5 things you should know about tech today

Hello and happy Monday!

Only one more sleep until the Reserve Bank decision that stops the nation.

1.  Jodie Fox talks about the Shoes of Prey collapse

Jodie Fox has written a book about her experience in the wake of the failure of her high profile startup, Shoes of Prey. Reboot: Probably More Than You Ever Wanted to Know about Starting a Global Business ($29.95), was released last week.

Meanwhile, Startup Daily has launched a new podcast, The Problem Solved, and talked to Fox about the book and her life over the last year. Have a listen.

2. Google buys Fitbit

Not content with knowing where you are, Google will soon know how quickly you walked there and how hard your heart is beating as a result. The search and data giant is buying fitness tech company Fitbit for US$2.1 billion (A$3bn) at US$7.35 per share. The deal is set to be finalised in 2020.

In a statement announcing the sale, Fitbit said: “Consumer trust is paramount to Fitbit. Strong privacy and security guidelines have been part of Fitbit’s DNA since day one, and this will not change. Fitbit will continue to put users in control of their data and will remain transparent about the data it collects and why. The company never sells personal information, and Fitbit health and wellness data will not be used for Google ads.”

3. RiverPitch is back

RiverPitch, Brisbane’s bi-annual startup pitching night, returns to Lightspace in Fortitude Valley on November 14.

Hosted by River City Labs, RiverPitch brings pre-screened startups together with Australia’s leading investors, who this year include Steve Baxter’s Transition Level Investments, Black Sheep Capital, PieLAB Venture Partners, Mawson Ventures, Full Circle VC and many more.

This year’s startups include an equity management service, a project management monitoring platform, a real time pest control tool and a platform to help electricians stay safe onsite.

Investors interested in attending should contact [email protected] for details.

4. Is Uber tech’s answer to your local Jim?

Jim’s Mowing started out  in 1982 and now has more than 50 divisions under its franchise model, from Jim’s Bookkeeping to real estate, dog wash, pest control, mobile cafes, asbestos removal, plumbing, computer services, and even personal training. Only Jim’s ridesharing is missing.

Meanwhile, Uber, having expanded into food delivery, recently launched Uber Works to connect workers with businesses needing staff to fill shifts. This week it launched Uber Money, which comes with Uber Wallet, and the Uber Credit Card, which feeds into Uber Cash and you’ll score rewards taking the Uber Copter from Manhattan to JFK, the company says.

Bring on Uber Lawns. In the meantime read this on how Uber makes/loses money.

5. Monica Lewinsky is taking on mean tweets. 

Lewinsky launched the Goodness Bot on Twitter last week, in a bid to tackle online bullying. She’s been on a frontline on that front for a long time and has also produced an anti-bullying video, The Epidemic, featuring some confronting real-life comments.

So next time to you see a nasty tweet, tag @GoodnessBot. It repeats the offending tweet but changes the nasty bits into a positive message of love and kindness.

today we launched @GoodnessBot (happy birthday! 🎉)… if you see meanness/ cyberbullying just reply to the tweet with @GoodnessBot + it will come spread positivity duplicating the mean tweet but changing the negative words into positive ones. (it’s also sometimes funny as shit!)

— Monica Lewinsky (she/her) (@MonicaLewinsky) October 30, 2019