burning grey sedan near trees and signboard at night

His house burned down. He used the insurance money to build PopSockets.

7 days ago01 mins

Does a consumer hardware company need to get on the VC treadmill to succeed? Eleven years and 290 million products sold across 115 countries later, PopSockets has proven that the bootstrapped, low-dilution path more viable than the industry gives it credit for. The global consumer hardware brand was built on less than $500k, no institutional capital, and a philosophy professor’s determination. Watch as founder and former CEO…

Autonomous vacuum cleaner navigating wooden floor indoors, showcasing smart home technology.

iRobot’s Roombas have a new Chinese owner, but it says your data will remain in the US

4 weeks ago01 mins

As part of its acquisition by China-based Picea Robotics, iRobot is creating a new US-based subsidiary called iRobot Safe, which the company says will be “responsible for the protection of US consumer data,” similar to the TikTok deal that was completed last month. iRobot customers in the US will be able to continue using their…

The white house press briefing room is empty.

White House launches direct-to-consumer drug site TrumpRx. Here’s what to know

1 month ago01 mins

It’s still unclear if all patients, particularly those with insurance coverage, will see more cost savings from using that site to buy their medicines. Image: Suzy Brooks / Unsplash Source: CNBC

Tech

A consumer watchdog issued a warning about Google’s AI agent shopping protocol — Google says she’s wrong

2 months ago01 mins

A consumer economics watchdog says Google’s new Universal Commerce Protocol is ripe for misuse where consumers could pay more for items. Google denies this. Image: Frugal Flyer / Unsplash Source: TechCrunch

The AI Shopping Wars: Watchdog Alleges Google’s New System Could Inflate Prices, Sparking Heated Denial

2 months ago05 mins

Introduction A major consumer watchdog has ignited a firestorm by accusing Google of building a new AI-powered shopping system that could secretly drive up prices for everyday buyers. The explosive claim, centered on the tech giant’s ‘Universal Commerce Protocol,’ has been met with a swift and forceful denial from Google, setting the stage for a…

The Algorithmic Aisle: A Heated Debate Ignites Over AI’s Role in Your Shopping Cart

2 months ago05 mins

Introduction A simmering dispute between a prominent consumer advocacy group and tech titan Google has erupted into the public sphere, casting a spotlight on the opaque algorithms that may soon dictate our shopping habits. At the heart of the controversy is a new Google framework designed to let artificial intelligence agents shop on our behalf,…

shopping carts on gray asphalt road during daytime

Shopping’s AI Crossroads: Consumer Watchdog Sounds Alarm on Google’s New Commerce Ambitions

2 months ago04 mins

Introduction As artificial intelligence prepares to become your personal shopper, a critical debate has erupted over who it truly serves. A prominent consumer watchdog has launched a stark warning against Google’s ambitious new AI-powered shopping framework, alleging it could systematically inflate prices for unsuspecting buyers. Google, however, has issued a firm and public rebuttal, setting…

A black and white photo of a shopping cart

AI Shopping Wars: Watchdog Sounds Alarm on Google’s ‘Universal Commerce’ as Tech Giant Pushes Back

2 months ago04 mins

Introduction A major consumer watchdog has fired a warning shot across the bow of Big Tech, alleging that Google’s ambitious new AI shopping framework could systematically disadvantage consumers. The tech behemoth, however, has issued a swift and firm rebuttal, setting the stage for a critical debate over the future of automated commerce and who truly…

the idea is for you book on a white background

Your Drive, Their Data: Landmark FTC Settlement Forces Auto Industry to Hit the Brakes on Location Tracking

2 months ago04 mins

Introduction In a landmark decision with far-reaching implications for consumer privacy, the Federal Trade Commission has finalized a sweeping settlement with General Motors. The order, resolving a year-long investigation, explicitly bans the automaker from harvesting and selling drivers’ sensitive geolocation data without explicit consent. This action signals a new era of regulatory scrutiny for the…

Driving Under Surveillance: How a Landmark FTC Order Puts the Brakes on Automakers’ Data Trade

2 months ago04 mins

Introduction In a decisive move for consumer privacy, the Federal Trade Commission has finalized a groundbreaking order against General Motors. This settlement, a year in the making, fundamentally prohibits the automotive giant from harvesting and selling drivers’ sensitive location information. It marks a critical shift, signaling that the era of unfettered data extraction from our…