Amazon pauses drone deliveries, downplays role of test crash

Amazon pauses drone deliveries: The e-commerce giant confirmed that it voluntarily paused its Prime Air drone deliveries in Texas and Arizona, but downplayed the role of a reported crash of two drones in December at an Oregon testing facility as a factor in the decision. The company debuted its new MK30 drone models (above) in November. Read more.

The secrets of Amazon’s strategic process: This week on the GeekWire Podcast, we get an inside look at Amazon’s classic process for strategic thinking and decision-making, with Marcelo Calbucci (above), a serial startup entrepreneur who has also worked for both Amazon and Microsoft. He’s the author of a new book, The PRFAQ Framework.

???Read more and listen here, and subscribe to GeekWire in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Tech Moves: Rob Greer is the new ExtraHop CEO; Alex Reid rejoined the Gates Foundation as chief communications officer; June Yoshinari Davis is now the foundation’s chief people officer; Thomas George is co-founder and EVP of enterprise AI at CreatorsAGI ; and Julie Sandler of Pioneer Square Labs is Washington Roundtable board chair. Read more.?

SPONSOR MESSAGE: Revisit defining moments, explore new challenges, and get a glimpse into what lies ahead for one of the world’s most influential companies: Get tickets to Microsoft@50.

Upcoming events: Tech and startup community gatherings on our radar in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.

• Jan. 23: 5th Seattle Hardware Meetup at Made Cascade, feat. Aigen
• Jan. 25: A Panel Discussion on: How to Found A Lifescience Startup?
• Jan. 29: AI Disruption – Embracing the Change?

Check out the GeekWire Calendar for more.

Hot Links:

• The FTC warns that partnerships between Microsoft and OpenAI, and Amazon and Anthropic, could lead the AI startups to be fully acquired in the future. (Bloomberg, FTC)
• Microsoft released an improved Windows Search experience for AI-powered Copilot+ PCs as part of its Windows Insider program. (Microsoft Windows Insider Blog.)?
• Two separate research papers from Microsoft show how AI can accelerate the discovery of new materials, and improve the analysis of radiology results. (Microsoft)
• Notch Therapeutics, the Vancouver, B.C.-based cell-therapy biotech, is making major layoffs to preserve cash as it seeks new partners or investors. (Fierce Biotech)?
• Zulily and Blue Nile co-founder Mark Vadon sold his Magnolia home for $21.5 million, $3.5 million below the original listing price, after six months. (Puget Sound Business Journal)

SPONSOR MESSAGE: Break the Paycheck-To-Paycheck Cycle. Trying to cover bills before your paycheck runs out is a common obstacle. High living costs like housing and food play a significant role. But there’s ways to manage your way through it. Take control of your finances.

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