On The Rock
Top Themes of the Week
Greetings,
Tech Titans
Google (Alphabet): Google GOOGL 0.00%↑ has unveiled an update to its Ads platform, leveraging its Gemini family of multimodal large language models. This enhancement aims to streamline the creation and scaling of Search ad campaigns for advertisers, offering a chat-based tool within the conversational experience.
The tool utilizes website URLs to generate relevant ad content, including assets and keywords. Additionally, Google Chrome is set to introduce AI features in its next release, featuring a writing assistant, an AI-powered tab organizer, and a custom theme creator using generative AI.
Apple: Apple Music AAPL 0.00%↑ is incentivizing artists to embrace Spatial Audio by offering up to a 10% bonus in royalties for tracks available in this immersive format. This move encourages a richer listening experience when using AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and other headphones.
iOS 17.3 introduces a new security feature called Stolen Device Protection, requiring fingerprint or Face ID authentication for specific actions to enhance security.
Amazon: Ring, owned by Amazon AMZN 0.00%↑, has announced the discontinuation of its "Request for Assistance" tool, which allowed police to request users' doorbell video footage in the Neighbors app. This change comes after Ring made police requests for user footage public in 2021.
Microsoft: Microsoft MSFT 0.00%↑ is undergoing layoffs, affecting 1,900 employees primarily at Activision Blizzard, with some impact on Xbox and ZeniMax roles. This represents approximately 8% of the overall Microsoft Gaming division. Concurrently, Blizzard president Mike Ybarra has decided to depart from the company.
Sports & Sports Betting
DraftKings and Barstool Sports: DraftKings stock experienced a significant rally, reaching its highest level since late 2021, as reports suggested the company is nearing a deal with Barstool Sports. The proposed partnership involves a traditional marketing collaboration, where Barstool would promote DraftKings odds. This arrangement would benefit Barstool through customer referrals to the sportsbook, although the Barstool brand itself will not be directly associated with a sportsbook or betting app. DraftKings stock has rallied nearly 10% so far this year.
NFL Divisional Playoffs: The NFL's divisional playoffs maintained their dominance in TV viewing, capturing a 33.62% share of viewership during the weekend, an increase from the previous season. The games averaged 40 million viewers on traditional TV and digital platforms, marking the highest number on record since 1988.
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