Today’s Tech Sightings:

David VanderWaal, VP of marketing for LG Electronics USA (L), listens to Mike George, VP Alexa, Echo and Appstore for Amazon, talking about their companies’ partnership to bring Amazon’s digital assistant Alexa to LG appliances, during the LG press conference at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Jan. 4, 2017. (Reuters)

Like It or Not, ‘Internet of Things’ Is Going to Invade Your Home

Let’s face it, there will come a time when you will not be able to avoid buying that smart fridge that orders your groceries or the digital assistant that listens to your every word at home or in your car. And as tech companies and manufacturers race to beat the competition to market with smarter gadgets, the lack of security and privacy where Internet of Things devices are concerned remains a huge problem. Writer Rob Price looks at some of the risks to privacy and the concept of ownership that come with digitizing just about everything.

Watson Replaces 34 Insurance Workers in Japan

IBM’s artificial intelligence system, Watson, will replace 34 claims white-collar workers at Japan’s Fukoku Mutual Life Insurance Company. Watson will read medical documents and determine the amount of payouts to customers, based on injuries, medical records and procedures. The company expects to save money and increase efficiency as a result of replacing the human workers.

Apple Pulls New York Times Apps in China After Government Request

Apple has acquiesced to Chinese authorities’ demands to remove the New York Times apps from its App store. New York Times‘ website has been blocked in China since 2012, but the newspaper’s English and Chinese apps still gave access to readers in the country. In addition to other leading newspapers blocked in China, Apple’s iBooks and iTunes Movies have also been blocked since April. A New York Times spokesman said the Chinese move “is part of their wider attempt to prevent readers in China from accessing independent news coverage.”

More:

• India Reluctant to Give Special Tax Incentives to Apple
• Google CEO: India Is ‘Quick-test Market’ for Company’s Products
• Social Media Terms and Conditions ‘Incomprehensible’ to Children
• At CES, New Digital Assistants Restart Smart Home Race
• VR, Self-drive Cars Dominate CES in Las Vegas
• Smart Glove Helps Stroke Patients Rehabilitate
• Hyundai Shows Off Wearable Robots to Help Paraplegics, Elderly
• Speculation Mounting Mark Zuckerberg Wants to Serve in Government
• Twitter Confirms It Will Shutter Vine on January 17