The company reportedly rejected an all-cash acquisition offer from Facebook
Start-Ups
You Have a Friend Request from Justin Bieber: Singer Invests in Social Network for Teens
Because Facebook isn’t cool anymore
Don’t Be Afraid to Share: Ridesharing Companies Lyft, Sidecar, UberX Get Official OK in California
It’s often been difficult for “sharing economy” participants to confirm what they’re doing is legal. But now we have a little clarity—at least in terms of the sharing of car rides, at least in California.
Why Google’s New Venture Is Called Calico
On Sept. 18, search giant Google revealed Calico, a new company it would launch to tackle some of humanity’s most difficult problems, namely aging. The health care company will focus on long-term bets that can significantly …
7-Eleven, Home of the Big Gulp — and Multimillion Dollar Venture Capital Investments
Consumers tend to associate 7-Eleven mainly with Slurpees, Big Gulps, and hot dogs left under the heat lamp too long. So what is the real world’s Kwik-E-Mart doing by jumping into the sophisticated world of venture capitalism?
Wanna Share a Ride at the Airport? Be Careful Before You’re Arrested
Over the past few weeks, airport authorities in San Francisco have been making citizen’s arrests of drivers who’ve arranged to pick up or drop off travelers via ride-sharing smartphone apps such as Lyft and SideCar.
RelayRides Plans to Disrupt Airport Parking and Rental Cars in a Big Way
A new service gives travelers free parking at airports—with a free car wash and a free shuttle to and from the terminal thrown in as well. Yes, there is a catch.
Rideshare Battle Shifts to L.A.: City Tells Uber, Lyft, SideCar to Stop Picking Up Riders
Sharing may seem harmless—a helpful, good thing for society, even. But for months, “sharing economy” businesses like Airbnb, FlightCar, and Lyft have come under legal fire in cities such as San Francisco, New York, and Austin. This week, ridesharing companies, which match nonprofessional drivers up with paying passengers, received …
Wanna Test Drive a Car, But Hate Car Dealerships? That’ll Be $19
For $19, you can have the new vehicle of your choice delivered to your home, where you can kick the tires, take it for a test drive, and even see how it fits into your driveway.
Sharing Is Hard: Legal Trouble for Airbnb, RelayRides, FlightCar
As more consumers turn to services like peer-to-peer rental-car outfits rather than Hertz, local authorities are penalizing participants with fines and ordering the companies to cease operations. Is it still safe to share?
The Consumer Psychology Behind Warby Parker’s $95 Pricing for Eyeglasses
One obvious selling point for Warby Parker customers is price: The vast majority of eyeglasses sell for a reasonable (and curiously uniform) rate of $95. Perhaps what’s most remarkable of all is that the price of Warby Parker glasses was almost set at $50 cheaper.
Car Sharing: Future Looks Bright, Even With Some Cloudy Legal Issues
There’s just no stopping the sharing. Despite recent legal challenges to certain “peer to peer” car-sharing services, the range of sharing options keeps on expanding, making it easier and easier for consumers to skip taxis, traditional car rentals — and car ownership in general.