Uber Deal Giving Drivers $1 Each Fails to Win Over Judge

Uber Technologies Inc. failed to persuade a judge to approve a settlement offering 1.6 million California drivers an average of $1.08 each to dispense with alleged labor-code violations that their lawyer earlier claimed might have been worth billions of dollars. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Maren Nelson issued a tentative ruling rejecting a deal aimed at resolving one of the dozen-plus U.S. lawsuits challenging the company’s contractor-based business model.

Airbnb Closes $1 Billion Funding Round With War Chest for Growth

Airbnb Inc. closed a funding round of more than $1 billion, valuing the home-sharing startup at about $31 billion, according to three people familiar with the company. In December, Bloomberg first reported the company’s plans to increase the funding it was seeking by authorizing the sale of an additional $153 million in equity.

WikiLeaks claims the CIA built special tools for hacking…

Documents published on Tuesday by WikiLeaks claim to be evidence that the “CIA lost control of the majority of its hacking arsenal.” According to the WikiLeaks files, it appears that the CIA has teams specifically dedicated to breaking into Apple products, including iOS, the software that runs on iPhones and iPads, and even Apple’s line of routers, AirPort .

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Snap Shows Investor Appetite to Again Bet on Young Companies

If there’s one lesson Silicon Valley can learn from Snap Inc.’s trading debut, it’s that investors in initial public offerings are again willing to stomach the uncertainty of betting on hopeful, young companies. While concerns still loom about growth and profitability at the maker of disappearing-photo app Snapchat, interest in the IPO is undeniable.

Uber’s – Greyball’ Draws Ire for Blocking Government Stings

An Uber Technologies Inc. program used to counteract government officials attempting to conduct “sting” operations is drawing scrutiny amid a flurry of scandals plaguing the ride-hailing company. Uber said the effort is meant to enforce violations of its terms of service agreement that customers accept when they sign up to use the app.

Uber Loses Court Bid to Block English Test for Drivers

Uber Technologies Inc. lost a ruling over London transport rules that require language tests for drivers, which could keep 40,000 people from joining the industry over the next three years. Judge John Mitting ruled in favor of Transport for London Friday, saying that it is reasonable for “drivers to demonstrate a level of competence in written and spoken English.”

SoundCloud Undercuts Spotify With Low-Price Plan

SoundCloud Ltd. has become the first of the largest on-demand music services to cut subscription prices to $4.99 per month, a step many music industry executives say is needed to turn users of YouTube and other free services into paying customers. SoundCloud, which earlier this year warned it may run out of money without more paying customers, is undercutting the $9.99 per month cost of a subscription of larger rivals Spotify Ltd. and Apple Inc. The plan offers 120 million songs, no ads and the ability to listen offline.

UPDATE 1-Uber asks exec to resign for not disclosing sexual harassment allegation

Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL] has asked a senior executive to leave the company for failing to disclose a sexual harassment allegation stemming from his tenure at Alphabet Inc’s Google, an Uber spokeswoman said on Monday. Earlier this month, a female former engineer at Uber said in a widely read blog post that managers and human resources officers at the company had not punished her manager after she reported his unwanted sexual advances, and even threatened her with a poor performance review.

Apple’s Oscar Moment Is Coming

Amazon made history this year as the first internet company to score an Oscar nomination for Best Picture, but it could soon be overtaken by Apple. Amazon is the upstart to break into the Best Picture category at this year’s Oscars, but Apple ‘s year is coming, Loup Ventures wrote in a note released on Friday.

Samsung rivals to set the tone at Mobile World Congress

Samsung rivals to set the tone at Mobile World Congress Samsung’s decision to hold off launching the next Galaxy phone clears the way for others. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2mdQa1e A woman reacts as she uses a new Samsung Gear 360, a 360-degree camera, at the Mobile World Congress.

Baidu Needs to Speed Up the Future After That Uber Boost: Gadfly

If it weren’t for the CEO of Uber Technologies Inc. being pragmatic about his China business and selling to Didi Chuxing last year, Baidu wouldn’t have been able to swap its shares in Uber China for those of the nation’s dominant ride-hailing provider. That three-way trade and other income reaped 1.796 billion yuan for the search-engine giant in the fourth quarter and was the primary reason for Baidu beating earnings estimates.

Uber Criticized by Venture Backers Over Harassment Claims

A pair of venture capital investors in Uber Technologies Inc. criticized the company for tapping insiders to conduct an investigation into sexual harassment and discrimination claims by a former employee. Mitch and Freada Kapor, spouses and investing partners at Kapor Capital, said they have been unsuccessful in their attempts to convince Uber behind the scenes to prioritize diversity issues.

Uber Criticized by Venture Backers Over Harassment Claims

A pair of venture capital investors in Uber Technologies Inc. criticized the company for tapping insiders to conduct an investigation into sexual harassment and discrimination claims by a former employee. Mitch and Freada Kapor, spouses and investing partners at Kapor Capital, said they have been unsuccessful in their attempts to convince Uber behind the scenes to prioritize diversity issues.

Uber Taps Eric Holder to Investigate Discrimination Claims

Uber Technologies Inc. appointed former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to lead an independent review into claims of sexual harassment by a former software engineer. Arianna Huffington, head of human resources Liane Hornsey and Angela Padilla, the company’s associate general counsel, will also participate in the investigation, Uber Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick wrote in a memo to employees on Monday.

Uber Investigating Sexual Discrimination Claims by Ex-Engineer

Uber Technologies Inc. is looking into allegations from a former engineer of sexual harassment, a new accusation that’s likely to draw renewed attention to the lack of women in Silicon Valley’s technical ranks. Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick said the the ride-hailing company will conduct an internal investigation in response to a blog post on Sunday by Susan Fowler.

Uber Investigating Sexual Discrimination Claims by Ex-Engineer

Uber Technologies Inc. is looking into allegations from a former engineer of sexual harassment, a new accusation that’s likely to draw renewed attention to the lack of women in Silicon Valley’s technical ranks. Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick said the the ride-hailing company will conduct an internal investigation in response to a blog post on Sunday by Susan Fowler.

Apple TV Could Still Be a Major Opportunity, if Apple Can Execute

The tech giant’s hiring of a new exec from Amazon comes as pay-TV streaming apps and a burgeoning smart home market spell new opportunities. The TV has long been Apple’s white whale, a giant digital content and communications platform that has captured its imagination for at least a decade, but one which it has only established a modest presence for through a line of streaming set-top boxes.

Is Fitbit Inc. a Bear Trap or Bull Trap?

The company now expects its fourth quarter revenue to fall 18%-20% annually, missing its prior guidance for 4% growth and representing its first year-over-year decline since its IPO. On the bottom line, it expects a non-GAAP net loss of $0.51-$0.56 per share, compared to its prior guidance for a profit of $0.14-$0.18 per share.

Uber CEO quits Trump’s business advisory group: sources

Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL] Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick has quit President Donald Trump’s business advisory group, sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday. Kalanick’s resignation comes after days of criticism about the executive’s decision to work with the president.

Uber Rival Taps Investors With Proof Rides Can Rake in Profits

To convince investors to finance a pan-European war against Uber Technologies Inc., a French ride-hailing app 50 times smaller has a one-word pitch: profit. Chauffeur-Prive is near closing a 50-million-euro fundraising round to expand out of Paris into the rest of Europe, with the promise it can extend a five-year streak of growth while turning a profit, as bigger rivals lose money.

The Top 5 Brands Millennials Love to Love

Market research firm MBLM has released its latest Brand Intimacy Report, which measures the emotional attachment consumers have to various brands. The study reveals that a strong connection is a key ingredient to a better relationship with customers.

Yahoo Says Sale to Verizon Delayed Until Second Quarter

Yahoo! Inc. said the sale of its main web operations to Verizon Communications Inc. has been delayed until next quarter to meet closing conditions while the company recovers from the disclosure of massive hacks to its user accounts. The company said Monday it’s “working expeditiously” to finish the deal as soon as practical.

Yahoo Shares Rise After Company Beats Earnings, Sales Expectations

Shares of Yahoo Inc. rose nearly 2% late Monday after the internet company reported fourth-quarter adjusted earnings and sales above expectations. Yahoo also said the sale of its core business to Verizon is now expected to close in the second quarter instead of in the first quarter “given work required to meet closing conditions,” it said in a statement.

Uber Wants Court Stamp on Arbitration Win as Message to Drivers

Uber Technologies Inc. is asking a California judge to confirm what it says is the first ruling by an arbitrator denying a driver’s bid to be treated as and an employee. The company is seeking a court stamp of approval on the decision rejecting the claim that the driver qualified as an employee rather than an independent contractor under California law.

Uber to Pay $20 Million to Settle FTC Suit Over Driver Pay

Uber Technologies Inc. said it agreed to pay $20 million to settle a U.S. Federal Trade Commission lawsuit over driver compensation claims and its auto leasing program. The FTC sued the San Francisco-based ride-hailing startup Thursday, saying Uber made false, misleading or unsubstantiated claims about how much drivers could earn on the service.

Is This Apple Inc. iPhone 8 Rumor True?

On Twitter , user Arkthub sent me a link to a forum post containing an interesting rumor about a key component inside of Apple ‘s 2017 smartphone lineup. The forum post, which appears to have originally shown up on website TheLayoff.com , essentially says the following: upcoming XMM 7480 cellular modem in the next-generation iPhone for several reasons, which essentially boil down to the fact that the 7480 is technologically inferior to competing solutions.