Tech and platform developments: Page 2

AppLovin buys Machine Zone to expand mobile gaming ambitions

Machine Zone's games, including "Game of War: Fire Age" and "Mobile Strike," have generated $5 billion from more than 310 million lifetime downloads.

By Robert Williams • May 15, 2020

Pandemic could drive higher AR/VR adoption, study predicts

Applications for the tech include deeper product visualization, more immersive virtual try-ons, access to item details and exploring virtual malls.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • May 13, 2020

Twitter acquires mobile DSP to boost performance ads

CrossInstall focuses on user acquisition campaigns for mobile apps with ad formats that include playables.

By Robert Williams • May 13, 2020

Smartly.io adds Snapchat to automated social ad platform

Brands can now use Smartly.io's tools and services to run hyper-localized campaigns on Snapchat and monitor their performance.

By Robert Williams • May 13, 2020

Asos debuts AR tool for online shoppers

The retailer is digitally mapping products onto models to generate images that better showcase size, cut and fit as most stores remain closed.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • May 12, 2020

Uber bids to acquire Grubhub, reports say

While Grubhub wouldn't comment specifically on the report, the company said "consolidation could make sense in our industry, and like any responsible company, we are always looking at value-enhancing opportunities."

By Julie Littman • UPDATED: May 12, 2020 at 2:31 p.m.

Perfect brings AR tools for beauty brands to WeChat

Users can now virtually sample products directly on the popular Chinese messaging app while stores remain closed.

By Robert Williams • May 12, 2020

Facebook, Instagram add features to help local businesses

The social media giant added a #SupportSmallBusiness hashtag on Facebook and a "Support Small Business" sticker on Instagram.

By Robert Williams • May 12, 2020

Spotify's listening party shows when people stream same songs

"Listening Together" helps users of the audio streaming company to visualize how 30,000 people worldwide play the same track every second.

By Robert Williams • May 12, 2020

Facebook beefs up ad targeting for in-stream Watch video buys

Anheuser-Busch experienced 15% incremental reach aside from TV with Facebook Reserve ads.

By Robert Williams • May 11, 2020

Report: TikTok takes aim at Snapchat with AR ad format

The AR brand effect ad will let TikTok users create videos with visual effects from sponsors.

By Robert Williams • May 11, 2020

Pinterest upgrades pinboard tools as US user growth slows

The upgrades follow yesterday's earnings that reported yearly user growth in the U.S. had slowed to 6% in Q1 from 8% in the prior quarter.

By Robert Williams • May 06, 2020

Workday mobile usage has climbed during pandemic, study says

Mobile users have increased their usage of web browsers rather than apps as their media consumption habits change.

By Robert Williams • May 06, 2020

Grocers are ramping up mobile checkout platforms

Retailers like Sam's Club, Wegmans, Fairway and Kroger are urging customers to adopt the tech as they promote contact-free shopping during the pandemic.

By Jessica Dumont • May 06, 2020

Soccer platform enters US market with Sports Illustrated tie-up

The collaboration comes as Dugout aims to boost monthly views of its behind-the-scenes videos to more than 1 billion.

By Robert Williams • May 04, 2020

Report: TikTok tests CTA ads to share revenue with influencers

Brand advertisers who are seeking more ways to measure the effectiveness of their influencer campaigns may be interested in the new ad format.

By Robert Williams • May 01, 2020

Apple's services revenue offsets falling iPhone sales

Mixed results have several implications for mobile marketers, though the iPhone maker didn't offer guidance for the rest of the year due to the pandemic.

By Robert Williams • May 01, 2020

Facebook's Q1 ad revenue rose 17% even as ad prices slumped

Usage grew during the pandemic, masking a drop in sales that saw the average purchase price of ads down 16% in the quarter.

By Robert Williams • April 30, 2020

L'Oréal rolls out 1st beauty AR lenses on Snap's desktop app

Compatible with video calling software like Zoom or Google Hangouts, the immersive lenses feature brands such as Garnier, Lancôme and Maybelline.

By Robert Williams • April 30, 2020

Spotify taps Anchor to let people turn video chats into podcasts

A new video-to-audio conversion tool works with platforms such as Google Meet, Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Twitch and Instagram Live.

By Robert Williams • April 29, 2020

Shopify unveils consumer shopping app as e-commerce booms under coronavirus

Putting a spotlight on local merchants, Shop leverages Shop Pay for transactions and Arrive to track online orders. 

By Peter Adams • April 28, 2020

How the COVID-19 pandemic is pushing brands to connect digitally

Retailers are quickly pivoting to emphasize mobile technology and virtual appointments to keep their businesses operational.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • April 28, 2020

Zynga offers Amazon Prime members free 'Words With Friends' content

Game players who belong to Amazon Prime can now access features like mystery boxes and exclusive tile styles.

By Robert Williams • April 28, 2020

Sprinklr adds TikTok to customer experience platform

Sprinklr's customers can manage their ad campaigns on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Snapchat, LinkedIn and TikTok in one place​.

By Robert Williams • April 28, 2020

Snapchat pilots 'first commercial' video takeover ads

AT&T is among the marketers to test the platform's non-skip video ads that appear before the first show people watch each day.

By Robert Williams • April 28, 2020