Social media newcomer BeReal was downloaded 14.7 million times worldwide in September. In January, the app had less than a million downloads, but it’s soared in popularity since then, thanks to its simple premise and focus on authenticity.
Tablets and Chromebooks slump: Vendors are looking to double down on Windows PCs as more-affordable computer hardware loses luster, likely due to saturation or slow innovation in the sector.
PlayStation Plus’ diminishing user base: The convoluted game streaming service is losing subscribers and active users. A troubled economy and recent price hikes are likely causes.
China’s prolonged COVID-19 shutdowns lead to factory escapes: With cases spiking, manufacturers like Foxconn are turning to bonuses to keep production moving, but some workers are running away.
Netflix isn’t backing down from video games: Another acquisition brings its studio count to six, but it’s not doing enough to promote this business.
Instagram is latest to suffer outage: Instagram users are suspended in the latest service outage. Meta’s platforms are becoming unmanageable as users experience weekly outages that are taking longer to resolve.
Twitter in transition: Upheaval follows the leadership change at Twitter as it grapples with ramping up profits and drumming up advertising revenue just as brands and users question its content moderation policies.
Intel accelerates cost reductions: Layoffs and reduced work hours are aimed to help Intel reduce $3 billion in costs in 2023 and up to $10 billion in 2025. Competing chipmakers and PC companies are likely to follow suit.
Apple’s lack of experience managing ads is showing: Its new App Store placements were flooded with gambling ads, prompting a widespread backlash.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.