The Briefing by Martin Peers, Jessica Lessin and the team at The Information

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The Briefing

By Martin Peers, Jessica Lessin and the team at The Information

Get smarter about the day’s news in tech, media and finance by following Silicon Valley’s most-read executive newsletter.

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Recent Editions

Eric Gulbransen and Rich Filipowicz

Robots Aim to Move Beyond Maids

By Amir Efrati · Dec 4, 2013 3:31pm PST

There aren’t many autonomous robots for sale to consumers. That makes it a big potential market for roboticists like Andy Rubin of Google, who is exploring robots for manufacturing and has considered making robot "assistants" for the home, according to a person briefed on his current project. The definition of robot... There aren’t many autonomous robots for sale to consumers. That makes it a big potential...

Intel

Google’s Andy Rubin Pursues ‘Replicant’ Robots

By Amir Efrati and Jessica E. Lessin · Dec 4, 2013 3:31pm PST · 1 comment

Google’s Andy Rubin confirmed Tuesday night that he is working on a robotics project. The effort has gone by the previously undisclosed name “Replicant” and provides a big new test to the playbook he used successfully at Android. Mr. Rubin is working on robots for industrial tasks like manufacturing and logistics... Google’s Andy Rubin confirmed Tuesday night that he is working on a robotics project....

Kārlis Dambrāns, Matt Vascellaro

How Apple Gives Some Apps an Edge

By Jessica E. Lessin · Dec 4, 2013 8:30am PST

Shortly before GetGlue upgraded its mobile app earlier this year, an executive there emailed a heads-up to Horst Govin. Mr. Govin, who works at Apple, suggested some tweaks to the service, which helps people share information about what TV shows they're watching. A few weeks later, Apple promoted GetGlue in the App Store’s “New... Shortly before GetGlue upgraded its mobile app earlier this year, an executive there emailed a...

By Matt Vascellaro · Dec 4, 2013 8:30am PST

By Matt Vascellaro · Dec 4, 2013 8:30am PST

Letter From the Editor

By Jessica E. Lessin · Dec 4, 2013 8:30am PST · 1 comment

Dear Readers, Technology news needs a reboot. There are more stories and outlets than ever, but a troubling cycle is playing out: The race for pageviews and ad dollars is causing publications to focus on quantity over quality. Coverage is consolidating around attention-grabbing topics, like the latest hot... Dear Readers, Technology news needs a reboot. There are more stories and outlets than ever, but...

John Chambers, Cisco CEO, speaking last year at a conference in Spain. Source: Shutterstock.

The Information Ahead

Will 2014 be Cisco’s Year of Reckoning?

By Katie Benner · Dec 4, 2013 8:30am PST

This is the first in a series of articles reporting on major themes for the technology business in 2014. Lackluster performance among old-school technology companies attracted the activists in 2013. Next year those agitators – investors who push big strategy changes in the hopes of a big stock-price bump – will be casting... This is the first in a series of articles reporting on major themes for the technology...

Alex Mittal, founder of FundersClub. Source: FundersClub.

Crowdfunding’s Money Problem

By Eric Newcomer · Dec 4, 2013 8:30am PST

Silicon Valley is abuzz over equity crowdfunding, whether it will upend the traditional venture capital model or be a flash in the pan. The potential promise is clear: More people could get a chance to buy into the next Instagram or Twitter early on, and more capital could become available to fund innovation. Silicon Valley is abuzz over equity crowdfunding, whether it will upend the traditional venture...

Breaking Down Crowdfunding Fees

Breaking Down Crowdfunding Fees

By · Dec 4, 2013 8:30am PST

Breaking Down Crowdfunding Fees

Breaking Down Crowdfunding Fees

By · Dec 4, 2013 8:30am PST

Running a crowdfunding site may be an untested business but that hasn’t stopped them from proliferating. Each one wants to be the middleman of choice for investors buying into early stage companies. (See related story.) The playing field will thin as the sites prove themselves to investors and entrepreneurs. What business model... Running a crowdfunding site may be an untested business but that hasn’t stopped them...

The App Store 'Kingmakers'

By Jessica E. Lessin · Dec 4, 2013 8:30am PST

App developers often remark that how Apple features apps is a black box. Others liken the company to a "kingmaker" with the power to make or break apps. (See related story.) But many well-connected developers have built connections inside the Cupertino, Calif. giant that make getting promoted and getting... App developers often remark that how Apple features apps is a black box. Others liken the company...

Tony Fadell Leaving Nest

By Jessica E. Lessin and Reed Albergotti · Mar 1, 1950 4:00pm PST

This story is developing. More information can be found here. This story is developing. More information can be found here.