Facebook and Twitter confirmed they will answer questions at a November hearing that's part of a Senate committee's investigation into Russian election meddling. Alphabet has also been invited to the hearing that's part of a larger Senate Intelligence Committee investigation into Russian election inference but haven't confirmed their attendance.
Why it matters: Facebook staffers, specifically, have rarely testified on Capitol Hill despite its ascendance as one of the most valuable technology companies in the world. And many tech companies are still largely represented by trade groups in Washington. But tech is under unprecedented pressure on several fronts, and the big companies want to be seen as taking concerns seriously.
Google introduced a parade of new hardware products Wednesday, including second-generation Pixel phones and Pixelbook, a high-end Chromebook with built-in Google Assistant and support for Android apps.
It also introduced Google Home Mini, a smaller version of its Amazon Echo rival, and Google Home Max, a high-end model that is poised to rival Apple's forthcoming HomePod.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans expect humans to struggle finding work in a future of robots — all humans except themselves, that is. According to a study released today by Pew Research, they worry far less about losing their own jobs to automation.
Why it matters: The study confirms prior research that, despite the knowledge that a powerful new technological force is gathering momentum, Americans remain unperturbed about their own well-being, leaving themselves potentially vulnerable to personal financial crisis.
With details on its new speakers and phones having already leaked, the big question heading into Wednesday's event isn't what Google will unveil, but rather how it plans to make this year's gear more successful than past efforts.
What we've heard: According to leaks to various news sources, the company is expected to follow last year's pattern with two Pixel phones, a standard and XL version, with the former made by HTC and the latter by LG. We also know Google is expanding the Google Home line to include a cheaper "mini" version, via confirmation by Walmart which had a pre-order listing pop up on its site. And we might see more, including a Pixel-branded Chromebook.
IBM threw its support behind an anti-sex-trafficking bill that online platforms such as Google and Facebook are lobbying against.
IBM's move: In a letter to bill sponsors Sens. Rob Portman and Richard Blumenthal, IBM's top lobbyist Chris Padilla wrote that, while the company is optimistic about the positive benefits of technology, "we also support appropriate, balanced measures to prevent new technologies and online services from being abused by criminals."
Between the lines: In joining other tech companies like Oracle and Hewlett Packard Enterprise in publicly supporting the bill, IBM distances itself from the position of the major platform companies that oppose the bill, which Google and Facebook say undermines their business model by making them legally liable for some content users post on their sites.
Ford's new CEO James Hackett presented his plan for the automaker to analysts on Tuesday, which will include cost cutting, a significant shift to electric vehicles, and continued investment in self-driving car technology and transportation services.
Why it matters: Hackett's appointment was said to be a move by the company's board to help Ford catch up in the autonomous driving race, which includes rival automakers like General Motors and Tesla, along with tech companies like Alphabet, Uber, and Lyft.
Yahoo's 2013 data breach affected all of its 3 billion user accounts — not just the 1 billion accounts as was initially disclosed in 2016, Verizon disclosed today.
Why it matters: Hacks are not always going to be clear-cut at first disclosure, a reminder to be cautious of first accounts of breaches.
The big picture: Earlier this year the U.S. Department of Justice charged two Russian spies and two hackers hired by Russians for the breach, marking this an important example of the U.S. government's willingness to hold foreign powers accountable for hacking.
As part of its focus on virtual and augmented reality, Microsoft has acquired Altspace VR, a struggling virtual reality social network that had been set to shut down until Redmond came calling.
Microsoft also used a San Francisco event to show off the latest Windows-based virtual reality headsets, including a new $499 model from Samsung and announced a free Halo-themed VR game. Also at the event, Intel announced it would broadcast some of the upcoming Winter Olympics in virtual reality.
General Motors' self-driving car unit, Cruise, wants to shift how consumers (and the press) evaluate self-driving car technology, which has so far focused on the total number of miles driven.
Between the lines: This is Cruise's attempt to shake the notion that the company with the most autonomous miles driven has the best self-driving cars. Currently, that distinction, at least in California, goes to Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving car unit, which began working on this in 2009 (Cruise declined to share its miles driven so far in 2017). Cruise's move also comes just a day after a report from The Information that paints a bumpy picture of Waymo's self-driving cars, which have been driving around Chandler, Ariz., and nearby suburbs.
