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☆ Lyft CEO tells employees they must return to the office
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Lyft’s new CEO David Risher announced another change for the ride-share company: Workers will soon have to return to the office. On Friday, Risher announced “the first steps in a plan for a flexible model with more regular in-office work,” a Lyft spokesperson said. “Personal connection matters and Lyft is about bringing people together,” a statement from Lyft said. Lyft also last year decided to sublease portions of its corporate office space in San Francisco, New York City, Nashville and Seattle, Bloomberg reported. It was the second layoff announcement since November, when the company announced a 13% workforce cut amid fears of an upcoming recession.

☆ Uber is funding an e-bike trade-in program to curb battery fires
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Samantha Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Uber is funding a new program that aims to get electric bikes with dangerous non-certified lithium-ion batteries off New York City streets. The news follows a string of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, which have been known to overheat when charging and cause massive explosions. Earlier this week, the New York City police department said an e-bike’s lithium-ion battery was behind a fatal two-alarm fire in Queens. The FDNY’s Chief fire marshal John Hodgens said it was the 59th fire in the city this year caused by a lithium-ion battery. Part of the issue is that not all lithium-ion batteries are created equal.

☆ What Happened When Uber’s CEO Started Driving for Uber
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Preetika Rana | Photographs Carolyn Fong For The Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

After five years running Uber Technologies Inc., Dara Khosrowshahi in September got behind the wheel himself. Using the alias “Dave K” and a gray Tesla Model Y that he purchased secondhand, the chief executive made dozens of trips as a ride-share driver in the following months ferrying people around the hills of San Francisco.

☆ The creator of the Catan board game has died
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Klaus Teuber, creator of the blockbuster board game Catan, has passed away. “It is with profound sadness that we at Catan Studio acknowledge the passing of Klaus Teuber, legendary game designer and creator of the beloved board game Catan,” the game publisher’s said in a statement posted to Facebook and other social media platforms Tuesday. Catan, originally called Settlers of Catan, came out in 1995. “With sales nearing 25 million copies worldwide, Settlers of Catan is becoming the most popular board game since Risk and Monopoly,” according to the Atlantic. “Thank you Klaus for the joy you have brought to my life through the brilliant game of Catan,” another wrote.

☆ How Uber left Lyft in the dust
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Catherine Thorbecke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

In the process, Lyft cultivated a feel-good brand – but Uber dominated the market. “As a member of the board, he knows both the challenges and opportunities ahead.”For Lyft, the current challenges are immense. While Uber diversified its business beyond ride-hailing by delivering meals and grocery items, Lyft never did. David Risher, Lyft's new CEO, flanked by Lyft's co-founders, Logan Green (left) and John Zimmer (right). Davidson, wrote in a note this week that the new CEO “could signal an increased willingness to broaden the strategic aperture at LYFT a bit as it relates to areas like product strategy (delivery), partnerships, or other novel ways to create value.”Former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick (left); current Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi (right).

☆ Rivian’s $6.4 Billion Cash Burn Might Be a Record for Startups
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Stephen Wilmot | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Rivian electric trucks don’t burn gas, but they sure do burn cash. Free cash flow for 2022 ended up at a negative $6.4 billion, according to results posted late Tuesday, as Rivian lost money on each car it sold while also investing for the future. Airlines consumed more in pandemic-afflicted 2020, but among tech disrupters throwing new money at old markets this is a number with few peers. Netflix ’s free cash flow bottomed out at minus $3.1 billion in 2019, Uber’s at $4.8 billion the same year. Amazon , Rivian’s largest shareholder and customer, has posted bigger outflows for the past two years, but only because of outsized investments.

☆ Uber's Mideast business Careem to cease operations in Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO: A customer uses Careem application with his smartphone in Mosul, Iraq September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Abdullah RashidDOHA (Reuters) - Uber’s Middle Eastern business Careem will cease operations in Qatar on Tuesday, the company announced in a message sent to customers in the Gulf Arab state on Monday. “Unfortunately, Careem’s ride hailing operations will no longer operate in Qatar as of February 28, 2023,” said the message, which also informed customers holding Careem credit that the company would issue a full refund by March 15. Careem was bought by Uber Technologies Inc in 2019 for $3.1 billion, giving the U.S. firm market dominance across the Middle East and Pakistan. Uber’s smart phone application offers ride-hailing services in Qatar and continued to operate normally late Monday.

☆ Uber and Lyft Claim Big Gains for Their Ad Businesses
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Patrick Coffee | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

Ride-hailing companies Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. each say their nascent advertising businesses have grown significantly in recent months. PREVIEWThe ride-hailing rivals’ ad businesses are also important for the companies’ growth. Uber said increased ad revenue in the latest quarter was a key growth driver for its overall business. Lyft ad revenue increased “nearly seven times” in the fourth quarter compared with the previous quarter, according to Mr. Greenberger. But the companies’ ad prices offer a glimpse at their respective positions in the market.

☆ Uber Signs Cloud Deals With Google and Oracle
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Belle Lin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

Over 95% of Uber’s IT is currently housed in those data centers, he said. Uber declined to comment on how it plans to spread its data and applications between Google and Oracle’s cloud platforms. While Uber and Google have an existing partnership, the new cloud deal brings them closer together in other areas including launching new services, said Google Cloud Chief Executive Thomas Kurian. With Oracle, Uber is planning to integrate its freight business into Oracle’s cloud-based enterprise resource planning system, as well as other database-related projects, said Oracle Cloud Executive Vice President Clay Magouyrk. Mr. Zargahi said Uber eventually expects the cloud to cost less than its data centers, and will not renew certain data center leases as it moves to the cloud.

☆ Uber, Spurred by Hardware Supply Disruptions, Moves to Multiple Cloud Providers
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Belle Lin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

Over 95% of Uber’s IT is currently housed in those data centers, he said. Uber declined to comment on how it plans to spread its data and applications between Google and Oracle’s cloud platforms. PREVIEWA tipping point came during the Covid-19 pandemic, when supply-chain disruptions pushed IT hardware delivery timelines to more than 12 months, according to Mr. Zargahi. Mr. Zargahi said Uber eventually expects the cloud to cost less than its data centers, and won’t renew certain data center leases as it moves to the cloud. With Oracle, Uber also is planning to integrate its freight business into Oracle’s cloud-based enterprise resource planning system, as well as other database-related projects, said Oracle Cloud Executive Vice President Clay Magouyrk.

☆ Lyft’s Defensive Driving Stalls Out
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Laura Forman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Lyft said its active riders were still down about 11% in the fourth quarter from prepandemic highs. When Lyft says it is taking aggressive steps to better compete in ride-hailing, all investors hear is that the service is losing. Lyft’s shares fell 30% in after-hours trading Thursday after its fourth-quarter results suggested that—compared with competitor Uber Technologies, at least—its business is now running on fumes. Lyft, whose single-lane focus relative to Uber’s more diversified and global business helped it achieve the holy grail of (adjusted) profits before its competitor, is now scrambling to play catch up.

☆ Lyft is second horse in a one-horse town
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Jennifer Saba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, Feb 10 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Lyft (LYFT.O) shares skidded 35% on Friday morning after the company reported dismal quarterly results. Lyft’s net loss of nearly $600 million in the fourth quarter was twice what it lost a year earlier. Uber dominates ride-sharing because it has five times as many monthly active drivers and couriers as Lyft. The ride-sharing firm recorded a quarterly net loss of $588 million compared to a net loss of $283 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. Lyft rival Uber Technologies reported on Feb. 8 that fourth-quarter revenue increased 49% to $8.6 billion.

☆ Why Lyft Is Headed for Its Own Recession
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Laura Forman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Lyft asserts that its focus on ride-share will eventually pay off relative to Uber’s more diversified business, which includes food delivery. After losing around three-quarters of its market value last year, Lyft ‘s shares are up almost 47% this month. Lyft, which historically has been dusted by more global competitor Uber Technologies , isn’t suddenly gaining ground. In an initiation report in early January, Jefferies analyst John Colantuoni estimated the ride-hailer ended last year with around 29% U.S. market share to Uber’s 71%. His estimates show Lyft exiting the pandemic in arguably worse shape than it entered it, having lost around 3 percentage points of market share over the last three years.

☆ Uber’s CEO almost said no to the job—then Spotify’s CEO convinced him to take it
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Morgan Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

When Uber first approached now-CEO Dara Khosrowshahi about leading the company, he ignored the call. It was 2017, and the rideshare app was going through a "historically difficult time," Khosrowshahi told LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky in a recent interview. He was entering his twelfth year as Expedia's CEO, and still "having a great time," he told Roslansky. He was prepared to call Uber's board of directors and take himself out of the running for CEO — until one conversation with a friend changed his mind. The following morning, Khosrowshahi called the head hunter back — and in August 2017, he was announced as Uber's new CEO, after a unanimous vote from the board.

☆ Davos draws record crowds, but its relevance is fading
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( Julia Horowitz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Data from the World Bank shows that global trade of goods and services as a percentage of total economic output peaked that year. A wooden sign on the waterfront of Lake Davos in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 8, 2023. Just look to Italy’s new prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, who was installed in October. Those skipping the gathering this year include US President Joe Biden, China’s Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. That raises questions about whether Davos can hang on to its reputation an essential event for the rich and powerful.

“He’s got to say, ‘I messed up, I apologize,’” said Lanny Davis, who handled various investigations as a lawyer in the Clinton White House. The White House didn’t publicly confirm that documents had been found until Monday, when CBS News reported that a review was underway. A statement from a White House lawyer, Richard Sauber, mentioned only classified material found at the center. We respect that process.”Jennifer Palmieri, who served as communications director in the Obama White House, suggested that any White House press secretary in this position would be in a tough spot in terms of what can be disclosed in the briefing room. “The White House should consider appointing a separate spokesperson to handle all questions related to this matter,” said Karen Finney, a Democratic strategist who also served in the Clinton White House.

☆ Classified documents from Biden's vice presidency found at think tank
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Steve Holland | Kanishka Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Henry RomeroWASHINGTON (Reuters) -Classified documents from Joe Biden’s vice-presidential days were discovered in November by the U.S. president’s personal attorneys at a Washington think tank, a White House lawyer said on Monday. He added the White House was cooperating with the Justice Department and the National Archives. The Justice Department, the National Archives and the think tank did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Sauber’s statement did not mention the number of the classified documents or what they contained or their level of classification. The Justice Department is separately probing former President Donald Trump’s handling of highly sensitive classified documents that he retained at his Florida resort after leaving the White House in January 2021.

☆ Uber Eats launches robot delivery service in Miami
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Catherine Thorbecke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The next time you order a meal from Uber Eats, it may be delivered by a robot – at least if you live in Miami. Starting on Thursday, some Miami residents can order their Uber Eats takeout to be delivered via autonomous, sidewalk-trotting robots thanks to a new partnership between the ride-hailing company and robotics firm Cartken. The delivery robots can operate indoors as well as outdoors. Uber also recently partnered with Motional, a driverless technology company, to offer autonomous vehicles in Las Vegas. The company’s partnership with Uber marks its first with an on-demand delivery app outside of college campuses.

☆ Clarence Gilyard, ‘Die Hard’ and ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’ star, dead at 66
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Toyin Owoseje | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Clarence Gilyard, the actor best known for playing computer hacker Theo in “Die Hard” and naval flight officer Marcus “Sundown” Williams in “Top Gun,” has died at the age of 66. His death was announced on Monday in a statement from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where he had been working as an associate professor at the College of Fine Arts. Gilyard played Theo, the heist crew's hacker, in "Die Hard." According to UNLV, Gilyard ventured into acting after studying Theatre Arts at California State University. Despite his accomplished acting career, Gilyard stepped away from acting in 2006 to start teaching at UNLV and directing productions at the university’s Nevada Conservatory Theatre.

TORONTO, Nov 11 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Some members of the shared economy are seeing a resurgence in the side hustle as inflation bites. People are becoming more interested in driving for Uber Technologies (UBER.N) and listing their abodes on Airbnb (ABNB.O) in order to make an extra buck. U.S. President Joe Biden last month proposed a new gig worker rule that could fundamentally change how companies classify their workers. But the shared economy seems to be holding up fine, even if the economy isn’t. Uber Technologies on Nov. 1 said revenue grew 72% year-on-year to $8.3 billion in the third quarter.

☆ Uber Earns Its Five-Star Rating From Wall Street
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Laura Forman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Uber’s fourth-quarter outlook was better than feared, with the company giving earnings guidance well above consensus forecasts. Wall Street is a tough customer these days, but Uber just scored a big tip. While much of the tech sector has sunk thus far this earnings season due to macroeconomic pressures, currency exchange and—in Meta Platforms ’ case—heavy investments even in the face of a contracting economy, Uber is bucking the trend. Despite reporting that trips per monthly active platform consumer were still below prepandemic levels, higher prices and lower costs helped drive third-quarter revenue and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization above Wall Street’s forecasts.

☆ Ford, VW pull plug on robotaxis in blow to self-driving car industry
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Matt Mcfarland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Ford said Wednesday that it had concluded that the large-scale profitable commercialization of self-driving cars was further out then expected. Some Argo AI employees will join Ford for that work, Farley said. The company was developing robotaxis, self-driving vehicles that can operate in a ridehail service that does not require human drivers. The team effort allowed Ford and VW to share the hefty costs of developing self-driving cars. Companies have found that developing self-driving cars is incredibly expensive.

☆ Uber to Let Marketers Target Riders by Destination
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Patrick Coffee | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

Ride-hailing company Uber Technologies Inc. wants to help marketers target consumers with ads based on where they have been and where they are going. The ride-hailing ad business could grow far larger, Mr. Grether said, especially when self-driving cars become more common. “Cars will become our next living rooms,” Mr. Grether said. The rider can also conduct transactions, such as clicking the ad to buy a product without leaving the Uber app, said Mr. Grether. Users can opt out of targeted ads on the Uber app at any time, said Mr. Grether.

☆ Meta’s headset makeover yields a $1,500 toy in search of a purpose
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

On Tuesday, Meta unveiled its latest effort in that mission, the Meta Quest Pro headset. But it costs $1,500 — nearly four times that of the company’s cheapest Quest 2 headset. Wages are up an estimated 5% this year in manufacturing — that’s not keeping up with inflation, but it is in line with the national average. “But by and large our manufacturing jobs today are high tech.”Bottom line: The labor story in America remains one where the narrative of recent history doesn’t quite hold. In most downturns, we’ve seen manufacturing decline, giving it a bad rap as a job that’s going extinct.

☆ What’s that bag of white stuff? Some Uber drivers worry they’re drug mules
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( David Ingram | David Ingram Covers Tech For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +15 min

And a sheriff’s office in Tampa sent a crystalized substance to a Florida state lab for testing after an Uber Connect driver turned it over in April. Uber said that using its services for illegal activity is expressly prohibited, and that it takes reports of drug deliveries via Uber Connect very seriously. Some Uber Connect drivers have gone to the police with suspicions about packages they are assigned to deliver. “You’re almost certainly getting arrested in that situation.”Richman said it’s difficult to generalize about how much trouble an Uber Connect driver could get in. Uber said it was always looking for ways to improve Uber Connect, and drivers said they have several suggestions for changes.

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