Silicon Beach Report Nov. 12: Musk, Garcetti Chat Boring Co. Projects

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Elon Musk talks sewage and other Boring application with Eric Garcetti; Vertebrae launches AR platform for e-tailers; Wii users will have to look elsewhere for Netflix

Elon Musk Talks Boring Co. Applications With Mayor Garcetti

During a Nov. 8 public chat with LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, Boring Co. Chief Executive Elon Musk told Mayor Garcetti that his tunneling firm’s applications may stretch far beyond rapid hyperloop transportation. Sewage, water transport, and electrical tunnels are within the Boring Co.’s reach, said Musk, who also noted the firm’s first test tunnel will open to the public Dec. 10. Forbes reports Mayor Garcetti expressed interest in Musk’s potential low-cost sewage tunneling, noting, “Maybe (LA) will get the first sewage tunnel from the Boring Co.?”

Vertebrae Launches E-Commerce AR Platform

Santa Monica-based augmented reality advertising platform Vertebrae announced Nov. 12 the launch of its new AR tool for businesses, deemed Axis. The Business Journal reports Axis allows users such as Tenth Street Hats to give customers a way to try on their merchandise in AR, and already boasts increased website engagement and sales figures since its soft launch in August 2018.

No More Netflix on Wii

To the dismay of Nintendo Co. Ltd.’s Wii users, Netflix will shut down access to its server on Jan. 31. The streaming platform is likely looking to cut costs, as is Nintendo: it announced it will shut down the Wii commerce feature, “Wii Shop” 2019. The Wii platform is over 10 years old and while consoles still exist, its connected software services are being eclipsed by competitors’ offerings, according to Socaltech.

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