Here s what s going on in tech.
ICYMI: PC sales fell in 2015, although Apple s Macs defied the trend.
Google has hired former White House deputy national security adviser Caroline Atkinson to head public policy. (NYT)
Google creates virtual reality division.
Google is seeking multiple automaker and supplier partners for its self-driving effort, not just one.
Speaking of self-driving cars, the Obama administration is expected to announce Thursday an effort to speed them along.
Uber is easing its screening rules in California, won t automatically reject non-violent criminals. (WSJ)
Ahead of an expected announcement of a reorganization later this month, Yahoo has 84 new job openings in the first couple of weeks of 2016.
Tim Cook reportedly is pressuring the White House to speak out for encryption and against backdoors.
In 2015, IBM was awarded the most patents in the U.S. for the 23rd straight year. Google was 5th.
Twitter s Periscope working on tool to automatically detect harassment within live-streamed videos.
Mark Zuckerberg trial with developer who accuses him of failing to introduce him to Silicon Valley s movers and shakers is set for April.
Speaking of Zuck, he declared Feb. 4 (Facebook s 12th birthday) as #friendsday. (Zuckerberg s Facebook post)
Atmel is choosing to merge with Microchip instead of Dialog Semiconductor.
Director of national intelligence James Clapper is hacked, reportedly by same teen who hacked the CIA director s AOL account.
Test program in New York City has Lyft drivers taking people to the doctor.
Photo: Google Cardboard headset. Google has created a virtual reality unit. (Google)
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