Apple has lifted its two-device purchase restriction on iPhones, a limit implemented in part to prevent scalpers tying up supplies and selling on unlocked smartphones. The change comes amid warnings to investors from Apple to expect a less rosy quarter than original predicted, as the coronavirus pandemic takes its toll on iPhone sales.
The COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak has thrown more than healthcare systems into chaos. Even businesses are at a loss on how to cope in a situation that has forced their employees to stay at home. Some businesses are struggling to remain open, partly to make ends meet and sometimes because they provide essential services. Both of those may be GameStop's justification for keeping open despite government shelter-in-place orders. It is now changing its tune, though, but not after receiving heavy criticism over the Internet.
SoundCloud has teamed up with Twitch to help support creators who can no longer play their live shows in real-life destinations. With this new partnership, SoundCloud says that its Pro, Premier, and Repost by SoundCloud creators will have the option of performing their live works on Twitch live streams, enabling them to earn money with fast-tracked Affiliate status.
The coronavirus has dealt a blow to the entire entertainment industry. From sporting events, Broadway and stage performances, any business that requires an audience is feeling the crunch. While these impacts are nothing in comparison with the real lives at stake in the fight against COVID-19, it is having a big effect on studios and people around the world whose livelihood rests on these the film projects. One industry with plenty to lose is the movie industry with many studios scrambling for new release dates and a desperate Plan B.
Netflix has announced a new $100 million relief fund that is intended to help the cast and crew of movie and TV show productions that have been grounded as a result of the coronavirus outbreaks. According to Netflix, most of the funds will go toward those who were working on its own originals, particularly the workers who have been most severely impacted by the loss of work.
Earlier this week, Google announced that it would be pausing new releases for Chrome and Chrome OS, citing the adjusted schedules of the Chrome team during the coronavirus outbreak. Updates, Google said, wouldn't stop entirely, as the team would continue to prioritize security updates as part of Chrome 80. Today, we're seeing Microsoft make a similar announcement concerning upcoming Edge releases.
There is a bit of confusion and even apprehension these days, especially with non-uniform and sometimes inconsistent ordinances regarding what should or should not stay open. You would think that common sense would prevail but we as a race haven't exactly been known for that. Many states have declared that only essential retail stores should remain open. Apparently, GameStop considers itself such a critical part of life that it has reportedly instructed employees to defy law enforcers in order to stay open.
Amazon offers multiple services to its customers, one of which is called Prime Pantry. With this, Prime customers can order household goods and non-fresh groceries to have them sent in a giant box directly to their doorstep. In an update on this service today, Amazon revealed that it is facing a huge amount of demand for this service and as a result, it has been forced to temporarily suspend Prime Pantry.
Days after its initial announcement, CVS has revealed that it is launching COVID-19 testing sites in the state of Massachusetts. The testing sites will be located at CVS facilities in the state where 'a limited population' can go and get tested for the new infectious disease. The testing sites are being launched in 'close coordination' with the US Public Health Service, US Department of Health and Human Services, and more.
Driverless truck startup Starsky Robotics is shutting down, but not before sharing some cold hard truths about the autonomous driving industry. Founded in 2015, Starsky proposed a combination of self-driving and remote control for a fleet of next-generation trucks, saving full autonomy for the highway.
We often hear about tech stores being closed in countries like China and Italy because of the widespread cases of confirmed COVID-19 infections there. It was really only a matter of time before such scenarios reach the US and it finally has happened. Samsung has announced the immediate and temporary shutdown of all its stores in the US, a much-needed move but at a very inopportune time for the company.
As businesses pare back services or shut down entirely in the face of the coronavirus outbreak, Google has apparently started making some tough decisions as well. The company announced today that it will temporarily halt new Chrome and Chrome OS releases for the time being. There's no word on when the Chrome team will be back on their normal release schedules, but it seems to depend on what happens with the COVID-19 outbreak from here.