Reuters Technology Report: July 22, 2016

Click to View in Browser Friday, July 22, 2016 U.S. asks phone companies to provide 'robocall' blocking technology WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission on Friday pressed major U.S. phone companies to take immediate steps to make technology that blocks unwanted automated calls available to consumers at no charge. Verizon emerges as front-runner in Yahoo auction: sources (Reuters) - Yahoo Inc is focusing on U.S. telecommunications company Verizon Communications Inc as the buyer of its core business after reviewing final bids that it received this week, people familiar with the matter said on Friday. Apple to open first Apple Store in Taiwan TAIPEI (Reuters) - Apple Inc is planning to open its first Apple Store in Taiwan, a move that comes after the U.S. technology giant raised $1.38 billion in a bond offering last month on the island that is home to many companies in its supply chain. China seeks top-10 automation ranking by 2020: robot industry group FRANKFURT (Reuters) - China is aiming for a top-10 ranking in automation for its industries by 2020 by putting more robots in its factories, the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) said. Facebook's solar-powered internet drone takes flight SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Facebook Inc said on Thursday it had completed a successful test flight of a solar-powered drone that it hopes will help it extend internet connectivity to every corner of the planet. Pokemon GO launches in Japan, bringing smash-hit game home TOKYO (Reuters) - Eager Japanese rushed to their phones on Friday to start hunting as Pokemon GO, the hit Nintendo-backed smartphone game, finally launched in Japan, home of the colorful cartoon characters. Peter Thiel tells Republican convention he is 'proud to be gay' SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Silicon Valley investor Peter Thiel, the only big-name supporter of Donald Trump from the country's technology hub, spoke on Thursday at the Republican National Convention to urge the country to discard petty cultural battles and turn its attention to solving the United States' economic decline. Powered by Google, U.N. flexes tech muscle to fight climate change ROME (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - New Google-powered software will help the world tackle problems related to climate change, deforestation and food production, a United Nations agency said on Friday, as it presented its revamped online platform. Sweden's Kinnevik says Zalando can withstand Amazon threat STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Swedish investment firm Kinnevik, which backs Europe's biggest pure online fashion firm Zalando, is confident the retailer can withstand competition from Amazon because it caters to a different type of customer. Ride-hailing service Grab partners Indonesia's Lippo for mobile payments JAKARTA (Reuters) - Southeast Asian ride-hailing service Grab said on Friday it is teaming up with Indonesian conglomerate Lippo Group to roll out a mobile payment platform in its biggest market, extending its reach beyond transport. Related Video Pokemon GO launches in home country Japan A wheel to electrify your bicycle Mediafile How about Hightail-ing it? On Twitter, dubious health claims from e-cigarette bots A daily digest of breaking business news, coverage of the US economy, major corporate news and the financial markets. Register Today A quick-fix on the day's news delivered when you want it. Register Today » » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2016 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add newsletters@email.reuters.com to your address book. Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook