Netflix is pledging 2 percent of its cash holdings to provide “economic opportunity for Black communities.” The company plans to initially commit up to $100 million, but the quantity could grow alongside its cash holdings over time.
News
Google buys AR glasses company North
Google has bought North, a company focused on building augmented reality glasses. The companies announced the news earlier today, saying that North’s “technical expertise” will help Google invest in its “hardware efforts and ambient computing future.”
Google’s Stadia controller finally works wirelessly with Android devices
It has taken more than six months, but Google’s Stadia controller now finally works wirelessly with Android devices. Google originally launched its Stadia service back in November as a subscription to stream games to TVs, Android phones, and the web.
FuboTV will get ESPN and other Disney channels starting this summer
FuboTV announced that it signed a multiyear distribution deal with Disney to bring ESPN to its service, filling in the missing link that could make it one of the best over-the-top live TV streaming services available for sports fans.
LG’s self-cleaning wireless earbuds are coming to the West
LG has announced a new pair of wireless earbuds that makes use of the company’s “UVnano” cleaning technology. The company previously debuted the concept last year with its Tone+ Free earbuds in South Korea; the new HBS-FN6 Tone Free model will get a release in European and American markets next month.
Star Wars Episode 1 Racer zooms onto Switch and PS4
Star Wars Episode 1: Racer, the unwieldily titled podracing video game that was maybe the second best thing to come out of the prequel trilogy after “Duel of the Fates,” has been released for the PlayStation 4 and the Nintendo Switch. The game was initially supposed to come out in May, but the release got pushed back indefinitely. Now it’s here for $14.99.
Olympus is getting out of the camera business
Olympus has announced plans to get out of the camera business entirely, selling off its imaging division to an investment fund. Japan Industrial Partners, the company that bought the VAIO computer business from Sony, has signed a memorandum of understanding that will see Olympus spin out the division and transfer all of its shares.
WhatsApp payments suspended in Brazil by Central Bank
Brazil’s Central Bank has suspended Facebook’s WhatsApp payments feature in the country, just over a week after the messaging service announced its launch, Bloomberg reports. In a statement, the central bank said that it had taken the decision to ensure competition in the payment system market.
Signify and Boston University validate effectiveness of Signify’s UV-C light sources on inactivating the virus that causes COVID-19
Pakistan – Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, together with the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL) at Boston University in the US have conducted research that validates the effectiveness of Signify’s UV-C light sources on the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Invest2Innovate launches its applications for Facebook Startup Circles Bootcamp.
This interactive bootcamp will have sessions for mid-stage startups who are looking to expand their customer base and offering, increase revenue, enter new geographies, and grow into an investable company.