⏱Zuck is building what?
Jay-Z x Jack, and proof that complaining works
Good morning everyone, and welcome to the (long) weekend! You made it!
We also want to give you all a heads up that there unfortunately won’t be a newsletter tomorrow because we’re currently working on a new format for Sundays that we think you’ll all love. So while the next Sunday or two might feel a little empty (we’ll miss you too <3), it’ll be worth the wait!
0:05- Cold, hard, bitcoin
Today the unlikely duo of Jay-Z and Jack Dorsey (CEO of Twitter) announced that they are creating an endowment called “Btrust” whose mission is to “make bitcoin the internet’s currency.” The two are donating 500 bitcoin (current market value ~$24M), and then backing off — the endowment will be a blind irrevocable trust, meaning that neither of them will have any say in the direction. Currently they’re looking for three board members to start. If you’re looking to test your luck, you can apply here!
0:28- Facebook, no longer just for your face
Facebook is reportedly trying to get into the smartwatch business. According to inside sources, Zuck and co. are looking at building an Android based (although they are also currently developing their own OS) smartwatch that would include messaging, health, and fitness features that coincide with its existing hardware (Oculus and Portal devices). This would be a tough category for Facebook to break into though — the Apple Watch is already on the wrists of more than 100M people globally, and the rate at which people are buying them is still increasing. In the US alone, more than 35% of all iPhone users wear an Apple Watch.
0:56- Big Brother gets shut down in Minneapolis
Yesterday afternoon, the city council of Minneapolis voted to prohibit facial recognition software 13-0, adding them to the growing list of cities around the country that have banned the technology. This vote comes as the police force was looking at utilizing Clearview AI, a facial recognition software that controversially scrapes images from many social media sites.
1:11- Meanwhile, Amazon is still monitoring employees closely
Last week, Amazon began the process of putting AI controlled cameras in many of its delivery vehicles. That of course, is on top of the requirement that all drivers must use their smartphone app, “Mentor” that tracks driving behavior during shifts and gives employees scores that can affect their pay or employment status within the company.
1:26- The squeaky wheel gets the grease
Last week, 90-year-old Aaron Epstein bought a print WSJ ad complaining about his poor internet service from AT&T. Naturally the internet supported his plight and the ad went viral, even appearing on the Stephen Colbert show. To prevent any further negative press, AT&T has now laid fiber optic cable at his house, moving him from dial up internet to speed of 350mbps.
Have a great rest of your day, and we’ll see you tomorrow bright and early!
-The 90 Second News Team
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