Apple is definitely moving into the car space. The company has hired one of Tesla's top autonomous driving engineers, according to a post on LinkedIn, the latest sign that the Silicon Valley firm best known for its smartphones and computers is getting ready to enter the auto industry. Separately, the CEO of Daimler AG suggests he would be open to an alliance with both Apple and its high-tech rival Google.

Uber is testing a new UberPool feature, a way to let you pay less money for a little less convenience and a little less time saved. The "Smart Routes" program doesn't involve hailing an Uber directly. Instead, UberPool's map shows a green line overlaid on a major nearby street. Consumers can set their location anywhere along this "Smart Route," and Uber offers a discount of $1 or more off the normal UberPool price.

Abercrombie & Fitch, with sales declining and younger consumers uninterested in mall-centered brand names, is moving away from flaunting sex and its name. New ads feature classic designs, not the logo, an effort to market to a broader audience. Jonathan Ramsden, COO and CFO, said in an interview last year that it's also about separating Abercrombie from "fast fashion" sibling Hollister.

Best Buy, the first national retailer, other than Apple Stores, where customers can buy the Apple Watch, will now reportedly become the first national retailer outside of Apple Stores to offer the Apple Care warranty program. Best Buy will start offering Apple Care and Apple Care+ service plans on Apple devices such as iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch on Sept. 13.

Toyota, like Honda, is moving to eliminate dealership price slashing. The automaker will forbid its U.S. dealerships from advertising Toyota brand vehicles at below-invoice prices. While some dealers see the move as a boon to profits, others see it as poison to moving inventory. Toyota will roll out details at its national dealer meeting early next month.

As Arby's Restaurant Group Inc. moves to remodel locations this year with a new "Inspire" design, the company has named Greg Vojnovic chief development officer, a newly created position. Vojnovic previously held the same position at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Inc. He will report directly to Arby's CEO Paul Brown. He will be responsible for attracting new franchisees and spearheading the remodeling process.

This year, fashion titles at Cond Nast, Hearst and Time Inc. have collectively refused to release the number of print ads sold in their all-important September issues. That might be a good idea. The Association of Magazine Media (MPA) asserts that the number of print ads in a September issue is today a poor measure of a brand's health since ad revenue now comes through many different channels, including online and native advertising.

Apple spoke out Friday in support of rapper Dr. Dre after he apologized for past violence against women, an issue that came up with the biopic "Straight Outta Compton." "Dre has apologized for the mistakes he's made in the past and he's said that he's not the same person that he was 25 years ago," Apple said in a statement. "We believe his sincerity and after working with him for a year and a half."

MillerCoors has lost market share, but it is launching a new line of hard sodas to help turn things around. The company is entering the soda-beer hybrid world with Henry's Hard Soda, starting with Ginger Ale, and Orange. Beth Bloom, beverage analyst at Mintel, said it is the right time for companies to get into the segment, as so-called "ready to drink" (RTD) sales are up 70% since 2009.

On a conference call last week on Gap's poor second-quarter performance, CEO Art Peck said things will improve early next year. Said Peck, "I'm confident that Gap will make significant progress in the spring and very pleased with what I've seen in the women's assortment and the turnaround in the women's assortment."