Google will stop peddling a data collector through Apple’s back door
Google disables app that monitored iPhone usage in violation of Apple’s rules
Google also monitored iPhone usage with a private app
Facebook pays teens to install VPN that spies on them
Facebook Is Paying Teens to Install a ‘Research’ App That Lets It Monitor Their Phones
Apple Bans App Used by Facebook in Escalating Privacy Fight
Apple says it’s banning Facebook’s research app that collects users’ personal information
How to Check If Your Kid Is Using Facebook’s ‘Banned’ Research App
Apple’s results were in line with lowered guidance that CEO Tim Cook provided on Jan. 2, when the company said a significant slowdown in China and supply constraints are limiting growth. Read more…
Apple Metrics from Conference Call:
Paid subscribers to Apple Music: 50 million
Apple News readers in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia: 85 million (up from 70 million in 2016).
Apple Pay transactions doubled to 1.8 billion in 2018.
Installed base of Apple devices: 1.4 billion, up 100 million from a year earlier, including 900 million iPhones.
Apple News Magazines will be connected to the accounts of iTunes Store users. Subscribers will pay a flat monthly fee for access to hundreds of digital publications. Read more…
Smartphone games are forecast to expand their share global games revenues from 36% in 2017 to 49% by 2021, according to researcher Newzoo.
The smartphone gaming market is forecast to more than double from $43.8 billion in 2017 to about $90 billion in 2021.
Instagram-influenced purchases rose 91% in 2018 from a year earlier, but Facebook is the market leader, influencing 6x more purchases in 2018, according to adtech firm StitcherAds.
- Retailers spent 47% more on Facebook & Instagram holiday campaigns in 2018 from the prior year.
- Retailers saw a 14% increase in Facebook-attributed in-store sales from a year earlier.
- Over the holiday season, 2.7x more purchases occurred on mobile devices vs. desktop.
- Cost per click declined about 10% from a year earlier.
- CPM fell 17% from a year earlier.
Higher levels of screen time among toddlers were associated with slower mental development, according to a study cited by JAMA Pediatrics.
About 98% of U.S. children ages 0 to 8 years live in a home with an internet-connected device and spend more than two hours a day on average looking at screens, according to Common Sense Media.
Children who observe screens without an interactive or physical component are more sedentary and aren’t practicing gross motor skills, such as walking and running. Screens can also disrupt interactions with caregivers by limiting opportunities for verbal and nonverbal social exchanges, which are essential for fostering optimal growth and development.
While ad reveals aren’t driving much chatter, a new report shows Pizza Hut’s expansion of beer delivery has spurred more than 125,000 shares. Read more…
Skittles, Planters, Amazon, Doritos, M&M’s and Bubly have teased at their Super Bowl ads, CNet reported.
Instead of running a pricey TV spot, Frank’s asks viewers to tweet a chili pepper emoji and special hashtag during other brands’ ads. Read more…
CBS is selling 30-second commercials for $5.1 million to $5.3 million, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The price is little changed from last year, when Comcast NBC sold ads for $5.24 million, according to researcher Kantar Media. The Super Bowl audience peaked in 2015, but the game is the most-watched TV event of the year. Last year’s audience fell to a nine-year low of 103.4 million viewers, but the game is still the biggest showcase for national ad campaigns.
Google’s proposed changes likely will spur ad-blocking companies to redesign their software. That will make ad-blocking a continued problem for web publishers that depend on display ads for revenue. Read more…