FDA to re-examine
The FDA says it will hold a meeting on September 24 to re-examine the safety of Essure, a birth-control method that was approved in 2002. Essure is marketed as the only permanent birth control method that does not require surgery. While Bayer has acknowledged side effects including pelvic pain, migration of the device or rash, women have said they have experienced other unlisted side effects.
FDA:
Over the past several years, the Agency met with patients and patient advocates to better understand patient issues and experiences after Essure placement. We will continue to work with these individuals as we continue our efforts to better understand their experiences with this device.
Bayer says it appreciates the opportunity to discuss the matter with the FDA.
While there are risks with all medical devices and procedures, our highest priority is patient safety, and we sympathize greatly with any woman who has experienced problems with Essure.
Announces Merry Jane
Snoop Dogg announces Merry Jane (merryjane.com), a community centered on the cannabis lifestyle and business that will include content from various partners, including actor Seth Rogen. The site will launch in October and will only let 420 people into the site in beta. Merry Jane will have different types of content, including original shows that range from creating edibles to a series called “Deflowered,” one-on-one interviews where people share stories about their first-time experience. The rapper wants his site to be a place where aficionados and those who are curious to be able to find information:
I enjoy it for medical reasons, and it’s a peace situation for me. I always see beautiful things around me. I’ve always been an advocate for me.
Launch event announced
Tesla announces that the Model X will be launched on September, 29, in Fremont, California
Fast tracked
ZMapp is granted fast track approval in America. LeafBio says the grant is an “important milestone” which brings them closer to eventually gaining approval. The drug has been administered under emergency use authorization to nine infected patients in Africa in addition to two infected missionaries in Europe during its first clinical trial. LeafBio CEO Whaley:
We are gratified to receive this designation for ZMapp. We are hopeful that this step will accelerate its access once safety and efficacy are demonstrated to satisfaction by FDA in ongoing clinical trials.
Launch announcement
Peeple is announced by McCullough and Cordray as a “Yelp for People”. The app, which will be released in November 2015, will allow people to rate other people. To review someone, users must be 21 and have an established Facebook account. Reviews, which are in three categories (personal, professional or romantic) must be under the reviewer’s real name, and are made under the subjects cell phone number. Positive ratings post immediately; negative ratings are queued in a private inbox for 48 hours in case of disputes. Negative reviews are not shown for non-registered users. Cordray:
People do so much research when they buy a car or make those kinds of decisions. Why not do the same kind of research on other aspects of your life?..As two empathetic, female entrepreneurs in the tech space, we want to spread love and positivity. We want to operate with thoughtfulness.
Announces Rainbow chips
Doritos announces limited edition “Doritos Rainbows,” in partnership with the It Gets Better Project, featuring rainbow-colored chips and inspiring quotes, in support of the LGBT community. To get a bag, customers must pledge $10 to the It Gets Better Project, which supports LGBT youth. Customers can also sharing messages over social media using the hashtag “#BoldandBetter.” Doritos:
Time and again, our consumers have shown us, there really is nothing bolder than being true to yourself and living life to the fullest.
It Gets Better Project:
By utilizing the incredible reach that Doritos has throughout the world, we can give hope to the LGBT young people who need it the most. There is so much more work to be done, and together, we will inspire the LGBT community and its allies to continue the fight and embrace who they are by living a #BoldandBetter life.
Whopper wine
In celebration of its 40th year anniversary since the fast food chain opened its first store in Madrid in 1975, Burger King Spain
Developing dislike button
Zuckerberg says Facebook will roll out a button that lets users dislike comments and posts.
I think people have asked about the dislike button for many years. Today is a special day because today is the day I can say we’re working on it and shipping it.
Zuckerberg said the initial interface for Facebook didn’t allow for a dislike button because he didn’t want it to become a Reddit-like forum where posts and comments get upvoted and downvoted.
That isn’t what we’re here to build in the world. What they really want is the ability to express empathy. Not every moment is a good moment.
SMASHD Labs inductees announced
Carter announces the first inductees into the SMASHD Labs accelerator program.
We want to be able to open the door to companies to come into our network where we can actually invest money, put a network of investors around them, and put mentors in the room that can help them build a great company.
Inductees include WeTransfer, a file transfer service:
All of our clients on the music side use WeTransfer, so here we have this opportunity to reach 70 million people per month through advertising.
Trakfire, a Product Hunt for music:
Without giving too much away about what they’re working on, it’s the most well-thought out and efficient way of discovering new music I’ve seen so far.
Sidestep, which lets fans order fan gear directly to their concert seats or their house.
You go into the venues and there’s a huge drop-off rate in the merch lines. People don’t want to miss parts of the concert.
Throne, an Ebay for streetwear, which he had seen at a demo day:
The problem with when you look at eBay is that you can put a pair of Jordans next to a frying pan. It’s an altogether different experience compared to having some editorial around it and well-curated experience
Podium, which gives tablets to Uber and Lyft riders:
Having a captive audience in the back of Lyft or an Uber is a pretty great place.
Enrou, a marketplace where buyers can support both the individuals and communities that they buy from. Carter saw the founders on Forbes 30 under 30 list and wanted the company to apply for SMASHD.
This was a company that really checked a box that we were looking for in how can we combine social impact around global culture.
Announces all-day breakfast
McDonald’s announces that it will start all-day breakfast at all stores from Oct 6, after franchisees vote to approve the proposal. The restaurant will only serve a limited breakfast menu past 10:30 and items will vary based on region. The company sends a series of tweets to customers who had asked questions about the start date.
.@jim The eagle has landed. And by eagle we mean #AllDayBreakfast. And by landed we mean starting 10/6! pic.twitter.com/HjvsjaQMKo
— McDonald's (@McDonalds) September 1, 2015
FAA approves paper drone
FAA approves the PowerUp 3.0 paper airplane drone to fly commercially. The smartphone-controlled paper airplane has a flight time of five to 10 minutes and a range of 180 feet. It has also been used and endorsed by NASA scientists. The petition was filed by a lawyer with a concentration in drone law and pilot who wants to use the paper airplane drone to take aerial videos and photos.
I intend to operate my UA [Unmanned Aircraft] commercially by conducting aerial photography and videography, both at the request of others and absent anyone’d request, but in either with the intent to create salable art.
Rouhani inaugurates ‘The Conqueror’
Iran’s President Rouhani inaugurates Fateh-313, alias “The Conqueror,” a short-range solid fuel short-range missile. The missile is newer version of Fateh-110 and has both a faster launch capability, and a longer range, with the ability to hit military targets within a 500 kilometer range.
Announces earthquake early warning prototype
China Earthquake Administration announces the construction of over 5,000 seismic stations (especially in the Sichuan province) for earthquake early warning, combining seismic and critical new data sets to improve rapid earthquake notification. The project will provide immediate useful information about the intensity of earthquakes with magnitude five or higher within two to five minutes after the earthquake. Seismic intensity distribution maps are obtained within in 15 minutes, while all information regarding casualties, affected areas, economic damage will be given 30 minutes after the earthquake occurs.
Comanche Solar project starts
SunEdison commences construction on the 156 megawatt Comanche Solar project, situated southeast of Pueblo, Colorado. The project uses photovoltaic technology and is equipped with single axis trackers, in order to accurately follow the sun for optimization purposes. It is expected to produce about 300 GWh of energy annually.
The Comanche Solar project demonstrates SunEdison’s ability to deliver renewable energy at a price competitive with conventional resources. In addition, the Comanche Solar project will be financed through SunEdison’s US$1.5 billion non-recourse, First Reserve Warehouse. This facility is designed to expand as projects move into construction without incremental equity contributions by SunEdison.
Construction on the site will be managed by Broomfield-based, Renewable Energy Systems Americas. RES CEO:
Colorado has demonstrated a commitment to remain a leader in renewable energy. The Comanche Solar project will be RES’ second large scale renewable energy project in this state and our sixth cooperative project with SunEdison.
Universal Doctor Directory launch
Washington D.C. Health Link launches an online tool to help consumers find a doctor who accepts plans sold on the District’s health insurance marketplace. The new tool is now available on D.C. health Link and it would allow everyone to find individual and family plans and a new doctor by ZIP code. Previously, consumers searching for a health insurance plan on the marketplace had to go to the websites of each health insurance carrier for this information. Spokesperson:
Our customers need accurate information about doctors participating in different health plans. Doctor information is as critical as how much people pay for coverage.
UVA establishes endowed position
The University of Virginia announces that it is establishing a permanent position in the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences in honor of Bond. Funding for The Julian Bond Professorship of Civil Rights and Social Justice stands at $2 million and has a goal of $3 million.
Humanoid robot walks in woods
Boston Dynamics shows its Atlas robot walking in the woods. The hike is an opportunity to test the robot’s balance and ability to respond to an unpredictable environment. CEO Raibert:
Out in the world is just a totally different challenge than in the lab…I’m not saying it can do everything you can do, but you can imagine if we keep pushing we’ll get there.
Requests track access
An information request by The Guardian reveals that in May engineers from Apple’s Special Project group met with officials from GoMentum Station, a 2,100-acre former naval base near San Francisco that features features 20 miles of paved highways and city streets which are hidden from the public eye, and is being used as a high-security testing ground for autonomous vehicles. In an email to the facility Apple engineer Frank Fearon wrote:
We would … like to get an understanding of timing and availability for the space, and how we would need to coordinate around other parties who would be using [it].
The site is already being used by Mercedes-Benz and Honda to test their own self-driving cars.
Licenses ‘All of Me’
Thomas Sabo licenses John Legend’s All of Me for a two-year marketing campaign to promote the Love Bridge collection, which features bracelets with a sterling silver, 18-carat rose or yellow gold-plated bar designed to be engraved with a personal message. TV ads will start on October 31.
It’s the best love song of the past 20 years and you can see why it sits so well with our new Love Bridge collection…While there are no exclusivity arrangements for the song, it’s crucial for us to combine the very romantic and delicate nature of the recently launched Love Bridge collection with unique imagery as created by photographer Ellen von Unwerth with the most emotional and romantic song imaginable. This is what we believe makes this international campaign really exclusive.
Twitter, Shopify partner
Twitter adds a buy button on its website. Users can browse products from over 10000 merchants on Shopify and purchase directly from Twitter. Twitter:
Users will get access to offers and merchandise they can’t get anywhere else and can act on them right in the Twitter apps for Android and iOS. Sellers will gain a new way to turn the direct relationship they build with their followers into sales