Cars have the ability to connect with apps such as Spotify or Apple Music, but what’s next for in-auto entertainment?
Volvo says it’s all about the apps.
“The best apps...making those super easy to use,” Atif Rafiq, the company’s Chief Digital Officer, told Cheddar. “That’s what we’re focused on.”
But it doesn’t stop there.
Volvo plans to make all of its fleets “at least” hybrid by 2019, an effort to build on its electric and self-driving car initiatives. The company recently announced that it will provide Uber with 24,000 XC90s, for its self-driving fleets.
Rafiq says that the Uber partnership is reflective of where the car industry is moving: autonomous driving as a service.
“We’re focused on both the consumer and these B2B markets when it comes to autonomous driving,” he said.
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/how-volvo-is-driving-innovation-in-2018).
The CEO at Activision Blizzard Bobby Kotick apologized to employees after the company had been rocked by the public airing of sexual harassment claims that went unchecked. Kotick also asked that his compensation of more than $150 million be slashed to just over $62,000.
Cheddar's Ken Buffa took the Pixel 6 Pro for a test drive, highlighting some of the new features. The latest Google smartphone comes with an upgraded camera visor that holds three cameras in place as well as Gorilla Glass Victus covering the front and back protecting against drops and scratches. The device also contains Google's first homemade processor chip called Tensor and retails for about $899.
Overstock CEO Jonathan Johnson joined Cheddar's "Opening Bell" to talk about the company's Q3 earnings beat. While supply chain issues have plagued businesses across industries, Johnson noted that the company largely avoided constraints by not pressuring suppliers to fill Overstock's own distribution centers, encouraging them to use their own. "We have a higher in-stock percentage today than we did a year ago. Not quite as high as we did pre-pandemic but better than it was last year at this time," he said.
Google notified a number of small and medium-sized customers that potential antitrust bills could have negative impacts on their own businesses. The warning appears to be an effort to drum up enough opposition to give pause to lawmakers before enacting any such legislation.
Anthony Bartolacci, VP of financials of data Sensor Tower, joined Cheddar to talk about Robinhood's massive earnings miss. He attributed part of it to the platform's exposure to cryptocurrency and its lackluster performance in Q3 following volatility. Bartolacci also noted some headwinds from a drop in engagement on the platform due to people returning to work and having less time to day trade contributing to the miss.
