9 great reads from CNET this week
Take deep dives into coronavirus vaccines, how GPS works, new game consoles and the big flops of the tech world this year.
The short workweek before Thanksgiving is typically a slow time for tech news, and that was certainly true this year. Aside, that is, from the nonstop churn of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Also on the retail front, Amazon gave front-line workers a $300 bonus, even as it faced the prospect of Black Friday protests.
We had been watching out for some sort of resolution in the the US vs. TikTok saga, but it wasn't to be. Instead, the US government punted again, resetting the deadline for a potential sale of TikTok's US operations until Dec. 4. On the weirder side, a mysterious metal monolith, reminiscent of the one in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, appeared in the remote Utah desert, prompting a quest for answers.
We did also have a number of in-depth features and thought-provoking commentaries, including a look back at the top tech fails of 2020. So here you go, these are the stories from the past week that you don't want to miss:
Coronavirus mRNA vaccines won't just end the pandemic, they could change vaccines forever
Two mRNA vaccine candidates show promise in knocking out the pandemic. The technology used to develop them could herald more breakthroughs.
GPS rules everything. And it's getting a big upgrade
It's a lot more than just driving directions. GPS, managed by the US Space Force, is embedded throughout the high-tech world we live in.
The biggest tech fails of 2020
Commentary: From torrents of misinformation to the fall of Quibi, these tech flops stood out in a dumpster fire of a year.
Charli D'Amelio first person to hit 100 million TikTok followers
A 16-year-old from Connecticut has achieved social media superstardom by becoming the first person to hit 100 million followers on the platform.
Why you should buy a Switch Lite and Oculus Quest 2, instead of PS5 or Xbox Series X
If you've got around $500 to spend on gaming hardware, I have an idea for you.
The PS5 is the weirdest thing I've ever seen
Commentary: The more you think about the PS5's design, the less sense it makes.
Taylor Swift on Disney Plus: Folklore and firelight will get you all up in your feelings
Commentary: Swift's music thrives in her self-directed film, Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions, which explores the making of an album during a pandemic.
Hands on: SquareOne wants to be your digital board game table
I tried a prototype of this tabletop touchscreen tablet that promises big-name games.
These moms found a way to make virtual preschool work
Founders of BumoBrain speak with CNET's Now What on how to engage the youngest of remote learners.
