Tag: Google Home

This week momentum has been building around Google’s reported plans to introduce its own ad-blocking feature, in both the mobile and desktop versions of Chrome. At first glance, the feature seems counter-intuitive, since Google’s annual online ad revenue exceeded $60 billion, yet it is clearly a defensive move. The focus is on the improvement of user experience and ultimately the reduction in fast growing third party ad blocking software. Elsewhere, at Facebook’s F8 conference, augmented reality continues to gain prominence, as they launched their strategy and intent for developing the Metaverse.

HEADLINES

• Google announces plans for ad blocking within Chrome to promote a better user experience, despite being a company that makes its revenue from advertising
• Twitter ups the ante on competitors with new brand safety and viewability partnerships
• Apple CEO Tim Cook personally threatened to boot Uber out of the App Store

 INSIGHTS

• One in five UK firms were attacked by hackers, a new report reveals
• UK internet ad spend passes the £10bn mark in 2016, as reported in the new IAB report
• Children are reportedly less happy the more time they spend on social media

 COOL

• The Sony Xperia Touch turns any flat surface into a touchscreen
• Bots are not just about customer service, Marvel has shown that they can even sell you a Spiderman comic book
• Disney files patent for ‘humanoid’ robot

 DEEP READS

• At their annual F8 conference, Facebook demonstrated how they could put an ad in your morning coffee.  And everywhere else.
• More of a deep listen: did Burger King cross the line by airing a TV ad that spoke directly and without permission to users’ Google Home systems?
• Think that slow web page loading times are annoying? Wait until you tell your clients how much it’s costing their brand

As ever, please tag and share anything you spot with #OMDFWD.

This week momentum has been building around Google’s reported plans to introduce its own ad-blocking feature, in both the mobile and desktop versions of Chrome. At first glance, the feature seems counter-intuitive, since Google’s annual online ad revenue exceeded $60 billion, yet it is clearly a defensive move. The focus is on the improvement of user experience and ultimately the reduction in fast growing third party ad blocking software. Elsewhere, at Facebook’s F8 conference, augmented reality continues to gain prominence, as they launched their strategy and intent for developing the Metaverse.

HEADLINES

• Google announces plans for ad blocking within Chrome to promote a better user experience, despite being a company that makes its revenue from advertising
• Twitter ups the ante on competitors with new brand safety and viewability partnerships
• Apple CEO Tim Cook personally threatened to boot Uber out of the App Store

 INSIGHTS

• One in five UK firms were attacked by hackers, a new report reveals
• UK internet ad spend passes the £10bn mark in 2016, as reported in the new IAB report
• Children are reportedly less happy the more time they spend on social media

 COOL

• The Sony Xperia Touch turns any flat surface into a touchscreen
• Bots are not just about customer service, Marvel has shown that they can even sell you a Spiderman comic book
• Disney files patent for ‘humanoid’ robot

 DEEP READS

• At their annual F8 conference, Facebook demonstrated how they could put an ad in your morning coffee.  And everywhere else.
• More of a deep listen: did Burger King cross the line by airing a TV ad that spoke directly and without permission to users’ Google Home systems?
• Think that slow web page loading times are annoying? Wait until you tell your clients how much it’s costing their brand

As ever, please tag and share anything you spot with #OMDFWD.

Google and Levi’s have launched a new denim jacket with built-in smart fabric sensors that allow cyclists to control their music, answer a phone call or respond to a message. It is unique among clothing in that it’s going into developer beta testing this fall and unusual among consumer electronics in that it can go in the wash. The Levi’s Commuter jacket, due for consumer release next spring, will work with Google apps like maps and messaging, as well as third-party programs like Spotify and Strava. But with the average age of a child getting a smartphone now 10.3 years, should we be encouraging future cyclists to stay connected whilst peddling, rather than focussing on safety? As always, please share anything you find interesting at #OMDFWD

HEADLINES

• Learn about Google’s new voice activated home assistant ‘Google Home’, Daydream (the next evolution in their VR offering) and Instant Apps (their latest attempt to turn apps into the web) and much more.  Loads of interesting announcements from Google at Google I/O
• Facebook expands Audience Network to Video and Desktop
• You’re going to be able to buy a new Nokia phone again

 INSIGHTS

• Facebook users don’t watch video with the sound on
• The average age of a child getting their first smartphone is now 10.3 yrs old. Interesting Kids & Tech stats here
• How outdoor ads drive brand engagement on mobile

COOL

• Buy your cinema tickets on Snapchat
• The NHS using Augmented Reality Billboards to drive blood donations
• Google and Levi’s are teaming up to launch a smart jacket for cyclists

DEEP READS

• How technology hijacks People’s Minds
• How’s the sharing economy doing? View the latest stats here
• The latest round of the music industry battle with YouTube

And finally…what happened when somebody made a fake Drake Chatbot…