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Google Will Stop Data-Mining Student E-Mail Accounts

Did you have a high school or college e-mail account administered by your school? Whatever, Grandma: lately, many schools have migrated to using Google Apps for Education, which provides mail and a suite of other Google services to educators and students for free. Free, really? Surely there must be a catch. Say, that Google was indexing students’ messages in order to serve up more relevant ads to them elsewhere on the Internet.

See, one of the selling points of Google Apps for Education is that unlike regular old Gmail, it doesn’t scan the text of your messages and serve up related ads in order to pay for the whole endeavor. For standard Gmail users who don’t use ad-blocking software, these appear right alongside the messages. In theory, Apps for Education users weren’t supposed to see ads like these. Yes, Google would process the content of customers’ e-mails, but only for features like tagging certain messages as “important” or sorting them into the new “social media” and “Promotions” tabs. So they claimed.

The plaintiffs in a current lawsuit against Google claim that the company is using data gleaned from reading Apps for Education users’ mail in order to serve up more relevant ads elsewhere on the Internet, where many sites use Google’s Adsense service for their advertising.

A company spokesman told media outlets this morning that Google will also stop similar ad-scanning practices for businesses and governments that use Gmail for employee e-mail accounts.

Google Stops Scanning Student Gmail Accounts for Ads [Wall Street Journal]

Google Under Fire for Data-Mining Student Email Messages [Education Week]

by Laura Northrup via Consumerist

Hulu To Finally Let Non-Paying Mobile Users Watch Shows (And Ads, Of Course)

Mobile users will finally be able to watch free Hulu shows — and all the glorious ads they can stomach — on their phones and tablets.

For years, consumers have been able to watch free TV content on Hulu on their computer screens, but if they wanted to check out most of this freely available content on their phones or tablets, they generally had to ante up for a paid Hulu Plus subscription. Today, in addition to some other new features for Hulu, the service announced it will begin making free content readily available to mobile users.

This is a big step forward for Hulu, which had previously limited non-paying mobile users to clips of shows rather than the library of free content that is available to desktop users.

Hulu is different from competitors like Netflix or Amazon Prime, in that almost all of its content — even much of what’s on Hulu Plus — is broken up by advertising breaks. This allows the company to make a number of shows available for streaming to anyone, but it also means Hulu was missing out on ad revenue from non-paying users who can’t access these shows on their mobile devices.

Android users will be the first to get access to free content when it rolls out this summer, followed by iOS users.

OTHER HULU ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The company said today that it will soon be offering advertisers what it calls an “In-Stream Purchase Unit,” that allows Hulu users to make purchases and place orders directly from within Hulu. The first partner to try this will be Pizza Hut, meaning users can order up a pie while catching up on Hannibal, without having to leave Hulu to do so.

Hulu is also continuing to talk to cable operators about getting the service integrated into set-top boxes. It’s already a fixture on most web-connected streaming devices like Roku, Chromecast and Amazon’s new Fire TV.

[via TheVerge]

by Chris Morran via Consumerist

Which Cities Spend The Most Money On Pampering Pets?

( **Ms Judi**♥)

So you think you love your little fluffy wuffy snorgly borgly honeypie Fido, do you? You tuck him in with his special blanket every night, feed him his fancy food and generally fawn over your pet — but how does your city stack up when it comes to spending cash on pets?

Because apparently may is National Pet Month, Amazon.com celebrated by releasing its list of the 20 most pampered pet cities in the United States. Keep in mind that Amazon is in the business of selling pet goods, so this list is far from the definitive word on spoiled pets.

The list is on 2013 sales of pet-related items — from Mr. Whiskers’ favorite toy to Rover’s beloved brush. Does your fish have a ginormous fish palace? That’s included too.

According to Amazon’s list, the most pampered cities for pets on a per capita basis, and in cities with more than 400,000 residents:

1. Miami

2. Seattle

3. Atlanta

4. San Francisco

5. Portland, Ore.

6. Washington, D.C.

7. Las Vegas

8. Austin, Texas

9. Tucson, Ariz.

10. San Diego

11. Sacramento, Calif.

12. Raleigh, N.C.

13. Dnever

14. Colorado Springs, Colo.

15. Baltimore

16. San Jose, Calif.

17. Albuquerque, N.M.

18. Chicago

10. Omaha, Neb.

20. Virginia Beach, Va.

by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist

United Airlines Pilots Call For CEO To Be Bumped From The Company

(Adam Fagen)

It’s been a rough few weeks for United Airlines; once again coming in dead last in an annual customer satisfaction survey of major U.S. carriers, and then posting a quarterly loss of nearly half a billion dollars while Delta and American earned huge profits. Now the leadership of the largest chapter of the United pilots union is making no attempt to hide their disapproval of CEO Jeff Smisek.

The Street reports that in an April 25 letter to the 2,300 members of the Air Line Pilots Association chapter representing United’s pilots based in Newark and New York, chapter officers write that “It’s time to find a new CEO who understands how to run an airline, not just make excuses for his failures.”

The three officers explain that they “have absolutely zero confidence in the ability of present management to lead a turnaround.”

The letter takes issue with what are apparently still-lingering growing pains resulting from United’s merger with Continental. That deal was approved in 2010 and the two carriers have been operating as a single entity since 2012.

“[A] merger that should have been completed in three years or less remains incomplete after nearly four years (and) interdepartmental communication and cooperation are nearly nonexistent,” reads the letter, which also cites “terrible employee morale and excessive outsourcing… combined with chronic operational and IT issues” as a reason that United’s highest tier of frequent fliers have left the airline “in droves,” according to union leadership.

“No one else has a greater financial stake in United Airlines than the collective stake of our pilots,” explains the letter. “Our careers should not be jeopardized by the worst senior management in the airline industry.”

This is just the opinion of the leadership of one chapter of the union. The other chapters will have their say when they all meet in Chicago next week.

by Chris Morran via Consumerist

Energizer Plans To Split Into Two Companies; One For Batteries, Other For Personal Products

(Sunil Garg)

The Energizer bunny will soon be part of a broken home. Okay, not really but the little guy’s parent company plans to split in two; separating the bunny from tampons, shaving gel and other personal products a bunny obviously has no need for.

Energizer Holdings announced plans to break its hefty product portfolio into two separate companies by the end of 2015. One company will continue to sell batteries, while the other will focus on personal care products.

Officials with the company say the split is the latest development in a plan to provide a clearer focus for the company in terms of competition and growth.

“Since becoming an independent company in 2000, Energizer has built two successful divisions and each is now well-suited to realize its full potential on a standalone basis,” Ward M. Klein, CEO of the company, says in a news release.

The new Personal Care company won’t be selling some new brand of household products, either.

In fact, the company behind the iconic bunny is the same company behind some of the most well-known personal care products on the market, such as Platex, Schick and Edge shaving gel, Hawaiian Tropic and Banana Boat sun care products and more.

The Household Products company will continue to sell batteries, portable lighting products from the Energizer and Eveready brands.

Before the company can officially split the plan must be approved by regulators.

Energizer Announces Intent To Separate Into Two Publicly Traded Companies [Energizer Holding Company]

by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist

Food Poisoning Suspected After More Than 100 People Fall Ill During Food Safety Summit

(frankieleon)

While some of our nation’s brightest food minds were gathered at a Food Safety Summit in Maryland earlier this month, the very thing they came together to discuss seems to have wreaked havoc on more than 100 people attending. In what can only be a prank from the food gods, it appears food poisoning is one of the suspected culprits, officials say.

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said that most of those who fell ill have complained of diarrhea, reports the Associated Press, after hearing back from about 400 of the 1,300 attendees. No one has been hospitalized.

It’s still unclear what happened or how the attendees were exposed to the illness over the course of two days earlier this month, when the Baltimore Convention Center hosted representatives the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and food companies like McDonald’s Corp, Tyson Foods Inc and ConAgra Foods Inc.

The illness might’ve spread from person to person, or could’ve been transmitted through the food served during the conference. The food service company was recently inspected in February with no glaring citations, other than a violation notice for condensation dripping from an ice machine.

“We are working on evaluating possible exposures and doing testing at the Maryland state public health laboratory to attempt to identify an agent,” the health department said in the statement.

Food poisoning fells more than 100 at Maryland food safety summit [Associated Press]

by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist

7 Items You’ll Find The Best Prices On During May

(the_justified_sinner)

Our price-tracking colleagues down the hall at Consumer Reports keep track of when the best discounts appear on a variety of items. As we get ready to flip over the calendar page to celebrate May, what will you be able to find the best deals on in the coming month?

Athletic clothing and shoes

If you’re in the market for new sneakers, this might be the month to buy them.

Camping and outdoor gear

This makes sense: in much of the country, the weather is finally tolerable to spend time outside, so companies are competing for our tent money.

Carpeting

…there must be a good reason for this price drop, but we’re not sure what it could be.

Cordless phones

If you’re switching to a cordless phone system for your landline, look for one that has a battery backup so the line remains usable when the power is out.

Lawn mowers and tractors

Your grass might be just waking up again, and it’s time to shop for a mower if you’re looking to buy a new one or replace the one you have. Deals abound, and remember that the best mowers aren’t always the ones with the highest list price.

Mattresses

Try mattresses out in person before buying, which means you have to go to a retail store. Keep in mind that the most expensive models are at the front, waiting to draw your attention.

Small electronics

Pocket-sized gadgets like MP3 players and devices that you plug into your TV will most likely be on sale during May.

7 products on deep discount in May [Consumer Reports]

by Laura Northrup via Consumerist

Looking For New Auto Insurance? Walmart Offers A One-Stop-Shop For That Now, Too

Here’s our idea of what a typically Walmart shopping list looks like: bread, butter, milk, eggs, toothpaste, shampoo, and auto insurance. That is not a typo, Walmart has officially entered every facet of our lives with the launch of their new auto insurance comparison service.

The super-store teamed up with AutoInsurance.com to begin a comparison service that aims to help drivers buy and save on their auto insurance policies, the company announced Wednesday.

Because, you know, you’re already making money transfers and trading in video games for cash at Walmart, why not buy auto insurance there, too?

“Providing our customers with access to a broad assortment – from groceries to tires – at low prices and in one location is what we’re known for. We’re bringing the same one-stop shopping mentality to the insurance industry with AutoInsurance.com,” Daniel Eckert, senior vice president of services for Walmart, says in a news release.

The service provides customers with multiple quotes from insurance carriers such as Progressive, Esurance, Safeco, The General and others. So far, the service is available in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas, but the company plans to offer it nationwide in the coming months.

The idea for the auto insurance comparison service was born out of the realization by Walmart officials that customers “too often have to settle for auto insurance policies that aren’t the best fit and cost more than they want to spend.”

Walmart first experimented with the service last year in Pennsylvania. Customers who used the service reported their annual insurance savings to be an average of about $1,168.

As the exclusive retailer and marketing partner of AutoInsurance.com, Walmart customers will be able to access the service directly from its website.

The company detailed just how the service works in its announcement:

When customers log on to the website, all they have to do is provide their name, address, date of birth and contact information.

They can then opt-in to have the site retrieve their current auto insurance policy. This allows AutoInsurance.com to automatically fill in most of the necessary coverage information and provide a direct apples-to-apples comparison.

In just minutes, the customer is provided multiple quotes from leading carriers. They can customize their coverage, including deductibles, and see those choices immediately reflected in the quotes.

They can choose to either purchase the policy online immediately, speak with a licensed agent at 800-700-7500, or save their information and make the purchase later. There is absolutely no cost or commitment to use the service.

Customers will only be contacted in the future by AutoInsurance.com or the carrier of the policy they purchase.

Walmart Works with AutoInsurance.com to bring Customers First-of-its-Kind Comparison Service [Walmart]

by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist

Study: Salesperson’s Rude Attitude Can Put Customers In The Buying Mood

Big mistake? Vivian would’ve probably liked these meanies according to this study.

Walking into the rarefied air of a fancy boutique might take your breath away if you’re not used to staring at price tags with more zeroes tacked on than you’ve ever held in your hands, but add in a hoity toity salesperson and and you’ve got shopping magic, says a new study looking at snobby sales staff.

Instead of a ginger avenging angel in the guise of Julia Roberts, triumphing over her former tormentors by waving her high-end purchases in their snobby faces a la Pretty Woman, the study says that when sales people act above the shopper, people can be swayed into buying those tony goods, says a study from the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business.

Published in the upcoming Journal of Consumer Research, the study says such treatment might make shoppers feel like they’re getting the real, fancy deal.

“It appears that snobbiness might actually be a qualification worth considering for luxury brands like Louis Vuitton or Gucci,” says Sauder Marketing Prof. Darren Dahl. “Our research indicates they can end up having a similar effect to an ‘in-group’ in high school that others aspire to join.”

Ah yes, leave it to the cool kids to be mean to someone, just to find that such treatment only further chains the poor outcast to the idea of buying her way into acceptance! Sorry, there’s a 12-year-old in me who is feeling skeptical of this whole thing.

Anyway, participants in the study had imagined or real interactions with sales representatives, some who were rude, some who were perfectly pleasant. They then rated their feelings about the brands they were shown and how much they wanted to own them.

Lo and behold, participants said they wanted to be associated with high-end brands and felt that way more after they’d been treated like the stuff on the bottom of Tiffany’s perfectly white Keds. Shh, quiet, 12-year-old me.

However, the sales person had to really come off as an authentic representative of the brand, or face turning off the customer (which might’ve been the case in Pretty Woman) And sales staff acting snobby didn’t help impressions of mass-market brands.

“Our study shows you’ve got to be the right kind of snob in the right kind of store for the effect to work,” says Dahl.

He suggested that if you’re being treated rudely and don’t like it, you should leave and come back later. Or shop online, where you can only count on strangers to leave rude reviews.

Snobby staff can boost luxury retail sales [University of British Columbia]

by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist