In Brief

Care.com to pay customers $8.5M in FTC settlement for deceiving caregivers, families

Government & Policy /

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is requiring Care.com, a platform for gig workers in the elder-care and childcare space, to pay $8.5 million in refunds for deceiving caregivers who were looking for jobs, and making it difficult for families to cancel their paid memberships. The agency said on Monday that the company’s marketing messages […]

Care.com to pay customers $8.5M in FTC settlement for deceiving caregivers, families Read More »

Beam Mobility secretly deployed ‘phantom’ e-scooters in Australia and NZ to dodge fees and boost profits

Transportation /

Shared e-scooter startup Beam Mobility has placed hundreds of extra “phantom” scooters on city streets in Australia and New Zealand to avoid paying vehicle registration fees to local governments, according to a two-part report from The Australian. Cities place caps on the number of vehicles operators can deploy to avoid saturating streets and sidewalks with

Beam Mobility secretly deployed ‘phantom’ e-scooters in Australia and NZ to dodge fees and boost profits Read More »

Y Combinator backs its first defense startup, Ares Industries

Startups /

The first defense startup to receive backing from Y Combinator, Ares Industries, launched earlier this week. In a post on the YC website, the startup outlined a vision to build low-cost cruise missiles that will be compatible with existing launch platforms, saying it will “deliver the capabilities that the [Department of Defense] wants in a

Y Combinator backs its first defense startup, Ares Industries Read More »

Apple reportedly announcing iPhone 16 lineup and more on Sept. 10

Gadgets /

Apple will be unveiling new products on September 10, with the announced phones going on sale on September 20, according to a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. That lineup will reportedly include the iPhone 16, with larger screens on the Pro models and a new button just for taking pictures. The phones should also support

Apple reportedly announcing iPhone 16 lineup and more on Sept. 10 Read More »

Justice Department sues RealPage over allegedly helping landlords collude to drive up rents

Government & Policy /

RealPage, which makes property management software, was sued Friday by the U.S. Justice Department and eight attorneys general for allegedly helping apartment and building managers around the country collude to drive up unit prices. The Richardson, Texas-based outfit is accused of contracting with rival landlords to absorb info about their rates and lease terms to

Justice Department sues RealPage over allegedly helping landlords collude to drive up rents Read More »

‘Disappointed but not surprised’: former employees speak on OpenAI’s opposition to SB 1047

Government & Policy /

Two former OpenAI researchers who resigned this year over safety concerns say they are disappointed but not surprised by OpenAI’s decision to oppose California’s bill to prevent AI disasters, SB 1047. Daniel Kokotajlo and William Saunders previously warned that OpenAI is in a “reckless” race for dominance. “Sam Altman, our former boss, has repeatedly called

‘Disappointed but not surprised’: former employees speak on OpenAI’s opposition to SB 1047 Read More »

Peloton adds $95 activation fee for used equipment

Hardware /

In a shareholder letter released Thursday, Peloton outlined its ongoing strategy to regain its financial footing. It highlights the implementation of a new one-time “used equipment fee” of $95 USD / $126 CAD. The move is an effort to squeeze additional revenue from second-hand products, over concerns that cheaper, slightly used bikes, treadmills and rowers

Peloton adds $95 activation fee for used equipment Read More »