GeekWire

Tech's entanglements with the law were on full display this week. Washington and other states are fighting net neutrality rollbacks. Advocates across the political spectrum are criticizing Amazon's ask for government incentives in its HQ2 search, some calling it 'corporate wellfare.' Plus, wireless, over-the-air charging is close to being a reality and an app that could help in the battle on the opioid crisis. 

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Sony and Samsung both hinted at -- or had leaks about -- upcoming smartphone releases. What are they up to? Plus, Andru gives us his take after using the Apple HomePod and Dyson is taking its vacuum cleaner business in a surprising new direction. Follow our tech coverage at GeekWire.com and subscribe to live, behind-the-scenes recordings of Geared Up at youtube.com/gearlive

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Can studying human intelligence help us build smarter machines? Rafael Reif thinks so. He's the president of MIT and he spoke with us on this podcast about the university's efforts to expand our understanding of AI and build new technologies for the future of the field. 

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In a rare move, Amazon laid off 500 people this week. They also became the third most valuable company in the world. Plus, electric bike sharing and dealing with Saeattle's explosive growth.

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What does the future look like when it comes to widespread, cheap technology? Thirteen-year Microsoft engineer, clean tech expert and science fiction author Ramez Naam thinks it's looking pretty good. We speak with Naam about his writing, the future of truly democratic technology and clean energy on this episode of the GeekWire Podcast.

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This week, the Week In Geek comes to you from GeekWire HQ2 in Pittsburgh. Amazon is pushing further Prime integration with Whole Foods and we dive into the tech renaissance happening in Pittsburgh and how the city is preparing for challenges that come along with a tech boom.

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SpaceX launched the most powerful rocket in operation this week, the Falcon Heavy. GeekWire's Alan Boyle was in Cape Canavral, Florida, for the launch and tells us about his experience and what it all means for the future of space travel.

Follow all Alan's space and aerospace coverage at GeekWire.com/space

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Technologies have drastically changed health and healthcare in the past 20 years and Lee Hood is one of the innovators behind those changes. We speak to the genetics and biology pioneer about how he brought engineering into biology and explore his vision for the future of health, tricorders and all. This is the final episode of our first season of Health Tech -- subscribe to the Health Tech podcast in your favorite podcast player to get notifications about our second season. 

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Amazon finally opened its Spheres building this week, a greenhouse-office hybrid that gives its employees a new, plant-filled workspace. The company also announced it is teaming up with JPMorgan Chase and Berkshire Hathaway to create a new healthcare company. Plus, a plan to transform cities as technology radically changes transportation. 

Follow all our coverage and read more about the stories we talk about on this episode at GeekWire.com

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Rumors abounded this week that Apple is canceling the iPhone X, which isn't exactly true. Plus, a smart bicycle hub, new details on the Apple HomePod and the $500 flamethrower that one of our hosts just pre-ordered. Follow all our tech coverage at GeekWire.com and subscribe to see our live behind-the-scenes videos at YouTube.com/gearlive

Follow this link to enter our latest Geared Up Giveaway, the in-car Alexa Muse device: https://gleam.io/ic6qR/muse-incar-amazon-alexa-giveaway

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