Branded is a weekly column devoted to the intersection of marketing, business, design, and culture.
Driverless-car brands have plenty of obstacles to maneuver around. So-called robotaxi enterprises such as Cruise and Waymo want to build name recognition just like any other consumer brand. But at the same time, they’ve been engaged in a curious competition: a race to avoid having their names associated with crashes and other mishaps. Maybe make that an anti race.
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Last week’s ruling, by the International Trade Commission (ITC), that Apple had violated patent rights held by medical technology company Masimo has some people worried that they’ll have a hard time buying an Apple watch this holiday season. Apple, though, says there’s no reason to worry.
The ruling, which upheld a judge’s decision in January, could result in a ban that stops Apple from importing its Apple Watches into the U.S.
Apple has said it
Seasons are changing and, hey, maybe your job should too.
Whether you’ve been summoned back to the office against your better judgment or you’re looking to leave your commute behind for good, there are plenty of solid work-from-home options out there.
Here’s a sampling of currently open remote roles from companies with respectable Glassdoor ratings.
Figma
If you’ve ever built a software product in some capacity, it’s
Sam Bankman-Fried was found guilty Thursday on all seven fraud and conspiracy charges against him, in a jury verdict that was startling for how quickly it came—after less than five hours of deliberation.
For the reading of the verdict, Bankman-Fried stood, turned slightly toward the jury members, and gave no visible reaction as the forewoman of the jury—made up of three men and nine women—read “Guilty” on each charge. After the jury left and the ju
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft will pay a combined $328 million to settle wage theft claims in New York, Attorney General Letitia James announced Thursday.
James said the settlements resolve investigations into the companies improperly charging drivers sales taxes and other fees when the costs should have been paid by customers.
Uber will pay $290 million and Lyft will pay $38 million. The money will be distributed to current and former dri
Artificial intelligence (AI) has long promised to revolutionize businesses and upgrade productivity. This year, generative AI tools like ChatGPT have significantly disrupted industries and work processes, according to a new McKinsey report.
And now we have definitive proof that AI can provide massive boosts to knowledge worker productivity and quality. A groundbreaking new study from Harvard Business School researchers partnering with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) provides robust ev
In 1894, Gallaudet University, the storied D.C. institution known for educating generations of deaf and hard of hearing students, invented the football huddle as a way to keep other teams from spying on their American Sign Language (ASL) discussions.
Last month, the university debuted another football innovation, testing a helmet developed with AT&T that lets coaches visually signal plays to athletes through a 5G connection. When head coach Chuck Goldstein needed to communicate a pl
Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war last month, Jews worldwide have reported a spike in antisemitic comments and attacks. Now, a new analysis by the U.K.-based advocacy group Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) shows that online activity mirrors what’s happening offline—including on YouTube and more than 20 other niche apps and services.
Using a bespoke speech classifier that was initially employed to analyze antisemitic content on X after Elon Musk took over th
Amazon is teaming up with a handful of leading think tanks to launch the Alliance for Satellite Broadband, a coalition aiming to broaden global satellite internet access.
The group was just announced this week, but it already has its first task: pushing regulators to update decades-old limits on signal interference between different orbits.
EPFD 101
Equivalent power flux-density (EPFD) calculates signal interference from lower orbit birds on their GEO counterpa
Entrepreneur Nyakio Grieco cofounded the beauty retailer Thirteen Lune in 2020. The platform carries 90% BIPOC-owned brands, including Pattern Beauty, Ami Colé, Bomba Curls, and Macabalm. In 2022, she also launched Relevant, a skincare line that puts inclusivity at the forefront. Last month, Relevant forayed into color cosmetics with the launch of lip and cheek tints and lip gloss.
On this week’s episode of the Most Innovative Companies podcast, Grieco talks about being