Virtual make-up: L’Oréal buys AI and AR firm ModiFace
L’Oréal has bought ModiFace, an augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) company, as the French beauty brand expands into technology.
Snapchat Spectacles get an update
Snap is launching a new version of its Spectacles camera-glasses with a better camera, the ability to take still images and water resistance.
Brits spend twice as long on internet as 10 years ago
Nine in ten adults are now online with most thinking the benefits of the internet outweigh the risks, but many are turned off by all forms of digital advertising, according to new research.
AI, 5G and voice: technology experts predict the future of mobile (video)
While at this year’s Mobile World Congress, mobile network giffgaff spoke to technology experts from around the world about what they think the future of mobile usage will look like.
Global quarterly smartphone demand falls (but revenue growth remains strong)
Global smartphone demand fell 2% to 347 million units in the first quarter of 2018, but average sales price grew 21% year-on-year leading to strong revenue growth, according to new research.
Businesses ‘must act now to avoid tech giant domination by 2025’
By 2025, 80% of all digital services to be delivered through a few core platforms, according to a new forecast.
Smartphone video becomes fastest growing online ad format
Advertisers spent £476 million more on smartphone video ads in 2017, making it the fastest-growing online ad format, according to new research.
LINE debuts augmented reality face game for online video calls
Japanese messaging app Line has launched new AR gaming features to its messaging app and a range of new emoji as it looks to boost engagement.
Ikea handyman app TaskRabbit hit by data breach
Ikea’s odd jobs marketplace TaskRabbit is back online today, after a “cyber-security incident” on Monday. The handyman app allows people to find freelance workers to complete household tasks such as cleaning, gardening or assembling flat-pack...How Paris turned Millennials into ambassadors for the city
In February 2018, the Paris region’s governing body launched a Snapchat campaign for Paris Fashion Week, in an attempt to reach tourists and Parisians, and engage with a younger audience. This case study looks at how it achieved a staggering 5.7 million views after being shared by Snapchatters via Chat or Stories.
Marty the Robot to educate schoolchildren in South Korea
Marty the Robot – a new educational robot produced by Robotical in Edinburgh, has just won a huge contract from the Wise Club in South Korea.
Social media: and how corporate communications became more complicated
Social media has changed the way people voice their opinions forever, empowering the smallest voice to take to Twitter and challenge the biggest global brand. The success of those challenges still rests in the validity of the case, the support it gets, and the way the message is executed – but the culture of hashtag protests has enabled social protests to achieve scale in days and hours rather than months or years. There is a growing confidence in almost all countries to use social media to protest, making corporate communications a far tougher job today than ever before.
“Your user agreement sucks”: Facebook founder admits privacy mistakes in US senate hearing
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has admitted he had made mistakes over the handling of millions of users data by Cambridge Analytica during the first day of a senate hearing in the US.
White paper: AI crucial to future of marketing
Artificial intelligence (AI) will play a key role in revolutionising marketing in the near future, according to a new white paper looking into how technology drives marketing effectiveness.
31% of Brits have smart security gadgets in the home
Households in the UK are increasingly turning to smart technology to protect their homes, according to new research. The survey of 2,001 British adults carried out by gadgets and technology e-tailer, LaptopsDirect.co.uk, found that more than a third of Brits (31%) are...New ‘Branding To Store’ mobile ad tool goes live
TabMo has launched its ‘Branding To Store’ mobile advertising solution that combines for the first time the automated creation of a drive-to-store ad format with the ability to measure the real-time uplift in footfall traffic resulting from the campaign.
Spotify saves millions with unusual stock market debut
Spotify listed on the stock market this week, with an unusual ‘direct listing’ that resulting in shares of the music streaming service being up 12.9% on their first day of trade on the New York Stock Exchange.
Snapchat allows 16 person video calls
Snapchat has launched a new feature that lets up to 16 people take part in a live chat together, using either video or just their voices.
Under Armour admits 150 million MyFitnessPal accounts breached
The personal details of around 150 million users of popular nutrition app MyFitnessPal, owned by sportswear brand Under Armour, have been accessed in a breach.
April Fools’ round-up: Snapchat’s Russian bots, Brexit emojis and bankrupt Elon Musk
April Fool’s Day has become a major event in the digital calendar, with many brands and media owners creating elaborate pranks to show off their funny side (and get plenty of social media shares and column inches in the process). We’ve put together some of the best hoaxes from 2018’s pranksters for your viewing pleasure.
