Cola, and Apple all sought to weaken proposed legislation aimed at barring US companies from relying on the forced labor of Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in China’s Xinjiang region.
7.DoorDash is aiming for a $127 billion IPO. The company wants to raise $2.8 billion, setting the stage for one of the biggest floats of 2020.
8.Exclusive: SpaceX may shell out billions to outsource Starlink satellite-dish production. Starlink subscribers pay $100 per month for broadband-like service, plus a $500 fee for a starter kit that includes a “UFO on a stick” user terminal, or satellite dish, part of which which costs up to $1,000 to make.
9.Exclusive: Influencers complained of talent agency IQ Advantage. IQ Advantage required them to pay a $299 deposit when they signed contracts but either refused to give it back or never responded to requests to do so, 13 influencers said.
10.VC Josh Elman is taking a job at Apple. Elman will stay at his firm Greylock, while helping Apple with app discovery on the App Store.
