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Showing posts from August, 2020

Apple alum’s jobs app for India’s workers secures $8 million

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Javed, a middle-aged man, worked as a driver before losing that job earlier this year as coronavirus spread across India, prompting New Delhi to enforce a nationwide lockdown and temporarily curb several business activities. There are millions of people like Javed in India today who have lost their livelihood in recent months. They are low-skilled workers and are currently struggling to secure another job. An Apple alum thinks he can help. Through his app startup Apna , Nirmit Parikh is helping India’s workers learn new skills, connect with one another, and find jobs. Parikh’s app is already changing lives. Javed, who could barely speak a few words in English before, recently posted a video on Apna app where he talked about his new job — processing raisins — in English. In less than one year of its existence, Apna app — available on Android — has amassed over 1.2 million users. The startup announced on Tuesday it has raised $8 million in its Series A financing round led by Lights

Sennheiser brings its top-notch sound quality to less expensive true wireless earbuds

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Image: Sennheiser Sennheiser is today introducing a lower-cost set of true wireless earbuds that slot in below the company’s flagship Momentum True Wireless 2 . At $199.95, the new “CX 400BT True Wireless” — so much for simple names, eh Sennheiser? — aim to retain the strong sound quality of the pricier set, though you’re losing out on active noise cancellation. The CX 400BT True Wireless are not what you’d call subtle. They come in either black or white, but there’s no getting around how big they look in the ear no matter which finish you choose. There’s been a trend recently of companies progressing towards more discreet true wireless earbud designs, but Sennheiser obviously isn’t going in that direction. Image: Sennheiser I don’t... Continue reading… from The Verge - All Posts https://ift.tt/3lCzRq4 via IFTTT

Apple will soon release two Apple Watches and a new iPad Air: report

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Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge Apple is planning to ship between 75 and 80 million 5G iPhones this year, according to a new Bloomberg report . The figure is in line with or slightly higher than iPhone launch shipments for the last couple of years, suggesting that Apple doesn’t expect the coronavirus pandemic to dampen demand — even though the company has already said the phones will be delayed into October. Bloomberg’s report also contains a broad roundup of what Apple is said to be planning for its fall hardware announcements. Here’s what Mark Gurman and Debby Wu expect: Four new iPhones with OLED screens coming in sizes of 5.4, 6.1, or 6.7 inches; the 6.1-inch size will be an option for both the steel-edged “Pro” line and the lower-end aluminum equivalent to the... Continue reading… from The Verge - All Posts https://ift.tt/2YTPWxL via IFTTT

52 Black ex-franchisees file a $1 billion racial-discrimination lawsuit against McDonald's, claiming the company sent them on 'financial suicide missions'

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Black McDonald's franchisees say they were forced to close or sell more than 200 McDonald's locations due to "systematic and covert racial discrimination." Samantha Lee/Business Insider 52 Black former McDonald's franchisees are suing the fast-food giant, seeking more than $1 billion in damages.  The franchisees say they were forced to close or sell more than 200 McDonald's locations due to "systematic and covert racial discrimination."  Black franchisees were at such a significant disadvantage, one franchisee said in the complaint, acquiring McDonald's locations as a Black franchisee was a "financial suicide mission."  McDonald's did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.  Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories . McDonald's is facing a new lawsuit from Black former franchisees, claiming they faced decades of discrimination at the fast-food chain.  A complaint filed by

Everybody is racing to an IPO — even Laird Hamilton’s young “superfood” company

This one is unusual: Laird Superfood , a five-year-old, 100-person, Sisters, Ore.-based startup that was cofounded by famed surfer Laird Hamilton and which makes plant-based packaged beverage products, filed today to raise up to $40 million in an IPO. We’d reported on this company early last year in large part because it had attracted backing from WeWork, the co-working company that famously made a number of bets that were very afield from its business (including a maker of wave pools ) before suffering a major meltdown last fall. In fact, according to Crunchbase, WeWork Labs provided Laird Superfood with a whopping $32 million — the bulk of the $51 million it has raised altogether, per Crunchbase. (WeWork founder Adam Neumann has said that he surfed with Hamilton in Hawaii.) At that time, WeWork’s investment was the strangest thing about the business, a largely direct-to-consumer business that makes “superfood” coffee creamers, beverage supplements like “performance mushroom

Walmart+ launches Sept 15, offering same-day delivery, gas discounts and cashierless checkout for $98/yr

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Walmart today officially unveiled its new membership service and Amazon Prime rival, which it’s calling “Walmart+.” The $98 per year service will combine free, unlimited same-day delivery on groceries and thousands of other items, with additional benefits, like fuel discounts and access to a new Scan & Go service, similar to Walmart-owned Sam’s Club, that will allow members to check out at Walmart stores without having to wait in line. The service will be available starting on September 15, 2020 nationwide, reaching over 4,700 Walmart stores, including 2,700 stores that offer delivery. Members can choose to pay the $98 per year after a 15-day free-trial period, or they can pay $12.95 on a month-to-month basis. At launch, the new program promises more than 160,000 items for same-day delivery with no per-delivery fee on orders totaling $35 or more. This is the same value proposition that Walmart’s existing “Delivery Unlimited” program offers today. With the launch of Walmart+, “D

A California cop who wore a far-right patch to a George Floyd protest won't be fired

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A sheriff's deputy in Orange County put an unauthorized patch on his uniform that references far-right paramilitary organizations. Twitter/The Democratic Party of Orange County; Insider A cop in Southern California who wore a patch on his uniform in June referencing far-right extremist groups will not be fired, the Orange County Sheriff's Department announced. "Although I cannot go into the specific details of the investigation, I can tell you that there is no evidence revealed that show that [the] deputy had extremist views or racial views," Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said. The patch, which images showed the officer wore on his uniform while policing a protest against the killing of George Floyd, referenced the "Three Percenters" and "Oath Keepers," paramilitary organizations that have at times embraced vigilante violence. Barnes said Orange County deputies would undergo training on the threat posed by such organizations. "The

WALMART PLUS ARRIVES: The retail giant unveils its long-anticipated $98 annual membership offering free grocery delivery and fuel discounts as an alternative to Amazon Prime

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Walmart+ is launching September 15. Walmart Walmart is launching Walmart+, a membership program costing $98 annually, on September 15 nationwide.  Many analysts see Walmart+ as a direct competitor to Amazon Prime, which costs $119 annually. The program's biggest perks include fuel discounts of up to $0.05 per gallon and free unlimited delivery on orders of more than 160,000 items, including groceries and general merchandise.  Walmart+ orders can be delivered as soon as the same day. Walmart typically charges customers a grocery delivery fee of $7.95 to $9.95 per order. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories . Walmart plans to launch its highly anticipated membership program, Walmart+, nationwide on September 15, the company said Tuesday. Walmart+ will cost $98 annually, or $12.95 monthly, and offer fuel discounts as well as free unlimited delivery on orders of groceries, toys, and more. Walmart typically charges customers a grocery delivery fee of $7.95

Walmart is rolling out Walmart +, its Amazon Prime rival, on September 15 — here's how the two members-only subscription services stack up

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Amazon Prime; Walmart; Alyssa Powell/Business Insider Walmart+ is Walmart's answer to Amazon's popular Amazon Prime subscription service . Walmart + will go live on September 15, after the coronavirus pandemic delayed its initial springtime launch. Walmart + members will receive perks like free delivery and discounts on gas. "Walmart+ will bring together a comprehensive set of benefits where we see the greatest needs from our customers and where our scale can bring solutions at an unprecedented value," Chief Customer Officer Janey Whiteside said in a statement sent to Business Insider. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories . When it launches on September 15, Walmart+ is slated to become a major competitor for Amazon Prime . But how will the two rival services stack up? Amazon Prime dates back to 2005. Amazon has had 15 years to establish and refine its perks .  On August 31, Walmart chief customer officer Janey Whiteside announced that

Biden accuses Trump of refusing to 'even acknowledge that there's a racial justice problem in America,' while Trump says he won't meet with Jacob Blake's family when he visits Kenosha

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Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and President Donald Trump both spoke about the Jacob Blake police shooting and resulting protests on August 31, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis; REUTERS/Alan Freed; Insider Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and President Donald Trump painted two opposing perspectives on the issue of racial injustice in light of the police shooting of Jacob Blake. The president has largely praised law enforcement policing the ongoing protests sparked by Blake's shooting, condemned "rioters" and "looters," and sought to paint Biden as a proponent of the "radical left." In a campaign speech in Pittsburgh on Monday, Biden said "Donald Trump adds fuel to every fire" because he overlooks that "there's a racial justice problem in America." "You know me. You know my heart, and you know my story, my family's story," Biden said. "Ask yourself: Do I look to you like a radical sociali