theverge--2020-11-09--How to clean your laptop keyboard

How to clean your laptop keyboard

According to research done by IT company CBT Nuggets , your laptop ’ s keyboard could carry 20,000 times more bacteria than your toilet seat .
And with so much of your work , school , socializing , and entertainment now taking place online , you ’ re probably using your laptop more than ever .
Whether you ’ re struggling with crumbs , dust , fingerprints , pet hair , or sticky residue , you should be able to clean your keys with materials you already have lying around .
And if you share a device with other members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of germs as well .
It ’ ll just take a few minutes out of your day , and your keyboard will look brand-new .
Here ’ s what to do .
Before you get started , turn off your computer .
You don ’ t want to accidentally hit a hotkey combination that leads to disaster .
Unplug it , as well , to reduce the risk of shorting something if any moisture gets inside .
And make sure you have everything important backed up in case something goes horribly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , good practice whether you ’ re cleaning your keyboard or not . )
To clear out the biggest crumbs , dust , or other debris that wandered into your keys , turn your laptop upside down and allow them to fall out .
Gently tap the bottom of the chassis to dislodge any stubborn particles .
You can also press cleaning slime into the spaces between your keys , which sticks to and picks up debris .
If that doesn ’ t get everything , give the keyboard a once-over with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use a small attachment and the lowest power setting .
( The last thing you want is to suck up one of your keycaps . )
If you have a small handheld vacuum , even better .
You can also use a can of compressed air .
Spray the air in a zigzag pattern so you don ’ t miss any nooks and crannies , and make sure you hit all sides of each key .
If you don ’ t have compressed air , you can try another device that blows air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Do not spray air directly under the keycaps ; it could damage delicate electronics .
If you ’ ve done all of this and still have some gunk under your keys , you may need to pop the keys off .
Whether you can do this will depend on your laptop model .
In some cases , it won ’ t be possible to do without breaking the keys , and you ’ ll want to speak to a professional .
If you need to remove your keycaps , look up your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s instructions .
Next , clean the surface of the keyboard itself to eliminate germs , smudges , and stains .
First , wipe everything down with a disinfectant wipe .
Avoid any wipes that contain bleach .
If you don ’ t have wipes , a soft cloth with some rubbing alcohol can also work .
Wipe the keycaps one at a time , as well as the areas between them , to make sure you get every spot .
You want to avoid getting any liquid under the keys , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s dripping wet .
If needed , wring your wipes out before you use them .
Do not spray water or any cleaning liquids directly on the keyboard .
Next , go over everything with a damp cloth ( again : damp , not dripping ) .
Ideally , you ’ ll want to use a microfiber cloth .
If you don ’ t have one , another cloth is okay .
Try to avoid anything abrasive that could scratch the keys , like a paper towel .
Finally , dry the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There you go — all clean !

According to research done by IT company CBT Nuggets, your laptop’s keyboard could carry 20,000 times more bacteria than your toilet seat. And with so much of your work, school, socializing, and entertainment now taking place online, you’re probably using your laptop more than ever.
Whether you’re struggling with crumbs, dust, fingerprints, pet hair, or sticky residue, you should be able to clean your keys with materials you already have lying around. And if you share a device with other members of your household, you can prevent the spread of germs as well. It’ll just take a few minutes out of your day, and your keyboard will look brand-new.
Here’s what to do.
Turn it off
Before you get started, turn off your computer. You don’t want to accidentally hit a hotkey combination that leads to disaster. Unplug it, as well, to reduce the risk of shorting something if any moisture gets inside. And make sure you have everything important backed up in case something goes horribly wrong. (This is, of course, good practice whether you’re cleaning your keyboard or not.)
Photo by Tom Warren / The Verge
Get rid of crumbs
To clear out the biggest crumbs, dust, or other debris that wandered into your keys, turn your laptop upside down and allow them to fall out. Gently tap the bottom of the chassis to dislodge any stubborn particles. You can also press cleaning slime into the spaces between your keys, which sticks to and picks up debris.
If that doesn’t get everything, give the keyboard a once-over with a vacuum. Make sure that you use a small attachment and the lowest power setting. (The last thing you want is to suck up one of your keycaps.) If you have a small handheld vacuum, even better.
You can also use a can of compressed air. Spray the air in a zigzag pattern so you don’t miss any nooks and crannies, and make sure you hit all sides of each key. If you don’t have compressed air, you can try another device that blows air (such as a blow dryer). Do not spray air directly under the keycaps; it could damage delicate electronics.
If you’ve done all of this and still have some gunk under your keys, you may need to pop the keys off. Whether you can do this will depend on your laptop model. In some cases, it won’t be possible to do without breaking the keys, and you’ll want to speak to a professional. If you need to remove your keycaps, look up your laptop model and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Even fancy RGB keyboards need a wash from time to time. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
Disinfect and remove smudges
Next, clean the surface of the keyboard itself to eliminate germs, smudges, and stains. First, wipe everything down with a disinfectant wipe. Avoid any wipes that contain bleach. If you don’t have wipes, a soft cloth with some rubbing alcohol can also work. Wipe the keycaps one at a time, as well as the areas between them, to make sure you get every spot.
You want to avoid getting any liquid under the keys, so don’t use any cloth that’s dripping wet. If needed, wring your wipes out before you use them. Do not spray water or any cleaning liquids directly on the keyboard.
Next, go over everything with a damp cloth (again: damp, not dripping). Ideally, you’ll want to use a microfiber cloth. If you don’t have one, another cloth is okay. Try to avoid anything abrasive that could scratch the keys, like a paper towel.


theverge--2020-11-09--Amazon says some Xbox Series X preorders won’t arrive until December 31st at the latest

Amazon is warning customers that Xbox Series X preorders might not arrive tomorrow .
In an email to some Amazon customers , the retailer says it expects to ship some consoles “ in the coming weeks as we receive more inventory in November and December.
” Amazon estimates that the affected preorders will receive Xbox Series X units by December 31st or before .
The emails are being sent to a wide range of people , and some who have preordered on Amazon have yet to receive a shipment notice with just a day to go until the Xbox Series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see these emails arrive less than 24 hours before the Xbox Series X was supposed to be delivered , but it ’ s not clear how many are affected by the delay .
Amazon sent a similar email to some customers who preordered the PS5 back in September .
It warned that some shipments might not arrive on November 12th , and it was sent just a couple of days after preorders began .
We ’ ve reached out to Amazon to comment on the Xbox Series X situation , and we @ @ @ @ @ @

Amazon is warning customers that Xbox Series X preorders might not arrive tomorrow. In an email to some Amazon customers, the retailer says it expects to ship some consoles “in the coming weeks as we receive more inventory in November and December.” Amazon estimates that the affected preorders will receive Xbox Series X units by December 31st or before.
The emails are being sent to a wide range of people, and some who have preordered on Amazon have yet to receive a shipment notice with just a day to go until the Xbox Series X launch. It’s surprising to see these emails arrive less than 24 hours before the Xbox Series X was supposed to be delivered, but it’s not clear how many are affected by the delay.


theverge--2020-11-09--The Apple MagSafe Duo charger is overpriced and under-delivers

Although there ’ s no shipping date for it yet , Apple has sent out review samples of its upcoming MagSafe Duo charger to reviewers .
It ’ s a travel charger that combines Apple ’ s new MagSafe charging puck with an Apple Watch charger and a USB-C to Lightning cable .
It costs $ 129 , but that price doesn ’ t include a USB-C charging brick .
You ’ ll need to buy that separately , and you ’ ll need to make sure it can supply at least 20 watts of USB PD power so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sells one for $ 19 .
$ 129 is $ 100 more than what I paid for a wireless charger that can charge my phone , AirPods , and Apple Watch at the same time .
That charger doesn ’ t fold up into a neat little package and can ’ t fast-charge an iPhone at 15 watts , but it uses USB-C instead of Lightning and has little lights to show that it ’ s working .
The regular MagSafe charging puck costs $ 39 .
Apple ’ s MagSafe Duo charger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rubbery white material .
It looks nice when it comes out of the box , but it ’ s made by press-molding the two sides together .
That means there ’ s a huge kind of seam running around the outside of it , which I still think is a weird design trend .
( See also : Surface keyboards and iPad Smart Keyboards . )
The rubber “ hinge ” between the two sides also developed creases immediately .
Because the material is just a little bit grippy , it does an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or dirt you might have on a table .
Within two minutes of taking it out of the box and taking photos , it was dirty .
The dirt it picked up wiped off — and I trust that it will be easy to clean with just a little water or ( if need be ) isopropyl alcohol — but it ’ s still a bummer to need to do it in the first place .
Since it folds in half , you can do a little trick where you fold it backward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s neat .
The Apple Watch charger flips up so you can use it in nightstand mode , too .
If you buy the MagSafe Duo charger , you ’ ll need to teach yourself the proper way to take the iPhone off the pad so it doesn ’ t lift up with the phone .
You have to press down a little on the pad because the magnets are stronger than the force of gravity on the mass of this dock .
It is a well-made object , to be sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together when it ’ s folded in either direction .
The hinge on the Watch charger is firm and smooth .
The heft of the whole object helps make it feel nicer , and it is somewhat satisfying to snap closed .
It also helps ensure the whole kit and caboodle doesn ’ t vibrate off the table when you get a phone call .
I think Apple did a good job executing this design , but it ’ s probably not the design I would have gone with .
I also think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There are many good ideas built into MagSafe .
I continue to think that having a wireless charger that uses magnets to automatically align the coils for maximum efficiency is a good idea .
And I think the regular MagSafe charging puck is a neat idea for people who want to charge their iPhones while holding them .
I hope Apple and other manufacturers create lots of MagSafe charging accessories that improve on the experience of needing multiple cables and AC adapters to plug in all of our stuff .
I hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see anybody feel like they ought to buy the MagSafe Duo charger .

Although there’s no shipping date for it yet, Apple has sent out review samples of its upcoming MagSafe Duo charger to reviewers. It’s a travel charger that combines Apple’s new MagSafe charging puck with an Apple Watch charger and a USB-C to Lightning cable.
It costs $129, but that price doesn’t include a USB-C charging brick. You’ll need to buy that separately, and you’ll need to make sure it can supply at least 20 watts of USB PD power so that it can fast-charge your iPhone. Apple sells one for $19.
$129 is $100 more than what I paid for a wireless charger that can charge my phone, AirPods, and Apple Watch at the same time. That charger doesn’t fold up into a neat little package and can’t fast-charge an iPhone at 15 watts, but it uses USB-C instead of Lightning and has little lights to show that it’s working. The regular MagSafe charging puck costs $39.
The MagSafe Duo charger folds in half for travel. The Watch charger flips up so you can use the Apple Watch in nightstand mode.
The MagSafe Duo charger picks up every bit of dust on your nightstand.
Apple’s MagSafe Duo charger is made out of a kind of rubbery white material. It looks nice when it comes out of the box, but it’s made by press-molding the two sides together. That means there’s a huge kind of seam running around the outside of it, which I still think is a weird design trend. (See also: Surface keyboards and iPad Smart Keyboards.) The rubber “hinge” between the two sides also developed creases immediately.
Because the material is just a little bit grippy, it does an incredible job of picking up any dust or dirt you might have on a table. Within two minutes of taking it out of the box and taking photos, it was dirty. The dirt it picked up wiped off — and I trust that it will be easy to clean with just a little water or (if need be) isopropyl alcohol — but it’s still a bummer to need to do it in the first place.
Since it folds in half, you can do a little trick where you fold it backward and just charge the iPhone. That’s neat. The Apple Watch charger flips up so you can use it in nightstand mode, too.
You have to press down on the charger to remove the iPhone.
If you buy the MagSafe Duo charger, you’ll need to teach yourself the proper way to take the iPhone off the pad so it doesn’t lift up with the phone. You have to press down a little on the pad because the magnets are stronger than the force of gravity on the mass of this dock.
It is a well-made object, to be sure. There are magnets that hold it together when it’s folded in either direction. The hinge on the Watch charger is firm and smooth. The heft of the whole object helps make it feel nicer, and it is somewhat satisfying to snap closed. It also helps ensure the whole kit and caboodle doesn’t vibrate off the table when you get a phone call. I think Apple did a good job executing this design, but it’s probably not the design I would have gone with. I also think it’s not worth $129.
There are many good ideas built into MagSafe. I continue to think that having a wireless charger that uses magnets to automatically align the coils for maximum efficiency is a good idea. And I think the regular MagSafe charging puck is a neat idea for people who want to charge their iPhones while holding them.
I hope Apple and other manufacturers create lots of MagSafe charging accessories that improve on the experience of needing multiple cables and AC adapters to plug in all of our stuff. I hope that happens because I would hate to see anybody feel like they ought to buy the MagSafe Duo charger.


theverge--2020-11-09--Elon Musk’s Boring Company is hiring for a possible tunnel project in Austin

The Boring Company , Elon Musk ’ s tunnel-digging venture , may be eyeing its next project in Austin , Texas .
The company recently posted half a dozen new jobs in the city and tweeted favorably about Austin ’ s soil .
It ’ s not surprising that the Boring Company would target Austin for its next project .
Musk ’ s other company , Tesla , recently announced that the city would be the site for its next factory , with a focus on Model 3 , Model Y , and Cybertruck production .
The jobs available in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engineer , business development lead , and technical recruiter .
It ’ s unclear whether the Boring Company has actually initiated conversations with local officials about a tunneling project .
A spokesperson for the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Whether a possible Austin project is connected to Tesla ’ s planned factory there also remains up in the air .
If so , Tesla certainly has laid the groundwork by working with local officials for months on issues surrounding the factory .
In July , officials in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 60 million in property tax rebates for the company .
Tesla plans to hire up to 5,000 workers at an average salary of $ 47,147 , with entry-level positions starting at $ 35,000 .
It will invest at least $ 1 billion and is planning to make a factory of between 4 and 5 million square feet .
The Boring Company has a 1.14-mile test tunnel near SpaceX ’ s headquarters in Los Angeles .
It is also currently working on a system of tunnels to shuttle people under the Las Vegas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t carry as many passengers as originally estimated .
The company ’ s plans to build a fast transit system in Maryland were recently scaled back , and its Chicago project is all but dead after Lori Lightfoot ’ s election as mayor in 2019 .

The Boring Company, Elon Musk’s tunnel-digging venture, may be eyeing its next project in Austin, Texas. The company recently posted half a dozen new jobs in the city and tweeted favorably about Austin’s soil.
It’s not surprising that the Boring Company would target Austin for its next project. Musk’s other company, Tesla, recently announced that the city would be the site for its next factory, with a focus on Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck production.
The jobs available in Austin range from electrical engineer to mechanical engineer, business development lead, and technical recruiter. It’s unclear whether the Boring Company has actually initiated conversations with local officials about a tunneling project. A spokesperson for the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Whether a possible Austin project is connected to Tesla’s planned factory there also remains up in the air. If so, Tesla certainly has laid the groundwork by working with local officials for months on issues surrounding the factory. In July, officials in Austin approved a total of at least $60 million in property tax rebates for the company.


theverge--2020-11-09--Apple’s ‘One More Thing’ event: rumors, news, and announcements

Don ’ t let the name fool you : Apple ’ s “ One More Thing ” hardware event on Tuesday , November 10th , is likely more than just an add-on to October ’ s iPhone 12 announcements .
The event is set to be the launch of the first of Apple ’ s promised Arm-based computers , marking the start of the company ’ s separation from longtime partner Intel and the first time Apple-designed silicon will appear in Macs outside of T2 security chips .
The move was announced back at WWDC , and alongside a ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improvements in performance and battery life from the new , still unnamed chip .
Aiding the transition is Rosetta 2 , a new version of the emulator that Apple used during its last processor transition from PowerPC to Intel .
Rosetta 2 should allow you to run emulated versions of your old macOS apps on the company ’ s new Arm-based products when it ships with macOS Big Sur .
Big Sur ( macOS 11.0 ) should also receive a final release date .
The operating system will arrive with a new visual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from iOS 14 and a lot of features , too , like updated iMessage and Maps applications , widgets , and the Control Center interface .
There ’ s also the possibility of other long-rumored products to finally appear — from AirTags to an updated version of the Apple TV 4K from way back in 2017 .
However this event shakes out , you can keep up with all of the news and announcements right here .

Don’t let the name fool you: Apple’s “One More Thing” hardware event on Tuesday, November 10th, is likely more than just an add-on to October’s iPhone 12 announcements. The event is set to be the launch of the first of Apple’s promised Arm-based computers, marking the start of the company’s separation from longtime partner Intel and the first time Apple-designed silicon will appear in Macs outside of T2 security chips.
The move was announced back at WWDC, and alongside a (hopefully) smooth transition, Apple promises improvements in performance and battery life from the new, still unnamed chip. Aiding the transition is Rosetta 2, a new version of the emulator that Apple used during its last processor transition from PowerPC to Intel. Rosetta 2 should allow you to run emulated versions of your old macOS apps on the company’s new Arm-based products when it ships with macOS Big Sur.


theverge--2020-11-09--Turns out Sony will actually let you transfer your PS4 Spider-Man save file to the PS5 version

If you own a copy of Spider-Man on the PS4 and you planned to buy a PS5 in the near future , you will likely be glad to know that your PS4 save file will be transferrable after all .
Insomniac Games announced today that a new update will arrive for the PS4 version later this month , allowing you to export your saves to the next-gen remaster .
This is after the studio previously said the feature would be unavailable .
Insomniac announced on Twitter that the PS4 version of Spider-Man would offer the feature in a patch scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which means the feature will not be made immediately available when Sony ’ s next-gen console launches on November 12th .
The update will also add three new suits .
Spider-Man Remastered is one of the few first-party games launching exclusively on PS5 .
If you want to own the game , you have to buy the ultimate launch edition of Spider-Man : Miles Morales , which costs $ 70 and also includes the game ’ s sequel .
However , if you preordered the $ 50 standard edition of Miles Morales , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the game by heading to the main in-game menu ; the upgrade would cost an additional $ 20 .
This is a great benefit for PS4 owners who may also be early adopters of PS5 hardware , and it makes buying the $ 70 combo an easier pill to swallow , especially for players who own the original Spider-Man and were hoping to finish the game , trophy collect , or play its expansions on the next-gen console .

If you own a copy of Spider-Man on the PS4 and you planned to buy a PS5 in the near future, you will likely be glad to know that your PS4 save file will be transferrable after all. Insomniac Games announced today that a new update will arrive for the PS4 version later this month, allowing you to export your saves to the next-gen remaster. This is after the studio previously said the feature would be unavailable.
Insomniac announced on Twitter that the PS4 version of Spider-Man would offer the feature in a patch scheduled to release “around Thanksgiving,” which means the feature will not be made immediately available when Sony’s next-gen console launches on November 12th. The update will also add three new suits.
Spider-Man Remastered is one of the few first-party games launching exclusively on PS5. If you want to own the game, you have to buy the ultimate launch edition of Spider-Man: Miles Morales, which costs $70 and also includes the game’s sequel. However, if you preordered the $50 standard edition of Miles Morales, Insomniac says you can upgrade that version of the game by heading to the main in-game menu; the upgrade would cost an additional $20.
This is a great benefit for PS4 owners who may also be early adopters of PS5 hardware, and it makes buying the $70 combo an easier pill to swallow, especially for players who own the original Spider-Man and were hoping to finish the game, trophy collect, or play its expansions on the next-gen console.


theverge--2020-11-09--Parler, a conservative Twitter clone, has seen nearly 1 million downloads since Election Day

Conservative angst over President Trump ’ s loss has resulted in a surge of downloads for Parler , a conservative social network founded as an ideological alternative to Facebook and Twitter .
According to data from SensorTower , Parler ’ s app saw 980,000 downloads in total between November 3rd ( Election Day ) and November 8th , with more than half of those downloads ( 636,000 ) coming on Sunday alone .
( The totals represent both Google Play Store and iOS App Store downloads . )
That surge in downloads has also pushed Parler to the top of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently the # 1 free app in the iOS App Store , up from # 1,023 on November 2nd .
It ’ s also # 1 in the Google Play rankings , up from # 486 the previous week .
The app has been downloaded approximately 3.6 million times in the US so far , per SensorTower .
Parler has been a central hub for many of the conservative protests against recent election results , including the ongoing “ Stop the Steal ” campaign .
A number of prominent conservative pundits have urged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days , out of frustration with moderation on Twitter and Facebook .
It has also become a haven for the kind of right-leaning conspiracy theories that are discouraged on the larger networks — particularly regarding the election .
In a digest email on Monday , Parler listed its top post as a report from the Falun Gong-aligned NTD News , alleging supposed “ statistical anomalies ” in recent vote counts .
In recent months , Twitter and Facebook both adopted strict policies against voting-related misinformation , and those policies were strictly enforced in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement was particularly strict against President Trump , who has used both networks to raise spurious doubts about mail-in voting , call for vote counts to be halted , and prematurely announce his campaign ’ s victory in the state of Pennsylvania .
( Pennsylvania was later called for Joe Biden . )
As a result of those and other infractions , a total of 16 tweets from the president faced some kind of restriction from Twitter in the days following Election Day .

Conservative angst over President Trump’s loss has resulted in a surge of downloads for Parler, a conservative social network founded as an ideological alternative to Facebook and Twitter. According to data from SensorTower, Parler’s app saw 980,000 downloads in total between November 3rd (Election Day) and November 8th, with more than half of those downloads (636,000) coming on Sunday alone. (The totals represent both Google Play Store and iOS App Store downloads.)
That surge in downloads has also pushed Parler to the top of the app store rankings. It is currently the #1 free app in the iOS App Store, up from #1,023 on November 2nd. It’s also #1 in the Google Play rankings, up from #486 the previous week. The app has been downloaded approximately 3.6 million times in the US so far, per SensorTower.
Parler has been a central hub for many of the conservative protests against recent election results, including the ongoing “Stop the Steal” campaign. A number of prominent conservative pundits have urged followers to join the network in recent days, out of frustration with moderation on Twitter and Facebook.


theverge--2020-11-10--Cruise is teaming up with Walmart for robo-delivery in Arizona

Cruise is partnering with Walmart to test out a delivery service using a fleet of autonomous and electric vehicles .
The pilot project will kick off in early 2021 and take place in Scottsdale , Arizona .
Cruise has yet to settle on a final number of cars it will use as part of the delivery service .
The company has maintained a small fleet of five vehicles in Phoenix since 2016 .
It ’ s the latest in a series of announcements centered on the use of autonomous vehicles in last-mile delivery scenarios , underscoring a core truth about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put human passengers in robot vehicles , but it ’ s much less risky to put groceries and Walmart purchases in them .
It ’ s the latest sign that Cruise , which is a majority owned subsidiary of General Motors , is interested in expanding beyond robo-taxis and into the world of autonomous delivery .
The company is planning to launch a ride-hailing service in San Francisco , though it hasn ’ t specified by when .
It has also been using its vehicles to make deliveries for two food banks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cruise isn ’ t the first self-driving car company to team up with Walmart .
The retail giant also has partnerships with Nuro , Udelv , Ford , and Waymo .
It ’ s not hard to see why , too : online grocery shopping could grow fivefold over the next decade , with American consumers spending upward of $ 100 billion on food-at-home items by 2025 , according to a recent report .
Those numbers are sure to be trending upward as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ You ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cars in the past , and we ’ re continuing to learn a lot about how they can shape the future of retail , ” said Tom Ward , SVP of customer product at Walmart , in a blog post .
“ We ’ re excited to add Cruise to our lineup of autonomous vehicle pilots as we continue to chart a whole new roadmap for retail.
” Cruise was recently awarded a permit in California to test fully driverless vehicles without a safety driver behind the steering wheel .
Cruise also doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its vehicles .
The company had planned to launch a public self-driving taxi service in 2019 but failed to do so .
Cruise has yet to set a new date for the start of its public robo-taxi service .

Cruise is partnering with Walmart to test out a delivery service using a fleet of autonomous and electric vehicles. The pilot project will kick off in early 2021 and take place in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Cruise has yet to settle on a final number of cars it will use as part of the delivery service. The company has maintained a small fleet of five vehicles in Phoenix since 2016.
It’s the latest in a series of announcements centered on the use of autonomous vehicles in last-mile delivery scenarios, underscoring a core truth about the technology: it’s risky to put human passengers in robot vehicles, but it’s much less risky to put groceries and Walmart purchases in them.
It’s the latest sign that Cruise, which is a majority owned subsidiary of General Motors, is interested in expanding beyond robo-taxis and into the world of autonomous delivery. The company is planning to launch a ride-hailing service in San Francisco, though it hasn’t specified by when. It has also been using its vehicles to make deliveries for two food banks in San Francisco during the pandemic.
Cruise isn’t the first self-driving car company to team up with Walmart. The retail giant also has partnerships with Nuro, Udelv, Ford, and Waymo. It’s not hard to see why, too: online grocery shopping could grow fivefold over the next decade, with American consumers spending upward of $100 billion on food-at-home items by 2025, according to a recent report. Those numbers are sure to be trending upward as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“You’ve seen us test drive with self-driving cars in the past, and we’re continuing to learn a lot about how they can shape the future of retail,” said Tom Ward, SVP of customer product at Walmart, in a blog post. “We’re excited to add Cruise to our lineup of autonomous vehicle pilots as we continue to chart a whole new roadmap for retail.”


theverge--2020-11-10--Here’s where and when you can buy the Xbox Series S and Series X consoles

The Xbox Series S and Series X consoles are officially out , and if you missed out on preordering either ( or both — look , I ’ m not going to judge ) , you might be able to snag one online on launch day .
Due to the pandemic , combined with the high demand for these consoles , retailers like Best Buy and Target are only selling online .
That means you won ’ t be able to walk into a store to pick one up — unless you ’ ve purchased it already online .
Only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an in-store pickup .
• Speaking of online sales , Walmart announced that it will be selling both consoles online on Tuesday , November 10th , at 12PM ET / 9AM PT .
So , get ready for that .
• Best Buy encourages shoppers to visit its site to order instead of showing up at its stores .
It doesn ’ t have set time slots for when it expects stock to be available .
Until we hear from more retailers , I recommend keeping it locked to other popular sellers like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , GameStop , Newegg , and ( if you have memberships ) Costco and Sam ’ s Club .
If you ’ re trying to decide between the Xbox Series S or Series X , my colleague Tom Warren recently reviewed both consoles .
Buy with the Xbox All Access plan As an alternative to paying full price upfront for each console , you can pay a monthly installment for either of them through the Xbox All Access plan .
It ’ s a financing option that lets you get the console upfront @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be billed one monthly payment for the console and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate together ( $ 24.99 per month for the Series S , $ 34.99 per month for the Series X ) for 24 months .
Available at the Microsoft Store , Best Buy , Walmart , Target .

Microsoft’s next-gen gaming consoles, the Xbox Series X and Series S, came out in November 2020, but buying one even now has been challenging. If you have a hard time keeping up with restocks on where to buy either console, don’t worry. We are here to help you keep tabs and better your chances of securing either next-gen Xbox console.
Keep in mind that due to the high demand of this console, supply will likely not last long, with inventory selling out typically less than an hour after being made available. Nevertheless, we’ll do our best to keep this article updated with the latest in-stock alerts and tell you when the most recent restock was available at the retailers.
We will also note any opportunities to buy either Xbox console through the Xbox All Access Plan.
Where can I buy an Xbox Series X / Series S right now?
What is an Xbox All Access plan?
As an alternative to making a one-time payment for each console, some retailers also allow the option to pay for the Xbox Series X or Series S via an installment payment plan, allowing you to get the console with no upfront cost. Xbox All Access will bill you monthly ($24.99 per month for the Series S, $34.99 per month for the Series X) for 24 months. This package includes either console, plus a subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Due to the pandemic, most retailers, including Best Buy and Target, will only sell the console online until further notice. We see restocks happening multiple times throughout a week from various retailers; most notably, we have seen frequent restocks recently appear at Best Buy, GameStop, Microsoft Store, and Walmart, in particular.
The Xbox Series S costs $300 and is currently the most affordable ninth-generation home gaming console. It is smaller, less powerful, and lacks a disc drive, limiting you to only playing digital games. The $500 Xbox Series X serves as Microsoft’s flagship gaming console, including a disc drive and more powerful hardware.
Microsoft Xbox Series S $ 240 $ 300 20 % off $ 240 $ 240 $ 300 20 % off The Xbox Series S is smaller than the 4K-capable Xbox Series X, but it can still play the same digital games — albeit topping out at 2560 x 1440 QHD resolution. $240 at Microsoft$240 at Walmart
Microsoft Xbox Series X $ 500 The Xbox Series X is Microsoft’s flagship console, serving as its most powerful (and biggest) option. While the Series S is aimed at smooth 1440p performance and takes a disc-less aproach, the $500 Series X is focused on fast, 4K gameplay. $500 at Walmart
What accessories do I need to buy for the Xbox Series X / Series S?
Whether you purchase the most affordable next-gen console (the Xbox Series S) or Microsoft’s most powerful gaming console to date (Series X), they share many accessories that will help you get the most out of your experience.
If you plan to share this console and play local co-op games with family or friends, the purchase of an additional controller is a must. Normally $60, the new Xbox controller does get discounted sometimes.
If you are planning to subscribe to both Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass, I recommend consolidating those separate purchases and subscribing to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. It combines both services into one package, while also providing additional access to Game Pass for PC and access to Microsoft’s cloud gaming service, xCloud.
When it comes to additional storage, both consoles are rather limited: 512GB on the Series S, 1TB on the Series X. You can buy an SSD expansion card that only comes in 1TB, but it is very expensive, costing $220.


theverge--2020-11-10--Yakuza: Like a Dragon is a fresh next-gen start for the series

A graphically pedestrian Japanese roleplaying game is perhaps not what many Xbox Series X owners were hoping for as their premier next-generation-exclusive launch title , but here we are with Yakuza : Like a Dragon .
While it might not be much of a technical workout for Microsoft ’ s most powerful console , it ’ s a revolution for the series and , by some distance , the most substantial console exclusive in the Series X and S launch lineup .
This is the eighth mainline Yakuza game , with Sega presumably ditching the series numbering in an attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s still called Ryu ga Gotoku 7 in Japan , “ Like a Dragon ” being a direct translation of the Yakuza series ’ s Japanese name . )
This game is a canonical sequel , with occasional recurring characters and references that fans will appreciate , but I wouldn ’ t worry about playing the previous seven if you don ’ t have the time .
That ’ s because Like a Dragon has an all-new cast , a different setting , and a radically altered gameplay style to its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 served as a farewell to original protagonist Kazuma Kiryu , one of the most iconoclastic characters ever to grace a video game , and as promised , Like a Dragon replaces him with a new lead .
Where Kiryu was stoic and brooding , Ichiban Kasuga is wild and extroverted .
He ’ ll perform pranks , tell dad jokes , and barge into situations with the subtlety of a puppy .
But both men share a history of tragedy and sacrifice and are bound by a strong sense of integrity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ likable main character in my time with the game , and in some ways , he feels like a better fit for Yakuza ’ s oddball mix of goofball humor and sincerity .
Much of the supporting cast is less agreeable but no less entertaining .
Like a Dragon spins a typical Yakuza story of wrongful imprisonment and betrayal , with Kasuga finding himself homeless in Yokohama after spending 18 years behind bars to take the hit for a colleague .
Things have changed in the yakuza world since he was away , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with various characters from Yokohama ’ s underbelly in an attempt to not only survive , but become a “ hero.
” That last objective is because Kasuga turns out to be a huge RPG nerd , frequently referencing Dragon Quest as an inspiration .
That ’ s a theme carried over to the core action of Like a Dragon itself , which moves from real-time brawler combat to turn-based JRPG-style battles where you select commands from a menu .
This isn ’ t as huge a change as you might think .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ JRPGs with a more hands-on approach to combat , and there isn ’ t much structurally different about Like a Dragon .
You ’ re still exploring a fairly small but densely detailed area , moving from quest to cutscene to quest at your leisure .
In fact , the biggest change is that Like a Dragon ’ s take on Yokohama is far bigger than previous series locations , so you ’ re spending a lot more time on foot .
That gives you all the more opportunity to get distracted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few rounds of Virtua Fighter 2 or OutRun .
The actual combat system isn ’ t particularly deep , though you could say the same for most other Yakuza games .
The shift to turn-based action does enable some truly outlandish moves , especially when you start experimenting with the game ’ s job system .
Kasuga ’ s homeless drifter buddy Nanba , for example , starts out being able to attack enemies with pigeons by throwing seeds at them .
But now that I ’ ve given him a job as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack involving “ physically releasing ” a CD in his opponents ’ direction .
The shift to turn-based action does enable some truly outlandish moves But there isn ’ t much gained in terms of tactical scope .
While your characters all move around the battlefield automatically , positioning only really comes into play when you try to attack a far-off enemy and another one gets in the way first .
Characters often get themselves stuck behind scenery , which can be frustrating when you want to target a specific opponent but have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You can use environmental attacks when they ’ re in range — attacking enemies with a bicycle is a time-honored Yakuza tradition — but it ’ s not as easy to do so as in the past .
I don ’ t really have an inherent preference for real-time or turn-based combat , and Like a Dragon switching to the latter doesn ’ t change the game up too much in the end .
I wouldn ’ t call it a clear improvement , but it ’ s not a regression either .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide a more novel spin on the classic Yakuza experience .
It ’ s fair to say that Like a Dragon is not a technical showcase .
It came out on the PS4 in Japan almost a year ago , and it ’ s only now making its way to the West .
That means even if you ’ re playing it on the Series X today , it ’ s firmly rooted in the prior generation — even more so than cross-gen games like Assassin ’ s Creed Valhalla or Watch Dogs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launch .
( That ’ s not uncommon for the series : Yakuza 0 was a Japan-only PS3 game before a PS4 version found success in the West nearly two years later . )
The Yakuza series still has great facial animation and acting performances , the in-engine cutscenes are well-directed , and the cities are rendered in often-impressive detail .
But this is not the place to come for next-generation graphical technology .
Like a Dragon does , however , benefit greatly from its status as an Xbox Play Anywhere title .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ One X last week , installed it on my PC a few days later ( TL ; DR review : it supports ultrawide resolutions and has a splash screen saying “ REAL YAKUZA USE A GAMEPAD ” ) , and now it ’ s on the Series X that got delivered to me this morning .
The Series X version has the option for a 4K / 30fps mode , but by default , it runs at 1440p / 60fps , which I think is the best option .
While it looks essentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the One X , it runs twice as smooth , which is a welcome upgrade .
The game also has a lot of interstitial loading screens on the One X , which the Series X speeds up to the point where they ’ re insignificant .
Like a Dragon might not be what you ’ d expect from a next-generation launch title , but then the Xbox Series X isn ’ t always what you ’ d expect from a next-generation console .
While the hardware power isn ’ t in doubt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a performance boost than a paradigm shift .
From that point of view , Like a Dragon is a great game to have available on day one .
It ’ s a fresh take on the Yakuza series , it ’ ll keep you occupied for a long time , and it runs better than ever before .
is out today on Xbox , Windows , Steam , and PS4 .
A PS5 version will be available on March 2nd , 2021 .

Part of / The best games of 2020
A graphically pedestrian Japanese roleplaying game is perhaps not what many Xbox Series X owners were hoping for as their premier next-generation-exclusive launch title, but here we are with Yakuza: Like a Dragon. While it might not be much of a technical workout for Microsoft’s most powerful console, it’s a revolution for the series and, by some distance, the most substantial console exclusive in the Series X and S launch lineup.
This is the eighth mainline Yakuza game, with Sega presumably ditching the series numbering in an attempt to gain a wider audience. (It’s still called Ryu ga Gotoku 7 in Japan, “Like a Dragon” being a direct translation of the Yakuza series’s Japanese name.) This game is a canonical sequel, with occasional recurring characters and references that fans will appreciate, but I wouldn’t worry about playing the previous seven if you don’t have the time.
That’s because Like a Dragon has an all-new cast, a different setting, and a radically altered gameplay style to its predecessors. 2018’s excellent Yakuza 6 served as a farewell to original protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, one of the most iconoclastic characters ever to grace a video game, and as promised, Like a Dragon replaces him with a new lead.
Where Kiryu was stoic and brooding, Ichiban Kasuga is wild and extroverted. He’ll perform pranks, tell dad jokes, and barge into situations with the subtlety of a puppy. But both men share a history of tragedy and sacrifice and are bound by a strong sense of integrity. I found Kasuga to be a hugely likable main character in my time with the game, and in some ways, he feels like a better fit for Yakuza’s oddball mix of goofball humor and sincerity.
Much of the supporting cast is less agreeable but no less entertaining. Like a Dragon spins a typical Yakuza story of wrongful imprisonment and betrayal, with Kasuga finding himself homeless in Yokohama after spending 18 years behind bars to take the hit for a colleague. Things have changed in the yakuza world since he was away, and he’s forced to ally with various characters from Yokohama’s underbelly in an attempt to not only survive, but become a “hero.”
Kasuga is a hugely likable main character
That last objective is because Kasuga turns out to be a huge RPG nerd, frequently referencing Dragon Quest as an inspiration. That’s a theme carried over to the core action of Like a Dragon itself, which moves from real-time brawler combat to turn-based JRPG-style battles where you select commands from a menu.
This isn’t as huge a change as you might think. The Yakuza games have always essentially been JRPGs with a more hands-on approach to combat, and there isn’t much structurally different about Like a Dragon. You’re still exploring a fairly small but densely detailed area, moving from quest to cutscene to quest at your leisure. In fact, the biggest change is that Like a Dragon’s take on Yokohama is far bigger than previous series locations, so you’re spending a lot more time on foot. That gives you all the more opportunity to get distracted by an arcade and step in for a few rounds of Virtua Fighter 2 or OutRun.
The actual combat system isn’t particularly deep, though you could say the same for most other Yakuza games. The shift to turn-based action does enable some truly outlandish moves, especially when you start experimenting with the game’s job system. Kasuga’s homeless drifter buddy Nanba, for example, starts out being able to attack enemies with pigeons by throwing seeds at them. But now that I’ve given him a job as a musician, he has a devastating attack involving “physically releasing” a CD in his opponents’ direction.
The shift to turn-based action does enable some truly outlandish moves
But there isn’t much gained in terms of tactical scope. While your characters all move around the battlefield automatically, positioning only really comes into play when you try to attack a far-off enemy and another one gets in the way first. Characters often get themselves stuck behind scenery, which can be frustrating when you want to target a specific opponent but have no obvious way to do so. You can use environmental attacks when they’re in range — attacking enemies with a bicycle is a time-honored Yakuza tradition — but it’s not as easy to do so as in the past.
I don’t really have an inherent preference for real-time or turn-based combat, and Like a Dragon switching to the latter doesn’t change the game up too much in the end. I wouldn’t call it a clear improvement, but it’s not a regression either. Overall, I appreciate the attempt to provide a more novel spin on the classic Yakuza experience.
It’s fair to say that Like a Dragon is not a technical showcase. It came out on the PS4 in Japan almost a year ago, and it’s only now making its way to the West. That means even if you’re playing it on the Series X today, it’s firmly rooted in the prior generation — even more so than cross-gen games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla or Watch Dogs: Legion that are also available at launch. (That’s not uncommon for the series: Yakuza 0 was a Japan-only PS3 game before a PS4 version found success in the West nearly two years later.) The Yakuza series still has great facial animation and acting performances, the in-engine cutscenes are well-directed, and the cities are rendered in often-impressive detail. But this is not the place to come for next-generation graphical technology.
Like a Dragon does, however, benefit greatly from its status as an Xbox Play Anywhere title. I started playing it on my Xbox One X last week, installed it on my PC a few days later (TL;DR review: it supports ultrawide resolutions and has a splash screen saying “REAL YAKUZA USE A GAMEPAD”), and now it’s on the Series X that got delivered to me this morning.
The Series X version has the option for a 4K / 30fps mode, but by default, it runs at 1440p / 60fps, which I think is the best option. While it looks essentially identical to what I was playing on the One X, it runs twice as smooth, which is a welcome upgrade. The game also has a lot of interstitial loading screens on the One X, which the Series X speeds up to the point where they’re insignificant.
Like a Dragon might not be what you’d expect from a next-generation launch title, but then the Xbox Series X isn’t always what you’d expect from a next-generation console. While the hardware power isn’t in doubt, at this point, it serves more as a performance boost than a paradigm shift. From that point of view, Like a Dragon is a great game to have available on day one. It’s a fresh take on the Yakuza series, it’ll keep you occupied for a long time, and it runs better than ever before.


theverge--2020-11-10--Leica’s Q2 Monochrom is the company’s latest black-and-white-only camera

Leica is no stranger to releasing cameras that buck the norm , such as its M10-D which lacks an LCD screen entirely or the various generations of M Monochrom cameras that only capture black-and-white images .
The company is now expanding that Monochrom line with the new Q2 Monochrom , available starting on November 10th for $ 5,995 .
The Q2 Monochrom is the company ’ s first autofocus Monochrom camera , with all of the previous models having been based on M-series rangefinders .
As you can expect , it ’ s based on the standard Q2 and shares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , autofocus system , processor , battery , software , and more .
The fixed 28mm f/1.7 lens is unchanged , as is the IP52 weather resistance rating .
The difference , of course , is that the Q2 Monochrom has a black-and-white 47-megapixel full-frame sensor that can capture a wider dynamic range and has better low-light sensitivity than the color sensor in the standard Q2 .
Leica claims it can capture up to 13 stops of light , two stops more than the color model , and its ISO range extends from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says it has a higher effective resolution than the color sensor , despite having the same number of physical pixels , due to the lack of a color filter array .
It is the highest resolution Monochrom camera you can get .
Leica says that to make a Monochrom camera , it completely redesigns the sensor inside , including the microlenses that focus light on each individual pixel .
This is what allows the black-and-white cameras to work better at high sensitivities and capture a wider dynamic range .
From the outside , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the standard Q2 , though there is no red badging and many of the details are simple monochrome etchings .
The body is painted in a more matte finish than the standard model , as well .
The M Monochrom has been beloved by black-and-white photographers since its original release in 2012 for its ability to capture better tones and details than a color image that ’ s converted to black-and-white after the fact .
But you had to be a fan of shooting with a rangefinder and manually focusing for every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many modern photographers .
By expanding the Monochrom family to the Q line , which has a thoroughly modern autofocus system and even the ability to shoot 4K video , Leica is making it more accessible than before .
That accessibility is slight , however , as the $ 6,000 price tag puts the Q2 Monochrom a full thousand dollars above the already staggeringly expensive Q2 .
Should you be okay with that price tag and content with only being able to shoot in black-and-white , you can order the Q2 Monochrom at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Leica is no stranger to releasing cameras that buck the norm, such as its M10-D which lacks an LCD screen entirely or the various generations of M Monochrom cameras that only capture black-and-white images. The company is now expanding that Monochrom line with the new Q2 Monochrom, available starting on November 10th for $5,995.
The Q2 Monochrom is the company’s first autofocus Monochrom camera, with all of the previous models having been based on M-series rangefinders. As you can expect, it’s based on the standard Q2 and shares the same design, handling, viewfinder, autofocus system, processor, battery, software, and more. The fixed 28mm f/1.7 lens is unchanged, as is the IP52 weather resistance rating.
The difference, of course, is that the Q2 Monochrom has a black-and-white 47-megapixel full-frame sensor that can capture a wider dynamic range and has better low-light sensitivity than the color sensor in the standard Q2. Leica claims it can capture up to 13 stops of light, two stops more than the color model, and its ISO range extends from 100 to 100,000. The company also says it has a higher effective resolution than the color sensor, despite having the same number of physical pixels, due to the lack of a color filter array. It is the highest resolution Monochrom camera you can get.
The Q2 Monochrom lacks the signature Leica red badge or any color details on its matte black body. Photo: Leica
Leica says that to make a Monochrom camera, it completely redesigns the sensor inside, including the microlenses that focus light on each individual pixel. This is what allows the black-and-white cameras to work better at high sensitivities and capture a wider dynamic range.
From the outside, the Q2 Monochrom looks essentially the same as the standard Q2, though there is no red badging and many of the details are simple monochrome etchings. The body is painted in a more matte finish than the standard model, as well.
The M Monochrom has been beloved by black-and-white photographers since its original release in 2012 for its ability to capture better tones and details than a color image that’s converted to black-and-white after the fact. But you had to be a fan of shooting with a rangefinder and manually focusing for every shot, which can be off-putting for many modern photographers. By expanding the Monochrom family to the Q line, which has a thoroughly modern autofocus system and even the ability to shoot 4K video, Leica is making it more accessible than before.
The Q2 Monochrom is the first autofocus camera to get the Monochrom treatment Photo: Leica


theverge--2020-11-10--Spotify is acquiring podcast hosting company Megaphone for $235 million

Spotify ’ s making another big podcasting acquisition .
This time , it ’ s buying podcast hosting company Megaphone for $ 235 million , according to a source close to the companies .
The deal doesn ’ t affect Spotify ’ s own podcasts — it already hosted its shows on Megaphone — but it does mean more shows will have access to Spotify ’ s proprietary ad insertion technology , called Streaming Ad Insertion .
SAI functions similarly to typical dynamic podcast ads , which are targeted based on a listener .
But in Spotify ’ s case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time as opposed to being swapped out ahead of a listen .
This means Spotify ’ s system is making real-time decisions about which ads a specific listener should hear based on their data and also based on the goals of the various ad deals Spotify is currently running .
This acquisition means all podcasts currently hosted on Megaphone will gain access to SAI after the deal closes .
No other hosting services offer SAI , so if podcasts or advertisers want to target their ads to Spotify ’ s data and potentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to pay to host their show on Megaphone , or they ’ ll have to pay Megaphone to distribute their ads .
Megaphone has over 5,500 shows hosted on the platform from big publishers like Slate , iHeartMedia , Disney , and Vox Media .
With Megaphone , Spotify now owns a fully rounded-out podcasting ecosystem : a network of exclusive shows , a podcast player , podcast creation software , a hosting company , and its own ad sales team .
This flashy acquisition follows other big-name deals , including Gimlet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Parcast for $ 56 million , The Ringer for $ 196 million , Anchor for $ 140 million , and reportedly more than $ 100 million for just the exclusive distribution and ad sales for The Joe Rogan Experience .
Spotify only really entered the podcasting world in earnest in 2019 , and already , it ’ s buying its way to dominance .
Update 11/10 , 9:23AM ET : Updated to reflect Megaphone ’ s current show count of 5,500 .

Spotify’s making another big podcasting acquisition. This time, it’s buying podcast hosting company Megaphone for $235 million, according to a source close to the companies. The deal doesn’t affect Spotify’s own podcasts — it already hosted its shows on Megaphone — but it does mean more shows will have access to Spotify’s proprietary ad insertion technology, called Streaming Ad Insertion.
SAI functions similarly to typical dynamic podcast ads, which are targeted based on a listener. But in Spotify’s case, the ads are inserted in real time as opposed to being swapped out ahead of a listen. This means Spotify’s system is making real-time decisions about which ads a specific listener should hear based on their data and also based on the goals of the various ad deals Spotify is currently running.
This acquisition means all podcasts currently hosted on Megaphone will gain access to SAI after the deal closes. No other hosting services offer SAI, so if podcasts or advertisers want to target their ads to Spotify’s data and potentially better reach listeners, they’ll have to pay to host their show on Megaphone, or they’ll have to pay Megaphone to distribute their ads. Megaphone has over 5,500 shows hosted on the platform from big publishers like Slate, iHeartMedia, Disney, and Vox Media.
With Megaphone, Spotify now owns a fully rounded-out podcasting ecosystem: a network of exclusive shows, a podcast player, podcast creation software, a hosting company, and its own ad sales team.
This flashy acquisition follows other big-name deals, including Gimlet Media for a reported $200 million, Parcast for $56 million, The Ringer for $196 million, Anchor for $140 million, and reportedly more than $100 million for just the exclusive distribution and ad sales for The Joe Rogan Experience. Spotify only really entered the podcasting world in earnest in 2019, and already, it’s buying its way to dominance.


theverge--2020-11-10--Lil Nas X brings Old Town Road to Roblox with an elaborate virtual concert

As Lil Nas X moves through the setlist of his next concert , the world will change around him .
It ’ ll transform from an Old West set , complete with wooden saloons and spinning dust devils as he sings “ Old Town Road , ” into a darker , almost vampiric stage for “ Rodeo.
” Later , it will morph again into a futuristic city as he plays “ Panini.
” This sort of larger-than-life , impossibly elaborate staging is one of the advantages of performing inside of Roblox — the hit kids game — where Lil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artist to use the platform for a fully virtual concert this week .
“ I didn ’ t want to do a normal live stream because that ’ s what everyone else is doing right now , and I really wanted to create something special that people wouldn ’ t expect , ” Lil Nas X wrote in an email to The Verge .
Roblox is one of the biggest games in the world , with more than 150 million players , mostly kids and teens , signing on each month .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roblox is trying to grow up , too , by expanding into music , offering its players a way to hang out with their friends and catch a show — a particularly useful service at a time when pandemic restrictions prevent large gatherings across most of the world .
Roblox has been experimenting with musical events over the course of the year , setting up stages where players could watch streams of the One World : Together At Home benefit concert and an Ava Max performance .
But this week ’ s event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to the game ’ s most elaborate staging yet .
The show will feature a motion-captured avatar of Lil Nas X dancing around an in-game stage , shouting out the audience , and singing a number of his hits along with a new single , “ Holiday , ” that debuts this week .
The entire digital venue has been built around Lil Nas X ’ s persona .
Players will be able to explore an Old West environment and collect hidden tokens by answering trivia questions about the performer and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a digital merch table where players can use in-game currency , Robux ( which are typically purchased with actual cash ) , to buy virtual shirts , hats , and other merch to outfit their player .
It ’ s the digital equivalent of picking up a concert tee .
( Lil Nas X ’ s favorite item is a set of “ Rodeo ” -inspired wings and shoulder pads .
“ Those are crazy , ” he wrote .
“ Everybody go get those !
” ) Digital concerts have been around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ ve become increasingly popular in recent years .
In 2019 , Marshmello got onstage inside of Fortnite where he DJed to 10.7 million people .
In April , American Football played to a packed house at a digital music venue inside Minecraft .
In the most elaborate of these shows so far , Travis Scott performed inside Fortnite earlier this year , where a giant version of the performer warped around the game world before raining down fire over the island , taking players under water , lighting the sky up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sending players flying off into space to watch him perform while sitting atop an entire planet .
More than 27 million people attended over the course of five separate shows .
These performances accelerate a trend that ’ s been happening for years : games have been turning into virtual hangout spots , and every concert gives players another reason to spend time together online .
“ Maybe when we were in high school , you ’ d go to the mall or basketball court , ” Jon Vlassopulos , Roblox ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I have an eight and a 10 year old .
They meet at a game on the [ Roblox ] platform.
” Lil Nas X ’ s performance will unfold as a multiday event .
Starting today , the performance space will open , and players will be able to start exploring the set and answering trivia questions .
On Friday , players can return to watch a broadcast of a prerecorded Q & A with Lil Nas X .
Then on Saturday afternoon , Lil Nas X ’ s avatar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be replayed two more times , including on Sunday , so that people in other time zones around the globe can catch it , too .
Roblox plans to keep pushing its music integrations forward .
Vlassopulos hints at more of these elaborate motion-captured performances coming over the next year .
He also says Roblox is working toward making a simpler , scaled-back performance style — one that relies on broadcast video , so it ’ s a lower lift for artists , and pre-built sets — so that more artists can use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ premade beach set or a stage floating in space , drop in some customized merch , and then encourage their fans to sign on .
“ Many devs think [ Roblox is ] for younger kids and the visual aesthetic is not as good , ” Vlassopulos said .
“ We ’ re saying , ‘ Hold my beer — this is what Roblox can do .
’ ”

As Lil Nas X moves through the setlist of his next concert, the world will change around him. It’ll transform from an Old West set, complete with wooden saloons and spinning dust devils as he sings “Old Town Road,” into a darker, almost vampiric stage for “Rodeo.” Later, it will morph again into a futuristic city as he plays “Panini.” This sort of larger-than-life, impossibly elaborate staging is one of the advantages of performing inside of Roblox — the hit kids game — where Lil Nas X will become the first major artist to use the platform for a fully virtual concert this week.
“I didn’t want to do a normal live stream because that’s what everyone else is doing right now, and I really wanted to create something special that people wouldn’t expect,” Lil Nas X wrote in an email to The Verge.
Roblox is one of the biggest games in the world, with more than 150 million players, mostly kids and teens, signing on each month. As its audience continues to grow up, Roblox is trying to grow up, too, by expanding into music, offering its players a way to hang out with their friends and catch a show — a particularly useful service at a time when pandemic restrictions prevent large gatherings across most of the world. Roblox has been experimenting with musical events over the course of the year, setting up stages where players could watch streams of the One World: Together At Home benefit concert and an Ava Max performance. But this week’s event will take players, and its performer, to the game’s most elaborate staging yet.
Lil Nas X in a motion-capture suit for his Roblox performance. Photo: Roblox
The show will feature a motion-captured avatar of Lil Nas X dancing around an in-game stage, shouting out the audience, and singing a number of his hits along with a new single, “Holiday,” that debuts this week. The entire digital venue has been built around Lil Nas X’s persona. Players will be able to explore an Old West environment and collect hidden tokens by answering trivia questions about the performer and his music. There’ll also be a digital merch table where players can use in-game currency, Robux (which are typically purchased with actual cash), to buy virtual shirts, hats, and other merch to outfit their player. It’s the digital equivalent of picking up a concert tee. (Lil Nas X’s favorite item is a set of “Rodeo”-inspired wings and shoulder pads. “Those are crazy,” he wrote. “Everybody go get those!”)
Digital concerts have been around for more than a decade, but they’ve become increasingly popular in recent years. In 2019, Marshmello got onstage inside of Fortnite where he DJed to 10.7 million people. In April, American Football played to a packed house at a digital music venue inside Minecraft. In the most elaborate of these shows so far, Travis Scott performed inside Fortnite earlier this year, where a giant version of the performer warped around the game world before raining down fire over the island, taking players under water, lighting the sky up with laser light constellations, and eventually sending players flying off into space to watch him perform while sitting atop an entire planet. More than 27 million people attended over the course of five separate shows.
Players will be able to explore an Old West setting before Lil Nas X performs. Image: Roblox
These performances accelerate a trend that’s been happening for years: games have been turning into virtual hangout spots, and every concert gives players another reason to spend time together online. “Maybe when we were in high school, you’d go to the mall or basketball court,” Jon Vlassopulos, Roblox’s head of music, told The Verge. “I have an eight and a 10 year old. They meet at a game on the [Roblox] platform.”
Lil Nas X’s performance will unfold as a multiday event. Starting today, the performance space will open, and players will be able to start exploring the set and answering trivia questions. On Friday, players can return to watch a broadcast of a prerecorded Q&A with Lil Nas X. Then on Saturday afternoon, Lil Nas X’s avatar will finally perform. The show will be replayed two more times, including on Sunday, so that people in other time zones around the globe can catch it, too.
Roblox plans to keep pushing its music integrations forward. Vlassopulos hints at more of these elaborate motion-captured performances coming over the next year. He also says Roblox is working toward making a simpler, scaled-back performance style — one that relies on broadcast video, so it’s a lower lift for artists, and pre-built sets — so that more artists can use the platform. Artists might choose a premade beach set or a stage floating in space, drop in some customized merch, and then encourage their fans to sign on.


theverge--2020-11-10--The Mandalorian’s darkest moment is now available in Funko Pop form

Funko has announced its latest figurine based on The Mandalorian , commemorating our protagonist ’ s latest seemingly simple job .
If you haven ’ t watched the second episode of the show ’ s second season , then it looks like an innocent-enough model .
Everyone ’ s favorite Baby Yoda* is excited at the prospect of helping a frog-like alien transport her eggs across the galaxy for fertilization .
Cute , right ?
Except for the fact that Baby Yoda is less interested in transporting these eggs as he is in eating them raw .
Now don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ myself a poached egg or two , but I like to think I ’ d hold off on chowing down if their mother desperately needed said eggs to ensure the survival of her species .
Baby Yoda might be a cute kid , but he can be a real asshole when he gets a bit peckish .
The Child with Egg Canister figurine is currently listed for $ 30 on Funko ’ s online store where it ’ s listed as sold out .
Over on Amazon , however , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will release on December 31st .
It was announced as part of yesterday ’ s Mando Mondays promotion , a weekly drop of products inspired by the TV show .
Other items revealed include a wearable Mandalorian helmet , a Baby Yoda plushie , and clothing items .
*Yes , I know the character ’ s name is technically “ The Child.
” You don ’ t have to tweet at me .

Funko has announced its latest figurine based on The Mandalorian, commemorating our protagonist’s latest seemingly simple job. If you haven’t watched the second episode of the show’s second season, then it looks like an innocent-enough model. Everyone’s favorite Baby Yoda* is excited at the prospect of helping a frog-like alien transport her eggs across the galaxy for fertilization. Cute, right?
Caution, spoilers follow
Except for the fact that Baby Yoda is less interested in transporting these eggs as he is in eating them raw. Now don’t get me wrong: I love myself a poached egg or two, but I like to think I’d hold off on chowing down if their mother desperately needed said eggs to ensure the survival of her species. Baby Yoda might be a cute kid, but he can be a real asshole when he gets a bit peckish.
The Child with Egg Canister figurine is currently listed for $30 on Funko’s online store where it’s listed as sold out. Over on Amazon, however, it’s listed as available to pre-order, and will release on December 31st. It was announced as part of yesterday’s Mando Mondays promotion, a weekly drop of products inspired by the TV show. Other items revealed include a wearable Mandalorian helmet, a Baby Yoda plushie, and clothing items.


theverge--2020-11-10--Cheating VanMoof e-bikes will be slowed outside the US

VanMoof is the latest e-bike maker that will remove software that allows its e-bikes to offer pedal-assisted power beyond the EU limit of 25 km/h .
The option that cheats European speed limits will be removed on November 17th with an update to the VanMoof app that will be applied globally .
All of VanMoof ’ s new S3 and X3 e-bikes , regardless of country , are fitted with the same custom-built motor capable of 250W or 350W of continuous power and a 500W peak .
A default region setting in the VanMoof app allows owners outside the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US limits even when located in Europe .
In the US , e-bikes are generally capped at 32 km/h ( 20 mph ) .
“ Over the past months we ’ ve had a number of cases in Germany of our riders being stopped by police for simply having the ability to exceed the 25km/h limit EU default setting by switching to the US country setting in our app , ” says VanMoof co-founder Ties Carlier in a blog post .
“ We are making a change on November 17 to avoid any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For now , it seems VanMoof will not be forcing a region reset onto existing e-bike owners through something like a firmware update , for example .
“ If you are not riding with the correct region setting , we advise you to tap the ‘ reset region settings ’ button when you receive the app update , ” says an email sent to current VanMoof owners .
The move to more strictly comply with the EU speed limit isn ’ t unprecedented .
Cowboy , which only sells e-bikes in Europe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mode from its third-generation e-bikes .
The popular mode was meant for riding the e-bike on “ private property , ” but in practice , it allowed anyone to increase their max pedal-assisted speed to 30 km/h ( 19 mph ) after acknowledging a warning message .
EU directive 168/2013 has governed all e-bikes in Europe since January 1st , 2017 .
It says pedal-assisted electric bikes with a top speed of 25 km/h and maximum continuous rated power of 250W are treated as regular bicycles that can be ridden without a helmet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ pedelecs ” ( a portmanteau of “ pedal electric cycle ” ) , and their sales have exploded in recent years , propelled even higher after the COVID-19 pandemic .
Bikes with more powerful specs require insurance and registration at a minimum , which is why the vast majority of e-bikes sold in Europe seem underpowered and slow to Americans accustomed to 750W motors .
The European Commission is looking into changing its type-approval legislation , but that could take months , if not years .
Right now , regulated e-bikes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ L1e-A “ powered cycles ” are more powerful pedal-assisted bikes like cargo e-bikes popular with families with a top speed of 25 km/h and a maximum continuous rated power below 1000W .
L1e-B e-bikes have motors with a maximum output of 4,000W and are capable of going up to 45 km/h .
Popular brands such as Stromer sell these so-called “ speed pedelecs ” ( or s-pedelecs ) , which are treated the same as mopeds : they require a helmet , a driver ’ s license , insurance , and registration ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bike paths ; and can ’ t be ridden by anyone under the age of 16 .
European bicycle advocacy group LEVA-EU ( European Light Electric Vehicle Association ) says the current regulations are stifling e-bike adoption in Europe .
“ The market for speed pedelecs , for example , has great difficulties in developing because in most cases they are categorized as classic mopeds .
However , the terms of use for mopeds are unsuitable for speed pedelecs , ” said LEVA-EU in a press release in October .
“ The situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 km/h e-bikes with more than 250W .
In this L1e-A category , virtually no type approvals have been carried out since 2013.
” LEVA-EU claims this is partly due to e-bike manufacturers being forced to navigate complicated and costly procedures originally designed to regulate vehicles with combustion motors .
Therefore , the LEVA-EU proposes that e-bikes be reclassified as zero-emission vehicles and regulated according to weight and speed .
Nobody is happy with the current e-bike regulations in Europe An argument can be made that 25 km/h is a reasonable top supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protected bike lanes with slower bicyclists riding traditional bikes in congested city centers like Amsterdam , Copenhagen , and Berlin .
If the cap was raised to 32 km/h , many riders would take advantage of that and create an unsafe speed disparity in those bike lanes .
But it ’ s harder to justify those slow speeds outside the city limits for people looking to replace cars for longer commutes , especially for those who ride on deserted bike paths or must ride on roadways alongside the very cars that Europe ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replace .
There are initiatives underway that use sophisticated roadside technology coupled with s-pedelecs fitted with Intelligent Speed Assistants to limit e-bike speeds in congested areas .
But these efforts , despite seeing some success , are at very early stages .
The UK is currently subject to the same EU regulations , but that might change after Brexit on January 1st .
There ’ s currently a petition in front of the UK government to increase the speed limit from 25 km/h to match the US limit of 32 km/h ( 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say that nobody is happy with the current e-bike regulations in Europe , but especially new VanMoof owners after November 17th .

VanMoof is the latest e-bike maker that will remove software that allows its e-bikes to offer pedal-assisted power beyond the EU limit of 25 km/h. The option that cheats European speed limits will be removed on November 17th with an update to the VanMoof app that will be applied globally.
All of VanMoof’s new S3 and X3 e-bikes, regardless of country, are fitted with the same custom-built motor capable of 250W or 350W of continuous power and a 500W peak. A default region setting in the VanMoof app allows owners outside the US to select the faster and more powerful US limits even when located in Europe. In the US, e-bikes are generally capped at 32 km/h (20 mph).
“Over the past months we’ve had a number of cases in Germany of our riders being stopped by police for simply having the ability to exceed the 25km/h limit EU default setting by switching to the US country setting in our app,” says VanMoof co-founder Ties Carlier in a blog post. “We are making a change on November 17 to avoid any discussion on adherence to these laws.”
A preview of the new app settings sent to current VanMoof owners. GIF: VanMoof
For now, it seems VanMoof will not be forcing a region reset onto existing e-bike owners through something like a firmware update, for example. “If you are not riding with the correct region setting, we advise you to tap the ‘reset region settings’ button when you receive the app update,” says an email sent to current VanMoof owners.
The move to more strictly comply with the EU speed limit isn’t unprecedented. Cowboy, which only sells e-bikes in Europe, recently removed the faster “off-road” mode from its third-generation e-bikes. The popular mode was meant for riding the e-bike on “private property,” but in practice, it allowed anyone to increase their max pedal-assisted speed to 30 km/h (19 mph) after acknowledging a warning message.
EU directive 168/2013 has governed all e-bikes in Europe since January 1st, 2017. It says pedal-assisted electric bikes with a top speed of 25 km/h and maximum continuous rated power of 250W are treated as regular bicycles that can be ridden without a helmet. These e-bikes are often referred to as “pedelecs” (a portmanteau of “pedal electric cycle”), and their sales have exploded in recent years, propelled even higher after the COVID-19 pandemic. Bikes with more powerful specs require insurance and registration at a minimum, which is why the vast majority of e-bikes sold in Europe seem underpowered and slow to Americans accustomed to 750W motors.
The European Commission is looking into changing its type-approval legislation, but that could take months, if not years. Right now, regulated e-bikes fall under two types in Europe: L1e-A “powered cycles” are more powerful pedal-assisted bikes like cargo e-bikes popular with families with a top speed of 25 km/h and a maximum continuous rated power below 1000W. L1e-B e-bikes have motors with a maximum output of 4,000W and are capable of going up to 45 km/h. Popular brands such as Stromer sell these so-called “speed pedelecs” (or s-pedelecs), which are treated the same as mopeds: they require a helmet, a driver’s license, insurance, and registration; can’t usually be ridden on bike paths; and can’t be ridden by anyone under the age of 16.
European bicycle advocacy group LEVA-EU (European Light Electric Vehicle Association) says the current regulations are stifling e-bike adoption in Europe. “The market for speed pedelecs, for example, has great difficulties in developing because in most cases they are categorized as classic mopeds. However, the terms of use for mopeds are unsuitable for speed pedelecs,” said LEVA-EU in a press release in October. “The situation is even worse for the category of 25 km/h e-bikes with more than 250W. In this L1e-A category, virtually no type approvals have been carried out since 2013.” LEVA-EU claims this is partly due to e-bike manufacturers being forced to navigate complicated and costly procedures originally designed to regulate vehicles with combustion motors. Therefore, the LEVA-EU proposes that e-bikes be reclassified as zero-emission vehicles and regulated according to weight and speed.
Nobody is happy with the current e-bike regulations in Europe
An argument can be made that 25 km/h is a reasonable top supported speed for e-bikes that must share narrow protected bike lanes with slower bicyclists riding traditional bikes in congested city centers like Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Berlin. If the cap was raised to 32 km/h, many riders would take advantage of that and create an unsafe speed disparity in those bike lanes. But it’s harder to justify those slow speeds outside the city limits for people looking to replace cars for longer commutes, especially for those who ride on deserted bike paths or must ride on roadways alongside the very cars that Europe’s green initiatives are so eager to replace.
There are initiatives underway that use sophisticated roadside technology coupled with s-pedelecs fitted with Intelligent Speed Assistants to limit e-bike speeds in congested areas. But these efforts, despite seeing some success, are at very early stages.
The UK is currently subject to the same EU regulations, but that might change after Brexit on January 1st. There’s currently a petition in front of the UK government to increase the speed limit from 25 km/h to match the US limit of 32 km/h (20 mph).


theverge--2020-11-10--Uber rolls out a new feature that lets you book a ride 30 days in advance

Uber is rolling out a new feature that lets customers book a ride 30 days in advance called ( you guessed it ) Uber Reserve .
In some respects , this isn ’ t entirely new .
Uber has been letting customers schedule rides in advance since 2016 .
Lyft also allows customers to book rides as much as seven days ahead of time .
But now , the feature is getting a new brand name , some notable tweaks to how drivers are connected with riders , and a service fee to incentivize drivers to accept these advance bookings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has typically been the exclusive realm of for-hire vehicle services like black car and limo companies .
Previously , Uber and Lyft , which place a huge premium on efficiency , have said such features are unnecessary when a car can be summoned to your front door in about five minutes .
The worry has been that rather than responding to immediate ride requests , drivers would be wasting time circling a neighborhood , waiting for a scheduled customer .
But Uber has changed its tune , and its algorithm , to improve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t being forced to choose between scheduled rides and on-demand ones .
Starting this week , Uber Reserve will be live in 20 US cities .
The process for booking a scheduled ride is much more streamlined than in the past .
Rides can be booked as much as 30 days in advance but no less than two hours before the scheduled pickup .
In contrast to how Uber ’ s done it before , customers using Reserve will be matched with a driver two hours ahead of their pickup and presented with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would let customers book rides in advance but wouldn ’ t match them with a driver until at least 15 minutes before the scheduled pickup time .
There will also be 15 minutes of wait time built into the pickup , so customers don ’ t feel too pressured .
And if something goes wrong and the driver doesn ’ t make it , customers will receive $ 50 in credit to use in the Uber app .
The upfront fares will include a service fee ranging from $ 8–12 The upfront fares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 8–12 , depending on the market .
“ Obviously these trips are more expensive than the on demand version of the trip , ” said Geoffrey Tam-Scott , product manager at Uber .
“ We ’ re trying to enable between the rider and driver the most reliable , assured experience that is possible .
And so by adding this extra fee to the fare it makes the trips more attractive to drivers.
” Uber ’ s ride-hailing business has been pummeled by the coronavirus pandemic but is slowly starting to rebound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or the amount of money it takes in before paying drivers , fell 50 percent year over year .
It ’ s a grim position but also a steady improvement over the second quarter , in which Uber ’ s ride-hailing business was down 73 percent year over year .
Still , there was no mistaking the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the company ’ s core transportation business .
Uber brought in $ 2.8 billion in adjusted revenue , an 18 percent decline year over year .
Uber Reserve predates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether it was wise to roll out a new product — especially one with clear connections to airport trips — during a time when most customers continue to avoid everything except extremely local trips .
But Uber sees this new Reserve feature as having utility outside the world of business travel .
Tam-Scott said it could be used for booking a ride to a doctor ’ s appointment or the grocery store when crowds aren ’ t as common .
“ There ’ s still very much this need for certainty and assurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ maybe even more so during the pandemic .
”

Uber is rolling out a new feature that lets customers book a ride 30 days in advance called (you guessed it) Uber Reserve.
In some respects, this isn’t entirely new. Uber has been letting customers schedule rides in advance since 2016. Lyft also allows customers to book rides as much as seven days ahead of time. But now, the feature is getting a new brand name, some notable tweaks to how drivers are connected with riders, and a service fee to incentivize drivers to accept these advance bookings.
Booking a car ahead of time has typically been the exclusive realm of for-hire vehicle services like black car and limo companies. Previously, Uber and Lyft, which place a huge premium on efficiency, have said such features are unnecessary when a car can be summoned to your front door in about five minutes. The worry has been that rather than responding to immediate ride requests, drivers would be wasting time circling a neighborhood, waiting for a scheduled customer.
Related Uber takes a victory lap on Prop 22 and talks about taking it national
But Uber has changed its tune, and its algorithm, to improve the matching process so drivers aren’t being forced to choose between scheduled rides and on-demand ones.
Starting this week, Uber Reserve will be live in 20 US cities. The process for booking a scheduled ride is much more streamlined than in the past. Rides can be booked as much as 30 days in advance but no less than two hours before the scheduled pickup.
In contrast to how Uber’s done it before, customers using Reserve will be matched with a driver two hours ahead of their pickup and presented with an upfront fare. Previously, Uber would let customers book rides in advance but wouldn’t match them with a driver until at least 15 minutes before the scheduled pickup time.
There will also be 15 minutes of wait time built into the pickup, so customers don’t feel too pressured. And if something goes wrong and the driver doesn’t make it, customers will receive $50 in credit to use in the Uber app.
The upfront fares will include a service fee ranging from $8–12
The upfront fares will include a service fee ranging from $8–12, depending on the market. “Obviously these trips are more expensive than the on demand version of the trip,” said Geoffrey Tam-Scott, product manager at Uber. “We’re trying to enable between the rider and driver the most reliable, assured experience that is possible. And so by adding this extra fee to the fare it makes the trips more attractive to drivers.”
Uber’s ride-hailing business has been pummeled by the coronavirus pandemic but is slowly starting to rebound. Gross bookings in its ride-hailing division, or the amount of money it takes in before paying drivers, fell 50 percent year over year. It’s a grim position but also a steady improvement over the second quarter, in which Uber’s ride-hailing business was down 73 percent year over year. Still, there was no mistaking the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the company’s core transportation business. Uber brought in $2.8 billion in adjusted revenue, an 18 percent decline year over year.
Uber Reserve predates the pandemic, and the company considered whether it was wise to roll out a new product — especially one with clear connections to airport trips — during a time when most customers continue to avoid everything except extremely local trips.
But Uber sees this new Reserve feature as having utility outside the world of business travel. Tam-Scott said it could be used for booking a ride to a doctor’s appointment or the grocery store when crowds aren’t as common.