SAN FRANCISCO – Arena – a communication software platform to enable real-time conversations and encourage customer engagement – announced a $13.6 million Series A round led by CRV with Craft Ventures, Artisanal Ventures and Vela Partners also participating. Angel investors participating in this round include Datadog founder Olivier Pomel and CPO Amit Agarwal, Intercom founder […]
Armed Robber Steals Laptop, Cash From Home
Palo Alto Police are investigating a case from last Thursday morning where two suspects, one of whom was armed with a gun, stole cash and a laptop from a victim’s residence. The victim was not physically injured. The suspects are unknown and at large. On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at around 1:30 a.m., the Palo […]
Chrome Browser Now 43% Faster Than a Year Ago
Google has released the 100th update for its popular Chrome browser and says it has gotten 43% faster over the past year and a half. The company has made improvements using AI with Chrome. Recently added is Live Captions to video/audio content for users who are Deaf or hard of hearing, and DevTools accessibility tree helps […]
Square Launches New Version of Square Stand
NEW YORK — Square has introduced the next generation of Square Stand, the company’s countertop device that turns an iPad into a powerful, robust point of sale system that sellers can use to run their entire business. Launching in all of Square’s eight global markets, Square Stand features integrated contactless and dip payments technology, a […]
Surf Bio Lands $16 Million Seed Round
PALO ALTO — Surf Bio, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company commercializing a novel drug stabilization platform, has landed a $16 million Series Seed round of funding. The financing was co-led by Breakout Ventures and the Perceptive Xontogeny Venture Fund (“PXV Fund”). The company plans to use the funds to advance its polymer-based drug delivery platform and […]
Three Women Pepper Spray Macy’s Security Guard
Palo Alto Police have arrested three female suspects for robbery and weapons charges after they struck and pepper sprayed a loss prevention officer during a theft at the Stanford Shopping Center last Tuesday night. On Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at around 7:30 p.m., Palo Alto Police received a report of a robbery involving pepper spray […]
Instagram Rolls Out New Messaging Features
Instagram is introducing seven new messaging features to its service. The company is making more investments in messaging to help you connect with your closest friends in more fun and seamless ways. Browse and Chat at the Right Time Instagram has made several improvements that help people chat, share, and respond: Reply while you browse: Receive […]
Google Adds Toll Info to Maps
Google has announced new updates to its popular Maps service. To help make the choice between toll roads and regular roads easier, the company is rolling out toll prices on Google Maps for the first time. Soon, you’ll see the estimated toll price to your destination before you start navigating thanks to trusted information from […]
Post Office Raising Stamp Prices to 60 Cents
The United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of price changes to take effect July 10, 2022. The new prices include a two-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 58 cents to 60 cents. The soaring price of gas is likely hitting the Postal Service hard with its national […]
Instacart to Help Drivers That Get Tip Baited
Instacart, the nation’s leading grocery delivery service, announced a new plan to protect its delivery drivers from tip baiting. This is when an order features a tip (sometimes substantial) and then after delivery the customer reduces the tip to zero. This often infuriates drivers who have spent time shopping and delivering groceries for a customer […]
Doordash Now Delivers for BJ’s Wholesale Club
Doordash has formed a partnership with BJ’s Wholesale Club, a leading membership warehouse club in the Eastern United States based in Massachusetts. Doordash will now offer on-demand grocery delivery from 226 BJ’s locations across 17 states. BJ’s is the first wholesale club available on the DoorDash marketplace, providing consumers with access to home essentials and […]
Conversica Completes $25 Million Financing From Morgan Stanley
FOSTER CITY — Conversica, Inc., a provider of Conversational AI solutions for enterprise revenue teams, has completed a $25 million financing with investment funds managed by Morgan Stanley Expansion Capital. Conversica will use the capital to support strategic business initiatives as it prepares for growth. “Today, AI is more than a technology. It’s an essential […]