July 2018

Facebook’s Long-Term Plan to Keep Its Business Humming

Facebook is having a rough week. During an earnings call on Wednesday, the social media giant’s chief financial officer said revenue growth will slow in the coming quarters, spooking investors and sending the stock plunging 19%. A staggering $150 billion in value was wiped out in one day.

The selloff came as a surprise to many followers of the company, since CEO Mark Zuckerberg had earlier pointed out many of the emerging trends that could lead to slower growth and higher costs. Continue reading “Facebook’s Long-Term Plan to Keep Its Business Humming”

Three Things to Watch in the Midterms

Amid all the talk of a Democratic boom in the midterm elections, bear three things in mind that likely will determine whether Republicans maintain control of the House of Representatives: The structural advantages Republicans built into the system over the last few decades; key Republican-held suburban districts; and how much money, hard and soft, each side has.

There is plenty of good news for Democrats, and voter enthusiasm is on their side. However, they have a higher hurdle to clear to win control of the House than they did in 2006, or than Republicans did when they won it back in 2010, because partisan gerrymandering has erased so many swing districts. Continue reading “Three Things to Watch in the Midterms”

Democrats Make Anti-Kavanaugh Case for Naught

Unless Democrats unearth some truly disqualifying information about Judge Brett Kavanaugh, expect the U.S. Court of Appeals jurist to replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court.

Two days after President Trump tapped the 53-year-old alum of President George W. Bush’s administration, Senate Democrats and liberal groups are struggling to explain exactly why the Washington, D.C. native should be denied the seat. Continue reading “Democrats Make Anti-Kavanaugh Case for Naught”

What the Future Holds for Ever-Smarter Smartwatches

Smartwatches are far more than gee-whiz gadgets. Their evolution shows the future of wireless innovation. By next decade, the Dick Tracy-like wrist bands will harness next-generation wireless service, or 5G, the cellular upgrade that promises faster, more ubiquitous and lower-powered wireless connections. Smartwatch hardware improvements will find their way into other small devices, such as augmented-reality headsets. Continue reading “What the Future Holds for Ever-Smarter Smartwatches”