Tech and platform developments: Page 2

Mobile marketing in EMEA maintains high growth despite pandemic, study says

The percentage of EMEA marketers who are allocating more than a quarter of their ad budgets to mobile rose to 49% this year from 40% in 2019. 

By Robert Williams • July 30, 2020

Buy on Google to go commission-free

At a time when more consumers are shopping online, the tech giant said it aims to make e-commerce more accessible for retailers of all sizes.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 28, 2020

Pandemic, protests disrupt Q2 ad spending on social media, study says

Last quarter saw several cross-currents for social ads, with several metrics indicating weaker demand even as ad spending gradually rebounded, per Socialbakers.

By Robert Williams • July 28, 2020

U.S. Bank to launch in-app voice assistant as pandemic boosts mobile banking

Debuting a voice assistant may provide better access to services for people with disabilities such as blindness.

By Robert Williams • July 27, 2020

Michelob Ultra gives NBA fans a way to virtually attend live games

A digital experience with Microsoft Teams is part of a sponsorship agreement that makes the AB InBev brand the NBA's official beer.

By Robert Williams • July 27, 2020

New York Times buys producer of 'Serial' podcast for $25M

The Times also formed a creative and strategic alliance with radio show "This American Life."

By Robert Williams • July 24, 2020

Twitter weighs subscription service amid drop in ad sales

Amid a 23% drop in ad revenue to $562 million in Q2, the platform's main priority is the rollout of a new product for companies to promote their apps.

By Robert Williams • July 24, 2020

Domino's, ViacomCBS test Alexa feature that tracks ad conversion

Quick Links and a technology to make mobile apps more conversational with smartphone users are among the 31 new features for the voice assistant.

By Robert Williams • July 23, 2020

Unilever, Anheuser-Busch join test of Pandora's voice-powered ads

Brands including KFC and PepsiCo's Doritos are trialing ads that lets listeners say "yes" if they want to learn more about a product or service.

By Robert Williams • July 23, 2020

Visual search startup Shnap launches on mobile, Chrome

The platform, which uses artificial intelligence to match consumers' images to products, aims to drive traffic and sales for its partner retailers. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 22, 2020

Starbucks app will add more ways to pay, earn rewards this fall

Loyalty members will no longer have to use the Starbucks card to collect rewards, and can instead opt for cash, cards or mobile wallets.

By Alicia Kelso • July 22, 2020

OnePlus hosts 1st all-AR launch event for new smartphone

Immersive tech company Blippar developed the 26-minute livestreamed event for the device maker, illustrating how AR can be used to supplant typical in-person presentations.

By Robert Williams • July 22, 2020

Opinion

The fight against COVID-19 spam and smishing attacks

Exploiting text messages' high open rate, hackers are using the channel for cybercrime at higher levels during the pandemic, writes OpenMarket's Seujan Bertram.

By Seujan Bertram • July 22, 2020

Google introduces video shopping platform Shoploop

The mobile platform is designed to demonstrate products to users in 90 seconds as companies push further into shoppable content.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 21, 2020

Spotify signs TikTok star Addison Rae to podcast deal

Launching "Mama Knows Best" is another sign of how the audio streaming company is expanding its library of exclusive podcasts to appeal to a growing Gen Z audience.

By Robert Williams • July 21, 2020

Walmart, McDonald's quietly pause ads on Facebook amid boycott, study says

Nine major brands that have paused Facebook advertising spent more than $335 million on the social network last year.

By Robert Williams • July 21, 2020

Shopify adds virtual shopping feature with Hero

Hero for Shopify helps merchants connect store employees with their most loyal customers through video chats and text messaging.

By Robert Williams • July 20, 2020

Zoom's Q2 downloads jump past 300M, beating TikTok during pandemic

A direct result of the pandemic, the surge in popularity makes Zoom the third app in history to surpass 300 million downloads in a three-month period.

By Robert Williams • July 20, 2020

Facebook, Snap take direct aim at TikTok amid threat of US ban

Facebook will roll out its TikTok-like feature called Reels on Instagram globally while Snap is testing a vertical swiping feature.

By Robert Williams • July 17, 2020

Instagram Shop launches with Facebook Pay at checkout

A centralized e-commerce hub will offer personalized recommendations, exclusive items and collections of products from brands and creators.

By Robert Williams • July 17, 2020

CVS launches spoken prescription tech for app users

Retail's drugstore segment continues to invest in technology as it pushes further into healthcare.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 16, 2020

Target, L'Oréal, Ralph Lauren test Snapchat's new brand profile pages

The new feature gives marketers a permanent home to build a following and directly engage with app users.

By Robert Williams • July 16, 2020

Amazon opens livestreaming platform to influencers

Influencers can earn a commission on sale of products they feature in their video streams on Amazon Live.

By Robert Williams • July 16, 2020

Samsonite's eBags brand boosts mobile shopping with AR

The online luggage retailer saw higher sales conversions from web visitors who engaged with its 3D and AR content.

By Robert Williams • July 15, 2020

IAB: US podcast ad revenue will grow 15% to nearly $1B

The IAB previously predicted ad revenue growth of 30% this year, but the pandemic has dampened demand.

By Robert Williams • July 14, 2020