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Alphabet’s Verily shows how its drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites work
Verily -- Alphabet's healthcare brand -- isn't just creating a website to help northern Californians determine whether they need a test for COVID-19. It's also piloting drive-thru testing. It has opened two sites, one in Riverside County and another in Sacramento County, and today, it shared a video that shows how the COVID-19 testing works.
Via's largest on-demand transit service to date launches in Sacramento
Via just launched one of its most ambitious on-demand public transportation projects yet. The company has teamed up with Sacramento Regional Transit to roll out an expanded version of SmaRT Ride, billed as the "largest on-demand microtransit system" in the US. A total of 42 shuttle buses ferry passengers in nine zones across Sacramento, supplementing the existing bus and rail coverage. Like Via's other services, you just need to use an app or call a number to hail a ride and wait at a virtual bus stop for a shared vehicle.
Construction drones can keep track of progress and lazy workers
Cameras that keep an eye on construction sites aren't anything new, but the folks in charge of building the new Sacramento Kings stadium in California are using something a bit more high-tech than usual. Several camera-equipped drones operated by a company called ImageInFlight patrol the site to collect footage, which are then converted into 3D images. These images are run through software developed by a team from the University of Illinois, which compares them to architectural plans and previous images to measure progress. The method makes it easy to see if anything's behind schedule and which group of workers need to be more efficient.
Amazon opening second retail store in San Francisco
Seething with jealousy because you live in California and that Amazon retail store in Manhattan is too far out of reach? Well, maybe the news that the online-shopping giant is setting up shop in San Francisco will help allay any envy. Amazon's City By the Bay pop-up shop is set to open in the Westfield San Francisco Centre October 22nd, according to GeekWire. What's on offer? Mostly Fire devices from the sound of it. It's too early to tell if this store will carry the same benefits as the Gotham retail location (pick-up, drop off or a return spot, namely), but, if anything, it shows that Bezos isn't afraid of trying out traditional sales models in more than one spot, either. If you'd rather not traverse into the city, there's apparently a Sacramento pop-up opening, too.
Apple hiring a pizza cook in Sacramento
Here's a fun little bit of news before your weekend starts. Let's say you want to work for Apple, but your knowledge of integrated processors is a little lacking, and you don't happen to have Jony Ive-level design skills? Ask yourself: Do you make a mean sausage and olives? If so, you might be in luck: Apple is currently hiring a pizza cook in Sacramento, CA. Yes, really. For some reason (probably to fill out the staff at the local cafeteria), Apple wants someone with "extensive experience making pizza dough from scratch" and would like them to have "at least 2-4 years of experience working a high volume wood burning pizza oven featuring thin crust, Neapolitan style pizza." That is a pretty high-quality pizza cook they're looking for. Of course, this could just be a little blip in Apple's job system, maybe a test post that wasn't supposed to go live. But if you have extensive pizza pie experience and are looking for a job, maybe polish up that resume and send it in! Make sure it gets there in 30 minutes or less! [via App Advice]
Google's letting it shine as it nears $1 billion investment in solar energy
Google's feeling charitable this holiday and has pumped $94 million into a Californian solar-energy project. The photovoltaic power plant (which is a posh way of saying "lots of solar panels in the Sacramento desert valley") currently being built by Recurrent Energy will generate 88MW, enough juice for 13,000 homes. Additional investment is coming from equity fund KKR, who has already sold the first 20 years of energy to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. It brings the search giant's investment in clean energy projects to $915 million -- with the company expected to cross the billion dollar mark some time next year, when we hope it'll get a nice loyalty bonus from Mother Nature.
Verizon rolling out LTE coverage in 21 additional markets on June 16th, wins 4G blackjack
This could be just the news your lonely little Thunderbolt has been waiting for. Verizon today announced the addition of 21 new markets to its LTE coverage, starting June 16th. The list includes some biggish spots, like Boise, ID, Milwaukee / Madison, WI, Salt Lake City, UT, and Hartford, CT -- Northern California will be getting a major coverage boost, as well, with the existing Bay Area coverage being expanded to Marin and Solano counties. The network launched with 38 markets back in December and those, plus these new additions and a handful announced earlier this month, are bringing the company ever closer to its proposed 175 markets by the end of the year. That's a whole lot of green stars.
MetroPCS brings its LTE network to Boston, Sacramento, and New York City
Regional carrier MetroPCS is ticking three more checkboxes today as it keeps pushing its ongoing LTE network rollout, and they're big ones: on top of Sacramento, they've added Boston and none other than New York City. That makes the carrier second to launch LTE in the Big Apple -- Verizon's already there -- but you can't take away from the fact that MetroPCS beat the big guys with their first live commercial markets by several months. As for hardware, it's the same as usual: the Samsung Craft dumbphone is your only option, which means that if you're looking to blaze on your notebook with a next-gen USB stick, you're still going to have to head to Verizon anyway. Follow the break for the full press release.
Surewest adds Online DVR access, Caller ID on TV for IPTV customers in Sacramento
SureWest announced it would migrate its platform to Microsoft Mediaroom late last year starting with its Sacramento customers, and now its added a few more "advanced digital TV" features to go along with the Whole Home DVR and four tuner DVR features (not to mention lightning fast channel change times) launched in January. Now subscribers can log into the website and schedule edit, or delete recordings just like they were at home, while Caller ID on TV resolves that minor annoyance of having to actually see the phone to know who's calling. It's far from the first provider to add such features, but we're figuring Kevin Johnson and Tyreke Evans appreciate the effort. Now SureWest, let's talk about some Windows Media Center and Xbox 360 integration, ok?
Microsoft unveils Hohm beta for overanalyzing your home energy usage
Since Google can't be the only multibillion-dollar technology company having all the home energy monitoring fun, Microsoft's jumping in with "Hohm" -- like a portmanteau of "Home" and "Ohm," get it? We're not entirely sure just how it works yet, but according to the company, using both user input / feedback and analytics licensed from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the US Department of Energy, the program provides suggestions for energy conservation. However, it's the future uses we're more excited about -- eventually, you'll be able to upload energy usage data into the system automatically, provided you're getting voltage from one of the partner companies. First West Coast utilities to join up include Puget Sound Energy, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Seattle City Light, and Xcel Energy, and nope, none of those overlap with PowerMeter's first enlistees. The sign-up page for the beta is now live, so hit up the read link if you want a chance to participate.[Via Yahoo! Tech]
Sacramento cops seek game store robbers
Sacramento police are investigating the robberies of five game stores (three identified as GameStops) that took place over several days, each one involving employees and customers getting held up at gunpoint. Police believe the robberies may be related because in each case, "at least two men" entered with shotguns and demanded money from the store and customers. All the robberies occurred between 6-9PM, so it's probably best to avoid game stores in the area during those hours until the criminals are caught. Police are offering a reward for helping to catch the robbers. No word if the shotgun-wielding desperadoes were asked if they'd like to pre-order anything during the commission of the crimes.[Thanks, Kip]
California high-speed train system to link NorCal and SoCal at 220mph
Like it or not California, it's about time you folks ponied up for a serious rail system. With the recent passage of Proposition 1A, the wheels have started to churn on a sophisticated bullet train system that will eventually link San Diego in the south with Sacramento in the north, with stops at most every major city in between (LA and San Francisco included). The 800-mile network of trains would operate at upwards of 220mph and cost around $45 billion to construct, but it'll create 320,000 permanent jobs by 2030 and reduce the state's reliance on fossil fuel by 12.7 million barrels of oil per year. Unfortunately, there's no set time frame for completion just yet, but we wouldn't be surprised to see this one finished before that Anaheim - Las Vegas maglev project even gets off the ground.[Via BoingBoing]
SureWest nets 100,000 broadband customers, gives two some freebies
SureWest just recently lit up its 100Mbps high-speed internet service in Kansas City, and apparently, people really dug it. As of this week, the telco has managed to secure 100,000 broadband customers in its two major markets of Kansas City and Sacramento. In order to celebrate, it chose one subscriber at random from each of those regions and gave them free HDTV, digital phone and broadband internet for a year. Unlike Charter, however, we actually expect these guys to deliver on their promises.
AT&T talks Total Home DVR rollouts in seven new, not so new areas
We already know you love AT&T's Total Home DVR service, but for whatever reason the company's been less than forthcoming about where and when its hitting across the country. Likely spurred on by our coverage (or maybe not) the latest press release breaks down the seven markets currently feeling the joy of multiple HD stream recording and sharing wash over them like rain, or a particularly refreshing soda. U-verse users in Atlanta, Cleveland, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Reno and Sacramento should all have access to the free software upgrade as of today. Press release is after the break, any areas still missing from the official count?
Sacramento's KOVR broadcasts local news in HD
Ready to see (local) talking heads in high-def, Sacramento? You're in luck, because CBS affiliate KOVR is finally broadcasting its local newscasts in HD. As of October 1st, locals were able to tune in and hear all sorts of fantastically hopeful news in a higher resolution than ever before, though the switch won't make the weather and / or stock market any easier to predict. Bugger.[Thanks, Eric]
AT&T celebrates one year of U-verse in Sacramento, CA
We'll be frank -- we're getting a little tired of AT&T patting itself on the back each time a U-verse locale reaches its first birthday, but we figured it prudent to point out that said services are now available to over a quarter-million living units in the greater Sacramento area. Since launching in (you've got one guess)... August of last year, the fiber-based programming / internet / digital phone service has expanded to cover select parts of Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Folsom, Gold River, Lincoln, Rancho Cordova, Rocklin, Loomis, El Dorado Hills, Stockton, Modesto, Ceres, Fairfield, Vacaville, Mountain House and Tracy. We appreciate the kind words for yourself, but how's about a little gift for those loyal customers? Say, a few new HD channels?
Comcast readies six HD newcomers for Sacramento, California
Not even a week after AT&T announced plans to expand its U-verse service to more homes in Sacramento, along comes Comcast in an attempt to make its offering a bit more attractive. According to a local who reported seeing a new message on the cable box, the aforementioned carrier will be adding Food Network HD, SciFi HD, Discovery HD, TLC HD, USA HD and HGTV HD "on or after March 31st." Three cheers for competition, and three more for expanded lineups.[Thanks, Joe F.]
AT&T expands U-verse to more of Sacramento, California
While the Northeast seems to be getting all the love from one particular fiber provider, AT&T is looking out for those on the left coast. Announced this week, said carrier is expanding its U-verse services to more of Sacramento, California, which means that some 160,000 living units in the area can now receive U-verse TV. Since introducing the service to the region in August of last year, it has since stretched out to 17 communities, and there are already plans in place to expand even further.
Wii contest death yields no criminal charges
KCRA in Sacramento has reported that no charges will be filed in the death of Jennifer Strange, who passed away after trying to win a Wii in a radio contest earlier this year.Strange, who did not win the system, attempted to keep herself from urinating after drinking nearly two gallons of water as part of the "Hold Your Wee for a Wii" contest held by 107.9 The End. Her body was found in her home hours after the contest ended.Jan Scully, the district attorney of Sacramento County, said in a written statement that the radio station's actions did not rise to the level of criminal activity. "Jennifer Strange was an adult who was voluntarily participating in the radio contest," Scully's office wrote. "She knew what the contest involved when she entered it, and had the option to stop or discontinue her participation in the contest at any time."The civil suit filed by Strange's family has not yet been resolved. Though no charges have been filed, there have been repercussions at the station after Strange's death. The morning show that hosted the contest was canceled and 10 staffers at the station were fired.
Radio station fires ten after Wii contest death
One of our readers called it in our comments on the original story: ten people have been fired from Sacramento's KDND 107.9, including several on-air personalities. The names of all ten have not been released, but it seems the parent company, Entercom/Sacremento, is working quickly to handle any issues of liability. Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of rumors surrounding the water-drinking contest that resulted in the death of Jennifer Strange, including one that a nurse called into the show to inform the disc jockeys and contestants that what they were doing was dangerous. All we can say is that we hope this is resolved quickly and, for the sake of the family, disappears into the void of old news stories.
