Amazon ramps up gig economy with Delivery Service Partners fleet program
Massive sales volume increases and a need for delivery alternatives has spurred Amazon to create its delivery Services Partners program. Amazon will help fleet owners start, set up, and manage independent businesses of up to 40 delivery vehicles. Veterans can qualify for an initial investment reimbursement.
Amazon, JPMorgan, Berkshire Hathaway name new CEO in quest to fix health care
Amazon, JPMorgan, and Berkshire Hathaway are taking the next step in their U.S. employee health care business by naming a new chief executive officer. On Wednesday, the powerhouse trio announced the appointment of Atul Gawande as the new leader of the business, which does not have a name yet.
Alexa, order room service: Amazon brings its voice assistant to hotels
Travelers may soon be able to skip the call down to the front desk and just ask Alexa to send up amenities, order room service, or book a spa appointment. Alexa for Hospitality is an Amazon Echo designed specifically for hotels and other travel destinations, with custom travel-based skills.
Microsoft takes on Google in the classroom with Flipgrid acquisition
Microsoft is strengthening its position in classrooms, and has recently acquired Flipgrid, the video discussion platform currently utilized by more than 20 million teachers and students across the United States and beyond. The acquisition is Microsoft's latest attempt to improve its educational offerings
Apple plans on hiring 20,000 people — possibly in North Carolina
Despite rumors just last month that the iEmpire was most interested in Virginia as the location of its newest office, a recent interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook has folks believing that the company may be looking more closely at another southern state -- North Carolina. Apple will also hire 20,000 more people.
ZTE could see ban lifted soon, but it’s still on thin ice
Chinese phone and gadget manufacturer ZTE is in hot water following a decision by the U.S. government that bans the company from buying American technology. The decision could mean that ZTE is no longer able to use the Android operating system. However, the ban may soon be lifted, thanks to a deal ZTE signed.
Target targets Millennials and Gen-Z shoppers with Heyday electronics brand
Heyday, Target's first exclusive electronics brand launches June 9. Featuring electronics accessories for Millennials and Gen Z customers, Target's Design and Development team surveyed those groups about their wants and preferences and chose colors and styles that reflect current trends for the Heyday brand.
Google reportedly plans to end involvement with Project Maven
More than 4,000 Google employees signed a letter requesting CEO cancel Pentagon A.I.-related Project Maven and issue a policy statement against building warfare technology. And after a wave of resignations, Google may be canning the project.
If Trump doubles USPS shipping rates for Amazon, will you end up paying?
President Donald Trump is reportedly pushing the USPS to double Amazon's shipping rates. The USPS and Amazon insist that the postal service is making money off the current arrangement, but Trump does not agree.
Supreme Court ruling on sports betting may let online gambling run the table
A federal change to the legality of sports betting in the U.S. could have a profound effect on gambling throughout the country, but the biggest winners of the Supreme Court's ruling could be online gambling firms and fantasy sports platforms, which are uniquely positioned to benefit from the changes.
Performance dip on your iPhone? Here’s everything you need to know
Apple was first accused of throttling iPhones late last year. In early 2018 the tech giant began offering a discounted battery replacement program and announced software updates to inform you of your battery health. Here's everything you need to know about Apple's battery performance issues.
An unusually combative Musk talks Tesla profits, gives Model Y launch window
Musk shed insight into Tesla's future during a call. It's not profitable yet -- it's burning an immense amount of cash -- but it will be this year. It will also build a new factory to assemble the Model Y, its next crossover. Musk refused to answer "boring, bonehead" questions by top Wall Street analysts.
JetBlue hopes its new A320 cabin will ‘bring humanity back to air travel’
JetBlue put its new restyled A320 cabin into service on May 2. The design offers flyers comfier seats — the widest available for the A320 — and the most leg room in coach of any U.S. airline. It has also enhanced its in-flight entertainment systems with large seat-back displays and more on-demand content.
Website builder Weebly to be snapped up by payments service Square
Website builder Weebly has been acquired by payments service Square. Led by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, Square hopes the acquisition will expand its presence overseas and give merchants "one cohesive solution" for building their businesses. Weebly promised its users that its site would continue to innovate and improve.
Virgin America, the ‘airline of Silicon Valley,’ takes its final flight
Virgin America has flown for the last time. Flight 1947 departed Los Angeles at 9:35 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24, bound for San Francisco. Judging by the response on social media, the airline that brought us funky mood lighting, comfy leather seats, and jazzed-up safety videos will be sorely missed.
Airbus’ latest A350 aircraft to break record for longest commercial flight
Airbus has started testing an aircraft that can fly more than 20 hours without needing to refuel. The A350-900 XWB will go into service for Singapore Airlines next year, flying passengers between Singapore and New York City on a 19-hour trip — nearly an hour longer than the longest current flight.
SmugMug acquires Flickr from Yahoo, says ‘the future is bright’
Photo-sharing site SmugMug has acquired fellow photo-sharing site Flickr from Yahoo (Oath Inc.) for an undisclosed sum. Don't worry, though -- Flickr isn't going anywhere, and may even finally receive the resources it's long deserved.
Southwest plane suffers in-flight engine failure, 1 fatality confirmed
A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 flying from New York to Dallas suffered an engine failure, forcing an emergency landing in Philadelphia. Although the plane landed safely, one passenger was killed and damage is significant. A preliminary report by the NTSB indicated that the engine showed metal fatigue.
Google makes good on promise to offset 100 percent of its electricity use
Google achieved its goal of purchasing enough clean energy to offset all of its data centers and offices around the world.
The Bank of England is testing blockchain tech to support domestic payments
The Bank of England is now testing a Proof of Concept designed to advance its real-time gross settlement service in England.
Google acquires GIF search engine Tenor (and its 300 million users)
Google has announced its acquisition of Tenor, a GIF search engine that previously became known for its GIF advertising model.
After leaving China and Russia, Uber also exits Southeast Asia rideshare market
After exiting China in 2016 and Russia last year, Uber has now left the Southeast Asia market, too, after a deal with local rival Grab.
Elon Musk deleted Facebook after a challenge from another tech titan
Elon Musk has joined the #deletefacebook movement, announcing that SpaceX and Tesla would remove their accounts from the social media platform after the backlash from the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
With Key, Amazon will drop packages right inside your door
Amazon Key is a new solution from the online retail giant that doesn't want to stop at your front door, but wants to go right through it.
Toys Were Us? Toys R Us reportedly closing all 800 U.S. stores
Due to billions of dollars of debt, iconic toy retailer Toys R Us is considering selling or closing all 800 locations within the United States.
Airbnb takes on Booking.com and Expedia as it tries to woo hotels and B&Bs
Airbnb has posted an open letter to owners of boutique hotels and B&Bs, encouraging them to join its site and promising cheaper fees than rivals.
White House reportedly seeks tariffs of $60 billion on Chinese technology goods
According to new reports, the White House is seeking to tariff $60 billion worth of Chinese goods, with the tariff largely targeting tech.
‘Uber Health’ lets doctors book patients’ rides to and from the clinic
Uber Health is a new platform for health care facilities that lets them book rides for patients traveling to and from the clinic.
Bigelow Aerospace has plans to launch and sell its own space stations
Las Vegas-based Bigelow Aerospace has announced the creation of a new spinoff company that will manage, operate and sell its own space stations.
HTC announces U.S. layoffs as smartphone and VR divisions merge
HTC has dismissed dozens of its U.S. employees following the departure of its smartphone president one week ago.
There will be no tours of Apple Park, CEO Tim Cook says
If you're a die-hard Apple fan or a design enthusiast impressed by Apple Park, the only way you're ever going to get a look round the place is by getting a job there.
Chinese tech giant Alibaba joins Coke, Visa as a major Olympic sponsor
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Alibaba Group announced the formation of a long-term partnership.
Google’s Waymo vs. Uber: Everything you need to know
Waymo filed a lawsuit against Uber alleging that Otto — a startup purchased by Uber last year — stole confidential information.