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This week we're loaded with new stuff to watch on streaming, including Katee Sackhoff in a new non-Battlestar Galactica science fiction series, Another Life. Also new on Netflix this week is The Great Hack, a documentary focusing on the Cambridge Ana…
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Google will pay $11 million to settle hundreds of age discrimination suits
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The legal challenge against Google dates back to a case filed by Robert Heath in 2015. According to Heath’s account of his experiences with Google, he was interviewed for a position that he was told by a recruiter he would be a “great candidate” for, only to run into issues during a phone conversation with a Google engineer. During the conversation, the interviewer assumed the word “byte” meant eight bits which, according to Heath, revealed age bias. While modern computer systems use eight-bit byes, older ones could have bytes between six to 40 bits.
While Heath settled his claim with Google in December, a class-action lawsuit against the company continued with a new lead plaintiff, Cheryl Fillekes. According to Fillekes, she interviewed for a job with Google on four separate occasions but was never offered a position. During one interview, she claims she was told to submit a new resume with the dates of her college graduation so interviewers could see how old she was.
Assuming the settlement goes forward, $2.75 million of the $11 million payout will end up in the coffers of the lawyers representing the class. About $35,000 will go to each plaintiff involved in the suit, with an additional $10,000 going to Fillekes as the lead plaintiff. Google isn’t the first tech firm to face age discrimination complaints. Intel, Oracle and Facebook have all been accused of similar behavior.
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NYC's automated subway routing had glitches for 'months' before Friday
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When New Yorkers were stuck without access to multiple subway lines for 90 minutes on July 19th, that was really just the culmination of ongoing woes. The City has obtained Metropolitan Transportation Authority reports showing that the NYC subway sys…
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Amazon’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ reportedly has its first cast member
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Kavenagh’s previous credits include The Picnic at Hanging Rock, BBC mini-series The Cry and Australian TV series Romper Stomper. She’ll play a character named Tyra in the show, though further details of her role have yet to be disclosed.
There’ll likely be no shortage of acting talent vying for a spot in the highly-anticipated LOTR series. The fantasy production is expected to be the most expensive TV show in history; Amazon Studios spent $250 million alone securing the rights for the story from the Tolkien estate. Earlier this month, Amazon signed on Spanish director J.A. Bayona to helm the first two episodes of the series. Star Wars: Beyond writers JD Payne and Patrick McKay are on board to write and serve as co-show runners. Bryan Cogman, a former Game of Thrones writer, has signed on as a consultant. Further details about the show — including specifics about the plot — are scant. Amazon Studio’s Jennifer Salke told THR that the show isn’t expected to begin production until 2020, so fans will have a long wait to hear more.
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Apple in ‘advanced’ discussions to buy Intel’s modem division
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We’ve asked both Apple and Intel for comment.
There have been not-so-subtle hints this might happen. Apple poached Intel’s 5G leader weeks before the Qualcomm deal, for one thing. It has also signaled more than once that it wants to develop its own cellular chipsets between job listings and a decision to add jobs in Qualcomm’s backyard. The company wants all the wireless resources it can get, and it’s willing to go to great lengths to get them.
An Intel acquisition wouldn’t necessarily herald the return of Intel-style modems to Apple devices. Like with the acquisition of PA Semiconductor, this would be more about snapping up talent than anything. Any wireless chipsets coming out of an acquisition could take years to complete. Whatever complaints you have about signal quality on iPhones with Intel modems aren’t likely to apply here.
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Nintendo faces class action lawsuit over Switch controller ‘drift’
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The complaint accuses Nintendo of violating California’s fraud laws as well as state- and federal-level warranty laws. It further accuses the company of misrepresentation, breaching implied warranty and “unjust enrichment.” The attorneys are looking both for monetary damages as well as relief that could include forcing Nintendo to offer better coverage for the issue.
We’ve asked Nintendo for comment. If this succeeds as a class action, though, it could become expensive for the company. Nintendo said it had sold nearly 35 million Switches worldwide as of March 2019, and that’s not including sales of stand-alone Joy-Con kits. While US sales are only part of that amount, that could still leave Nintendo compensating quite a few people for their controller drift woes. Just don’t expect a windfall as a Switch owner — with some exceptions, class actions rarely offer hefty payouts for victims.
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Uber tests a $25 Pass that covers Eats and transportation
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The test seems to be an expansion of the Ride Pass. Subscribers get discounted rates on rides for a monthly fee. It costs $14.99 in some cities, and $24.99 in those where e-bikes and scooters are available — currently, you can ride on those for up to 30 minutes for free with the pass. The latest test brings Uber Eats into the fold.
It remains to be seen whether the all-in-one option will roll out more broadly. “From meals to wheels and everything in between, we’re always looking for ways to make Uber the go-to option for your everyday needs,” Uber told TechCrunch in a statement.
If Uber adds the plan as a permanent option, it’d strike at a couple of competitors. Postmates, for one, provides free unlimited deliveries through its own subscription. Meanwhile, Lyft offers riders a set number of rides each month up to a certain cost under its All-Access plan.
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Sneaker marketplace GOAT has an app just for China
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“The sneaker community has grown tremendously in China, especially with the rise of basketball and hip hop culture. So it’s no surprise the demand for sneakers has grown as well,” said Eddy Lu, co-founder and CEO of GOAT Group, in a press release. Currently, the GOAT group has an office in Shanghai and a facility in Hong Kong.
A GOAT spokesperson told Engadget that in addition to localizing the language through the native app, the company’s WeChat experience will target Chinese consumers where they spend most of their time online. Unlike American consumers, Chinese shoppers have grown accustomed to making purchases on apps. WeChat, as the nation’s largest social platform with over a billion users, has also become a thriving e-commerce destination. WeChat has allowed brands to create “WeChat mini-experiences”, which allow them to design custom interfaces for use inside the app. In addition, GOAT’s new Hong Kong base will ensure speedier shipping for Chinese customers.
First launched in 2015, the Culver City-based GOAT began as a platform to connect sneaker buyers and sellers. The marketplace includes thousands of collector-level used sneakers, from brands like Yeezy, Nike, Vans, Adidas and more. If a buyer purchases a pair of shoes, sellers must then send them to a GOAT facility where an expert will verify them for authenticity. GOAT then ships the shoes to the buyer. Given the high rate of counterfeiting in the athletic shoe industry, such an arrangement is meant to prevent buyers from getting scammed.
Shanghai will also serve as GOAT’s brick-and-mortar base for its operations in Asia. Given the rising demand for luxury sneakers in other Asian countries such as Japan, the US company’s expansion seems like a wise move.
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The next ‘Overwatch’ hero is yet another evil scientist
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A somewhat disturbing origin video describes him as an “eccentric astrophysicist” who is “unaware he’s been turning into a living weapon.” In the clip, he describes how his goal was to unlock the secrets of the universe and that “if the unifying theories are correct, we will soon be able to harness the power of a black hole.” But something goes horribly wrong.
By my count, he’s the fourth scientist character following Winston, Mei and Moira. He’s also the second aligned with the villainous group Talon, along with Moira. She appears next to him at the end of the video, alongside other Talon members Widowmaker, Sombra, Reaper and Doomfist.
If Sigma follows the current hero release cycle of tank (Wrecking Ball), attack (Ashe) and support (Baptiste), it appears he’ll fall into the tank category. Hero categories will soon be more important than ever in Overwatch once the role queue system rolls out, ensuring a player can only play characters from a pre-selected class during a quick play or competitive match.
Blizzard will surely reveal more details about Sigma, including his abilities and when you can actually play as him, in the near future. However, there are very strong hints in the video that he’ll have gravity-based powers.
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Netflix unveils new shows aimed at preschoolers
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The other shows are a variety of live-action and animated fare. Sesame Street producer Liz Keyishian will present the live-action show Izzy Bee’s Koala World, about an 11-year old “koala whisperer” who lives on an Australian island. Emily’s Wonder Lab, which stars science expert Emily Calandrelli, will introduce kids to science experiments and activities. What-To-Doodles is about a group of adventurers and is story-edited by Bob the Builder writer Doug Wood. Preacher producer Jason Netter will bring an animated superhero show called StarBeam to the service. The lineup will also feature shows based on children’s books. Hello Ninja is an animated series adaptation of the book by N.D. Wilson, and DreamWork’s Go, Dog, Go!, is derived from the classic children’s picture book by P.D. Eastman.
Melissa Cobb, vice president of original animation at Netflix, said the aim with the new programming is to help “young people find and connect with the stories and characters they love.” The streaming giant has been steadily expanding its offerings for the elementary school set as it works to compete with Disney’s upcoming streaming service. Earlier this year, Netflix acquired the popular Storybots brand. The company partnered with DreamWorks to release three more animated shows, including the just-released Archibald’s Next Best Thing, as well as Gabby’s Dollhouse and Rhyme Time Town (both due in 2020). So far, Netflix’s efforts in children’s programming have paid off on the red carpet. Back in May, the streaming giant bought home the most Daytime Emmys for kids TV — beating out PBS and HBO.
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