Google rolled out smart segmentation features in Google AdMob that use machine learning to categorize players based on their likelihood of making in-app purchases. Read more…
Apple acquired machine-learning startup Laserlike in a likely effort to boost its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, including for Siri, the iPhone maker’s virtual assistant that faces stronger competition from Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Read more…
Specialty lighting retailer Lamps Plus now lets customers seek help from store employees by sending text messages to any of its 37 locations. Read more…
Procter & Gamble’s Febreze air freshener brand released an eight-track album of musical advertisements that have gained a following on social media. Read more…
Apple’s magazine subscription service is starting to take shape. The tech giant is expected to announce the service at a March 25 press event. Analysts also expect the iPhone maker to unveil a TV streaming service that will compete more directly with Netflix and Hulu. Read more…
Angry Orchard, the brand of hard cider marketed by Samuel Adams brewer Boston Beer Co., this week debuted its Cider+Food app for Apple smartphones and tablets. Read more…
Additional Reading:
The cider market grew 8.4% in 2018, exceeding the growth of spirits (+3.6%) and wine (+2.1%), according to Nielsen data shared at the CiderCon 2019 convention last month. The U.S. cider market last year reached more than $500 million in retail sales, or 10x the level of a decade ago, as the number of cideries grew to more than 900. Such a crowded market means that brands like Angry Orchard need to take extra steps to get noticed.
Chinese news agency Xinhua’s first female artificial intelligence (AI) news presenter signals a threat to human news readers.
Other reading:
The Fight to Be a Middle-Aged Female News Anchor: “The average age of the anchors who lost their jobs was 46.8, while their replacements averaged 38.1 years. In one case, the difference was more than two decades,” reporter Steve Cavendish writes in the New York Times.
Older women on US television send subliminal message, Gillian Tett writes in the Financial Times.
Fewer Americans rely on TV news; what type they watch varies by who they are, according to Pew Research Center.
% of U.S. adults who get news on each TV segment
2017 | 2016 | |
Local TV | 37% | 46% |
Network TV | 26% | 30% |
Cable TV | 28% | 31% |
% of U.S. adults who get news often on each platform
2018 | 2016 | |
TV | 49% | 57% |
News website | 33% | 28% |
Radio | 26% | 25% |
Social media | 20% | 18% |
Print newspapers | 16% | 20% |
Home Depot was ranked No. 1 in a study of retailer mobile apps because of its functionality and strong user experience. Read more….
Wendy’s observed National Frozen Food Day on March 6 by trolling rival burger chain McDonald’s on Twitter. Read more…
Fitbit is testing a rewards program as the maker of wearable fitness trackers debuts four lower-priced devices. Read more…