Netflix lays off 150 mostly US-based staff

Netflix terminated the roles of 150 mostly US-based staff today in an ongoing effort to cut costs following a historic drop in subscribers, reportedDeadline. The impacted employees reportedly include a number in senior-level positions. It’s the second round of layoffs at the company— which numbers roughly 11,000 employees — in recent weeks. An undisclosed number of writing and editing staff attached to Netflix’s in-house fan website, Tudum, were let go last month.

A company spokesperson said the layoffs were directly tied to a slowdown in Netflix’s revenue growth. “As we explained on earnings, our slowing revenue growth means we are also having to slow our cost growth as a company. So sadly, we are letting around 150 employees go today, mostly US-based,” a Netflix spokesperson said in a statement to Engadget. “These changes are primarily driven by business needs rather than individual performance, which makes them especially tough as none of us want to say goodbye to such great colleagues. We’re working hard to support them through this very difficult transition.”

Varietyreported today that the streaming service has also cut a number of in-development animated projects, including Wings of Fire from executive producer Ava DuVernay, a preschool series called Antiracist Baby and With Kind Regards From Kindergarten. But according to Variety‘s sources, these projects were dropped due to creative reasons and not as an effort to cut costs. 

The streaming service also dropped the documentary Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, And You, a companion piece to Stamped From the Beginning.

Employee morale has been low at the Los Gatos, California-based company since it indicated during its last earnings call that it plans to tighten its belt, according to the Los Angeles Times. The company also updated its cultural memo this month to warn prospective employees that the streaming services “may not be the best place” for those who cannot work on content they disagree with.

“As employees we support the principle that Netflix offers a diversity of stories, even if we find some titles counter to our own personal values. Depending on your role, you may need to work on titles you perceive to be harmful. If you’d find it hard to support our content breadth, Netflix may not be the best place for you,” reads the culture guidelines.

Netflix reported it lost subscribers in the first quarter of 2022, which it chalked up to a rise in password sharing, increased competition from other streaming platforms and dropping its entire subscriber base in Russia. The streaming service is exploring adding a lower-priced, ad-supported tier as well as cutting a number of projects that were in development. The company anticipates losing another 2 million subscribers in the second quarter of 2022.

Apple softens its stance on remote work amid return-to-office delays

Apple is once again delaying its return to the office, and this time it will be less strict about in-person work. The New York Timesunderstands that Apple has delayed the return to offices once again. The iPhone maker will no longer require staff to come to the office three times a week by May 23rd. Instead, the company will reportedly launch a pilot that has some employees return two days a week in the “weeks ahead.” Anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable can still work remotely, according to a company note.

While Apple didn’t share many other details, it promised at least two weeks’ notice before any changes. The test will require that in-person workers wear masks in common spaces and elevators.

We’ve asked Apple for comment. The delay was reportedly prompted by an increase in COVID-19 cases, and comes after multiple setbacks that included the coronavirus’ more transmissible Omicron variant. Until this latest hurdle, Apple had wanted in-person work at least once per week in April and twice per week as of May 2nd.

The company may not have had much choice regardless of the exact infection levels. Thousands of Apple workers have pushed back against the return-to-office plans as part of an “Apple Together” movement. In early May, the alliance published an open letter asking management for more flexibility in remote work. The company’s director for machine learning, Ian Goodfellow, even quit over the return-to-office policy. Apple risked further stoking tensions, and potentially losing more talent, if it continued with its earlier plans.

Blizzard will show off more ‘Overwatch 2’ on June 16th

The first Overwatch 2 PvP beta just wrapped up today, and Blizzard is already preparing to reveal what’s next for the game with an event on June 16th. Details about what to expect are fairly thin for now, though the studio will provide some info on the next PvP beta as well as its plan for the coming months.

Blizzard could be hoping to use the event to address some of the criticism about the first beta. Along with new hero Sojourn and four fresh maps, the beta introduced another game mode, an upgraded game engine, major changes to many heroes and, most significantly, a shift in the number of team members from six to five.

I loved the beta, for the most part (I’m not a fan of the revamped scoreboard at all). It was only a slice of what Overwatch 2 will eventually become, but it still felt fresh. However, some critics felt that the beta wasn’t enough after two years without significant content updates for the original game. Others suggested it was effectively a big patch.

“Overwatch as a world, as a universe, is deeply personal to the team; something that we pour our time, creative energies and passion into,” game director Aaron Keller wrote in a letter to fans. “It can be scary putting something that means so much to you out there for other people to look at. Especially when you know that it’s not finished and you’re asking for people’s real and valid criticisms of what you’ve made. But the reason we do it is important — to make a better game, and it’s our players and our community that make it possible.”

The Overwatch 2 team said it focused on testing specific elements in the first beta, such as the new maps, shift to 5v5, balance and stability of the build and servers. It promised that more features, heroes and maps will be introduced in upcoming betas. Blizzard will surely try to convince the doubters that it’s on the right track with Overwatch 2, hopefully by revealing some more major updates next month. 

In the meantime, a new event just started in the original game, offering the chance to snag some new versions of fan-favorite skins and play some limited-time modes. That could help players pass the time until the next beta, whenever that may start.

Hyundai’s luxury Genesis brand opens US orders for its first EV

Hyundai’s Genesis brand is now taking orders for its first electric vehicle, the GV60. The EV, which follows the G80 hybrid, starts at $58,890 and comes with three years of 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America stations at no extra cost.

US sales will be limited at the outset, however. To begin with, the GV60 will only be available for purchase at select retailers in California, Connecticut, New Jersey and New York.

The EV will be available in two dual-motor trims, Advanced AWD and Performance AWD. It includes a feature called Face Connect, which will allow drivers to lock and unlock their vehicle using facial recognition if they really want to. The GV60 has a near infra-red camera that can scan the driver’s face even in low light and takes advantage of deep learning tech to confirm the person’s identity.

Face Connect can register two drivers and it supports individual profiles for them. Using the facial recognition system, the GV60 can automatically adjust the heads-up display, seat, steering wheel, side mirrors and multimedia based on that person’s preferences and settings. Other features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bang & Olufsen audio, four USB-C ports and a way to start the engine using your fingerprint.

The GV60 Advanced AWD has 74 kW front and 160kW rear motors that can deliver 314 horsepower. Genesis says the 77.4 kWh battery provides an estimated range of 248 miles.

The Performance AWD model, which starts at $68,980, has the same battery but a lower estimated range of 235 miles. That’s because it’s more powerful, with a 160kW on the front as well. The EV can deliver 429 horsepower, rising to 483 HP when the boost mode is active.

The higher-end model also supports Genesis Digital Key 2 with ultra-wideband tech, which works with a compatible iPhone, Apple Watch or Samsung phone. It pairs with Apple Wallet and Samsung Pass and allows owners to digitally share keys with other people.

Genesis has said all its new models will be EVs by 2025 and its vehicle lineup will be fully electrified five years after that. Later this year, Hyundai will start building EVs in the US with the Genesis G70.

Eve’s HomeKit-only Outdoor Cam is now available for $250

After missing its originally planned April 3rd release date, Eve’s Outdoor Cam is available to buy starting today. Announced at CES 2022, the company claims its latest product is the only HomeKit-exclusive floodlight camera on the market. The device works with Apple’s Secure Video framework to safely store any footage it captures on iCloud. End-to-end encryption ensures only the owner of the camera can see live video and recordings. However, that does mean you need an iPhone, iPad or Mac to use the Outdoor Cam in your home.

Outside of HomeKit exclusivity and a minimalist design, Eve’s latest camera includes all the usual features you might expect in a modern security camera. Its 157-degree field of view lens and sensor can record 1080p footage at 24 frames per second. Additionally, the Outdoor Cam includes support for two-way voice communication, and it can detect motion from up to 30 feet away with the help of infrared night vision.

You can purchase the Outdoor Cam from Eve’s website for $249.95.

A Dead by Daylight dating sim will arrive this summer

Behaviour Interactive has shed some light on what’s ahead for its massively popular horror franchise Dead by Daylight. One of the more surprising announcements was for a spinoff game that will take the horror-heavy series in a completely new direction — it’s a dating sim.

I Love You, Colonel Sanders! developer Psyop is working on the visual novel, which is called Hooked on You: A Dead by Daylight Dating Sim. Instead of desperately trying to avoid killers like The Trapper and The Spirit, you’ll be able to flirt with them on Murderer’s Island. Just don’t expect to hook up with licensed characters like Pyramid Head or Sadako from The Ring.

Behaviour says the stories you’ll discover in Hooked on You won’t be canon, though they’ll offer a blend of humor, romance and — since this is a DBD game after all — horror. The studio notes that many DBD fans have been asking for a dating sim set in that universe. They won’t have to wait too long to play it, either. Hooked on You will arrive on Steam this summer.

A ton of other DBD news has emerged ahead of the game’s sixth anniversary, including details about the next chapter, called Roots of Dread. It includes a new map called Garden of Joy, which is not quite as euphoric as its name suggests.

The latest terrifying killer, The Dredge, is an amorphous mass of limbs that can teleport between lockers to catch survivors unaware. Roots of Dread also introduces a new survivor named Haddie Kaur. PC players can try the chapter on the Public Test Build (PTB) today. It’ll arrive on all platforms on June 7th.

Looking slightly further ahead, Behaviour announced a couple more upcoming crossovers, including an unexpected one with Attack on Titan. The studio says fans have been asking for content based on anime and manga. The first partnership of its kind will soon introduce 10 Attack on Titan-inspired outfits for DBD killers and survivors. Among them are an Eren Yeager skin for Dwight, a Hange-inspired look for Zarina and an Armored Titan outfit for The Oni.

An outfit for Dead by Daylight killer The Oni based on Attack on Titan's Armored Titan
Behaviour Interactive

In addition, DBD is delving back into the world of Resident Evil with another chapter based on that classic franchise. Nemesis, Jill Valentine and Leon S. Kennedy arrived last June, and more characters from the series will join them later this year as part of the Resident Evil: Project W chapter.

Elsewhere, Dead by Daylight Mobile is getting a major update that will include changes to leaderboards, social systems, the control layout and visual performance. The activities and rewards systems are being revamped too. The update recently debuted in Japan. It will hit the US in a closed beta in the next few weeks before a broader rollout.

Some changes are on the way to the core PC and console game as well. Behavior says it will soon rework around 40 killer and survivor perks to freshen things up. A new system to get folks into games faster will reward those who queue up for whichever role (survivor or killer) has a smaller player count.

Meanwhile, starting today on the PTB, players can try a useful new preset feature. You can create custom loadouts with preferred perks and outfits for killers and survivors. That could help speed things up before you start a match.

Ford’s Argo AI begins driverless vehicle operations in Austin and Miami

Ford’s self-driving Argo AI unit has hit a major milestone. On Tuesday, it began driverless operations in Austin and Miami. The company’s cars aren’t carrying paying customers just yet, but they’re now allowed to ferry Argo AI employees without a safet…

Meta has nearly doubled the amount of violent content removed from Facebook

Meta has nearly doubled the amount of violent content it removes from Facebook. During the first quarter of 2022, the company took down 21.7 million pieces of content for breaking its rules around violence and incitement of violence, an increase from 12.4 million in the previous quarter.

Takedowns were also up for the quarter on Instagram, but only slightly. The company removed 2.7 million posts for breaking its rules around violence, up from 2.6 million during the last quarter of 2021.

The company shared the new metrics as part of its quarterly community standards enforcement report. In the report, Meta attributed the increase in takedowns to an “expansion of our proactive detection technology.” More than 98 percent of the posts it took down were removed before users reported them, according to the company.

The report comes at a moment when Meta is facing scrutiny for its response time following the recent mass shooting in Buffalo, New York. Live recordings of the shooting circulated on Facebook and other platforms and companies have been slow to take down all the new copies. One copy posted to Facebook was shared more than 46,000 times before it was removed more than nine hours after it was originally posted, according toThe Washington Post.

As with prior mass shootings like Christchurch, the ability for people to quickly download and make new copies of live recordings has tested Meta’s ability to enforce its policies.

“One of the challenges we see through events like this is people create new content, new versions, new external links to try to evade our policies [and] evade our enforcement,” Guy Rosen, Meta’s VP of Integrity, said during a call with reporters. “As in any incident, we’re going to continue to learn to refine our processes, refine our systems to ensure that we can detect we can take down violating content more quickly in the future.”

Meta also shared updated stats around content it mistakenly takes down. For violent content, the company said it eventually restored 756,000 Facebook posts that were appealed after they were initially removed. The company said it’s also “working on developing robust measurements around mistakes,” but didn’t explain what it would measure beyond restores of appealed content.

Updated to clarify that Meta shared updated numbers on takedowns that were appealed and subsequently reinstated.

Apple Store employees accuse company of union busting

Apple Store employees who are organizing in Atlanta have accused the company of union busting and violating the National Labor Relations Act. The Communications Workers of America submitted an Unfair Labor Practice filing on behalf of workers at the Cumberland Mall store. The filing claims that Apple “has conducted mandatory ‘captive audience’ meetings with bargaining unit employees regarding the upcoming election.”

For decades, companies have been allowed to conduct captive audience meetings until 24 hours before a union election begins. Employers typically use these mandatory meetings to deliver anti-union messaging.

However, as The Verge notes, National Labor Relations Board general counsel Jennifer Abruzzo claimed in a memo last month that such meetings are in violation of the National Labor Relations Act. “Forcing employees to listen to such employer speech under threat of discipline — directly leveraging the employees’ dependence on their jobs — plainly chills employees’ protected right to refrain from listening to this speech,” Abruzzo wrote.

The Cumberland Mall Apple Store workers filed for a union election with the NLRB last month. The election is set for early June. The workers said that while they “love this company,” they are fighting for better pay and benefits, among other things.

Union drives are in progress at other Apple Store locations. Earlier this month, it was reported that Apple gave retail store managers anti-union talking points to use in daily “download” meetings that take place before shifts.

“Whether or not we join a union should be up to the workers at the store,” Derrick Bowles, a worker at the Cumberland store, said in a statement. “By having store managers try to persuade us not to join the union during daily downloads, Apple is putting its thumb on the scale.”

Engadget has contacted Apple for comment.

Update 5/17 1:58PM ET: Added Derrick Bowles’ statement and details from the filing.