Tech and platform developments: Page 2

YouTube readies 'ad pods' to show 2 commercials in a row

Google created the format after research found that fewer ad interruptions correlated with higher engagement and less content abandonment.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 26, 2018

Venmo loses millions from payments fraud

A jump in fraudulent payments led the digital money-transfer provider to halt some services to prevent suspicious activity.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 26, 2018

7-Eleven cashes in on Alipay, WeChat Pay at Canadian stores

The Chinese payment services are now available at 35 locations in Vancouver and Toronto before a planned expansion.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 26, 2018

Cheddar: Snap reboots Spectacles with AR effects

Despite disappointing sales of the headset, the company appears undeterred in its long-term goal of expanding AR imagery beyond the confines of a small screen.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 26, 2018

Google's ad platform experienced technical problems on Black Friday

Facebook's Ads Manager also experienced an outage for a few hours on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. 

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 26, 2018

Mobile checkout time drops 12 seconds in Q2

A new report links mobile conversions to speed, variety of payment options, free shipping and checkout consistency.

By Dan Alaimo • Nov. 21, 2018

Gucci designs emoji fashions for chat startup Genies

The Italian fashion giant is the exclusive provider of virtual luxury clothing and accessories for the celebrity-backed chat app.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 21, 2018

Amazon brings Alexa to more Bluetooth gadgets

Brands can create voice-enabled apps that work on a broader range of wireless devices with the Alexa Mobile Accessory Kit.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 21, 2018

ShopRunner launches 'District' mobile marketplace

The e-commerce network unveiled an app heavy on personalization and Amazon product comparisons.

By Dan O'Shea • Nov. 20, 2018

Snap opens certification program for AR creators

Lens development was once limited to its in-house agency, but the company has gradually opened the platform to brands and agencies.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 20, 2018

Instagram clamps down on fake followers, 'inauthentic activity'

Parent company Facebook is working to clean up its social platforms from nefarious schemes.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 20, 2018

Digitalization of audio advertising leaps forward in new deals from iHeartMedia, Pandora's AdsWizz

The audio ad market is in flux as consumers spend more time listening to podcasts and streaming music on their mobile devices and as the adoption of smart speakers grows.

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 20, 2018

YouCam Makeup blends AI, AR for Beauty 3.0

Perfect Corp. released the next generation of the app with a promise to provide more personalized and accurate virtual try-ons.

By Dan Alaimo • Nov. 19, 2018

Snapchat enlists Kylie Cosmetics to launch in-app social commerce

"Shop and Cop" will offer deals from about 20 brands beginning on Black Friday and ending Cyber Monday.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 19, 2018

Google opens AMP Story Ads to all mobile websites

Brands can now access the ad format popularized by social media apps Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 19, 2018

Marketers react with rancor following eye-opening report on Facebook's maneuverings

The New York Times, following up on a bombshell report about company leadership, found some agencies have lost faith that the social network has a moral center.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 16, 2018

Office Depot's 'Elf Yourself' lands on Facebook with AR filter

The office supplies chain is rolling out the first holiday-themed AR ad on Facebook.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 16, 2018

Macy's, Lowe's, Kohl's shake up holiday shopping with Pinterest's Gift Globe

Shoppers enter information to get personalized gift suggestions when they shake their phone.

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 16, 2018

Venmo cashes in on in-car commerce with Cargo

Passengers can buy snacks and other items during rides through the popular mobile payment app.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 16, 2018

Instagram courts holiday shoppers with 3 fresh features

Athleisure brand Outdoor Voices is testing one of the tools to let fans tap a video and see promoted products.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 16, 2018

Microsoft buys bot studio Xoxco to shore up conversational AI capabilities

The tech giant aims to make AI more accessible to consumers and businesses while also incorporating the technology into its products and services.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 15, 2018

Uber pushes back at Lyft with a loyalty program of its own

Each level of membership offers extra benefits, including refunds on some cancellation fees, price protection on favorite routes, free food deliveries and access to top drivers.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 15, 2018

L'Oréal debuts NFC-powered UV sensor at Apple Stores

The clip-on hardware's companion app also provides information about humidity, pollen and pollution levels that can negatively affect health.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 15, 2018

Smartphones prevail as fastest growing connected devices, Deloitte says

Despite talk of maturation in the category, smartphone penetration this year reached 85%, ahead of laptops, desktop computers and tablets.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 14, 2018

Curate Mobile acquires Juice Mobile to bridge branding with ad performance

The agreement comes as the mobile adtech industry consolidates, with several high-profile deals being announced in the past year.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 14, 2018