The Daily Valet. - 2/12/20, Wednesday
✔️ Big Tech Moves (and Possible Trouble?)
Wednesday, February 12th Edition
I don’t think I could go back to the flip phones of my youth.
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s Big Story
Big Tech Firms Face Antitrust Probe
The FTC is demanding information from Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Microsoft
American tech brands are facing a new wave of scrutiny from antitrust officials, as the Federal Trade Commission demands information about their acquisitions of startups that may have eliminated emerging competitors, reports Bloomberg.
The FTC issued orders to Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft for details on the terms and purposes of transactions they closed from the past ten years, the agency said Tuesday.
According to Wall Street Journal, the probe will likely examine hundreds of transactions that never drew federal scrutiny because they were under the dollar-value threshold for antitrust review, which is edging up to $94 million this year.
The agency says it isn’t conducting the probes for any specific enforcement purpose, though FTC Chairman Joe Simons indicated they could lead regulators to seek to unwind improper acquisitions. The investigation also could prompt the commission to consider rule changes or other action to broaden the scope of acquisitions subject to review, he said.
This is all happening, of course, while the FTC conducts an antitrust investigation of Facebook. And the Justice Department is currently investigating Facebook as well as Google, while state attorneys general are also probing both companies.
Critics argue that many acquisitions by big tech firms show a pattern of establishing "kill zones," which prevent upstart rivals from posing a competitive threat. This would naturally discourage innovation and investment.
↦ See a Pattern? According to MarketWatch, the bigger tech firms get, the more these antitrust inquiries will continue to multiply.
Sanders Wins New Hampshire Primary
The Vermont senator tightened his grip on the party’s liberal wing
Bernie Sanders claimed unchallenged control of the Democratic Party's left wing with a victory in the New Hampshire presidential primary Tuesday as two moderates, Pete Buttigieg and a newly surging Senator Amy Klobuchar, vied for the opposition mantle in a campaign that has been remade over the past eight days, reports the Washington Post.
Sanders had about 26 percent of the vote with 87 percent of the ballots counted, while Buttigieg was a close second. "Let me say tonight that this victory here is the beginning of the end for Donald Trump," Sanders told his supporters. He praised his opponents, including Buttigieg, but soon alluded to criticisms of the former mayor and his wealthy donors.
Senator Elizabeth Warren finished a distant fourth in her neighboring state and, in a stinging blow to his candidacy, former Vice President Joe Biden finished fifth.
The results raise questions about how much longer the onetime front-runners could afford to continue their campaigns. Both had already cut back their advertising because of financial strain.
↦ Meanwhile: Tech entrepreneur Andrew Yang ended his presidential campaign on Tuesday night.
Are Foldable Phones Really the Future?
Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Flip by Thom Browne is turning some heads, for sure
There’s a new folding phone in town. Another folding phone. Do we even know if people will really want these? Well, no matter ... Samsung just released its second smartphone with a flexible display. This one is called the Galaxy Z Flip, and comes with a high-style collaboration.
According to GQ, the Korean tech brand tag-teamed with the detail-obsessed designer Thom Browne on a phone that features his signature Americana striping and comes with a raft of similarly tweaked Samsung gear. That includes a leather phone case and a pair of the new Galaxy Buds+ (their answer to Apple's AirPods).
This is also the first foldable phone to use a glass screen rather than plastic. The Verge noted that Samsung's previous plastic screen felt "worse [than glass], dents easily and likely contributed to delicate builds." The Z Flip's glass is supposedly durable enough to withstand 200,000 folds.
Could Rain Make Renewable Energy?
A new generator can light up 100 LED bulbs with a single drop of water
This seems like a smart and hopeful development in terms of clean, renewable energy. A research team led by scientists from City University of Hong Kong have recently developed a new form of droplet-based electricity generation—meaning they're producing electricity from drops of rain water.
According to Engadget, there have been numerous attempts to generate electricity this way, but this may be one of the more effective solutions yet.
The generator relies on a "field-effect transistor-style structure" to produce up to 140 volts from a single drop of water. And while that's not much at the moment, Engadget's Jon Fingas says that it could have such practical uses as generating electricity from inside water bottles or from rain that falls on umbrellas and rooftops.
↦ Dig Deeper: Research on the generator was published in the scientific journal Nature.
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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Special Promotion
Splurge for Valentine’s Day
What to get your hard-to-shop-for love
Valentine's Day is a holiday where you want to give something from the heart. You can't put a price on that. But as any well-heeled gentlemen will tell you, it's also an occasion for extravagant tokens of affection. Why not use this opportunity to spoil and delight the person with whom you're sharing your life? We checked in with MR PORTER and NET-A-PORTER for a few perfect presents. Plus, every item comes with their now-signature promise of top notch service (including free shipping and exchanges), along with luxurious packaging.
Gift Ideas for Her ...
Monogramme quilted leather pouch, $495 by Saint Laurent
Silk beauty sleep travel set, $119 by Slip
Regalo gold-scented candle, $400 by Fornasetti
Gift Ideas for Him ...
Tank whiskey set, $295 by Tom Dixon
Modal loungewear set, $460 by Derek Rose
Leather messenger bag, $1,950 by Tom Ford
↦ Shop: Men's Valentine’s Day gift ideas
The Brands to Watch
Look good and make your friends a little jealous
"There's a smug satisfaction from being the first to report on a new restaurant or share the name of a band that's just on the cusp of the mainstream," writes our own Scott Woolf.
He makes a good point. Of course, it's a risky proposition if the restaurant fails its health inspection or the band's single is the only unskippable track. "Fortunately, finding the newest and most interesting clothes can be less risk and more reward."
We rounded up the brands we're most excited to watch this year. Some newer than others but all ready to make their mark in 2020. From shoes and accessories to fitness apparel, I think you'll dig them too.
↦ Read: The six brands you'll want on your your radar.
What We’re Buying
Right now, at Nordstrom Rack, you can get up to 75% off outerwear. Which means it's the perfect time to update your wardrobe with versatile pieces that will transition into the next season. Like this reversible car coat from Rag & Bone, featuring a solid twill on one side and a classic houndstooth pattern on the other. It's finished with deep pockets and a convenient zip-snap button front, but the real draw is that it's now 73% off.
↦ Get It $895 / $239.98 at Nordstrom Rack
Today’s Deals
Expires 2/13
Expires 2/16
Ongoing Sale
↦ Want More? See all 49 sales
Morning Motto
Remember, today’s a fresh start.
↦ Follow: @third.eye.thought
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