Every day we wake up, drink a cup of coffee, and get ready for work. Following are a handful of stories from around the tech world condensed to fit into one single cup of coffee. These are the things you need to know before you step foot out of your door (or in front of a webcam) and into the real world this morning.
So sit back, grab a cup, and start your morning off right with a few “Quick Bytes” from Innovation & Tech Today.
GameStop Earnings Fall Short, Online Sales Optimism
GameStop earnings for the period ending Jan. 30, 2021, fell short of Wall Street expectations, but it’s not all bad news. In the months that follow, GameStop stock went wild as it rode (and continues to ride) a Reddit trading frenzy to more than $300 per share. The real optimism, however, stems from online business, where the company saw a 175% increase in revenue during the period.
Lime is Getting Creative to Bring in New Customers
Scooter rental giant Lime is opening up new ways to attract first time customers. Currently, the company is offering app-less rentals and is also allowing reservations for up to 10 minutes. For the moment, the app-less feature is available only for e-scooters and in half of its 130 markets. If it proves successful, the program could be expanded.
Crypto Hedge Funds Earned Big as Bitcoin Soared in February
Cryptocurrency hedge funds posted a 35% gain in February as they rode the Bitcoin wave. It’s estimated that hedge funds hold about $3.4 billion in the original cryptocurrency. February marks the funds’ best performance since May 2019.
Amazon Delivery Drivers Must Consent to AI Surveillance in Their Vans
Amazon is keeping an eye on its drivers — in the most literal and Black Mirror way possible. The company is requiring its delivery drivers to consent to being watched by AI surveillance cameras inside their vans. The cameras are looking for things like yawns, distracted driving and recklessness.
