Grubhub’s offer of free lunch to anyone in the New York City metro area today led to sheer chaos. Many were unable to access the promotional deal — which was scheduled to run from 11 am to 2 pm ET this afternoon — when both the website and app started to crash, according to tweets from many frustrated users. A large number of restaurants were overwhelmed with orders from hungry customers, prompting them to pause taking on new orders or “close” for the day. Although Grubhub’s “free lunch” promo was actually just a deep discount (the offer was good for $ 15, and customers were responsible for additional taxes, tip and delivery fee), turns out few people will turn down the offer of a cheap meal, especially in one of the world’s most expensive cities. While access to the website and app was eventually restored, a number of customers still complained about delayed or canceled orders.
Why did @Grubhub offer free delivery in NYC & then the restaurants all turned off their delivery 😭😭😭😭 like whattt #grubhub#nyc
— the Next Oprah ✨ (@iampreciousnkem) May 17, 2022
At its peak, Grubhub said its platform was receiving 6,000 orders per minute. “The initial demand temporarily overwhelmed our app, causing some diners to experience an error message when they used their promo code. However, this was quickly rectified, and along with our restaurant and driver partners, we were able to successfully fulfill more than 400,000 lunch orders connected to the promotion,” a spokesperson for Grubhub told Engadget.
But workers and restaurant owners faced worse problems than merely going hungry on their lunch breaks. Buzzfeedspoke to several Grubhub delivery people and restaurant owners and workers, all who recounted a harrowing, stressful day filled with non-stop orders. Many workers and restaurants told various outlets that they weren’t informed about the promo in advance.
.@Grubhub not giving restaurants a heads up to be prepared for the surge in demand is gross. The restaurant called me super apologetic saying that they’re essentially out of food because they had no clue this was happening. https://t.co/ETSXnaxJ7G
— Ashley. (@arneespeaks) May 17, 2022
“We really got slammed by it today,” Ching, a worker from Greenberg’s Bagels told Buzzfeed. “It was just non-stop all day.”
Grubhub denied claims that it didn't inform restaurants of the promo beforehand. "Grubhub isn’t just a delivery logistics app, we are a marketplace for restaurants. And as we do with any promotions, we notify our entire restaurant network in advance via multiple points of communication," a Grubhub spokesperson told Engadget in a statement.
Despite the advance warning, it's clear many restaurants were unprepared for the barrage of orders and the extra strain on staff and food supply that such an offer incurred.
currently working front of house at a restaurant in brooklyn and you guys big time messed up. we have over 30 cold orders not being picked up by drivers and our phones are off the hook with angry customers. absolutely fucking over the entire NYC service industry today
— renny (@rennyconti) May 17, 2022
You won't have to leave the social media sphere to catch some of the coverage surrounding FIFA World Cup matches. Fox Sports has expanded its relationship with Twitter to offer live pre-game shows and in-match previews (through @foxsports and @foxsoccer) for every match of World Cup 2022 and Women's World Cup 2023. You can also expect "near real-time" highlights during play as well as post-match discussions.
The exclusive deal for both the men's and women's tournaments is a first for Twitter, according to the social network's global content head TJ Adeshola. Naturally, you can expect Fox to support the streams through ads.
You'll still have to use the Fox Sports app or website (plus a pay TV subscription) if you want to stream the matches themselves. Like it or not, the broadcaster still wants to steer you toward its most lucrative business. Even so, this at least offers more ways to immerse yourself in the group stages or build up hype for a must-win knockout match.
Those of us that were disappointed when Essential shut its doors and thus consigned hopes of a second-generation smartphone to history will perk up when they hear that a number of the team that worked on the original Essential Phone are planning on launching a new smartphone under the OSOM brand called the OV1. The […]
Come comment on this article: The OSOM OV1 could offer the ‘essential’ smartphone experience when it launches in Q4 2022, no word on possible Kenobi Edition
The iPhone 14 Pro is rumored to have the most RAM out of any previous iPhone, rivaling the upcoming Galaxy S22 in terms of memory.
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Tribit features regularly on TalkAndroid and for good reason; the brand usually delivers impeccable sound at an affordable price. Its latest entry into the audio segment is the MoveBuds H1 Sports Earbuds that feature IPX8 water resistance, up to 40 hours battery life when you take the charging case into account, and a price tag […]
Come comment on this article: Tribit’s new MoveBuds H1 Sports Earbuds offer up to 40 hours of playback, IPX8 certification, and cost $ 89
Zoom was clearly one of the biggest tech winners of 2020 thanks to its easy video calls, and it now appears eager to translate that success elsewhere. The Information’s sources claim Zoom is developing an email service and considering a matching cale…
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As helpful as Tesla’s Sentry Mode may be, it doesn’t provide much insight from the car’s cameras until there’s an incident. What if you could take a peek at any moment? You just might. Electrek reports that code sleuth Green has discovered hints at r…
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LG stirred up the pot with its dual-screened, swiveling Wing smartphone that shows the Korean handset maker is still passionate about making intriguing phones, as it did with the modular G5 and the self-healing Flex from yesteryear. As Jared gets to grips with our review unit, T-Mobile has announced that the LG Wing will be […]
Come comment on this article: [Update: Now on sale at AT&T and Verizon] The LG Wing goes on sale at T-Mobile on November 6 with BOGO offer
T-Mobile, America’s Uncarrier, is introducing the Motorola razr 5G on October 2 with a tempting offers that could see customers receiving a 50% discount on the device. The Motorola razr 5G is an interesting device, combining iconic looks and design with modern Android smartphone software and hardware. The device is based around the mid-range Qualcomm […]
Come comment on this article: T-Mobile is introducing the Motorola razr 5G on October 2 with a brilliant half price offer
After years of leaks and speculation, Ford is finally showing off the three 4x4s that will reintroduce its Bronco brand. The two- and four-door Broncos are “rugged” SUVs with removable roof panels and available 35-inch tires, while the “smaller sibli…
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It’s pretty rare that Comcast is in the news for anything good, but their wireless MNVO service, Xfinity Mobile, just made a big announcement that’s going to earn some goodwill from customers. At least for a while. Xfinity Mobile 5G service 5G isn’t very widespread at this point, and that’s just for bigger postpaid carriers. […]
Come comment on this article: Comcast’s Xfinity Mobile becomes one of the first prepaid carriers to offer 5G, and it’s free
Rumors that Apple is developing its own over-ear wireless headphones have been circulating since as far back as 2018 — now fresh reports have added more fuel to the fire. As reported by Bloomberg, people “familiar with the matter” say that the tech g…
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AT&T Prepaid and Cricket Wireless have launched a $ 15 phone plan that's available for a limited time to both new and existing customers. It comes with 2GB of data, unlimited talk and text and no activation fee — and it's clearly a direct competi…
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YouTube may take a cue from Amazon and Apple in letting you put all your streaming services in one place. The Information sources say YouTube has spent the past several months talking to "several" streaming providers about allowing sign-ups for thei…
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We recently reviewed OPPO’s Reno 10x Zoom Edition and came away with a good impression of the company’s first foray into Europe’s premium smartphone segment. As Huawei’s troubles with the US government continues to affect its access to Google apps and services, the second wave of OPPO phones has reached Europe in the form of […]
Come comment on this article: OPPO’s new Reno 2 and Reno 2Z offer a whole lotta bang for your buck
It's finally happening: 4G is coming to the London Underground. After years of promises, Londoners will at last be able to check their email while traveling on the Tube.
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YouTube is giving Samsung Galaxy S10 customers a reason to celebrate by giving the gift of YouTube Premium! Starting today, users can enjoy four months of free, uninterrupted, ad-free access to YouTube, and our new music streaming service, YouTube Music.
With this new offer, users can bring the best of YouTube Premium and Galaxy S10 together for an incredible viewing and listening experience:
Seamless, ad-free streaming
The world’s first HDR10+ certified Dynamic AMOLED screen on Galaxy S10 devices means YouTube videos—including YouTube Originals—look crisper and fuller than ever. And now, you can watch ad-free.
Background play
Keep in your flow, even with your phone in your pocket. With YouTube Premium, you can keep videos playing when the screen is off.
Next-gen downloading
YouTube Premium means you can download videos for when you’re on the go. And by connecting with Galaxy S10’s next-generation Wi-Fi 6 support, downloading is as fast as it’s ever been.
YouTube Music
A new music streaming app, made by YouTube. Enjoy millions of official songs, albums, live performances, music videos, and more—ad-free, offline and in the background with YouTube Premium.
Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Tab S5e devices will also come with a 4-month offer once available for purchase. And all other Samsung Galaxy device owners who activate a device between February 20, 2019 – February 29, 2020 will be able to try YouTube Premium for 2 months free*. Both 4- and 2-month offers are available globally where Samsung Galaxy devices and YouTube Premium are available**.
Ready to redeem your offer with a qualifying device? Click here.
*Standard eligibility applies: Offer only available to customers who are not current YouTube Premium, YouTube Music Premium or Google Play Music subscribers, have not been YouTube Premium, YouTube Music Premium, YouTube Red, or Google Play Music subscribers, nor participated in a YouTube Premium, YouTube Music Premium, Google Play Music, or YouTube Red trial before. At the end of the trial period, users will be automatically charged the standard subscription price unless cancelled before the end of the trial. Offer must be redeemed by March 31, 2020.
**Offer available to participants in the United States, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada (excluding Quebec), Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
Valve's Steam Machine platform hasn't really taken off, and it's not just because of the hardware. When few developers are willing to release Linux-native versions of games to run on Steam OS, there just isn't a lot to play. Thankfully, the company…
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The market of internet streaming TV is getting more and more competitive every day, but it’s pretty safe to say Sling TV kickstarted the entire concept. There’s a few more services to choose from today, whether we’re talking about PlayStation Vue, DirecTV Now, or any of the other smaller, more specific bundles, but Sling TV […]
Come comment on this article: Sling TV reorganizes, will offer a new free tier and more on-demand content
Elon Musk has posted a video of Boring Company's first nearly completed tunnel under Los Angeles, which heads towards LAX and has an extra entrance at the SpaceX Hawthorne HQ. The multi-company chief said the tunnel is almost done, pending regulatory…
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Google is getting serious about its role as a travel service. Come April 10, 2018 the search giant will shut down access to its QPX Express API that's used by the likes of Kayak and Orbitz for airfare data, as spotted by Hacker News. This could serio…
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This week LG took the wraps off their fall flagship device, the LG V30, which should put them into a better position to contend with other flagship level devices as compared to the LG G6 which launched with some dated hardware. While not touted as part of the release announcement, LG did put together a […]
Come comment on this article: Sprint lands opportunity to offer LG V30+
The Nokia 8 broke cover in the run-up to IFA 2017, so while it wasn't officially launched at the show in Germany, it's one of several phones vying for your cash ahead of a certain company's next phone. It's the most accomplished Android phone that No…
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Looks like Cricket Wireless will be the exclusive U.S. seller of the HTC Desire 650 that launched in late 2016. Hit the break for details. The Desire 650 from HTC features 5-inch HD (720p) display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 400, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage with a microSD card slot, 13MP / 5MP cameras, a […]
Come comment on this article: Cricket Wireless will offer the HTC Desire 650 in the U.S.
There's more to Pokémon Sun and Moon than new locations and monsters. Nintendo has announced during its E3 livestream that the game will also introduce a four-player battle mode called 'Battle Royal.' Each trainer selects a Pokémon and…
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T-Mobile is convincing consumers to buy the new HTC 10 on its wireless service. For a limited time, T-Mobile will give freebies away to those who purchase the device and sign up. HTC is relying on its new flagship smartphone to bring in some much-needed profit. T-Mobile is hoping to boost sales with a new […]
Come comment on this article: T-Mobile will offer goodies with the purchase of an HTC 10
A new external battery from Schosche uses magnets to stick to your phone, allowing you to quickly attach it when you want to use it and detach it when you don’t. To do this, the battery requires a small adhesive magnet to be stuck to your phone.
The post External battery sticks to your phone to offer a slim and stylish package appeared first on Digital Trends.
If you thought finding out how your activity levels were doing was a chore, now you can just ask your local Amazon Echo or Tap device and it can tell you, because the Alexa back-end now supports Fitbit.
The post Fitbit teams up with Alexa to offer voice-activated fitness data appeared first on Digital Trends.
Verizon announced on Thursday that it will begin offering call, text and data access to customers visiting the Caribbean nation as part of its Pay-As-You-Go International Travel option. The plan will charge $ 3 a minute for voice, standard internati…
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With the rise of telemedicine and other remote medical services, it was only a matter of time before someone decided that counseling would need to go digital. Now, patients can seek spiritual guidance by way of Skype,
The post Chaplain services make virtual house calls, offer spiritual guidance via Skype appeared first on Digital Trends.