Exclusive-Vista, Blackstone nearing $8-billion deal to buy Smartsheet, sources say

By Milana Vinn and Mike Spector NEW YORK (Reuters) – Buyout firms Vista Equity Partners and Blackstone are in advanced talks to acquire Smartsheet, in a deal that could value the collaboration-software maker at close to $8 billion, people familiar with the matter said on Monday. The private-equity firms are discussing an offer of around…

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Chipotle adds automation, ‘autocado’ robot helps make guacamole

(Reuters) – Chipotle moved an automated bowl-and-salad maker and an avocado-processing robot out of its test kitchen and into a couple of locations in California.  The chain announced the deployment on Monday and said feedback will determine whether it makes a broader rollout of the technology.  Both locations are in California, where all fast food…

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Apple shares slip as shorter iPhone 16 shipping times signal soft demand

(Reuters) – Shares of Apple fell nearly 3% on Monday after several analysts said that delivery times for the new iPhone 16 Pro models indicated weaker-than-expected demand, possibly due to the delayed rollout of key artificial intelligence features. Apple last week unveiled its long-awaited iPhone 16 series designed around its AI software, Apple Intelligence. Early…

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