The Morning After: Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Put a tablet on itAmazon’s next Echo could include a touchscreen

In case you were wondering what’s next for Amazon’s Alexa-connected devices, a Bloomberg rumor suggests the answer is a 7-inch embedded touchscreen. The rumor points to a “premium” device with the display built-in, running (of course) a version of its Android-based FireOS, optimized to show info like forecasts, calendar events and news.

Timewasters that don’t involve fake newsFacebook Messenger supports 17 multiplayer games

Facebook’s Instant Articles have been joined by Instant Games, a suite of experiences built into its Messenger app and web experience that lets friends play together without installing anything extra. “Pac-Man,” “Words with Friends,” “Galaga,” “Arkanoid” and more are available, complete with leaderboards for maximum competition over bragging rights.

What a twist!SF Muni hacker gets hacked

In a turn of events, Brian Krebs reports that the hacker who attempted to ransom the SFMTA’s computers had their systems hacked, revealing quite a bit about how their business works. The data exposed indicates the individual has pulled this scheme on other companies running vulnerable Oracle server products. The transit agency told its attacker to kick rocks, however, restoring the systems from a backup instead of paying up. The lesson here? Back up everything regularly, and don’t use easily-guessed password reset questions.

It’s all about verticalityDinosaurs are a perfect fit for VR

Since we’re still in the early days of VR, everyone is trying to get a handle on what experiences work best. Plop on a headset, and you’ll quickly notice that many developers have picked an element straight from our kindergarten favorites list: dinosaurs. As Oculus artist Derrick Hammond explains, they “have an epic sense of scale that immediately makes you appreciate the potential of VR.”

Super Mario World, for realUniversal Osaka, Orlando and Hollywood are getting Nintendo video game areas

Now we know a bit more about the team-up between Universal Parks & Resorts and Nintendo, like where the integrated experiences will appear. According to execs, visiting the themed areas will make tourists feel like “they’ve walked into their favorite gaming platform.” Most of the details are still fuzzy but expect to see the new areas open up separately at each park over the next few years.

MDMA as a prescription drug? The FDA just approved large-scale trials using ecstasy to treat PTSD

The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) has gained approval to expand its studies using MDMA as part of a treatment for people suffering from PTSD. They’re trying to find out if drug-assisted sessions combined with therapy can help patients when currently approved methods don’t work. If it’s approved, the “club drug” could be available for use in treatment by 2021.

The impact of these policies go far beyond businessExtremely competitive work-visa programs face an uncertain future under President Trump

The president-elect recently released his 100-day plan that says he will call upon the Department of Labor to investigate visa programs, but not much is clear beyond that. Cherlynn Low interviewed several lawyers about the future of H-1B visas as well as other programs tech companies rely on for hiring.

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