The Download: Society’s techlash, and Android XR

The Internet loves a good neologism, especially if it captures a supposed shift in vibe or explains a new trend. In 2013, columnist Adrian Wooldridge coined a term that finally did both. Writing for The Economist, he warned of a coming “technological shock,” a revolt against the rich and powerful in Silicon Valley and a growing public recognition of these “sovereigns of cyberspace.” Not the benevolent bringers of a bright future they claim to be.

While Wooldridge didn’t say exactly when this tech shock came, it’s clear today that a seismic shift in public opinion toward Big Tech and its leaders did occur, and is arguably still occurring.

Two new books are a great reminder of why it started in the first place. Together they chronicle the rise of an industry that is increasingly using its unprecedented wealth and power to undermine democracy, and outline what we can do to start taking back some of that power. Read the full story.

——Brian Gardner

This story is from an upcoming issue of MIT Technology Review magazine, going online on January 6th—all about the exciting breakthroughs happening in the world today. If you haven’t yet, subscription Receive a copy.

A must read

I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most interesting/important/scary/fascinating tech stories.

1 Google launches new headphones and smart glasses operating system
Android XR provides wearers with hands-free control through the company’s Gemini chatbot. (edge)
+ It also announced a new pair of Samsung headphones called Project Moohan. (wet powder $)
+ Google hopes to learn from the mistakes it made with Google Glass a decade ago. (wired $)
+ Its new Project Astra could become the killer app for generating artificial intelligence. (MIT Technology Review)