Level1 News December 18 2019 - Unicorns Aren't Real
The Brazen Business: A Cautionary Tale of Investing in Unproven Products
Be brazen enough to sell the line if you got like a $2 things spray paint and then sold the bike for this is a lemon bike look what I found it's fine that's the grapefruit brand they're really good so speaking of East scooters some a scooter companies were like ah this is the future let's get into this business and they started raising money and in this case, it wasn't a rent the scooter business, it was like buy your scooter right don't waste all your money just renting them buy it make an investment in yourself but unfortunately, things did not go as expected. A scooter company unicorn went bust after spending big on Facebook ads.
I don't understand like that this is infuriating. So, there were 250 people who bought a $6.99 scooter, and they raised $150,000 on their startup thing. They spent all the money on ads to get people more people to buy them it's Facebook ads so they thought hey we'll spend all this money on advertising and more people will buy the scooters and everything will work out, except no one bought another scooter. Look at that price point; you'd be wanting to sell bikes. It was a tough market for these scooters.
Facebook Ads: A Recipe for Disaster
The efficacy of Facebook ads is a topic of much debate, but it's clear that when done poorly, they can be devastating to even the most promising businesses. In this case, the scooter company spent their entire budget on ads, hoping to drive sales and create a buzz around their product. The problem was, no one bought another scooter.
Why did the scooter company fail so catastrophically? One reason is that the price point of $6.99 is simply too high for most consumers. It's like they were trying to sell a bike instead of a scooter. When you look at the market for scooters, there are plenty of affordable options available from established brands.
Sony Brings PlayStation Games to Non-PlayStation Consoles
In a surprise move, Sony has announced that it will be publishing its popular PlayStation games on non-PlayStation consoles. The news comes as a shock to many gamers, who had assumed that the exclusive titles would only be available on the PlayStation platform.
The reason behind this decision is not entirely clear, but it's likely that Sony wants to expand its reach and make its games more accessible to a wider audience. The announcement has sparked both excitement and skepticism among gamers, with some expressing concern that the quality of the games may suffer as a result of the transition.
MLB The Show: A Baseball Video Game for the Ages
One of the games being published by Sony is MLB The Show, a baseball video game that's been a staple of the genre for years. While it's not everyone's cup of tea (who enjoys watching baseball, anyway?), The Show has a dedicated fan base and is widely regarded as one of the best baseball games out there.
The news that MLB The Show will be available on non-PlayStation consoles may come as a surprise to some fans, but it's likely that Sony wants to reach a broader audience with its popular game. Whether or not this will work remains to be seen.
Microsoft Teams: A Cloud-Based Solution for Linux Users
In other news, Microsoft has announced the release of its Teams platform on Linux, making it easier for users in the Linux community to access and use the app. The move is a significant one, as Teams has long been known for its user-friendly interface and robust features.
The fact that Teams will be available on Linux means that users will no longer have to rely on alternative solutions, such as IRC or other third-party apps, to communicate and collaborate with colleagues. This is a big win for the Linux community, which has often felt like an afterthought in the world of business software.
Bummer Bert: A Dark Humorist's Creation
Microsoft Teams also includes a feature that may raise some eyebrows among users: Bumper Bert, a series of illustrations created by Microsoft that poke fun at the frustrations and challenges of working in an office. The artwork is intentionally dark and humorous, depicting everyday office life as a never-ending struggle.
While Bumper Bert may not be to everyone's taste, it's clear that the creators of Teams took the time to think about what makes office work so difficult – and how they can use humor to make it more palatable. Whether or not this will resonate with users remains to be seen.
Friday Roundup: A Busy Day Ahead
It's been a busy day in the world of tech, with a number of announcements and developments that are sure to keep you on your toes. In our Friday roundup, we'll be taking a look at some of the biggest stories from the past 24 hours.