-
Tech NewsThe New Airbnb Logo Is a Sexual Rorschach Test For Our Time
Is it balls? Is it a vagina? Is it balls in front of a vagina? These are the questions the internet is asking after Airbnb revealed its new logo to the world in a puzzling webcast today. The “Bélo” (NOT MAKING THIS UP), as Airbnb refers to the mark “internally” (NOT MAKING THIS UP), is … Continued
-
Tech News
Train Strikes, Airbnb, Homogeneity: What’s Ruining Our Cities This Week
A train strike has paralyzed France, Airbnb has screwed San Francisco’s housing market, a lack of diversity has wrecked Austin, and two Southern California mayors fucked up, in two very different ways. It’s our joyously optimistic look at What’s Ruining Our Cities! A train strike is ruining France Called the worst strike in 13 years, … Continued
-
Tech News
Airbnb Is Giving NY’s Attorney General a Load of (Anonymized) User Data
Don’t freak out. But if you’re an Airbnb host in the state of New York, there’s a good chance your user data is on its way to the New York Attorney General’s office. It’s anonymized data, so personally identifiable data like your name and address have been removed. However, if the you’re suspected of illegal … Continued
-
Tech News
Airbnb Is Banning Thousands of Dubious New York City Listings
Bad luck, suspicious subletters: Airbnb is in the process of removing over 2,000 New York City listings that aren’t “providing a quality, local experience to guests.” It’s not clear what a lack of “quality, local experience to guests” actually means, but it does come on the back of an affidavit filed by the state Attorney … Continued
-
Tech News
Airbnb: No Thanks for the “XXX Freak Fest” You Brought to My Home (NSFW)
Dear Brian and the Airbnb team, Usually I am a fan of your service. However, I have a minor bone to pick with you, in that it appears my apartment was reserved for some major boning. Also, it appears some stuffed animals were abused. We’ll get to the damage to my furniture and belongings – … Continued
Ari Teman -
Tech News
AirBnB’s Redesigned App Makes On-The-Go Hosting Simple And Social
Guests usually get all the glory in the hospitality industry—everything is catered to making their experience absolutely freaking perfect. In AirBnB’s booming hospitality empire, however, it’s hosts who make the world go ’round. Now, the company’s founders have rolled out a handful of new features geared directly toward the folks who put their places up … Continued
-
Tech News
I Bought an Apartment Just to Rent It Out on Airbnb
In 2012 I bought an apartment specifically to rent out on airbnb. I’ve been managing it remotely for the past year. This post includes everything I learned as well as some revenue numbers. Finding a Place to Buy Each listing on airbnb has a publicly visible calendar that shows which nights are booked and which … Continued
Jon Wheatley - need/want -
Tech News
When Will Airbnb Decide What Kind of Company It Wants to Be?
In 2007, I got an email from San Francisco. A big industrial design conference was coming to town and Bay Area hotels were predictably overbooked and overpriced. Two designers wanted to help their friends find affordable, un-scary places to stay, so they started a website called AirBed & Breakfast. The two designers were Joe Gebbia … Continued
-
Tech NewsHere’s the First Short Film Made Entirely from Vines
You could say that every Vine is a six-second short film but Airbnb stitched together a hundred Vines to tell one story. Yes, there are some jump cuts and stop motion involved. Yes, there is an inspirational soundtrack. And yes, it’s actually pretty good. Called Hollywood and Vines, Airbnb offered up $100 of credit to … Continued
By Casey Chan -
Tech News
11 Architectural Masterworks You Can Rent on Airbnb
As Airbnb has expanded, it’s come under fire from ornery landlords and wary neighbors—being blamed, in at least one case, for driving up citywide rent prices. But at the same time, Airbnb gives us access to an unprecedented number of otherwise inaccessible buildings. For example: Right now on Airbnb, you can stay overnight in a … Continued
-
Tech News
Exactly How Much Cheaper Airbnb Is Than a Hotel in Every Major US City
You’ve probably grappled with this question when you’ve traveled, and the answer is yes, renting a room or an apartment on Airbnb is going to be cheaper most of the time. But what does that savings look like? Priceonomics has broken the data extensively. Renting an entire apartment? You’ll save, on average 21.2 percent. Renting … Continued
By Leslie Horn -
Tech News
Judge Rules That Airbnb Is Illegal in New York (Updated)
Bad news for those seeking or offering cheap accommodation over the internet: a New York judge has determined that Airbnb is illegal in the city. Despite Airbnb’s attempts to persuade officials otherwise, the service has been found to violate the illegal hotel law—a statute which stops property owners from renting out their own homes on … Continued
-
Tech News
Airbnb Is Just Now Verifying Hosts and Guests
Airbnb is starting to offer something called Verified ID—meaning, it’s finally making user’s prove that they’re real human beings and not a robot or scam artist. Here’s how it works: You can earn a verified badge by showing Airbnb a piece of your online identity—Facebook profile, Twitter account, or even Yelp reviews you’ve written—as well … Continued
By Leslie Horn -
Tech News
Prostitutes Turn Airbnb Apartment Into Brothel
Airbnb—the service that allows you to get some easy money by renting your place to strangers—has risks. You know your things can get stolen, your place can get trashed, your sofa can get infested by someone else’s pubic hair—and now, your apartment can get turned into a brothel. Kernel Magazine is reporting that a private … Continued
By Jesus Diaz -
Tech News
Read These Tips, or Nobody Will Ever Let You Be an Airbnb Guest Again
It doesn’t take much to be a good guest on Airbnb, the room-sharing service that helps travelers find local accommodations. Don’t steal, don’t vandalize, and generally be decent. Being a great guest, however, is a bit trickier. But it’s worth the effort. You can earn a sterling review, and improve your odds of landing hot … Continued
Seth Porges -
Tech News
Help Giz Score Conan’s Studio For a Wedding
Conan O’Brien is renting out his TV studio on Airbnb for $1 a night, but he’s making prospects explain why they should get it. I already have a favorite entry. Want to help me help her score Conan’s pad? To run down the story so far: Conan O’Brien listed his studio on Airbnb for four … Continued
By Mat Honan -
Tech NewsAirbnb: Calculate How Much You’d Be Willing To Get Stabbed In Your Sleep For
Bed & Breakfasts are cool if you and the honey are going on holiday, but did you also realize you can rent out your own place for money? Airbnb lets you calculate how much your extra room is worth to travelers. But for most of you, you’ll probably just use that feature once, then use … Continued
By Jason Chen