Read original story on: Re/code
Apple is enlisting multiple ad tech vendors, including MediaMath, The Trade Desk, AdRoll, GET IT Mobile, Accordant and Adelphic, to help it sell automated mobile ads via its iAd platform. The news came just days after Apple’s partnership with ad tech company Rubicon was announced. With programmatic ad buying becoming the new industry standard for web ads, it makes sense for Apple to bring it to mobile ads.
Read original story on: Times
Nielsen announced earlier this week that it will begin monitoring viewership numbers of online subscription video services (SVOD) next month, including Netflix and Amazon’s Prime Instant Video. Even though Netflix and other streaming services have long declined to disclose viewership stats, Nielsen can determine which show is being streamed by analyzing each program’s audio components, Shazam-style.
It is worth noting, however, that data collected in such way would be considerably skewed unless Nielsen figures out the percentage of viewers view streaming media from the Internet on their TV instead of through specific streaming devices such as Roku and Chromecast. Nevertheless, this marks a significant move for Nielsen to finally start tracking OTT viewership data.
Read more on: Estimote Team Blog
Estimote just announced a new array of software that includes developer SDKs, APIs, and other tools to help developers and retailers alike deploy and manage beacons at scale. IPG Media Lab signed on as one of the marquee launch partners (and so far, is the only media company on board) because we are very excited about the innovative approach that Estimote takes with its open APIs, which allow beacon data to be integrated into existing enterprise software systems. We’re particularly excited to see this amazing new platform start gaining grounds in the hyperlocal market.
Read original story on: The Verge
Apple will soon allow third-party manufacturers to integrate its Lightning port directly into their Apple accessories. Apple has already opened up the Lightning connection to headphone makers for better audio quality, but it will be very interesting to see what this newfound connectivity can bring to Apple devices in areas like the connected car or the Internet of Things.
Read original story on: Business Insider
In their continuous quest to upstage Apple, Samsung has unveiled its answer to the infamous iPhone 6 “bendgate” with an actual bendable smartphone. After reportedly working on bendable screens for smartphones over the past few years, the company is now promising that display technology will arrive in real products starting next year. How this design brings anything practical to devices besides flexibility is still unclear.
Read original story on: Wired
Ever since the SnapChat hack a few weeks back, security issues on messaging apps have been raising concerns. So it is definitely a welcome surprise that the most recent update to WhatsApp’s Android app includes strong end-to-end encryption, developed in partnership with Open WhisperSystems, that is enabled by default. This means that WhatsApp won’t be able to decrypt the messages itself, even if the company is compelled by law enforcement. For now, it’s unclear when such feature will come to iOS, but it’s still a huge step towards better mobile privacy for millions of Android users.
Read original story on: The Next Web
One step ahead of Facebook’s plan to put payment in its messaging app, Snapchat has teamed up with payment company Square to announced Snapcash, a new service that will allow users to send money to each other via Square’s system without leaving Snapchat. Now when a user signs up for Snapcash, they’ll be creating a Square Cash account at the same time. This partnership could be particularly helpful for Square, which has been trying to stay relevant in the face of the formidable Apple Pay.
For more information on the current state of mobile payment market, download and read our latest POV here.
Read original story on: Spotify Blog
Earlier today Uber announced a high-profile partnership with Spotify for a deep integration that will make Uber rides more customizable. Starting November 21st, users in ten selected global markets, including New York City and San Francisco, will be able to link their Spotify premium account with their Uber profile, set a playlist for the ride, and wirelessly control the music from either the Uber or Spotify apps during the trip. Support for podcasts are also hinted at in leaked app images.
This partnership signals Uber’s first official entry into connected car, which, if proven successful, could potentially open up new opportunities for on-the-go, hyperlocal marketing,
Read original story on: The Guardian
Not satisfied with merely being the No.1 social media platform in the world, Facebook is now reportedly planning to launch a new enterprise-oriented “Facebook at Work” site (presumably aiming to drag down global productivity even more). The new site will allow users to share and collaborate on documents with colleagues and connect with work contacts via IM chats, which puts it in direct competition with professional networking site LinkedIn and other web-based office tools offered by the likes of Google and Microsoft.
It might seem logical for Facebook to attempt leveraging its huge user base into the enterprise market, but most people choose to compartmentalize their work and personal life. Unless it can come up with services significantly better than what competitors are offering, “Facebook at Work” simply won’t work.
Read original story on: WSJ.com
Almost one month after its official launch, Apple Pay has finally added support for UnionPay, China’s most popular payment card (and the only government-sanctioned payment and inter-bank clearinghouse in mainland China), with over 4.5 billion cards issued. Right now, payment is limited to purchasing digital goods on its regional App Store only. But given China’s booming ecommerce sector, which is projected to hit $409 billion this year, it seems safe to assume that Apple Pay will be expanding its functionality in China soon.
