Generative AI

GIF Giving: Meta Sells Giphy to Shutterstock

Meta has entered into an agreement with Shutterstock to sell Giphy for $53 million. It acquired the GIF engine in 2020 for $400 million, meaning that it will recoup about 13 percent of the original investment. That’s a big write-down but there’s more to it. 

Cox Enterprises

Cox Connects the Las Vegas Strip

Cox Communications is taking over sin city, or at least a portion of it. The cable & media giant has deployed a private wireless network covering eight blocks around Fremont Street.

Pro Features

Apple Launches into Local Events

Apple’s local commerce efforts continue to expand. Beyond ongoing Apple Maps improvements, its latest play is local event discovery. It’s bringing festival and concert content to two fitting places: Apple Music and Apple Maps.

Amazon's TikTok-Like 'Inspire' Launches
Amazon

Amazon’s TikTok-Like ‘Inspire’ Launches

Amazon’s new TikTok-like shopping feed has rolled out to all U.S. users. Known as Inspire, it was previously available in closed beta, containing short-form videos and photos that feature products for sale on Amazon.

Generative AI

3 Takeaways from Google I/O

Google’s I/O annual developer conference had the standard slate of rapid-fire announcements from across the Googleverse. We we break down our three biggest takeaways to cap the week.

Can AI Accelerate 'T-Commerce'?
AI

Can AI Accelerate ‘T-Commerce’?

Now that AI has inflected in underlying capabilities and applicability, could this accelerate the promise of shoppable television? We examine the latest market evidence and outcomes from IAB NewFronts.

Amazon Brings Custom Stores to Third-Party Apps
Amazon

Amazon Brings Custom Stores to Third-Party Apps

Amazon continues to find new places to sell you things. The latest is its “Amazon Anywhere” service that brings eCommerce to third-party apps and games, including customized and branded stores.

Home Services Network
Augmented reality

Frontdoor Launches Remote Home Services App

Frontdoor has announced a new app to streamline service calls to Homeowners. Utilizing “see what I see,” remote guidance, it empowers homeowners to diagnose – and even fix – issues with the live help of experts and an upheld smartphone. 

Next Door
Generative AI

Nextdoor Jumps on the AI Wagon

We can now add another local media and commerce player to the list of AI integrations: NextDoor. Specifically, the company has launched a feature that helps its users automate post creation.

Ikea SMB Loyalty
Pro Features

IKEA Makes a Play for SMB Loyalty

The latest player has joined the mix of retailers catering to SMBs: IKEA. The company launched the IKEA Business Network Loyalty Program to offer SMBs perks such as 5 percent discounts store-wide.

Pro Features

Snapchat+ Sets the Bar

The latest Snapchat+ milestone is that it has reached 3 million paid users. That’s up from 2 million in February and 1 million in August – indicating not only healthy user growth but accelerated adoption. We examine drives & dynamics.

eCommerce

Shopify Expands Further into Fintech

Shopify continues to expand its functionality for one-stop-shop appeal, and to broaden its addressable market of SMBs. The latest move in this effort comes Shopify Bill Pay, helping SMBs manage vendor payments.

Pro Features

Yelp Jumps on the AI Train For a Smarter UX

You can now add Yelp to the growing list of companies integrating AI to boost its user experience. And like much of the AI advancement and excitement over the past few months, this involves conversational AI and large language models.

Ads That Evoke Emotion Generate 4x More Impact
artificial intelligence

AI Chatbots Gain Traction Beyond the Buzz

Conversational AI is all the buzz in tech & media circles. But unlike hype cycles without substance (we’re looking at you metaverse), AI is finding real traction. We examine the evidence.

creator economy

Instagram Advances Its Creator-Economy Play

The creator economy continues to emerge as a subset of the SMB universe. Instagram has recently advanced this segment with its creator marketplace API that lets creators and brands find each other.

Apple

PayPal Adds Apple Pay for SMBs

Paypal has announced that it’s adding Apple Pay to its payment options for eCommerce-enabled SMBs. We dive into the details and strategic implications.

SaaS Apps
Newfold Digital

Web.com Launches SMB Appointment Scheduler

Web.com has launched a new SMB appointment scheduling tool. Known as MySchedulr, it streamlines the process of booking and managing appointments for appointment-based SMBs like home services and salons. 

Location Intelligence

Gravy Analytics Named Among Fastest-Growing Co’s

Location intelligence specialist Gravy Analytics is now one of the fastest-growing companies in the Americas. The Financial Times gave the company the nod (coming in at #332) in its 2023 list.

Pro Features

Amazon One Resurfaces

Amazon has announced that Panera Bread will integrate Amazon One. It will be the first food-based establishment to do so as it was previously used in grocery and event ticketing. We examine drivers and dynamics.   

Adobe

Adobe Scales AI Across the Creative Cloud

Adobe has launched Firefly, bringing generative AI to the Creative Cloud. The headline here is Adobe’s ability to scale generative AI by integrating it across the ubiquitous Creative Cloud – from Photoshop to Illustrator.