Starbucks Upgrades Coffee With AI | Google Shopper Tracking Under Scrutiny | Twitter Goes SaaS

Online marketplaces don't just sell stuff. They also sell services, from French lessons to freight shipping. Booking a service through a marketplace creates confidence for both the consumer and the provider: The consumer knows that the professionals on the platform have been vetted and can see what other customers said about them, while professionals get a guaranteed paycheck, plus control over when, where, and how much they work. Read More...

As part of Facebook's ever-growing strategy to keep users within its walled garden, the social media giant will soon be launching Facebook TV, featuring both professional and user-generated content. CEO Mark Zuckerberg admitted that the change could cannibalize newsfeed ad revenue if the company isn't careful, but he ultimately sees video as the future of the platform. Short "spotlight" shows by Buzzfeed, Vox and others could air as soon as mid-August, with longer "hero" shows to come later. Read More...

Retail Job Apocalypse, Everyone Must Go!

The world of employment in retail is experiencing major growing pains as the industry continues to undergo its current digital evolution. As retailers continue to find the fine balance of digital in-store integrations, store closures are causing massive unemployment rates to spike. With the retail world continuing its store closure path, the main issue that arises is what’s next for retail professionals and how the industry will handle it. Read More...