VCs from Accel and SoftBank talk Europe’s startup scene, what they expect in 2020, and the future of SoftBank

If you haven’t noticed, Europe’s startup scene is in full bloom, with more than $30 billion deployed in startups across the continent over the last 12 months and more than…

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Bill Gates played Secret Santa to a Michigander, sending 81 pounds of goodies tailored just for her

Since roughly 2012, billionaire Bill Gates has been participating in Reddit’s annual Secret Santa gift exchange, which matches Reddit users with internet strangers who give them presents. He seems to…

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How The Dodo Became the Warmest, Fuzziest Corner of the Web

Frog is a rooster. Every weekday, he speeds down his family’s dusty driveway, rocking back and forth as he goes, like a feathery wind-up toy. Seconds later, a yellow school bus whines to a halt in front of him, just as Frog knew it would. For the last two years, Frog has never missed his…

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How to Return Gifts to Amazon, Apple, Walmart, and More

Everyone returns a gift now and then. Maybe the item doesn’t fit. Maybe it doesn’t suit your taste. Or maybe you just read a book extolling the virtues of minimalism and want to give that lifestyle a swing.Whatever your reason, you’re not alone. In 2018, the National Retail Foundation estimated that around $369 billion worth…

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The World’s Largest Santa Convention Is Pretty Dang Jolly

Playing Santa Claus is a tough gig. Oh sure, anyone can stuff a pillow under a cheap red velvet jacket, paste on a fake beard and bellow "Ho Ho Ho." Such people are amateurs unworthy of the title Father Christmas. The best Santas take the role seriously. They bulk up. They exude jolliness. And they…

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Streaming won’t get easier or cheaper

And it won't slow down in 2020, either -- HBO Max and Peacock are right around the corner. Between those and existing streaming options, like CBS All Access, Sundance Now, Shudder, BET+, Crunchyroll and Funimation (did we miss any?), it's getting expensive to keep up with TV and, naturally, piracy is roaring back into the…

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2020 is VR’s make-or-break year

When the Oculus Quest originally launched, I knocked it for feeling a bit limited for a $400 device. But it's now shaping up to be the most versatile headset around. And you can bet that price will fall over time. Still, it'd be nice to see Oculus take another stab at a dedicated high-end VR…

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Uber founder Travis Kalanick is leaving the company’s board

Kalanick was the CEO of Uber from 2010 to 2017. During that time, he was no stranger to controversy, with Uber frequently popping up in the news for its toxic work culture and efforts to mislead regulators. Kalanick was eventually ousted from the position after a group of investors penned a letter, demanding a change…

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