The U.S. government once again highlights the need to secure chips supply chains, Activision Blizzard hires 1,100 full-time employees, and the right to repair in Europe continues to gain traction.
 |
 |
 |
That’s all the tech news that’s trending right now, welcome to Hashtag Trending. It’s Friday, April 8th, and I’m your host, Tom Li.
The U.S. government held a briefing with lawmakers, once again highlighting the dire need to secure the semiconductor supply chain. U.S. government told attendees that the persistent semiconductor shortage could cause “historic damage to the U.S. economy,” far worse than the situation already at hand. A White House spokesperson later told reporters that they estimate the supply constraint slashed a full percentage point off 2021’s national GDP. Members of the government hope that the funds allocated in recent bills, such as the CHIPS act, could be smoothly and quickly distributed, Reuters reported.
Source: Reuters
Activision Blizzard made headlines yesterday for turning 1100 temporary quality assurance testers into full-time employees. As part of the transition, the employees will receive full benefits, as well as a pay raise to at least $20 an hour. In a statement, the company said that the decision was due to increasing content for gamers. Activision Blizzard, known for its Call of Duty and Warcraft videogame franchises, recently settled a landmark sexual harassment lawsuit for $18 million. It’s now a part of Microsoft, which had purchased the company for $69 billion.
Source: The Verge
Right to repair in Europe is making headways. European lawmakers are being called to vote on the Right to Repair resolution to increase its influence. According to the Register, the draft motion cited a survey that found citizens overwhelmingly support the right to repair, with nearly 80 per cent favouring repairs over replacements. This new motion wants to further widen the access to spare parts and extend legal product guarantees. Members of the European Parliament have expressed concerns about sustainability and security.
Source: The Register
Every bit of humor helps in today’s bleak world, which is why one company wants to help make domain names fun again. The company stands out with its .FUN domain extension, which it says gives opportunities to choose keywords that stand out from a crowded market. According to the company, the domain extension is suitable for anyone from individuals to large organizations, especially for those in the gaming, entertainment, and hospitality business.
That’s all the tech news that’s trending right now. Hashtag Trending is a part of the ITWC Podcast network. Add us to your Alexa Flash briefings or your Google Home daily briefing. Make sure to sign up for our Daily IT Wire newsletter to get all the news that matters directly in your inbox every day. Also, catch the next episode of Hashtag Tendances, our weekly Hashtag Trending episode in French, which drops every Thursday morning. If you have a suggestion or a tip, drop us a line in the comments or via email. Thank you for listening, I’m Tom Li.