Spotify announces third round of layoffs this year, affecting 1,500 workers

Photo: @felipepelaquim / Unsplash

Spotify will cut 1,500 jobs, its third round of layoffs this year, CEO Daniel Ek said Monday. He said the music-streaming company needs to slash costs and boost efficiency in a tough economy. The layoffs are part of a big strategy shift that will take Spotify back to its startup roots after a spending spree increased its subscribers but not its profits.

Affected staff will get about five months of severance pay. Spotify, which has more than 9,000 employees, followed other tech giants in reducing headcount as the global economy slowed.

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The messaging app by Google is now simply called Google Messages

Google has quietly dropped the “by Google” suffix from its messaging app, which is now simply called “Google Messages.” The previous name, “Messages by Google,” was mainly used by the company itself, its partners, and other official sources for marketing purposes. For instance, the YouTube video that showcased the app’s major update last year was titled “Messages by Google – New features and a new look coming your way.” However, most users referred to the app as “Google Messages,” and that is now the official name on the Play Store.

This change follows the app’s recent redesign, which added the four-colour “G” logo next to the word “Messages” in the app's top-left corner. The app is still called “Messages” on Android devices. And it is unclear if Google will also rename its phone app, which is currently called “Phone by Google.”

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'Furiosa' trailer shows the dark and bloody origins of the 'Mad Max’ heroine

'Furiosa' trailer shows the dark and bloody origins of the 'Mad Max’ heroine

Meet Furiosa, the prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road that explores the origins of what we consider one of the most badass female characters in cinema history. Furiosa is not just another hero in the Mad Max saga. She is a scene-stealer, a complex and compelling character, and a spin-off worthy of director George Miller’s vision. 

In Fury Road, she shared the spotlight with the Road Warrior. Now, almost 10 years later, Furiosa is back, with Anya Taylor-Joy taking over the role from Charlize Theron. The film will reveal Furiosa’s life before Fury Road, from her childhood in the idyllic "Green Place" to her rise as a hardened warrior in the desert dystopia. 

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