Amazon to Purchase iRobot

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    Image copyright: iRobot [via The Verge]

    The Facts

    • Amazon is purchasing iRobot - the maker of Roomba robot vacuum cleaners - in a $1.7B all-cash deal that's expected to increase the company's presence in the home robotics industry.

    • Following the announcement, iRobot's stock soared more than 19% while Amazon's stock slumped by 1.3%.

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    The Spin

    Establishment-critical narrative

    Consumers should be skeptical of this acquisition as it will only expand Amazon's control over people's private details, such as the layout of users' homes and even their visitors. The tech company is purchasing its way to dominance. Buyers beware.

    Common Dreams

    Pro-establishment narrative

    While privacy concerns are understandable, the acquisition won't move forward without regulatory scrutiny, which will give consumers peace of mind. If approved, the deal would mark a turning point in the home robotics industry and reinvent how people clean. This is an exciting announcement.

    TechCrunch

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