All articles tagged with #digital platforms
'Wicked for Good,' the sequel to 'Wicked,' will be available for digital rent or purchase on December 30 on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home, with a potential streaming release on services like Peacock or Prime Video expected a few months after its digital release.
The 2025 Game Awards set a new record with 171 million global livestreams across various digital platforms, marking a significant growth from previous years and highlighting the event's expanding influence in the gaming industry.
The trucking industry is increasingly adopting digital platforms and AI technology to improve efficiency and find work, but this shift raises concerns about falling wages, job security, and the need for better protections for drivers. While innovations like AI and driverless trucks promise energy and cost savings, they also pose potential threats to employment, highlighting a complex relationship between trucking and new technology.
Germany is drafting a bill to tax digital platforms, inspired by Austria's existing levy and in coordination with the European Commission, aiming to address tax fairness and revenue needs, with a cautious approach towards American tech companies.
Spotify's popular Wrapped feature, which provides users with a personalized summary of their listening habits, has inspired numerous platforms to create similar year-in-review experiences. Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer, YouTube Music, and even non-music platforms like Duolingo and Mastodon have launched their own versions, offering insights into user habits and preferences. These features have become a trend across various digital services, with more companies expected to join in as the year ends.
Google is removing links to California news websites in response to proposed state legislation that would require tech companies to pay news outlets for their content. The California Journalism Preservation Act, introduced in March 2023, aims to address concerns about tech giants profiting from news aggregation without adequately compensating publishers. Google's move has sparked criticism from lawmakers and news organizations, with some calling it an abuse of power and a threat to public safety. The company has previously pushed back against similar laws in Canada and Australia, citing concerns about business uncertainty and financial exposure.
The NFL has granted Amazon Prime Video the rights to stream a wild-card game, marking the second time a playoff game will be exclusively streamed, while Peacock will stream the Week 1 game from Sao Paulo, the first NFL contest in South America, with the Philadelphia Eagles set to play. Both games will also be available for free on broadcast television in the local markets of the competing teams and on the NFL+ mobile app, and the NFL noted that the wild-card game between the Chiefs and Dolphins on Peacock set a record for the most-streamed live event in U.S. history with approximately 23 million viewers.
A study published in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications reveals a concerning trend of self-sexualization among female streamers on Twitch.tv, with women engaging in self-sexualization to a much greater extent and intensity than men. The research highlights the prevalence of sexualized content in categories like ASMR and "Pools, Hot Tubs & Beaches," raising concerns about the pressures and incentives driving self-sexualization on digital platforms and its potential implications for audience attitudes towards gender and sexuality. The study's authors emphasize the need for further research and conversations on this important topic to create more inclusive and healthy online communities.
McDonald's experienced a widespread technology outage impacting its restaurants and app, highlighting the fast-food giant's increasing dependence on tech systems. The outage, caused by a third-party provider's configuration change, affected locations globally, leading to cash-only transactions or temporary closures. McDonald's had previously warned about the risks of technology reliance and artificial intelligence tools in its operations. Despite the outage, the company remains committed to deepening its tech integration to enhance efficiency and customer experience, with plans to move its computer systems to the cloud in partnership with Google.
adidas has announced a phased release of existing YEEZY inventory, featuring products from 2022, over the coming weeks through its digital platforms. The release will include popular designs starting with the 350 V2 in STEEL GREY, and aims to provide a fair and premium experience for consumers. Since ending the YEEZY partnership in October 2022, adidas has also donated to organizations combating discrimination and hate.
Future Forward, a super PAC supporting President Biden’s reelection campaign, plans to reserve $250 million in ads targeting battleground state voters on TV, cable, and digital platforms, with a focus on reaching younger voters, Spanish speakers, and Black voters. The 10-week advertising blitz will begin after the Democratic National Convention and continue through Election Day, aiming to counter Biden's polling deficits in some battleground states. The super PAC also aims to spend $110 million on digital ads, the largest digital reservation by an outside organization for a political campaign, with a significant portion allocated to YouTube and other streaming services.
Universal Music is planning to remove its songs from TikTok after negotiations over music licensing fees broke down. The move comes as Universal seeks to secure better terms for its artists' music on digital platforms, reflecting the ongoing tension between music labels and tech companies over fair compensation for music streaming.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has unveiled a comprehensive proposal to enhance children's privacy online, aiming to limit data collection from kids and expand protections for their personal information. The plan includes requirements for digital platforms to disable targeted ads for children under 13 by default and prohibits the use of certain data to send push notifications encouraging continued product usage. The proposal seeks to update the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and has gained bipartisan support. If adopted, the rules could lead to increased scrutiny and potential legal battles with tech companies.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which has grossed over $1 billion at the global box office, is coming to digital platforms on May 16. The film is already available for pre-order on Prime Video for $29.99. Bowser's love song for Princess Peach, "Peaches," sung and co-written by Jack Black, has debuted at No. 83 on the Billboard Hot 100. It's the third Illumination film to generate $1 billion after its peers Minions and Despicable Me 3, and the seventh Universal film.
The US government's top official for cryptocurrency policy, Michael Mosier, has promised a crackdown on digital platforms that fail to comply with regulations. Mosier, who was appointed by the Biden administration, said that the government would be "looking to enforce" regulations on crypto exchanges, wallets, and other platforms. He also emphasized the need for collaboration between the government and the private sector to combat illicit activities such as money laundering and terrorism financing in the crypto space.