Latest news with #SnapInc
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Is Talking on the Phone Dead for Gen Z? Not Quite
Fact checked by Sarah Scott I'll tell you how old I am without telling you how old I am: When I was a teenager, you had to call someone if you wanted to talk to them. We didn't yet have texting, voice notes, or video chats. Fast forward (muffled) years later, and my kids have any number of options when it comes to communicating with friends and family. Talking on the phone is usually last on many teens' list of preferred methods. As my 14-year-old told me, calling someone is 'awkward.' She's not alone: one study from Australia found awkward phone calls are one of the top three things 42% of Gen Z wants to avoid. Instead, my teen relies on video chats or voice notes to stay in (constant) touch. Traditional phone calls may not be the cool thing to do these days, but talking is actually on the rise, according to a new report from Snapchat, a social media platform the Pew Research Center found 60% of teens use. 'It's a misconception that the phone call is dead," says Ceci Mourkogiannis, VP of Product at Snap Inc. Teens are just changing what talking on the phone looks like—and there are benefits to that too. The Snapchat report, released in June 2025, says it's actually a myth that young people aren't talking on the phone. According to the data: Snapchatters, made up of Gen Z and Millennials, collectively talk for more than 1.7 billion minutes on average every day. That's 30% more than this time last year. Voice notes are a very popular way for young people to communicate. Snapchatters in the U.S. sent over 2.5 billion voice notes in the first three months of 2025 alone. That's over 650 million more voice notes than a year ago! It's important to note that, according to Snap, the data around talking includes both video and voice chats. Mourkogiannis explains meaningful connection happens when people communicate in the way that feels most natural to them—be that sending a Snap, recording a voice note, or hopping on the phone. 'We're thrilled to see our community is actually talking more than ever before,' she adds. Meanwhile, Alisha Simpson-Watt, LCSW, BCBA, LBA, the founder of Collaborative ABA Services, LLC, says she has noticed teens gravitating toward video chats and voice notes, and texting going by the wayside. 'For some, it is easier to communicate their thoughts and feelings by speaking,' Simpson-Watt explains. 'Also, voice memos add a layer of personalization to the message because it is like you're having a real-time conversation, except that you can answer when the time is more suitable.' Plus, video chats and voice notes can offer a stronger sense of connection helping to reduce feelings of loneliness which is on the rise, particularly among younger generations."Voice memos add a layer of personalization to the message because it is like you're having a real-time conversation, except that you can answer when the time is more suitable."Of course, communication is generally regarded as a positive thing. But do our kids stand to lose anything if they aren't engaging in good old-fashioned phone conversations? Simpson-Watt acknowledges that our modern world necessitates increasing reliance on technology, but points to the possibility that the lack of 'real' interaction may be feeding teens' social anxieties. 'Younger people tend to prefer to talk with people face-to-face on the phone rather than in person,' she says. Furthermore, Simpson-Watt has noticed that younger people can be more avoidant about making simple phone calls. 'For example, younger kids may be more hesitant to call and make their own doctor appointments, as it is more nerve-wracking since they don't personally know the person they are speaking to,' she elaborates. Teens excel at sending voice notes, setting up a video chat with multiple people, and ordering just about anything via app. But I can't be alone in wanting my adolescents to still be able to thrive offline in an authentic way, and without breaking into a cold sweat. According to Simpson-Watt, encouraging kids to incorporate phone and in-person conversations into their lives is key. 'Communicating with others, whether it is on the phone or in real life, is very important even with all the technology we have today, as communication allows us to bond and connect with others more personally,' she advises. Other benefits of communicating without the help of technology include: Sharpening listening skills Picking up social cues that may not come through via text or voice note Limiting screen time So, while video calls and voice memos are fun and trendy, encouraging our kids to engage in traditional calls and more in-person socializing as often as possible can go a long way. Read the original article on Parents
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Social Media Ban Moves Closer in Australia After Tech Trial
(Bloomberg) -- Australia's world-first social media ban for under-16s moved closer to implementation after a key trial found that checking a user's age is technologically possible and can be integrated into existing services. Security Concerns Hit Some of the World's 'Most Livable Cities' JFK AirTrain Cuts Fares 50% This Summer to Lure Riders Off Roads NYC Congestion Toll Cuts Manhattan Gridlock by 25%, RPA Reports Taser-Maker Axon Triggers a NIMBY Backlash in its Hometown One Architect's Quest to Save Mumbai's Heritage From Disappearing The conclusions are a blow to Facebook-owner Meta Platforms Inc., TikTok and Snap Inc., which opposed the controversial legislation. Some platform operators had questioned whether a user's age could be reliably established using current technology. The results of the government-backed trial clear the way for the law to come into force by the end of the year. The findings also potentially allow other jurisdictions to follow Australia's lead as countries around the world grapple with ways to protect children from harmful content online. 'Age assurance can be done in Australia and can be private, robust and effective,' the government-commissioned Age Assurance Technology Trial said in a statement Friday announcing its preliminary findings. The trial's project director, Tony Allen, said there were 'no significant technological barriers' to stopping under-16s gaining social media accounts. 'These solutions are technically feasible, can be integrated flexibly into existing services and can support the safety and rights of children online,' he said. Under the new law, digital platforms including Snapchat, Meta-owned Instagram, and X will be responsible for enforcing the age limit, with penalties of as much as A$50 million ($32 million) for breaches. The trial tested a range of methods and technologies, including facial scans, inferring a user's age based on their behavior, age verification, as well as parental controls. The tests also took into account the ways teenagers might try to circumvent age checks. 'We found a plethora of approaches that fit different use cases in different ways, but we didn't find a single ubiquitous solution that would suit all use cases,' the trial said in its statement. More than 50 companies participated in the trial, while Apple Inc. and Google, developers of the most popular mobile-phone operating systems, are also contributing, Allen said on a video conference call on Friday. The trial didn't assess public acceptance for any particular technology or the costs involved. The accuracy of the different methods, for example the margin of error for facial analysis, wasn't made available. (Adds details of trial in final four paragraphs.) Ken Griffin on Trump, Harvard and Why Novice Investors Won't Beat the Pros Is Mark Cuban the Loudmouth Billionaire that Democrats Need for 2028? The US Has More Copper Than China But No Way to Refine All of It Can 'MAMUWT' Be to Musk What 'TACO' Is to Trump? How a Tiny Middleman Could Access Two-Factor Login Codes From Tech Giants ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Snapchat delivered a 14% higher ROI than the grouped channel average
New study from Snap Inc., Annalect and Omnicom Media Group reveals that Snap delivers efficiency on ROI that is +14% above the Annalect's media average benchmark, Download the study here Dubai, UAE: Snap Inc., in partnership with Omnicom Media Group (OMG) and Annalect have released a new study revealing that advertisers in the GCC achieve a high return on investment (ROI) when using Snapchat - outperforming some media channels in the GCC. The in-depth Market Mix Modeling (MMM) analysis was conducted with five brands across industries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait , and aimed to set new benchmarks for advertising efficiency. The results further cement Snapchat's position as a critical tool for brands looking to drive business growth in an increasingly digital-first economy. With advertisers facing growing pressure to optimize their media spend and drive business impact, particularly as digital transformation agendas reshape the regional advertising landscape, finding ways to make real impact is more important than ever. The study compared ROIs across various media categories including offline, digital non-social media, social media, and Snapchat, using the average ROI of the four categories as a benchmark. Key findings show that Snapchat outperforms all categories in efficiency and effectiveness, exceeding the average ROI benchmark by +14%. Despite accounting for just 8% of total ad spend, Snapchat contributes 10% of all media-driven sales, demonstrating its ability to deliver higher returns with efficient investment. The study analyzed advertising performance across key industries, including telecommunications, financial services, and over-the-top (OTT) streaming. When it comes to the OTT sector, findings reveal that Snapchat drove up to 1.64x higher efficiency for app installs and subscriptions For telecommunications brands, when leveraging full-funnel activation, a 2.5x higher efficiency was seen compared to the lowest-performing channels. Financial services advertisers also ranked Snapchat as a top-tier performer in loan application campaigns, highlighting its effectiveness in driving conversions. Hoda Daou, Managing Director at Annalect MENA said 'We are proud to have led five independent marketing mix modeling studies, each validating the strong and consistent performance of Snapchat in the GCC, particularly in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. These results reinforce Snapchat's role as a high-impact platform for brands seeking to drive real business outcomes in the region' Youmna Borghol, Head of Marketing Science at Snap Inc., said, 'As the digital ecosystem evolves, advertisers need to prioritize media channels that offer both high efficiency and measurable impact. At Snap, we remain committed to providing high-impact advertising platforms in the GCC, enabling them to optimize their digital strategies and maximize ROI and engagement in ways that truly resonate with consumers. With a highly engaged audience and immersive, camera-led ad formats, Snapchat continues to offer brands unique opportunities to connect with consumers in authentic and impactful ways. We have already seen remarkable results from our partners and are eager to build on this success, using the findings from this important study to help other partners effectively plan on Snap and drive business success.' The study further emphasizes the importance of a full-funnel strategy, where brands allocate 40-70% of their spend to upper-funnel awareness campaigns while maintaining consistent investment in lower-funnel activities. This approach has generated 1.5x higher ROI compared to single-objective campaigns. By leveraging Snapchat's diverse ad formats - including Snap Ads, Story Ads, and AR Lenses -brands can enhance visibility, engagement, and long-term loyalty in an increasingly competitive digital environment. As brands continue to refine their strategies, prioritizing high-performing platforms will be key to staying ahead in a competitive landscape. By leveraging insights from this study, advertisers have the opportunity to optimize their marketing spend and unlock new levels of efficiency and impact in their campaigns. About Snap Inc. Snap is a technology company. We believe the camera presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. Snap contributes to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together. The Company's three core products are Snapchat, a visual messaging app that enhances your relationships with friends, family, and the world; Lens Studio, an augmented reality platform that powers AR across Snapchat and other services; and it's AR glasses, Spectacles. For more information, visit Media Contact: sara@ About Omnicom Media Group MENA (OMG) Omnicom Media Group MENA (OMG) is the media services division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC), the leading global advertising, marketing and corporate communications company, comprised of global, award-winning agencies OMD, PHD and Hearts & Science, as well as consultancies specializing in data, technology, eCommerce, research, social, search and programmatic. With more than 21,000 employees globally and over 1000 in MENA, OMG has the talent, expertise and clout to deliver unprecedented levels of innovation for its clients and elevate their relationships from transactional to transformational. COMvergence recently named OMG the new business leader among holding groups in 2023 in the GCC, along with OMD at network level, in both the GCC and Egypt. As well as being awarded for its agencies' creativity and innovation at the Dubai Lynx and their performance and effectiveness at the MENA Effies and other festivals, OMG MENA has also been celebrated for its efforts in talent management and Environmental/Social/Governance activities (ESG). For more information about OMG MENA, visit About Annalect MENA: The creative-thinking, data and technology core of Omnicom Group. Experts across a multitude of disciplines such as data science, engineering, and Marketing combine efforts to provide best in class solutions to optimize media performance and assist in all marketing activities. Annalect infuses data & technology insights into every aspect of a marketing framework — empowering the best possible creative, media, and communications strategies and execution for brands. Annalect provides brands with an environment and teams that democratize data insights and make it easy to apply them to media and creative executions. Annalect's data experts and proprietary products provide end-to-end solutions for Future-proofing your global marketing investment— delivering the results you need and the flexibility you never thought possible.
Globe and Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Snap Is Getting Ready to Launch AR Glasses. Does That Make SNAP Stock a Buy?
Social media company Snap (SNAP) is seeing some lift in its beaten-down stock after the company announced the launch of its lightweight, immersive spectacles next year. These techy eyeglasses are part of the company's aggressive push into augmented reality (AR) products, which are expected to be endowed with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. However, Snap has stiff competition in this space, primarily from Meta's (META) Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which are generally well-accepted by customers. At this juncture, should you consider buying Snap's stock? About Snap Stock Founded in 2010, California-based tech company Snap (SNAP) operates a social media platform that offers the visual messaging application Snapchat. In addition to visual communication, the company is also focused on areas such as augmented reality and camera technology. Snap has a market cap of around $14.3 billion. Once a soaring name on Wall Street, Snap's stock has fallen on hard times recently. It has declined 47% over the past 52 weeks and 23% year-to-date. Just for comparison, the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has gained 11.5% and 2.7% over the same periods. Snap recorded a 52-week high of $17.33 back in July 2024. The stock is now 52% off its high. Despite the stock's recent selloff, Snap is not exactly a cheap buy. Its price sits at 30.21 times forward non-GAAP earnings, which is significantly stretched compared to the industry average of 13.85x. Snap's Q1 Results Surpassed Expectations On April 29, Snap published its first-quarter results, which failed to impress investors, and the stock experienced a sharp 12.4% selloff in the very next trading session. The company's revenue increased by 14% year-over-year to $1.36 billion. The reported figure slightly surpassed the $1.35 billion that Wall Street analysts had expected. At the heart of this double-digit revenue increase was Snap's increase in active users. For Q1, the company's daily active user (DAU) count went up by 9% from the prior year's period to 460 million. While DAUs dropped by 1% in North America and grew slowly by 3% in Europe, the rest of the world segment's DAU numbers grew by 16% year-over-year. Snap's average revenue per user (ARPU) increased by 5% from its year-ago value to $2.96. Snap's ARPU from the North American segment grew by 13%, followed by growth in the European market at 11%, and then the rest of the world at 4%. Based on the top-line and customer growth, Snap managed to gain back some lost ground. While the company still posted a quarterly net loss of $139.6 million, it was significantly lower than the $305.1 million net loss from the year-ago quarter. Its loss per share stood at $0.08, narrower than the $0.19 in Q1 2024 and better than the $0.13 that Wall Street analysts were expecting. Its adjusted EBITDA jumped by a staggering 137% year-over-year to $108.43 million, surpassing the estimated $64.77 million. Snap's Q1 results were not unimpressive. Its top line grew, customer count expanded, and bottom-line losses narrowed. Yet, the company's share prices took a hit because Snap was unable to provide an outlook for the second quarter. The company cited uncertainty due to the macroeconomic pressures as a reason for this. Snap did mention that it had faced headwinds at the start of the current quarter. Analysts do not have high expectations about Snap's future earnings, projecting its Q2 EPS to decline by 23.1% year-over-year to a negative $0.16. For the current year, Snap's loss per share is expected to come in at $0.39, indicating a worsening of 11.4% year-over-year. The situation is expected to improve in the next fiscal year, when the loss per share is projected to narrow by 28.2% to $0.28. What Do Analysts Expect for Snap Stock? Analysts have started to turn sour on Snap's stock. Last month, Loop Capital analyst Alan Gould lowered Snap's price target from $16 to $12, while still maintaining a 'Buy' rating on the stock. While Loop Capital did not reverse its verdict on the stock, the lowering of the price target reflects that analysts are taking a more conservative stance on the company's potential. Morgan Stanley is also pretty conservative about Snap's prospects. Analyst Brian Nowak lowered the price target from $8 to $6.50, while maintaining an 'Equal Weight' rating. Earlier, the investment firm had lowered its price target from $10 to $8 due to macroeconomic uncertainties affecting e-commerce and digital ad sectors. The latest price cut likely stemmed from the same set of reasons. Overall, Wall Street analysts are taking a conservative stance on Snap's stock, giving it a consensus 'Hold' rating. Based on 36 analysts' ratings, seven analysts have given the stock a 'Strong Buy' rating, one rated the stock as a 'Moderate Buy,' and one analyst rated it 'Strong Sell,' while a majority of 27 analysts are playing it safe with a 'Hold' rating. The consensus analyst price target of $9.72 indicates moderate potential upside of 14% from current levels. Key Takeaways Snap's AR push through the new eyeglasses is commendable. However, the launch is still too far away to be meaningful for shares here. Meanwhile, the company faces challenges from the current macroeconomic scenario, which has been marred by concerns about tariffs. Therefore, investors might consider putting off investing in Snap's stock for now.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
AUGMENTED WORLD EXPO REVEALS 2025 AUGGIE AWARD WINNERS, BEST IN SHOW AND XR LEGENDS
AWE Celebrates Innovation and Legacy in an Unforgettable Milestone for the XR Industry LONG BEACH, Calif., June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Augmented World Expo USA 2025 is a wrap! The world's largest event for XR and spatial computing concluded today with the announcement of BEST IN SHOW winners: Best in Show – Snap Inc. Best in Show Playground – Anywhere Bungee VR Best in Show Gaming Hub – TRIP THE LIGHT by Dark Arts Software The winners for the Virtual World Society Nextant Prizes, presented by Tom Furness and Alvin Graylin, are: Rising Star Prize – Danny Pimentel Legacy Prize – Jaron Lanier The XR industry is also celebrating a new lineup of champions. The Auggie Awards have been the most recognized XR and spatial computing industry awards in the world since 2010. Now in their 16th year, the Auggies continue to showcase the best of the best. 20 of the world's most innovative and game-changing developers, brands and creators were recognized with Auggie Awards. See the full list below. In addition,10 pioneers of XR were celebrated by the 2025 XR Hall of Fame, recognizing their lasting contributions to the field. The full list of inductees can be viewed here. AWE USA 2025 was packed with exciting news from exhibitors including Snap, Qualcomm, Niantic Spatial, XREAL, Lenovo and more. See highlights of announcements from the show — here. The Auggie Award winners are….. Best Art or Film – Non-Player Character Musical by Brendan Bradley: The first live, interactive VR musical, debuting with 24 shows at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Video here. Best Campaign – OREO X PAC-MAN SUPERMARCADE by ARKx | Form & Fun |Saatchi & Saatchi Germany: AR shopping experience turning supermarket aisles into a Pac-Man maze, combining digital fun with physical retail via WebAR. Video here. Best Climate Change Solution – Burn Zone: Immersive Truths from California's Wildfires by Lucid Reality Labs: VR experience immersing viewers in the Los Angeles wildfires, fostering empathy and action through an exploration of environmental devastation and climate adaptation. Video here. Best Collaboration Tool – Campfire: A platform for sharing 3D models in life-size spatial environments, enabling real-time collaboration for faster feedback, fewer errors, and quicker product delivery. Video here. Best Consumer App – Pencil! by 4th Wall Breakers: AR-powered drawing app that blends real paper and pencils with mixed-reality lessons, making learning drawing skills fun and easy for all levels. Video here. Best Content Creator(s) – Dilmer Valecillos XR YouTube Channel by Learn XR LLC: Resource for XR developers, offering tutorials and deep dives into AR/VR tools, simplifying complex tech into practical content that empowers a global community and highlights the latest innovations. Video here. Best Creator & Authoring Tool – Niantic Studio: 8th Wall's web-based visual editor lets anyone build and deploy immersive AR/XR experiences with real-time editing, drag-and-drop tools, and advanced features—no coding or app needed. Video here. Best Developer Tool – Lens Studio by Snap Inc: Free AR authoring platform used by 375,000+ creators to design and deploy custom AR experiences across Snapchat, websites, apps, and Spectacles, featuring tools like Ray Tracing, Snap ML, and Lens Cloud. Video here. Best Education & Training Solution – XR Guru Healthcare Pathways Training by XR Guru: AI-powered VR training platform offering immersive, language-supported healthcare courses for CNA, LPN, and nursing licensure, featuring critical thinking exercises and patient simulations. Video here. Best Enterprise Solution – Cactus by Auki Labs - Spatial AI for Retail by Auki Labs: A spatial AI solution that optimizes shelf space, workforce management, and operations, providing real-time insights and integrating with robots and AI to revolutionize retail. Video here. Best Game or Toy – Spatial Ops by Resolution Games: A groundbreaking multiplayer shooter that turns real-world spaces into dynamic battlefields, blending physical and digital realities with customizable arenas and immersive game modes like Free-for-All and Capture the Flag. Video here. Best Headworn Device – XREAL One Series by XREAL: Pioneering cinematic AR glasses with next-gen 3DoF spatial computing, Bose sound, and an optional 6DoF camera, setting a new standard in AR with exceptional visual and audio performance. Video here. Best Healthcare & Wellness Solution – Fundamental Surgery by FundamentalVR: Multimodal spatial computing platform transforming vision care and surgical training with immersive simulations and real-time multi-user capabilities to train clinicians in sight-restoring procedures, improving global healthcare outcomes. Video here. Best Indie Creator(s) – Ferryman Collective: VR theatre company redefining live performance with award-winning productions like The Severance Theory and Gumball Dreams, earning accolades at festivals like Tribeca, SXSW, and Venice. Video here. Best Interaction Product – Omni One by Virtuix Inc: Immersive entertainment system combining a specialized treadmill, standalone VR headset, and game store access, with wireless SteamVR connection for an expanded gaming experience. Video here. Best Location-Based Entertainment – AR in Google Maps for Paris Olympics by Rock Paper Reality & Google: AR experience embedding 3D models of Paris landmarks into Google Maps, offering immersive, geospatial explorations via Google Lens and Street View, revolutionizing location-based AR. Video here. Best Societal Impact – Sign Language Translator by Frame Sixty, LLC: Real-time sign language translation app for Apple Vision Pro that instantly converts sign language into speech and text, enabling seamless communication between Deaf and hearing individuals. Video here. Best Use of AI – Medical AI Agent by Lucid Reality Labs: AI-driven training solution featuring a digital twin of Dr. Patrick Schoettker, offering real-time expert feedback and immersive XR simulations to enhance healthcare education and reduce errors. Video here. Best Web3 Implementation – The Posemesh by Auki Labs by Auki Labs: A decentralized machine perception network using Auki Network and Posemesh to enable privacy-preserving spatial computing, powering collaborative mapping for XR and here. Start Up to Watch – Verse Immersive by Enklu MEDIA CONTACT: alyssa@ View original content: SOURCE AWE (Augmented World Expo)
