In today’s Bulldog wrapup of technology news:

  • HP Enterprise is spinning off its software businesses in a deal worth $8.8 billion
  • Uber drivers’ bid for class-action suit is rejected
  • Sony unveils new PlayStations (plus video)
  • Starbucks plans to begin generating content, including podcasts

The details:

  • HP Enterprise spins off software businesses in $8.8B deal

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. will spin off software units in an $8.8 billion deal that it says will help it focus on faster-growing businesses.

The Palo Alto, California, company said Wednesday that the spun-off software businesses— they include big data, security for big companies and IT operations management units — will merge with U.K. software company Micro Focus International PLC.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise will get a $2.5 billion cash payment and its shareholders will hold a 50.1 percent stake in the new combined company.

  • Appeals court: Uber drivers must resolve claims individually

In a victory for Uber, a federal appeals court said Wednesday drivers for the most part have to resolve claims against the company individually and not through a class action lawsuit.

The ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals came in a lawsuit by Uber drivers over the company’s background checks, but it also affects drivers in a separate suit who accuse the ride-hailing service of exploiting them by treating them as independent contractors instead of employees. The arbitration clause the ruling upheld also applies to the vast majority of the roughly 380,000 drivers in that lawsuit.

Those drivers will now have less leverage against Uber, as they pursue claims individually through arbitration instead of as a group through a class action suit.

“Today’s decision is not good for the class,” said Shannon Liss-Riordan, an attorney for drivers in the lawsuit over Uber’s classification of drivers as independent contractors.

Liss-Riordan said only about 6,000 drivers that the lawsuit represents are not covered by the arbitration clause the 9th Circuit upheld.

Ted Boutrous, Uber’s attorney, applauded the 9th Circuit ruling, saying “arbitration is a fair, speedy and less costly alternative to class-action litigation.”

  • Sony unveils 2 updated PlayStations: Pro and slim versions

Sony is unveiling a slimmer, lighter, cheaper version of its PlayStation 4, as well as a Pro device targeted at hardcore gamers that features high-resolution images and a 1-terabyte hard drive.

  • (VIDEO: Watch an introductory video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZiGmsQ1HKg )

The Japanese electronics company revealed the long-rumored updates to its video game console at an event in New York’s Times Square Wednesday.

The slimmer, more energy-efficient PS4 effectively replaces the existing model. It will cost $300, down from $350 for the previous version, and go on sale on Sept. 15 in most markets.

  • Starbucks moves into “content creation” with digital series

Starbucks wants to tell stories about inspiring Americans, marking the coffee chain’s latest push to deepen its relationship with customers and cast itself as a positive force on social issues.

The coffee chain says it is moving into the world of “content creation” with its series of text, video and podcasts on subjects including a former NFL player who helps disabled veterans. The company says it is aiming for the quality level of The Washington Post and The New York Times.