Business
Google CEO Defends Paying Apple And Others To Make Google The Default Search Engine On Devices
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Google CEO Sundar Pichai testified in the largest antitrust lawsuit in the United States in a quarter-century, defending his company’s practice of paying Apple and other tech companies to make Google the default search engine on their devices, claiming the goal was to improve the user experience “seamless and easy.”
The Department of Justice claims that Google — a firm synonymous with internet searching — pays out tech companies to block alternative search engines to stifle competition and innovation. According to court filings placed into the record last week, the payments totaled more than $26 billion in 2021, a year in which Google’s parent company, Alphabet, had about $68 billion in operational expenses.
Google claims to be the market leader since its search engine outperforms the competition’s. “We are working very, very hard to provide the best experience for any given query,” Pichai stated. “That was always our true north.”
Pichai, born in India, joined Google in 2004 from the consulting company McKinsey & Co. Before becoming CEO, he worked on Google Chrome, the world’s most popular web browser, and was appointed to the company’s top position in 2015. He is also the CEO of Alphabet, Google’s parent business. Under his leadership, Alphabet’s net income increased to $60 billion last year, up from $19.5 billion in 2016, the company’s first full year of operation.
Google CEO Defends Paying Apple And Others To Make Google The Default Search Engine On Devices
Pichai, Google’s star defense witness, testified Monday that Google’s payments to phone manufacturers and wireless phone companies were partly intended to nudge them into making costly security upgrades and other improvements to their devices rather than simply ensuring Google was the first search engine users encountered when they opened their smartphones or computers.
Google benefits from the agreements because it earns money when users click on advertising that appears in its searches and splits the profits with Apple and other companies that use Google as their main search engine.
The Justice Department attempted to demonstrate that Google was concerned that Apple would launch its search engine and that it would lose talent to Apple. Pichai sought to be notified directly if a member of Google’s search engine team switched to Apple in a 2019 email presented in court.
The antitrust complaint was filed in 2020, during the Trump administration, and is the largest since the Justice Department went after Microsoft and its dominance of internet browsers 25 years ago. The trial began on September 12 in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., and is scheduled for 10 weeks.
Google CEO Defends Paying Apple And Others To Make Google The Default Search Engine On Devices
Much of the testimony in the case has taken place behind closed doors, and a large amount of material has been withheld from documents at the request of Google and Apple, whose attorneys argue that trade secrets must be protected.
A verdict from U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta is likely early next year. If the judge finds that Google violated the law, another trial will be held to determine how to limit its market power. The Mountain View, California-based firm could be barred from paying Apple and others to make Google the default search engine.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has testified that Google has a hypnotic effect on users.
“You get up in the morning, you brush your teeth and you search on Google,” he added. According to him, the only way to break the habit is to change the default device setting. ___ Technology Associated Press Michael Liedke, a writer, contributed to this article.
SOURCE – (AP)
Music
Spotify CFO Is One Of Thousands To Leave The Company — After He Moves To Sell $9 Million In Shares
NEW YORK – According to Spotify, its chief financial officer will retire next year, just days after the music streaming giant announced its third round of layoffs for 2023.
CEO Daniel Ek said in a statement announcing CFO Paul Vogel’s departure that the two had “come to the conclusion that Spotify is entering a new phase and needs a CFO with a different mix of experiences.”
Spotify said this week that it would be laying off 17% of its global personnel to cut expenses and become profitable. A representative acknowledged that approximately 1,500 individuals will lose their employment.
Their stock increased by nearly 8% after the layoffs were revealed on Monday. According to securities records, Vogel sold more than $9.3 million in shares on Tuesday.
Spotify CFO Is One Of Thousands To Leave The Company — After He Moves To Sell $9 Million In Shares
According to The Guardian, two additional top executives received over $1.6 million in stock options.
Vogel is leaving Spotify on March 31st. According to a blog post, Ben Kung, presently vice president of finance planning and analysis, will “take on expanded responsibilities” in the interim while Spotify seeks a replacement externally.
Stockholm-based For the nine months ending September, The company reported a net loss of 462 million euros (about $500 million). The corporation declared in January that it was laying off 6% of its workforce. In June, it eliminated another 2% of its workforce, or around 200 people, primarily in its podcast section.
Spotify CFO Is One Of Thousands To Leave The Company — After He Moves To Sell $9 Million In Shares
The company is a popular music streaming service that offers a vast library of songs, podcasts, and playlists for users to access on-demand. With a user-friendly interface, Spotify allows subscribers to create personalized playlists, discover new music based on their listening habits, and explore a wide range of genres.
The platform is available on various devices and offers both free and premium subscription options, allowing users to enjoy ad-supported or ad-free listening experiences.
SOURCE – (AP)
Business
McDonalds Burger Empire Set For Unprecedented Growth Over The Next 4 Years With 10,000 New Stores
McDonald’s aims to open roughly 10,000 outlets over the next four years, an unprecedented expansion rate even for the world’s largest burger business.
In an investor report on Wednesday, the Chicago burger behemoth expects to have 50,000 outlets open globally by the end of 2027. McDonalds had 40,275 locations at the beginning of this year.
It intends to open 900 new stores in the United States and 1,900 in some of its more important international markets, including Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The company intends to have an additional 7,000 outlets in other international markets, with more than half of those in China.
Manu Steijaert, McDonald’s chief customer officer, stated that it took the corporation 33 years to open its first 10,000 outlets and 18 years to develop from 30,000 to 40,000. However, the corporation feels its footprint needs to be improved to meet demand, particularly in faster-growing parts of the United States.
McDonald’s Burger Empire Set For Unprecedented Growth Over The Next 4 Years With 10,000 New Stores
The company also stated that the increasing development of delivery demand necessitates bringing restaurant locations closer to clients to provide speedier delivery times. In 2017, McDonald’s delivery generated $1 billion in global sales, which has since increased to more than $16 billion.
“No matter how the customer chooses to order, out ability to serve them relies on our locations,” he stated.
McDonald’s stock was unchanged on Wednesday.
The company also announced a relationship with Google Cloud on Wednesday, claiming that it will help expedite automated services and minimize complexity for its staff.
McDonald’s Burger Empire Set For Unprecedented Growth Over The Next 4 Years With 10,000 New Stores
McDonald’s same-store sales increased over 9% globally in the third quarter despite a modest drop in traffic in the United States.
The corporation is focused on basic menu items such as Quarter Pounders and fries, which account for 65% of systemwide sales, according to McDonalds.
Burgers with softer, freshly toasted buns, meltier cheese, and more Big Mac sauce will be available in the United States by the end of 2024 and in most other markets by the end of 2025. McDonald’s claims that chicken sales are now on a level with beef and that the McCrispy sandwich will be available in nearly all worldwide markets by 2025.
McDonalds Burger Empire Set For Unprecedented Growth Over The Next 4 Years With 10,000 New Stores
McDonalds is a global fast food restaurant chain known for its hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and french fries. The company was founded in 1940 and has since grown to become one of the largest and most recognizable fast food brands in the world.
With a widespread presence in over 100 countries, McDonalds offers a diverse menu that includes items such as chicken sandwiches, salads, and breakfast options.
he company is also known for its iconic golden arches logo and its commitment to providing quick and convenient service to its customers.
SOURCE – (AP)
Business
Woman Who Assaulted Chipotle Worker Sentenced To Fast Food Job For Two Months
An Ohio woman who was convicted of assault after tossing a burrito bowl at a Chipotle employee was offered an unusual method to shorten her sentence.
Rosemary Hayne, 39, has been ordered by a judge to work in a fast-food restaurant for two months.
In a viral video, Hayne can be seen yelling at a Chipotle employee before throwing her meal in his face.
She was first sentenced to pay a fine and serve 180 days in jail, with 90 days suspended.
But then the judge had another thought.
“You didn’t get your burrito bowl the way you like it, and this is how you respond?” Judge Timothy Gilligan in Parma, Ohio sentenced Hayne.
Woman Who Assaulted Chipotle Worker Sentenced To Fast Food Job For Two Months
“This isn’t the ‘Real Housewives of Parma.'” “This is not acceptable behavior,” he declared, according to local Fox affiliate WJW.
Mr Gilligan told Hayne she could avoid 60 days in jail if she agreed to work at least 20 hours per week for two months at a fast-food business.
Hayne agreed.
On September 5, a bystander recorded the incident and posted it to Reddit, where it quickly went viral.
In court, Hayne apologized and attempted to explain why she screamed at the Chipotle employee, Emily Russell, 26.
“If I showed you how my food looked and how my food looked a week later from that same restaurant, it’s disgusting looking,” Hayne said in an interview with WJW.
“I bet you won’t be happy with the food you’ll get in jail,” Mr Gilligan said.
Emily Russell said in court that the incident had traumatized her and that she had since quit her work at Chipotle.
Woman Who Assaulted Chipotle Worker Sentenced To Fast Food Job For Two Months
She told the Washington Post that she was intervening to defend a 17-year-old employee being shouted at by Hayne. She complained that the dish was too hot and burned her face.
“I was so embarrassed and in shock,” she admitted to the publication. “I couldn’t believe my customers had to witness that.”
As of Tuesday morning, a GoFundMe effort for Ms Russell had raised $7,200 (£5,700).
Chipotle is a popular fast-casual restaurant chain known for its Mexican-inspired menu and customizable options.
Woman Who Assaulted Chipotle Worker Sentenced To Fast Food Job For Two Months
The restaurant offers a variety of burritos, bowls, tacos, and salads, allowing customers to choose from different proteins, toppings, and salsas.
Chipotle is also recognized for its commitment to using high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients. With over 2,800 locations across the United States, Canada, and Europe, Chipotle has established a strong presence in the fast-food industry.
SOURCE – (BBC)
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