Happy Friday, folks! Today we're telling you about the arrival of Peloton's video game, and sharing the best Presidents' Day sales available now.
BTW — We'll be off Monday in observance of Presidents' Day. We'll be back in your inboxes on Tuesday.
Now, let's get started.
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1. It's here: Peloton's long-awaited video game has finally arrived. Lanebreak, the company's in-app video game that aims to make exercise entertaining, is now available for Peloton Bike and Bike Plus owners. Here's the rundown:
- In the game, riders control a "wheel-like avatar" along a six-lane track (think Mario Kart's Rainbow Road). The further right a rider goes, the higher the resistance becomes, and the harder the workout gets.
- Bikers can choose from four different difficulty levels, from beginner to expert, and from several different playlists, with music from artists like David Bowie and David Guetta. Here's how to find the game on your peloton.
- The game's release comes despite weeks of drama for the connected-fitness company, which saw thousands of layoffs following its CEO's resignation earlier this month. Leaked screenshots seen by Insider showed employees' names disappearing en masse from the company's Slack.
Everything else to know about Lanebreak.
In other news:
2. Spotify reportedly paid $200 million for Joe Rogan's podcast. Spotify's exclusivity deal with the controversial podcast was initially valued at $100 million — but the streamer actually paid Rogan double what was reported, according to the NYT. Get the full rundown here.
3. Leaked document shows Amazon's ambitious physical stores plans are falling short of expectations. Data viewed by Insider revealed far fewer people are using Dash Carts, its cashierless grocery carts, than it predicted. While it hoped the carts would handle roughly 30% of all shopping sessions, the number is between 11% to 15%. What the minimal usage could mean for Amazon.
4. Future Chevrolet Bolts could have airless tires. According to CNN, Michelin has been working with General Motors to develop airless tires that would be sold on the next-generation electric vehicle, expected to go on sale in the coming years. CNN has the details.
5. Microsoft is hiring for over 6,600 US roles — so we outlined the qualifications you need to get hired. The tech giant is ramping up hiring in areas like engineering and data science, with many jobs paying over $100,000 in base salary. To nab one of those high-paying roles, applicants need certain certifications and skills, which we broke down here.
6. Cisco is making more changes to how its salespeople are compensated. Now, employees will earn a higher commission when selling subscription-based products than they would for one-time purchases —and some are worried it'll hurt their bottom line.
7. Experts share what privacy changes Apple could make next. Apple roiled advertisers last year with its ad updates, and insiders think it could have more plans to clamp down on tracking — like creating its own version of Privacy Sandbox. Here's how it could disrupt the ad industry next.
8. People with bionic eye implants are going blind again as the gadget expires. Hundreds of people have a discontinued retinal implant in their eyeballs — and the nearly bankrupt company that made it isn't offering to remove or update the device. More on the discontinued implants.
Odds and ends:
9. Review: The hybrid Lexus UX proves even luxury cars can be quirky and fun. Starting at $36,425, the 2021 Lexus UX 250h hybrid is young, fun, and colorful, with a sporty exterior and a beautifully designed — but slightly cramped — interior. Read the full review here.
10. We listed the 45 best Presidents' Day sales available now. Big names like Best Buy, Mirror, and GoPro are lowering their prices on tech and appliances this weekend. See the biggest sales happening now.
The latest people moves in tech:
- Electric vehicle startup Canoo's talent exodus continues as its manufacturing and investor relations execs leave the company.
- CNN's executive vice president and chief marketing officer Allison Gollust resigned on Tuesday.
- Peloton's supply chain chief, chief business officer, and chief operating officer have left the company.
- Nick Clegg was promoted to president of global affairs at Meta.
- Key dogecoin developer Ross Nicoll is stepping away from the meme-based coin.
Curated by Jordan Parker Erb in New York. (Feedback or tips? Email [email protected] or tweet @jordanparkererb.) Edited by Michael Cogley in London.