Michael Waters
Staff Writer, The Hustle
@michaelwwaters

agriculture

Even butchers are going mobile

With big slaughterhouses closed down, mobile butchers are getting a second look. ...
Michael Waters • June 29, 2020

Big Tech

Starbucks deals social-media giants a scalding burn: No more ads

The ad boycott just got a fresh-brewed new face. ...
Michael Waters • June 29, 2020

Big Tech

Amazon’s new task force is dedicated to busting counterfeits

A group of prosecutors and analysts are trying to solve the tech giant’s biggest headache. ...
Michael Waters • June 26, 2020

coronavirus

Online shopping is ready for a VR makeover

Basically every online store looks the same right now. These companies have a big new idea. ...
Michael Waters • June 26, 2020

Business and entrepreneurship

Everything was canceled. But good luck getting that insurance money.

Canceled flights, business losses: Your insurance probably can’t help you. ...
Michael Waters • June 25, 2020

Emerging Tech

Human IPO wants you to buy shares in regular people

These days, everyone’s going public. ...
Michael Waters • June 24, 2020

Business and entrepreneurship

Wanna challenge a parking ticket or get help on bills? This robo-lawyer can help

DoNotPay is the hidden hero of the pandemic. ...
Michael Waters • June 24, 2020

Business and entrepreneurship

This portable urinal company is flush with demand

Americans are taking lots of road trips -- and that’s opened the floodgates for a new industry. ...
Michael Waters • June 23, 2020

Big Tech

Everyone wants to pay you to leave the Bay Area

More localities are rolling out stipends for remote workers. But good luck getting one. ...
Michael Waters • June 23, 2020

crimes and scams

It’s not just in your neighborhood — fireworks sales are booming

Live in a city? Good luck sleeping this month. ...
Michael Waters • June 22, 2020

coronavirus

Public transit is getting the Uber Pool treatment

With ridership down, cities are going all in on microtransit. ...
Michael Waters • June 22, 2020

Why sports stadiums are suddenly full of cardboard fans

2020 might be the year of the fake sports fan.  Once bustling with beer-soaked fans, stadiums across the world are now full of cardboard...
Michael Waters • June 21, 2020

coronavirus

Long-distance relationships only work if they’re with a dog

Who’s a good virtual dog? ...
Michael Waters • June 19, 2020

coronavirus

Want your cheers on ESPN? There’s an app for that

Sports are coming back -- and total randos can be part of the broadcast. ...
Michael Waters • June 19, 2020

Business and entrepreneurship

This summer, everyone is getting their feet wet with pool sharing

Take a dive into the hottest new industry of our no good, very bad pandemic summer. ...
Michael Waters • June 17, 2020

Big Tech

Politicians, police, and… Panera: Geofencing is taking over

Your location data has a little something for everyone. ...
Michael Waters • June 17, 2020

Big Tech

Airbnb has a plan to fight racial discrimination (again)

Four years after #AirbnbWhileBlack, the company is stepping up its anti-racism efforts. ...
Michael Waters • June 16, 2020

Business and entrepreneurship

How Willie Franklin, a one-man entrepreneur, revamped marijuana packaging

Before he got a hold of them, patients were getting their medical marijuana in ziplock bags. ...
Michael Waters • June 15, 2020

Big Tech

On mute no more: Zoom gets a taste of international politics

The company blocked Tiananmen Square commemorations. US lawmakers got wind of it. ...
Michael Waters • June 15, 2020

Why a small town in Washington is printing its own currency during the pandemic

In a bid to lessen the blow of COVID-19, the town of Tenino has started issuing its own wooden dollars that can only be...
Michael Waters • June 12, 2020

International

Time limits on video games? A Japanese teen is taking the government to court

A regional government tried to limit video gaming. So Wataru fought back. ...
Michael Waters • June 12, 2020

Big Tech

Big Tech is social distancing from facial recognition, sort of

IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon announced they are moving away from the tool -- but let’s look at the fine print. ...
Michael Waters • June 12, 2020

entertainment

One reader’s newsletter for Black and brown women in tech

At the height of the pandemic, Vera Baker created a space for underrepresented women. ...
Michael Waters • June 12, 2020

Big Tech

The Google Play store smacks down Zynn, the TikTok lookalike

The app that dished out tons of free money to users was filled with stolen content. ...
Michael Waters • June 11, 2020

Emerging Tech

How Theo Harvey got ahead in the health wearables game

SynsorMed’s revenue has jumped 40% as more doctors experiment with telehealth. ...
Michael Waters • June 11, 2020

International

Netflix is beating the US military in the ‘Space Force’ trademark race

In Europe, Mexico, and Australia, Netflix now owns legal rights to the name. ...
Michael Waters • June 10, 2020

Big Tech

Amazon’s drone fleet is late to deliver

Fake names and leadership shake-ups: Here’s a look inside Prime Air. ...
Michael Waters • June 10, 2020

Big Tech

An NYU report offers a plan for the content moderation industry

The job is a nightmare. But tech companies might be able to make it a little more humane. ...
Michael Waters • June 9, 2020

Big Tech

Britain and Huawei square off over 5G

The UK’s deal with Huawei is looking shaky. ...
Michael Waters • June 9, 2020

Big Tech

To diversify Reddit’s board, a cofounder is stepping down

Score one for Serena Williams’ husband. ...
Michael Waters • June 8, 2020

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