Latest news with #Sphera
Los Angeles Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Meta launches $399 Oakley AI Glasses with 3K video recording
Meta Platforms Inc. is going up-market with its surprise hit smart glasses, rolling out new models with Oakley that are aimed at athletes and include improved video recording. The company on Friday launched new models based on Oakley's HSTN design, marking the company's first expansion away from Ray-Ban for its display-free glasses. Like the original models, the Oakley versions can make and take phone calls, play music, take pictures and video and use Meta's artificial intelligence to answer questions about the surrounding environment. The new versions, which start at $399 and go up to $499 for a limited edition model with gold-colored accents, include about double the battery life, video-recording at 3K resolution and water resistance. 'We are increasingly seeing performance use cases with the Ray-Bans like people wearing them on roller coasters, cycling and being around water, so we're trying to lean into that,' says Alex Himel, the company's vice president in charge of wearables, in an interview. Arriving at its second glasses brand was far from a sure thing. Meta's first glasses, the Ray-Ban Stories, flopped in 2021. But its follow-up version in 2023 was a massive success, giving the social networking giant a real potential hardware stronghold in the artificial intelligence race. 'It was crazy. Popularity caught us by surprise a bit,' Himel said. The Ray-Bans were 'going to be the last display-less pair of glasses. We said we'll take two swings at it, and if it doesn't work we'll go all-in on augmented reality.' Instead, beyond the latest Oakley model, the company has a multi-year road map for the display-less category and is planning a follow-up pair of Oakley glasses based on the Sphera design for later this year, according to people with knowledge of the matter. That pair will be aimed at cyclists and have a centered camera. Friday's model has a camera positioned in the upper corner like the Ray-Ban version. The display-free glasses are one component of the overall Meta AI hardware strategy. The company is planning to introduce higher-end glasses with a display to view notifications and the camera view finder later this year, Bloomberg News has reported. In 2027, it aims to roll out its first true augmented reality glasses, which will blend digital apps with the real world. Meta's form-factor has caught on, with several other technology companies working on competitors. Apple Inc. is planning to introduce its first glasses product at the end of 2026, Bloomberg News has reported. That device will operate similarly to the Meta product but better synchronize with the rest of the Apple ecosystem. Inc. also sells glasses, but their current models lack cameras. Himel, who said Meta has sold millions of glasses and has a 'nice, increasing multiple' of purchases on a year-over-year basis each week, attributed the increased popularity to the Ray-Bans improving across a large number of 'small things.' He said the audio quality and microphones started to surpass standalone earbuds, while the camera and AI quality also improved. Still, Himel said battery life remains the 'number one complaint' about the Ray-Ban versions. The new Oakley models can run for 8 hours on a single charge, with the charging case holding 48 hours of juice. 'You should expect a 40% bump with these' he says, attributing the improvement to new battery chemistry and software optimizations — not larger battery packs. Like Ray-Ban, Oakley is owned by EssilorLuxottica SA, which calls Oakley its second most popular brand after Ray-Ban. Himel said Meta will roll out new brands under the EssilorLuxottica portfolio 'as fast as we can. 'We're going to have to move very quickly because in the world of fashion, stuff moves very quickly,' he says. 'The stuff that is a hit right now might not be a year from now. We need to be fast to hit all the brands that we'd like to.' The first Oakley model, becoming available for pre-order on July 11, will be the $499 limited edition pair. The $399 versions — which come in grey, black, brown and clear colors — will be released in the coming months. There will be versions with clear, transition and polarized lenses. Like with the Ray-Bans, users can swap the lenses for prescription optics. The glasses will be available in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark, according to Meta. (Updated with availability of new smart glasses in several countries. A previous version corrected the name of Meta executive Alex Himel.) Gurman writes for Bloomberg.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Blackstone Stock Stumbled Today
A media report claimed that the company is mulling a big-ticket sale of a business it owns. A divestment could bring in proceeds of almost $3 billion, according to the report's sources. The powerful investment management company Blackstone (NYSE: BX) wasn't looking all that mighty on the stock exchange Wednesday. On news that it's considering the sale of a promising, next-generation tech company, investors were wary of its stock. The shares closed the day down by more than 1%, contrasting unfavorably with the S&P 500's (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) slight gain of 0.2%. After market close on Tuesday, Reuters published an article stating that Blackstone is pushing forward with plans to sell off Sphera. The tech company specializes in sustainability and risk management software, and offers related consulting services. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » Citing three unnamed "people familiar with the matter," the news agency said Blackstone has hired investment bankers to manage the sale. The effort to unload Sphera is in its early stages, those sources said. Sphera is a prominent operator in its field. According to Reuters, its annual revenue tops $300 million, and it has more than 8,400 clients located throughout the world. Among its clientele are significant companies such as Mercedes-Benz and Siemens. The people cited in the article said a sale could potentially reap nearly $3 billion. Neither Blackstone nor Sphera has officially commented on the article. Blackstone investors might not like the idea that a successful operator that has carved a lucrative niche for itself is about to be dropped from the company's asset list. Yet if the story is accurate, it would be in line with Blackstone's stated goal to be more assertive about portfolio sell-offs this year compared to last. I feel we shouldn't rush to judgment about Blackstone and Sphera until we get a better idea of how a potential deal is unfolding. The former could do very well indeed in the sale of such an attractive asset. Before you buy stock in Blackstone, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Blackstone wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $607,048!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $668,193!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 880% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 161% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of April 28, 2025 Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Blackstone. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Blackstone Stock Stumbled Today was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
Reuters
29-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Blackstone explores $3 billion sale of sustainability software firm Sphera, sources say
NEW YORK, April 29 (Reuters) - Blackstone (BX.N), opens new tab is exploring a $3 billion sale of Sphera, a sustainability software and consulting services provider, according to three people familiar with the matter. The private equity firm has hired investment bankers at William Blair and Evercore to run the sale, which is in its early stages, said the people who requested anonymity speaking about confidential matters. Chicago, Illinois-based Sphera, provides risk management software as well as data and consulting services to corporations to help them stay compliant with environmental, health, safety and sustainability guidelines and other related matters. The company has served more than 8,400 customers globally across 95 countries, according to Sphera's website. Some of its global customers include Danone, Siemens, Mercedes-Benz, Wrangler, and others. Sphera generates over $300 million in annual revenue and more than $100 million in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), the sources said. The company is expected to fetch close to $3 billion in a potential sale, the people added. Blackstone planned to shed twice as many portfolio holdings in 2025, compared to last year. However, dealmaking has cooled since the Trump administration sparked a global trade war in early April. Despite the slowdown in M&A, private equity firms are facing pressure to return capital to their limited partners (LPs), leading to process launches of private equity's most resilient assets.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Blackstone explores $3 billion sale of sustainability software firm Sphera, sources say
By Milana Vinn NEW YORK (Reuters) -Blackstone is exploring a $3 billion sale of Sphera, a sustainability software and consulting services provider, according to three people familiar with the matter. The private equity firm has hired investment bankers at William Blair and Evercore to run the sale, which is in its early stages, said the people who requested anonymity speaking about confidential matters. Blackstone declined to comment. Evercore, William Blair, and Sphera did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comments. Chicago, Illinois-based Sphera, provides risk management software as well as data and consulting services to corporations to help them stay compliant with environmental, health, safety and sustainability guidelines and other related matters. The company has served more than 8,400 customers globally across 95 countries, according to Sphera's website. Some of its global customers include Danone, Siemens, Mercedes-Benz, Wrangler, and others. Sphera generates over $300 million in annual revenue and more than $100 million in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), the sources said. The company is expected to fetch close to $3 billion in a potential sale, the people added. Blackstone planned to shed twice as many portfolio holdings in 2025, compared to last year. However, dealmaking has cooled since the Trump administration sparked a global trade war in early April. Despite the slowdown in M&A, private equity firms are facing pressure to return capital to their limited partners (LPs), leading to process launches of private equity's most resilient assets. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ESG Outlook: Sphera's Scott Lehmann on Integrating Sustainability Into Business Strategies
ESG Outlook is Sourcing Journal's discussion series with industry executives to get their take on their company's latest environmental, social and governance initiatives and their own personal efforts toward sustainability. Here, Scott Lehmann, VP, product management at integrated sustainability and operational risk management software, data and consulting services Sphera, discusses why proactive risk management is no longer optional. Name: Scott LehmannTitle: VP, product managementCompany: Sphera More from Sourcing Journal Chain Reaction: Virginie Blot of Akeneo on Reducing Returns and Enhancing Customer Experience Up Close: In Conversation with SPS Commerce's Brandon Pierre Proposed Class Action Alleges Amazon Allows Third Parties to 'Covertly Siphon' Consumer Location Data What do you consider your company's best ESG-related achievement over the last 5 years? Whether it's supply chain risk management, reducing environmental impact, ensuring worker and broader operational safety or navigating complex regulations, our goal is to help businesses meet requirements and operate more efficiently and responsibly while also managing risk. One of our biggest wins has been developing our integrated sustainability solutions. Managing sustainability data can be overwhelming, especially with different teams working across various areas like operations, supply chain, and product development. Our solution brings all that data together in one place, making it easier for companies to align their efforts and get a clear picture of their sustainability performance. This has been a game-changer for Scope 3 reporting, helping businesses build stronger data foundations and provide more accurate, comprehensive sustainability risk and emissions disclosures. We're making sustainability management more streamlined and actionable for our clients. What is your company's most recent ESG product or initiative? The SpheraCloud Integrated Sustainability solution is designed to help businesses navigate the growing complexities of sustainability reporting and compliance. As stakeholder expectations rise, companies need accurate, transparent and actionable data to drive their sustainability strategies. This solution streamlines data collection, emissions tracking, regulatory reporting, and sustainability performance management, all in one AI-powered platform and available with our expert consultants. By automating key processes and integrating real-time insights, SpheraCloud helps organizations reduce manual efforts, improve data accuracy, and make more informed sustainability decisions. It's all about making sustainability management seamless to help businesses meet compliance requirements, but also drive measurable impact long term. What is the biggest misconception businesses have about ESG compliance and corporate sustainability? Many companies see sustainability as simply a compliance box to check. In reality, sustainability is a strategic opportunity that can drive business value and drive innovation, efficiency and resilience. When applied in a balanced way, sustainability creates long-term business success. The organizations that embed sustainability in their operations, products and supply chains eventually emerge as clear leaders. But even before they establish themselves as leaders, they find that sustainability helps them differentiate themselves in the marketplace, innovate, attract investment, achieve cost savings, enhance customer loyalty and strengthen their ability to manage climate-related risks. Sphera helps shift this perspective with integrated solutions that go beyond compliance. Our tools ensure regulatory alignment and enhance operational performance, risk management and brand reputation. We empower organizations to see sustainability as a pathway to sustainable growth and a competitive advantage. The COVID-19 crisis forced many companies to rethink sustainability and risk management. What are the biggest takeaways from that period that remain relevant today for businesses? The pandemic was a wake-up call for businesses. It exposed how fragile supply chains can be, how quickly regulations can shift, and the importance of real-time data for making informed decisions. Companies that had integrated risk management systems in place were able to adapt quickly, while the others scrambled to catch up. The biggest lesson learned during this period was that proactive risk management is no longer optional. Businesses need full visibility across their operations and supply chains to anticipate disruptions and respond effectively. With AI-driven technology, companies can analyze risks in real time, helping them make smarter, faster decisions and stay resilient in an ever-changing landscape. As consumer pressure around sustainability reporting increases, what challenges do companies face in navigating and meeting these expectations? Consumers expect transparency when it comes to sustainability. They want to know where products come from, how they're made, and what impact they have on the environment and society. This growing demand puts companies under pressure to provide clear, credible and consistent sustainability reporting. Investing in ESM [enterprise service management] solutions allows companies to improve data accuracy, align reporting with evolving standards, and communicate their progress in a way that resonates with consumers. What do you see as the biggest missed opportunity in corporate sustainability, where companies could be making a greater impact but aren't? Too many companies focus on meeting the bare minimum requirements rather than fully integrating sustainability into business strategies. When sustainability efforts are siloed, organizations miss out on opportunities to drive innovation, improve efficiency, and build stronger relationships with stakeholders. Sustainability should be woven into decision-making to drive growth and resilience. Companies taking this approach gain a competitive edge by making business decisions that benefit their bottom line and the world around them. How does Sphera support companies in integrating sustainability into their supply chains, ensuring compliance while also driving business value? Sustainability efforts are only as strong as the supply chains behind them. Our Supply Chain Sustainability solution helps businesses gain full visibility into their suppliers by collecting direct data on Scope 3 emissions, sustainability metrics, and risk factors through expert-built assessments. With this tool, companies can proactively manage costs, reduce risks, and ensure compliance, rather than reacting to issues after they come up. It also allows them to adopt more sustainable procurement practices to create a measurable impact and drive long-term business value. Are there emerging trends or technologies in ESG that you believe will reshape corporate sustainability strategies in the next five years? AI's energy-intensive nature means it is not at present a sustainability friendly technology, with 21 percent of all energy consumption expected to be needed to power AI by 2030. However, the evolution of AI will likely see developments that reduce its current exponential energy usage trajectory by becoming more efficient. And while clean wind and solar power are not natural fits for data centers, given the limited amounts and lack of sustained, reliable energy they produce, nuclear energy is better matched to the demand of data centers, with nuclear plants able to generate power reliably, without interruption. (MIT). As sustainability expectations grow more complex, automation and AI-driven analytics are transforming how companies manage sustainability initiatives. These technologies are helping businesses cut through data overload, enhance reporting accuracy, and drive real impact by automating key processes. AI has also transformed risk management with real-time monitoring, predictive insights, and proactive decision-making. Companies can now run 'what if' analyses more efficiently, using AI to compare various scenarios and address sustainability gaps, as well as identifying areas for improvement such as detecting vulnerabilities in supply chains and assessing environmental impacts. This will prove instrumental in enhancing efficiency and spur leaner businesses. Is there anything else you'd like to add about the future of business sustainability and Sphera's role in shaping it? Sustainability is becoming an integral part of companies' operating model, rather than a series of regulatory compliance initiatives driven by groups outside the normal corporate structures. At Sphera, we have seen examples in our customer base of procurement departments adopting new requirements as part of supplier qualification and onboarding, as well as risk management and engagement. Companies that will thrive in the future will be those that can build and manage resilient and sustainable supply chains. As regulations shift with the recent administration changes, the demand for what sustainability has been before 2025 will naturally morph into what it has become today: a long-term business imperative that plays a large role in driving operational efficiency and building resilience in any economic or regulatory environment, setting up companies for sustainable success. Instead of scaling back sustainability initiatives, businesses should have a long-term focus by strengthening their data, technology and strategy to stay resilient and prepared for regulatory and business environment shifts. Sign in to access your portfolio
