__An $11B makeover...__ __[Ford](https://robinhood.com/stocks/f)__ wants one. It's all part of the car company's aggressive turnaround plan to become more sexy, electric, and self-driving.  So to pay for the new look, Ford issues billions in IOUs ([bonds](https://learn.robinhood.com/articles/6D8ArYVa2bpoTYhdgxxYKh/what-is-a-bond/?utm_source=snacks&utm_campaign=email_Daily&utm_content=Bonds&utm_term=What%20is%20a%20Bond)). Before you invest in bonds, a credit ratings agency jumps in:

- Ratings agencies __evaluate the likelihood__ a bond-issuer (like Ford) __will pay you back__.
- Based on the company's financial health, the ratings agency __sticks a rating on it__.
- __AAA, AA, A, BBB__ — Anything BB or lower is considered "__junk__." Ford just got [downgraded](https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/10/business/ford-downgrade-junk/index.html) to that.

__Ford was created in 1903...__ But this situation goes back to 2009. The Big 3 Detroit car companies needed a bailout — *except Ford.* It even gave its blue oval logo as collateral for a loan to stay bailout-free. Since surviving the car-pocalypse, Ford's bonds have been rated "investment grade." Then it fell behind rival __[GM's](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GM)__ innovation and Ford is now worth less than __[Tesla](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TSLA)__. Junk happens.

__"Junk" makes almost everything Ford does more expensive...__ Even though Ford's enjoying huge profits ($22B over the past four years), the credit ratings agencies are worried about where Ford will be 10 years from now. Because of this downgrade, investors will demand a higher interest rate from Ford because its debt is considered riskier. 

Ford's bonds reach a low blow: Junk status

__The Touch screen. The no-headphone-jack. Siri...__ __[Apple](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AAPL)__ has evolved over the course of its annual new iPhone product unveils. The stage and dark lighting haven't. Here's what we get with the new iPhone 11:

- __Size and colors:__ [Pastels](https://www.apple.com/iphone/) for days with the new lavender, soft green, and honey yellow. Both the regular and Max versions are slightly bigger than the previous ones.
- __A "Pro":__ $999+ gets you three cameras (the starter, a backup, and 3rd-string, just in case), which create quite a [bulge](https://twitter.com/kifleswing/status/1171497608272941056). Your move, Pixel 4. 
- __The "Slofie":__ Sloooow-mooootion videoooo getssss addedddd to the front-facing camera, [too](https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/10/tech/apple-event-memes/index.html).

__Forget iPhone — Apple TV+ is the star...__ and it arrives Nov. 1 at a ridiculously low-priced $4.99/month. __[Netflix](https://robinhood.com/stocks/NFLX)__ ($12.99), __[HBO](https://robinhood.com/stocks/T)__ __Now__ ($14.99), and even __[Disney+](https://robinhood.com/stocks/DIS)__ ($6.99 starting in November) aren't happy about this price war aggression. Tim Cook also showed off original Apple TV+ shows (there aren't many of 'em, but they [star](https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/10/20850996/apple-tv-plus-launch-lineup-shows-originals-see-morning-show-for-all-mankind-oprah-dickinson) Steve Carell and Reese Witherspoon) and a $4.99/month video game "Arcade" pass.

Unveil

__Apple's thinking about the whole customer...__ New colors, a 3rd camera, and the A13 chip aren't forming fanboy lines outside glass-plated Apple Stores anymore. So it's focusing on prices: Lower some prices, offer some freebies, and hope to make $$$ on sales every few years (with monthly service subscriptions in between):

- __iPhone 11__ starts at $699 and the Pro version at $999 (iPhone X started at $999 when it debuted in '17). 
- __Apple Watch 5__ is the same price as the previous ones and its Watch 3 is a Fitbit-ish $199.
- __Apple TV+__ costs a Venti Latte per month at $4.99, or free for a year when you buy a Mac, iPhone, or iPad.


Apple reveals iPhone 11 — then ends its always-raising-prices streak

__Her majesty, queen of internet...__ Venture capital icon Mary Meeker just [handed](https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/10/nextdoor-adds-new-funding-from-mary-meekers-bond-closes-growth-round-at-170m/) an internet company a $170M check. *Must be nice*, __Nextdoor__. The SF-based app is now worth $2.1B  as it scales across ~~continents~~ neighborhoods. By connecting you with humans who live nearby, it introduces people online who might meet up offline.

- __The business model:__ Get people to join the localized social network, then stick ads into the feed (sounds like Facebook). 
- __The verification:__ To join one of Nextdoor's 247K neighborhoods, you have to prove you are who you are and you live where you live (the opposite of Facebook) — they call you when you download the app to confirm.
- __The connections:__ Hyper-local. *Does anyone have a ladder I can borrow? Anybody want lasagna (don't want to throw it away)? Who's down for a game of Madden 2018? Alert - burglar spotted on Gough Street -- lock your doors.*

Appreciate

__Who might acquire Nextdoor?...__ It's selling shares at a healthy unicorn valuation and could IPO someday, like its roll-ish model Facebook did. __Or__ business could turn south and it could fail. __Or__... it could get acquired. Here's how Nextdoor could have strategic value to a bigger buyer.

- __Google:__ You open Maps like 3 times a day. Adding juicy neighborhood details could boost engagement
- __IAC:__ The internet startup collector owns Handy, and could partner the handyman gig platform with Nextdoor.
- __Yelp:__ Local reviews should include references for that nice guy who mows lawns.

Tweet us who you think could acquire Nextdoor __[@RobinhoodSnacks](https://twitter.com/robinhoodsnacks?lang=en)__

Ford's bonds reach a low blow: Junk status

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