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Category: DigitalTransformationTrends

DigitalTransformationTrends

  • Netflix Taps Microsoft to Help It Roll Out an Ad-Supported Tier

    Netflix Taps Microsoft to Help It Roll Out an Ad-Supported Tier

    Netflix is moving forward with its plans for an ad-supported tier, tapping Microsoft to help it develop the necessary infrastructure.

    Netflix has been looking for ways to increase growth, especially after the company reported its first subscriber loss in nearly a decade. One of the main options the company has been looking at is an ad-supported tier, but rolling it out requires an infrastructure that Netflix does not currently have.

    After earlier reports indicated the company was looking at Google or NBCUniversal for assistance, the company has chosen Microsoft instead.

    “Today we are pleased to announce that we have selected Microsoft as our global advertising technology and sales partner,” writes Greg Peters, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Product Officer.

    “Microsoft has the proven ability to support all our advertising needs as we work together to build a new ad-supported offering. More importantly, Microsoft offered the flexibility to innovate over time on both the technology and sales side, as well as strong privacy protections for our members.”

    The announcement is a big win for Microsoft and will hopefully help Netflix turn its fortunes around.

  • UK Launches Competition Probe of Microsoft’s Activision Acquisition

    UK Launches Competition Probe of Microsoft’s Activision Acquisition

    The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a probe into Microsoft’s plans to purchase Activision Blizzard.

    Microsoft made headlines in January 2022 when it announced a deal to purchase the video game company for $68.7 billion. Needless to say, a deal of that size was sure to draw regulatory scrutiny, and it certainly has. The FTC launched a review of the deal, US senators asked the FTC to investigate further, and now the CMA has launched its own probe of the deal.

    The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

    CEO Satya Nadella originally framed the deal in the context of Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to further metaverse development and the role games will play in that future. Like Apple, Meta, Google, and others, Microsoft is working to help develop the metaverse and ensure it is a major player moving forward.

    It remains to be seen if the CMA will challenge the acquisition. The agency has previously blocked major acquisitions, including Meta’s purchase of Giphy.

  • Siemens Buys Brightly Software for $1.575 billion

    Siemens Buys Brightly Software for $1.575 billion

    German firm Siemens is buying US software company Brightly Software for $1.575 billion to accelerate its software business.

    Siemens is a leader in the infrastructure market, as well as the growing digital buildings industry. By purchasing Brightly, Siemens hopes to apply the former’s cloud capabilities, specifically in education, public infrastructure, healthcare, and manufacturing, to its own business. The acquisition will also accelerate Siemens’ SaaS ambitions, giving it a leg up on its competitors.

    “This is another important step in our strategy as a focused technology company. By combining the real and digital worlds, we provide our customers with the technology required to drive their digital transformation to create the most sustainable and human-centric buildings. Today’s acquisition bolsters our growth targets, especially for digital revenue and software as a service. We are proud and excited to warmly welcome Brightly to the Siemens family,” said Roland Busch, President and CEO of Siemens AG.

    Siemens sees Brightly as a way to help it tackle climate change and adapt to the growing urbanization of the planet’s population, with 7 billion people expected to live in urban areas by 2050.

    “Brightly will enable us to leapfrog to the next level of performance for buildings. With seamless data exchange between our offerings, our customers can expect enhanced efficiency, lower downtimes and maintenance costs, shorter lifecycles, better data-driven decisions and more satisfied tenants,” said Matthias Rebellius, Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG and CEO of Smart Infrastructure. “The acquisition will speed up our target of becoming a leading software company also in infrastructure and support our vision of creating fully autonomous buildings that continuously learn from and adapt to the needs of their tenants.”

    The acquisition is subject to standard regulatory approval and is expected to close in 2022.

  • Report: American Innovation and Choice Online Act Will Drive Inflation

    Report: American Innovation and Choice Online Act Will Drive Inflation

    A new report by Committee to Unleash Prosperity economists says an antitrust bill making its way through Congress “will make inflation worse.”

    The American Innovation and Choice Online Act is a piece of antitrust legislation introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar, Chuck Grassley, and John Kennedy. The bill’s aim is to reduce the influence of Big Tech and help level the playing field for smaller companies, as well as better serve consumers. According to the report by Dr. Arthur B. Laffer and John Barrington Burke, the bill will actually make things worse for consumers by increasing inflation.

    “Allegations of monopolistic pricing behavior in the technology sector are misplaced,” the authors write. “We show that many of the technology companies that would be affected by the antitrust bills before Congress have driven dramatic reductions in prices paid by consumers. The Klobuchar bill could add dramatically to the prices that consumers pay for routine tech services from package deliveries, to cell phones, to search engine services.”

    The report makes the case that Big Tech firms are actually not monopolies, with the tech industry being less concentrated than the average US industry. The report also argues that the antitrust legislation before Congress would significantly weaken US tech innovation and cripple the digital economy’s penchant for lowering prices.

    This latest report joins a growing chorus of criticism of the American Innovation and Choice Online Act bill. The Independent Women’s Voice said the “bill is not about protecting competition in America, but expanding regulatory control over a handful of large tech corporations, even if to the detriment of consumers.”

    Similarly, Amazon has said the bill would severely impact its Amazon Prime service, even going so far as to say the bill primarily targeted the e-commerce giant.

    “Oddly, and inappropriately, this legislation is targeted at only one U.S. retailer—Amazon,” the company said.

    It remains to be seen if the bill will be passed and signed into law. While there is nearly unprecedented bipartisan support for antitrust legislation, the voices against the bill are certainly stacking up.

  • 5G Subscriptions Will Pass 1 Billion in 2022

    5G Subscriptions Will Pass 1 Billion in 2022

    The latest Ericsson Mobility Report is out and has good news for 5G adoption, projecting the market will pass 1 billion subscribers in 2022.

    Wireless carriers the worldwide have been racing to roll out their 5G networks. There are currently more than 210 providers providing commercial 5G, with more than 20 service providers launching standalone 5G networks by the end of 2021, and Ericsson expects that number to double in 2022. The rapid pace of adoption resulted in 620 million 5G subscribers in the first quarter of 2022, with that number expected to pass 1 billion by year’s end.

    By the end of 2027, we forecast 4.4 billion 5G subscriptions globally, accounting for 48 percent of all mobile subscriptions.

    Interestingly, the pace of 5G adoption is significantly faster than 4G was, reaching the 1 billion mark a full two years sooner than 4G. Ericsson attributed the faster growth to multiple factors.

    Key factors include the timely availability of devices from several vendors, with prices falling faster than for 4G, as well as China’s large, early 5G deployments. 5G will become the dominant mobile access technology by subscriptions in 2027.

    Thanks to 5G’s adoption, the amount of data the average smartphone user is consuming is also on the rise. The global average monthly usage was 12GB at the end of 2021 but is expected to top 15GB in 2022 and 40GB by the end of 2027.

    “Resilient networks are the foundation for continued digitalization of societies and industries,” writes Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Area Networks. “Continuous network modernization and coverage build-out has led to several hundred million people becoming new mobile broadband subscribers every year.”

  • Lawmakers Demands Answers From Inuit Over ‘Free File Scams’

    Lawmakers Demands Answers From Inuit Over ‘Free File Scams’

    Lawmakers have written a letter to Intuit CEO Sasan K. Goodarzi demanding answers over what they called the company’s “Free File scams.”

    Tax preparation companies in the US, including Intuit, have a long history of making it difficult to find Free File options. While any taxpayer making under $69,000 a year can legally file their taxes for free, many companies have gone to great lengths to bury those free options, making it difficult for consumers to find.

    Senator Warren, Congresswoman Katie Porter, and Congressman Brad Sherman are taking aim at Intuit specifically, writing a letter demanding answers about the company’s behavor.

    We are writing regarding your company’s ongoing pattern of hiring former regulators to defend TurboTax products that scam American taxpayers into paying for services that should be free. Most recently, a court filing related to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) complaint against Intuit for its deceptive advertisements of its “bogus” free tax preparation products revealed that former FTC Commissioner Jon Liebowitz has served as outside counsel for Intuit. Given this new revelation and Intuit’s track record of lobbying to protect its shady business practices, we seek to understand the extent to which Intuit has used former government officials to defend and maintain its unethical and potentially illegal practices that cost American taxpayers billions of dollars.

    The lawmakers go on to highlight the general failure of the Free File Program, in addition to Intuit’s role in that failure.

    The Free File program has been a failure, scamming taxpayers into paying for services that should be free. Free File was supposed to cover 70% of American taxpayers, but as of 2018, only approximately 3% of taxpayers participated each year. As we noted in 2019, deceptive practices and outright sabotage from Free File companies have driven this under-utilization, and Intuit, with approximately 60% market share in consumer tax software, bears much of the blame for these practices. Intuit deliberately hid its IRS Free File program from Google results using “dark patterns” – adding code into the website to suppress results, and instead pushing taxpayers into their in-house “freemium” edition where they could be tricked into paying into services that should be free under Free File. In addition, Intuit repeatedly changed the names and landing pages for the Free File and freemium programs, creating additional confusion for consumers that are eligible for truly free filing.

    The lawmakers want Intuit to provide information on its employees and their relationships with the federal government, in an effort to prevent a repeat of the Jon Liebowitz situation.

    It remains to be seen what additional action the lawmakers may propose.

  • EU Court Deals Another Blow to Mass Phone Data Collection

    EU Court Deals Another Blow to Mass Phone Data Collection

    The Court of Justice of the EU (ECJ) has ruled member states cannot indiscriminately retain mass phone data to prevent crime.

    Data collection has become a major source of contention between privacy advocates and governments, especially since Edward Snowden blew the whistle on the mass collection of data by various government agencies. The EU is now making that kind of data collection a little bit harder, according to Reuters, in an appeal over a case in Ireland.

    The case in question involved a man who received life imprisonment for murder, but appealed based on the data collection that was used to prosecute him. While the ECJ said a national court would have to decide on the legality of the data’s use, it issued a broader statement about data collection, saying member states cannot use “general and indiscriminate” data retention as a way of preventing crime.

    The court did leave the door open for very narrow circumstances where such action could be taken, but it would generally involve the most serious of crimes, such as those involving national security.

  • Lawmakers Move to Limit Surveillance Gag Orders

    Lawmakers Move to Limit Surveillance Gag Orders

    A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced legislation to prevent US agencies from using gag orders to hide domestic surveillance indefinitely.

    US agencies have been using gag orders for years, prohibiting tech companies from notifying their customers when the government obtains their data. In many cases, the gag orders have no time limit attached, meaning some customers never find out their emails, messages, and other data were seized. In some of the most extreme cases, data belonging to journalists for the New York Times, CNN, and Fox News was seized, and those seizures remained secret for years.

    A group of bipartisan lawmakers, in both houses of Congress, want to stop the gag orders and bring transparency to the entire process. The Government Surveillance Transparency Act was introduced by Senators Ron Wyden and Steve Daines, and co-sponsored by Senators Cory Booker, and Mike Lee. Meanwhile, in the House, Ted Lieu and Warren Davidson are introducing the companion legislation.

    “When the government obtains someone’s emails or other digital information, users have a right to know,” Wyden said. “Our bill ensures that no investigation will be compromised, but makes sure the government can’t hide surveillance forever by misusing sealing and gag orders to prevent the American people from understanding the enormous scale of government surveillance, as well as ensuring that the targets eventually learn their personal information has been searched.”

    “It’s simple—Montanans have a Constitutional right to know if their personal information has been searched or seized or if they’re being investigated by the government,” Senator Daines said. “We must increase transparency regarding government surveillance while maintaining the integrity of investigations.”

    The legislation would be a major step forward for transparency and privacy.

  • Tim Cook: ‘We’re Not Against Digital Advertising’

    Tim Cook: ‘We’re Not Against Digital Advertising’

    Tim Cook has set the record straight that Apple is not against digital advertising, it simply wants to give consumers more control.

    Apple is at odds with the advertising industry over changes to iOS. Apple recently began enforcing privacy labels, forcing app developers to disclose what user information they collect and track. iOS will soon include App Track Transparency (ATT), forcing apps to ask users for permission to track them.

    Unfortunately, the advertising industry seems to suffer the belief that it has an inalienable right to track users, and build detailed profiles of them, with or without their permission. Thankfully, Apple is opposed to that view, and holds to the idea that people should be able to decide for themselves whether they are tracked and profiled — not the have the decision made for them by advertisers.

    In an interview with the Toronto Sun, via AppleInsider, CEO Tim Cook clarified the company’s stand.

    “We’re not against digital advertising,” Cook said. “I think digital advertising is going to thrive in any situation, because more and more time is spent online, less and less is spent on linear TV. And digital advertising will do well in any situation. The question is, do we allow the building of this detailed profile to exist without your consent?”

    Cook framed Apple’s actions in the context of protecting its users.

    “We feel so much that it’s our responsibility to help our users be able to make this decision. We’re not going to make the decision for them. Because it’s not our decision either. It should be each of ours’ as to what happens with our data. Who has it and how they use it,” Cook continued.

    Cook also addressed why companies like Facebook and Procter & Gamble are so opposed to Apple’s efforts. P&G has even gone so far as to work with a Chinese ad agency to find ways of bypassing ATT.

    According to Cook, these companies are only concerned because they’re facing a reality where they may not have access to the same amount of data as before, and they would only lose that access if customers choose not to give it to them. Rather than accept that change, their approach is: “You don’t want to give us access to all your data, so we’re going to try to find ways around your choice and collect your data anyway.”

    Regardless of whether you’re an Apple or Android user, Apple’s stance on privacy is a refreshing one — one where the customer comes first.

  • Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Ban Mergers Over $5 Billion

    Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Ban Mergers Over $5 Billion

    US Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Mondaire Jones have introduced bills to ban corporate mergers over $5 billion.

    Mergers have become an increasingly major concern for lawmakers, in both the US and the EU. Big Tech, in particular, has come under scrutiny, with many mergers being viewed as anticompetitive. Various measures have been proposed, but new bills — Prohibiting Anticompetitive Mergers Act — by Warren and Jones may be the most aggressive yet, proposing a total ban on mergers over $5 billion.

    The bills would give the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) the power to block mergers without needing a court order. The two agencies would also be given the power to undo mergers they deem harmful.

    “For the last five decades, big companies have had almost free reign over our economy, squashing competitors, growing bigger and bigger, and abusing their market power to price gouge consumers and crush workers and small businesses. This unconstitutional behavior has to stop. My new bill with Rep. Jones would restore our country’s anti-monopoly tradition by banning the biggest, most anticompetitive mergers and giving the DOJ and the FTC stronger tools to enforce our antitrust laws and restore real competition in our markets. Congress needs to take bold action to bring down prices for families and promote a fairer economy for all Americans, and our bill would do just that,” said Senator Warren.

    “In 2021, our antitrust agencies received more merger filings than in any other year during the last decade,” said Congressman Mondaire Jones. “From major tech mergers between companies like Facebook and Instagram to agriculture mergers between companies like Wayne and Sanderson Farms, the recent rise in corporate consolidation has increased unemployment, suppressed wages, and allowed companies to hike up prices even further during this period of inflation. It’s why we need the Prohibiting Anticompetitive Mergers Act, which I’m proud to introduce with Senator Elizabeth Warren. Our bill would empower workers, raise wages, reduce prices, combat inequality, and enable small businesses to thrive. By banning the biggest, most anticompetitive mergers, overhauling the merger-review process to include consideration of labor-market consequences, and strengthening agencies’ tools to break up harmful mergers, our bill will tackle corporate consolidation head on and help build a fairer, more vibrant economy that works for everyone.”

    In just the last few weeks, Microsoft announced plans to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion, and Google is purchasing Mandiant for $5.4 billion. Similarly, Amazon is purchasing MGM for $8.45 billion. If the bills should pass, these deals could be on the chopping block, or undone after the fact.

  • Instagram Joining the NFT Craze

    Instagram Joining the NFT Craze

    Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed the company’s plans to bring NFTs to Instagram, a move that is sure to draw praise and criticism.

    NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are blockchain-based digital assets that can be created, bought, sold, and held. Some have already fetched millions of dollars, and led to many different companies and platforms looking for ways to cash in.

    According to Engadget, Zuckerberg has said NFTs are coming to Instagram, although he’s still a little fuzzy on some of the details.

    “We’re working on bringing NFTs to Instagram in the near term,” he said, without going into too many details. “I’m not ready to kind of announce exactly what that’s going to be today. But over the next several months, the ability to bring some of your NFT

    Given Instagram’s popularity and Meta’s backing, it’s a safe bet the social media app could quickly become one of the most popular NFT destinations.

  • Judges Rules Blanket Cellphone Location Tracking Is Unconstitutional

    Judges Rules Blanket Cellphone Location Tracking Is Unconstitutional

    A federal judge has shot down a widely used police tactic, ruling the blanket collection of cellphone location data is unconstitutional.

    Police departments will sometimes use cellphone data to find out who was in the vicinity of a crime in an effort to locate possible suspects. With a geofence warrant, the police can find out how many cell phones were near the crime, and who those cell phones belong to.

    While the practice has proven very effective, critics have accused police of violating the Fourth Amendment, since the warrant doesn’t target a single individual, but scoops up the location data of everyone in a certain area, the majority of whom are innocent. Since the Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable search and seizure, critics and privacy proponents believed that protection should extend to a person’s phone and location data.

    According to NBC News, Judge M. Hannah Lauck of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia agrees, ruling the practice unconstitutional.

    The ruling is a major win for privacy advocates, although it remains to be seen if the government will appeal.

  • Biden Urges Congress to Pass CHIPS Act

    Biden Urges Congress to Pass CHIPS Act

    President Joe Biden has urged Congress to pass the CHIPS Act, as the US looks to become more semiconductor independent.

    The CHIPS Act is a piece of legislation that would provide $52 billion in subsidies to chipmakers that manufacture on US soil. The pandemic shone a spotlight on the risks of being dependent on one country, or one region, for something as important as semiconductors. As the pandemic spread, early lockdowns in China and Asia helped contribute to a shortage the industry is still grappling with. National security concerns have increased in recent years as well, leading to an even bigger push toward semiconductor independence.

    The goal of CHIPS Act is to help companies establish the infrastructure and manufacturing facilities needed to competitively manufacture chips in the US. Intel has been a big proponent of the legislation, and CEO Pat Gelsinger was in attendance when Biden addressed Congress during the State of the Union, according to CNET.

    “Intel’s CEO, Pat Gelsinger, who is here tonight, told me they are ready to increase their investment from $20 billion to $100 billion. That would be one of the biggest investments in manufacturing in American history,” Biden said. “And all they’re waiting for is for you to pass this bill…Send it to my desk. I’ll sign it.”

    Intel has already begun heavily investing in US-based manufacturing, building factories in Ohio and Arizona.

  • UK Will Require Tech Firms to Verify User Identity When Posting Online

    UK Will Require Tech Firms to Verify User Identity When Posting Online

    The UK is preparing to implement its Online Safety Bill, including provisions that will require tech firms to combat online trolls with ID verification.

    The nature of the internet has often been at odds with societal good. By design, the internet was built around anonymity. In recent years, however, that anonymity has come under increasing scrutiny as online harassment and trolls have become a major issue. The issue has especially come into focus as anonymous accounts have been used to spread misinformation, often with far-reaching consequences.

    The UK wants to address that issue by stripping away that anonymity and requiring tech companies to verify user identities, according to CNBC.

    “Tech firms have a responsibility to stop anonymous trolls polluting their platforms,” U.K. Digital Minister Nadine Dorries said in a statement Friday.

    “People will now have more control over who can contact them and be able to stop the tidal wave of hate served up to them by rogue algorithms.”

    Needless to say, online platforms are not happy with the UK’s plans. Many online platforms, civil rights groups, and privacy advocates view anonymity as an important element to preserving people’s safety and privacy, especially against oppressive regimes.

    The Online Safety Bill doesn’t specify how tech companies should implement ID verification, leaving them leeway to find the method that best fits. Some of the potential options include facial recognition, two-factor authentication, or verification with some form of government ID.

  • 3 Digital Innovations to Help Your Startup

    3 Digital Innovations to Help Your Startup

    The United States government has been noted for encouraging entrepreneurship and for being focused on providing small businesses in the U.S with the tools and resources needed to grow and sustain themselves. The Biden-Harris Administration has even distributed over $400 billion in critical relief to more than six million small businesses in America.

    The government states that 71 percent of small business owners “are optimistic about their own performance in 2022, up from 63 percent one year ago. The broader economic recovery – one of the fastest on record – has also helped spur a surge in entrepreneurship. Americans are applying to start new businesses at a record rate, up about 30 percent compared to before the pandemic.” The government has stated that they will be placing emphasis on:

    ● Connecting small businesses to the resources needed to grow and succeed.

    ● Expanding access to low-cost investments and loans.

    ● Providing universal broadband to help small businesses hire new employees and reach new customers

    ● Providing greater access to billions of dollars in federal contracts for small businesses.

    The increased government support proves that now is the best time to start that new business that you have been thinking about; apart from federal resources, the internet is a treasure trove for digital innovations to help startups reach their potential as well as tips for selling car insurance or improving SEO.

    3 Digital Business Tools to Help New Businesses

    Registered Agent Services

    United States law requires all businesses that have been filed with the state to have a registered business agent. What is a Registered Agent? A registered agent is an individual or even a business entity that will formally accept tax and legal documents on behalf of a business. A registered agent is also referred to as a resident agent or statutory agent.

    The registered agent can be anyone of legal age that meets the state’s requirements; however, registered agent services are preferred since they provide a professional and knowledgeable expert that will handle any official communication and filings on behalf of the business. They provide entrepreneurs with:

    ●  Compliance with the Law

    ●  Peace of Mind

    ●  Flexibility

    ●  Privacy

    There are a  variety of online businesses that provide entrepreneurs with this service; however, it is always recommended that business owners conduct proper research before they commit.

    Business Name Generators

    Thinking of the perfect business name is hard work; after all, it becomes the central focus of the brand and should therefore embody everything about it. However, it cannot be too complex because this will make it difficult to remember and search for– it also needs to be creative and catchy to leave a lasting impression. This is a lot of pressure to put on just a few words; however, it could make or break a business.

    This is why online name generators are so handy. Not only do they provide businesses with a variety of options, but they also streamline the process so that entrepreneurs can move onto the next phase of getting their business up and running. Name generators work by utilizing a set of keywords that are provided by the user; they then use these words to generate a set of industry or location-specific options (not all tools provide this option). Entrepreneurs can then pick the best name and go about the rest of the registration process.

    Cloud Storage

    The cloud is a digital storage solution that has dramatically changed the way companies store and access their data. Cloud solutions allow companies to keep data and applications on secure, remote servers. This allows for swift scalability, rapid deployment of new solutions, and more efficient information management. Popular options include Google Drive, OneDrive, and DropBox, which are ideal for the current mobile workforce. It also works as the perfect solution for new startups that do not have the space or funding for a storage warehouse.

    It also ensures that files are kept the same in the event of a disaster, and they can be easily accessed on command. It also allows businesses to keep track of who has access to their documents.

    Final Thoughts

    Advancements in technology have helped businesses reach new heights at rapid speeds; they streamline the process by consolidating and simplifying business operations so that owners have more time, resources, and budget to invest in growing and developing their brands.

  • FCC Tackles ISP Deals That Block Competition

    FCC Tackles ISP Deals That Block Competition

    The FCC has taken taken action to end ISP deals that block competition in apartments and other Multiple Tenant Environment (MTE).

    The FCC signaled in September that it was investigating whether deals between ISPs and MTE owners were costing tenants by locking them into a single option, rather than giving them competitive choices. Following its investigation, the agency has issued a ruling aimed at stopping the practice.

    The new rules will prevent ISPs from setting up revenue sharing agreements with MTE owners that lock out competitors and give them exclusive access. ISPs will also be required to inform tenants about any exclusive marketing arrangements.

    “One third of this country live in multi-tenant buildings where there often is only one choice for a broadband provider, and no ability to shop for a better deal,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “The rules we adopt today will crack down on practices that prevent competition and effectively block a consumer’s ability to get lower prices or higher quality services.”

  • Salesforce Developing NFT Platform

    Salesforce Developing NFT Platform

    Salesforce is getting in on the NFT bandwagon, telling employees it is developing its own NFT platform.

    NFTs (non-fungible tokens) have taken the digital world by storm. Born out of the same blockchain that powers cryptocurrencies, NFTs are unique digital assets, such as digital art, that can be bought and sold. In fact, some NFTs have already fetched millions of dollars.

    Salesforce clearly sees the potential of NFTs, with co-CEOs Marc Benioff and Bret Taylor telling employees about the company’s plans to develop its NFT platform, according to CNBC. CNBC’s sources asked not to be named, since the event where the announcement was made was a private one. Similarly, Salesforce has not made an official statement regarding its plans.

    Nonetheless, as one of the leading cloud-based software providers, Salesforce embracing NFTs could help propel the tech even further into the mainstream.

  • Microsoft Takes Shot At Apple and Google With ‘Open App Store Principles’

    Microsoft Takes Shot At Apple and Google With ‘Open App Store Principles’

    Microsoft is throwing down the gauntlet in the app store market, releasing a set of “Open App Store Principles” that take aim at Apple and Google.

    Apple and Google have increasingly come under scrutiny for how they run their respective app ecosystems, the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Epic sued both companies in an effort to force major changes, including the ability to use external payment systems and sideload apps. Although Epic lost, a majority of US states are backing its appeal.

    Meanwhile, Microsoft’s Open App Store Principles are a declaration of how Microsoft will manage its digital ecosystem, and seem to address many of the complaints Apple and Google are facing. Company President Brad Smith also makes it clear the company hopes this action will help ease any regulatory issues surrounding its attempt to acquire Activision Blizzard, a deal that is already being reviewed by the FTC.

    Today we’re announcing a new set of Open App Store Principles that will apply to the Microsoft Store on Windows and to the next-generation marketplaces we will build for games. We have developed these principles in part to address Microsoft’s growing role and responsibility as we start the process of seeking regulatory approval in capitals around the world for our acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

    Whatever the motivation, the company has outlined 11 principles, as well as three commitments. These include not locking developers into Microsoft’s payment systems, treating apps equally, not using private information to compete with third-party apps, holding its own apps to the same standard as everyone else, and respecting people’s privacy, among others.

    Smith also makes it clear that, not only will Microsoft honor existing agreements for Call of Duty on PlayStation, but the company will keep the franchise on Sony’s console into the future, beyond the current agreement. Smith says the company is also make similar arrangements to continue supporting Nintendo’s platform. The news should come as a relief to gamers concerned that Microsoft would hoard Activision’s top titles, making them Xbox-exclusives.

    It remains to be seen if Microsoft’s overtures will influence legislators and regulators but, at this time, it’s certainly more than either Apple or Google have been willing to concede. That alone may keep Microsoft out of the line of fire, when it comes to any future regulatory action.

  • FCC Wants to Stop Telemarketers From Leaving Ringless Voicemails

    FCC Wants to Stop Telemarketers From Leaving Ringless Voicemails

    Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has introduced a proposal that would limit telemarketers’ ability to leave ringless voicemails.

    Americans were on the receiving end of some 50,507,702,500 robocalls in 2021 alone, according to the YouMail RoboCall Index. The FCC has been working to cut down on the plague of calls, rolling out a number of efforts over the last couple of years.

    The FCC is now taking aim at ringless voicemails, a practice that involves leaving pre-recorded voice messages — without the phone ringing. It can be an effective way for a spammer to get their message in before a person realizes it’s a spammer and hangs up.

    Just like other robocalls, however, ringless voicemails are a favorite tool of scammers.

    “Ringless voicemail can be annoying, invasive, and can lead to fraud like other robocalls—so it should face the same consumer protection rules,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “No one wants to wade through voicemail spam, or miss important messages because their mailbox is full. This FCC action would continue to empower consumers to choose which parties they give permission to contact them.”

    Rosenworcel’s proposal would place ringless voicemail tech under the same rules that govern robocalling in general, leading to increased protections for the consumer.

  • FCC Votes In Favor of ‘Nutrition Labels’ for Broadband Providers

    FCC Votes In Favor of ‘Nutrition Labels’ for Broadband Providers

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has unanimously voted in favor of requiring broadband providers to provide a “nutrition label.”

    The American broadband industry is notorious for hidden fees, equipment rentals, escalating charges, and a slew of other practices that make it virtually impossible for a user to make an informed decision when shopping for internet access. These practices are one of the reasons internet companies often rank among the most-hated in the US.

    The FCC is now taking a significant step toward addressing the problem, requiring broadband companies to provide customers with easy-to-read labels that will facilitate comparison shopping. The inspiration behind the labels is the nutrition labels that are required on food sold in grocery stores.

    “If you walk into any grocery store and pull boxes of cereal from the shelves, you can easily compare calories and carbohydrates,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “That’s because they have a common nutrition label. It’s black and white, simple to read, and easy to understand. It helps consumers make good choices.

    “I think the Federal Communications Commission needs to do the same with broadband. That’s because it is now an essential service—for everyone, everywhere. So we want to make it easier for consumers to compare their options and understand just what they’re signing up for. We want to develop a consistent and straightforward way of providing accurate information about price, speed, data allowances, and other aspects of high-speed service. We want to end efforts to bury facts in the fine print and we want to stop unexpected costs and fees.”

    Not only did the move have unanimous support from the FCC’s commissioners, but it’s sure to be a big hit with consumers.

  • AT&T Now Offering 5Gbps Fiber Internet in 70 Markets

    AT&T Now Offering 5Gbps Fiber Internet in 70 Markets

    AT&T is claiming to be the fastest major internet provider, thanks to its 5Gbps fiber service that is now available in 70 metro areas.

    Fiber internet is the gold standard for home users and businesses alike, powering the next generation of AR, VR, gaming, development, and business processes. As one of the biggest internet providers in the US, AT&T has been expanding its fiber offerings and increasing speeds.

    According to the company, its latest upgrade covers almost 5.2 million customers in roughly 70 metro areas, including L.A., Atlanta, and Dallas. Customers will be able to choose from symmetrical 2-Gig and 5-Gig tiers.

    “As we set out to become America’s best connectivity provider, we’re doubling down on fiber in our broadband infrastructure,” said Jeff McElfresh, CEO of AT&T Communications. “With true multi-gig speeds, and symmetrical upload and download, AT&T Fiber will redefine how we experience the internet and drive innovation, from education, to work, to entertainment.”

    The company plans to bring multi-gig internet service to 30 million customers by the end of 2025.