DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket Website And App Crashes 🚨
Scott D. Clary | Daily Business, Tech & Finance Newsletter
Scott D. Clary
September 12, 2022
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Here’s whats happening:
- DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket website and app crashes
- TransPod plans to build a train-plane hybrid
- MicroStrategy to reinvest $500 million into Bitcoin
- Patreon lays off its entire security team
- Blockchain.com receives regulatory approval in Dubai
DirecTV’s NFL Sunday Ticket Website And App Crashes 🚨
Football fans who tuned in to watch the highly anticipated Week 1 action of the first NFL Sunday Ticket game faced issues with DirecTV’s website and app.
Here’s what happened:
- Several football fans reported seeing an error page when they were trying to access the Sunday ticket website.
- Some fans also complained, saying they could not even sign in.
- Other users complained about getting locked out of the stream and receiving an error message saying they must be located in an NFL stadium to watch the match.
What caused the crash?
Currently, it’s unclear what exactly caused the issues with the Sunday Ticket stream, which started several hours leading up to the game.
Statement from DirecTV spokesperson Alisha Laventure:
“We’re aware some customers are unable to access NFL Sunday Ticket online or through the app,” Laventure said. “Our teams are working to resolve this, but in the meantime, we recommend satellite customers watch on TV,” she added.
TransPod Plans to Build a Train-Plane Hybrid 🚄+🛫
Can you imagine commuting on a train that is nearly three times faster than the Bullet Train?
Well, you can do that with the TransPod.
What is TransPod? 🤔
TransPod, a Canadian startup, has unveiled its plans to build a hybrid between an aircraft and a train that is capable of traveling at a speed of 621 miles per hour.
Dubbed “FluxJet,” the project is presently in the conceptual stage and would involve 82-foot-long, magnetically levitated trains that would carry passengers at high speed.
The FluxJet will depend on “contactless power transmission,” where the train would pull power from the existing electric grid through magnetic fields. It is also equipped with aerodynamic and propulsion systems designed specifically to reduce friction.
The FluxJet will have the capacity for up to 54 passengers, in addition to two wheelchairs. It will be fitted with four luggage racks and can transport up to 10 tons of cargo.
It will travel along a dedicated tube system known as the TransPod line to lessen congestion on roads.
Microstrategy to Reinvest $500 Million Into Bitcoin 💵
Business intelligence firm MicroStrategy recently submitted a filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that will essentially allow it to purchase more bitcoin for up to $500 million.
Key Points:
- The filing with the securities regulator shows that the largest institutional BTC buyer has entered into an agreement with two agents — Cowen & Company and BTIG — to sell its aggregated class A common stock worth $500 million.
- The filing shows that the firm plans to use the money from stock sales for “general corporate purposes, including the acquisition of bitcoin.”
Why does this matter?
- From MicroStrategy’s perspective, the filing comes at a compelling time as there were rumors of the company disposing of its bitcoins.
- This move reassures that the company will continue accumulating more BTC; however, it is yet to do so officially.
- It’s also worth noting that the market reacted quite positively to this filing, as Bitcoin’s price has also seen an uptick in the past few days.
Patreon Lays Off Its Entire Security 🔎 Team
Patreon, a firm that enables content creators to offer monthly payment subscriptions to customers, has reportedly laid off its entire security team.
The layoffs gained visibility after a LinkedIn post from former Patreon privacy engineer Emily Metcalfe.
“So for better or worse, I and the rest of the Patreon Security Team are no longer with the company. As a result I’m looking for a new Security or Privacy Engineering role and would appreciate any connections, advice, or job opportunities from folks in my network. #OpenToWork,” she said in her post.
Patreon, which boasts as many as 8 million monthly users on its platform, says that the layoffs will have no impact on its security program.
“As part of a strategic shift of a portion of our security program, we have parted ways with five employees. The changes made this week will have no impact on our ability to continue providing a secure and safe platform for our creators and patrons,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.
Blockchain.com receives regulatory approval in Dubai 📜
UK-based crypto firm Blockchain.com has received provisional approval to operate in Dubai.
The company has signed an agreement with Dubai’s crypto regulator Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), and would open an office in the region and begin hiring.
With this move, Blockchain.com becomes the latest in a series of digital asset companies expanding in the Gulf as the region looks to become a hub for blockchain technology.
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