Gadgets, Game & Mobile News

Chelsea vs. Sheffield United Livestream: How to Watch English Premier League Soccer From Anywhere - CNET

CNET News - Sat, 2023-12-16 07:00
Mauricio Pochettino's Blues look to pull themselves out of the bottom half of the table as they face the rock bottom Blades.

Man City vs. Crystal Palace Livestream: How to Watch English Premier League Soccer From Anywhere - CNET

CNET News - Sat, 2023-12-16 07:00
Pep Guardiola's men face an out-of form Eagles team at the Etihad.

Activision Blizzard will pay $54 million to settle California's gender discrimination lawsuit

Engadget - Sat, 2023-12-16 05:11

California's Civil Rights Department (CRD) has announced that it has reached a settlement agreement with Activision Blizzard for a case it filed in 2021, accusing the company of systemic gender discrimination and fostering a culture that encouraged rampant misogyny and sexual harassment. The agency, which sued the developer when it was still called the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, said Activision Blizzard will have to pay $54 million to settle its allegations. Out of the total, $45.75 million will go towards a fund meant to compensate female employees and contract workers who worked for the company in California from October 12, 2015 until December 31, 2020. 

In addition, the developer is expected to retain an independent consultant to evaluate its promotion policies and training materials, as well as to make recommendations based on what they see. If you'll recall, the agency's lawsuit alleged that female employees were overlooked for promotions and were paid less than their male colleagues. According to Marketwatch, though, the settlement will also see the agency withdraw its claims that there was widespread sexual harassment at the company. The department will reportedly have to file an amended complaint that only focuses on gender-based pay gap and discrimination. 

California's original lawsuit detailed how Activision Blizzard condoned a "frat boy" culture that encouraged certain unsavory behaviors. Male employees allegedly did "cube crawls," wherein they routinely groped and sexually harassed their female colleagues at their desks. A spokesperson for the company told Marketwatch that it is "gratified that the CRD has agreed to file an amended complaint that entirely withdraws its 2021 claims alleging widespread and systemic workplace harassment at Activision Blizzard." They added: "We appreciate the importance of the issues addressed in this agreement and we are dedicated to fully implementing all the new obligations we have assumed as part of it. We are committed to ensuring fair compensation and promotion policies and practices for all our employees, and we will continue our efforts regarding inclusion of qualified candidates from underrepresented communities in outreach, recruitment, and retention."

Meanwhile, the department told the website that its announcement, which contains no reference to its earlier sexual harassment allegations, "largely speaks for itself with respect to the historic nature of this more than $50 million settlement agreement, which will bring direct relief and compensation to women who were harmed by the company’s discriminatory practices."

As The Wall Street Journal noted when it reported the settlement, this lawsuit set the stage for Microsoft to acquire the developer. After reports came out that Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick kept sexual harassment allegations within the company from reaching its board of directors, the developer's shares fell, giving Microsoft the opening to offer a deal. The $68.7 billion acquisition was finalized in October after almost two years of contending with regulators trying to block the purchase. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/activision-blizzard-will-pay-54-million-to-settle-californias-gender-discrimination-lawsuit-101149166.html?src=rss

Apple is settling a class action lawsuit over Family Sharing for $25 million

Engadget - Fri, 2023-12-15 18:52

If you used Apple’s Family Sharing feature with at least one other person and bought a subscription to an app through the App Store between 2015 and 2019, you might just get a settlement of up to $50 from the company. MacRumors reports that Apple will pay $25 million to settle a class action lawsuit that accuses the tech giant of misleading customers over Family Sharing.

The feature lets up to six family members share app subscriptions with each other but allows individual developers to forbid people from sharing a single subscription if they wish to. The lawsuit, which was filed in 2019, accuses Apple of not being transparent about this and misleading customers by making them think they could share a subscription to every app available in the App Store. “[The] vast majority of subscription-based apps” did support Family Sharing, the lawsuit claims.

The complaint also alleges that Apple placed ads on the landing pages of some subscription-based apps that didn’t support Family Sharing. This led “millions of customers” to download subscription-based apps believing they would be able to access them through their Family Sharing subscription, it says, citing YouTube Red and a puzzle game called Brainwell as examples of apps that didn’t support sharing their subscriptions with family members. 

Apple has reportedly denied any wrongdoing and has only agreed to settle the case to avoid the potential costs associated with a jury trial. The company did not respond to a request for comment from Engadget.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-is-settling-a-class-action-lawsuit-over-family-sharing-for-25-million-235208522.html?src=rss

Nerunsa Smart Watch - CNET

CNET News - Fri, 2023-12-15 18:09
Android fitness & assistant.

Sony WH-1000XM4 - CNET

CNET News - Fri, 2023-12-15 18:03
Over-ear noise-cancelling headphones.

iRobot Roomba j9+ - CNET

CNET News - Fri, 2023-12-15 18:01
Robot vacuum w/Alexa.

The Best Stuff to Keep You Warm This Winter, According to the Coziest CNET Staff - CNET

CNET News - Fri, 2023-12-15 18:00
From slippers to space heaters, here's how we stay warm when it's oh-so cold outside.

Blackview MP80 Mini PC - CNET

CNET News - Fri, 2023-12-15 17:51
Portable desktop Windows 11 computer.

Kids Video Camera - CNET

CNET News - Fri, 2023-12-15 17:48
1080P digital camera; 16x zoom.

Ordtop i13 - CNET

CNET News - Fri, 2023-12-15 17:31
Wireless earbuds w/case.

Bank of America Savings Account Rates for December 2023 - CNET

CNET News - Fri, 2023-12-15 17:31
Bank of America offers less-than-stellar APYs. But you can find a branch nearly anywhere.

Soundcore Life P3 - CNET

CNET News - Fri, 2023-12-15 17:28
Noise-cancelling wireless earbuds.

Asus Vivobook Go - CNET

CNET News - Fri, 2023-12-15 17:25
15" Ryzen 5 laptop.

Hisense 58U6HF - CNET

CNET News - Fri, 2023-12-15 17:22
58" ULED HDR TV.

How to Easily Customize Your Google Chrome Browser - CNET

CNET News - Fri, 2023-12-15 16:51
The popular browser can be many things to many people.

Samsung LC49RG90SSNXZA - CNET

CNET News - Fri, 2023-12-15 16:46
49" curved ultra-wide monitor.

Sony KD65X80K - CNET

CNET News - Fri, 2023-12-15 16:43
65" smart TV w/Google Assistant.

Our Picks for the Easiest (and Most Difficult) Beds to Move - CNET

CNET News - Fri, 2023-12-15 15:00
One factor many people don't consider when it comes to mattresses is how difficult they are to move. But it matters more than you think.

Top Holiday Gifts for Friends and Family Who Love Sleep - CNET

CNET News - Fri, 2023-12-15 15:00
Here are the best gifts for sleep including comforters, sheets, sleep masks, blankets and more. Tested and chosen by a sleep expert, these gifts work for anyone on your list.

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