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Source: NurPhoto / Getty / TikTok
TikTok is back in the Apple Store and Google Play stores for US users.
The popular social media platform officially returned to Apple’s App Store and the Google Play store for US users on Thursday after the companies removed it on Jan.19.
A federal law banning TikTok as of Jan.19 because TikTok’s Chinese-based parent company, ByteDance, failed to divest its ownership of the app forced both companies to pull it from their US stores. Failure to adhere to the law by still hosting or distributing TikTok in the US would result in penalties, $5,000 per user or $850 billion in fines because the platform boasts it has 170 million US users. Hence, it’s not surprising both companies yanked the app from their stores.
TikTok gained an ally in Donald Trump, who initially spearheaded the app’s banning before he lost his reelection bid to Joe Biden. Unfortunately, after returning to the White House, Felon 47 signed an executive order on Jan.20 instructing his Attorney General, Pam Bondi, not to enforce the ban for 75 days.
The executive order also instructed Bondi “to issue a letter to each [TikTok] provider stating that there has been no violation of the statute and that there is no liability for any conduct’ as of Jan.19 throughout the 75-day extension.
According to Bloomberg’s report, Bondi sent Apple and Google letters on Thursday.
In a blog post, TikTok celebrated its return to both stores: “The TikTok app is now available for download from the App Store and Google Play. Our U.S. users can download the latest version of our app and continue to create, discover, and share what they love on TikTok.”
How The TikTok Ban Jig Played Out
What a turn of events following TikTok’s loss in its appeal to the Supreme Court, claiming the ban was in direct violation of the First Amendment.
Following the court’s decision, TikTok shut down on Jan.18, a day before the ban was supposed to start, before restoring service after Donald Trump vowing not to enforce the ban. When US users opened the app, they were greeted by a message telling them the app was back thanks to Orange Mussolini.
Users on X, formerly Twitter, have been reacting to the app’s return to the Apple Store and Google Play store; you can see those reactions in the gallery below.
1. Serious question
5. Accurate
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Source: GREG BAKER / Getty / Google
Google isn’t done kissing Donald Trump’s ring. Not only did they adopt the stupid Gulf of America name change, but they have also removed Black History Month from the calendar.
Spotted on NewsOne, Google is getting in line with Donald Trump and his administration’s continued assault on DEI and “woke” initiatives as part of his mission to make America white again; oops, we mean “great again,” the Alphabet-owned company has removed several cultural observances from Google Calendar, including Pride Month, Black History Month, and Holocaust Remembrance Day.
In an email, the company explained its reasoning for its head-scratching move in an email sent to Newsweek that the previous system it had in place to update the calendar was “unsustainable” and that from now on, Google would only display public holidays and national observances.
Google Calendar users quickly noticed that events like Black History Month (February), Pride Month (June), Women’s History Month (March), and Indigenous Peoples Month (November) were no longer on the calendar after being there in previous years.
As expected, the decision sparked outrage on x, formerly Twitter.
“Hey @Google yall do realize your president declared February Black History Month, even though it was already Black History Month so I think you need to put that back. I don’t fuck with that man, but he is your president and you do need to listen to him,” one user wrote.
Another user added, “Disgusting @Google. Even Trump recognized Black History Month. You are trying to outdo him? Disgusting. The excuse is worse. You are using are global calendar that doesn’t have federally recognized honorifics on it. Wow. Your own search engine recognizes Black History Month.”
https://x.com/hawkgrrrl/status/1889488355311886829
In response to the pushback, Google spokesperson Madison Cushman Veld noted that the company received feedback about the missing events, noting that manually adding hundreds of cultural observances was not sustainable.
Maybe they should use AI to do it. Just saying.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
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Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty / Google
Like when Elon Musk stupidly changed Twitter’s name to X, Google is doing the same for Donald Trump and has officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” for US users to see.
We’re still gonna call it the Gulf of Mexico; just saying.
Google has officially capitulated to Orange Mussolini’s dumb executive order calling for the name change of the Gulf of Mexico to be now called the Gulf of America.
According to a blog post, Google claims it made the move because Trump’s ridiculous administration has already updated the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), which ultimately decides the “federal and national standard for geographic nomenclature.”
Google claims it has a longstanding policy of waiting for government resources to be updated before applying name changes, even though Trump signed the executive order renaming the body of water in January.
Hilariously, it’s not a complete name change. The Gulf of Mexico will only be visible to US Google Maps users. People in Mexico will still see the Gulf of Mexico, and people in other countries will see it specifically (Gulf of America).
Also, Trump ordered the Denali, the highest mountain peak in the United States, to be renamed Mount McKinley. Why, you ask? We are pretty sure it has everything to do with Barack Obama renaming the mountain in 2015 as a symbolic gesture to Alaska natives. So yeah, Trump is just doing this because he doesn’t like Obama.
After checking the map, we noticed that the location is still referred to as Denali.
Users On X Are Sounding Off On Stupid Name Change
Social media is clowning the name change because it’s just another one of Trump’s stupid stunts to take the focus off the real promises like lowering grocery and egg prices, things he already admitted weren’t top priorities for him.
“This petty, childish bullshit just serves to embarrass our nation on the world stage. It makes us look as stupid, weak, arrogant and petulant as the worst stereotypes about Americans globally,” one user wrote in response to The White House’s post showing the name change on the map.
Another user accurately asked, “And this is supposed to help Americans how?”
Welp.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
1. Same sis, same
3. At this point Idiocracy was a work of non-fiction
4. Eggxactly
5. Pretty much
7. This is what the MAGA cult wanted
9. Damn Google
11. Gulf of America Day?
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Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty / Google Maps / Gulf of America
Donald Trump’s presidency is wasting no time with absurdity, and sadly, people are bending their knees to please his ridiculousness.
Google is capitulating to Orange Mussolini and will show US Google Map users the Gulf of America on maps after Trump signed an executive order rebranding the body of water we all know as the Gulf of Mexico.
Google Maps users in Mexico will still see the Gulf of Mexico when they open the app. International users will see both names when they use Google Maps.
Google’s decision comes after Trump went on a renaming spree because he’s a petulant child in a grown man’s body.
“As directed by the President, the Gulf of Mexico will now officially be known as the Gulf of America,” the Interior Department said in a statement.
To justify the decision, the EO claims the area is an “integral asset” to the United States because it produces 14% of US crude oil, has “vibrant American fisheries,” and is “a favorite destination of American tourism.”
The tech giant, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration and saw Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai attend the celebration of America’s downfall, said it was following its longstanding policy of aligning map labeling with updates in official government databases.
The Gulf of Mexico Was Not The Only Thing Renamed By A Trump Executive Order
The Gulf of Mexico being stupidly renamed to the Gulf of America isn’t the only thing the Orange Menace renamed via an executive order. Trump reverted the Denali, North America’s tallest peak, back to Mount McKinley, reversing the move by Barack Obama in 2015 as a symbolic gesture to Alaska Natives.
We all know Trump changed the name because he can’t stand Barack Obama because he’s a very petty man.
Buckle up; this is going to be a LONG 4 years.
YouTube and Google, together with Google.org, are contributing $15 million toward relief efforts aiding those impacted by the Los Angeles-area wildfires. The contribution will go to organizations including Emergency Network Los Angeles, American Red Cross and the Center for Disaster Recovery.
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YouTube CEO Neal Mohan made the announcement in a blog post on Wednesday, Jan. 15.
“Los Angeles is the heart of entertainment and storytelling and has an impact on culture all overthe world. It’s also where many YouTube creators, artists, partners and our employees callhome. Like so many, we’ve been heartbroken by the devastation from the wildfires and want todo our part to support the community as it rebuilds,” Mohan wrote.
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He also outlined other efforts Google is making to help aid relief efforts.
“Together with Google.org, YouTube and Google are contributing $15 million to organizationsproviding immediate relief in LA, including Emergency Network Los Angeles, American RedCross and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy. And Google is providing accurate and timelyinformation to LA through products and services like Google Search, Google Maps and Waze.
“When it’s safe to reopen our offices in LA, we plan to offer YouTube production facilities toimpacted creators and artists as they begin to recover and rebuild their businesses. In thecoming months, we’ll also host a number of events to bring the YouTube creative communitytogether – making space to connect and share resources.
Mohan ended the blog post by saying, “On the long road ahead, we’ll continue to support recovery and rebuilding efforts alongside our partners across the industry. In moments like these, we see the power of communities coming together to support each other – and the strength and resilience of the YouTube community is like no other.”
Google and YouTube join numerous other organizations that are helping those who lives, homes and businesses have been impacted by the Los Angeles-area wildfires. The announcement follows recent announcements from companies including Amazon, which committed $10 million to relief efforts. Sony Group Corporation previously announced it would donate $5 million to wildfire relief efforts, while the Warner Music Group/Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund pledged $1 million.
The wildfires began Jan. 7 in the Pacific Palisades area just outside of Los Angeles, and swiftly spread to areas including Runyon Canyon and Altadena. The wildfires have swept through at least 40,000 acres in the greater Los Angeles area and killed at least 25 people, according to NBC News. The Los Angeles area is still on high alert as of Wednesday, Jan. 15.
K-hip-hop star Jay Park is asking a U.S. court to force Google to unmask an anonymous YouTube user so he can sue in Korean court, citing allegedly defamatory internet videos linking him to drug traffickers and disparaging Korean-Americans.
Attorneys for the American-born Park say a YouTube account transliterated as Bburingsamuso has subjected the artist to a “malicious” campaign of videos, including one claiming he works with Chinese mobsters to import drugs and another suggesting Korean-Americans like Park “exploit” the country with illegal activities.
Park’s lawyers have already filed a defamation lawsuit in Korea, but in a petition filed Thursday (Jan. 9) in California federal court, they say that the foreign lawsuit “cannot proceed” without a U.S. subpoena forcing Google to hand over the user’s identity.
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“The defamatory statements falsely accuse Jay Park of being involved with organized crime, drug trafficking, and unethical conduct, all of which have caused significant harm to his reputation and professional endeavors,” the singer’s attorneys write. “Despite extensive efforts to identify the anonymous YouTuber through publicly available information, Jay Park has been unsuccessful to date. Consequently, Jay Park now seeks the assistance of this court.”
Google could legally object to such a request, including by potentially arguing that the subpoena would violate the First Amendment and its protections for anonymous speech. But Park’s attorneys say the U.S. Constitution simply doesn’t apply since they “strongly” believe the poster lives in Korea.
“Jay Park is not attempting to infringe on the anonymous YouTuber’s First Amendment rights because the anonymous YouTuber appears to be a citizen of Southern Korea,” the filing says. Park’s lawyers cite an earlier precedent that says U.S. legal protection for free speech “doesn’t reflect a U.S. policy of protecting free speech around the world.”
As K-pop and other Korean music have exploded in global popularity over the past decade — and with it an intensely enthusiastic online fan culture — numerous stars have turned to Korea’s strict defamation laws to fight back against what they say are false statements about them on the internet.
In 2019, HYBE (then Big Hit Entertainment) filed criminal cases alleging “personal attacks” on the superstar band BTS. In 2022, Big Hit did so again over “malicious postings” about BTS, even asking the group’s famous fan “army” to help gather evidence. YG Entertainment, the label behind BLACKPINK, has also filed its own complaint against “internet trolls,” accusing them of “spreading groundless rumours about our singers.”
It’s also not the first time such litigants have turned to the U.S. courts to help. In March, the K-pop group NewJeans filed a similar petition in California federal court, seeking to unmask a YouTube user so that the band could press for criminal charges in Korea over “derogatory” videos.
In that case — filed by the same lawyer who represents Park in his case filed this week — a judge eventually granted the subpoena. But it’s unclear from court records the extent to which Google has complied with it.
A Google spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on Park’s petition. But in a policy statement regarding government requests for personal information, the company says: “Google carefully reviews each request to make sure it satisfies applicable laws. If a request asks for too much information, we try to narrow it, and in some cases we object to producing any information at all.”
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Source: Google / Black Owned Friday
Google’s Black-Owned Friday continues spotlighting Black-owned businesses nationwide on America’s favorite shopping holiday.
Black-Owned Friday is back for its fifth iteration and is sticking to the same formula of using the biggest Black celebrities and influencers to help spread the word about fantastic Black-owned businesses.
Last year, Keke Palmer did a clever cover of Crystal Water’s iconic record “Pure Love,” joining other big names like Ludacris, Normani, T-Pain, and Flo Milli, who were involved in previous years.
This year, Google has tapped one of Hip-Hop’s hottest acts in GloRilla, social media superstar and current Google Pixel hypeman Druski, and YouTuber and entrepreneur Jayda Cheaves to help launch the 5th annual Black-Owned Friday shopping initiative from Google.
Source: Google / Black Owned Friday
The trio stars in “A Day of Black-owned Shopping with Druski, Glorilla, and Jayda Cheaves’ film directed by Rodney Lucas, highlighting Black-owned businesses and products featured in this year’s Black-Owned Friday” initiative.
In the short film, Druski, GloRilla, and Jayda Cheaves visit three Black-Owned businesses: Royal Crown Barbershop, Wadada Health Market and Juice Bar, and The Wellness Spot.
Druski, GloRilla & Director Rodney Lucas On The Importance of Black-Owned Friday
“As an artist, I’m all about representing where I come from and supporting my community, “GloRilla begins. “Partnering with Google for Black-owned Friday is my way of showing love to Black entrepreneurs who are out here making big moves. Supporting Black-owned businesses is more than a moment—it’s a movement, it’s how we grow, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Source: Google / Black-Owned Friday
Druski adds, “I enjoyed working with Google on Black-Owned Friday because it’s all about celebrating the greatness in our communities. I’m a comedian, but this is serious business—spotlighting Black entrepreneurs and showing the power of supporting our own. It’s a cool way to remind folks that every choice we make can uplift the culture, and I’m here for that…plus who doesn’t love a good smoothie, shape-up, and yoga session? I’m more flexible than meets the eye (laughing emoji).”
Source: Google / Black-Owned Friday
“Working with the Google Team on Black-Owned Friday spoke directly to the soul of who I am as a Director and the level of care, support, and vibrations of Black joy that carry our communities,” Rodney Lucas begins. “At age 7, my first job was sweeping floors in one of the longest-standing Black-Owned record shops on the South Side of Chicago. That experience built the foundation of everything I am today. Our fillm gave me the opportunity to re ect, honor, and deliver a cinematic love letter to every Black-Owned business that helped propel my dreams. Black-Owned Friday is a moment to celebrate Black-owned businesses’ service, craftsmanship, and legacy worldwide, and I am grateful for the opportunity to add a chapter to this empowering and unifying campaign.”
Source: Google / Black-Owned Friday
More Details About Black-Owned Friday
Right now, you can visit the landing page for Black-Owned Friday to see more videos supporting Black-owned businesses and add your own to highlight a local Black-owned business in your community. You can also check out a blog post from Dr. Valaurie Lee Bridges, owner of the Wellness Spot in Atlanta, Georgia. If you’re a business owner, you can also learn more about resources like Google’s Black-owned business attribute and the ByBlack Platform powered by the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., to help people find your company on Black-owned Friday and beyond.
Hit the gallery below for a complete list of businesses and products participating in the initiative.
1. EssenceTree
EssenceTree Holistic Life is a lifestyle brand that celebrates organic beauty and inspired living, the passions of its founder Charmaine Gibbs-West. Created as a platform for empowerment, the Atlanta, GA based company consists of luxurious handcrafted beauty products, transformative wellness services and entrepreneurial education.
Established in 2005 on her husband’s family farm, EssenceTree started as a therapeutic hobby. After transitioning from a fast-paced Wall Street career in New York, Charmaine moved south to Tennessee and embraced a simpler, more sacred life.
A student of various healing therapies, Charmaine found herself experimenting with homemade concoctions, artfully infusing practices of aromatherapy, herbalism and intention into her original recipes. Themes which were noticeably absent in the beauty industry.
Even now, EssenceTree’s creations are still original works of art, blended with the finest natural ingredients and healing intent.
2. Marlie Mahogany
Marlie Mahogany started off as a shampoo girl in a doobie shop in Newark, NJ at the age of 14. She quickly became a specialist in hair maintenance, often taking care of the hair of family, friends and community members. After coming to Atlanta, Marlie went to school for dental assisting and quickly realized that her passion for doing hair was still calling her. Soon she began working for a celebrity hairstylist and learned a lot about the hair industry. Marlie was offered as position as a natural hairstylist at Royal Crown Barbershop in West End Atlanta where she worked for 6 years. Now she works full-time in her own hair studio, offering dedicated services and essential products to the natural hair community.
3. Natural Beauty Organics
My name is Cat Belle. My daughter, Saharah, and I were inspired to create this hair care line because we are natural hair care professionals and lovers of a holistic lifestyle. Natural Beauty Organics was created with specific goals in mind.
To have a hair care product that really, really works on textured hair.
To assist hair growth using herbs and essential oils that promote an overall healthy scalp.
To educate and empower women worldwide, about natural hair.
We use all natural ingredients, like hemp seed oil and avocado oil, both rich in omega 3 fatty acids that your hair loves. Combined, we have over 25 years of experience with natural hair. We love cultivating a space for women that choose to have relaxer free hair. We allow the narrative of Natural Hair and Loving Natural Hair to unfold here at Natural Beauty Organics.
4. The Royal Crown Barbershop
Source:The Royal Crown Barbershop
Ehl-Ahd, Royal Crown Barber Shop
“As a proud business owner serving the West End for 25 years, Royal Crown Barber Shop has been about more than just haircuts – it’s about building a community with my customers. Partnering with Google for Black-owned Friday lets me share that legacy and encourage everyone to support Black-owned businesses every day.”
5. Wada Healthy Market & Juice Bar
Jeanee Sellers, Wadada Healthy Market & Juice Bar
“Being part of Google’s Black-owned Friday campaign was an amazing opportunity! After years of serving our community at Wadada, I’ve witnessed firsthand how Black-owned businesses empower and uplift our community. I was proud to share my story and emphasize the importance of intentionally supporting and shopping with Black-owned businesses.”
6. The Wellness Spot
The Wellness Spot is an upscale fitness, day spa and private events destination in the heart of Historic College Park, GA. We deliver a total well-being experience. Whether you need to slip into an hour of calm or challenge yourself in a full-body sweat session. Our promise to you is a visit defined by quality, courtesy, comfort and respect. Learn more about The Wellness Spot journey.
7. Pretty Thuggish
Pretty Thuggish celebrates female empowerment through individuality, courage and power, embracing not only a pretty exterior, but also a “thuggish” interior. Pretty Thuggish has the essence of determination and self-love embedded into the fabric of each piece, and inspires others to be their authentic selves and live fearlessly.
Vibrant colors, edgy, yet feminine flair with a dash of tomboy sets Pretty Thuggish apart from other brands of women’s clothing. Our fun and flashy pieces make a bold statement no matter the occasion. Pretty Thuggish was created for confident women who emanate beauty through strength.
8. Waydamin
Est. 2021 • Ready to wear, size inclusive collections designed by Jayda Cheaves made to fit everyBODY.
9. Honey Beloved
Maisha Abdullah Owner of Honey Beloved
I believe there is much truth to the notion that we are pushed to be our best. My career as an Illustrator and Graphic Designer had become increasingly stressful and unsatisfying to the point that I decided to resign with little savings and an idealistic plan of working for myself. I was terrified to do this but I was more afraid of what would become of me if I didn’t. While establishing this plan I took a part time job at one of my favorite fashion retailers. Nearly everyday I was complimented by customers about my handmade jewelry and clothing. Even told that this multi million dollar company should be carrying my pieces. And additionally I must say that I learned allot from my retail fashion idol that I will be forever grateful for, however another common thought is don’t meet your idols. On my way to work the next big undeniable push for change came again. I knew if I didn’t change my course literally and immediately I would be stuck. I veered off the road and made a u-turn like a bandit breaking out of jail. I drove straight to the local jewelry supply store, bought some supplies, went home and got to work. I have always been a pretty reliable and responsible person but there comes a time in life when neither of those things are as important as saving yourself will ever be. I know that striking out in more ways than one is something that just had to be done!
10. Milano Di Rouge
Milano Di Rouge created by a Dreamer for the Dreamers, the visionaries, and ambitious individuals who aspire to a lifestyle of luxury, authenticity, and success. Our designs are more than just clothing; they’re the keys to unlocking a world where dreams become reality and ambitions are worn on one’s sleeve—literally. Each piece embodies excellence, designed for those who dare to dream and live with purpose. We offer more than just style; our brand narrative is woven into every aspect, inviting our audience to join a movement of boldness and authenticity. In every detail, Milano Di Rouge captures the essence of the dreamer’s journey.
11. Nourish Botanica
Founded in 2014 by Quianah Upton | Homegrown in Atlanta, GA.
With our shops and outdoor event space we provide healing through art, flowers and plants grown on our land, food as medicine and herbal blends. Nourish Botanica also provides a physical space for engagement and education around equity and social justice by centering joy.
12. King’s Barber Parlor By Geno
Book services by heading here.
13. LaRayia’s Bodega
The first Black-owned vegan bodega in Atlanta.
14. MoreLyfe Juice Co.
100% Plant Based 🧃 JUICES 🥤SMOOTHIES 🥐 PATTIES 🥣 BOWLS
LONDON — The U.K. competition regulator has closed its investigations into Apple’s App store and Google’s Play Store on the grounds of shifting “administrative priorities” as it prepares to rollout stronger enforcement powers over tech companies.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) opened an investigation into Apple in 2021 following complaints from developers over the way that the California-based tech giant operates its app store.
For many years, developers and app makers have complained about Apple’s restrictions to outside developers and the up-to-30% fee it charges them on all purchases made through its app store.
Two of the company’s biggest critics have been Spotify and Fortnite developer Epic Games with the latter taking its fight against Apple through the U.S. courts (Epic eventually lost the case, but in the process a California ordered Apple to make changes to how its store operates, including allowing links to outside platforms and third-party services).
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The CMA opened a separate investigation into suspected anti-competitive conduct by Google in relation to its own app store in June 2022.
Both of those probes have now been dropped, the competition watchdog announced Wednesday (Aug. 21), pending reforms to U.K. competition and consumer protection laws, which are due to come into force later this year under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA).
The act, which was passed by the previous government administration in May, grants the CMA new and expanded powers over how large digital companies operate in the United Kingdom, including the ability to directly impose fines of up to 10% of global annual turnover for firms found to be breaching consumer protection and competition laws.
“Once the new pro-competition digital markets regime comes into force, we’ll be able to consider applying those new powers to concerns we have already identified through our existing work,” said Will Hayter, executive director for digital markets at the CMA, in a statement.
The CMA said that should Apple or Google each or both be designated as having “strategic market status” – a categorization that requires global turnover of more than £25 billion or U.K. turnover of more than £1 billion — it will be able to use its new powers to investigate the companies “more holistically” than it could under its now-closed probes.
The regulator said it expects to launch three to four investigations into companies with strategic market status (SMS) within the first year of its new powers coming into force. If the CMA finds businesses are using their status to gain an unfair competitive advantage, it says it will take “targeted and proportionate action” to address their behavior.
The CMA also said that it has rejected new commitments from Google that would have given app developers the choice of using alternative payment options to Google Play’s billing system, under proposals known as “Developer Only Billing” and “User Choice Billing.” Those proposals failed to “address its competition concerns effectively,” said the CMA.
In response, a spokesperson for Google said the company has actively engaged with the regulator throughout their investigation and has “made a number of significant commitments to further broaden the billing options available to developers through Google Play.”
Google says that its fees are the lowest charged by major app stores with 99% of developers qualifying for a service fee of 15% or less. The company says that in 2022 its Android app business generated almost £10 billion in revenue for British developers and supported over 457,000 jobs in the U.K. Apple did not respond to requests for comment when contacted by Billboard.
The CMA’s warning that it will continue to closely monitor the tech sector over competition concerns and may reopen further inquiries in the not-too-distant future comes as regulators and politicians around the world look at ways to curb the dominance of tech giants like Apple, Amazon, Google and Meta.
In March, the European Commissioned fined Apple 1.8 billion euro ($1.95 billion) for breaking competition laws and unfairly favoring its own music streaming service over rivals including Spotify. [Apple appealed in May.]
The company has also been forced to make a number to how its App store operates in the 27-member EU trading bloc as a result of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which officially came into force in 2022, although companies had until March this year to comply with its terms.
The Digital Markets Act requires tech companies trading within the EU region to open up their services and platforms to other businesses and allow them to operate more freely.
For music streaming services like Spotify that means it is now able to list pricing information inside its app for European users – an update that is “something as obvious as it is overdue,” the company said in a blog post earlier this month. Freemium Spotify users looking to upgrade can also see special introductory offers and the pricing once a promotion ends.
While Spotify has welcomed the gradual loosening of restrictions, it says its long-running battle with Apple isn’t over and continues to criticize the company for preventing EU iOS users from purchasing subscriptions in-app because of what it describes as “illegal and predatory taxes Apple continues to demand, despite the [European] Commission’s ruling.”
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
On Tuesday (Aug. 13), Google introduced a fresh lineup of smartphones that features AI and a more advanced camera. The Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel Pro Fold are packed with upgrades including camera enhancements, AI technology and a better weather app.
Pixel 9 has a sleeker design than its predecessor, updated finishes with “a silky matte glass back and polished metal sides for a distinctly premium feel,” per Google.
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Google Pixel 9 – Unlocked Android Smartphone with Gemini – 128 GB
The phones are equipped with Super Actua display screens — Google’s brightest to date — a 42 MP camera with new features such as “Add Me,” an editing tool that uses “augmented reality, and AI algorithms that allow you to snap photos and add yourself in them. The battery lasts for more than 24 hours (up to 100 hours in Extreme Power Saver mode).
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Pixel Screenshots, another new feature, helps you organize and save screenshots, plus Pixel 9 offers access to Gemini Live, Google’s AI assistant.
Pixel Weather App also got an update. The weather app now features Gemini Nano technology to generate “custom AI” weather reports.
According to Google, Pixel 9 has an “elegant, sculpted” silhouette with “more rounded corners” than previous iterations, flat glass on the front and back, and new size options. It’s thinner design is constructed with recycled aluminum making for a lighter feel in your hand and for the first time ever, Pixel 9 is available in two sizes: 6.3-inches (Pixel 9 Pro) and 6.8-inches (Pixel 9 Pro XL).
The Pixel 9 ($799) is available in porcelain, hazel, peony and wintergreen. Pixel 9 Pro ($999) and Pixel 9 Pro XL ($1,099) are available in porcelain, obsidian, hazel and rose quartz. Pre-order the Pixel 9 bundle at Amazon to save up to 16% off and receive a gift card worth up to $200.
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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL – Rose Quartz – 256 GB with $200 Amazon Gift Card
$1,199.00
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14% off
Pixel Pro Fold ($1,799), Google’s first foldable phone, features a new “fluid-friction” hinge that opens to 180 degrees. In addition to new phones, Google debuted the redesigned Pixel Buds Pro and Pixel Watch 3, now available in two new sizes to compliment the Pixel 9.
Pixel 9 is available for pre-order at major retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy and the Google Shop. The phones will be released on Aug. 22 and Sept. 4.
The dispute over the YouTube Music union, whose 43 members were abruptly laid off last week while one was testifying during an Austin City Council meeting, largely depends on the definition of “contractor.” Because they are not permanent, full-time employees, “their project on YouTube Music has ended,” according to a rep from their employer, information-technology subcontractor Cognizant, and “the contract expired at its natural end date.”
Independent contractors, according to Kate Bronfenbrenner, Cornell University’s director of labor education research, are “not under the regulatory state,” so they lack basic workplace protections. “Whether it’s labor law, health and safety or race discrimination, independent contractors have almost no rights in our economy,” she says. “So employers say, ‘We want to make as much money as possible — let’s make all our employees temporary employees.’”
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The 43 YouTube contractors, who work for Cognizant and Google to oversee content for the music-streaming service’s 80 million subscribers, voted unanimously almost a year ago to form a union under the auspices of Alphabet Workers Union-CWA. They’ve complained of hourly wages as low as $19 and a lack of sick pay and benefits. And they say Google has not been willing to bargain with them; in January, the National Labor Relations Board ruled that Google’s refusal to do so was illegal and must “bargain on request.” (An appeal is pending.)
In a statement, Google spokeswoman Courtenay Mencini repeated that Cognizant, not Google, is “responsible for these workers’ employment terms.” On Cognizant’s side, Jeff DeMarrais, chief communications officer, says “nobody was laid off” from YouTube Music and the contractors have seven weeks of paid time to “explore other roles within the organization.”
Sam Regan, a YouTube Music data analyst who is on the union’s organizing committee, responds that his team’s project was “never considered as temporary” and the Cognizant moves are, in fact, layoffs, as opposed to reassignments to different areas of the company. “Our team was fired and we had no notice, no warning, that we were going to get laid off,” he says. “It was cold, ruthless, dehumanizing, inhumane. The practice of tech companies laying off large swaths of people without notice is indicative of a pretty sick orientation towards workers in our culture.”
Regan and Katie-Marie Marschner, a subject matter expert on YouTube Music’s charts team until last week, accuse company managers of forcing them to leave their office without giving them a chance to remove their belongings. The office was a “total destruction zone,” Marschner says, alleging company employees and on-site security refused to let them remove certain personal items. “The experience was traumatic for a lot of us,” Regan adds.
Members of the YouTube Music team had been scheduled to testify before the Austin City Council on Feb. 29 to ask city officials to help convince Google to negotiate with their union. But as data analyst Jack Benedict was speaking, Marschner received a text saying her entire team was fired. Shaken, she interrupted the colleague’s speech — a moment captured in a video clip that went viral. Watching the clip afterwards, Marschner says, has been surreal and traumatic. “It’s such an insane experience opening my phone and that’s the first thing I see — myself talking, and not just talking, but the sound of my voice and the pain and shock,” she says.
Marschner accuses Cognizant and Google of “union-busting” and says the team members were “fired illegally.” And Cornell’s Bronfenbrenner is skeptical of Cognizant’s assertion that the temporary employees had a “natural end date” of Feb. 29. “There are a whole lot of questions about that,” she says. “From everything I’ve read, there wasn’t a certain date. And if there was an uncertain date, the employer can’t say their contract just ended and they can’t be laid off.”
Reached at home, Marschner says she plans to continue pursuing union recognition for her team: “We’re not done with this. We’re very much ready to keep the fight going.”