DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Amazon CEO Andy Jassy spurns regulators after failed iRobot deal: 'It's a sad story'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Annie Palmer | In Annierpalmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy on Thursday took aim at regulators who are increasingly blocking mergers, including the company's planned acquisition of robotic vacuum maker iRobot , which fell apart earlier this year amid antitrust concerns. "I think it's really kind of a sad story," Jassy said in an interview with CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin on "Squawk Box." Jassy said the move showed that regulators "trust these two large Chinese companies with maps of the inside of U.S. consumers' homes more than they do Amazon." As megadeals have slowed to a crawl, tech companies have made a flurry of investments in artificial intelligence startups, seeking to gain a foothold in the burgeoning market. When asked how Amazon is tackling returns fraud, Jassy said the company has teams charged with examining returned goods to make sure they're "appropriate."

Persons: Andy Jassy, Jassy, CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin, iRobot, Anker, Ecovacs, Biden Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, Big Tech, Microsoft, Regulators, FTC, Amazon, CNBC, National Retail Federation, Appriss Locations: U.S, China, OpenAI

☆ Amazon terminates iRobot deal, vacuum maker to lay off 31% of staff
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Amazon.com Inc.'s proposed $1.7 billion deal to buy robot vacuum firm iRobot Corp. was given the all-clear by the UKs antitrust agency. The vacuum maker also announced it would lay off 31% of its employees, around 350 people, and that its chair and CEO Colin Angle would step down effective immediately. The fate of the deal was plunged into uncertainty after The Wall Street Journal reported that the European Union would not offer regulatory approval. The robotic vacuum maker has a market capitalization of under $400 million, following Monday's news and prior reports that the European Union would move to block the deal. In July, iRobot entered into a $200 million financing facility to fund its operations as a stopgap until the deal closed.

Persons: Sophie Park, Colin Angle, iRobot, We're, David Zapolsky, Angle Organizations: Amazon.com Inc, iRobot Corp, Bloomberg, Getty, Street Journal, European Union, Amazon, European Commission Locations: Bedford , Massachusetts

☆ Roomba maker hit with layoffs as Amazon calls off $1.7 billion cash deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Amazon's announced in 2022 that it would buy iRobot, maker of the circular-shaped Roomba vacuum, for $1.7 billion in cash. Amazon will pay the Bedford, Massachusetts-based company a previously agreed termination fee, which wasn't disclosed in the statement Monday. AdvertisementThe European Commission, the European Union's executive arm and top antitrust enforcer, had informed Amazon last year of its "preliminary view" that the acquisition of the robot vacuum maker would be anticompetitive. Now that the deal has been called off, iRobot said it will undergo a restructuring plan designed to stabilize the company.

Persons: —, Amazon's, wasn't, iRobot, David Zapolsky, Colin Angle, Glen Weinstein Organizations: Service, Business, Amazon, European Commission, Federal Trade Commission Locations: Bedford , Massachusetts, U.S

☆ iRobot shares tank 30% on report EU plans to block Amazon acquisition
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Annie Palmer | In Annierpalmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Shares of iRobot plunged more than 33% in extended trading on Thursday after a report said the EU's antitrust watchdog intends to block Amazon 's planned acquisition of the Roomba vacuum maker. A representative from the European Commission didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The European Commission, the European Union's top antitrust enforcer, opened an in-depth probe into the purchase last July. The group warned the planned acquisition raises competition concerns, saying it found Amazon may hinder iRobot's rivals from competing on its online marketplace. Earlier this month, Politico reported Amazon doesn't plan to offer concessions to resolve the group's concerns about the acquisition.

Persons: vacuums, iRobot Organizations: Street Journal, European, Amazon, European Commission, Politico, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, Markets Authority Locations: San Rafael , California

☆ iRobot shares plunge 19% after EU warns Amazon deal 'may restrict competition'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Annie Palmer | In Annierpalmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Shares of iRobot plunged as much as 19% on Monday after the EU's antitrust watchdog issued a warning that Amazon 's planned $1.7 billion acquisition of the Roomba maker raises competition concerns. "iRobot, which faces intense competition from other vacuum cleaner suppliers, offers practical and inventive products," the spokesperson said. iRobot shares were briefly halted earlier Monday afternoon following the announcement. Amazon shares were up about 1.4%. The commission's announcement comes after iRobot shares rocketed 39% on Friday after Reuters reported the deal is set to "win unconditional EU antitrust approval," citing three sources familiar with the matter.

Persons: vacuums, iRobot Organizations: European Commission, Amazon, CNBC, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, Markets Authority, iRobot, Reuters, EU Locations: San Rafael , California

The logo of Amazon is seen at the company's logistics centre in Boves, France, October 6, 2021 REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBRUSSELS, Nov 27 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators said on Monday Amazon's (AMZN.O) $1.4 billion acquisition of robot vacuum maker iRobot (IRBT.O) may squeeze out rival robot cleaners on its online marketplace. The EU competition enforcer said Amazon's online marketplace is an important channel for robot vacuum cleaners (RVCs) in France, Germany, Italy and Spain. "iRobot, which faces intense competition from other vacuum cleaner suppliers, offers practical and inventive products. We believe Amazon can offer a company like iRobot the resources to accelerate innovation and invest in critical features while lowering prices for consumers," the company said. Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; editing by David EvansOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pascal, Foo Yun Chee, David Evans Organizations: Rights, Amazon, Big Tech, European Commission, EU, Commission, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Boves, France, Rights BRUSSELS, Germany, Italy, Spain

The logo of Amazon is seen at the company logistics center in Lauwin-Planque, northern France, January 5, 2023. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBRUSSELS, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Amazon (AMZN.O) is set to win unconditional EU antitrust approval for its $1.4 billion acquisition of robot vacuum maker iRobot (IRBT.O), three people familiar with the matter said on Thursday. The Commission, which is due to decide on the deal by Feb. 14, declined to comment. The deal announced in August would add iRobot's Roomba robot vacuum to U.S. online retail giant Amazon's portfolio of smart devices, includes the Alexa voice assistant, smart thermostats, security devices and wall-mounted smart displays. Reporting by Foo Yun Chee Editing by Mark Potter and David GoodmanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pascal, Foo Yun, Mark Potter, David Goodman Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Big Tech, European Commission, Amazon, Thomson Locations: Lauwin, France, Rights BRUSSELS

While we've been sharing the very best Prime Day deals throughout the sale, there are some great finds our editors recommend snagging right now. William Antonelli, tech reporterAmazonI'm taking this Prime Day to upgrade some of the old gadgets I've got in my house. I go through many shoes when training for marathons, and Prime Day is when I pick up a new pair or two. Last Prime Day, I purchased the Asics Men's Gel-Nimbus 24 Running Shoes. These Prime Day deals most certainly took a bite out of my wallet, but at a fraction of the price you'd normally pay for these items.

Persons: we've, they've, Lauren Savoie, Sephora, I'm, I've, William Antonelli, James Brains, Jaclyn Turner, who's, Keepa, it's, Lisa Sabatini, It's, I'd, Sarah Saril, Amazon Organizations: Amazon, Logitech, Philips, Machine, Prime

However, the fall Prime event might have better prices for home goods. In fact, the best prices happened on days that were not key shopping event days. Regardless, the July Prime event offered a deeper discount to shoppers when compared to last year's October Prime sale and Super Saturday. The product did go on sale during last October's Prime member event and this past July's Prime sale, but the discounts were not as deep. Downloads of Amazon's shopping app have declined steadily during each subsequent Prime member shopping event since Amazon's Prime Days in July 2021, according to data intelligence platform Apptopia, which tracks mobile app usage for brands like Amazon.

Persons: Tom Williams, Nick Handrinos, Julie Ramhold, it's, Ramhold, iRobot's, Keurig, AF101, fryer, The Bissell Organizations: Washington , D.C, Cq, Inc, Getty, Adobe, Amazon Prime, Gallup, Finance, Deloitte, CNBC, Electronics, Deal, CoreSight Research, NBC, Scout, Amazon, Sony, Black, Health, Revlon, Philips, July's Locations: Washington ,, Research's U.S

The event, also known as "Amazon Big Deal Days," is the ideal time to get some of the best robot vacuum deals with all-time low prices. We've tested more than 40 units for our guide to the best robot vacuums and are keeping tabs on the best deals during the Amazon October sale. The top robot vacuum dealsCheck out Amazon for more robot vacuum deals. Also, visit our hub for Prime Day vacuum deals. A good budget robot vacuum is the iRobot Roomba 692, currently $164.99 at Amazon.

Persons: iRobot, Roomba, I've, It's Organizations: Amazon, ., Prime

☆ Amazon lowers iRobot deal price by 15% after Roomba maker incurs fresh debt
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 25 (Reuters) - Amazon.com (AMZN.O) has slashed the price it will pay for iRobot (IRBT.O) by about 15% to around $1.42 billion after the maker of Roomba vacuum cleaners incurred fresh debt, the companies said on Tuesday. Under the amended deal, Amazon will pay $51.75 in cash for each share of iRobot, compared with the original price of $61.00. The deal price change will be largely offset by the planned increase in iRobot's net debt after it entered a $200 million financing facility to fund its operations, the companies said. "We've reached an amended agreement with Amazon that reflects the incurrence of iRobot's new debt," said Colin Angle, chairman and CEO of iRobot. Amazon and iRobot said on Tuesday they were working with the relevant regulators in their review of the merger.

Persons: We've, Colin Angle, iRobot, Aditya Soni, Shounak Dasgupta Organizations: iRobot, Amazon, European Commission, Thomson Locations: Europe

☆ Amazon's iRobot deal in EU antitrust crosshairs
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Foo Yun Chee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BRUSSELS, July 6 (Reuters) - Amazon's (AMZN.O) $1.7 billion acquisition of robot vacuum cleaner maker iRobot (IRBT.O) may reduce competition and strengthen Amazon's position as online marketplace provider, EU antitrust regulators warned on Thursday. The European Commission opened a full-scale investigation and will decide by November 15 whether to clear or block the deal. The acquisition announced in August last year would add iRobot's Roomba robot vacuum to Amazon's portfolio of smart devices, which include the Alexa voice assistant, smart thermostats, security devices and wall-mounted smart displays. IRobot made its first Roomba robot vacuum in 2002. The EU competition enforcer's decision confirmed a Reuters story last month and came a month after the UK antitrust agency cleared the deal unconditionally after a preliminary review.

Persons: IRobot, Dow Jones, Foo Yun Chee, Benoit Van Overstraeten Organizations: European Commission, Amazon, Reuters, Antitrust, Big Tech, Dow, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS

☆ iRobot shares surge after UK regulator clears Amazon acquisition
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Annie Palmer | In Annierpalmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Amazon 's planned $1.7 billion acquisition of iRobot , the maker of Roomba vacuums, has been greenlit by Britain's competition watchdog. The Competition and Markets Authority said it determined the deal would not result in "a substantial lessening of competition" in the U.K. An Amazon spokesperson told CNBC in a statement: "We're pleased with the UK Competition and Markets Authority's decision and are committed to supporting regulatory bodies in their work. Amazon announced last year it would acquire iRobot for $1.7 billion, as part of a move to deepen its presence in the smart home. WATCH: Amazon's smart home dominance and how it could grow with iRobot acquisition

Persons: Roomba, We're Organizations: iRobot, Markets Authority, CMA, Amazon, CNBC, Competition, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, Union

☆ Roomba says leaked pictures including one of a woman on the toilet were taken by test vacuums, not purchased ones
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Robot vacuum maker iRobot confirmed that sensitive images leaked online were taken by its devices. Roomba said the images, including one of a woman on the toilet, were taken only by test units. The images were leaked by Venezuelan contractors who worked with iRobot, MIT Tech Review reported. But images from that data got leaked to Facebook, Discord and other social sites, MIT Tech Review reported and iRobot confirmed to Insider. Experts who have spoken to labelers told MIT Tech Review that they found the work "really uncomfortable."

You can narrow your search by checking out our guides to the best cordless vacuums, robot vacuums, cheap vacuums, handheld vacuums, and vacuum cleaners. We're also rounding up the best deals on tech devices, style and beauty, and more on our liveblogs for the best Prime deals and bargains under $25. Deal Ecovacs Deebot T8 AIVI Robot Vacuum The Ecovacs Deebot T8 AIVI Robot Vacuum has powerful suction, an effective mopping system, and even features HD video for home surveillance. Lightning Deal iRobot Roomba i4+ (4552) Robot Vacuum The Roomba i4+ is iRobot's newest robot vacuum that comes with automatic dirt disposal so you don't have to empty the dustbin. Prime Early Access Sale Vacuum deals FAQsHow we vet Amazon Prime Early Access Sale vacuum dealsVacuum discounts happen year-round, but they tend to be more prevalent around Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Prime Day.

Search resuls for: "iRobot's"

15 mentions found