Google Bows Pixel 5, 5G, & 4A Phones; Microsoft Still Dealing for TikTok; Apple Grabs Payment Terminal Startup; GM- 2700 Fast EV Chargers; Starbucks Reports Interesting Home Working Effect

Google made it official, with 3 updated Pixel phones today. According to theverge.com, the budget Pixel 4A is available for preorder now, and ships August 20th. They also bowed the Pixel 5 and 5G, but those models won’t be available until fall. If you are on a budget, and want 5G, some good news….the Pixel 4A 5G (say that 3 times fast!) is starting at $499, but won’t drop until fall like like the 5 and 5G. As with Apple, Google blamed the pandemic for the delayed release. The regular 4A is $349.

After talks paused over the weekend due to rumblings that Donald Trump would try to block TikTok in the U, it looks like things are back on for Microsoft to acquire TikTok in the US and several other territories. Macrumors.com reports it took a call from the White House to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to get things back on track. Trump appears to have changed hiss position on a deal between ByteDance and Redmond. Microsoft says that it is “committed to acquiring TikTok subject to a complete security review and providing proper economic benefits to the United States, including the United States Treasury.” Discussions will reportedly be complete between ByteDance and Microsoft by September 15th.

Apple has snapped up startup Mobeewave. Mobeewave has developed tech that turns iPhones into mobile payments terminals. 9to5mac.com says the deal was worth $100 million. The process works via NFC. Basically, the seller inputs the transaction amount into the app, then taps the client’s card onto the back of their iPhone. The payment gets processed right away. This could not only open up more options for the Apple Card, but could be a direct competitor for Square. Apple and partner Goldman Sachs would have to really step up for that, though, as Square is pretty well thought of for great customer service to their merchants.

One of Tesla’s big selling points has been its coast to coast Supercharger networks for quick charging cars. Now, mashable.com reports that General Motors is teaming up with EVgo’s charging network to add 2700 fast chargers in cities across the country. Right now, they are slated to install the hook ups in 35 cities over the next 5 years. EVgo has 800 fast charging stations already, and this partnership will add 650 more by 2025. They claim to be able to juice up electric vehicle batteries in 15 to 30 minutes. Tesla is still far ahead, with 2035 public stations and 18,100 individual chargers, though. One difference….GM and EVgo note that their chargers are open to all EV drivers, not just those with GM vehicles.

With people working from home more, Starbucks has noticed a marked change in coffee buying habits. According to zdnet.com, the early morning rush is gone. People are apparently making their own at home before jumping on the laptop. Now, Starbucks says their morning rush is happening around 9:30, as people sneak out for a coffee break. The coffee giant has also reported another new peak time…around 2 in the afternoon…as folks go out and grab a cup of java for that boost to get them through the afternoon and often…with home working…into the early evening.