10 Things in Tech: Extra Uber fees
Welcome back, readers. Uber trips and Uber Eats delivery might cost you a bit more soon, and leaked audio revealed that Nike is struggling to retain tech talent.
Let's get started.
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1. Your Uber trips could get more expensive soon. The company is rolling out a temporary surcharge on both rides and food deliveries as Uber drivers and Uber Eats delivery workers feel the effects of rising gas prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
- Based on location, the surcharge for an Uber trip is either 45 cents or 55 cents; for an Uber Eats order, it's either 35 cents or 45 cents (Uber didn't specify which cities are subject to higher fees).
- The price increase will go into effect on March 16 — unless you live in New York City. The Big Apple will not be subject to the added fees, the company said.
- Experts say Lyft, too, will likely raise prices for consumers within the next few days to offset the gas cost increase. Lyft said that while drivers are shelling out more for gas, they're still making more per hour on average than last year.
Here's what else you need to know before your next Uber ride.
In other news:
2. Amazon is temporarily relocating employees from its downtown Seattle office. Following an increase in violent crime in the area, an Amazon spokesperson said they're moving employees to "an alternative office space elsewhere," and that they plan to bring them back "when it is safe to do so." What we know so far.
3. An influencer with about 500,000 Facebook followers shares how much he earns. After seven years working as a multimedia journalist, Uptin Saiidi decided to pursue a career filming content about tech, finance, and travel. Now, he can make as much as $37,000 in a month. He explains what's working, and how much he makes.
4. Russia will ban Instagram starting today. A week after blocking Facebook, Russia has banned Instagram, citing "calls for violence against Russians" on the platform. It has also moved to declare Meta an "extremist" organization, which would lead to all its services being cut off in Russia.
5. Amazon is all but sure to defeat another union drive. Unionizers are facing an uphill battle against high employee turnover and workers who don't think the warehouse is dangerous enough to need a union. We went to Bessemer, Alabama to see what they're up against.
6. Singles are bored of Tinder and Hinge — so they're turning to a new batch of apps. As people grow frustrated with meeting potential matches online, new dating apps like Thursday and POM are starting to test in-person events in London and New York. How they're helping people meet IRL.
7. Leaked audio reveals Nike's tech team is struggling to retain talent. In a meeting with the company's 2,400-person tech team, Nike's digital chief outlined his plans to make technology more central to the business — and expressed concerns over growing attrition. Here's what we learned from the audio.
8. A veteran who set up an Amazon delivery business feels trapped by exit fees. The man told Protocol he wants to shut down his business, but is too afraid of the costs he could incur if he terminates his contract. Read his story.
Odds and ends:
9. Rare Apple mementos are now up for auction. Items from Steve Jobs' life and Apple's early days are being auctioned off, from a high school yearbook signed by Jobs to an autographed note he wrote to a 6-year-old. See the memorabilia here.
10. Take a look inside a new 3D-printed luxury house in Austin. Built by Icon, an Austin-based 3D-printing construction company, the 2,000-square-foot house was printed in just eight days and has a "mid-century modernist ranch house" charm. Check out the 3D-printed house.
What we're watching today:
- Apple is expected to release its latest software update this week.
- The Social Media Marketing World conference is taking place through March 16.
- The SXSW Conference continues through March 20. Here's a schedule.
Curated by Jordan Parker Erb in New York. (Feedback or tips? Email jerb@insider.com or tweet @jordanparkererb.) Edited by Michael Cogley in London.