The precision agriculture revolution is coming, just slowly

Jul 4, 2024
Since the 1990s, precision agriculture has promised to revolutionize farming, by giving growers granular information about what’s happening with the crops in their fields and new technology to actually put that data to good use. But the new developments in precision ag have yet to fully transform farming.
Electrical engineer Cody Hyman prepares for a test of Impossible Sensing’s prototype soil sensor. The machine is designed to be mounted to the back of a planter and can measure soil composition in real time using a powerful laser.
Eric Schmid/STLPR

When an accessibility mapping app went viral, success came with a cost

Jun 11, 2024
Roll Mobility, an app for mapping accessibility infrastructure and linking disabled communities, went viral. Now the team needs to raise funds.
A viral video boosted the popularity of an accessibility app called Roll Mobility. Now the company needs to raise funds to build its operation, said co-founder Joe Foster.
Philippe Lopez/AFP via Getty Images)

Zoom cashiers may signal a new era of digital offshoring and remote work

May 27, 2024
With advancements in tech and AI, outsourcing looks different now.
Cashiers of the future may actually be taking your order from thousands of miles away.
Miguel Medina/AFP via Getty Images

Texas' high tech sector buzzes along amid industry downturn

May 22, 2024
High tech represents nearly 5% of state GDP and more than 9% of employment. What makes the state's sector so resilient?
Charging stations at Tesla's corporate headquarters in Austin. High tech jobs have flourished around Austin, thanks to investments from companies like Tesla.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

AI likely to make voice assistants smarter

Aug 2, 2023
Google aims to “supercharge” Google Assistant with the same tech that underlies ChatGPT, which could boost communication.
Programs like Google Assistant, Amazon's Alexa and Apple's Siri still have problems understanding exactly what people say, but artificial intelligence may improve their functionality.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

Tech manufacturing is causing a boom in non-residential construction

Aug 1, 2023
Biden Administration policies are geared toward fixing high-tech supply chains and accelerating the transition to EVs.
Biden speaks during a visit to a General Motors electric vehicle assembly plant in Detroit, Michigan.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

San Francisco's mayor challenges the public perception of her city

San Francisco's empty office buildings and fleeing retailers have been in the news. London Breed challenges that narrative.
Increasing housing production, Mayor London Breed says, is one of her main focuses. She also says San Francisco has to get creative with how to repurpose vacant office space.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Reddit, Twitter and the [price] war on third-party developers

Jul 17, 2023
In a bid for new revenue streams, social media platforms risk alienating API makers, who are an integral part of the digital ecosystem.
Twitter and Reddit recently introduced new pricing schemes for third-party developers that use their platforms.
S3studio/Getty Images

Tomorrow's tech disruptors learn how to raise their game

Jul 17, 2023
The video game industry has a diversity problem. This Bay Area mentorship program has solutions.
"Marketplace Morning Report" host David Brancaccio speaks with mentees at Gameheads. The program aims to give students in the Bay Area the skills, connections and confidence to break into the tech industry.
Kelly Silvera/Marketplace