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August unveils a Homekit-enabled lock, keypad and doorbell camera
August Home Inc, makers of the August Smart Lock, announced the forthcoming release of three new products as well as a new service at a press event in San Francisco today. The new product lineup includes a second-generation Smart Lock, a Smart Keypad and a Smart Doorbell Camera. The lock itself offers a number of design improvements over its predecessor including a magnetic faceplate that won't pop off every time you manually engage the lock as well as a stainless steel indicator on the lock sleeve. Plus, being Homekit-enabled, the new Smart Lock will allow users to issue voice commands through Siri rather than opening the app itself. It's available for order today and will retail for $230. The older generation locks will be discounted to $200.
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.
We're hosting a Q&A with the US Labor Secretary about the 'gig economy'
Services like Uber, Lyft, Airbnb and Postmates are hallmarks of what's being called the "gig economy." And while presidential candidate Hillary Clinton remarked that companies like these are "unleashing innovation," they've also raised questions about workplace protections. So, to answer some of your questions (and ours), we're hosting a Facebook Q&A this Monday, July 27th at 5PM ET with Department of Labor Secretary Tom Perez.
Clinton, Uber and the political impact of the 'gig economy'
On Monday afternoon, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton gave a speech laying out her economic vision. In it, she states that "many Americans are making extra money renting out a small room, designing websites, selling products they design themselves at home or even driving their own car." And even though she praises this so-called gig economy for "unleashing innovation," she's also concerned about the lack of work-place protections that these jobs entail. She didn't mention Uber by name, but it certainly fits the description of exactly the kind of companies she's calling out.
Uber loses delivery contracts from Apple and Starbucks
Is Uber worth up to $50 billion? Maybe, but many experts think it needs to diversify from, ahem, "transportation services" to get there. However, its plan to deliver high-end retail products, food and other goods has hit a snag, according to the WSJ. It reportedly lost plum delivery contracts from Apple and Starbucks to a more established service called Postmates. It also failed to reach an accord with Yelp's Eat24 and GrubHub, according to the same sources. So what went wrong? There's no word on why Apple and Starbucks decided to look elsewhere, but other companies report that Uber had problems with mundane details like insurance.
McDonald's will deliver your Big Mac, if you're in New York City
What's that? You want a Big Mac combo for lunch but don't have time to venture out? Well, if you happen to be in New York City, McDonald's will soon bring that double-decker burger to you. The company announced today that it will test a 24-hour delivery service in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan as part of a partnership with Postmates. If you'll recall, that startup powers similar delivery options for Starbucks and Chipotle. This news comes as part of CEO Steve Easterbrook's plan to turnaround the fast food chain's business by focusing on better food and acting on customer feedback -- all-day breakfast, sirloin burgers and "artisan" chicken were mentioned. It's going to be an uphill climb for the Golden Arches too, as the franchise will close 700 total stores this year. Looking to try the new service? You'll be able to do just that starting today from NYC's 88 participating locations. Don't expect ice cream, though, and you'll want to order $10 worth of food to avoid a delivery fee. [Image credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Starbucks delivery rolls out in US cities this year
Starbucks already has locations on nearly every street corner -- even ones directly across from each other -- but now on-demand delivery service Postmates will grab your coffee and bring it directly to your office, house or basically wherever your mouth is. Postmates plans to roll out its Starbucks delivery routes in the second half of 2015, starting in Seattle. The service wants users to order through the Starbucks mobile app and then tell Postmates to pick up that iced, grande, soy-milk caramel macchiato (with whipped cream) for them.
