Robots rising in wake of pandemic and labor shortages | Amazon earnings preview

Amazon earnings preview: The tech giant is facing rising costs, unionization efforts by warehouse employees, and a tight labor market. But analysts are still bullish about the company’s business. Amazon reports Q1 earnings this afternoon — here’s what to expect. 

This just in: Activision Blizzard shareholders approved the company’s $68.7 billion acquisition to Microsoft. The deal still needs a green light from regulators. 

‘The world’s first hybrid war’: That’s how Microsoft President Brad Smith describes Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Here’s why. 

Funding news:

• Benaroya Research Institute lands $17.1M: Funds are aimed at assessing respiratory infections, new ways of treating type 1 diabetes, and other efforts.

• ModusBox raises $7.5M: The Seattle startup is meeting demand for its financial services integration software.

• Latest from climate tech startups: Fresh cash for UW-spinoff BattGenie, Microsoft vet, and a weeding robot.

Mariners to use Amazon tech in stadium market: “Just Walk Out” and Amazon One palm-scanning technology are coming to a food and beverage space at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park this summer, the first Major League Baseball park to use both. Read more.

UW team reaches Imagine Cup finals: Students from the University of Washington working on tech for prelingual deaf children will compete for $100,000 in Microsoft’s global competition.