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The European Union's top court ruled today that Uber will be classified as a transport service, meaning it will be regulated like other taxi operators. The ruling rejects Uber Technologies Inc.'s claim that it should be instead classified as a digital service provider. The decision can potentially impact other digital businesses in Europe such as AirBnb.
Uber has previously tried to present itself as a strictly digital service provider connecting independent drivers to passengers through its platform. The court decision clarifies that connecting passengers through digital platforms is secondary to Uber's primary business of supplying transport services and should therefore be regulated by transport authorities. The court case will no doubt send ripples throughout the technology industry as it sets a precedent for imposing regulation on the "gig-economy." The gig-economy is an environment where freelancers sell their short term services through digital applications on PCs and smartphones. Jacob Kucharzyk, from the Computer & Communications Industry Association, voiced concerns that today's ruling is "a blow to the EU's ambition of building an integrated digital single market." Uber was launched in 2011 and operates in over 600 cities globally. An Uber spokeswoman responded in a statement saying "This ruling will not change things in most EU countries where we already operate under transportation law." Click here to read the full article.
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 Source: The Verge Google Maps, the widely used GPS application, has expanded its step by step notification features to more modes of transportation including train and bus. Previously, users only had access to step-by-step directions while driving. Now, Google Maps on both Android and iOS will help users get off at the right stop every time.
This feature, although already available on other GPS applications, will no doubt help Google Maps keep its position as the most trusted GPS application among mobile users. Click here to read the full article.  Yesterday, in a 3-2 vote split down party lines (Republican's in favor of repeal), the Federal Communications Commission voted to repeal net neutrality. Net neutrality rules prevented internet service providers from blocking websites or charging for certain websites or content and the repeal ushers in a new age where the federal government will not regulate internet delivery.
The F.C.C under the Obama administration in 2015 voted to enact stronger oversight over internet service providers as Americans turn more and more to the web for communication. Yesterday's vote to repeal those actions reflects the Trump administration's preference for deregulation of corporations and completes F.C.C Chairman Ajit Pai's plan to oppose net neutrality outlined at the beginning of 2017. Mr. Pai defended the vote saying " Broadband providers will have more incentive to build networks, especially to undeserved areas." The repeal has been met with vigorous criticism by both government officials and private citizens, with critics arguing that the repeal will result in consumers having more difficulty in accessing content. This criticism is grounded in the fact that most providers own content companies and can now legally seek to create advantages for their own content and disadvantages for their competitors. Click here to read the full article.  PepsiCo has promised to reduce the greenhouse gasses its supply chain produces by 20% by 2030 and its recent order of 100 Tesla Semis should help move them a bit closer to their goal. PepsiCo currently has a fleet of 10,000 big rigs in use throughout the United States. PepsiCo's recent order, the largest to date, brings the unofficial number of public reservations for Tesla's all electric big rigs to 285 (according to Reuters).
Telsa unveiled its two Semis alongside the next iteration of the Telsa Roadster on November 16, 2017 with promised ranges of 300 and 500 miles. Following the release of prices - $150,000 and 180,000 respectively- which were more competitive than anticipated, orders from numerous companies began to join the initial public reservations placed by Walmart and JB Hunt transportation services. Tesla's truck is expected be in production by 2019 and the price to pre-order is currently at $20,000. Click here to read the full article.  Source: Adweek Coca Cola's CDO David Godsman recently sat down with Adweek and discussed how much customers enjoy a digital touchpoint in their vending transaction. Coca Cola has taken this observation and begun to embed digital services such as AI, chatbots, and mobile apps into their global offerings. They begin these experimental digital rollouts in test markets such as Japan and then apply learned best practices elsewhere until they become global and commercialized.
Coca Cola has been experimenting with AI and chatbots in efforts to enhance the vending experience. AI is being used to optimize vending machine placement and also underpins the Coke On platform - a mobile loyalty program. Another key takeaway from the discussion deals with Coca Cola's continued development of their data management. They are adapting their use of data to look at customers more holistically and treat them as consumers of the Coca Cola brand as a whole rather than its individual products. Godsman explains that this shift allows Coca Cola to build a better relationship and dialogue with their clients. Click here to read the full article. |
