⋅ ZDNet
Apple has finally rolled out its latest iteration of AirPods, which sport an array of improvements. The Siri voice assistant is now available, talk time is longer and users can charge the earphones wirelessly.
Employers are embracing enthusiasm related to March Madness with activities such as food and livestreaming of games in the office. Staffing firm LaSalle Network holds a yearly party for clients and workers that includes a hot dog cart, beer and games streamed on multiple televisions.
Many public universities and colleges, such as the California Community Colleges and the University of Massachusetts system, have announced they are planning large-scale online-learning initiatives to attract nontraditional learners and students from other states. However, several high-profile failures offer cautionary tales for universities that want to launch such programs.
The Federal Reserve says it will leave interest rates unchanged until it sees whether the economy stabilizes as the stimulative effect of 2017 tax cuts fades. Chairman Jerome Powell says the central bank expects a modest economic slowdown, "with overall conditions remaining favorable."
Farmers in Midwest states hit by unprecedented flooding this week are wondering how they will recover from flooded fields, ruined crops and lost harvests. Additional flooding is possible in the coming weeks as rainfall and snow melt continue to overfill rivers and streams.
Stakeholders in the health care sector are encouraged to implement a values framework to enhance the security of health data not covered by the HIPAA privacy rule, according to a report released by Manatt Health and the eHealth Initiative and Foundation. "Before developing strict privacy policies, policymakers and industry leaders may want to first focus on developing a values framework to guide the future use of personal health information," authors of the report wrote.
Pandora has debuted a sonic logo as part of its "Sound On" campaign, which features music artists like John Legend and Jonas Brothers, and the logo will become part of the streaming service's experience, even personalized based on individual listening behavior. Pandora's Steve Keller describes the six-month creation process for the new three-second sound identity from Grammy-winning composer Matt Winegar.
Levi Strauss priced its shares at $17 as it prepared to start trading on the New York Stock Exchange today, resuming life as a publicly-traded company after going private in a 1985 leveraged buyout. The denim brand is valued at $6.6 billion, and the NYSE is allowing blue jeans on the trading floor for the first time in honor of Levi's IPO.
⋅ The Hill
Despite investing billions of dollars in cybersecurity, the US is woefully unprepared for attacks from foreign adversaries, especially in the private sector, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said. Companies, schools and other entities are at a growing risk, Nielsen said during a talk at George Washington University, "[a]nd until now our government has done far too little to back them up."
⋅ Reuters
Certain manufacturers will be allowed by the FDA to distribute blood pressure drug losartan that contains N-Nitroso-N-methyl-4-aminobutyric acid levels above acceptable limits until it can be eliminated. The agency anticipates firms to be able to manufacture losartan without the impurity and replenish the US supply in about six months.
A jury in a US federal court in San Diego ruled that Apple violated three Qualcomm patents in the iPhone 7, 8 and X and awarded Qualcomm $31.6 million in damages. The fight isn't over though since the companies are due back in a San Diego court April 15 in what is expected to be a much more intense face-off over patent licenses and royalties.
Officials at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and Mayor Rahm Emanuel were on hand for a ceremony to mark the beginning of construction of the airport's two-year, $1.2 billion expansion. Crews will add 350,000 square feet of space to Terminal 5 and increase gate capacity by 25%.
Speaking at CERAWeek in Houston, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on the oil and natural gas industry to assist the US in using its energy riches to reduce the geopolitical influence of China, Russia and Iran, as well as promote American values such as free trade and democracy. "The more we can spread the US model of free enterprise, of the rule of law ... the more successful the US will be," Pompeo said.
Alaska Airlines has a history of using technology to enhance the passenger experience, from being the first to implement kiosks and mobile check-in to offering inflight Wi-Fi and virtual reality experiences. "We know that our travelers care very much about technology, so we're looking at ways to be creative," said Annabel Chang, vice president for the Bay Area at Alaska Airlines.
The beautiful Caribbean island of St. Barts offers a variety of activities for a short stay. Travelers can shop for accessories at the Black Swan boutique, splurge on an upscale seafood dish at Orega and learn about the island's Swedish background at the Wall House museum.