Kano's Computer Kits Let Kids Build Their Own Devices
Alex Klein, co-founder and CEO of Kano, discusses the company's latest funding round of $28 million. The company has released its technology to 4,500 retailers nationwide, including Best Buy and Target.
Klein talks about the inspiration behind the creation of the company, which started with a 2013 Kickstarter campaign that raised over a million dollars. The Kano computer kit was created to open access to computers to people who would not normally have them. It helps people who might not be able to buy devices build computers by themselves! Klein notes that even though the kits cater to kids, they are great for anyone who wants to know how a computer works.
Klein notes that part of his inspiration for Kano was the way in which Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak first introduced the Macintosh. See Cheddar Hosts Tim Stenovec and Kori Hale play with one of the kits on air.
Sony is leveling up its subscription service, PlayStation Plus this week, a combination of its earlier options into a tiered plan offering options to play streaming and mostly older titles instead of day-and-date new games like those offered by rival Microsoft on its Gamepass service. Colette Bennett, a senior reporter at TheStreet and the host of the podcast "Colette & Matt Have Entered the Chat," joined Cheddar News to talk about the backlash from gamers. I would say maybe like it's like a six. I'm happy to see older, stony games and have access to them, but I really would have preferred to be able to stream brand-new games. "Gamers are pretty upset that Sony is kind of repackaging the stuff that's been around more or less for years and trying to make it look new," she said. "You know, the Netflix subscription-like model is so appealing."
The most popular and most valuable cryptocurrency is also the least eco-friendly - data shows that Bitcoin mining generates the same amount of carbon emissions as the entire country of Thailand. According to nonprofit Fair Planet, 96 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions come from Bitcoin mining every year. Now, a consortium of climate activist groups is calling on the Bitcoin industry to cut its energy use by making changes to its software code. Michael Brune, former executive director of the Sierra Club, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
A cannabis software startup is offering a first-of-its-kind perk for its employees - reimbursements for legal cannabis purchases. Jointly Better bills itself as an experience-based cannabis wellness tracker and product platform. In an attempt to attract top talent, the company will reimburse up to $150 a month for its workers' lawful cannabis purchases. David Kooi, co-founder and CEO of Jointly, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Catching you up on what you need to know on Mar 31, 2022, with updates on Biden's push for more COVID funding, a wave of storms hammering the South, Etsy sellers going on strike, and more.
