In today’s Bulldog update of technology news: Top companies, including Apple and Google, sign pledge to cut carbon emissions; Samsung monitor will wireless charge phones; Apple Watch headed to Best Buy; Square files for IPO.
More than a dozen top corporations including Google and Apple have signed a White House pledge to cut their carbon emissions and invest more in renewable energy as well as support an international agreement to fight climate change.
Today’s announcements total at least $140 billion in new low-carbon investment and more than 1,600 megawatts of new renewable energy, in addition to ambitious, company-specific goals to cut emissions as much as 50 percent, reduce water intensity as much as 15 percent, purchase 100 percent renewable energy, and pursue zero net deforestation in supply chains.
Companies signing the American Business Act on Climate pledge included Alcoa, Apple, Bank of America, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Cargill, Coca-Cola, General Motors, Goldman Sachs, Google, Microsoft, PepsiCo and Walmart, UPS.
For more see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/07/27/fact-sheet-white-house-launches-american-business-act-climate-pledge
Samsung offers monitor that wireless charges phones
Samsung’s latest monitor will wirelessly recharge your smartphone.
The SE370 is the first with an integrated wireless charging function. It is available in screen sizes of 23.6 inches and 27 inches and includes features to make viewing easier on the eyes in a mode that reduces blue light effects. It also has a flicker-free feature.
For more see: http://global.samsungtomorrow.com/samsung-electronics-unveils-worlds-first-wireless-mobile-charging-monitor/
Apple Watch goes on sale at Best Buy Aug. 7
Best Buy is the first retail outlet other than Apple stores that will sell the Apple Watch starting Aug. 7. It will offer the product both online and in stores.
“The Apple Watch is an important addition to an emerging product category, and we know our customers want it,” Jason Bonfig, senior category officer at Best Buy, said in a statement.. “We are excited to bring Apple Watch to more consumers, especially with the holidays coming up.”
The watch will be available at more than 100 Best Buy stores in the U.S. and then expand to 200 more before the holiday shopping season. The Apple Watch Sport sells for $349 and the Apple Watch for $549.
Mobile payments firm Square files for IPO
Media reports say Square, the mobile payments company founded by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, has filed confidential paperwork with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to go public.
Square enables businesses to accept digital credit card payments by inserting a small card reader into a smartphone or tablet. It also makes Square Stand, which coverts iPads into a point of sale system.
The Square app also lets friends send money to each other and has started a payroll processing business in California it plans to take to other states. The company processed $30 billion in payments last year.
Reports say the company filed its paperwork under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act, in which a company making less than $1 billion can file for an IPO with the SEC privately.
