Montag, 28. August 2017

Aetna Accused Of Revealing HIV Medication Use Of 12,000 Customers

Something as minor as an envelope window has landed one of the country’s largest insurance companies in legal hot water. Aetna is being sued for sending out thousands of letters that inadvertently revealed that the recipient has taken medication for the treatment or prevention of HIV.

In a class action [PDF] filed today in a federal court in Philadelphia, an Aetna customer accuses the insurer of violating the privacy of 12,000 people in 23 states.

The Letters

On July 28, Aetna allegedly sent mailings to customers informing them of changes on how to fill the prescription for their treatment of the HIV virus.

According to the lawsuit, filed by the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania and the Legal Action Center, the customers’ names and medical information — including that they were receiving treatment for HIV — were visible through a large window on the front of the envelope.

The lead plaintiff in the lawsuit is a 52-year-old Pennsylvania man whose sister learned from the unopened letter that he was taking HIV medication. The man is not HIV positive, but he was taking medications as part of a regimen of pre-exposure prophylaxis (“PrEP”) to prevent acquiring the virus.

Making It Worse

The lawsuit notes that Aetna’s recent mailings were actually made in an attempt to address privacy concerns related to two lawsuit filed against the company in 2014 and 2015.

Those lawsuits related to Aetna’s desire for customers to get their HIV medications exclusively from mail-order pharmacies rather than retail pharmacies.

Customers objected, saying that using the mail could breach their privacy. As a result, Aetna sent letters to customers July 28 explaining the company’s revised HIV medication procedures.

However, the lawsuit claims, these mailing made things “infinitely worse.” Instead of sending instructions on the medication in an opaque envelope, Aetna and its vendor sent the information in an envelope with a large transparent window.

Berger & Montague, the law firm representing the case, points out that dozens of “anguished” patients have come forward since the mailings were revealed last week, including one couple who say they moved because of the embarrassment of having their private lives exposed.

“Aetna’s unprecedented HIV privacy breach has caused turmoil in people’s lives,” Sally Friedman, legal director of the Legal Action Center, said in a statement. “Some have lost housing, and others have been shunned by loved ones because of the enormous stigma that HIV still carries.”

The lawsuit seeks to have Aetna to cease its practice of using the large window envelopes, reform its procedures, and pay damages.


by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist

6 tips for the paranoid Windows traveler


Follow Computerworld to satisfy your tech business needs! ------------------------------­---- SUBSCRIBE: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=Computerworld FACEBOOK: http://ift.tt/1YryaLM TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Computerworld WEBSITE: http://ift.tt/pqCrME
by Computerworld via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Trailblazers: The Road to Disruption


The automotive industry is overdue for disruption. Explore the exciting electric and autonomous future of automobiles in this episode. Learn More: http://ift.tt/2wDIkTd
by Dell via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Mall Giant Sues Starbucks To Stop Planned Shutdown Of All Teavana Stores

Starbucks recently announced it would shut down all 379 locations of its boutique Teavana tea shops. Tea drinkers weren’t the only ones annoyed by the news. A huge shopping mall landlord whose properties currently house 1-in-5 Teavana stores is suing mad, taking Starbucks to court to halt the shutdown.

Simon Property Group, the nation’s largest mall operator, is asking an Indiana court to issue an injunction to put the brakes on the Teavana phase-out, which is slated to happen over the next year or so.

According to the Indianapolis Business Journal, only two of the Teavana stores in Simon malls have leases slated to end in the next year. The rest aren’t set to expire for years, with some agreements not ending until 2027.

“In order to successfully operate its shopping centers, Simon depends upon each tenant fulfilling the covenants in their respective leases,” the mall landlord said in its suit, which was filed in state court in Indiana last week. “Crucially, each of Simon’s tenants promises that it will open and operate continuously for the entire term of its lease.”

Starbucks cited decreased mall traffic and disappointing sales as the reason why it plans to close the Teavana retail operation. Simon, in its lawsuit, isn’t happy to see blame put solely on malls when a record number of retailers have filed for bankruptcy.

Other companies that have shuttered dozens or hundreds of stores across the country did so either after filing or to stave off bankruptcy. Think of Sears, JCPenney, Forever 21, RadioShack, hhgregg, and Wet Seal, which liquidated entirely, or shed stores for their financial health.

“That obviously is not the case with Starbucks, which is one of the largest and most recognized companies in the world,” Simon’s lawyers observed in the court filing. Starbucks as a whole is doing quite well, but it simply no longer wants to run Teavana.

Instead, it has integrated Teavana products into its café menus, and launched bottled iced tea products using the brand and its reputation for interesting tea blends. The company didn’t acquire Teavana to run hundreds of retail stores; it did so with an eye on the company’s products and tea expertise as Starbucks expanded more in Asia.


by Laura Northrup via Consumerist

More Than 1-In-4 Nursing Home Abuse Cases May Go Unreported To Police

Uber offers CEO job to Expedia chief | Engadget Today


Now to fix company culture, driver morale, and handle all the lawsuits. http://ift.tt/2vugRj3 Uber's lengthy, sometimes tumultuous search for a new CEO is over. Sources talking to both the New York Times and Recode have learned that the ridesharing company has picked Expedia chief Dara Khosrowshahi as its new leader. The company will only say that its board has voted on a CEO and will reveal the decision "to the employees first," but the reported decision makes sense in light of recent leaks surrounding Uber's choice. If the rumors were accurate, Uber's choice was down to three candidates: former GE chief Jeff Immelt, HPE's Meg Whitman and a third mystery pick (who we now know to be Khosrowshahi). Immelt backed out right before the vote, supposedly after doubts about his leadership and potential over-eagerness to court Travis Kalanick. Whitman, meanwhile,had publicly rejected the move and wasn't expected to take the CEO spot unless she had guarantees that Kalanick would have reduced involvement. In other words, Uber may have chosen Khosrowshahi by process of elimination. Subscribe to Engadget on YouTube: http://engt.co/subscribe Get More Engadget: • Like us on Facebook: http://ift.tt/1k1iCZT • Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/engadget • Follow us on Instagram: http://ift.tt/1k1iCZV • Add us on Snapchat: http://ift.tt/1UqS18a • Read more: http://www.engadget.com Engadget is the definitive guide to this connected life.
by Engadget via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Target Goes After Costco, Trader Joe’s With New $5 Wines

All around the country, thrifty wine drinkers pop into their local Trader Joe’s for a bottle of Two-Buck Chuck wine, or pack up their massive Costco trolley with some Kirkland Signature vino. But Chuck and Kirk have a new competitor for that discount drink dollar: Target, which has just unveiled its own line of $5 wines.

Target announced the debut of the five different wine blends today. The “California Roots” wine line is part of a new branding initiative for the store, that also includes new clothing and furniture lines.

Staring Sept. 3, the company will offer customers another California wine option: California Roots.

The $5 wines are made with California-grown grapes, including a chardonnay, pinot grigio, moscato, cabernet sauvignon, and a red blend.

Target notes that the wine, beer, and other adult beverages are among the company’s fastest-growing categories.

“We’re out to give our guests even more reasons to love Target—including exclusive products they can’t find anywhere else,” Jeff Burt, senior vice president of food and beverage, said in a statement.

No Lack Of Competition

Target is far from the first retailer to dip its toes in the inexpensive booze business.

While Trader Joe’s is perhaps the retailer most synonymous with cheap wine — looking at you, Two Buck Chuck — Costco and Sam’s Club have also dabbled in wine.

Costco offers several different types of wine under its Kirkland Signature brand, accounting for an uptick in sales for the warehouse club.

In an attempt to steal away some of those sales, Sam’s Club announced in April its own store-brand wine.

The Member’s Mark brand wine debuted with a $7 bottle of chardonnay. Varieties including cabernet, prosecco, and champagne were expected to be added over time.


by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist

Work in the Future – .future podcast #6


How tech is changing productivity, collaboration, and the physical office space in the 21st century. This episode features: Ram Devineni — Documentarian Anton Andrews — Director of Office Envisioning, Microsoft Ben Waber — CEO of Humanyze Janice Marturano—Founder of the Institute for Mindful Leadership Lear more at http://ift.tt/2pxfzSf
by Microsoft via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Design for All – .future podcast #5


Designing technology with people with disabilities in mind makes it better for everyone. This episode features: Dan Formosa — Designer and Consultant Angela Glover Blackwell — Founder of PolicyLink Jenny Lay-Flurrie — Chief Accessibility officer at Microsoft Sean Marihugh — Escalation Engineer at Microsoft Crystal Jones — Escalation Engineer at Microsoft Erin Williams — Senior Supportability Program Manager at Microsoft Learn more at http://ift.tt/2pxfzSf
by Microsoft via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Gaming the System – .future podcast #3


How indie game developers are changing the gaming industry from the inside. This episode features: Navid Khonsari — Co-Founder of iNK Stories Larry Hyrb — Xbox’s Major Nelson Rik Eberhardt — Studio Manager at MIT Game Lab Mia Consalvo — The Canada Research Chair in Game Studies and Design at Concordia University Sherida Halatoe — Found of Tiger & Squid Game Studio Karla Zimonja — Co-Founder of The Fullbright Company Katie Stone Perez — Developer Experience Lead at Xbox Learn more at http://ift.tt/2pxfzSf
by Microsoft via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

My Data, My Health, My Self – .future podcast #2


Exploring health and technology in the digital age.  This episode features: Chris Dancy — mindful cyborg Gary Wolf — journalist and curator of Quantified Self Ethan Jackson — Lead Researcher for Microsoft’s Project Premonition Ridhi Tariyal — CEO of NextGen Jan Ziad Sankari — founder of CardioDiagnostics  Learn more at http://ift.tt/2pxfzSf
by Microsoft via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Securing a Digital Battlefield – .future podcast #1


Can a Digital Geneva Convention help us prevent cyberattacks?   This episode features: Steven Petrow — a journalist who writes about digital life  Scott Charney — a security expert at Microsoft Cyrus Farivar — an editor at Ars Technica Brad Smith — Microsoft’s president and chief legal officer Heidi Tworek — a professor who writes about the history of media and technology Learn more at http://ift.tt/2pxfzSf
by Microsoft via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Uber finally gets a CEO (The 3:59, Ep. 274)


Who is Dara Khosrowshahi? Also, we talk about back to school hacking and our latest Road Trip feature on Angola. Good morning from CNET NY Studios while we record the daily news-bite podcast: The 3:59. Hangout while we cover a multitude of stories from around the tech world and then Alfred Ng, Roger Cheng and Dara Kerr will take your questions and comments in the chat. Watch more episodes of 3:59 on Youtube: http://bit.ly/29LVP7F Livestream: http://ift.tt/2sd94Yk Periscope: http://ift.tt/2qU1nTf Subscribe to the audio podcast: iTunes: http://apple.co/29T3fbf Google Play: http://bit.ly/2hkXp5P Feedburner: http://bit.ly/2tVTkqw Soundcloud: http://bit.ly/2hlanQK TuneIn: http://bit.ly/2uVg9vN Stitcher: http://bit.ly/2vfeHXE Cnet: http://bit.ly/2veEfEw Subscribe to CNET: http://bit.ly/17qqqCs Watch more CNET videos: http://bit.ly/1BQxrGw Follow CNET on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CNET Follow CNET on Facebook: http://ift.tt/UQQ9wc Follow CNET on Instagram: http://ift.tt/1YieDuO
by CNET via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

SHIELD GAMING: Why we love Metal Gear Solid 2


What first made us fall in love with the stealth gameplay of Metal Gear Solid 2? We tell you why we think it's special. Learn more: http://nvda.ws/2uxz66F
by NVIDIA via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Dell's Inspiron lineup first look at IFA 2017


Subscribe to Engadget on YouTube: http://engt.co/subscribe Get More Engadget: • Like us on Facebook: http://ift.tt/1k1iCZT • Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/engadget • Follow us on Instagram: http://ift.tt/1k1iCZV • Add us on Snapchat: http://ift.tt/1UqS18a • Read more: http://www.engadget.com Engadget is the definitive guide to this connected life.
by Engadget via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Perfumania Files For Bankruptcy, Plans To Close 64 Stores

You’ll soon have fewer stores to scoop up a bottle of perfume or cologne at a lower price: Discount fragrance retailer Perfumania has filed for bankruptcy and outlined plans to close dozens of stores. 

Perfumania Holdings filed [PDF] for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy Saturday, setting in motion a plan to reorganize the company by reducing its store portfolio by 64 locations and turn its focus toward online sales.

While the company notes that it will continue to operate as normal during the bankruptcy process, it plans to emerge as a privately-held operation.

Perfumania’s subsidiaries Parlux and Five Star Fragrance are not included in the bankruptcy filings.

“This process will allow us to more quickly adapt to the shift in consumer shopping habits by focusing more of our resources on implementing our e-commerce strategy, making Perfumania a stronger and more competitive company,” Michael Katz, Perfumania president and CEO, said in a statement.

Closing Stores

As for the closing locations, Perfumania notes that it had already been reducing its retail store lineup. CNN reports that the company plans to close 64 of its 230 locations.

The company didn’t disclose which stores were affected by the closures, but noted that they were under-performing and located in areas with declining mall traffic.

Online Sales

In light of Perfumania’s store closings, the company says it will turn its focus on its e-commerce sales.

While the company did not provide details on how it will improve e-commerce, it did note that will emphasize and invest in its online business to “improve customers’ online shopping experience.”

Perfuming says it will look for ways to “leverage digital technologies” and put a greater focus on omni-channel initiatives to enhance and create a “more seamless shopping experience.”


by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist

Whole Foods Stores Start Week With Lower Prices, Echo Speakers Next To Vegetables

It’s the beginning of a new week for most of us, but the beginning of a new era for Whole Foods and Amazon. The grocery store’s acquisition by the Everything Store closes this week, and the companies have already kicked off their in-store relationship with Echo speakers in the produce section and lower prices on selected items around the store.

Farm Fresh Changes

If customers missed the news that Whole Foods would become part of Amazon today, they certainly knew once they saw a prominent display in the produce department.

Amazon and Whole Foods announced last week that they would celebrate their merger by discounting popular items in Whole Foods stores.

While the companies’ future plans together involve making Amazon Prime membership the loyalty and rewards program for Whole Foods shoppers, the discounts on grocery staples that start today are available to anyone who walks in the door.

Price Check

Business Insider stopped by a Whole Foods store in Brooklyn last week, assembling a virtual basket of the items that Whole Foods and Amazon mentioned in their announcement of the price cuts. They returned today and added up the same virtual basket. The groceries that cost $97.76 on Friday cost $75.85 today, a difference of 23%.

That’s a price cut on staples that the grocery chain advertised, though, and not on an entire basket of groceries that a real family might buy. What the price cuts might do is encourage people to add more fresh avocados and bananas to their diets.

“It reminded me why I shop at Amazon,” one regular Whole Foods shopper in Manhattan told a Bloomberg Technology reporter. “Ninety-nine percent of the time they have the best prices and their return policy is great. With the prices lower, I think we’re more likely to shop here every day.”

In Seattle, Geekwire found that the most dramatic price cut was on Hass avocados, with the price down 50% from the weekend.

Social media users reacted favorably to the price cuts, whether they actually visited Whole Foods today or not. Some customers look forward to shopping there regularly for the first time.

With dozens of items to re-price overnight and hundreds of stores, some fuzzy math is inevitable.


by Laura Northrup via Consumerist

Man Racked Up Thousands Of Dollars In Charges At Hotels Without Ever Checking In

Like Jimmy McGill lounging in a resort pool while charging drinks to another guest’s room, an apparent con artist in South Carolina recently told police he’s been freeloading his way around the luxury hotels of the Southeast, charging thousands of dollars in purchases to rooms where he was never the guest.

According to the Island Packet, the man’s fun run ended last week in Hilton Head, SC, where the man had allegedly stayed for three days at the Sonesta Resort, helping himself to nearly $2,200 in food and spa services.

The man had apparently sneaked into the room after the previous guests left, but continued using the room and claiming he had been with those guests. Since he was using the room phone, staff didn’t initially suspect anything.

After a few days, the ruse was up and police were notified. According to the Packet, when officers arrived the man admitted that he’d pulled this scam at other hotels in the area, coat-tailing on deluxe rooms after the previous guests had left. The man didn’t say which particular places he’d conned, but police reportedly found room cards for multiple hotels among the suspect’s belongings.

Police say the man also told them he’d taken some hallucinogenic mushrooms. He handed over a bag believed to contain said ‘shrooms, while reportedly admitting to haven recently taken a raft of other drugs — including bath salts and meth — at a party in Atlanta.


by Chris Morran via Consumerist

FitBit Ionic hands-on at IFA 2017


Subscribe to Engadget on YouTube: http://engt.co/subscribe Get More Engadget: • Like us on Facebook: http://ift.tt/1k1iCZT • Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/engadget • Follow us on Instagram: http://ift.tt/1k1iCZV • Add us on Snapchat: http://ift.tt/1UqS18a • Read more: http://www.engadget.com Engadget is the definitive guide to this connected life.
by Engadget via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Netflix Takes Over California Pot Dispensary, Offers Show-Themed Marijuana

“Netflix and chill” took on an entirely different meaning this weekend: The streaming service hosted a pop-up at a medical marijuana dispensary in California, offering pot strains inspired by several of its original television shows. 

The L.A. Times reports that customers at Alternative Health Herbal Services were able to score marijuana strains named after 10 Netflix shows this weekend as the streaming service promoted its new pot-centered show, Disjointed.

The strains of marijuana featured names like Banana Stand Kush in honor of Arrested Development; Camp Firewood inspired by Wet Hot American Summer; Poussey Riot based on Orange Is The New Black; and Peyotea from Grace and Frankie.

The marijuana was only available to consumers with qualifying medical conditions and in possession of a medical marijuana card.

Netflix notes that it was not profiting from the sale of the promotional marijuana, the L.A. Times reports.

While not everyone could buy Netflix’s strains of marijuana, the company offered others promotional swag including long-sleeve shirts, hats, and pins adorned with Disjointed references.


by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist

Turtle Rover - World's First Earth Rover


Video provided by Turtle Rover It is an RC-robot that allows you to mount any equipment on and to record in places such as caves, water reservoirs, and ruins. It also gives you the freedom to add extensions for specific usages. This capability is made possible thanks to the mounting surface on the top of the rover, open electronics based on Raspberry Pi, and open-source code.
by TECHAERIS via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Python: Programming made easy


Follow Computerworld to satisfy your tech business needs! ------------------------------­---- SUBSCRIBE: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=Computerworld FACEBOOK: http://ift.tt/1YryaLM TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Computerworld WEBSITE: http://ift.tt/pqCrME
by Computerworld via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Here’s How Wireless Companies Are Offering Help To Customers In Hurricane-Ravaged Areas

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, wireless networks are experiencing outages, leaving some customers without reliable cellphone service. The four major providers are now stepping up to offer help by way of waiving service fees or offering extra data.

According to a report by the Federal Communication Commission [PDF], 320 of the 7,804 cell sites in the area are out of service, and at least 148,565 people living in hurricane-ravaged areas were without cable or wireline service on Sunday.

Here’s how each of the major carriers are offering help for wireless customers in affected areas:

Verizon

For postpaid customers in qualifying counties, Verizon is giving folks free text, data, and talk until Sept. 8.

Customers may still receive data overage charges, but Verizon says it will remove them on the next bill cycle.

“Just ignore any overage alerts you may receive during this time,” the company advises.

Prepaid customers in affected zip codes can get up to 3GB of bonus data until Sept. 8.

“Our customers rely on our network every day to stay connected to their loved ones and that need rises when a disaster strikes,” said Krista Bourne, president, South Central Market for Verizon Wireless. “This offer is our way of showing each customer that “we’ve got your back” and we’re here to support the South Texas community.”

AT&T

AT&T wireless customers in impacted areas will receive credits for any additional data, voice and text charges, and AT&T prepaid customers for additional voice and text charges “at least” through Sept. 1.

“Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by Hurricane Harvey and our customers who have friends and family there,” the company said in a statement.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile is making it free for all customers, including prepaid customers, to call or text from impacted areas of Texas and Louisiana until Sept. 1.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the path of this powerful storm,” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile.

Sprint

Through Sept. 1, Sprint will waive casual call and text fees for Sprint, Boost, and Virgin Mobile customers in the impacted areas of Texas and Louisiana. The carrier is encouraging customers to use text messaging when possible due to high call volumes and possible network congestion in the local area.

“Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this incredible storm and we are doing all we can to help them stay connected during this time,” said Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure.


by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist

Owner Of Houston Furniture Stores Turns Them Into Shelters For Residents Stranded By Hurricane

itopia Uses Logitech ConferenceCams to Collaborate, Sell and Recruit


itopia is a Google cloud platform that enables IT service providers to migrate and manage infrastructure within the Google Cloud. Thanks to Logitech GROUP and Logitech MeetUp’s crystal clear audio and razor-sharp video, itopia can meet with employees, prospects and customers and recruit team members across the globe, on-demand with ease and affordability. Learn more about Logitech collaboration tools: http://ift.tt/2cmuWaD Visit itopia: https://itopia.com/ www.logitech.com
by Logitech via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

iPhone vs. Android: 12 key ways they differ


Follow Computerworld to satisfy your tech business needs! ------------------------------­---- SUBSCRIBE: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=Computerworld FACEBOOK: http://ift.tt/1YryaLM TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Computerworld WEBSITE: http://ift.tt/pqCrME
by Computerworld via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Two simple ways to scan documents with Android


Follow Computerworld to satisfy your tech business needs! ------------------------------­---- SUBSCRIBE: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=Computerworld FACEBOOK: http://ift.tt/1YryaLM TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Computerworld WEBSITE: http://ift.tt/pqCrME
by Computerworld via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

7 tips for the paranoid Android traveler


Follow Computerworld to satisfy your tech business needs! ------------------------------­---- SUBSCRIBE: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=Computerworld FACEBOOK: http://ift.tt/1YryaLM TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Computerworld WEBSITE: http://ift.tt/pqCrME
by Computerworld via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Athelas Home Blood Test


Athelas Home Blood Test
by TechCrunch via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Have You Used TDBank’s Penny Arcade Machines? The Bank Might Owe You Money

Until recently, TDBank branches had the best-named change-counting machines in the industry, the Penny Arcade. Now the bank is closer to settling a class action that customers filed over their allegedly miscounted change.

If you used the bank’s machines to deposit coins to your bank account or to get cash between April 11, 2010 and July 12, 2017, you’re eligible for a cash payment of $.26 per $100 in coins redeemed in the machines. That’s the proposed settlement in a class action that accuses the bank of shortchanging users of the change machine.

Non-customers are eligible to take part in the class action, but they have to file a claim with the settlement administrator, since the bank won’t know where to track them down or where to deposit the money. However, people who weren’t customers at the time they dumped their change jars are limited to claims of $500, or $1.30.

If you have questions about the settlement, you can call the administrator, GCG, at 855-312-1974 or questions@pennyarcadesettlement.com.

The fee-free Penny Arcade machines went away after a 2016 NBC News report showed that machines were counting customers’ change incorrectly, sometimes drastically so. Staffers at morning showToday dumped what they knew was exactly $300 in change in machines at different branches, and found that the machines under-counted the $300 jars by $.05 to $43.10.

The bank suspended the coin-counting program, then pulled the machines after performing its own accuracy tests.

“[R]ecent accounts regarding the performance of our Penny machines have led us to reassess this offering,” the company’s head of consumer banking explained last year. “We have determined that it is difficult to ensure a consistently great experience for our customers.”


by Laura Northrup via Consumerist

Support: Setting up Data Fields


Learn how to set up different data fields on your fēnix 5 device. For more help, visit http://ift.tt/2b4gG6V
by Garmin via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Hurricane Harvey To Affect Gas Prices Nationwide

As residents of Texas continue to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, the effects of the storm are starting to reverberate across the country in the form of higher prices at the gas pump. 

Now reduced to tropical storm status, Harvey continues to cause issues for the gas and energy sector, as refineries in Texas begin to reopen for business.

Closures Amid The Storm

According to the Interior Department’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, as of Sunday nearly 22% of oil production in the Gulf of Mexico was shut down. That equates to a reduction of about 378,000 barrels of oil each day, about 5% of the national output.

This, coupled with the closure of at least 10 refineries in Houston and Corpus Christi, means that gasoline prices will rise, just in time for the busy Labor Day travel weekend. Plants operated by some of the largest fuel producers, including Shell, Phillips 66, and ExxonMobil were closed Sunday, according to S&P Platts, which noted that these specific plants combine to produce more than a million barrels each day.

S&P Platts estimated on Sunday that 2.2 million barrels of refining capacity was shut down during and following the storm.

“You’re knocking out a significant portion of production with one event,” Kathy Hall, executive editor of PetroChem Wire, told the Washington Post. 

Supply And Demand

When the refineries are out of operation, those barrels aren’t produced, and less gasoline makes it on the market and to your local filling stations.

As a result, gasoline futures — the wholesale prices charged to gas stations — were up 5% on average Monday, a small decrease from a peak of 7% over the weekend when the storm hit Texas.

While 5% might not seem like a huge increase, it represents the highest futures in more than two years.

“The pop in gasoline prices is an immediate response to the closure of refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast,” Matt Smith, director of commodity research at ClipperData, tells CNN.

What’s This Mean For Your Wallet?

The gas crunch after Hurricane Harvey has resulted in higher prices at most fuel pumps across the country. However, the added expense varies by location.

Overall, GasBuddy reports that regular unleaded gas prices are up about $0.02 from yesterday’s average, but $0.05 from last week’s average.

Compared to this time last year, however, the price is up $0.16.

GasBuddy executives warned of the impending price increases shortly before the hurricane hit Texas, noting that the storm could lead to long-term issues in terms of gasoline supply for large portions of the country.

The company estimates that gas price increases could linger for one or two weeks after the storm.

The timeline seems to fit with previous hurricanes, as analysts tell CNN that gas prices peaked within two weeks of previous hurricanes like Katrina, Rita, Ike, and Isaac, when prices jumped as much as $0.80.

Those costs tend to decline just as quickly as they increase, analysts note.


by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist

Southwest Airlines Flies 500 Passengers Stranded By Hurricane Out Of Closed Houston Airport

With the arrival of Hurricane Harvey in Texas this weekend, hundreds of Southwest Airlines customers were stranded on Sunday after Houston Hobby Airport closed — so the airline decided to just fly those folks out of there.

There were about 500 Southwest passengers stuck inside the airport after the Federal Aviation Administration shut it down on Sunday morning, CNN reports. It’s unclear how many people were stranded there total, but all roads going in and out of the airport were also closed.

To get those customers out of there, Southwest took five of its stranded Boeing 737s, loaded them up with passengers, and flew them to Love Field in Dallas on Sunday evening, according to sources cited by CNN.

There were no working lights at the airport, so Southwest’s pilots had to move fast to fly out before the sun set.

It’s not like Southwest broke all the rules, however, as insiders say the carrier first received clearance from the FAA to fly out of the closed airport.

We’ve reached out to Southwest for more information and will update this post if we hear back.


by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist

Fitbit's new smartwatch, Ionic, up close: Is it an Apple Watch killer?


Swimming, payments, music, GPS, apps and a whole new design. The $300 Ionic is definitely ambitious. Subscribe to CNET: http://cnet.co/2heRhep Check out our playlists: http://cnet.co/2g8kcf4 Like us on Facebook: http://ift.tt/1930vfU Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/cnet Follow us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/2icCYYm Add us on Snapchat: http://cnet.co/2h4uoK3
by CNET via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Dell Technologies - Magic


See how Dell Technologies is helping to transform the impossible into reality for industries like agriculture, aviation, and healthcare. Learn more at DellTechnologies.com
by Dell via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Dell's XPS 13 premium ultraportable gets more power


It's still the world's smallest 13.3-inch laptop, but Intel's latest processors deliver far better performance. Subscribe to CNET: http://cnet.co/2heRhep Check out our playlists: http://cnet.co/2g8kcf4 Like us on Facebook: http://ift.tt/1930vfU Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/cnet Follow us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/2icCYYm Add us on Snapchat: http://cnet.co/2h4uoK3
by CNET via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Uber's next CEO, Apple fundraises for Hurricane Harvey


In today's top tech stories, Uber reportedly lands a new CEO, Apple fundraises for hurricane relief through iTunes and Australia launches shark-detecting drones. Subscribe to CNET: http://cnet.co/2heRhep Check out our playlists: http://cnet.co/2g8kcf4 Like us on Facebook: http://ift.tt/1930vfU Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/cnet Follow us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/2icCYYm Add us on Snapchat: http://cnet.co/2h4uoK3
by CNET via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Dell injects its Inspirons with new life courtesy of Intel


Whether you want a 2-in-1 or a standard clamshell, you can get them from Dell with the latest 8th-gen Core processors. Subscribe to CNET: http://cnet.co/2heRhep Check out our playlists: http://cnet.co/2g8kcf4 Like us on Facebook: http://ift.tt/1930vfU Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/cnet Follow us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/2icCYYm Add us on Snapchat: http://cnet.co/2h4uoK3
by CNET via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Fitbit hopes its new fitness headphone will fly high


The company's first headphone, the Fitbit Flyer, swoops in on the crowded in-ear sports headphone arena, aiming to make a mark. Subscribe to CNET: http://cnet.co/2heRhep Check out our playlists: http://cnet.co/2g8kcf4 Like us on Facebook: http://ift.tt/1930vfU Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/cnet Follow us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/2icCYYm Add us on Snapchat: http://cnet.co/2h4uoK3
by CNET via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Dell Visor is the computer maker's comfy Microsoft-compatible VR headset


Available in October, Dell says the headset is designed for comfort and convenience. Subscribe to CNET: http://cnet.co/2heRhep Check out our playlists: http://cnet.co/2g8kcf4 Like us on Facebook: http://ift.tt/1930vfU Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/cnet Follow us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/2icCYYm Add us on Snapchat: http://cnet.co/2h4uoK3
by CNET via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

Dr. Martens Recalled Over Chemical Exposure Hazard

When you think of products that can lead to chemical exposure, your first thought probably doesn’t involve the shoes on your feet. Yet, that’s apparently an issue for about 30,000 pairs of Dr. Martens’ vegan boots now being recalled. 

According to a notice posted with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, prolonged and direct contact with the textile used in the lining of the shoes’ tongue can expose the wearer to the chemical benzidine.

Benzidine is a chemical used to produce dyes for cloth, paper, and leather. However, it is no longer used commonly or produced in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that prolonged exposure to the chemical could possibly cause a skin allergy.

The recall involves Dr. Martens unisex Vegan 1460 eight eye boots sold in cherry red with black shoelaces in all sizes.

The boots — which were sold for $125 at Dr. Martens retail stores, Journeys, independent shoe stores, and online at Amazon, Shoebuy.com, and other retailers — have a chunky sole and a golden heel pull tab with “AirWair” printed on it.

“Made in Vietnam” and product code 14585 are printed on the tongue label with the batch code starting with “GV” and ending in Q, R or S.

What Should You Do?

Individuals who own the shoes are urged to stop wearing them immediately and contact Dr. Martens for a full refund or free replacement product.

Consumers can contact Dr. Martens at 800-460-3930 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, email at dmservice@drmartens.com, or online at http://ift.tt/JtKkco and click on “Product Recall” for more information.


by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist

Uber Picks Expedia Boss Dara Khosrowshahi To Be Next CEO

Two months after Uber’s board of directors made CEO Travis Kalanick’s leave of absence permanent, the ride-hailing company has chosen Expedia’s head honcho Dara Khosrowshahi as its next top boss.

Although a spokeswoman for Uber directors confirmed to Bloomberg that they’ve picked a new CEO, she didn’t name the person, in favor of telling employees the news first. However, sources familiar with the matter have tipped off several outlets, including Bloomberg, naming Khosrowshahi as Uber’s choice.

Also named as contenders for the top spot were GE Chairman Jeffrey Immelt and Hewlett Packard CEO Meg Whitman. Uber’s board got together over the weekend for a final round of interviews, sources told Bloomberg. Immelt withdrew himself from the race over the weekend when it became clear that he did not have enough support, people familiar with the process told The New York Times.

Although he hadn’t been named publicly as a finalist during the company’s search, Uber’s directors ultimately picked Khosrowshahi, and the board voted him in unanimously on Sunday. Insiders say he’s accepted the job.

Khosrowshahi has been Expedia’s CEO since 2005, experience he’ll need to use to help Uber as it continues trying to push ahead in the midst of a parade of bad headlines that have tarnished the company’s brand this year: There was the former CEO’s memo to employees outlining his rules for partying and sex; reports that Uber is still paying women employees less than men; that Kalanick was using the Uber HQ lactation room for his personal meditation space; and that a since-fired company executive had obtained and shared the medical files of a rape victim in an effort to disprove her allegations.

Neither Uber nor Expedia has publicly commented on reports of Khosrowshahi’s job offer. We’ve reached out to both companies and will update this post if we hear back.


by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist

How To Avoid Scams & Fake Charities In Aftermath Of Hurricane Harvey

With millions of people affected by the ravages of Hurricane Harvey, there will inevitably be a second flood hitting Texas in the weeks to come: Scammers and con artists looking to prey on people who have been displaced, whose homes need extensive repairs, and on the rest of us who want to help by donating to a cause that will help them.

There are many ways that fraudsters try to victimize storm survivors a second time, but the three most common ways to take advantage of this situation involve posting sham rental listings for people flooded out of their homes, repair scams that take your money but do little or no repair work, and bogus charities that promise to help Hurricane-ravaged areas but just want to siphon off your cash.

Fake Rental Listings

With so many homes damaged by the storm, families all over the region will be looking for a place to live. This also means that evil jerks will try to take advantage of them by using bogus apartment and house rental listings.

Scammers post fake rental listings in the hope of swindling victims out of “deposit” money or a supposed fee for a credit check that never occurs.

If someone claiming to be a landlord or property manager requires that you send this money via wire transfer before ever seeing the property, it’s a huge red flag that something is wrong.

Never rent a home or apartment from someone you don’t see in person, and when looking for an apartment never wire money or give out your bank account or credit card information over the phone or internet.

How To Avoid Home Repair Scams

If your home has been damaged by the storm, you may be approached by supposed contractors offering to fix things up for you. But anyone can claim to be a contractor; that doesn’t mean they are one, or that they will actually do any of the work you pay for.

• Avoid complete strangers: Rather than deal with contractors who show up on your doorstep, check around to find one whose previous work can be vouched for — by friends, family, neighbors. If the contractor or repair specialist offers up references, be sure to check them out. You can probably contact local trade organizations to find bona fide contractors in your area.

• License to fix: Many home repair specialists are licensed by their respective states. For example, in Texas, the state’s Department of Licensing and Regulation has an online portal to verify professional licenses for certain repair-related specialists, like electricians and mold remediation services. Note that licensing requirements and disclosures vary by each state.

• Fake FEMA Endorsement: If a contractor claims to be endorsed of certified by FEMA, they are not telling the truth. FEMA does not certify or approve contractors.

• Get it in writing: If a job runs long, over budget, or is not completed to your satisfaction, a verbal agreement won’t help you very much. Get it all in writing before any work begins. Additionally, get multiple bids from different contractors so that you can compare their estimates. Don’t assume that the lowest bid is your best bet.

• Where’s Your Insurance? The contractor should be able to provide you with proof of insurance so you know that you’re not liable if they fall off a ladder, or on the hook if their dumpster does damage to your property.

• No full payment up front: No honest contractor will demand full payment up front, and a scam artist will flee a job as soon as they’ve gotten all the money. Make sure you’ve agreed to a payment schedule that requires the work is completed before the contractor receives the full balance. Using a credit card instead of cash (or debit card) offers additional protections against scams.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has a dedicated page on his website with more information on disaster-related scams.

How To Tell If A Charity Is A Scam

There are certain red-flag behaviors that should alert you to the likelihood you’re being duped by a bogus charity.

The anti-scam folks at the Federal Trade Commission have this checklist for dealing with a possible charity to make sure you’re not getting hosed:

Don’t be shy about asking who wants your money: If you’re solicited for a donation, ask if the caller is a paid fundraiser, who they work for, and the percentage of your donation that will go to the charity and to the fundraiser. If you don’t get a clear answer — or if you don’t like the answer you get — consider donating to a different organization.

Call the charity: Find out if the organization is aware of the solicitation and has authorized the use of its name. If not, you may be dealing with a scam artist.

Ask for written information: This includes its full name, address, and telephone number.

Contact the office that regulates charitable organizations and charitable solicitations in your state: The National Association of State Charity Officials has contact information for regulators in each state available on its website.
Your state office also can verify how much of your donation goes to the charity, and how much goes to fundraising and man­agement expenses.

You also can check out charities with the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance and GuideStar.

Trust your gut and check your records:
Callers may try to trick you by thanking you for a pledge you didn’t make. If you don’t remember making the donation or don’t have a record of your pledge, resist the pressure to give.

Be wary of charities that spring up overnight:
This is especially true after natural disasters. They may make a compelling case for your money, but as a practical matter, they probably don’t have the infrastructure to get your donation to the affected area or people.

Watch out for similar sounding names:
Some phony charities use names that closely resemble those of respected, legitimate organizations. If you notice a small difference from the name of the charity you intend to deal with, call the organization you know to check it out.

Be wary of charities eager to collect cash:
If they say they are sending a courier or offering overnight delivery service to collect your donation immediately, you have to wonder whether the charity is legitimate.

Know the difference between “tax exempt” and “tax deductible”:
Tax exempt means the organization doesn’t have to pay taxes. Tax deductible means you can deduct your contribution on your federal income tax return.

Do not send or give cash donations:
Cash can be lost or stolen. For security and tax record purposes, it’s best to pay by credit card. If you’re thinking about giving online, look for indicators that the site is secure, like a lock icon on the browser’s status bar or a URL that begins “https:” (the “s” stands for “secure”)


by Chris Morran via Consumerist

Fitbit's Ionic Smartwatch


While the Ionic is designed to be a capable, everyday product, what sets it apart is its focus on fitness. Read more here: http://ift.tt/2xFSyPX TechCrunch is a leading technology media property, dedicated to obsessively profiling startups, reviewing new Internet products, and breaking tech news. Subscribe to TechCrunch today: http://bit.ly/18J0X2e
by TechCrunch via Endless Supplies .De - Brands

The Art of Performance, With Boundless Vision - Zen AiO ZN242 | ASUS


ASUS Zen AiO ZN242 is a premium 23.8-inch all-in- one PC that’s unlike any other. From its frameless NanoEdge display to its impossibly slender solid-metal stand, Zen AiO ZN242 is a masterpiece of design that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible to give you the ultimate all-in- one computing experience. Built around the latest 7th Generation Intel® Core™ processors and using only the fastest, most powerful components, Zen AiO ZN242 is a vision of the future that you can enjoy today. Learn more about the Zen AiO ZN242: http://ift.tt/2xFDYrG
by ASUS via Endless Supplies .De - Brands