Category Archives: News

Introducing Temu, the Most Downloaded App in the US

China, Consumerism, News, , ,

It is safe to assume that most Americans would consider Amazon and Target to be the most popular online retailers, along with some other well-known conglomerates.  And until the Super Bowl last Sunday, that stood true. But now, in a surprising turn of events, a new online shopping platform has become the most downloaded app in the United States, surpassing even the biggest names in the industry.

Temu is an online shopping destination for just about everything, including clothing, houseware items, electronics, and much more. Based in Boston, it shares the same parent company as the Chinese e-commerce icon, Pinduoduo. The target market is anyone looking for great deals. And, with prices like $11 for a smart watch and $8.50 for wireless earphones, it’s not hard to understand the ultra-quick popularity Temu has gained.

In its 30-second Super Bowl slot, word about Temu reached millions of US homes. The ad focused on bargain prices yet feeling like a billionaire. The background song played: “The prices blow my mind. I feel so rich. I feel like a billionaire.”

According to Sensor Tower, since its release in September, the Temu app has been downloaded 24 million times.

Introducing…the First Self-Driving Stroller

News

Have you ever wished you had an extra pair of hands?

As the automotive and courier service industries have widely adopted self-driving technology, the trend continues to spread to other business areas. Recently, a Canadian-based startup called GlüxKind released the first smart stroller.

The self-driving stroller, dubbed “Ella,” has the potential to change the childcaring experience. Parents or caretakers whose hands are normally tied up when pushing a stroller are now relieved of this burden. Ella drives itself when the child is not inside.

According to Anne Hunger, CPO and co-founder of GlüxKind, the innovative stroller is meant to serve as “an extra pair of eyes and an extra set of hands.” She explains that while the child is inside, one hand is required on the handlebar for safety purposes. But, when a crying baby needs to be held, an independent toddler wants to walk, or the two simply want to explore the world together, the parent has use of two hands.

In order to successfully navigate itself, Ella is equipped with sensors and cameras which take into account the surroundings and sidewalks. A dual-motor system allows for uphill treks and there is an automatic brake assist for downhill navigation.

In this YouTube video, consumers can see how the stroller works in action. A parent is pushing a stroller downhill and suddenly lets go to fetch a toy that his toddler dropped. The stroller stops on its own. Another scene depicts a child who wants to be carried, and the stroller then steering itself.

Ella was one of the Innovation Awards Honoree at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It is available for pre-order in North America, with deliveries planned to begin in April. The stroller is set to retail at about $5,000.

An Exciting Evening at Sotheby’s

Art, News, ,

Monday evening at Sotheby’s in Manhattan was a memorable one for the famed auction house. Pablo Picasso’s ‘Guitar on a Table’ sold for $37.1 million, closing the evening at one of its highest-ever tallies of $392 million.

The cubist from 1919 was part of CBS founder William Paley’s private collection. Following his passing in 1990, a couple dozen pieces were put into the care of New York’s Museum of Modern Art. A foundation for Mr. Paley decided to begin auctioning off some of the famed works in an effort to raise $70 million for various causes. One of the main goals of the sales is to help fund an expansion of MoMA’s digital footprint, with the possibility of developing a museum-run streaming art channel or pairing up with a university to offer art degrees.

During the auction, two bidders competed diligently for the Picasso piece, driving up the price tag. While the colorful “Guitar on a Table” had expected to sell for an estimated $20 million, a telephone bidder closed the sale at over $37 million.

Other pieces from Mr. Paley’s estate were also sold on Monday night and an additional painting was auctioned earlier this month at Sotheby’s in London.

“What Would You Do for a Klondike Bar?”

Companies, News, , ,

After 40 years on the market, the Klondike Choco Taco ice cream bar is being discontinued.

The company, which is owned by Unilever, explained that consumers have shown increased interest in many of its other products. In order to ensure enough supply of those items, Klondike has had to make significant decisions.

While the reasoning behind the decision is a positive one, nostalgic customers are disappointed. In addition to leaving a mix of disgruntled, funny, and emotional comments on Klondike’s Twitter account, fans have rushed to stores before it’s too late. Many shops have been bought out of Choco Taco.

If it is any consolation, Klondike has alluded that there is hope that the beloved ice cream bar will make its way back to ice cream trucks in the future. In the meantime, people can continue to enjoy the summer with the signature Klondike bar, as well as cones and shakes.

Spotify Acquires Online Music Game Heardle

Companies, News, Tech News, ,

The big-name streaming app Spotify has just acquired musical guessing game Heardle.

In a similar style to the popular Wordle game, players in Heardle try to guess the names of songs based on hearing the first note. After each guess, additional notes are played to help users identify the song, until the allotted six chances are up. Since the buyout, players can listen to the full song on Spotify once they’ve used all their guesses.

But, the deal has left some avid fans displeased. Many complain that their stat records have been wiped out. Others are frustrated they can’t play at all anymore, as the game is now available only in the US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

While acknowledging the slip-ups that have occurred in the initial days following the acquisition, Spotify also explained the company’s hopes and plans for the new deal. The app will remain free and the interface will not change. Heardle will continue to be further integrated into the Spotify platform, facilitating the opportunity for listeners to connect more with the artists they love and to interact with friends.

As with most new endeavors, there are some small bumps in the road and a whole lot of excitement and potential.