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We get it, you have a life. There’s no way you can read all of the day’s news in one single shot, let alone visit every web page, which is why we’re here to help. Well, sort of.
There’s a ton of tech news we weren’t able to cover throughout the day (hey, give us a break, we’re a small independent outfit), so to help you stay up to speed with everything we didn’t get to, we rounded up some of the biggest stories, which should help you keep up to date. Hence the tech hangover.
Here’s some tech news you probably missed out on today (and when we say you, we mean us, but also…you).
Google’s ads just look like search results now
here’s your daily reminder: Google is not a search company, they’re an ad company. https://t.co/yKSI4m4SSW
— Kevin Raposo (@Kevin_Raposo) January 23, 2020
Last week, Google began rolling out a new look for its search results on desktop, which blurs the line between organic search results and the ads that sit above them. In what appears to be something of a purposeful dark pattern, the only thing differentiating ads and search results is a small black-and-white “Ad” icon next to the former. It’s been formatted to resemble the new favicons that now appear next to the search results you care about. – The Verge
Apple fights EU call for common smartphone charger, claiming consumer harm

Image: GOSPACE
Remember this? Well, apparently Apple has something to say about it.
iPhone maker Apple on Thursday pushed back against EU lawmakers’ call for a common charger, warning the move could hamper innovation, create a mountain of electronic waste and irk consumers. Reuters via VentureBeat
Facebook, Amazon and Apple set records in annual spending on lobbying

Image: KnowTechie
Remember, these companies are not your friends, no matter what they tell you.
Facebook Inc., Amazon.com Inc. and Apple Inc. spent record amounts on lobbying in 2019, with Mark Zuckerberg’s social-media company leading the so-called FAANG companies in outlays aimed at influencing Washington, according to disclosures filed late Tuesday. – MarketWatch
Coming Soon to Tinder Dates: Panic Buttons and Safety Check-Ins
Tinder wants to allow users to send out an alarm when bad dates turn really ugly. The popular dating app plans to start offering users an option to hit a panic button, receive check-ins to make sure they feel safe, and even summon authorities to their location. –WSJ
And in just case you missed some of our stuff earlier, here’s what you may have missed:
- Google’s Envelope is not the cure-all to smartphone addiction, but neither is anything you’re doing
- For some reason, Twitter thinks its DM feature needs iMessage-like reactions
- Quick, Apple’s AirPods Pro are down to just $235 right now on Amazon
- Seattle becomes the first US location to allow smartphone voting in local elections
- Google wants you to know Apple’s Safari web browser isn’t as private as they say it is
- Amazon is blowing the Fitbit Inspire for just
- Clearview AI, the company that already knows your face, requires a picture of your face to opt-out
- Motorola’s hyped-up folding phone launches on February 6 – Here’s how to preorder
- Get your hands on a new PS4 DualShock controller for just
Notable Mentions
Niantic drove $249 million in tourism revenue with its walking events in 2019
Amazon Prime Video Gives Amateur How-To’s, Conspiracy Theories a Stage
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