Tech and platform developments: Page 2

Twitter debuts 'monetizable' metric for its 126M users

The new metric is positioned to set Twitter apart from other digital media platforms by promising a more direct assessment of user value.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 08, 2019

QVC launches mobile app with shoppable video, unveils new logo

The multichannel retailer places a bet on technology while launching a new brand identity.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 07, 2019

Facebook will soon show users how advertisers target them

Starting Feb. 28, users will be able to see when a marketer shared their information and when the social giant served them an ad.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 07, 2019

Q&A

Dirty Lemon founder talks DTC, cutting digital dollars and taking the retail plunge

After Coca-Cola invested in parent company Iris Nova, the buzzy beverage brand is growing beyond its Instagram roots, readying three new tech-powered stores in 2019 with no digital marketing budget.

By Natalie Koltun • Feb. 07, 2019

Spotify bets on podcasting's growth with Gimlet, Anchor acquisitions

Founder and CEO Daniel Ek said he believes investing in podcasting will be crucial to building Spotify's user base and engagement.

By Chris Kelly • Feb. 06, 2019

50% of retailers list mobile shopping apps as a top priority

There's major opportunity to improve omnichannel approaches by providing store associates with mobile tech, a Shopgate study found.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 06, 2019

Houseparty seeks to monetize video chat without ads

The push began when talk show host Ellen DeGeneres used the video chat app to play a game on air with pop singer Christina Aguilera.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 06, 2019

Snap's revenue surges 36% as user base steadies at 186M

Ad impressions increased 179% from a year earlier, but pricing declined 48% as the company shifted to programmatic sales.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 06, 2019

NBA names AT&T as official sponsor for tech-focused fan experiences

Some activations will take place during NBA All-Star games in Charlotte, North Carolina, which is one of a few U.S. cities where the wireless carrier has launched 5G technology.

By Erica Sweeney • Feb. 06, 2019

73% of media buyers favor programmatic in-app ads, study finds

A majority of respondents said they saw stronger audience targeting with the in-app ads, while 54% reported more effective customer engagement, PubMatic and Forrester Consulting found.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 06, 2019

Digital restaurant ordering expected to triple by 2020

Restaurant apps or websites lead the trend by processing 70% of orders while the other 30% were completed through third-party apps or other platforms.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 05, 2019

Nike opens pop-up store based on its SNKRS app

Through March, the sportswear brand will make limited-edition shoes available at the temporary Atlanta location.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 05, 2019

Toyota drives 1,200 dealer visits with location-based mobile ads

The mobile ad campaign demonstrates the power of reaching potential customers at the right place and time.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 05, 2019

Google's Q4 ad revenue rises 20% as its pricing power erodes

Facebook and Amazon outpaced the Alphabet-owned platform's Q4 growth rate at 30% and 95%, respectively.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 05, 2019

Warby Parker eyes mobile AR with virtual try-on tool

The iOS app marks a return to AR tech for the DTC retailer, which previously removed a similar try-on tool from its website because of technical challenges.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 05, 2019

Nike, Intersport team up for podcast series targeting aspiring runners

Featuring ultra-marathon runner Coach Lee, the series was inspired by research showing fitness enthusiasts opt for "in-ear coaching" over music during workouts.

By Erica Sweeney • Feb. 04, 2019

Sugarfina bakes brand into 'Cooking Craze' mobile game

The first 1,000 players to complete all 40 levels of the game will win a real-life candy bento box through Feb. 18.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 04, 2019

Energizer readies 26 smartphone models for Mobile World Congress

Designed by Avenir Telecom, the offerings include a foldable smartphone, one equipped with a large battery and others with pop-up selfie cameras.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 04, 2019

Report: Spotify in talks to buy Gimlet Media podcast network

Marking a bigger entry into the growing podcasting market, the deal would be Spotify's first acquisition of a content company.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 04, 2019

Apple restores internal apps of Facebook and Google amid privacy flap

The suspensions didn't affect any apps that consumers downloaded, but are part of the tech giant's push to show how it's working to protect user privacy.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 01, 2019

Amazon's ad sales jump to $3.4B in Q4 2018

The e-commerce giant's ad sales surpassed $10 billion for 2018, handily beating forecasts, but overall revenue growth may be slowing. 

By Robert Williams • Feb. 01, 2019

Report: Reddit launches cost-per-click ads to attract new advertisers

Wayfair and Hired have already purchased CPC ads on Reddit in an effort to shift ad spend away from Google and Facebook.

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 31, 2019

Samsung rolls out first 1TB memory chip for smartphones

A phone with that much memory may become more of a necessity as wireless carriers roll out next-generation 5G technology.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 31, 2019

IDC: Smartphone shipments dip 4.1% in 2018 for 'worst year ever'

Total shipments fell for the fifth straight quarter as China's smartphone market slumped.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 31, 2019

Facebook's 2018 ad revenue surges 38% to $55B amid Stories ad growth

Two million advertisers use the Stories format across Facebook, Instagram and Messenger, undaunted by the company's repeated data-privacy scandals.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 31, 2019