10 things in tech you need to know today (GOOG, MSFT, AAPL, AMZN, QCOM, TWTR)

Sundar Pichai

Good morning! Here is the tech news you need to know this Friday.

1. Google is considering folding Nest back under its wing. The company, founded by Apple veteran Tony Fadell, operated independently as another Alphabet firm, but might team up with Google to better compete with Amazon on home-related smart products.

2. Microsoft is launching a mobile version of its browser, Edge, on both Android and iOS. The release is part of a larger, company-wide effort to make Microsoft software and services available on all platforms, beyond Windows 10.

3. UK consumers are suing Google over alleged data snooping. The Californian company seemingly used an algorithm to trick Apple's Safari browser on iOS devices into releasing personal data between 2011 and 2012.

4. Apple and Stanford University have partnered to launch a new Apple Watch app, Apple Heart Study. The app aims to collect data on abnormal heart rhythms, and is part of a larger heart research study between the two.

5. Former Intel executive Diane Bryant is joining Google Cloud. She will serve as the division's Chief Operating Officer.

6. Google is updating its smart speakers to handle multiple questions at once. Users will be able to use the new features, dubbed "Routines," to use a single vocal command and ask their Google Home devices up to two questions together.

7. Amazon's Fire TV is adding support for voice commands on third party apps via Alexa. Compatible apps include Hulu, NBC, Bravo, Showtime, Sony's PlayStation Vue, and CBS All Access.

8. Tim Kendall, Pinterest's top business executive, is leaving the company. He announced that he's planning to start his own healthcare startup.

9. Qualcomm is asking US courts to ban iPhone X models that don't use its chips. The company is seeking a ban of Apple's smartphones that use modems from its main competitor, Intel, which would result in AT&T and T-Mobile not being able to sell the device in the US anymore.

10. Vine founder Dom Hofmann has announced that he's working on — and funding by himself — a follow-up to Vine. The popular service, acquired by Twitter in 2012, was shut down last year.

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