Apple Confirms September 10 Event as Uber and Lyft Fight California Labor Law
Apple sends out official invites for its September 10 event where it reveals three new iPhone models. Meanwhile, ride-sharing giants Uber and Lyft pledge a combined $60 million to keep their drivers classified as independent contractors.
Apple officially confirms its next major press event for September 10, setting the stage to unveil the iPhone 11 alongside two Pro models. This launch represents a strategic shift in Apple's lineup by introducing a lower-priced flagship that replaces the budget XR, aiming to attract consumers who are deterred by the climbing costs of premium smartphones.
In other major news, Uber and Lyft each contribute $30 million to fund a 2020 ballot initiative designed to bypass California's Assembly Bill 5. This aggressive move allows the ride-sharing companies to keep their drivers as independent contractors rather than converting them to W-2 employees.
The tech world also sees Google standing by Chief Legal Officer David Drummond amid recent controversy, while a new "Filmmaker Mode" promises to disable annoying motion smoothing on modern TVs. Additionally, Nike prepares to bring its self-lacing motor technology to the Huarache line, and African tech talent accelerator Andela continues to connect global companies with trained software developers.