Facebook extends coronavirus work from home policy until July 2021
Facebook has joined Google in saying it will allow employees to work from home until the middle of next year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. “Based on guidance …
Can learning pods scale, or are they widening edtech’s digital divide?
Lucia, a six-year old, hides from Zoom calls and has rejected every edtech tool from Seesaw to Khan Academy. She will spend all of first grade in quarantine. Her mother, …
UK reported to be ditching coronavirus contacts tracing in favor of ‘risk rating’ app
What’s going on with the UK’s coronavirus contacts tracing app? Reports in the national press today suggest a launch of the much delayed software will happen this month but also …
‘How long can we hold on?’ As Zillow workers stay remote, businesses near Seattle HQ fight to survive
An empty sidewalk outside of Zillow Group headquarters at the Russell Investments Center building in downtown Seattle. (GeekWire Photos / John Cook) It’s 8:20 a.m. at the corner of Second …
Uber picks up Autocab to push into places its own app doesn’t go
Uber has bought UK based Autocab, which sells SaaS to the taxi and private hire vehicle industry, with the aim of expanding the utility of its own platform by linking …
How Seattle sock startup Strideline pivoted to masks — and dealt with an unfortunate misstep
Seattle-based Strideline has been selling basic and custom-branded masks during the COVID-19 health crisis. (Strideline Image) As part of a pivot during the pandemic, to ensure that it could avoid …
WhatsApp pilots new feature to fight misinformation: Search the web
WhatsApp, one of the most popular instant messaging platforms on the planet, has rolled out a new feature in select markets that makes it easier for users to verify whether …
Howard Schultz and more than 100 CEOs urge Congress to save small businesses with relief bill
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz speaks at a shareholder meeting in 2017. (GeekWire Photo) As negotiations to reach a deal on a coronavirus aid package stall and restart in Washington, …
University mandates wearable COVID-19 tracker, sparking student protest
Despite the continued spread of COVID-19 throughout the world, schools have developed reopening plans for the fall semester — some with fully remote classes, others in traditional classrooms. Having opted …
Amid pandemic, returning to offices remains an open question for tech leaders
As COVID-19 infections surge in parts of the U.S., many workplaces remain empty or are operating with skeleton crews. Most agree that the decision to return to the office should …