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 Sept. 12, 2021.
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Most popular stories on GeekWire
Carpenters’ union halts work on Amazon, Microsoft, Google and Facebook expansions in Seattle area
Construction work on several major tech company expansion projects, including those by Amazon, Microsoft, Google and Facebook, slowed to a crawl today as the region largest carpenters’ union halted work over a wage dispute. … Read More
Predicting weight loss: Study suggests gut bacteria may influence ability to shed pounds
A study led by Seattle’s Institute for Systems Biology suggests that the composition of the bacteria in the gut may influence an individual’s ability to lose weight. … Read More
Moving in after Amazon backed out: Inside Rainier Square, Seattle’s new office and residential tower
Two and half years after Amazon backed out of plans to occupy a giant new skyscraper in downtown Seattle, commercial and residential tenants are moving into Rainier Square, a swooping glass tower that has assumed a prominent place in the city’s skyline. … Read More
Microsoft remote work study: Average length of workweek has increased 10% during pandemic
A Microsoft study examining technology usage by its employees has revealed a decrease in cross-company communication, and sparked a lively discussion about the long-term impact of remote work on collaboration, productivity, and innovation. … Read More
Microsoft in standoff with Amazon over big hire, names Charlie Bell to lead ‘bold’ new security group
Microsoft confirmed that it has hired longtime Amazon Web Services leader Charlie Bell to lead a newly formed engineering organization to address cybersecurity and related issues, but said it has so far been unable to reach an agreement with Amazon over Bell’s non-compete contract with the company. … Read More
Second ‘murder hornet’ nest eradicated and a third nest has been located in Washington state
The Washington State Department of Agriculture eradicated another Asian giant hornet nest over the weekend and said it located the third nest of 2021, which it also planned to destroy soon. … Read More
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy says it’s ‘hard to argue’ its retail business is a monopoly
Facing a new slate of regulators and legislators calling for new principles of antitrust scrutiny, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy made a familiar case in his first television interview since taking the reins from founder Jeff Bezos two months ago. … Read More
Former Zillow execs raise cash from SoftBank for vacation home startup Pacaso amid controversy in Wine Country
It’s been less than a year since Pacaso officially launched. … Read More
Seattle investors back Battlesnake, makers of a growing game that turns coding into competition
Programmers looking to experiment or get better at the tools and technology that they use for their day jobs are turning to a competitive game called “Battlesnake” — made by a company of the same name — to earn bragging rights among a community of coders. … Read More
Real estate investment app Concreit launches with $6M in new funding
A new online investment platform is on the block, with an app launched this week and $6 million in new funding. … Read More