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Amazon to Buy Maker of the Roomba for $1.7 Billion

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Hey, Alexa, tell Roomba to vacuum the bedroom.

Amazon announced on Friday that it had reached an agreement to buy iRobot Corp., the maker of the Roomba robotic vacuum, for $1.7 billion, adding to its growing roster of smart home products.

“We know that saving time matters, and chores take precious time that can be better spent doing something that customers love,” Dave Limp, senior vice president of Amazon Devices, said in a statement announcing the acquisition.

Amazon will acquire iRobot, including its debt, for $61 per share in an all-cash transaction, according to the statement. The purchase would be Amazon’s fourth-largest acquisition after the company bought Whole Foods for $13.7 billion in 2017 and the movie studio MGM for $8.5 billion last year. Last month, Amazon announced a foray into medical services with an agreement to spend $3.9 billion to acquire One Medical, a chain of primary care clinics around the United States.

The Roomba and iRobot’s other cleaning devices, including robotic mops and air purifiers, join a portfolio of Amazon-owned smart home devices that includes Ring doorbells and Alexa, Amazon’s virtual assistant and speaker. iRobot also makes an educational robot called Root that allows children to experiment with coding.

The Roomba first hit dirty floors in 2002, to the delight of lazy people and the bemusement of pets, particularly cats. The New York Times described it as “easy, effective and fun,” and a product that quickly became “a member of the household.”

The $200 early version struggled around corners and chair legs, even falling down stairs. But 20 years later, the Roomba j7 can, according to the company, recognize over 80 common objects (including cords and pet waste), returns to its dock once its chores are complete and then empties itself. The most expensive option sells for $999.99.

While iRobot is best known for its roving cleaning equipment, the technology powering these tools is also sucking up troves of spatial data used to map users’ homes. Some digital rights groups have expressed concern that this data could help companies like Amazon find out information about the size of homes and even their contents, right down to the brand.

iRobot reported $255.4 million in revenue in the second quarter of 2022, a 30 percent decrease over the previous year. Amazon reported $121.2 billion in revenue in the second quarter, up 7.2 percent from a year earlier but down slightly from the 7.3 percent revenue growth it reported in the first quarter of this year. It was Amazon’s slowest growth in more than two decades after the company began to come down from its high pandemic demands.

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A journalist since 1994, he also founded DMGlobal Marketing & Public Relations. Glover has an extensive list of clients including corporations, non-profits, government agencies, politics, business owners, PR firms, and attorneys.

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Benefits Of A Side Hustle During Bad Economic Times

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@paratynka via Canva

“Good things happen to those who hustle.”

– Anais Nin

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 13, 2023) – The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the global economy. Many people have lost their jobs and businesses have closed down as well. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of having multiple sources of income and that is where side hustles come into play. A side hustle is a job or business that someone does in addition to their regular job. Let’s explore three benefits of having a side hustle during bad economic times.

One significant benefit of having a side hustle during bad economic times is the additional income it provides. Side hustles offer a great way to earn extra money, which can be used to supplement one’s regular income. With side hustles, individuals can generate additional revenue streams, which can help cover bills and expenses. Moreover, side hustles can help individuals save up for future investments and retirement.

Another benefit of having a side hustle during bad economic times is the development of new skills. Starting a side hustle requires individuals to learn new skills or improve existing ones. These skills may include marketing, customer service, or time management, among other types of skills. The development of new skills can help individuals become more valuable in their regular jobs, making them more marketable and competitive in the job market.

A third benefit of having a side hustle during bad economic times is another layer of a sense of security. Side hustles offer individuals a backup plan in case they lose their regular job. In the event of a job loss, a side hustle can provide some income until a new job is found. Having a side hustle can also help individuals feel more in control of their financial situation, reducing the stress and anxiety that comes with financial uncertainty.

Having a side hustle during bad economic times offers several benefits. It provides additional income, helps develop new skills and offers a sense of security. Side hustles have become increasingly popular in recent years and the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted their importance. It is essential for individuals to explore side hustles that align with their interests and skills to maximize the benefits they offer.

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The Benefits of an Online Education – For Working Professionals

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(MONTGOMERY VILLAGE, MARYLAND – November 18, 2022) – Are you a working professional looking for the convenience and flexibility of an online education? An online education can be a great way to further your knowledge, increase job opportunities and even earn you additional credentials without sacrificing your current commitments. In this article, we will explore various benefits of an online education for working professionals.

FURTHERING YOUR KNOWLEDGE

With the flexibility that comes with an online education, you are able to fit study into your existing schedule and take classes at times that are convenient for you. You also have access to many resources that might not be available in traditional classrooms such as webinars, lectures, and tutorials.

In addition to the convenience of studying from home, developing a fundamental understanding of concepts is often easier since online courses provide an interactive learning environment. You can easily connect with peers and professors to ask questions or get help when needed. Additionally, online courses allow you to practice digital literacy skills such as research, problem-solving, online communication, and critical thinking which are important for success in today’s digital world.

INCREASE JOB OPPORTUNITIES

An online education can open up a variety of job opportunities that may not have been available otherwise. Employers are looking for individuals who possess digital literacy skills and may prefer someone with additional credentials earned through online courses. This is especially true in the tech industry where employers often look for candidates who possess specific skills that can be acquired through practicing in an online program. Furthermore, many employers offer incentives such as tuition reimbursement to employees seeking to further their education or gain additional qualifications.

Additionally, an online education allows you to easily access resources from around the world, increasing your chances of finding a job in a different country or region. With ever-evolving technology and globalization, it’s becoming increasingly important for professionals to be able stay ahead of the curve and online education can help you do just that.

CURRENT COMMITMENTS

An online education is a great way to earn additional credentials without sacrificing your current commitments. With its flexibility and convenience, you are able to fit study into your existing schedule and take classes at times that are convenient for you. Furthermore, there is no need to worry about commuting or finding parking as you would with a regular class. So, if you’re looking for a flexible way to pursue higher education and gain additional credentials without sacrificing your current commitments, then an online education could be the perfect option for you! With ever-evolving technology and globalization, it’s becoming increasingly important for professionals to stay ahead of the curve and an online education can help you do just that.

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In conclusion, an online education can be a great way to further your knowledge and increase job opportunities. With its flexibility and convenience, you are able to fit study into your existing schedule and take classes at times that are convenient for you. Additionally, you have access to many resources from around the world which may not be available in traditional classrooms. Furthermore, employers often offer incentives such as tuition reimbursement to those pursuing higher education or gaining additional qualifications. So if you’re looking for a flexible way to pursue higher education or gain new skills without sacrificing your current commitments, then an online education could be the perfect option for you! Take advantage of this opportunity today and begin learning something new! Good luck!

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Harvard University Affordable Housing Seminar

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Mr. Suleiman Alli

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. –

Harvard University is hosting an Affordable Housing seminar titled, ‘Affordable Housing:  Principles for Changing Domestic and Global Markets’. The two-day seminar takes place at the Graduate School of Design. Individuals in the fields of development, lending, investment and policymaking, will learn the skills to navigate the affordable housing industry.

One of the attendees will be Mr. Suleiman Alli. Sule, as close associates call him, works in conjunction with a design and construction company, FABHAUS USA INC. Sule’s role is in the Marketing, Sales and Business Development department, for the African market.

The course is led by instructors in the Affordable Housing industry: David Smith, Davina Wood and Sanjana Sidhra. Sule, a Nigerian, with American permanent residency, believes that the information and collaborations obtained via this course will assist him in supporting FABHAUS. FABHAUS’ mission is to design and construct pre-fabricated homes, globally.

For nearly a decade, Sule has been investing time and money into journeying throughout Nigeria in attempts to persuade decision makers, in the African nation, to utilize natural resources to build homes for the growing population. His association with a Nigerian organization, FEDUP, led him to find that much of the problem surrounding housing affordability in the country, was political.

Sule’s vision aligns with the mission of the Harvard University course, in that the course is built for entrepreneurs. Affordable Housing is not only a Warri problem, a Lagos problem or a third world problem; Affordable Housing is a global problem and if it were a disease, it could possibly be likened to a pandemic.

Affordable Housing is a burgeoning industry that will continue to grow. This industry is interdisciplinary, encompassing political science, sociology, economics, government, architecture, engineering, etc.

BlackUSA.News will follow up on this seminar and its’ benefits, upon its completion.

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