Daily News Roundup: Kohl’s Wants Your Amazon Returns

If you love buying from Amazon but hate dealing with returns, life is going to get a lot easier starting in July: Amazon and Kohl’s announced an extended partnership that will allow all Kohl’s stores to accept Amazon returns.

This isn’t exactly a new program for the pair—there were initially 100 Kohl’s stores across the country that were able to accept Amazon returns. But in July, that is being expanded to all 1,150 Kohl’s location in the US.

This is a pretty brilliant move for both companies. I have friends who don’t like shopping online because if they order the wrong thing, they hate dealing with shipping returns. This solves that issue. But at the same time, it’s a huge win for Kohl’s, because it simply gets more people through the door. As pointed out by TechCrunch, Kohl’s has seen increased traffic—and more importantly, revenue—in the 100 stores that initially accepted Amazon returns. Come in to return something, end up leaving with some new kicks. Sneaky, sneaky.

Of course, this extended partnership also comes on the heels of another recent collaboration between the two companies that saw Kohl’s include Amazon-branded products (like Echo speakers) in 200 of its stores. Some Kohl’s stores also feature an “Amazon Smart Home Experience” to show users what Echo devices are capable of. That’s another good idea.

With online sales continually chipping away at the number of people willing to get in their car and walk into a store, supporting partnering with Amazon is an incredibly smart move for Kohl’s. It’s a win-win-win for Amazon, Kohl’s, and customers. Really, your wallet may be the only loser in this partnership.

In other news, iFixit thinks it found why Galaxy Folds are failing, Verizon wants you to buy YouTube TV, Apple started an Apple TV YouTube channel, and more.

iFixit found the Galaxy Fold’s issue: As iFixit does, it tore down the Galaxy Fold. As you might expect, it’s not a simple issue; turns out it’s a combination of the display tech (OLED), Samsung’s testing process by using a machine to fold the Fold, and more. Wowsers. [iFixit]
Verizon partners with Google to offer YouTube TV: If you’re a Verizon customer who has also been thinking about making the switch to YouTube TV, hold that thought for a bit longer: Verizon announced that it’s going to start selling YouTube TV bundled with its service, presumably for a slight discount. [Verizon]
Apple preps for TV+ launch: The company started a YouTube channel to show off what it’s been working on as the service nears launch. [Apple Insider]
A first look at Chrome on Touchless Android: It’s been rumored that Google is working on a touchless version of Android for feature phones. 9to5Google offered a first look at Chrome on that platform. Fascinating. [9to5Google]
A Telsa leaf blower? Elon Musk says they’re going to make a quiet, electric leaf blower. Because why the hell not. I’m in. [Business Insider]
Apple prioritizes MacBook keyboard repairs: If your MacBook keyboard is suffering from the issues that have been plaguing the newer models, Apple is going to fix it for you within a 24-hour window. [TechRadar]
Atlanta Hawks fan shop gets hit with malware: If you’re a Hawks fan who recently bought from the team store, you may want to check your credit card statement—the shop was hit with info-stealing malware. [CNET]
Paint will live forever: Microsoft isn’t removing Paint from Windows 10 after all. It will never die. Maybe. [The Verge]

Now, let’s talk about something a little more serious: shopping carts. They’re part of everyone’s life (unless you only shop on Amazon—speaking of which, did you know that Kohl’s will start taking Amazon returns soon?) and they’re kind of annoying. Imagine with me, if you will, a world where shopping carts were…better. One where they were able to stop themselves in an emergency. That’s the world Ford wants us to live in.

The company developed a safer shopping cart—one designed to save the shins of countless users, shelves, or anything else that it may run into. Using the same technologies that Ford uses in its cars, the cart will be packed with sensors to detect obstacles and slow itself down when an imminent impact is detected.