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Category: SmallBusinessNews

SmallBusinessNews

  • Upwork: Up to 23 Million Americans Relocating Thanks to Remote Work

    Upwork: Up to 23 Million Americans Relocating Thanks to Remote Work

    Upwork has released its “Remote Workers on the Move” report, highlighting the impact the pandemic is having on the American workforce.

    As the pandemic swept the globe, companies the world over sent their employees home to work remotely. Just as the initial restrictions started to ease, the pandemic picked up its pace, forcing companies to extend their work-from-home policies. In some cases, companies such as Dropbox, Reddit, Twitter and Microsoft have made remote work a permanent part of their culture.

    The shift to remote work is having a profound impact on the American workforce, according to Upwork. In particular, remote work could be leading to a sizable migration.

    Anywhere from 14 to 23 million Americans are planning to move as a result of remote work. Combined with those who are moving regardless of remote work, near-term migration rates may be three to four times what they normally are.

    Large cities are the biggest losers in this scenario, with 20.6% of those planning to move leaving a big city. Those planning to move are not just moving further into the suburbs. Some 54.7% of those migrating are planning on moving at least two hours away, farther than typical commuting distance.

    Upwork calls the transition to remote work “the biggest, fastest transformation of the labor market since the World World II mobilization.” The report makes it clear that companies must adapt to what has become a new normal, providing employees with remote work options. In particular, Upwork makes the case that companies are better off allowing full remote work rather than partial options.

    In addition to the impacts to cities, the results of the survey also present an important lesson for businesses on the future of remote work. In order to capture and provide professionals with the full benefits of remote work, businesses must allow full-time remote work. While a partial-remote model, a policy that requires a blend of both remote work and in office work, may have some appeal as a “best of both” choice, it also means forgoing many benefits. A professional cannot move hours and even states away if they still have to go into the office two days a week. Our survey shows that for 41% of people moving out of the area because of remote work, they are going 4 or hours farther away. This is not a weekly commute distance, and is not something workers can do easily with a partial-remote model.

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    Likewise, with a partial-remote model businesses forgo one of the biggest benefits of a remote workforce; the ability to hire from a larger talent pool. Businesses cannot hire workers wherever they are if weekly office visits are still required.

  • Senator Cantwell Accuses Google and Facebook of Killing Local Journalism

    Senator Cantwell Accuses Google and Facebook of Killing Local Journalism

    While tech CEOs are testifying before the Senate, at least one senator is accusing Google and Facebook of killing local journalism.

    Google has been at the heart of multiple disputes over news, only recently agreeing to start paying news publishers. While Facebook has paid news publishers for some time, that didn’t save it from criticism in Senator Maria Cantwell’s report. Senator Cantwell is the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

    Local journalism—America’s trusted source of unbiased and accurate information—is disappearing. This report finds that over the past two decades, the local newspaper industry has lost around 70 percent of its total revenue. Local broadcasters are facing similar difficulties, with advertising revenues down more than 40 percent.

    These losses are leading to news deserts. Already, 200 counties nationwide have no newspapers covering their communities, and half of all U.S. counties are down to just one, a problem that is particularly acute in the South. Newspapers have been forced to let go more than 40,000 newsroom employees, a full 60 percent of the journalistic workforce that creates unique local content.

    America’s local newsrooms now have thousands fewer watchdogs exposing crime, corruption, and keeping elected officials accountable to their constituents. Small businesses have less information on local conditions and fewer opportunities to reach customers in their community. Communities are losing access to trusted, non-partisan information that keeps our civil institutions cohesive and resilient.

    Between the increased undermining of trust in the news and the threat posed by Google and Facebook, the last several years have been particularly hard on journalists. It remains to be seen if anything will come from the Senate hearings, let alone a solution that will reverse the “news deserts” Senator Cantwell speaks of.

  • FCC Established 5G Fund for Rural America to Speed 5G Deployment

    FCC Established 5G Fund for Rural America to Speed 5G Deployment

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established the 5G Fund for Rural America in a bid to close the digital divide.

    Because of the sprawling nature of the US and its large geographic footprint, there is a long-recognized digital divide between urban areas and rural communities. While urban areas and cities often have access to multiple types of high-speed broadband, rural communities have few—or in some cases no—choices available.

    The FCC is working to close that divide with a $9 billion fund aimed at improving 5G access.

    The Federal Communications Commission today adopted rules creating the 5G Fund for Rural America, which will distribute up to $9 billion over the next decade to bring 5G wireless broadband connectivity to rural America. 5G represents the latest advance in mobile wireless technology, promising increased speeds, reduced latency, and better security than 4G LTE networks.

    Carriers, especially T-Mobile and Verizon, have been deploying 5G home broadband in an effort to help cover these areas. T-Mobile, in particular, rapidly expanded its home 5G internet in the wake of AT&T’s announcement it was phasing out its DSL service, a move likely to widen the digital divide even more.

  • Adobe: Holiday Sales Could Hit Nearly $200 Billion

    Adobe: Holiday Sales Could Hit Nearly $200 Billion

    Adobe has released its predictions for the 2020 holiday season, between November 1 thru December 31, and online retailers are set to score big.

    Adobe is predicting record-breaking online sales, totaling some $189 billion. This represents a 33% year-over-year increase. According to the company, this is the equivalent of two years’ worth of growth packed into those two months.

    Should the government approve another round of stimulus, spending would be driven up further, likely passing the $200 billion mark. If this happens, it would be a 47% increase.

    “As retailers adapt to consumers’ new behaviors in this pandemic, we expect earlier discounts, more shipping and pick-up options and uncertainty around in-store purchases to drive this year’s online holiday sales to record highs,” said John Copeland, head of Marketing and Customer Insights at Adobe. “This year is unlike any in the past, and for the first time we are no longer referring to peak holiday sales as Cyber Week – it’s now Cyber Month.”

    While large e-commerce entities may seem to be the biggest beneficiaries at first glance, in reality it is small retailers that will benefit most. Accord to the report, small retailers will see their revenue increase 107%, vs 84% for their bigger rivals.

    Curbside pickup will also grow in popularity, with BOPIS (buy online, pick up in store) expected to account for more than 50% of orders at retailers offering the service.

    Although the pandemic may be forcing holiday shoppers online in record numbers, shoppers may develop a taste for the low-hassle benefits of online shopping and BOPIS. If so, it’s a safe bet that many shoppers’ behavior may be permanently altered over the next two months.

  • Microsoft Teams Tops 115 Million Daily Users

    Microsoft Teams Tops 115 Million Daily Users

    Microsoft Teams has continued to gain users, passing 115 million daily active users, according to the company’s latest earnings report.

    Microsoft Teams has been locked in a battle with Slack over the corporate messaging space. While Slack predates Teams by roughly four years, Teams has quickly risen in popularity, becoming one of Microsoft’s fastest-growing services.

    In March, at the start of the pandemic, Microsoft made news when it passed 44 million users. Now its user base has more than doubled, coming in at more than 115 million daily active users.

    What’s more, Teams is serving as a way of helping individuals use Microsoft 365 even more.

    “As much as Teams has transformed work for our customers, it’s really the tip of the iceberg,” writes Jared Spataro, Corporate Vice President for Microsoft 365. “Because as people work all day in Teams, they also get the full breadth and depth of Microsoft 365, the integrated suite of graph-connected productivity apps and experiences behind the familiar tools we all rely on every day to connect, collaborate, and get work done.

    “For that reason, daily active usage only tells a portion of the collaboration story; a broader collaboration metric is needed to understand the changing ways in which we work and collaborate. What’s needed now is a metric that demonstrates the breadth of services people use and the new rich and varied ways in which collaboration happens across hybrid work environments. The true measure of collaboration transcends simple videoconferencing or chat-based communications. Our more holistic view takes into account the many ways people and teams engage in the flow of work. In Teams we see meetings, but also small group huddles, chats, calls, document collab, and individual work. And enabling all of it digitally is our vision for collaboration in the new digital age.”

    Teams’ meteoric rise is further evidence of the ongoing and permanent digital transformation currently underway.

  • 76% of US CEOs Plan On Shrinking Office Space Due to Remote Work

    76% of US CEOs Plan On Shrinking Office Space Due to Remote Work

    Some 76% of US CEOs plan on reducing their office space footprint as a result of the ongoing transition to remote work amid the pandemic.

    As the coronavirus pandemic swept the globe, countless companies sent their employees home to work remotely. In many cases, the transition to remote work was far more successful than anticipated, leading some companies to make it a permanent part of their corporate culture. Even companies that plan on eventually returning to the office have had to push those plans back as COVID-19 has resurged.

    It appears the trend toward remote work is now impacting long-term decisions regarding corporate office space. Fortune, in collaboration with Deloitte, conducted a poll of 171 CEOs. The poll found that some 76% said they will need less office space moving forward, with 28% saying they would need a lot less space.

    Even more telling, 40% of the CEOs polled said that remote work had led to increased productivity, indicating their employees were likely happier working remotely. Conversely, 31% reported decreased productivity.

    The mixed results may be an indication that companies need to adopt multiple approaches moving forward, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Doing so could ensure maximum productivity from all workers.

  • Amazon Extends Remote Work As COVID-19 Goes Out of Control

    Amazon Extends Remote Work As COVID-19 Goes Out of Control

    Amazon is the latest company to extend work from home policies amid a resurgence of COVID-19.

    With a record-breaking number of daily coronavirus cases, now topping 83,000, companies are having to make tough choices regarding a return to the office. Most recently, Microsoft announced it was pushing back a return to the office until July 2021, at the earliest.

    Now Amazon has made a similar decision, announcing that workers whose jobs permit will be able to continue working from home through June 30, 2021. In an update on the company’s blog, Amazon highlighted its commitment to employee safety:

    The health and safety of our employees is our top priority, and it will be some time before things return to normal. Accordingly, work that can effectively be done from home can continue to be done from home through June 30, 2021.

    The White House recently admitted that “we are not going to control the pandemic.” Instead, Chief of Staff Mark Meadows made it clear that vaccines and treatment options would be the focus moving forward. If the virus is truly out of control, and hope lies in a successful vaccine, it’s a safe bet many other companies will soon be pushing back their return-to-office targets as well.

  • Uber and Lyft Lose Appeal, Must Make Drivers Employees

    Uber and Lyft Lose Appeal, Must Make Drivers Employees

    Uber and Lyft have been dealt a major blow, as an appellate court has ruled the injunction against them was appropriate.

    Uber and Lyft have been locked in a battle with California over the status of their drivers. California is trying to force the two companies, and other similar gig economy businesses, to treat their workers as employees, rather than independent contractors. This would provide them with benefits which, in turn, would significantly raise the cost of doing business.

    In August a judge issued an injunction against the two companies, prohibiting them from operating until they had complied with the new regulation. The companies used the 10-day window they were granted to appeal, but the First Appellate District Court in San Francisco has ruled the injunction was appropriate.

    “Not only is this a victory for the tens of thousands of Uber and Lyft drivers working to put a roof over their heads and food on the table, this ruling is about fairness, making it clear that these companies must stop shifting their costs onto the taxpayers while their CEO’s profit,” said Mike Feuer, Los Angeles City Attorney, according to Business Insider.

    This makes the Proposition 22 ballot the best hope for the companies to continue doing business as they have. It’s a safe bet that should Proposition 22 fail, other states may look to follow California’s example.

  • RIP Quibi: Revolutionary Video Service Shutting Down

    RIP Quibi: Revolutionary Video Service Shutting Down

    Just months after launching its highly-publicized short-form, video service, Quibi has announced it is shutting down.

    Quibi debuted to much fanfare, with a wide array of investor and celebrity support. In fact, Quibi is believed to have raised some $1.75 billion, and cost $5 a month for the ad-supported version and $8 a month for no ads. The service was built around the concept of shows comprised of short, 10 minute episodes.

    In many ways, it’s surprising Quibi has failed. In the midst of the pandemic, with people spending more time at home, most video services have experienced record growth. Quibi was never able to translate that into success, however, despite having celebrity backing that would make most other services jealous.

    “The circumstances of launching during a pandemic is something we could have never imagined but other businesses have faced these unprecedented challenges and have found their way through it. We were not able to do so,” founders Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman wrote on Medium.

    “Which brings us to this moment. As entrepreneurs our instinct is to always pivot, to leave no stone unturned — especially when there is some cash runway left — but we feel that we’ve exhausted all our options. As a result we have reluctantly come to the difficult decision to wind down the business, return cash to our shareholders, and say goodbye to our colleagues with grace. We want you to know we did not give up on this idea without a fight.”

    The company looked at other options, including the possibility of a sale. Unfortunately, none of those plans materialized, leaving no option but shutting down.

  • T-Mobile Launches 5G Venture Capital Fund

    T-Mobile Launches 5G Venture Capital Fund

    T-Mobile has launched T-Mobile Ventures, a fund aimed at backing companies “developing transformative 5G products and services for the T-Mobile network.”

    Carriers around the country are rushing to roll out 5G networks, while businesses and customers are eager to take advantage of the benefits it offers. T-Mobile is one of the leading 5G providers, offing the full range of 5G: low-band, mid-band and mmWave.

    Because of the speeds 5G offers, it is opening up new opportunities in artificial intelligence, edge computing, cloud computing, machine learning and more. As a result, a new generation of companies are developing products and services that take advantage of 5G. T-Mobile Ventures’ goal is to help these companies succeed.

    “T-Mobile Ventures is part of our mission to give customers the best 5G network in the country – one that will serve all Americans, stimulate competition and create tremendous economic value,” said Jason Young, Senior Vice President of Partnerships and T-Mobile Ventures. “With our 5G network at the foundation, we see massive opportunity across both business and consumer segments, and we’re excited to help fuel the wave of 5G applications coming to market in the years ahead.”

  • PayPal Embraces Cryptocurrency, Enables Buying and Selling

    PayPal Embraces Cryptocurrency, Enables Buying and Selling

    Cryptocurrency received a big boost today, with the announcement that PayPal will support buying, selling and holding cryptocurrencies.

    PayPal was reported to be looking at the cryptocurrency market in July, with plans to integrate the newer technology. With today’s announcement, the new service will allow customers to buy, sell and hold cryptocurrencies directly in from their PayPal account.

    “The shift to digital forms of currencies is inevitable, bringing with it clear advantages in terms of financial inclusion and access; efficiency, speed and resilience of the payments system; and the ability for governments to disburse funds to citizens quickly,” said Dan Schulman, president and CEO, PayPal. “Our global reach, digital payments expertise, two-sided network, and rigorous security and compliance controls provide us with the opportunity, and the responsibility, to help facilitate the understanding, redemption and interoperability of these new instruments of exchange. We are eager to work with central banks and regulators around the world to offer our support, and to meaningfully contribute to shaping the role that digital currencies will play in the future of global finance and commerce.”

    The move appears to be generating significant enthusiasm, as BitCoin’s price jumped to $12,817.17, its highest point since July 2019. PayPal’s support will no doubt help widen adoption of cryptocurrencies.

  • DOJ Files Antitrust Charges Against Google

    DOJ Files Antitrust Charges Against Google

    The US Department of Justice has officially filed antitrust charges against Google, accusing the search giant of monopolistic practices regarding its search business.

    DOJ officials have been investigating Google for some time, with Attorney General William Barr pushing for a lawsuit to be filed. Google is widely seen as abusing its position as the dominant search engine, making it difficult for rivals to compete. In addition, Google’s dominance in search and search advertising effectively make it the gatekeeper of the internet, giving it unrivaled power over the success or failure of internet-based businesses.

    “Today, millions of Americans rely on the Internet and online platforms for their daily lives. Competition in this industry is vitally important, which is why today’s challenge against Google — the gatekeeper of the Internet — for violating antitrust laws is a monumental case both for the Department of Justice and for the American people,” said Attorney General William Barr. “Since my confirmation, I have prioritized the Department’s review of online market-leading platforms to ensure that our technology industries remain competitive. This lawsuit strikes at the heart of Google’s grip over the internet for millions of American consumers, advertisers, small businesses and entrepreneurs beholden to an unlawful monopolist.”

    In particular, Google is accused of engaging in anticompetitive behavior by restricting competition in searches in favor of protecting its own interests. This has led to a reduction in the quality of search results, as well as higher costs to advertisers. The DOJ believes a vibrant search industry would benefit both of these issues.

    Attorney Generals from Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, South Carolina and Texas have joined the lawsuit.

    It remains to be seen if the government will be able to make its case. In recent weeks, there appeared to be disagreement about how to proceed, with long-time DOJ lawyers feeling more time was needed to adequately prepare a strong case. AG Barr pushed for the case to move forward, despite the concerns that prematurely doing so could give Google a significant advantage at trial.

  • Verizon and Nokia Partner On Private 5G For Businesses

    Verizon and Nokia Partner On Private 5G For Businesses

    Verizon and Nokia are working on private 5G networks, aimed at replacing WiFi networks for businesses.

    There are a number of advantages to 5G over traditional networks. The fastest variety of 5G, mmWave, offers speeds measured in gigabits. In addition, latency is often measured in single digits, or very low double digits. Verizon is also touting the security benefits, as a private 5G network eliminates the need to transmit data through public networks.

    “Today, we’ve announced the next phase of Verizon’s global 5G vision with the launch of private 5G for our international customers,” said Tami Erwin, CEO, Verizon Business. “If the past few months have taught us anything, it’s that there’s never been a more critical time for mobility, broadband and cloud products and services. Private 5G networks will be a transformative technology that will drive the new era of disruption and innovation for enterprises around the world.”

    The joint effort will initially target enterprises in Europe and Asia-Pacific, although it wouldn’t be surprising if it expands to the US once 5G gains more ground. The two companies clearly see 5G as a transformational technology, with implications far beyond the basic cellphone.

    “Private wireless connectivity has become central to many industries in realizing their long-term digital transformation goals. By delivering private 5G together with Verizon, we’re paving the way to accelerate digitalization for the most demanding industries who crave reliable wireless connectivity,” said Brian R. Fitzgerald, SVP Global Solutions at Nokia.

  • Massive Shift to Online Shopping… And It’s Permanent

    Massive Shift to Online Shopping… And It’s Permanent

    A survey about online shopping habits indicates that the massive shift to online shopping during COVID will continue after COVID. The increases in online shopping because of closures and fear are expected to be permanent.

    A new study from the secure payment solution provider PCI Pal shows that millions of Americans have become online shoppers during COVID and that this behavioral shift will last long beyond the COVID-19 era. With over 70% of respondents reporting plans to continue shopping online for some or most of their shopping even after the COVID-19 pandemic is over.

    “Retailers face an unpredictable and unexpectedly challenging year due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Geoff Forsyth, CISO, PCI Pal. “What they can control, however, is delivering a seamless, secure shopping experience in-store and across digital shopping channels to offer customers much-needed peace of mind this holiday season.”

    A few other trends for retailers to pay attention to:

    • New year, same habits. Despite 2020 bringing many changes and unexpected turns, one thing remains constant: consumers’ loyalty. 86% of respondents reported they still plan to shop with their same favorite retailers this holiday season, with 54% planning to do so online and 32% in-store.
    • Sincerely Securely, Santa: It’s no surprise that data security is a top concern for consumers going into this holiday season, with 60% of those surveyed reporting they feel more concerned about their data security as a result of COVID-19. However, one slip-up from a business could have more dire consequences than ever before: 70% of respondents reported they would stop shopping with a brand for a few months or even permanently if it suffered a data breach ahead of the holidays.
    • Safety supersedes security: While 70% of consumers plan to continue shopping online after COVID-19, some still feel uneasy about how it could impact their personal data security. Nearly 20% of consumers perceive online shopping as the least secure method for making purchases, while in-store shopping is still seen as the most secure by 57% of respondents. If online shopping is the future, then businesses must take steps to ensure their customers feel as secure shopping on their website as they do in-store.
    • The social shopping dilemma: Given new features on Facebook and Instagram, consumers are increasingly turning to social media for their shopping. According to research from Salesforce, purchases from a social channel referral saw big increases in Q2 2020, growing 104% across the entire industry. Yet, just like online shopping, consumers feel insecure shopping on these platforms: 46% of respondents reported they find social media to be the least trusted shopping channel. It seems that when it comes to their sensitive financial information, consumers are not yet ready to divulge their credit card information on social media.
    • Customer experience should be on Santa’s “Nice” list: Just as shopping has shifted online, so, too, has the demand for excellent customer service. With a majority of respondents reporting a preference for email (about 36%) or phone (33%) for their customer service needs, retailers will need to ensure that both of these channels are set up to offer a smooth customer journey.
  • SMB Manufacturers Accelerating Pivot To Digital

    SMB Manufacturers Accelerating Pivot To Digital

    A huge survey by Alibaba of 5,015 US B2B SMBs and SMB manufacturers indicates a significant pivot to digital. Small and medium manufactures have traditionally been slower to integrate digital into their businesses. However, according to the survey, SMB manufacturers have been digitizing at twice the rate of other industries during the pandemic – to support other manufacturers as they accelerate their digitization.

    Key findings from the full U.S. B2B SMB survey:

    • SMBs accelerated their pivot to digital: 93% of B2B companies are now conducting some portion of their business online, up from 90% in December, and 43% are utilizing ecommerce, an 8% increase over the same time period.
    • SMBs are finding opportunities internationally: even with supply chain disruptions during the pandemic, 63% of B2B companies report conducting some amount of cross border B2B trade, up from 59% in December.
    • SMB manufacturers surpassed other industries in digitization: amid the pandemic, manufacturers’ online B2B trade increased 8% – twice the rate of the overall 4% increase in all industries for the same period and tied with retail as the industries with the most digital growth. In December, U.S. manufacturers’ online B2B trade volume lagged all other industries except construction but have now passed multiple industries in their pivot to digital.

    “We were happy to see the increasing digitization of US B2B companies and that many are increasing trade despite the pandemic, showing the resilience and grit of American business owners and entrepreneurs,” said John Caplan, President of North America and Europe of Alibaba.com. “Our research finds that digitization is no longer a nice-to-have, but a must-have for companies in every industry to bridge from surviving to thriving in the next era of business.”

  • Google Has Fixed 99.9% of Canonical Indexing Issues

    Google Has Fixed 99.9% of Canonical Indexing Issues

    Google has announced it has fixed 99.9% of the canonical issues impacting how websites were indexed.

    Google confirmed three weeks ago that it was dealing with indexing issues that were affecting mobile pages and canonicalization. The issues could result in pages not being indexed, or the wrong URL being associated with a given page.

    According to Google, the issues are 99.9% fixed, with outlier cases expected to be fixed in the next week or two.

  • Zoom COO: Transaction Fees Possible For New OnZoom Service

    Zoom COO: Transaction Fees Possible For New OnZoom Service

    Zoom COO Aparna Bawa says that Zoom is open to experimenting with transaction fees for its new OnZoom service targeting video delivered services like piano lessons.

    “We still are watching and waiting to see what the economics look like,” said Zoom COO Aparna Bawa at WSJ Tech Live. “We want to make sure that the customer base that we’re serving finds it helpful, it’s priced at the right point, it’s beneficial to all,”

    When asked about getting a cut of online video services Bawa said: “We’re not quite sure how that’s going to work. “For us, it’s a long game. The more and more we can build our user base and establish trust with folks like you, the more sort of legs we have as a company.”

    OnZoom, currently in beta, is a service for paid Zoom users to create, host, and monetize events like fitness classes, concerts, stand-up or improv shows, and music lessons on the Zoom Meetings platform.

    “We were humbled and inspired by all of the amazing ways the world adapted to a literal shutdown of in-person events amid COVID-19,” says Zoom product manager Aleks Swerdlow. “When business owners, entrepreneurs, and organizations of all sizes had to find some way – any way – to stay the course and continue providing services to their customers, many turned to Zoom. OnZoom simplifies that experience.”

    In short, OnZoom is Zoom for paid events or services. It has the potential to vastly increase Zoom revenues by tapping into entrepreneurs and small businesses that want to provide a service specific to individuals or groups and not just give it away on YouTube. Think personalized Yoga training, tutors for your kids, computer support, and cooking classes personalized to you. It also includes event discovery features and can be used for free events as well.

  • Verizon Purchasing Kentucky-Based Bluegrass Cellular

    Verizon Purchasing Kentucky-Based Bluegrass Cellular

    Verizon has announced its intention to purchase Bluegrass Cellular, the oldest wireless carrier in Kentucky.

    Bluegrass Cellular serves rural areas in central Kentucky, and has approximately 210,000 subscribers in 34 counties. The acquisition of Bluegrass Cellular will help Verizon improve its coverage in the state.

    In many rural areas, Verizon has licensing agreements with local and regional carriers. In some areas, as a result of the licensing fees, Verizon has ended those agreements, leaving their own customers stranded. It appears Verizon is choose a different route with central Kentucky.

    “We are excited to acquire certain assets of Bluegrass Cellular and expand our footprint in Kentucky,” said Ronan Dunne, Executive Vice President and Group CEO, Verizon Consumer Group. “We look forward to welcoming Bluegrass customers and employees into the Verizon family and providing them with reliable wireless service alongside a best-in-class customer experience.”

    “We launched the first wireless company in central Kentucky 29 years ago,” said Ron Smith, President of Bluegrass Cellular. “We’ve always known that our customers were the most important part of our business, and we pride ourselves on playing an important role in connecting our community. I’m confident that Verizon will continue to be the same good neighbor that we’ve been and will provide crucial and reliable wireless connectivity to our rural communities.”

    The deal is subject to FCC approval. If it goes through, however, Bluegrass Cellular customers will not need to take any further action. Verizon will inform customers at a later date of what services are available to them.

  • Amazon Announces ‘Holiday Dash’ Prime Day Every Day

    Amazon Announces ‘Holiday Dash’ Prime Day Every Day

    Amazon wants to emulate the success of Prime Day every day with ‘Holiday Dash,’ a new section on Amazon with daily deals that “equal Black Friday.”

    Amazon says that “with new deals dropping every day starting October 16, customers can shop early and with confidence that they are getting Black Friday-worthy deals and incredible savings on a huge selection of products.”

    Here are the announced details on Amazon’s Holiday Dash deals:

    Amazon Brands

    • Save up to 30% on select kid’s clothing and more from our brands including Amazon Essentials, Spotted Zebra, and Simple Joys by Carter’s
    • Save up to 30% on select men’s and women’s clothing and more from our brands including Amazon Essentials, Daily Ritual and Goodthreads
    • Save up to 20% on AmazonBasics
    • Save 40% on Wag dog food, and treats
    • Save 20% on household and personal care products from Solimo
    • Save 20% on Presto! Refillable Cleaners
    • Save 20% on baby care products from Mama Bear and Solimo
    • Save 20% on Belei skincare
    • Save 20% on nutrition and wellness products from Amazon Elements and Revly
    • Save 20% on coffee, snacks, and other grocery essentials from Solimo, Happy Belly, and Amazon Fresh

    Toys & Games

    • Save up to 40% on Star Wars toys
    • Save up to 40% on Collectible toys from L.O.L. Surprise!, Calico Critters, Fingerlings, and more
    • Save up to 30% on Hot Wheels toys
    • Save up to 30% on Building Sets from LEGO, Magna-Tiles, and PlayMonster
    • Save up to 30% on Marvel toys
    • Save up to 30% on Fortnite, Pokemon, Roblox and more
    • Save up to 40% on Tegu Building Blocks
    • Save up to 30% on Funko POPs!
    • Save up to 30% on Arts & Crafts sets
    • Save 30% on Evenflo Pivot Explore Wagon
    • Save up to 30% on preschool toys from Jazwares, Spin Master, Hape, and more
    • Save on AmScope 52-piece kids beginner microscope STEM kit

    Fashion

    • Save up to 40% on select apparel from Calvin Klein
    • Save up to 40% on select Levi’s apparel for the whole family
    • Save up to 40% on Star Wars apparel
    • Save up to 30% on select New Balance footwear and apparel
    • Save up to 40% on select Tommy Hilfiger apparel
    • Save up to 40% on select kids’ clothing from Gerber, Hudson Baby, and more
    • Save up to 50% on select watches from Citizen, Bulova, Anne Klein, and more
    • Save up to 30% on select Lacoste apparel, shoes, and accessories
    • Save up to 30% on Marvel apparel
    • Save up to 30% on select seasonal fashion trends
    • Save up to 25% on select Nautica men’s and women’s apparel
    • Save up to 48% on select Hanna Anderson pajama sets and underwear styles
    • Save up to 30% on select styles from The Drop
    • Save up to 40% on select women’s shoes from Shopbop
    • Save up to 15% on select women’s accessories from Shopbop

    Household, Kitchen, Home Improvement & Smart Home

    • Save on Le Creuset Cast Iron and Stoneware, including up to 48% on select Le Creuset 3.5Qt Oval Dutch Ovens
    • Save up to 50% on select Bissell Vacuums
    • Save up to 40% on SharkNinja Shark Navigator Lift-Away
    • Save up to 35% on Eufy by Anker RoboVac
    • Save up to 30% on Eureka Stick Vacuum
    • Save on iRobot Robotic vacuums and mops
    • Save up to 30% on iLife Robotic vacuum cleaner
    • Save up to 25% or more on Samsung vacuums
    • Save up to 36% on select Blueair air purifiers
    • Save up to 20% on select Molekule air purifiers
    • Save up to 40% on KitchenAid tools
    • Save up to 20% on the Instant Pot Duo Mini Plus
    • Save up to 30% on Hallmark gift wrap, ornaments, and cards
    • Save up to 20% on select Breville Smart Ovens
    • Save up to 20% on OXO BREW coffee makers
    • Save up to 30% on Tineco floorcare products
    • Save on Ninja AF161 Air Fryer and Ninja FG551 Foodi Indoor Smart Grill
    • Save on select SodaStream Fizzi Sparkling Water Maker Bundles
    • Save on the Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker
    • Save up to 20% on OXO Good Grips Smart Seal and bakeware
    • Save up to 35% on Ayesha Curry Cookware
    • Save 30% on Linenspa 10″ hybrid mattresses
    • Save up to 30% on Zinus furniture and mattresses
    • Save 30% on Sweetnight mattresses
    • Save up to 30% on Moen bathroom fixtures and up to 20% off on Moen kitchen products
    • Save up to 25% on select Hansgrohe products
    • Save 15% on GE Profile Ice Maker
    • Save 20% on select Broan appliances
    • Save up to 15% on select Delta Faucet products
    • Save up to 15% on Whirlpool softeners
    • Save 15% or more on gaming, home education and home office furniture
    • Save on select August Smart Locks
    • Save on select Kwikset Smart and Mechanical Locks
    • Save on Smart Home products from Emerson, Kasa TP-Link, and more

    Beauty, Health & Personal Care

    • Save up to 50% on your favorite Premium Beauty brands from Elemis, Mario Badescu, Redken, and more
    • Save up to 40% on Premium Beauty appliances from T3, Foreo and more
    • Save up to 40% on Waterpik and Colgate oral care appliances
    • Save up to 45% on skin care from NIVEA, Aquaphor, and Eucerin
    • Save up to 30% on hair dryers and products from Revlon, Bed Head, and more
    • Save up to 35% on razors from Braun, Gillette, and more
    • Save 33% on Panasonic and Norelco shavers
    • Save up to 20% on Fitbit Activity and Fitness Trackers

    Electronics

    • Save up to 33% on select Nintendo Switch games
    • Save up to 35% on Nixplay Digital Frames
    • Save up to 30% on Kodak Instant Cameras and Printers
    • Save 25% on Adobe Creative Cloud Entire Collection
    • Save up to 20% on Samsung TVs
    • Save up to 20% on Sony TVs
    • Save up to 50% on JBL Speakers
    • Save up to 33% on Sony Headphones
    • Save up to 33% on Bose Headphones
    • Save up to 40% on select Mynt 3D printing pens and accessories
    • Save 30% on Mynt 3D PRO Pen with OLED Display
    • Save up to 30% on VAVA 4K Projectors
    • Save up to 30% on TaoTronics Headphones

    Small Businesses on Amazon Launchpad

    • Save up to 50% on Kids Against Maturity: Card Game for Kids and Families
    • Save up to 30% on the SOLIOM S600 Outdoor Security Camera
    • Save up to 25% on the Zen Laboratory DIY Jumbo Slime Kit for Kids
    • From October 26 to November 19, Prime members can save 10% or more on select unique products from small brands on Amazon Launchpad like: Mobile Pixels Duex Portable Monitor for Laptops and Scentered Travel Essentials Aromatherapy Balm gift set

    Entertainment: Amazon Music, Audible, Books & Prime Video

    • Amazon Music: Beginning October 23, new Amazon Music Unlimited customers can get three months of the premium streaming tier free, to enjoy unlimited access to more than 60 million songs, ad-free and a wide selection of popular podcasts.
    • Amazon Music: Beginning October 29, current Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers can upgrade to the Family Plan free for three months, with access for up to six accounts.
    • Audible: Between November 1 and December 31, new members save nearly 40% on the first six months of an Audible Plus membership at just $4.95 per month. Membership includes unlimited access to more than 10 thousand Audible Originals, audiobooks and podcasts.
    • Books: Deals on select multi-genre books and ebooks throughout the season
    • Prime Video: This holiday season, Prime Video will offer up to 50% off select popular Halloween, family and holiday movies to rent or buy. Deals will roll out over the next few months, so be sure to check www.amazon.com/pmd for updates.

    Amazon Gift Cards

    • Starting today, customers using Amazon Reload to replenish their Amazon Gift Card balance for the first time will receive a $10 bonus with their reload of $100 or more. Offer available through December 31.
    • Starting October 26, first-time Amazon Gift Card shoppers will receive a $15 promotional credit with the purchase of $50 or more in Amazon Gift Cards. Offer available through December 20. The promotional credit expires on February 6, 2021. Other restrictions apply.

    Amazon Credit Cards:

    • Now through December 22, with an eligible Prime membership, customers who apply and are approved for the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card will instantly receive a $100 Gift Card. Prime Cardmembers earn 5% back at Whole Foods Market and Amazon.com. Additionally, starting November 1 through December 22, customers without a Prime membership can apply for the Amazon Rewards Visa Card and receive a $60 Gift Card upon approval, in addition to earning 3% back at Whole Foods Market and Amazon.com as a cardmember. Restrictions apply. Visit amazon.com/visa for details.

    Automotive, Tools and Lawn & Garden

    • Save 50% on tire installation
    • Save up to 25% on Miracle-Gro Expand ‘n Gro concentrated planting mix
    • Save 25% on Castrol GTX Conventional motor oil
    • Save 20% on Select Tonno Pro Tonneau covers
    • Save up to 20% on select Streamlight flashlights
    • Save on select DEWALT cordless drills and tools
    • Save up to 30% on select SKIL tools
    • Save up to 15% off on select ZGrills Pellet Grills & Smokers
    • Save up to 15% on Shintenchi 4 piece wicker rattan outdoor patio furniture set
    • Save on select Renogy monocrystalline solar panels

    Sports & Outdoors

    • Save up to 20% on Select Coleman Tents & Gear
    • Save up to 20% on select CamelBak kids water bottles
    • Save up to 25% on select Sawyer Products water filters
    • Save up to 30% on select Stanley drinkware
    • Save up to 28% on select Segway scooters and kids bikes
    • Save up to 30% on select Stiga table tennis rackets and Zume badminton set
    • Save up to 30% on select Legendary Whitetails apparel
    • Save up to 30% on select Osprey Outdoor Packs

    Pets

    • Save 20% on Catit Creamy cat treats
    • Save on Petsafe electronic dog toys
    • Save on The Honest Kitchen human grade pet treats
    • Save on Friends Forever donut pet beds

    Whole Foods Market:

    • Both in-store and online, Prime members can receive discounts on customer favorites including 35% off Bare Bones broths and 35% off all packaged teas, available now through October 27.
    • Available now through October 20, customers can get 20% off pumpkins and gourds – excluding squash.
  • Robinhood In Hot Water Again Over Hacked Accounts

    Robinhood In Hot Water Again Over Hacked Accounts

    Robinhood has been in the news again, and not the way it wants, as some 2,000 accounts have been hacked.

    News broke that some Robinhood users’ accounts had been hacked and their funds drained. Initially, the company tried to downplay the issue, saying it was only “a limited number” of users who were impacted.

    According to Bloomberg, a person with knowledge of the company’s internal investigation said there were some 2,000 accounts that were hacked. Robinhood has recommended users take security measures, including enabling two-factor authentication. According to some individuals, however, that has not protected their accounts from being accessed.

    Customers have had mixed results in trying to get their money back, with Robinhood refunding some users while others are still waiting. Either way, many customers plan to leave the firm as a result of the hacks, the latest in a string of issues the company has experienced. In March the company suffered several outages during some of the busiest trading days, resulting in significant losses for customers.

    Needless to say, Robinhood has some major ground to make up if it wants to keep its existing customers.

  • Microsoft Ends Office 2010 and Office 2016 for Mac Support

    Microsoft Ends Office 2010 and Office 2016 for Mac Support

    Microsoft has ended support for Office 2010, as well as Office 2016 for Mac, and is instead pushing users toward Microsoft 365.

    Office 2010 is one of the most popular versions of the venerable office suite. In fact, as recently as 2017, a survey showed it was in use among 83% of organizations around the world.

    In spite of that, Microsoft has officially ended support for Office 2010, as well as the corresponding Office 2016 for Mac. Jared Spataro, Corporate Vice President for Microsoft 365, explainedthe decision:

    As we first announced back in April 2017, this decision aligns with our broader commitment to providing tools and experiences designed for a new world of work. If this year has taught us anything, it’s that we need to help our customers stay agile and connected despite constant change. And that means delivering cloud-connected and always up-to-date versions of our most valuable apps to every person and every organization on the planet. With Microsoft 365 Apps, we do that in three big ways. First, the cloud enables real-time collaboration across apps and within Microsoft Teams, the hub for teamwork. Second, AI and machine learning advance creativity and innovation in everything from PowerPoint design to Excel analysis. And finally, built-in, cloud-powered security protects your data and provides the peace of mind that comes with knowing your business will not only be productive, but also secured.

    We understand that everyone is at a different stage of their journey to the cloud, and we’re committed to supporting our customers throughout their transition to Microsoft 365 Apps. For those customers who aren’t ready for the cloud and have a specific need for on-premises or hybrid deployment, such as fully disconnected or restricted environments, we offer Office 2019, the perpetual version of Office that does not receive feature updates. But for everyone else, we’ve created a set of resources to help you transition to the Microsoft 365 Apps and innovations designed to help keep your environment up to date once you’ve made the transition.

    As more companies move to the cloud, as well as engage in remote work, Microsoft 365 is increasingly becoming a critical option for many companies. This move will no doubt accelerate its adoption.