Insights from the Future of Meta report: We look at key VR hardware and software opportunities for Meta’s future as the company leverages its dominance in VR headsets to build its vision for the metaverse.
Apple’s lack of experience managing ads is showing: Its new App Store placements were flooded with gambling ads, prompting a widespread backlash.
Big Tech’s economic omen: Tech giants’ earnings show steep declines in profits and the effects of reduced consumer spending and plunging ad revenues, It marks the end of pandemic-era growth and a continued downturn.
TikTok gaming is a go: The social video app will soon add mobile games and is leaning on partnerships with Electronic Arts, 2K, NetEase Games, and Zynga to accelerate its super app ambitions.
On today's episode, we discuss Uber's foray into advertising, whether or not we are past "peak newsletter," how to convert online shoppers into buyers, how Apple's privacy changes have affected mobile marketers, how much media young people consume, an explanation of what's most disrupting advanced TV, how much it costs to raise a kid in the US, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our vice president of Briefings Stephanie Taglianetti and analysts Ross Benes and Evelyn Mitchell.
Mobile ads that cover 80% of the screen receive 6.6 seconds of attention from the average smartphone user. That’s more than double the attention received by ads with 50% screen cover, and about eight times that of ads covering less than 10% of the screen.
WhatsApp suffers a global outage: The world’s most popular messaging app went dark in various countries, underscoring the fragility of centralized communications and piling on Meta’s troubles as it prepares for its Q3 earnings call.
Apple is demanding 30% of promoted post transactions: The App Store now says promoted posts should be treated as in-app purchases in a not-so-subtle attack against Meta.
The repercussions of China’s leadership overhaul: Markets in China, Hong Kong, and New York plunge over worries that Xi Jinping’s consolidation of power could further confound investment in Big Tech.
Key developments in 5G networks: Mobile service in Canada could become more affordable; two of Thailand’s biggest carriers merge; Verizon tumbles on plunging subscribers; and Boeing chooses AT&T and T-Mobile.
The super app model’s biggest vulnerability: A complete shutdown is the worst-case scenario for monolithic apps loaded with services like payments, messaging, e-commerce, ride-hailing, and maps.
Google hits regulatory wall in India: The Competition Commission of India fined Google for what it says are anticompetitive practices and seeks to unbundle Search and Google Play from Android.
Another brutal quarter for Snapchat: The company’s repeated failure to garner ad interest has left it in a bleak position with an uncertain future.
Apple’s tablet explosion: The company now offers five different models of iPads, challenging 2-in-1 PCs at the high end as well as consumer Android tablets—but too much choice could be confusing for buyers.
Meta agrees to sell Giphy: The UK’s CMA decision pulls Giphy away from Meta’s ownership and underscores the danger of closing a Big Tech merger without prior regulatory approval.
Mobile games are among the most popular mobile downloads: That’s why Microsoft aims to take on Apple and Google by building an Xbox mobile store where it can sell games.
Pinterest’s ad product tries to overcome ATT: The platform's new tool combines its data with advertisers’ for more precise tracking.
BeReal is the newest kid on the social media block. The app has already captured the attention of Gen Z, and its growing popularity has sparked copycat features from Snapchat, Instagram and, yes, even TikTok. But do brands of all stripes need to embrace BeReal—or is it not ready for primetime just yet
Instacart, Uber, and Lyft try to make gig work more appealing: With workers still hard to come by, all three are adjusting pay and emphasizing flexibility to improve recruitment.