Tech and platform developments: Page 5

Verizon kills blocker of ad tracking on Safe Wi-Fi app

Apple's App Store and Google Play pressured the company to remove the feature or risk being banned, the telecom giant said.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 11, 2018

Facebook's Marketing Partner program integrates smaller agencies, consultants

The goal is to boost creative development by giving smaller agencies faster support and letting marketers assess the performance of creative before releasing it.

By Erica Sweeney • Oct. 11, 2018

Lyft picks up Sonos vet Joy Howard as CMO

She will replace Melissa Waters, who was brought on to help build brand awareness for the ride-hailing firm two years ago. Lyft says it's doubled its market share in the U.S. and Canada since then.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 10, 2018

Facebook dominates video ad spend with 25% share, eMarketer finds

Overall, spending on online video ads is forecast to grow 30% this year for a total of $27.82 billion. 

By Robert Williams • Oct. 10, 2018

Google unwraps Pixel 3 phone, smart display and tablet

New Google Lens functionality could give marketers another way to deliver shoppable experiences following the tech giant's recent expansion of visual search tools.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 10, 2018

Adobe's Magento and partners launch program to boost mobile conversions

The mobile optimization initiative spurred a 7.5% increase in average revenue per visit for participating merchants.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 09, 2018

T-Mobile teams with Amazon, Google on prepaid 5G wireless

The Amazon tie-in may compel some prepaid customers to stick with their mobile plans in order to access Prime's subscription features.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 09, 2018

Google+ to shutter after reports of exposed user data

While 90% of sessions on the platform last under five seconds, the tech giant will maintain the service for companies that use it for employee communication.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 09, 2018

Facebook debuts Portal for in-home video chat

The two voice-enabled devices currently don't have ads, but both work with Amazon's Alexa voice assistant.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 09, 2018

Luxury furniture brand Artemest debuts AR app

Mobile users can preview how items might look in their home before making a purchase.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 08, 2018

Facebook rebrands Camera Effects Platform, expands program to Instagram

Kylie Jenner, Ariana Grande, Gucci and the NBA piloted the AR software tools for Instagram.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 08, 2018

NBCU app lets viewers win rewards for streaming shows

People can redeem accrued points at retailers like Amazon, Target and Walmart.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 08, 2018

Study: 67% of OTT app users 'churn' in the first two weeks

The apps have an average retention rate of 41.8% for users after seven days and 43% of apps are abandoned one month after download.

By Erica Sweeney • Oct. 05, 2018

Google Assistant lets users compare ride-hailing services via voice commands

The app version of Google Assistant will show information from popular ride-hailing services, including wait times and price comparisons. 

By Robert Williams • Oct. 05, 2018

Facebook revamps friend maps to copy Snapchat again

Resembling Snap Maps, the Nearby Friends pilot replaces a list view of neighborhood and city locations of friends with a map that groups them together.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 05, 2018

Marketers sound off on voice's opportunities and challenges: 'When it goes wrong, it's painful'

The tech is about more than just search, and can build a deeper emotional connection with consumers — or just a headache, according to executives at Advertising Week. 

By Peter Adams • Oct. 05, 2018

How Nike curbs the challenges of Instagram's popular Stories feature

At Advertising Week, the brand's global head of business and media detailed how the shoemaker transforms the format's difficulties into strengths.

By Chris Kelly • Oct. 04, 2018

Starbucks login conversion rate nearly doubles with new Google Assistant feature

H&M Home, Fitbit and Food Network are among the first to add new video, picture and text features to the voice-powered platform as it adds more engagement tools for brands.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 04, 2018

Apple's high-priced iPhone XS and XS Max boost revenue 7%, study finds

Apple released its most expensive phones earlier than it did last year, lifting sales and market share.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 04, 2018

Google boosts AI customer service offerings with acquisition of startup Onward

Onward's services, which can be used with Salesforce, Shopify and Hubspot, include an AI-powered chatbot that provides tailored answers and product recommendations.

By Erica Sweeney • Oct. 03, 2018

Samsung Ads connects OTT, linear ad inventory for brands

The electronics giant can reach as many as 200 million devices with linear and OTT ad insertions while allowing marketers to adjust campaigns on the fly.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 03, 2018

Uber Eats harnesses AI for $6B in annual bookings

The tech helps the company comb through data on restaurant order volume, food preparation time, pickups and deliveries.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 03, 2018

Smart checkouts will process $45B in transactions by 2023, study says

But it could take until 2021 before at least 2,000 stores have smart checkout technology implemented, according to Juniper Research.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 02, 2018

Study: Commuters spend more time shopping, ordering food on phones

The results underscore how apps — especially for social media, video and music — have transformed the daily trek to work. 

By Robert Williams • Oct. 02, 2018

Chipotle tests customer loyalty program

The rewards program is powered by a personalized CRM platform that lets the chain use targeted communication to drive trial, menu exploration and brand affinity.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 02, 2018