Mixed emotions at Amazon HQ as layoffs begin | Stealthy space startup raises $20M

Video analysis tech wins top prize at UW research expo | Tips for medical device entrepreneurs ADVERTISEMENT [GeekWire]( SPONSOR MESSAGE: Hear the latest news, and dive deep into AWS products and solutions: [Attend in-person or virtually.]( TODAY'S TOP STORIES Amazon employees at the company’s headquarters in Seattle shared mixed emotions about layoffs that could impact thousands of corporate and tech workers. - One worker in the devices organization said he was “scared,” while another in human resources wasn’t afraid of exploring a voluntary layoff option. Around the company’s campus, people seemed to be taking news of the cuts in stride. [Read more.]( Lockheed Martin and Microsoft are deepening their strategic relationship to help power the next generation of computing and communications technology for the Department of Defense. - Under the terms of an agreement announced this week, Lockheed Martin will become the first non-governmental entity to operate independently inside the Microsoft Azure Government Secret cloud. [Read more](. A stealthy space venture called Gravitics raised $20 million to build space station modules near Seattle. - As NASA makes plans to phase out the International Space Station in the 2030 time frame, Gravitics and its backers are betting on a rush to launch commercial outposts to low Earth orbit. [Read more](. Alexa ‘Built-In’ phones are losing hands-free access to Amazon’s virtual assistant. - Amazon doesn’t have a smartphone platform of its own for native integration of Alexa. But the company has worked with some Android device makers in recent years to replicate the effect on what are known as “Alexa Built-In” phones. [Read more](. A student team working on tech to extract information from videos won the top prize at a University of Washington computer science research showcase. - Their projects use technology that enables users to extract text-based information from large quantities of unlabeled information in videos. [Read more](. Investors, regulatory experts, and CEOs from the medical device industry shared advice for entrepreneurs at a recent event near Seattle. - Among the tips: build connections with bigger companies, collect more data, connect with regulators, and use engineering talent thoughtfully. [Read more](. Seattle vaccine startup Curevo, which is developing a vaccine against shingles, raised $26 million. - Curevo raised a separate $60 million round earlier this year and is taking on pharma giant GSK. [Read more](. Generative AI can produce some impressive results with tools such as GPT and DALL-E. - But there are numerous challenges with the nascent technology. Seattle-based Pioneer Square Labs detailed some of its tests and takeaways [in a blog post this week](. Thanks for reading, and have a great day. — GeekWire managing editor Taylor Soper, taylor@geekwire.com, and GeekWire reporter Kurt Schlosser, kurt@geekwire.com. SPONSOR MESSAGE [Learn more about cloud managed services]( Cloud managed services from Cascadeo help organizations leverage the potential of the public cloud by aligning engineering expertise with business outcomes. When you are ready for true cloud IT transformation, [let’s connect.]( LATEST HEADLINES [Tech that analyzes videos wins top prize at Univ. of Washington computer science showcase]( [Gravitics raises $20M for plans to build space station modules north of Seattle]( [‘Alexa Built-In’ phones to lose key feature as Amazon cedes ground to Apple and Google]( [Advice for entrepreneurs in the medical device industry on raising cash and growing startups]( [Fred Hutch research: Bacteria may make tumors more aggressive]( SPONSORED: GEEK REAL ESTATE [Just Listed! Exceptional opportunity at the one and only ESCALA!]( [At Amazon HQ in Seattle, employees share mixed emotions about company layoffs]( [Lockheed Martin teams up with Microsoft on classified cloud services for Pentagon]( GEEKWORK: TODAY'S TECH JOBS - [SolluCIO Partners: Data Engineer]( - [San Jose State University: Web Analyst]( - [Plus: GTM Strategy and Ops Lead]( - [Remitly: Senior Mobile Software Development Engineer – B2B Platform (Seattle or U.S. Remote)]( - [San Jose State University: Systems Analyst]( - [Remitly: Principal Software Development Engineer- Passbook (Seattle or U.S. Remote)]( - [Government of Canada Trade Commissioner Service: Senior Trade Officer (International Business Development)]( - [Switchee: Fullstack Developer]( - [Remitly: Senior Software Development Engineer – North American Product (Seattle Or U.S. Remote)]( - [Periscopic: Full Stack Developer]( [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](