Get caught up on the latest technology and startup news from the past week. Here are the most popular stories on GeekWire for the week of Jan. 26, 2020.
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Most popular stories on GeekWire
Take cover: Amazon’s big umbrellas renew a stormy old debate about Seattle culture
In a steady downpour around Amazon’s downtown Seattle headquarters buildings, the march of the umbrellas is like a well-choreographed dance. … Read More
MacKenzie Bezos, Amazon CEO’s ex-wife, sells $400M in stock after pledge to give away billions
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ ex-wife, MacKenzie Bezos, has divested herself of about $400 million worth of the Amazon stock she received as part of the couple’s divorce settlement — potentially providing the wherewithal for the charitable activities she’s planning. … Read More
After-party at Jeff Bezos’ D.C. mansion attracts Bill Gates, Ivanka Trump and other notable guests
Jeff Bezos opened the doors to his fancy mansion in Washington, D.C., over the weekend for an after-party that featured a who’s who of the Capital political scene as well as such notable guests as Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and actor Ben Stiller. … Read More
Drop the gloves and vote: Should Seattle’s hockey team be called the Kraken or Sockeyes?
The deep-sea debate about what to call Seattle’s still-to-play professional hockey team has bubbled to the surface again this week with a rumor that a mythological moniker could be slapped on the franchise. … Read More
Amazon reveals new details about its federal tax bill in shot across the bow at critics
Amazon disclosed new details about its U.S. … Read More
Leafly slashes 18% of workforce to align business with ‘market realities’ of tech and cannabis industry
Seattle-based cannabis information resource company Leafly today laid off 54 employees, or 18 percent of its workforce, GeekWire has learned. … Read More
What did people do before Alexa? Amazon has the answer in Super Bowl ad with Ellen DeGeneres
Plenty of people turn to Alexa for answers to random questions and assistance in launching everything from favorite songs to the day’s news report. … Read More
Battery innovation offers ‘mind-boggling’ growth opportunity as Pacific NW becomes a major player
As ribbons of smoke began curling out of the power outlets on their Joule Case battery stack, Alex Livingston and James Wagoner tried to keep their cool. … Read More
Microsoft launches $40M initiative to solve global health challenges with AI
Microsoft launched a major health research initiative Wednesday to address some of the medical world’s most confounding challenges using artificial intelligence. … Read More
Amazon asks FCC to give swift approval to Project Kuiper satellite network despite SpaceX opposition
Amazon fired its latest volley today in a back-and-forth debate over whether the company can proceed in an expedited fashion with its 3,236-satellite Project Kuiper mega-constellation for broadband internet access. … Read More