Tooling

Non-tech companies in the US almost doubled their spending on acquisitions of venture capital-backed startups in 2016 compared to the year prior. via Techmeme

This data describes properties for a web page displaying a Twitter timeline. via Twitter

Craft brewery marketing concepts from 2016 include environmental design, membership clubs, music collaborations, and the use of social media. via Craft Brewing Business

Everyday Carry recommends 10 gym bags to use for back to school, highlighting backpacks and duffels from brands like Lululemon, Patagonia, Aer, and Filson. via Everyday Carry

This data describes properties for a web page displaying a Twitter timeline. via Twitter

Facebook uses data from users' offline life, gathered through data broker contracts, to refine its advertising profile of you. via MIT Technology Review.

In 2017, virtual assistant wars heated up as Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, and Cortana competed to become the leading AI, similar to the mobile platform wars. via Fast Company

The Guardian reports that a joint FBI-DHS report links two Russian intelligence hacking groups to the hacks of Democratic Party organizations.

In response to alleged Russian hacking during the US election, the Obama administration enacted sanctions and expelled Russian diplomats. via WIRED.

Nathan Yau shares his favorite data visualization projects of 2016. via FlowingData

MIT Technology Review lists some of 2016's biggest technology failures, from a million-dollar drug to dim glowing plants. via MIT Technology Review.

WIRED highlights ten user interface upgrades of 2016, from Lyft's passenger-locating Amp to Nextdoor's redesigned incident reporting system. via WIRED.