Competition coming for the Switch: More powerful devices that can leverage 5G connectivity and vast libraries of popular PC and mobile games will be the foundation for next-generation handheld gaming.
Private 5G’s big debut: NTT’s multi-party, multi-phase private 5G project for Las Vegas will boost connectivity in schools, power security and monitoring systems, and make telehealth more accessible.
Podcasting’s questionable metrics could hurt its ad business: Major podcasters spent millions on mobile game ads that dramatically inflated listenership.
On today's episode, we discuss how the digital ad duopoly is evolving, the most interesting dark horse digital ad giant, and whether Netflix, not TikTok, is a bigger threat to Facebook and Instagram. "In Other News," we talk about ad industry practices coming under fire as privacy lawsuits surge and who the winners and losers will be when the third-party cookie says goodbye. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Paul Verna.
Spam texts are soaring: The FCC is fast-tracking regulation that could quash spam SMS at the network level to combat a growing telecommunications problem.
At the end of the day, we think the value of Hims & Hers’ new sex report lies more in the titillating topic than the novelty of its findings.
Netflix is learning that games are a long, costly business: The streamer announced that it’s building its own game studio after those it’s acquired run into trouble.
Instagram’s shopping tab sings its swan song: The app is testing a home screen without the tab that’s prompted complaints from celebrities and average users.
The average selling price (ASP) of smartphones will be $413 worldwide this year, up $70 from 2020.
Apple’s manufacturing shift from China: The iPhone maker is looking to India and Vietnam to manufacture its most profitable products—a sign that Apple’s long time reliance on China’s manufacturing could be coming to an end.
Google makes Fitbit data easier for doctors to parse with Cloud integration: But that may not be enough of a lure to help it make up ground in the healthcare cloud market.
Fitbit’s last days: Google is requiring Fitbit customers to transition to Google accounts starting next year. This could solidify Google’s wearables ecosystem and increase market share but risks alienating Fitbit fans.
Smartwatches and fitness trackers face slump: Rising inflation, economic uncertainty, and slowing innovation are ending pandemic-era hyper-growth as the segment matures.
Gaming has a brand safety problem: Major controversies on streaming platform Twitch highlight the challenge in reaching gaming audiences.
All eyes on TikTok: The social video network says it’s banning political ads and fundraising on its platform, but a poor enforcement record and ties to the Chinese government raise doubts that it can remain neutral.
Cost of the tech cold war: The FCC’s list of potential security threats grows longer with ComNet and China Unicom’s inclusion. The cost to rip and replace equipment and services may adversely affect smaller telecoms.
More repairable iPhones: Easier repair earns the iPhone 14 a 7/10 score from iFixit, revealing that Apple is complying with right-to-repair, a feature other smartphones should definitely copy.
Among US adults 34 and younger, 30% had used visual search for shopping as of August, and 12% used it regularly. By comparison, 22% of US adults overall had used the functionality, and 8% used it regularly.