Close Menu
  • English
  • Featured
    • AI & Robotics
    • Energy
    • Finance
    • Leisure
    • Science
    • Security
    • Sustainable Development
    • Tech
    • Transport
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

News, investigations, and analysis — our top stories every morning to start your day right.

Trending
Illustration of a carbide ceramic material capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, revolutionizing hypersonic technology, generated by artificial intelligence.
“They Flew Through Hellfire”: China’s New Heat Shield Shatters Thermal Limits, Unlocking Next-Level Hypersonic Speeds
Illustration of robot dogs patrolling an industrial site, highlighting their role in modern safety and efficiency, generated by artificial intelligence.
“They’re Not Toys Anymore”: Robot Dogs Now Patrolling Factories and Battlefields in Alarming Surge of Machine Deployment
Illustration of the Mengzhou spacecraft's zero-altitude escape test at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, created by artificial intelligence.
Unthinkable Space Safety Leap: China’s Mengzhou Capsule Passes Ground-Level Escape Trial Designed to Save Lives in Seconds
Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn RSS
Rude Baguette
Facebook X (Twitter) RSS
Newsletter
  • Featured
  • AI
    Illustration of robot dogs patrolling an industrial site, highlighting their role in modern safety and efficiency, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “They’re Not Toys Anymore”: Robot Dogs Now Patrolling Factories and Battlefields in Alarming Surge of Machine Deployment

    July 17, 2025 at 9:45 AM
    Illustration of humanoid robots integrating advanced artificial intelligence systems into everyday environments.

    “They Just Gave Robots a Brain”: OpenAI Powers New Humanoid from Figure as Tech Giants Rush to Fund the Future of Labor

    July 17, 2025 at 6:03 AM
    Illustration of Elon Musk's AI startup xAI securing a $200 million contract with the U.S. Department of Defense, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “They Just Gave Musk the Codes”: xAI Lands $200M Pentagon Deal to Deploy Grok AI Across U.S. Military Infrastructure

    July 15, 2025 at 5:12 PM
    Illustration of Kinisi Robotics' KR1 humanoid robot performing pick-and-place tasks in a warehouse, highlighting its precision and adaptability.

    “This Robot Replaces 3 Workers Without Blinking”: New Humanoid Handles Pick-and-Place Tasks With Unmatched Speed and Precision

    July 15, 2025 at 11:48 AM
    Illustration of KLEIYN, a quadruped robot, climbing a vertical surface, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “This Thing Defies Gravity”: New Four-Legged Robot Climbs Walls 50 Times Faster Than Anything Ever Built Before

    July 15, 2025 at 10:01 AM
  • Energy
    Illustration of China's X-shaped nuclear fusion facility emerging from rocky terrain, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “They’re Trying to Bottle a Star”: China’s Giant Fusion Facility Revealed in Shocking Satellite Images as Race for Infinite Energy Heats Up

    July 17, 2025 at 8:07 AM
    Illustration of a polymer blend innovation for advanced battery technology, generated by artificial intelligence.

    Battery Revolution Begins Here: Solid Polymer Unlocks Safer, More Reliable Power for EVs, Aerospace, and Autonomous Drones

    July 15, 2025 at 3:53 PM
    Illustration of the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator's record-breaking nuclear fusion performance. Image generated by AI.

    “We’ve Never Reached This Level Before”: German Scientists Smash Nuclear Fusion Record in Leap Toward Infinite Clean Energy

    July 6, 2025 at 8:58 AM
    Illustration of the assembly of the ITER vacuum vessel by Westinghouse Electric Company. Image generated by AI.

    “We’re Building the Heart of a Star”: Westinghouse to Assemble Core of the World’s Largest Fusion Reactor in Historic First

    July 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM
    Illustration of Elon Musk's xAI gas power plant project in Memphis. Image generated by AI.

    “Elon Musk’s AI Power Grab Spirals”: 26 Titanic Gas Turbines Roaring at 1.4 GW—But No One Approved Them

    July 3, 2025 at 5:10 PM
  • Finance
    Illustration of James Howells searching for his lost Bitcoin hard drive in a landfill. Image generated by AI.

    “He’s Still Digging”: Man Who Lost $700 Million in Bitcoin 12 Years Ago in a Dump Faces Stunning New Twist in His Hunt

    June 13, 2025 at 9:05 AM
    Illustration of a lost hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoins buried in a landfill. Image generated by AI.

    He Just Gave Up €200 Million in Bitcoin: After 12 Years of Digging Through Trash, the Lost Hard Drive Is Gone for Good

    May 30, 2025 at 7:14 AM
    Illustration of a man sleeping with black tape over his lips. Image generated by AI.

    “Doctors Sound the Alarm”: Viral Mouth Taping Trend Called Dangerous and Completely Unproven by Leading Medical Experts

    May 25, 2025 at 8:02 AM
    Illustration of Visa's integration of AI systems into digital payments (AI-generated, non-realistic illustration). Credit: Ideogram.

    Visa’s AI Is Now Shopping for You: This Robot May Soon Swipe Your Card Automatically—and Mess With Your Mind

    May 4, 2025 at 8:07 AM
    Microsoft Strikes Unprecedented Deal: World's Largest CO2 Removal at 7.44 Million Tons, Setting New Environmental Milestone

    “Microsoft Strikes Historic Climate Deal”: World’s Largest CO2 Removal Pact Targets 6.75 Million Tons in Unmatched Green Push

    April 19, 2025 at 9:55 AM
  • Leisure
    Illustration of Shebara Resort's futuristic, pod-like villas shimmering above the Red Sea. Image generated by AI.

    “Solar Villas Rise on the Red Sea”: Shebara Resort Unveils Ultra-Futuristic Eco-Luxury Powered Entirely by the Sun

    June 30, 2025 at 9:06 AM
    Illustration of the world's largest Legoland theme park in Shanghai, featuring eight themed zones and a 250-room hotel. Image generated by AI.

    “China Builds the Unthinkable”: World’s Largest Legoland Ever Made Opens Soon After $550 Million Mega Investment

    June 27, 2025 at 7:06 AM
    Illustration of Quentin Tarantino endorsing the Netflix film Havoc. Image generated by AI.

    “It’s Really Badass”: Tarantino Raves About This Explosive Tom Hardy Action Film That Just Dropped as a Netflix Exclusive

    June 23, 2025 at 5:50 AM
    Illustration of a Nintendo Direct event focused on Donkey Kong Bananza for the Nintendo Switch 2. Image generated by AI.

    “This Hero Smashes Everything”: Nintendo Switch 2’s Most Explosive Star Will Dominate the Nintendo Direct in 48 Hours

    June 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
    Illustration of Sony's vision for the future of gaming with the anticipated PS6. Image generated by AI.

    “Next-Gen Is Coming”: Sony President Drops First Official PS6 Statement That Sets the Tone for the Future of Gaming

    June 22, 2025 at 4:11 PM
  • Science
    Illustration of a carbide ceramic material capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, revolutionizing hypersonic technology, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “They Flew Through Hellfire”: China’s New Heat Shield Shatters Thermal Limits, Unlocking Next-Level Hypersonic Speeds

    July 17, 2025 at 12:12 PM
    Illustration of the Mengzhou spacecraft's zero-altitude escape test at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, created by artificial intelligence.

    Unthinkable Space Safety Leap: China’s Mengzhou Capsule Passes Ground-Level Escape Trial Designed to Save Lives in Seconds

    July 17, 2025 at 8:47 AM
    Illustration of the ancient interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS traveling through the Milky Way, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “They Found a Comet Older Than the Solar System!”: Scientists Stunned by Ancient Object That Defies Everything We Thought We Knew

    July 16, 2025 at 11:55 AM
    Illustration of the Voyager spacecraft with its Golden Record journeying through space, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “They Sent Earth’s Soul Into Space!”: This Is What You’d Hear on NASA’s Golden Record Aboard Voyager, Now Drifting Beyond the Stars

    July 16, 2025 at 10:04 AM
    Illustration of the UK Biobank's groundbreaking whole-body imaging project created by artificial intelligence.

    “They’re Feeding It Everything!”: World’s Largest Imaging Project Uploads 1 Billion Scans to Supercharge the Next Generation of AI

    July 16, 2025 at 7:48 AM
  • Security
    Illustration of the P250Q-M80 SSD with a self-destruct feature, ensuring ultimate data security, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “It Blew Itself Up Instantly!”: New Ultra-Secure SSD Destroys Data on Command to Stop Hackers Dead in Their Tracks

    July 16, 2025 at 7:07 AM
    Illustration of squid skin-inspired stretchable camouflage technology for military use, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “These Uniforms Make Soldiers Vanish”: Revolutionary Squid Skin-Inspired Camo Lets US Troops Evade Thermal Drones With Unbelievable Stealth

    July 13, 2025 at 9:53 AM
    Illustration of an AI-generated impersonation attempt involving Marco Rubio contacting officials.

    “Fake Marco Rubio Is Hunting Congress”: AI Clone Exposed as Ruthless Scam Machine Targeting US Politicians Through Signal, Unleashing Panic on Capitol Hill

    July 11, 2025 at 10:01 AM
    Illustration of Scattered Spider hackers targeting the aviation sector. Image generated by AI.

    “FBI Issues Maximum Alert”: These Ruthless Scattered Spider Hackers Now Target Civil Aviation With Unprecedented Cyber Assault

    July 3, 2025 at 4:04 PM
    Illustration of North Korean hackers using AI tools like ChatGPT for cryptocurrency theft. Image generated by AI.

    “AI in the Wrong Hands”: North Korean Hackers Exploit ChatGPT to Steal Millions While Malaysian Funds Vanish in Digital Heist

    July 1, 2025 at 11:49 AM
  • Impact
    Illustration of the Jeddah Tower construction resumption, created by artificial intelligence.

    Jeddah Tower Rises Again: World’s Tallest Skyscraper Project Restarts with Plans to Smash Every Architectural Record on Earth

    July 17, 2025 at 7:11 AM
    Illustration of a new disease-resistant rice variety developed using CRISPR-Cas technology, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “They Made Rice Immune to Disease!”: Scientists Use Genome Editing to Engineer Crops That Could End Agricultural Crises Worldwide

    July 16, 2025 at 3:49 PM
    Illustration of paracetamol production from plastic waste, showcasing an innovative sustainable technology, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “These Pills Came From Trash”: Chemists Achieve the Unthinkable by Creating Pure Acetaminophen Directly From Plastic Waste, Staggering the Scientific World

    July 13, 2025 at 9:08 AM
    Illustration of Ethiopia's planned 62-story skyscraper in Addis Ababa, as an artificial illustration.

    Skyscraper Showdown: Ethiopia’s Daring Comeback Promises to Crown a New Sub-Saharan Giant and Transform the Nation’s Skyline Forever

    July 9, 2025 at 4:47 PM
    Illustration of Frank Lloyd Wright's visionary skyscraper, The Illinois. Image generated by AI.

    “We Dreamed Bigger Than Anyone”: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unrealized Mile-High Tower Would Have Crushed the Burj Khalifa

    July 7, 2025 at 9:06 AM
  • Tech
    Illustration of Elon Musk's 1989 computer aptitude test results, as shared by Maye Musk, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “My Genius Boy Scored Perfect!”: Maye Musk Shares Elon’s 1989 Computer Test That Predicted the Tech Empire He Would One Day Build

    July 16, 2025 at 5:14 PM
    Illustration of a groundbreaking silicon chip integrating quantum generators and photonics, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “They Put Light and Quantum Into One Chip!”: Scientists Unveil Silicon Breakthrough That Could Reshape the Future of Computing Forever

    July 16, 2025 at 8:48 AM
    Illustration of Meta's ambitious AI superclusters project, highlighting the scale and innovation in artificial intelligence infrastructure.

    “This Is Bigger Than the Moon Landing”: Zuckerberg Unveils Massive $10 Billion, 1,341-Megawatt AI Superclusters Plan to Revolutionize Tech World

    July 16, 2025 at 5:52 AM
    Illustration of an AI-powered graphene tongue detecting flavors with near-human precision.

    “This Tongue Outsmarts a Sommelier”: New AI Graphene Sensor Identifies Flavors With 98% Accuracy Faster Than Human Taste Buds

    July 14, 2025 at 4:56 PM
    Illustration of a groundbreaking optical AI chip using light for ultra-fast data transmission, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “It’s Like Teleporting Knowledge”: This Breakthrough Optical AI Chip Transfers 100 Million Books in Just 7 Minutes Using Light-Speed Data

    July 14, 2025 at 4:09 PM
  • Transport
    Illustration of the SeaNXT Elite underwater scooter with carbon fiber body and GPS navigation, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “They Built a Jet Ski for Divers”: SeaNXT Elite Scooter Hits 13 MPH Underwater With GPS, LCD Screen, and a $12,653 Price Tag

    July 14, 2025 at 7:45 AM
    Illustration of a compact, low-speed electric ambulance designed for urban emergency response, generated by artificial intelligence.

    This Tiny Electric Ambulance Hits 25 MPH, Parks Indoors, and Carries a Full Emergency Kit With Zero Emissions

    July 14, 2025 at 7:01 AM
    Illustration of the Omo X electric motorcycle showcasing its self-balancing technology, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “They Built a Scooter That Parks Itself”: Ex-Xpeng Engineers Unleash the Omo X With Self-Balancing Tech and Zero-Compromise Urban Speed

    July 14, 2025 at 6:14 AM
    Illustration of Tesla Cybertrucks stored in a large parking area, highlighting concerns about prolonged storage, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “These Worn-Out Trucks Were Sold as Brand New”: Furious Customer Testimony Exposes Tesla’s Cybertruck Scandal and Sparks Industry-Wide Outrage

    July 12, 2025 at 5:05 PM
    Illustration of the Bugatti Bolide hypercar, highlighting its engineering marvel and exclusivity, as an artificial illustration.

    “This Car Eats Cash Faster Than Gas”: Businessman’s Stunning Bugatti Purchase Forces $7,600 Tire Changes Every 37 Miles, Leaving Everyone in Disbelief

    July 12, 2025 at 9:11 AM
  • English
Rude Baguette

Michelin (finally) launches online restaurant guide, ignores startups

Eirwen WilliamsEirwen WilliamsMarch 7, 2012 at 7:38 AM0
Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Telegram WhatsApp Email Copy Link
Follow Us
Google News
Share
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Copy Link

I remember in 2010, Marc Simoncini said that 2011 would be “the year of mobile” for his online dating company, Meetic. At the time, I giggled. A whopping 4 years after the launch of the iPhone and Meetic was finally turning to mobile as its new platform? Well done.
But earlier this week when France’s famous Michelin Guide announced that it would be launching an online restaurant guide, it didn’t make me laugh at all. It actually almost made me cry (fine, I’m exaggerating). But why-oh-why is Michelin launching an online version of its guide in 2012, especially when there are so many online restaurant guides that it could’ve chosen to collaborate with? The situation sounded all too familiar, like what we’ve seen with FriendsClear and Zesto; larger French companies struggle with innovation but rather than collaborating with startups, they end up flat-out stealing ideas. W.T.F.

Caution: French restaurant – handle with care.

So let me start by telling you exactly what Michelin’s ridiculously innovative platform can do. It’s essentially a database of all restaurants in France, which users can search by location, cuisine type, price and additional keywords. Then, users can also leave comments and recommendations. And of course you can tweet, like, etc.

I admit that it is really nice to have one, full comprehensive database of restaurants (the ultimate goal) – which includes opening hours and whether or not the restaurant takes credit cards, something that can really cause a headache in France. Plus, working with traditional restaurants in France is not something that just anyone can do. As we’ve seen with OpenTable – who has clearly struggled in France – it requires an understanding of the local market, something that Michelin clearly has.

Reinventing the wheel.

Ah, but wait a minute, isn’t this whole online restaurant database more or less exactly what Yelp, Qype, Cityvox, LaFourchette and a number of other sites already offer? Clearly Michelin caught onto the fact that people now go online when they want to know where to eat – they’re not buying print copies of restaurant guides anymore. But why on earth it is seeking to recreate its own database rather than collaborate with the likes of LaFourchette or Restopolitan is beyond me.
Restopolitan’s founder, Stéphanie Pelaprat, says that her team actually met multiple times with Michelin. While they could have potentially worked together, she felt that Michelin clearly didn’t want to lose its share of the pie, which ultimately led the company to launching an independent platform.
Funny enough, this independent anti-social strategy may actually make Michelin look weaker. For Restopolitan, the launch of Michelin’s platform changes absolutely nothing for the startup. In fact, Pelaprat finds that the famous guide has almost lost some of its secret sauce by launching another database. The question of how Michelin plans to monetize this platform also remains; currently, certain restaurants wanting additional visibility can pay roughly €70 per year for additional services.
Naturally, Michelin is a well-known brand around the world, though it may less familiar with younger, more international crowds. Oh, and regarding mobile. The company says it’s planning to launch on the iPhone and Android before summer and will eventually allow you to make reservations via the app as well.

Did you like it? 4.4/5 (22)

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

News, investigations, and analysis — our top stories every morning to start your day right.

Android iPhone Online Restopolitan
Follow on Google News Follow on X (Twitter)
Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram WhatsApp Email Copy Link
Previous ArticleCommerceGuys raise $5 Million, ISAI is looking better than ever
Next Article How to enjoy French wine using tech
Related Posts
Illustration of Apple's upcoming ultra-premium iPhone lineup for next fall. Image generated by AI.

“Apple Goes Ultra-Luxury”: Next Year’s iPhone Fall Lineup Set to Break Price Records With Premium Materials and Exclusive Features

Illustration of the future design evolution of Apple's iPhone through 2030. Image generated by AI.

“Apple’s Future Revealed”: Stunning Year-by-Year iPhone Evolution Through 2030 Shows Radical Redesigns and Game-Changing Features

Illustration of the upcoming iPhone Fold showcasing its innovative design and features. Image generated by AI.

“Apple’s Foldable Bombshell”: Leaked iPhone Fold Details Reveal Massive Display, Dual Cameras, and Radical New Design Changes

Add A Comment
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

News, investigations, and analysis — our top stories every morning to start your day right.

Trending
Illustration of a carbide ceramic material capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, revolutionizing hypersonic technology, generated by artificial intelligence.
“They Flew Through Hellfire”: China’s New Heat Shield Shatters Thermal Limits, Unlocking Next-Level Hypersonic Speeds
Illustration of robot dogs patrolling an industrial site, highlighting their role in modern safety and efficiency, generated by artificial intelligence.
“They’re Not Toys Anymore”: Robot Dogs Now Patrolling Factories and Battlefields in Alarming Surge of Machine Deployment
Illustration of the Mengzhou spacecraft's zero-altitude escape test at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, created by artificial intelligence.
Unthinkable Space Safety Leap: China’s Mengzhou Capsule Passes Ground-Level Escape Trial Designed to Save Lives in Seconds
News by category
  • English
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leisure
  • Transport
  • Science
  • Security
  • AI & Robotics
  • Energy
  • Sustainable Development
Information
  • Meet the Team
  • Legal notice
  • Privacy policy
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

News, investigations, and analysis — our top stories every morning to start your day right.

Facebook X (Twitter) RSS
© RudeBaguette.com. All rights reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.