10 things in tech: Shopify's ad push, Leaked Amazon documents, New Spotify app
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1. Google reportedly sits on new ideas until a competitor forces its hand. Known as "pantry mode," the tactic is tied to CEO Sundar Pichai's struggle to make important decisions in a timely manner, an issue that's causing tension among employees. More on "pantry mode" here.
2. The Hubble Space Telescope has been offline for a week. NASA has tried and failed to fix the telescope - which was taken offline by a mysterious computer issue - three times. Here's what we know so far.
3. America's business leaders are trying to mitigate burnout - but workers say it's not enough. Execs across different industries increased mental-health benefits during the pandemic - Bumble, for example, closed all its offices this week to help employees with their "collective burnout." But staff say the perks aren't working.
4. Google is facing another antitrust investigation by the EU. Officials are scrutinizing whether Google prioritized its own online ad business over competitors. More on the probe here.
5. Spotify launched an audio-only app, Greenroom, in a bid to challenge Clubhouse. Similarly to its competitor, the app operates as a space for live conversations through areas called "rooms." Take a look at how it works.
6. SpaceX could offer global Starlink satellite internet coverage by September. President Gwynne Shotwell said SpaceX has launched 1,800 Starlink satellites, enough for global coverage. Here's what you need to know.
7. The global chip shortage is bumping up the cost of electronics. Popular laptops, phones, and printers are getting up to $50 more expensive. These are some products that have been affected so far.
8. Tesla has unveiled a 3,100-mile Supercharger route across China. The route brings Tesla one step closer to fulfilling Elon Musk's plan to connect Shanghai and London. See a video of the route here.
9. Shopify is planning a big push into advertising with a new targeting tool. The company will let advertisers use data from its 1.7 million businesses to target ads on Facebook and Google. Get the full scoop here.
10. Amazon pays struggling employees as much as $30,000 to leave and never work at the company again. It's part of Pivot, a program that aims to reform or fire employees deemed underperformers - and one that some employees say is stacked against them. Read more from the leaked documents.
Compiled by Jordan Erb. Tips/comments? Email jerb@insider.com or tweet @JordanParkerErb.
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