Welcome to Silicon Pulse – your roundup of the latest tech news and developments impacting your business for the week ending 19/05/2023.
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News Amazon
Amazon ‘Adding ChatGPT-Like Features’ To Product Search
Amazon reportedly developing ChatGPT-like features for main product search, as it seeks to add conversational interface to Astro robot
Amazon’s $1.7bn iRobot Acquisition Triggers UK Antitrust Inquiry
UK's antitrust regulator begins investigation of Amazon's proposed smart home acquisition of Roomba maker iRobot
Amazon Opens Sidewalk Mesh Network To Third-Party Devices
Amazon opens its long-range, low-bandwidth mesh network known as Sidewalk, to any IoT device in the United States
Amazon To Cut 9,000 More Jobs
Amazon to cut further 9,000 jobs as it looks to 'streamline' company as uncertain economy follows pandemic hiring spree
Amazon Sets 2024 For Launch Of Project Kuiper’s Satellite Service
Prototype Amazon satellites to be launched this year, with commercial satellite internet service set for 2024
Amazon Pauses Construction At Second HQ In Virginia
Construction on the second phase Amazon's HQ2 in Virginia has been paused, amid cost cutting at the e-commerce giant
Amazon Closes Acquisition Of Healthcare Provider One Medical
After US authorities refuse to challenge acquisition, Amazon closes its $3.9 billion deal for healthcare provider One Medical
Amazon Staff Push Back At Return-To-Office Order
Unhappy Amazon staff reportedly taking to internal websites and comms channels to complain about return-to-office order
Amazon’s Zoox Begins Staff Rides On Public Roads In California
Look mum, no steering wheel! Zoox robotaxis are now being tested on some public roads in California by carrying staff
Amazon Posts Annual Loss Amid Restructuring
Worse than anticipated earnings for Amazon on Thursday, amid difficulties after pandemic boom and 18,000 job losses
Rivian To Axe 6 Percent Of Jobs Amid EV Price War
Another tranche of job losses for Rivian Automotive, after it says it is laying off 6 percent of its workforce
Charities Criticise Move To Shut Down AmazonSmile
Charities criticise Amazon for surprise decision to shut down AmazonSmile donation programme that it said was 'spread too thin'
Amazon Staten Island Union Victory Upheld By Federal Board
Historic trade union victory at at Amazon’s Staten Island warehouse last year has been upheld, but Amazon said it will appeal again
Amazon ‘Fully Committed’ To Alexa Despite Job Losses, Says Hardware Boss
Hardware boss insists Amazon is still committed to its Alexa voice assistant, despite major restructuring and job losses
Amazon To Close Three UK Warehouses
Amazon to close three UK warehouses this year as it plans to lay off 18,000 employees worldwide, following pandemic-era spending spree
Amazon To Axe More Than 18,000 Jobs
E-commerce giant Amazon is to axe thousands more staff than previous reported, as major layoffs continue in early 2023
Amazon Begins ‘Prime Air’ Drone Deliveries In California, Texas
Drones for Amazon Prime Air began making Christmas deliveries for two communities in California and in Texas
Amazon Mulls Stand-Alone Sports Content App – Report
Sports on Amazon's Prime Video streaming service could potentially be hived off into a separate stand-alone app
Amazon ‘Could Be Held Responsible’ For Trademark Breach
European Union's top court says Amazon may be held responsible for trademark-infringing red-soled shoes advertised on its platform
Amazon Seals Antitrust Deal With EU Regulator
European Commission accepts Amazon commitments to avoid fine in two antitrust cases, as new laws due to come into force
Amazon, EU Reach Antitrust Deal – Report
Settlement reportedly reached between Amazon and European Commission over alleged anti-competitive practices
Apple, Amazon ‘Resume’ Twitter Advertising
Apple has 'fully resumed' advertising on Twitter, according to Elon Musk, while Amazon reported to be boosting ad campaigns after lull
US Appeals Court Likely To Dismiss Race Lawsuit Against Amazon
Christian Smalls lawsuit against e-commerce giant Amazon is unlikely to succeed in the US Appeals Court, according to reports
Amazon ‘May Reach EU Antitrust Deal By Year End’
Amazon reportedly set to reach antitrust settlement with European Commission before end of year after it offers more concessions
Amazon Alexa Labelled ‘Colossal Failure’ – Report Alleges
Amazon's 10,000 job cuts reportedly impacts Alexa unit the hardest, while device hardware group is described as 'division in crisis'
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy Says Layoffs Will Continue Into 2023
CEO memo to Amazon workers confirms layoffs will continue into next year, with total number of job losses still to be determined
Amazon Begins Culling Device Unit Staff, Amid 10,000 Layoffs
Memo from Amazon hardware boss reveals layoffs among its devices and services team have begun, amid company plan to axe 10,000
Amazon Launches Virtual Health Clinics In US
The doctor will see you now. E-commerce giant Amazon launches virtual doctor surgery in the US for people's common ailments
Amazon’s Jeff Bezos To Give Away Most Of Fortune
Founder of Amazon and one of the richest men in the world, promises to give away vast majority of his $124bn (£110bn) fortune