The Latest from Lauren Forristal
Google Chrome’s latest update on iOS brings improved security, the Discover feed and more
As part of a broader update to its Chrome web browser, Google announced today a handful of new features coming to the latest build of Chrome on iOS. Among the key additions, the Chrome app is gaining
Reddit upgrades its live audio product Reddit Talk with a soundboard, new discovery features
Reddit Talk, the social site’s Clubhouse-like social audio product, is rolling out a handful of updates aimed at allowing hosts to better engage with listeners. Among these is a new soundboard f
Podcastle hops on the video podcast trend with its latest update
As video-led podcasts become highly favored by listeners, Podcastle, which was primarily an audio recording and editing studio, is introducing a new feature that enables podcasters to conduct high-re
IKEA rolls out an AI-powered interactive design experience for shoppers
Today, IKEA is launching a new AI-driven interactive design experience called IKEA Kreativ for IKEA.com and the IKEA app. With the new feature, U.S. customers can design and visualize their own living
Sinclair to launch $20/month direct-to-consumer streaming service Bally Sports+ on June 23
Sinclair Broadcast Group’s long-anticipated direct-to-consumer regional sports streaming app will have a soft launch this Thursday, June 23, 2022. While this isn’t a full rollout, Bally Sports+ wi
Paramount+ announces plan for 150 international originals ahead of UK and Ireland launch
Over a year after its initial launch in the U.S., streaming service Paramount+ will be available in the U.K. and Ireland on Wednesday, June 22. Its international slate of seven new titles was announce
Roku and Walmart partner up to bring shoppable ads to streaming
Roku and Walmart announced a new partnership that aims to crack the code on making purchases via TV streaming and shopping with remotes. On Thursday, the two companies introduced their plan to allow v
YouTube Music introduces seasonal recap playlists to compete with Spotify Wrapped
YouTube Music has launched a new feature called seasonal recaps, a culmination of your top artists, songs, albums and playlists. “Spring Recap” will be the first recap that users can try. This act
Disney+ expands its livestreaming efforts with upcoming ‘Harmonious Live!’ music special
Disney+ will be livestreaming for the second time ever to celebrate World Music Day on June 21. “Harmonious Live!”, a special music performance at the Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World Resort,
Brain data startup Rune Labs gets FDA clearance for Apple Watch-based Parkinson’s tracker
Rune Labs, a precision neurology company in San Francisco, announced that its StrivePD software ecosystem for Parkinson’s disease has been granted 510(k) clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administ
Netflix’s real-life ‘Squid Game’ competition will feature the biggest cash prize and largest cast in reality TV history
Yesterday, Netflix greenlit “Squid Game: The Challenge,” a reality competition series based on the popular South Korean drama that, luckily, doesn’t have people killing each other “Hunger Game
Amazon revamps Fire TV user interface with new home screen, improved navigation and more
Amazon Fire TV revealed an updated user interface that aims to improve the navigation experience for users. Instead of a text menu item, there will now be an icon-based navigation bar that offers quic
Firefox gets a privacy boost as Total Cookie Protection becomes the default for all users
While the ad tech industry tries to function in a less cookie-filled environment, browsers like Mozilla Firefox are jumping on the opportunity to grow its user base with features such as Total Cookie
Influencer shopping app LTK adds creator product reviews in its latest update
Most of us dread the thought of having to return a piece of clothing we purchased online. In recent years, a newer generation of shoppers — mainly Gen Z — have put their trust in influence
Sony launches its new game subscription service PlayStation Plus in North and South America
Sony Interactive Entertainment announced today that gamers from North and South America can now explore the newest version of its PlayStation Plus game subscription service, which now has one monthly
Disney+ rolls out to 16 more markets across the Middle East and North Africa
This week, the Walt Disney Company continues to gain ground in the global streaming market as it launches Disney+ in 16 markets across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This follows the launch
Peacock confirms a test that rewards paid subscribers with $15 movie tickets or $7 rentals
In March, Peacock began testing a new and exclusive movie benefits program that would reward Premium and Premium Plus subscribers with either a free movie ticket via Fandango or an on-demand movie ren
Amazon is simplifying the pricing structure for its Kids+ all-in-one subscription service
Subscribers to Amazon’s Kids+ multiplatform package have been notified about a price change, which will become effective on July 14. According to the email sent by Amazon, the company is simplifying
AT&T killed off the HBO Max bundle in its highest-priced unlimited wireless plan
Telecommunications provider AT&T quietly dropped HBO Max as a bundled perk for new AT&T customers on its top unlimited wireless plan, AT&T Unlimited Premium. The company launched the new p
Game studio HiDef partners with Snap to develop a Bitmoji dance social mobile game
A game studio, HiDef, announced today that it is teaming up with camera company Snap Inc. to develop an off-platform Bitmoji-based dance and music social game. The game will leverage Snap’s augmente