Tech and platform developments: Page 2

Judge approves $26B Sprint, T-Mobile merger

A judge rejected a major lawsuit to block the deal, clearing the final legal hurdle for a proposal that could accelerate nationwide 5G deployment.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 11, 2020

Upland buys Localytics for $67.7M to expand mobile app analytics

ESPN, Fox and The New York Times are among the companies that use the Localytics platform, which is integrated with 37,000 apps on more than 2.7 billion devices.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 11, 2020

Quibi commands advertising spotlight at sold-out Oscars show

The large presence showed the streaming service continuing to leverage traditional media channels to push a content platform that will only be available on mobile devices.

By Peter Adams • Feb. 10, 2020

Freemium game developer Glu Mobile returns to profitability as revenue rises 18%

The developer, best known for mobile game "Kim Kardashian: Hollywood," is showing signs of rebounding from setbacks as several newer titles boost engagement.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 10, 2020

Horizon Media tests verification tech from Location Sciences

After discovering about 25% of initial campaign impressions were delivered to customers more than 300 miles away from a targeted location, Horizon worked to improve accuracy and efficiency.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 10, 2020

TikTok, Apple Search rival duopoly in ROI for app marketers, study says

Smaller companies also performed well, demonstrating their ability to outperform ad giants Facebook and Google in niche markets​.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 10, 2020

7-Eleven tests cashierless store at Texas HQ

The convenience store and Amazon Go are testing the waters of cashierless commerce as startups look to scale similar technology.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 07, 2020

Quibi gives gamers chance to win spot on esports team

The mobile video app's "FaZe Up" reality show will let winning gamers join the FaZe Clan, which boasts 85 influencers on a variety of platforms.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 07, 2020

Twitter's ad revenue rises 12% as users reach 152M

The social network's user growth beat estimates, setting the stage for ad sales growth. 

By Robert Williams • Feb. 07, 2020

Pinterest debuts verified merchant program after 46% revenue jump

The platform will let approved brands and retailers participate in new shopping experiences in an effort to convert passive users into active buyers.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 07, 2020

Facebook will shutter Audience Network for mobile sites

The decision may be in response to recent changes by companies like Google and Apple to limit audience tracking with third-party cookies amid growing concerns about privacy and brand safety.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 06, 2020

Google plans crackdown on 'disruptive' video ads

The tech giant's Chrome browser on Aug. 5 will stop showing paid spots that don't comply with new standards from the Coalition for Better Ads.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 06, 2020

Spotify buys Bill Simmons' The Ringer as podcast consumption soars

In its Q4 earnings report, the audio streaming service said its podcast consumption hours grew 200% year-over-year.

By Peter Adams • Feb. 05, 2020

EMarketer: Voice shopping is growing more slowly than expected

Security concerns and competition from smartphones weigh on purchases though smart speakers, the researcher said.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 05, 2020

Report: Instagram's $20B ad revenue outpaced YouTube in 2019

The sales figure is about 33% higher than the $15.1 billion in YouTube ad sales that Alphabet divulged for the first time this week.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 05, 2020

KFC Canada brings Colonel Sanders' voice, reordering to Alexa

The fast-food chain worked with Amazon's cloud platform to recreate Sanders' voice through AI technology.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 05, 2020

Mobile messaging firm Attentive raises $70M

CEO Brian Long said, "brands will be expected to engage in real-time, two-way conversations with their customers via mobile messaging."

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 04, 2020

Vine successor Byte is most popular app in its first week

The app's launch opens a new social ad platform for marketers, though many brands may wait and see whether it will reach a scale that makes it worthwhile.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 04, 2020

Yelp asks Grubhub to remove delivery from 'non-partner' restaurant pages

Grubhub told Restaurant Dive that Yelp was aware of the practice and that the companies recently came to the decision together. Yelp said it asked Grubhub to make the change after recently learning of the practice.

By Alicia Kelso • UPDATED: Jan. 31, 2020 at 2:05 p.m.

Snapchat touts how it helps brands like Subway engage Gen Z sports fans

In promoting its reach among sports fans, Snap said almost 75% of users who plan to watch March Madness also use the app while viewing live games.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 31, 2020

Facebook's ad revenue rises 25% to record $20.7B

The company doesn't share user data for Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp, but said the number of people who use at least one of its services rose 11% to 2.3 billion.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 30, 2020

Apple reports record profit on iPhone rebound

However, the tech giant said the coronavirus outbreak in China might disrupt its supply chain and dampen sales this year.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 29, 2020

1-800-Flowers revamps app with AR bouquets, Venmo payments

Ahead of Valentine's Day, the flower delivery service relaunched its desktop website as a progressive web app for easier smartphone browsing.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 28, 2020

Estée Lauder, Sephora unveil shoppable AR makeup try-ons on Pinterest

Pinterest's new Try On feature works with Lens, the image-sharing app's visual search tool.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 28, 2020

Microsoft invests in mobile ad startup aimed at kids

SuperAwesome, which lets marketers buy ads that are based on context and not personal data, works with brands like Mattel, Hasbro and NBCUniversal.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 28, 2020