GeekWire Mid-Week Update, Presented by ALLtech

Read the top tech stories so far this week from GeekWire [GeekWire Mid-Week Update] Top stories so far this week [Seattle’s record-setting warm and dry weather is both random and a dress rehearsal, experts say]( Seattle’s identity has been synonymous with drizzle, moss and the angsty grunge music and compulsive coffee drinking that’s fueled by its notoriously damp, gray weather. [William Shatner describes ‘overwhelming sadness’ he felt for Earth in his Blue Origin flight to space]( William Shatner’s journey to the final frontier aboard a Blue Origin spaceship last fall seemed like the perfect opportunity to strike profound joy and celebration into a man who had played a space traveler on TV for decades. [Microsoft goes Meta: Here’s what Nadella and Zuckerberg announced for the new Quest Pro]( Microsoft will make Windows, Office, Teams and other programs available for the new Meta Quest Pro and existing Meta Quest 2 virtual reality headsets under an expanded partnership with Facebook’s parent company. SPONSOR MESSAGE [Figuring out Employee Benefits? Startups can now get “startup” employee benefits from GeekWire’s benefits provider ALLtech]( For nearly a decade, GeekWire and ALLtech have delivered health insurance plans to some of Washington state’s fastest growing startups. If you are an entrepreneur looking for benefits to rival larger companies, including exclusive pricing from preferred carriers like Regence and Delta Dental, join GeekWire member companies and receive the most competitive and cost-effective benefits plans available. [Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center receives ‘transformative’ $710.5M gift from the Bezos family]( Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center on Wednesday announced an enormous philanthropic gift of $710.5 million from Jackie and Mike Bezos, the parents of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, pledged on behalf of the Bezos family. [Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale, and the forces blowing up the traditional holiday shopping season]( Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale, slated for Tuesday and Wednesday Oct. [Former 98point6 CEO goes from telemedicine to fried chicken — with recipe to fight climate change]( Before co-founding Seattle telehealth startup 98point6 back in 2015, Robbie Cape was weighing whether to use his tech know-how to pursue a healthcare-related idea, or something focused on the environment. [Decades after creating a sci-fi metaverse, Neal Stephenson works on making it real]( Microsoft and Facebook’s parent company, Meta, have their own visions for a virtual world called the metaverse — but an alternate, open-source vision from Seattle science-fiction author Neal Stephenson is gathering steam. [University of Washington computer science professor Yejin Choi wins $800K ‘genius grant’]( Yejin Choi, a University of Washington computer science professor and senior research manager at Seattle’s Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI2), won a $800,000 “genius grant” given annually by the John D. [‘A whole new mindset’: HR experts and researchers share tips for a successful return to office]( As concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic recede, companies are still feeling their way through the future of work. [Meta officially cuts ribbon on growing Bellevue office space as tech and art merge in Spring District]( With cranes still swinging overhead and construction continuing on the Spring District in Bellevue, Wash., Meta officially threw open the doors Tuesday on its own offices at the sprawling development. GEEKWORK: TODAY'S TECH JOBS - [Scientific Software Engineering Center: Software Engineer – multiple roles!]( - [San Jose State University: Systems Analyst]( - [INRIX: Senior Frontend Engineer]( - [Western Washington University - Computer Science Department: Computer Science Support Group Manager]( - [MedBridge: Software Engineer III (Front end)]( - [San Jose State University: Web Analyst]( - [INRIX: Technical Program Manager – Data Platform]( - [MedBridge: Software Engineer III (Back end)]( - [San Jose State University: Web Analyst]( [FIND MORE JOBS ON GEEKWORK]( [HIRING? BUY A FEATURED LISTING TO APPEAR HERE]( [About GeekWire]( [Contact Us]( [Advertise]( Copyright © 2022 GeekWire LLC, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted to receive emails from GeekWire LLC.  Our mailing address is: GeekWire LLC 123 NW 36th St, Suite 203 Seattle, WA 98107  [change email frequency or address]( | [unsubscribe](