Friday, May 24, 2013

Seamless and GrubHub are merging to form a giant food delivery service

Seamless and GrubHub Announce Merger
Combined Networks, Services and Products Will Drive Additional Restaurant and Diner Value
Enhanced Financial Strength Will Allow Organization to Better Scale in Rapidly Growing Food-Ordering Industry

CHICAGO and NEW YORK, May 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Seamless North America LLC and GrubHub Inc. today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to merge two of the nation's premier services for ordering takeout. The merger will create a combined company well positioned to drive more orders to restaurants, deliver a better experience for hungry diners and enhance services to corporate clients.

The combined organization will enable diners and companies in more than 500 cities across the U.S. to order from more than 20,000 local takeout restaurants. In 2012, the online and mobile platforms of the two organizations sent approximately $875 million in gross food sales to local takeout restaurants, resulting in combined revenue well in excess of $100 million.

"We are excited to combine the strengths of these two dynamic organizations in an industry that is rapidly gaining traction. We believe the merger will enhance the products we are able to offer both our diners and restaurants," said Matt Maloney, GrubHub co-founder and CEO. "GrubHub and Seamless share a common goal to generate more business for local takeout restaurants while providing the best possible service to diners. By combining our complementary restaurant and diner networks, we are well positioned for continued growth in a massive market."

"By bringing together some of the industry's most celebrated products, including Seamless's award-winning iPad app and GrubHub's innovative Track Your Grub, we will be able to drive more value to all company stakeholders," said Jonathan Zabusky, CEO of Seamless. "Both companies also share a strong commitment to provide world-class service to restaurants, diners and corporate clients. This merger is an opportunity to glean the best from each platform and improve upon what we bring to all of our partners."

Key strategic benefits of the merger include:
Broader network and product offerings. The expansive network and diversified products and services of the combined organization will strengthen the company's ability to serve restaurants and diners across the U.S. and U.K. Accelerated innovation. The anticipated pooling of the combined organization's research and technology will help to streamline product development and better address the evolving needs of this dynamic industry.

Enhanced financial flexibility and strength. The merger will allow the company to pursue growth opportunities while continuing to invest in its current business.

Matt Maloney will serve as chief executive officer of the new organization, and Jonathan Zabusky will serve as president. GrubHub and Seamless shareholders will both have significant representation on the combined company's Board of Directors. Brian McAndrews, an independent director on the Seamless board prior to this transaction, will serve as chairman of the new, combined board. The merger is subject to regulatory approval.

The combined company's management team is expected to draw upon the experienced group of leaders from both companies. As well, the combined organization's name and marketing brands are expected to be determined following regulatory approval.

Latham & Watkins LLP acted as legal counsel to Seamless. Citi served as financial advisor and Goodwin Procter acted as legal counsel to GrubHub.

About GrubHub
GrubHub is a leading online and mobile food-ordering service that shows diners local restaurants available for delivery or pick up. Available in more than 500 cities across the nation, GrubHub features more than 20,000 online ordering restaurants and, as the parent company of Allmenus, lists approximately 250,000 restaurant menus. Diners who order through GrubHub's free website or mobile apps can pay with cash, credit or PayPal™, and every order is supported by GrubHub's 24/7 customer service. Founded in 2004, GrubHub is a privately held company headquartered in Chicago.


About Seamless
Seamless is a leading mobile and online service for ordering delivery and takeout food from more than 12,000 restaurants in the U.S. and UK. Seamless serves diners and many of the world's largest companies across cities including New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Houston, Austin, Seattle, Portland, Miami, London and other major U.S. cities. The company offers mobile applications for iPad®, iPhone®, Android™, and BlackBerry® and owns MenuPages®, a comprehensive mobile and web provider of up-to-date menu content.


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25 Priceless Texts Only Mom Could Write

Neha-prakash By Neha Prakash2013-05-10 10:14:37 +1000

With Mother's Day just around the corner, it's that time we appreciate all that Mom has done for us over the years.

Yes, those 3 a.m. feedings were crucial and packing our lunches was a big deal, but there's something else that they've done that really proves how much they care — texting. We all know moms would much rather pick up a phone and give us kids a ring to chat about our day or make sure we are eating our veggies. But moms are aware that texting is the true key to 21st century kid-to-parent communication, so they try.

Granted, trying is often paired with failing, so even though moms text, it can be awkward, confusing and traumatizing. We've gathered texting snafus between mothers and children from Damn You Autocorrect that will have you permanently ditch texting for a simple old-fashioned phone call with Mommy.

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All images published with permission from Damn You Autocorrect. Homepage image by Mashable: Image via iStockphoto, ryccio.

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Snoop Dogg Wants to Perform With Bob Marley 3D Hologram

SnoopsmokeTodd-olmstead By Todd Olmstead2013-05-09 23:05:02 UTC

Snoop Dogg has been known for many things throughout his career, from his long list of hits as a solo artist to his very vocal love of marijuana. But he's also developed a reputation for being cutting edge and social savvy.

In addition to his large presence on Facebook and Twitter, he made news last year for his powerful performance alongside a hologram of the late rapper Tupac Shakur.

Earlier this week, Snoop Dogg — also more recently known as Snoop Lion — teamed up with Mashable for a Twitter chat Q&A with fans and offered insight into his artistic motivation, favorite collaborators and if he would perform with another 3D holographic artist in the future.

When asked which artist he would collaborate with again as a hologram, he said: "bobmarley!!!!!" And as for where he wants to perform one day? "Tha moon."

He also used the chat as an opportunity to promote his two new apps: The Reincarnated Track Notes app [iTunes link], which is a companion to his new album, as well as the Snoopify app for photo sharing. He even sent us this photo he made using Snoopify featuring Mashable founder Pete Cashmore:

During the hour-long Twitter chat, Snoop Dogg received thousands of questions and the hashtag #SnoopChat quickly became a worldwide trending topic. Below, check out some of the highlights from Snoop's Twitter chat.

Image courtesy of Snoop Dogg

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Google's Field Trip app granting free admission to 13 museums

Google's Field Trip app granting free admission to 13 museums data = {blogUrl: "www.engadget.com",v: 315};when = {jquery: lab.scriptBs("jquery"),plugins: lab.scriptBs("plugins"),eng: lab.scriptBs("eng")}; var s265prop9 = ('20575293' !== '') ? 'bsd:20575293' : ''; var postID = '20575293'; var modalMNo = '93379667', modalVideoMNo = '93320648', modalGalleryMNo = '93304207'; when.eng("eng.omni.init", {pfxID:"weg",pageName:document.title,server:"acp-ld39.websys.aol.com",channel:"us.engadget", s_account: "aolwbengadget,aolsvc", short_url: "",pageType:"",linkInternalFilters:"javascript:,",prop1:"article",prop2:"software",prop9:s265prop9,prop12:document.location,prop17:"",prop18:"",prop19:"",prop20:"", prop22:"alexis-santos", prop54:"blogsmith",mmxgo: true }); adSendTerms('1')adSetMOAT('1');adSetAdURL('/_uac/adpagem.html');lab._script("http://o.aolcdn.com/os/ads/adhesion/js/adhads-min.js").wait(function(){var floatingAd = new AdhesiveAd("10000057",{hideOnSwipe:true});}); onBreak({980: function () { adSetType("F");htmlAdWH("93379667", "LB", "LB"); adSetType("");}}); EngadgetMenu NewsReviews Features Galleries VideosEventsPodcasts Engadget ShowTopics Buyers Guides Sagas Store HD Mobile Alt Announcements Cameras Cellphones Desktops Displays Gaming GPS Handhelds Home Entertainment Household Internet Laptops Meta Misc Networking Peripherals Podcasts Robots Portable Audio/Video Science Software Storage Tablets Transportation Wearables Wireless Acer Amazon AMD Apple ASUS AT&T Blackberry Canon Dell Facebook Google HP HTC Intel Lenovo LG Microsoft Nikon Nintendo Nokia NVIDIA Samsung Sony Sprint T-Mobile Verizon About UsSubscribeLike Engadget@engadgettip uswhen.eng("eng.nav.init")when.eng("eng.tips.init") onBreak({980: function () {htmlAdWH("93379670", "215", "35",'AJAX','ajaxsponsor');}});Google's Field Trip app granting free admission to 13 museums MobileBypostedMay 20th, 2013 at 4:47 AM 0

Google's Field Trip app granting free admission to 13 museums

While Google's Field Trip app may find attractions off the beaten path, it's been up to users to foot the bill for their excursions. Now, however, the Niantic Labs-made application is handing out freebies for an unspecified limited time, allowing those who wield it to waltz into 13 museums for free. Folks near the establishments will receive Free Entry cards in the "nearby" tab, which will let them pass turnstiles without forking over a dime. Although Field Trip has been beefed up with points of interest in over 80 countries, the participating institutions -- which range from The Field Museum to the Walt Disney Family Museum -- are all located in six US cities. Head past the break for the full list.

Conservatory of Flowers, SFCalifornia Academy of Sciences, SFWalt Disney Family Museum, SFMuseum of Contemporary Art, LAMuseum of Contemporary Art, ChicagoAdler Planetarium, ChicagoThe Field Museum, ChicagoMuseum of the city of New York, NYMuseum of Arts and Design, NYNational Building Museum, DCPortland Children's MuseumPortland Art MuseumPittock Mansion, Portland when.eng("eng.perm.init")

Powerful Video Asks When You Chose to Be Straight

Samantha-murphy By Samantha Murphy2013-05-09 18:04:08 UTC

For years, gay people have been asked when they realized their sexual orientation. Now, a video asks the same question to the straight demographic and the results are profound.

Travis Nuckolls and Chris Baker conducted a series of street interviews in Colorado Springs, Colo., asking people if sexuality is a choice for homosexuals. And then, the duo asks, "When did you choose to be straight?"

"It depends on what people grow up finding out. I think it's a choice later in life, but it depends on upbringing," one respondent said. After being asked when he chose to be straight, he said: "That's a good call, man. I didn't choose to be. I was born [straight]."

According to the YouTube description, the team wanted to "prove that asking the right question can be more important than anything you can tell someone."

We don't want to ruin the full effect of the video, but the message is powerful. Be sure to check it out above.

Image via iStockphoto, ryasick

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