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Top 10 personal gadgets that mix style and functionality to maximize your everyday life

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It’s safe to say that the pandemic is now behind us and that all those dormant travel plans from 3 years ago are finally becoming much more easy to execute. The world has changed a lot in the last few years, however… technology has united us, blurring boundaries and allowing us to experience the world like never before. This collection of gadgets embodies technology’s ability to push your boundaries and help you be a global citizen. We’ve got some incredible translators from the award-winning folks at Timekettle, whether you’re a traveler, an expat, a student, or someone working at a multinational corporation. Alongside those, we’ve also got a handful of charging gadgets, productivity tools, classy watches, everything you need to be the ace traveler, worker, and communicator!

1. Timekettle M3 – 3-in-1 Translator Earbuds

These aren’t your average TWS Earbuds – they’re more akin to those fancy ear-worn translator gadgets you’ve seen in sci-fi action and spy movies. Pop the M3 in and it actively translates languages for you, making it perfect to discreetly understand foreign speech without the cumbersome practice of holding up a phone or translator device so someone can talk into it. The M3 sports a unique split-case design that opens into two halves with one earpiece each. This facilitates a kind of verbal ‘breaking of bread’, where you share one half of the M3 with someone who you can converse with, in what Timekettle calls Touch Mode. The Listen and Speaker modes rely on your smartphone too, enabling one-way or even two-way communication using your smartphone’s screen and microphone in tandem. The M3 actively translates 40 languages and 93 accents in real-time (with offline translation for 8 major languages). Given the wearable nature of the device, it also sports ANC, EQ tuning abilities, and still boasts 95% accuracy with a negligible 0.5-second delay that allows for smooth conversations. Given its portable nature and budget-friendly price, the M3 is perfect for the casual traveler or a foreign student on a budget. It pairs with Timekettle’s smartphone app, which is available on both Android and iOS.

Click Here to Buy Now: Starting from $90 $119.99 (25% off with coupon code “TMKFLTYD”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

Wear the earbuds and you can suddenly understand almost every language. As fairytale-like as that sounds, it’s pretty much the premise of the M3. The different Modes allow you to use the M3 in a variety of ways, making it perfect for work calls with overseas colleagues/clients/vendors, foreign travelers speaking to locals, listening to performances in foreign languages, attending lectures/classes, or even interacting with local authorities without a language barrier.

What we like

  • It looks like your average pair of TWS earbuds, but the M3 is a world-class in-ear translator that also happens to play music, answer calls, and listen to podcasts!
  • The split-case design turns the stereo earbuds into individual mono headsets
  • Perfect for travelers, students abroad, and people looking to learn/understand new languages

What we dislike

  • No option to tailor EQ for podcasts or music

2. Nothing-inspired Power Bank Concept

This concept for the London-based Carl Pei venture is an accessory anyone would love to have handy. The see-through aesthetics of this power bank adapted from the Nothing Phone (2) are well complemented by the diffused LED lighting on all sides to lend it a futuristic look. The speed of the hard disk is displayed on top adjacent to where you’ll find all the ports to connect your power-hungry gadgets. To keep up with the likes of Seagate, Western Digital, and SanDisk – the compact Nothing external HDD concept should be offered in a comparative capacity – starting from 2TB and going all the way up to 8TB.

Why is it noteworthy?

Gen-Z users will always choose an option that is aesthetically pleasing and cool to show off among peers. With the Nothing’s see-through power bank, there’s a huge potential audience base that can be lured to create the initial buzz.

What we like

  • A refreshing design that challenges the competition
  • Made out of lightweight and durable material

What we dislike

  • No lanyard tether for easy carrying

3. Timekettle Fluentalk T1 Mini – Travel Translator Device

This tiny handheld device is your passport to effortless communication across languages. Styled somewhat like a smartphone with its own touchscreen, camera, microphone, and speaker system, the T1 Mini unlocks the power of instant translation for audio, text, and images, eliminating the need to even take your phone and power the Google Translator app. It handles 36 languages and even works with 88 accents, offering offline translation for 13 popular languages. The standout feature is its 5MP camera that translates 39 languages from signs, menus, and more. For conversations, the T1 Mini works as a two-way translator, converting multiple languages into text and speech to facilitate an easy conversation. The lag is practically negligible with 95% accuracy, thanks to Fluentalk’s built-in translation engine.
Inferring from its name, the T1 ‘Mini’ is the size of a credit card, fitting in your pocket for instant access. It comes powered by a 1500mAh battery, it offers seven days of use on a full charge. Plus, you get one year of free global data, making it ideal for international adventures.

Click Here to Buy Now: $107.99 $149.99 (26% off with coupon code “TMKFLTYD”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

The Fluentalk T1 Mini eliminates the need to open your phone, fire the translator app, make sure you’re connected to the internet, or have the language pack downloaded. It offers one-button translation, simplifying the entire process down to a single click. The T1 Mini also comes with free global data and offline translation, eliminating the need to look for free WiFi while abroad. It’s compact, affordable, and could potentially be an absolute life-saver on your trips!

What we like

  • One-button translation & instant activation make it easy to use, regardless of age or experience
  • Compact credit card-sized design
  • Ability to understand even accents with 95% accuracy

What we dislike

  • The 2.8-inch screen might feel a little too small for some people

4. UFO Magsafe Charger Concept

There are the usual MagSafe chargers and then there is the UFO MagSafe Wireless Charger that is destined to turn eyeballs. If you want to have the same functionality that the third-party options by Belkin, Mophie, Anker, and Satechi offer but with that oomph factor, then look no further. The concept design has a cute little UFO riding on the back of your iPhone 15 and you would be tempted to turn down your phone every time it runs out of juice just to have a look at that cute little being on the back. So, In a way, it keeps you from instinctively checking the device for any new notifications.

Why is it noteworthy?

The aesthetic appeal of the MagSafe charger adds fun to your smartphone charging routines and we bet you won’t get bored of it.

What we like

  • The ambient light that surrounds the UFO every time you juice up your device

What we dislike

  • The UFO rounded shape does not give the best grip to hold onto while using your phone when charging

5. Timekettle Fluentalk T1 – Handheld Translator Device

For more serious globetrotters, immigrants/expats, and international business travelers, the T1 is the Mini’s larger sibling, offering a sizeable 4-inch 1080p display that’s without compromise. It beefs up the hardware that the T1 Mini had with a quad-core chip that offers faster translation (0.2-second lag) with even better coverage, directly integrating into over 200 international networks. The T1 supports online audio translation for 40 languages and 93 accents, and an 8MP camera helps translate text in images across 36 different languages. A built-in multi-microphone array with ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) makes the T1 perfect for conversations with local residents and law enforcement, waiters and hotel staff, international colleagues, clients, and investors, or even teachers and students on foreign campuses. The T1 also ships with a free 2-year global data plan that covers all your needs.

Click Here to Buy Now: Starting from $215.99 $299.99 (26% off with coupon code “TMKFLTYD”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

The Fluentalk T1 eliminates the need to open your phone, fire the translator app, make sure you’re connected to the internet, or have the language pack downloaded. It’s compact, purpose-built, and does its job like an absolute beast. Whether you’re a traveler or an expat, the T1 is perfect to have on you in a foreign land. Buh bye, Duolingo and Google Translate

What we like

  • As intuitive to use as a smartphone, without the added apps, notifications, and distractions
  • 2 years of free global data

What we dislike

  • No external audio input or microphone jack for direct voice translation without a device connection
  • Has a ‘Swear Filter’ that won’t translate curse words

6. Momentum Watch

Time is relative, that is what we have learned and the designers at All Design Lab have found a way to convert the changing nature of time into a physical gadget. Named Momentum, this watch is almost a kinetic sculpture that adjusts its intensity of spinning based on your emotional and productivity state. For example, the time movement is faster or slower depending on whether the watch senses positive or negative behavior, conveying to the user that their time is being seized or wasted so they can adjust their actions accordingly.

Why is it noteworthy?

Momentum takes away from traditional time-telling, to make the entire experience to be ‘in the moment’. The aim is to double down on the time you have rather than spend it chasing notifications throughout the day and wondering, at the end where the time went!

What we like

  • The kinetic sculpture creates a soothing movement that can be almost meditative and help the user calm down if they feel themselves getting agitated
  • Using beautifully neutral tones, this gadget is almost a fashion wearable that is sure to be a conversation starter

What we dislike

  • The watch offers no option to switch or showcase the actual time, making the users rely on secondary devices and hence breaking the impactful habit they are creating with Momentum

7. Timekettle WT2 Edge – The World’s First Simultaneous Translator Earbuds

The WT2 Edge is the upgraded version of Timekettle’s first-ever product, the WT2. It assumes the shape of your everyday TWS Earbuds, but instead of just playing music or letting you answer calls, the WT2 Edge serves as a bi-directional translator device that works in real time. Just have two people pop one earpiece on and the WT2 Edge begins working, every person in the conversation can speak and listen to translated speeches from counterparts at the same time, offering active translations with unnoticeable lag. Like the M3, the WT2 Edge also works with 40 languages and 93 accents, relying on Timekettle’s AI along with 6 different translation engines to give you 95% accurate translations in under half a second. The earbuds also pack directional voice recognition and ambient noise canceling, picking up your speech with crystal clarity and without any interfering noise. Multiple usage modes allow you to interact freely with people around the globe, but the folks at Timekettle believe the WT2 Edge’s true prowess lies in the conference room. Aside from working in a physical meeting setup with as many as 6 people in the same room, Timekettle’s Group Chat software supports connecting as many as 30 users together, translating both audio and text across multiple languages, making it just perfect for international video calls with clients, colleagues, and investors all across the globe. A single click lets you export your chats too, proving to be ideal for important meetings as well as college lectures.

Click Here to Buy Now: Starting from $225.60 $299.99 (25% off with coupon code “TMKFLTYD”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

The WT2 Edge builds on Timekettle’s original vision – to blur the boundaries between different people around the world looking to collaborate together. The device assumes the form of a pair of TWS earbuds, but rather serves as an active translator that helps colleagues, clients, investors, vendors, and other stakeholders in the business to communicate freely regardless of what language they speak. The WT2 Edge is perfect for companies with branches overseas, and on the off chance you find yourself traveling, it’s great for understanding foreign languages as a tourist too!

What we like

  • As the world’s first Simultaneous Translator Earbuds, Simul Mode enables you to have seamless, real-time conversations as if the two people are speaking the same language
  • Four different translation modes to cater to all translation needs and scenarios
  • The ability to pair up to 30 devices in the Group Chat app

What we dislike

  • Only built for translation, not music.

8. COMM Productivity Manager

If you ever wanted a gadget that could bring your productivity back on track when working from home, this would be it. The COMM smart screen concept removes all the unnecessary distractions that come in the line of communication and online work. For instance, receiving an important mail on your computer and then getting lost down the rabbit hole with distracting apps. The portable touchscreen display designed for work-from-home fanatics focuses on smooth information flow and idea sharing, thereby creating a virtual office environment optimized for productivity.

Why is it noteworthy?

You can connect via video conferencing or audio chat with co-workers and clients directly on the simple interface. Scheduling meetings and getting prompt notifications don’t hamper current workflow which is another plus.

What we like

  • Distraction-free WFH gadget that keeps productivity in check
  • Ability to video chat and set meeting schedules right from the screen

What we dislike

  • Limited functionality that’ll only appeal to a particular set of users

9. Saint Antoine USB Drive

The USB flash drive is one accessory that is an absolute necessity for any kind of user – after all, everything is going digital and data is mostly stored that way. But by today’s standard, the USB flash drives are bigger in size even though some brands shave off the external housing size as a trade-off for durability. However, the Saint Antoine USB takes a detour from the usual design, fitting in perfectly between the keys of your laptop when not in use. This explains the branch-like shape of the accessory. The advantage of this unique shape, well, you never lose the USB drive, as most people are guilty of doing.

Why is it noteworthy?

The compact, thin size challenges existing products on the market. Makes good use of existing space for easy storage that otherwise is not the case with USB drives that are vulnerable to getting lost.

What we like

  • Slim design that solves a purpose
  • You can carry your USB drive anywhere without the fear of losing

What we dislike

  • The one-size-fits-all design is impractical as different laptops have different-sized layouts

10. Sydra Clock

In this digitally dominated world, how many times have we missed out on an opportunity because we forgot or were late for an appointment? Productivity is the trending keyword for all of us and while we are chasing that aim of getting our work-life balance right, we are usually lagging behind and leaving ourselves with a general feeling of dissatisfaction. The Sydra (after the ancient world’s accurate timekeeping device – Clepsydra) aims to help you manage life better by logging all your activities with the time at which you aim to fulfill them. Imagine it hanging in your work setup, giving you a gentle nudge towards your next goal while keeping track of the time spent on the current one. Combining the analog clock with a digital calendar, the Sydra offers an improved hands-free experience that makes time management a more phone-free task.

Why is it noteworthy?

Sydra’s hour hand is a constant reminder of the passage of time as it sweeps across your 12-hour schedule for the day, making space for the next activity or leisure time planned by you. Inspired by the ancient world’s most accurate timekeeping device (the clepsydra), the Sydra brings a bit of that ancient history to your modern room with effortless elegance.

What we like

  • Sydra can sync multiple calendars (of your family or different work schedules) to create a cohesive tracking/time management device
  • It is a functional piece of decor, giving you the best of both worlds

What we dislike

  • With a 12-hour system, Sydra cannot show the next 12 hours while you are approaching the end of the current 12-hour shift, leaving a gap in your time management

The post Top 10 personal gadgets that mix style and functionality to maximize your everyday life first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple joins Meta and ByteDance in contesting the EU’s ‘gatekeeper’ designation

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Apple has joined Meta and TikTok owner ByteDance in contesting their platforms’ definitions as part of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The legislation allows regulators to designate dominant companies’ services or platforms as “gatekeepers,” or big and powerful enough to act as a bottleneck between businesses and customers, which it can then fine for prohibited behavior. It currently targets 22 gatekeeper services run by six Big Tech companies (Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet’s Google, Meta, Amazon and ByteDance’s TikTok). The law encourages consumer-friendly competition, preventing businesses from imposing unfair conditions on customers.

The EU Court of Justice (via Reuters) posted on X Friday about Apple’s formal objection, announcing that the iPhone maker had joined Meta and ByteDance in contesting its decisions. Although the complaint details aren’t public, Bloomberg News reported last week that Apple would challenge the gatekeeper designations of both the App Store and iMessage. The company said this week it would soon support RCS on iPhone, potentially removing one of the EU’s bones to pick with iMessage consumer lock-in. 

Microsoft and Google have reportedly accepted their DMA designations, while Meta and ByteDance contested theirs. Meta specifically questioned Messenger and Marketplace’s gatekeeper labels, seeking to clarify why they were included. (Meta didn’t challenge Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp’s inclusion.) The company argued Marketplace is a consumer-to-consumer service and Messenger is a chat feature on Facebook, not an online intermediary.

Meanwhile, ByteDance argues that TikTok is a challenger in the social market rather than an established gatekeeper. It claimed designating its platform as such would only serve to protect more established companies.

Like the Digital Services Act (DSA), the DMA has significant teeth. Companies failing to comply can face fines of up to 10 percent of their global turnover, up to 20 percent for repeat offenders and periodic fines of up to five percent of their average daily turnover. Other penalties, including the divestiture of parts of a business, could also be included following market investigations.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-joins-meta-and-bytedance-in-contesting-the-eus-gatekeeper-designation-165915809.html?src=rss

Hackers use a new SEC rule to snitch on the company they infiltrated

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A hacking group deployed a surprising tactic after infiltrating a financial software company’s network. They reported the breach to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

DataBreaches.net initially reported on the incident, which was conducted by ALPHV / BlackCat, a group known for breaching entities as diverse as MGM Resorts and Reddit. The hackers reportedly infiltrated the servers of fintech company MeridianLink on November 7, stealing company data without encrypting it. However, when the business neglected to negotiate directly, the hackers increased the pressure by filing a report with the SEC.

They did so citing a new rule the SEC passed this summer, which requires companies falling victim to “material cybersecurity incidents” to report them to the agency within four business days.

However, the four-day requirement may not have taken effect yet. At least one official form claims the rule kicked in 90 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register (they appear to have been published on August 4, making that alleged effective date November 2) or December 18. But the Federal Register document says, “With respect to compliance with the incident disclosure requirements in Item 1.05 of Form 8–K and in Form 6–K [the part referring to the four-day requirement], all registrants other than smaller reporting companies must begin complying on December 18, 2023.” Adding to the confusion, Reuters reported in October that the rule takes effect on December 15.

Engadget reached out to the SEC to clarify whether the rule is active yet. We’ll update this article if we hear back.

MeridianLink told BleepingComputer that it quickly worked to contain the threat. “Based on our investigation to date, we have identified no evidence of unauthorized access to our production platforms, and the incident has caused minimal business interruption,” the company wrote. The company says it’s still trying to determine if any consumer personal information was breached, promising to notify affected parties if it was.

Whether the SEC has any teeth (or desire) to do anything about MeridianLink’s failure to report the incident in four business days, the rule could, ironically, serve as a new tool for cyber attackers. Rather than contacting customers or making calls to tighten the grip and pressure companies to comply with their demands, perhaps they can now simply rat them out to Uncle Sam.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/hackers-use-a-new-sec-rule-to-snitch-on-the-company-they-infiltrated-201242292.html?src=rss

Sega faces unfair labor practice complaint for planned mass layoff of union members

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Workers at Sega of America are accusing the video game company of "bad faith bargaining with workers" for its plan to lay off dozens of temporary workers. The publisher known for franchises that include Sonic the Hedgehog and Yakuza is now facing an unfair labor practice complaint filed by the Communications Workers of America (CWA). In April, 200 people in various departments across the company overwhelmingly voted in favor of unionization and formed the Allied Employees Guild Improving Sega (AEGIS-CWA) under the CWA. Now, Sega allegedly intends to lay off 80 of those unionized workers.

In its complaint, the CWA explained that it's been in bargaining with Sega since September. On November 6, Sega apparently presented the organization with a proposal to phase out of all its temporary employees by taking their work offshore to the company's offices in Europe and Japan by February 2024. Those temporary employees make up 40 percent of the union's bargaining unit and mostly work in quality assurance and localization, which the group describes as "critical to Sega's success."

The afternoon after their meeting, the CWA said Sega presented its proposal to the affected employees through captive audience meetings. "We believe this is a clear case of bad faith bargaining," the CWA wrote in its complaint, since Sega dealt directly with the union members and "violated status quo" by telling them they're losing their jobs. 

"Sega will not be allowed to get away with this unlawful behavior," Elise Willacker, Senior QA Tester Temp, said in a statement. "We call on the company to make all temporary employees permanent and return to the bargaining table in good faith. There is no other just alternative." As Kotaku notes, the organization's complaint is now in the hands of the National Labor Relations Board, but it may take a while to resolve and may not prevent the layoffs from taking place. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sega-faces-unfair-labor-practice-complaint-for-planned-mass-layoff-of-union-members-073046095.html?src=rss

Google sues scammers that allegedly released a malware-filled Bard knockoff

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The hype surrounding emerging technologies like generative AI creates a wild west, of sorts, for bad actors seeking to capitalize on consumer confusion. To that end, Google is suing some scammers who allegedly tricked people into downloading an “unpublished” version of its Bard AI software. Instead of a helpful chatbot, this Bard was reportedly stuffed with malware.

The lawsuit was filed today in California and it alleges that individuals based in Vietnam have been setting up social media pages and running ads encouraging users to download a version of Bard, but this version doesn’t deliver helpful answers on how to cook risotto or whatever. This Bard, once downloaded by some rube, worms its way into the system and steals passwords and social media credentials. The lawsuit notes that these scammers have specifically used Facebook as their preferred distribution method.

Google’s official blog post on the matter notes that it sent over 300 takedown requests before opting for the lawsuit. The suit doesn’t seek financial compensation, but rather an order to stop the alleged fraudsters from setting up similar domains, particularly with US-based domain registrars. The company says that this outcome will “serve as a deterrent and provide a clear mechanism for preventing similar scams in the future.”

The lawsuit goes on to highlight how emerging technologies are ripe for this kind of anti-consumer weaponization. In this case, the alleged scammers said that Bard is a paid service that required a download. In reality, it’s a free web service.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-sues-scammers-that-allegedly-released-a-malware-filled-bard-knockoff-162222150.html?src=rss

Apple reaches $25M settlement with the DOJ for discriminating against US residents during hiring

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Apple will pay $25 million in backpay and civil penalties to settle allegations that it favored visa holders and discriminated against US citizens and permanent residents during its hiring process, the Department of Justice said in a statement on Thursday. This is the largest amount that the DOJ has collected under the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

At the heart of the issue is a federal program administered by the Department of Labor and the Department of Homeland Security called the Permanent Labor Certification Program (PERM). PERM allows US employers to file for foreign workers on visas to become permanent US residents. As part of the PERM process, employers are required to prominently advertise open positions so that anyone can apply to them regardless of citizenship status.

The DOJ said that Apple violated these rules by not advertising PERM positions on their recruiting website, and also made it harder for people to apply by requiring mailed-in paper applications, something that it did not do for regular, non-PERM positions. As a result, a DOJ investigation found that Apple received few or no applications for these positions from US citizens or permanent residents who do not require work visas.

As part of the settlement, Apple will pay $6.75 million in civil penalties and set up a $18.25 million fund to pay back eligible discrimination victims, the DOJ's statement said. 

Apple disagreed with the DOJ’s characterization. “Apple proudly employs more than 90,000 people in the United States and continues to invest nationwide, creating millions of jobs,” a company spokesperson told CNBC. “When we realized we had unintentionally not been following the DOJ standard, we agreed to a settlement addressing their concerns. We have implemented a robust remediation plan to comply with the requirements of various government agencies as we continue to hire American workers and grow in the US”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-reaches-25m-settlement-with-the-doj-for-discriminating-against-us-residents-during-hiring-225857162.html?src=rss

Apple reaches $25M settlement with the DOJ for discriminating against US residents during hiring

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Apple will pay $25 million in backpay and civil penalties to settle allegations that it favored visa holders and discriminated against US citizens and permanent residents during its hiring process, the Department of Justice said in a statement on Thursday. This is the largest amount that the DOJ has collected under the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

At the heart of the issue is a federal program administered by the Department of Labor and the Department of Homeland Security called the Permanent Labor Certification Program (PERM). PERM allows US employers to file for foreign workers on visas to become permanent US residents. As part of the PERM process, employers are required to prominently advertise open positions so that anyone can apply to them regardless of citizenship status.

The DOJ said that Apple violated these rules by not advertising PERM positions on their recruiting website, and also made it harder for people to apply by requiring mailed-in paper applications, something that it did not do for regular, non-PERM positions. As a result, a DOJ investigation found that Apple received few or no applications for these positions from US citizens or permanent residents who do not require work visas.

As part of the settlement, Apple will pay $6.75 million in civil penalties and set up a $18.25 million fund to pay back eligible discrimination victims, the DOJ's statement said. 

Apple disagreed with the DOJ’s characterization. “Apple proudly employs more than 90,000 people in the United States and continues to invest nationwide, creating millions of jobs,” a company spokesperson told CNBC. “When we realized we had unintentionally not been following the DOJ standard, we agreed to a settlement addressing their concerns. We have implemented a robust remediation plan to comply with the requirements of various government agencies as we continue to hire American workers and grow in the US”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-reaches-25m-settlement-with-the-doj-for-discriminating-against-us-residents-during-hiring-225857162.html?src=rss

Google workers publish letter criticizing company’s Israel-Palestine ‘double standard’

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A group of Google employees has published an open letter on Medium calling out an alleged double standard in the company related to freedom of expression surrounding the Israel-Palestine war. The essay condemns “hate, abuse and retaliation” within the company against Muslim, Arab and Palestinian workers. The employees who penned the letter, which doesn’t include specific names out of fear of retaliation, demand that CEO Sundar Pichai, Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian and other senior leaders publicly condemn “the ongoing genocide in the strongest possible terms.” In addition, they urge the company to cancel Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion deal to supply AI and other advanced tech to the Israeli military.

“We are Muslim, Palestinian, and Arab Google employees joined by anti-Zionist Jewish colleagues,” the letter opens. “We cannot remain silent in the face of the hate, abuse, and retaliation that we are being subjected to in the workplace in this moment.”

The letter cites specific examples of emotionally charged and inappropriate workplace behavior. These include unnamed Googlers accusing Palestinians of supporting terrorism, committing “slander against the Prophet Muhammad,” and publicly calling Palestinians “animals” on official Google work platforms. The group describes leadership as “standing idly by” in the latter two cases, and it says Google managers have called employees “sick” and “a lost cause” for expressing empathy toward Gaza residents.

The employees say Google managers have publicly asked Arab and Muslim people in the company if they support Hamas as a response to their concern for Palestinian families. “There are even coordinated efforts to stalk the public lives of workers sympathetic to Palestine and to report them both to Google and law enforcement for ‘supporting terrorism,’” the letter reads.

Google and Alphabet Inc. CEO Sundar Pichai arrives at the federal courthouse in Washington, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Google CEO Sundar Pichai
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Other examples cited include “heartfelt appeals” to donate to a charity for Gaza citizens being “met with multiple comments dehumanizing Gazans as being ‘animals,’ disregarding their plight and calling upon Googlers to boycott relief work for civilians due to the fact that Palestinian schools and hospitals were being used for ‘terrorism.’” The letter also accuses Google managers of using their rank to “question, report, and attempt to get fired Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian Googlers who express sympathy with the plight of the besieged Palestinian people.” It describes one manager endorsing “surveillance of Google employees on social media,” and then openly harassing them on Google work platforms.

“You have to be very, very, very careful, because any sort of criticism toward the Israeli state can be easily taken as antisemitism,” Sarmad Gilani, a Google software engineer who tells Engadget he did not take part in the letter, said in an interview with The New York Times. “It feels like I have to condemn Hamas 10 times before saying one tiny, tiny thing criticizing Israel.”

In an emailed statement to Engadget, Google spokesperson Courtenay Mencini wrote, “As we’ve shared, this is a highly sensitive time and topic in every company and workplace, and we have many employees who are personally affected. The overwhelming majority of those employees are not engaged in internal discussions or debate, and many have said they’ve appreciated our fast response and our focus on the safety of our employees.” The company said the situation involves a small number of Googlers whose views don’t represent the entire workforce. It encourages employees to voice concerns to HR, and it adds that it has taken action within the last month when conduct violates company policy.

The tensions inflamed in the last month by the Israel-Palestine war have resurfaced resentments about Google’s involvement in Project Nimbus. In 2021, Google and Amazon workers penned a similar open letter calling on their companies to pull out of the deal, which they said would enable surveillance of and unlawful data collection on Palestinians. Today’s letter echoes that sentiment. “We demand that Google stop providing material support to this genocide by canceling its Project Nimbus contract and immediately cease doing business with the Israeli apartheid government and military,” it reads.

In response to the Project Nimbus concerns, Google spokesperson Mencini wrote to Engadget, “This is part of a longstanding campaign by a group of organizations and people who largely don’t work at Google. We have been very clear that the Nimbus contract is for workloads running on our commercial platform by Israeli government ministries such as finance, healthcare, transportation, and education. Our work is not directed at highly sensitive or classified military workloads relevant to weapons or intelligence services.”

Update, November 8, 2023, 11:04 PM ET: This story has been updated to correct an error that interpreted the NYT interview with Sarmad Gilani as indicating he participated in the letter. However, he clarified to Engadget that he was not involved with the letter to Google management. We regret the error and apologize to Mr. Gilani.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-workers-publish-letter-criticizing-companys-israel-palestine-double-standard-181516404.html?src=rss

Google’s plan to build 15,000 homes for the San Francisco Bay Project fizzles out

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Google has ended its agreement with real estate developer Landlease for its San Francisco Bay Project, effectively scrapping its plans to build a campus with thousands of homes for employees and locals. The company announced the project in 2019, promising the "development of at least 15,000 new homes at all income levels" on at least $750 million worth of land it owns. Around 4,000 of those homes were supposed to be affordable housing, which would've been a welcome presence in the region with one of the highest costs of living in the country. 

The San Francisco Bay Project is a collective name for Google's planned developments in San Jose (Downtown West), Sunnyvale (Moffett Park) and Mountain View (Middlefield Park and North Bayshore). San Jose, in particular, approved the massive project in 2021, and it would've seen the construction of 4,000 homes, office space for approximately 20,000 employees, 300 hotel rooms and 10 parks. As part of the deal, Google had agreed to set aside $200 million in funding for displaced local businesses and job readiness programs. 

Earlier this year, however, Google put the Downtown West facility construction on hold after demolition had already started to make way for construction that was scheduled to begin in 2026. The company told Engadget at the time that it was still figuring out "how to best move forward" with the San Jose campus in a way that would cater to its "future needs." Workplaces have changed tremendously over the past few years, after all, mostly due to the COVID-19 pandemic — Google, for instance, adopted a hybrid work schedule that allowed employees to work from home for a couple of days a week. Earlier this year, Google parent Alphabet also laid off 12,000 workers after going on a hiring spree during a period of growth. 

In Lendlease's announcement (PDF), it said that the companies have decided to end their agreement after Google did a comprehensive review of its real estate investments. They've apparently determined that the "existing agreements are no longer mutually beneficial given current market conditions. Based on what a company spokesperson told CNBC, though, Google hasn't entirely killed its housing projects. "As we've shared before, we've been optimizing our real estate investments in the Bay Area, and part of that work is looking at a variety of options to move our development projects forward and deliver on our housing commitment," Alexa Arena, a senior director of development at Google, told the news organization. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan also told CNBC that this development "doesn't change Google's commitment to San Jose or their timeline" and that it gives the company more flexibility to choose the "best possible developers" for the project. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-plan-to-build-15000-homes-for-the-san-francisco-bay-project-fizzles-out-113526409.html?src=rss

Disney is taking full ownership of Hulu, setting it up to dominate streaming

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Disney is buying the rest of Hulu from Comcast, the company has announced. It will acquire the 33 percent of Hulu Comcast still controls and expects to pay NBC Universal approximately $8.61 billion for the deal, though the final amount will be determined after an appraisal that will be wrapping up sometime next year. As The New York Times notes, the companies had agreed back in 2019 that Comcast could force Disney to buy its stake by next year and Disney could require Comcast to sell. The cable TV and media company chose to speed up negotiations with Disney instead of waiting until 2024. 

"The acquisition of Comcast’s stake in Hulu at fair market value will further Disney's streaming objectives," Disney said in its announcement. Earlier this year, the company revealed that it will launch a "one-app experience" that combines Disney+ and Hulu content by the end of 2023. While it didn't outright say at the time that it had plans to buy out Comcast, that was a pretty big clue that a full Hulu takeover was in the cards. Hulu's standalone app won't be going away anytime soon, but its offerings will also be available on Disney+ when the new experience launches. 

Disney CEO Bob Iger said when he announced the combined streaming app that it's "a logical progression" of the company's direct-to-consumer offerings "that will provide greater opportunities for advertisers, while giving bundle subscribers access to more robust and streamlined content..." As for Comcast, it already has its own streaming service — Peacock — and has been making its shows like The Voice available to its members. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/disney-to-buy-out-comcast-and-take-full-control-of-hulu-054157026.html?src=rss