Netscape rename
Andreessen and a founding team of five other members announce the name change from Mosaic Communications Corporation to Netscape Communications Corporation based on the popularity of the “Netscape” browser. Chairman and CEO Jim Clark says:
We are making this name change both as a gesture of good will to the University of Illinois and to more clearly differentiate our company from other companies marketing World Wide Web browsers. ‘Netscape Communications’ more fully conveys the nature and breadth of our business, which is much more comprehensive than a simple browser for the Internet. Our new name enables us to underscore our unique identity as a premier provider of complete, standards-based client/server solutions for communicating and conducting commerce on the Net.
Renamed to Metropolis
In 2001, Tokyo Classified had grown to 48 pages/week and was renamed Metropolis. More information was added about Tokyo entertainment and lifestyle. A quarterly city guide for tourists was added.
TechCrunch redesign
The blog launches its redesign. Arrington:
We are particularly focused on speed and efficiency. Pages should load much more quickly now than they have, and content should be much easier for our writers to create and publish.
He says the redesign began before the AOL acquisition and has been a ‘big project’.
Intel drops McAfee brand
Intel CEO Krzanich announces the renaming of the McAfee brand to Intel Security. McAfee:
I am now everlastingly grateful to Intel for freeing me from this terrible association with the worst software on the planet. These are not my words, but the words of millions of irate users. My elation at Intel’s decision is beyond words.
New design
An updated design is launched. The new design is based on “flat design” and is fully responsive (able to be viewed on all sizes of screen). A user support section from UserVoice, is added so that users can add feature requests and open support tickets.
Phasing out elephant acts
The Circus is phasing out the use of elephants for its performances. Growing public concern over the animals’ treatment as well as ‘anti-circus’ and ‘anti-elephant’ ordinances led to the decision. Thirteen elephants will continue to tour with the circus before they are retired to the Center for Elephant Conservation in 2018.
There’s been somewhat of a mood shift among our consumers. A lot of people aren’t comfortable with us touring with our elephants.
Feeling Fat status removed
The Company removes the “feeling fat” emoticon from its status menu after the group Endangered Bodies launched multiple Change.org petitions to persuade Facebook to remove the puffed-up and rosy cheeked image. The group says the option is problematic for people who struggle with eating disorders. Facebook:
We’ve heard from our community that listing ‘feeling fat’ as an option for status updates could reinforce negative body image, particularly for people struggling with eating disorders. So we’re going to remove ‘feeling fat’ from the list of options. We’ll continue to listen to feedback as we think about ways to help people express themselves on Facebook.
Catherine Weingarten, a 24-year-old Ohio student who launched the U.S. petition:
As someone who struggled with body image, I feel so happy that I am eliminating one form of body shaming hatred on the internet.
Tweaks rule defining catch
The NFL adjusts the rule defining a catch. Rather than simply make a “football move,” a receiver must establish himself as a runner in the field of play, having control of the ball and both feet in bounds.
Once you go down that path, it becomes more subjective. What is, what isn’t a football move. We’re not talking about a lot of plays over the course of the five seasons since the Calvin Johnson play. This allows us to consistently officiate the rule.
Extra point changes discussed
The owners of 32 NFL teams discuss changes the extra point rule in 2015-2016 season. Among the possibilities are moving the line of scrimmage back for PAT kicks; placing the ball on the 1½-yard line for a two-point conversion; eliminating the PAT kicks entirely, requiring teams to run a play from scrimmage; and allowing the defense to score, as in college football, if the ball is turned over on a two-point try. The committee will develop alternatives and be ready for a potential vote in two months in San Francisco. Chairman McKay:
There’s a clear movement to wanting to change and change it this year.
Sets up response teams
As concern increases over the security of its passengers and drivers, Uber is taking measures to address safety concerns. This includes forming round-the-clock response teams that consist of specially trained groups who will investigate safety issues. Uber is also forming a safety advisory board comprised of independent experts who will review Uber’s practices and who will advise on adding safety features. In addition, the background-check standards of Uber’s drivers are being elevated. The company has also established a new code of conduct.
iOS app update
Wikipedia’s mobile app is improved with a a cleaner design that has a short descriptor of the topic at the top of the screen. Many articles are now also preceded by a large image, giving the app more visual interest. The apps search functionality is improved. Each article now has a section at the bottom that connects readers to other information on the topic at hand. An enhanced image viewer allows swiping through images. A “Share a Fact” feature allows users to share images overlaid with text from an article to social media.
Aspartame free Diet Pepsi
Pepsi removes the artificial sweetener aspartame from Diet Pepsi due to concerns raised by consumers. It will now be sweetened with a blend of sucralose and acesulfame potassium. Pepsi vice-president:
Diet cola drinkers in the U.S. told us they wanted aspartame-free Diet Pepsi and we’re delivering.
Rainbow flag avatar
Clinton’s campaign changes its Facebook and Twitter avatars to a gay-friendly rainbow-flag version of the H-arrow logo. This change comes as arguments begin in the Supreme Court aimed at finally resolving two key remaining questions over gay marriage.
Banishing artificial ingredients
The chain says that by the end of the next year, dozens of ingredients on its “No No List” will be banished from its menu. Some of the ingredients have already been removed, while others are in process. Shaich:
I want to serve everyone the food I want my daughter to eat. And if I feel uncomfortable about serving her some of this stuff, I don’t want anyone else to eat it…The scientific community and consumers get that food that is less processed and closer to a more natural state, made from the kind of ingredients that you can understand, are better for you….Part of where we’re trying to go, we want them to be able to trust that the food they get at Panera is clean, and not even have to think about it…The reality, like everything, is “hey, it may not help you,” all the way to “this could cause cancer.” I can’t answer that. I’m not involved in the science. But I am clear that I can make better food with less processing. So why not?
Adds 60fps mobile support
The Company announces via the YouTube Creators Twitter account that 60 fps is now supported by both the iPhone and Android YouTube app, a feature that many gaming videos choose to use; including the highest subscribed YouTube creator – Pewdiepie. Earlier in the year the option to use 60 fps for up to 4K video was added to the site, though currently there are few videos uploaded in this format, primarily as the equipment that produces this level of footage is expensive, and the resulting video drains the phone battery.
HFR FTW! High frame rate playback is available on the YouTube App for both Android and iOS. http://t.co/aW3xublLVh pic.twitter.com/D5qnyONolX
— YouTube Creators (@YouTubeCreators) June 30, 2015
Episcopalians allow gay marriage
The Episcopalian church gives its blessing to allow same-sex couples to marry in the church. Same sex weddings will be allowed after November 1st, however, in a compromise with conservatives, clergy can refuse to perform same-sex services and bishops can prohibit the ceremonies in their diocese. The denomination’s landmark vote, at the Episcopal General Convention in Salt Lake City, came 12 years after the church elected its first openly gay bishop. Priests in many dioceses have already been allowed to perform civil same-sex weddings with a modified prayer service. Church spokesperson:
We have learned to not only care for, but care about one other. That mutual care was present in the conversations we had. Some people disagreed, some people disagreed deeply, but we prayed and we listened and we came up with compromises that we believe make room and leave no one behind.
YouTube unlinks from Google+
Google announces that users will no longer need to use Google+ to comment on YouTube videos. Horowitz:
In the coming months, a Google Account will be all you’ll need to share content, communicate with contacts, create a YouTube channel and more, all across Google…We want to formally retire the notion that a Google+ membership is required for anything at Google… other than using Google+ itself
Ladies-only parking introduced
Frankfurt airport introduces women-only parking places. The ‘Ladies Parking’ spaces are closer to the airport, have CCTV coverage, are better lit, and have more exit points. Women’s groups have labelled this move sexist.
iOS display darkening feature
Google Maps iOS app gets a feature where the display gets darker colors after evening to make it easier to read. This Night Mode has been available in the android app.
Hangouts design changes
Google changes its hangouts design for android phones and adds some new features. It is now easier to send attachments. The new design also allows to send more than one photo at a time. Composing messages is more intuitive. The changes also include tweaks that will improve battery life, improve speed and fix a few bugs.