Have you figured it out yet? It’s really pretty simple: Tie Society is the Netflix for ties. And while they do feature a hefty number of ties, the platform also covers anything and everything menswear like pocket squares, tie clips, and even watches. Kuczeruk got his start in November 2011 as a 500 Startups company, and he spent the first two years with Tie Society proving that the concept was not only doable, but also profitable....

Who Saw It Coming? It didn’t start randomly. The tech giants began acquiring video content companies many years ago. The most common example is when Google decided to purchase YouTube. IAC also acquired a majority stake in Connected Ventures, which gave it control over Vimeo. That was only the beginning. Video marketing has changed with the onset of live streaming. Companies like Meerkat and Periscope are amongst the leaders in this category....

If you consider yourself fairly tech-savvy, you’re probably familiar with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). This precedent setting bit of legal speak has made it illegal for proactive people to make changes to the software in their car’s engine control unit (ECU). This extends to other devices protected by manufacturer safeguards intended to guard against reverse-engineering. Now, though, the FTC has just made an exemption to the rule that is officially live, making it legal to hack your devices....

Seed Investment Dollars Dropped 20 Percent Since Last Quarter Dollar to dollar, Q3 2016 dropped 21 percent from Q2 2016, and 34 percent since Q3 of last year. The sole metric that is higher is in the series B slot, as Tech.Co previously reported: Not all startup have that $61 billion Uber-level valuation. What should all the newbie companies hoping for a seed round do? Find an Alternative The newest seed managers need to widen their reach for funding, as VC Bryce Roberts, of OATV, argues in a blog post....

So what’s new? The JBL Flip 4 is now fully waterproofed, the sound quality has been improved, and they made a few minor tweaks as well. We put the JBL Flip 4 to the same tests as the 3 over the course of a month, and perhaps just a few added dunk tests. Features and Specs Much like its predecessor, the JBL Flip 4 is a durable and portable bluetooth speaker....

Throughout her life, Jessica Shortall, author and advocate, has been out in front of social issues where she continues to help build bridges and find common ground with uncommon allies for social good. As a mother of two children, she is also aware of the challenges new mothers face when deciding to return to work. Her new book Work. Pump. Repeat. was written out of necessity and is a survival guide for breastfeeding mothers who are going back to work....

Overall, 22 projects will be awarded a portion of the $3 million total prize; the Knight Foundation received almost 700 entries when they asked for proposals last September. Eight of the winning projects will receive between $130,000 and $600,000; these projects are those for which the Knight Foundation believes are significant library initiatives that could become permanent innovations. In addition, 14 “early-stage ideas” will receive $35,000 each from the Knight Prototype Fund to help them develop their ideas into actual prototypes....

Allow me to give you a few DOs and DON’Ts for your pitch. We’ve learned these over months of consistent practice, failure, and learning. DON’T Wing It Every pitch we’d done before Demo Day we had winged from simple bullet points. We always created the pitch and deck within 48 hours of needing it. This might work if you were just reading facts verbatim from your slide, but remember, presenting facts doesn’t get investors writing checks....

That’s the idea behind Gymsurfing, a mobile app that allows travelers to book gym day passes on the phone. Moreover, the San Francisco-based startup announced that it has acquired Miami-based rival GymXchange for US $1 million in all stocks deal. “We are extremely excited to welcome the GymXchange team to Gymsurfing. They bring with them great talent and great gyms. We can’t wait to work together to make going to the gym while traveling as simple as two taps on your phone,” said Kevin Bracken, Gymsurfing CEO....

1. HowAboutWe: Plan Real Dates Rather than focusing on profile pics and proximity as so many apps do, HowAboutWe concentrates on connecting people with compatible interests. Users post potential perfect date ideas and wait for contact from a companion. Members can also conceal their exact location while they’re getting to know someone to protect their privacy. It’s free to download the app and suggest dates, but you’ll need to purchase an $8 monthly subscription to message other members....

Sensibo gives your window unit, split system, or stand-alone A/C unit a full smart thermostat treatment for a surprisingly affordable price. Fully integrated with Google Home, accessible via IFTTT, and within reach from anywhere via smartphone app, Sensibo puts your air conditioner online and in your control. Using geofencing, it can activate the A/C before you arrive, welcoming you to a cool and comfortable home. Sensibo can help reduce your energy bill by automatically turning off your air conditioner when the last person leaves the house, following a 7-day schedule and reminding you to clean your filters....

The tech company recently announced the 5th class of their Launchpad Accelerator program. Filled with 24 startups addressing everything from education to women’s health, this class could prove to make a meaningful impact on the business world as a whole. These startups hail from every corner of the globe, showing the startup world that inclusivity is alive and well in Google’s Launchpad Accelerator program. The 6-month program “includes an intensive two week bootcamp in San Francisco and mentoring from 30+ teams across Google and expert mentors from top technology companies and VCs in Silicon Valley and globally,” wrote Roy Glasberg, Global Lead of Google Developers Launchpad in a post announcing the class....

What are micro apps? They’re designed to mediate between legacy enterprise software and employees. While workers need instant notifications, legacy companies often rely on outdated equipment with decidedly non-instant notifications. The massive companies are unlikely to update their software, so they can instead buy a Sapho micro app designed to interface with their specific software. And, since huge legacy companies have an appropriately sized budget, Sapho can afford to tailor apps to a variety of standard software packages, “from sales and accounting software to HR management platforms,” according to TechCrunch....

A former contractor is making the claim, saying that he listened in on thousands of recordings from his personal laptop in Beijing. If true, the news highlights a major privacy violation at one of the biggest tech companies in the world. Here’s exactly what we know about the situation, and how Microsoft is responding. Former Microsoft Contractor Speaks Out The whistle-blowing contractor worked at the position for two years, initially coming into an office but eventually simply working from home, where he used his personal laptop over the Chinese internet....

Windows 11 will be a free update for all compatible Windows computers, but will begin to roll out in phases. It will initially be offered to newer devices on October 5th, then slowly trickle out to older (but still relevant) Microsoft devices. The general manager of Windows marketing at Microsoft made this statement: Like most operating system updates, this update is free for all Windows users, providing that their computers have the specs to handle the new software....

With wildfires in Australia reaching unprecedented levels in recent months, concerns about climate change have reached new heights. Unfortunately, big tech — despite being an innovative, progressive industry — has been largely absent from the discussion, save from a few startup initiatives and meager donations. This move from Microsoft, however, could turn the tide and spur more tech giants to take the climate crisis more seriously and make an effort to truly put the future of the planet first....

High value, not low cost — Sounds simple, but you get what you pay for. Avoid vendors promising high level technical skills at ‘bargain basement’ rates. Look for a team that loves what they do and that compensates their employees generously. Low price does not provide value, proficient programmers who work for a company they love does. Do you see what I see? — If your development team doesn’t see the vision, you’re doomed; doubly so if they’re half way around the world....

Other participants in this round of financing include True Ventures, Lerer Ventures, and Bullpen Capital. As part of this round, David Skok, General Partner at Matrix Partners, will join Namely’s board. Founded in 2012, the New York City, NY- based Namely has grown to become one of the leading Cloud-based platforms for managing human capital. Whether it’s dealing with payroll or navigating benefits, the company’s end-to-end HR platform offers a solution that is not only comprehensive, but simple enough for both employees and managers to use....

What does this mean for you? Well, nothing, if you’re part of the large majority of internet users who avoid that particular browser. But if your Dad is part of the 7.5 percent or so of Internet Explorer fans out there, we’ve got some evidence that might persuade him otherwise. Here’s what happened, and just how bad it is. New Security Flaw exposed in Internet Explorer The news comes from US-CERT, a branch of cybersecurity within Homeland Security....

But the article never explained why. Here’s my theory. The Facts Fads are moving faster than ever in 2016. From that article on the half-lives of fads: In comparison, Farmville started its rise in July 2009, peaked in December 2009, and suffered a slow decline for all of 2010, bottoming out near the end of 2011. Pokemon Go was even quicker, making a similar jump and decline over the span of the past two or so months....