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Tech giants like Google and Alibaba are working to save endangered species
Google, eBay and other technology leaders are aiming to protect the world's animals. Why? In a widely unregulated social-media world, many tech platforms have become a haven for the wildlife black market, a $20 billion industry. The sale of illegal animal goods -- from ivory to exotic pets -- is the fourth-largest criminal global trade industry behind narcotics, counterfeiting and human trafficking, according to TRAFFIC, a wildlife-trade-monitoring network. In the past decade, the sale of these goods and species has moved from illicit backroom dealings in stores to apps and online shopping ads.
Six more tech companies join fight to save net neutrality
Opposition to the FCC's repeal of net neutrality grew this week, as six more tech companies filed suit against it. Etsy, Kickstarter, Foursquare, Shutterstock, Automattic and Expa petitioned the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit as part of a group called the Coalition for Internet Openness. The group's goal is to stop the FCC from overturning the rules that ensure a free and open internet.
Tumblr, Sonos among those backing another net neutrality day of action
A number of organizations and websites are planning an online day of action meant to garner more support for a Senate vote that would reverse the FCC's removal of net neutrality protections. The Senate is currently one vote away from overturning the FCC's decision and the day of action aims to convince one more Senator to vote in favor of protecting net neutrality. Taking place on February 27th, Operation: #OneMoreVote is already backed by companies like Tumblr, Etsy, Vimeo, Medium, Imgur, Sonos, Namecheap and DuckDuckGo.
Amazon offers same-day delivery on handmade goods
If you're struggling with holiday shopping, Amazon is swooping in to make things a little easier. Amazon Handmade, which is the online retail giant's destination for handmade goods and crafts, is now offering Prime Now delivery. This means that shoppers in certain metro areas can receive this items via one- and two-hour delivery just in time for the holidays.
Etsy slashes almost a quarter of its staff in attempt to refocus
Etsy is widely recognized as perhaps the premiere place online to go for handmade goods from sellers big and small. But despite the company's ubiquity and influence, Etsy may have taken on too many projects that aren't relevant to its core business. To that end, CEO Josh Silverman announced this morning that Etsy was laying off 15 percent of its workforce. That's in addition to layoffs that were announced in early May; the total workforce reduction comes in at 22 percent, or about 230 employees.
Amazon, ACLU back net neutrality 'day of action' on July 12th
Many tech advocates and companies aren't happy that the FCC is planning to gut net neutrality, and they're determined to make their voices heard. The non-profit group has declared July 12th a "day of action" where companies and organizations will show support for a fair and competitive internet. It's not certain just what those protests will entail, but there are plenty of recognizable names involved. Amazon, Etsy, Kickstarter, Mozilla, Reddit and Vimeo are among the companies throwing their weight around, while groups like the American Civil Liberties Union, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Greenpeace are also showing solidarity.
Etsy wants to be your online source for craft supplies
Etsy has made a name for itself as marketplace for handmade goods, but today the company announced an ambitious new initiative: Etsy Studio, an online storefront dedicated solely to craft supplies. The company is aiming for it to be your main source when you need a specific type of yarn, or you're seeking out new fabric designs for inspiration. Etsy Studio will also have projects for the creatively inclined -- naturally, it'll also point you to all of the supplies you need to build, along with step-by-step instructions.
Amazon's Handmade store comes to Europe
Amazon has become home to millions of products over the years, but hand-crafted items weren't something you'd typically come across. That changed late last year when the online retailer launched its Handmade store in the US, giving artisan-goods company Etsy a run for its money in the process. Now, that same store has come to Europe, launching today in the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain.
Etsy's payment system is causing major problems for merchants
Etsy is one of those excellent bastions of the internet in which you can find essentially anything you want to purchase homemade by a talented creator. Unfortunately, it's going through some very serious payment processing issues at the moment, and causing problems for merchants and customers alike.
Tech alliance asks the FCC to investigate data cap exceptions
Some big names in tech don't believe that the FCC's net neutrality rules do enough to keep internet providers honest. A group of dozens of companies and advocacy groups (including Etsy, Foursquare, Kickstarter, Mozilla and Reddit) has sent a letter to the FCC asking it to publicly investigate the practice of zero rating, or exempting services from data caps. While the strategy isn't strictly illegal, the alliance is worried that internet providers are using zero rating to make an end run around net neutrality. After all, the ISPs are favoring certain sites over others -- you may be less likely to try that new video service if it cuts into your data allotment.
3D printed digital sundial is brilliant and insane
People have been using the sun to tell the time since life began, but few ever expected that system to be worthy of an upgrade. Step forward a French engineer, going under the name of Mojoptix, who has created a digital sundial that expresses the time digitally, casting numbers into its own shadow. The principle behind it is rather simple: treating the sun as a backlight for a series of analog pixels that are calibrated to precise angles. As our nearest star passes along the sky, it pours through the holes that correspond to the readout for that time. So, when it's 10:00am, you'll be able to see 10:00am projected onto the table below.
Etsy launches curated local shopping guides for four cities
Online marketplace Etsy has put a lot of effort into helping its users find local places to buy its goods, whether online or offline -- the company added local listings to its mobile app and launched a same-day delivery service in NYC. Now the company is launching some new curated local buying guides for four cities: Chicago, Austin, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. (New York City is coming soon.) The content in these guides was pulled together by the Etsy Wholesale team, a part of the site that connects retailers with craftspeople who can produce goods at a higher scale. However, these local shops appear to stock items by a number of craftsmakers who also sell their wares on the standard Etsy site.
Pepper robots are getting fashionable makeovers
Pepper, Softbank's adorable emotion-sensing robot, is rapidly becoming the victim of its own cuteness after owners began dressing it up in wacky costumes. The Wall Street Journal has found that buyers of the device got together to form an intricate craft circle, making outfits for the device that won't interfere with its sensors. Head on over to Rierie and you'll find a wide variety of dresses, t-shirts and wigs that'll turn the appliance into a cross between a surrogate child and a cat you put in suits for Halloween. Interestingly, users can also buy makeup stickers and earrings to make the androgynous robot appear more masculine or feminine than when sold. It's become enough of a phenomenon that the store accepts global orders, so if you're looking for an attractive kimono for your droid, it'll cost you 20,000 yen ($163).
Etsy ASAP offers same-day delivery in NYC this holiday season
Just in time for the holiday season, online crafted goods mecca Etsy is launching a local delivery pilot in New York City. Just as rumored, Etsy will partner with Postmates, a company making a name for itself by charging pretty exorbitant delivery fees for all kinds of goods, from Taco Bell to Apple gadgets. Etsy says that about 5,000 different items will be available for either same-day or next-day delivery as part of the Etsy ASAP program; once you place your order, you'll be able to pick from three-hour delivery windows for your purchase. Naturally, you can filter your searches by things available for ASAP delivery, but note that these items are going to cost you -- there's a flat $20 fee for same-day delivery. Etsy says the pilot will run in Manhattan, Queens and parts of Brooklyn through the end of the holiday season; the company will then evaluate what's next for the plan after that.
Amazon launches a Handmade rival to Etsy
If you've been looking for for a hand-sculpted Gothic dragon weathervane, you now have a new way to find it: Amazon's Handmade online store. As rumored earlier, the new venture has arrived in response to the success of Etsy, the artisan-goods company that just went public with a massive $3.5 billion valuation. The store is divided into seven categories, including jewelry, home decor, artwork and furniture. That'll give you a chance to find some one-of-a-kind paintings, along with items like leather magnetic cuffs, walnut rocking chairs and a beer growler holder.
Etsy will test same-day delivery in NYC with the help of Postmates
If you're looking to get your mitts on those handmade goods purchased on Etsy the same day, you might soon be in luck. The company is teaming up with Postmates to test same-day and next-day deliveries in parts of New York City. As a refresher, the delivery company already handles packages and food orders from the likes of Apple, Starbucks, McDonald's and Chipotle. As Re/code notes, its partnerships with online shopping outfits (like Everlane) give its couriers work at times of the day when there isn't too much takeout being ordered. Etsy's service, labeled "Etsy ASAP," will be available for sellers in Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn and Queens based on Postmates coverage of the area.
Etsy's mobile apps now let you find local sellers and events
Etsy may be an online marketplace first and foremost, but the company has long had a "shop local" feature to let you find craftspeople and products made near you. Strangely, though, this feature only existed on the desktop -- Etsy's mobile app didn't have its local feature, despite the fact that your smartphone pretty much always knows where you are. The situation has now been corrected: Etsy Local is now included in the company's iOS and Android app. Users can now find items and sellers near them, whether they're selling at a pop-up shop or through a local retailer, and Etsy sellers can add real-life locations to find their work.
Amazon, eBay and others to stop selling Confederate flags (update)
Many prominent online retailers have vowed to remove all items bearing the Confederate flag from their websites following a mass shooting last week at a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina. So far, eBay, Wal Mart, Sears and Kmart have announced plans to stop selling Confederate flag merchandise online and in their brick-and-mortar stores. CNBC reports that Amazon and Etsy will also remove Confederate flag items from their online marketplaces, though the companies have yet to officially announce any plans. In addition to these online retailers, prominent US flag maker Valley Forge Flag today promised to stop producing and selling Confederate flags, Reuters reports.
Etsy doesn't want you selling spells
Etsy's online shop is mostly known for its handmade crafts, but it has also developed a reputation among the supernatural crowd as an easy place to find spells, potions and other mysterious goods. Well, those merchants will have to find another place to hawk their wares. Etsy has quietly updated its guidelines to ban all "metaphysical" services that promise a tangible outcome, like revenge or weight loss. The company isn't wasting much time cleaning house, either, as it's kicking out many of these vendors with little to no warning.
Etsy launches crowdfunding service to help sellers
Sometimes launching a product on Etsy involves more than just reclaiming some wood or hoarding mason jars and burlap. Occasionally you need capital for new tools, expansion or hiring new employees. To help the sellers that are aiming higher than just putting a bird on something, Etsy is launching Fund on Etsy, a crowdfunding pilot program. The program is meant to help current sellers expand their Etsy businesses. It's a bit like Kickstarter but within the Etsy ecosystem. The pilot began today in the United States with a few campaigns already live on the site. It will run until August 16 and at that point the company will look at seller and buyer feedback to determine what its next steps should be.
