If you’re going down, you might as well do it fighting.
A collection of WeWork employees sent that message loud and clear on Nov. 8 with the publication of an open letter criticizing their soon-to-be former employer of greed, corruption, and deception. Following the aborted IPO and September ouster of cofounder Adam Neumann, along with the promised restructuring by SoftBank, the employees see the writing on the wall — and are doing something about.
The letter, which the New York Times reports was signed by over 150 employees, demands that the thousands of employees facing layoffs be given severance and provided with health insurance. It also highlights the absurd $1.7 billion payout received by Neumann, calling it “graft.” Read more…
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey may be riding a wave of goodwill after he dunked on Mark Zuckerberg, but don’t be fooled: Twitter is still a burning hellscape.
Sure, Dorsey’s decision to disallow political ads on Twitter deserves some praise. He is, after all, willing to take a step that Zuckerberg and Facebook are too cowardly to take, setting a precedent that’s been lacking in social media.
And, as he made the announcement, Dorsey was smart enough to throw some thinly veiled shade at Zuckerberg’s “free speech” claims.
A final note. This isn’t about free expression. This is about paying for reach. And paying to increase the reach of political speech has significant ramifications that today’s democratic infrastructure may not be prepared to handle. It’s worth stepping back in order to address.
— jack ??? (@jack) October 30, 2019 Read more…
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This is part of West’s desire to make his Yeezy brand more sustainable. The goal has included moving a potential production plant to Wyoming to grow shoe and clothing materials there. Read more…
More about Tech, Mashable Video, Yeezy, Kanye West, and Algae
An AI-powered robot, ROYBI teaches language, STEM, and language skills to kids using interactive conversations, stories, music, games, and images. Read more…
More about Tech, Mashable Video, Kids, Languages, and Smart Toy
Shopping for a gamer sounds like it should be easy, but getting them the right gift can be a bit more complicated than you think. The good news: there’s so much to choose from. The bad news: there’s so much to choose from.
It’s even worse when you consider all the different kinds of gamers out there. From those who pledge allegiance to the PC crowd, to Nintendo purists, and everything in between, it isn’t easy finding just the right gift to add to their setup. But if you nail it, you won’t find anyone more grateful than a gamer.
When shopping for a gamer, first determine your desired price point. For most, you’ll be able to grab a couple games under $100 and call it a day. Accessories like controllers and charging docks are another great mid-range price option. The next step up will be things like gaming consoles or even a gaming laptop, which will run you at least a couple hundred dollars. If you’re looking to go all out and treat the gamer in your life to an epic gift, a brand new PC rig and setup could clock in at around $4,000. Read more…
More about Gaming, Nintendo, Playstation, Gift Guide, and Mashable Shopping
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$44.99
‘Borderlands 3’ — See Details
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$59.99
‘The Outer Worlds’ — See Details
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$27
Manji case for Nintendo Switch — See Details
IMAGE: RESPAWN ENTERTAINMENT
$50.94
‘Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order’ — See Details
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$12.95
‘Blood, Sweat, and Pixels’ — See Details
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$299.99
Nintendo Switch — See Details
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$199.99
Nintendo Switch Lite — See Details
IMAGE: NINTENDO
$54.50
‘The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening’ — See Details
Investing in a good pair of headphones is a must for any student, whether they’re studying for college finals, or doing SAT prep in high school, and just about everything else in between.
A really good pair of noise-canceling headphones is a great way to focus on studying or writing a term paper because they can block out background noise and free students from the outside world. They can also create a distraction-free zone if you’re listening to music or an audiobook, or even watching a movie on a laptop in a public setting.
SEE ALSO:20 things you need to survive life in a college dorm
While great headphones can be really expensive, we’ve also included a few pairs that have amazing audio quality and won’t completely break the bank. After all, being broke is pretty synonymous with being a student. With our recommendations, you can save your money and spend it on more important things for school — like textbooks, laptops, and of course, ramen noodles for those infamous all-nighters. Read more…
More about Headphones, Noise Canceling Headphones, Mashable Shopping, Tech, and Work Life
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BEST FOR ON-TREND STUDENTS
AirPods Pro
Better than the original AirPods in almost every way, with impressive noise-cancelation for their size and enhanced comfort for all-day wear.
$249 from Amazon
IMAGE: Amazon
BEST FOR ABSOLUTE SILENCE
Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II
World-class noise-cancelation makes Bose QuietComfort the way to go for a world full of distractions.
$349 from Amazon
IMAGE: Amazon
BEST STUDIO HEADPHONES
Sony MDR7506
These Sony headphones are perfect for hearing balanced audio, and their comfortable earcups will feel great throughout the whole day.
$89.95 from Amazon
IMAGE: Amazon
BEST FOR YOUNG STUDENTS
JBL JR300BT Kids Wireless Headphones
Keep your kid’s ears safe without taking the joy of music away from them — these JBL headphones have a decibel limit feature, as well as a fun design and all-day comfort.
$49.95 from Amazon
IMAGE: Amazon
BEST FOR AUDIO
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7B
This pair excels at blocking out noise from the outside world, which makes them ideal for students trying to study.
$99 from Amazon
IMAGE: Amazon
MOST COMFORTABLE HEADPHONES
Creative Sound Blaster Jam
Weighing in at only eight ounces, these headphones are so comfortable that you might not even notice you’re wearing them.
$49.99 from Amazon
IMAGE: Amazon
BEST HIGH-END HEADPHONES
Sony MDR-ZX110NC
These feature “smart listening,” which automatically adjusts audio during various activities.
$348 from Amazon
IMAGE: Amazon
BEST IN-EAR OPTION
1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones
Each earpiece contains three audio drivers for balanced and deep bass and dynamic tones in a lightweight presentation that’s comfortable to wear.
$79.99 from Amazon
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BEST BATTERY LIFE
Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2
These have the ability to pair two devices at once, so you can go from watching a movie on a laptop to listening to an audiobook on a phone easily.
$164.88 from Walmart
IMAGE: Amazon
BEST BUDGET IN-EAR OPTION
RHA S500u
These feature a handy universal remote and microphone for Siri and Google Assistant voice commands.
$27.49 from Amazon
IMAGE: Walmart
MOST STYLISH
BeatsX
These deliver clear and crisp sound in a sleek and sexy design with eight-hour battery life and fast charging.
$99.99 from Walmart
IMAGE: Amazon
BEST OPEN-BACK OPTION
Grado SR60e
Headphones with open-backed ear cups allow the sound to feel like it’s in the same room as you and not just in your ears.
$79 from Amazon
IMAGE: Amazon
BEST WIRELESS OPTION
LG Tone Pro 780
Lightweight and well-balanced, with advanced quad-layer speaker technology that produces excellent audio quality and short charging times.
$69 from Amazon
IMAGE: Amazon
BEST BUDGET ON-EAR OPTION
Urbanears Plattan 2
These collapsible headphones offer up really good passive noise isolation with a stylish and fun look.
$34.99 from Amazon
IMAGE: Walmart
BEST IN-EAR NOISE-CANCELING OPTION
Audio-Technica QuietPoint
These are an older model, but they still deliver world class audio and high level noise cancelling at a considerably low price.
$99.95 from Walmart
IMAGE: Adorama
BEST FOR ATHLETES
Monster iSport Intensity
Durable and sweatproof to keep the music going, with handy controls right on the wire, so you don’t have to fiddle with your smartphone while using them.
$49 from Adorama
IMAGE: Amazon
BEST MID-RANGE WIRELESS OPTION
Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BT
A great value for students and audiophiles alike with 45mm drivers for quality audio and NFC “tap-and-touch” pairing for up to eight devices.
$149 from Amazon
IMAGE: Amazon
BEST HEADPHONES FOR GAMING
Corsair HS50
The microphone reduces ambient noise, and it’s also removable, so it doesn’t get in the way if you want to use the headphones for something else.
$49.99 from Amazon
IMAGE: Amazon
BEST WATERPROOF HEADPHONES
H2O Audio Headphones
These are IPX8 rated for 100% waterproofing in heavy sweat, rain, and complete submersion for up to 12 feet of water.
$39.99 from Amazon
IMAGE: Amazon
BEST TANGLE-FREE WIRED OPTION
JLab Audio Diego
This sleek and sexy pair are also rugged and flexible, and also comfortable and affordable for students with a price that’s under $15.
There’s a reason “gifts for *insert a specific type of person here*” are the most-searched phrases on Google during the holiday season. As well as you may know someone, drawing a blank on the perfect gift is clearly a universal occurrence.
Gifting to a couple is a more daunting task though, and one that many gift guides don’t cover.
So, when is it acceptable to give a joint gift? Many times, it’s a case of not knowing each partner well enough to give a personal gift, but also knowing that you can’t not get them something. Maybe your cousin married a horrendous guy but you can’t give a gift to only her right in front of him. Sometimes, you just need to buy a single gift to disguise that you’re on a budget. Read more…
More about Dating, Couples, Gift Guide, Kitchen, and Mashable Shopping
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$119
The Fire TV Cube — See Details
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$2,695
A smart mattress — See Details
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$33.99
A couples decanter set — See Details
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$119.99
The Amazon Cloud Cam — See Details
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$399
A Dyson vacuum — See Details
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$49.95
An 11-bottle wine rack — See Details
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$799
The iPad Pro — See Details
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$249.95
An at-home espresso machine — See Details
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$25
Han Solo and Leia pillow cases — See Details
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$35
A “Make your own hot sauce” kit — See Details
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$109.99
An at-home beer dispenser — See Details
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$169.95
An automatic litter box — See Details
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$39.99
A dual breakfast sandwich maker — See Details
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$249
The Furbo Pet Camera — See Details
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$29.95
A personalized cutting board — See Details
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$229.99
The Amazon Echo Show — See Details
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$12.67
A set of matching enamel pins — See Details
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$97.02
A portable fire pit — See Details
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$249.99
The Ninja Foodi — See Details
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$179.99
A digital picture frame — See Details
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$39.99
A picnic backpack — See Details
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$189.99
The Nest Smart Thermostat — See Details
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$280.46
An 8-piece pots and pans set — See Details
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$21.99
An electric corkscrew — See Details
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$79.99
The SNES Classic — See Details
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$44.99
An indoor s’mores maker — See Details
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$34.75
Bamboo thermoses with built-in tea infusers — See Details
For some, travelling to another country on business or pleasure means holing up in a resort or hotel designed so you don’t have to lift a finger — or even know you’re overseas. Huge, all-inclusive resorts can take care of your purchasing needs quickly and efficiently.
For you, however, that’s a waste of a trip.You want the full experience. You want to eat and shop locally, find those cool little stores, dine at local cafes, stands, or markets.
You’re in a new land, so you need to find a way to pay for what you buy without getting stuck with a hefty set of fees or finding yourself suddenly poorer than you were when you left thanks to a dip in the exchange rate.. Here are a few tips that can help you enjoy your trip. Read more…
More about Travel, Currency, Finance And Economy, Travel Leisure, and Lifestyle
Rapper Kanye West has turned his attention to environmental sustainability, revealing a pair of prototype Yeezy shoes partially made from algae.
West and Yeezy head designer Steven Smith unveiled the algae Yeezy on Thursday at the Fast Company Innovation Festival. Though the shoe is still partially made from petroleum-based ethylene-vinyl acetate, or EVA, this will be blended with foam made from harvested algae.
“Eco concerns are intersecting with what we do, and this is just the beginning of the future that Kanye envisioned for us to start working on and creating and challenged us to,” said Smith. Read more…
More about Yeezy, Kanye West, Shoes, Sustainability, and Algae
Following a mass shooting at a Halloween party in a California Airbnb, CEO Brian Chesky has decided to officially vet all properties and listers, as well as ban “party houses.” Read more…
More about Tech, Mashable Video, Airbnb, Listings, and Rental Homes