Latest news with #subscriptions
Tahawul Tech
a day ago
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
Meta to introduce ads to WhatsApp
Meta looks to turn popular messaging platform WhatsApp into a fresh revenue stream via advertisements and paid subscriptions. The changes centre on WhatsApp's Updates tab, which hosts the app's user status feature and has 1.5 billion daily visits globally. With the latest upgrade, this section will house advertisements and commercial content separate from users' private chats. A new channel subscriptions feature will allow users to pay a monthly fee to receive exclusive updates from selected channels, such as news providers or public figures. Meanwhile, promoted channels will enable users to discover new creators, while also giving channel admins the option to boost their visibility in the commercial directory. In addition, ads shown directly in the status section will allow users to engage directly with businesses promoting products or services. In a statement, Meta emphasised that personal messages will remain ad-free and fully encrypted. The company explained that ad targeting will rely on general information such as location, language, followed channels, and user interaction with ads. For users who have linked WhatsApp with Meta's Accounts Centre, ad preferences across the company's services such as Instagram may also be used. Meta stressed that it will not sell or share phone numbers with advertisers, and personal messages, calls and group activity will remain off-limits for ad targeting. Rollout of the new tools is set to take place over the coming months. WhatsApp, acquired by Meta for $19 billion in 2014, has until now avoided traditional advertising, instead offering tools for small businesses such as shopping and digital payments. The update forms part of Meta's push diversify revenue streams as it ramps up investment in AI; the company recently committed $14.8 billion for a 49 per cent stake in AI data-labelling company Scale AI. Source: Mobile World Live Image Credit: Stock Image/Meta
Top Gear
2 days ago
- General
- Top Gear
Kia EV6 Price & Specs
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CNET
3 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Watching TV Felt Like a Chore Until I Dumped All the Extra Subscriptions
With summer break in full swing, chances are you're streaming more than usual. But if your monthly charges are starting to creep uncomfortably high, you're not imagining it. Subscription fees keep rising, account sharing now comes with penalties, and it feels like every new show requires a whole new app. Streaming is starting to look a lot like the cable bill we all tried to escape. Even bundle deals, which promise more value, often end up adding extra logins, overlapping content, and more confusion. If your streaming setup feels more frustrating than fun, you're not alone. The good news is that a few smart changes can help you cut back on costs without missing the content you actually care about. Here's how to spend less and enjoy your shows a lot more. CNET's latest survey found that on average, we're spending more than $200 a year on subscriptions we're not even using. You've got to start asking yourself the tough questions: Are you actually watching everything you're paying for? Or are your subscriptions just piling up while your money quietly disappears? If you're holding onto five different subscriptions just to keep up with a couple of shows, it might be time to rethink your setup. You don't have to cancel everything -- just get strategic. Here's the simple system I use to cut down my streaming costs without sacrificing the shows I love. It's low-effort, high-reward, and your bank account will thank you. Rotate your streaming subscriptions Some of you may not have cut the cable cord yet and still stream, but if you're thinking of moving from cable exclusively to streaming, it can help save dough. With monthly plans, it's easy to subscribe to a streaming service and cancel if prices rise or the content becomes uninteresting. According to Deloitte's 2025 Media Trends report, the average US household spends $69 monthly on four streaming services. People cancel their streaming subscriptions mainly due to price and availability -- or lack of -- engaging content. Media companies call this behavior "churn." We're calling this the rotation method, and you should try it. The incentive? You save your coin and avoid content droughts. Let's say a series like Andor or Poker Face is set to premiere on a streaming service. Find the total episode count and wait until they're all available at once on a platform. You cancel Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, or other services and then resubscribe once all the episodes are available to catch up. Alternatively, you can start streaming a show midseason to cut costs. My monthly guide on which streaming services to cancel can help you keep up. The downside? You won't have immediate access to every show you want to watch and will have to wait until the full season airs. And since many streaming services release new episodes weekly, you might not be caught up at the same time as your friends. If you're someone who prefers to watch episodes immediately when they drop, you may decide it's worth it to have multiple subscriptions at a time. If you have patience, however, you can save some money. The strategy can also work if you have a live TV streaming service to watch a particular sport or major event like the WrestleMania or Super Bowl. Once the season wraps, cancel the service or move to a cheaper platform with fewer channels, like Sling TV. Need help figuring out the best way to rotate? Follow the tips below to learn how to churn streaming platforms until your wallet feels content. Now Playing: How to Get Hulu and Max for Free With Food Delivery Memberships 01:07 Tip No. 1: Cancel your subscription before getting charged Set calendar reminders for your billing cycle and upcoming TV show or movie release dates. Give yourself enough warning to begin or end a subscription. Apps such as JustWatch, TV Time and Hobi help you track when and where TV shows and movies appear on a streaming service. And JustWatch added a tracker specifically for sports. If you have a smart home device from Google or Amazon, you can set reminders for specific dates and allow a voice assistant like Alexa to notify you of an upcoming bill or streaming release date. Tip No. 2: Sign up for streaming service deals Look for discounts on streaming services. For example, Starz regularly offers months-long deals that slash its $11-per-month price. You can also take advantage of the Disney Bundle, which provides access to Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Plus in a single package for a reduced price. And eligible Hulu subscribers can add on Disney Plus for $2. Lastly, be sure to look for student discounts and check with your mobile carrier to see which ones offer free or discounted streaming subscriptions. Tip No. 3: Pick one or two default streaming services Subscribe to one or two must-have services for the year, and select only one or two more options to fit your monthly budget. Rotate the bonus service(s) according to what you want to watch, ensuring you don't miss your favorite shows while sticking to your monthly spending cap. Tip No. 4: Use monthly billing only Avoid annual subscriptions and pay attention to your auto-renewal payment dates, even if it means using one of these tracking apps. Your billing cycle can help determine when it's the best time to quit a service, even if you've only signed up for a free trial. The only advantage to signing up for an annual plan is when the price is drastically cut down. Tip No. 5: Don't cancel your subscription, pause it Hulu allows you to pause your subscription for up to 12 weeks, and Sling has a similar option with stipulations. Check with your streaming provider to see if you can take a temporary break without canceling. Give it a shot, and if you don't like it you can always resubscribe. For more excellent tips on streaming TV, check out this guide to Netflix's hidden tricks and our tips on the best VPNs.
National Post
4 days ago
- Business
- National Post
FreshFleet Launches Real-Time FreshTradeDesk to Streamline Produce Trading
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors One Platform. Endless Fresh Trade. LEAMINGTON, Ontario — FreshFleet, an innovative supply chain platform that streamlines commerce, logistics and storage for the fresh produce industry, today announced the launch of its FreshTradeDesk. This real-time marketplace anonymously connects buyers and sellers, delivering unmatched speed, efficiency and communication in fresh produce trading. Whether managing surplus inventory or fulfilling urgent demand, FreshTradeDesk empowers businesses to act swiftly and confidently, ensuring each transaction meets the dynamic needs of the industry. Designed for the fast-paced produce industry, the FreshTradeDesk supports qualified growers, cooperatives, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers, enabling them to instantly discover market opportunities and close deals in real time, all while keeping negotiations anonymous and streamlined. 'The FreshTradeDesk is a significant development for the fresh produce market,' said Jonathan Leslie, President of FreshFleet. 'We've built a platform that reduces friction, eliminates waste and empowers every player in the fresh produce supply chain to trade smarter. Whether you're managing surplus product or quickly filling market gaps, our platform gives you a competitive advantage.' Sellers can easily list their excess or available produce in real-time on FreshTradeDesk. The platform connects sellers to a pool of pre-vetted buyers across North America, helping them quickly find reliable demand. All listings, communication, and negotiations are anonymous, ensuring privacy. FreshFleet also offers optional cold storage and transportation services. Buyers can post specific sourcing needs or purchase produce directly from listings. Businesses can streamline procurement workflows and reduce sourcing time by accessing real-time supply and demand data. As with sellers, all communication, negotiations, and transactions are anonymous, offering a secure environment for trade. FreshFleet will assist in coordinating logistics, including pickup and delivery, to complete the transaction with minimal effort from the buyer. Secure & Verified Transactions: FreshTradeDesk independently verifies all sellers' food safety requirements, DRC and PACA licenses, and credit ratings. Additionally, FreshTradeDesk implements an independent review process following each transaction to ensure ongoing trust and accountability within the marketplace. FreshFleet's LTL and FTL logistics network streamlines transport by removing the need for multiple carriers or brokers, while allowing shippers to monetize unused truck capacity for greater efficiency and cost savings. Built with input from C-suite executives, sales professionals and logistics experts with years of experience in the fresh produce industry, the FreshFleet platform is designed to address real-world challenges. Fresh Fleet Ltd. powers the future of fresh with two connected services built for the produce supply chain. FreshFleet, the logistics division, provides cold storage, consolidation, LTL and FTL transportation, and integrated ERP support. FreshTradeDesk, its real-time trading platform, enables anonymous, secure buying and selling of fresh produce across North America. By connecting commerce, logistics, and operations in one system, FreshFleet helps businesses move product faster, reduce waste, and respond to market demand in real time. Customizable and white-labeled solutions are available to support partners at scale. To learn more or join the marketplace, visit View source version on
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Meta to introduce ads and subscriptions on WhatsApp
Meta announced that it is adding ads and subscriptions to its WhatsApp messaging app in a June 16 press release. The social media giant, primarily known as the parent company of Facebook, said that the changes will roll out over the next few months and that they are intended to help businesses and organizations grow. "People really want to chat to businesses on their own terms, and they want to do it in a place where they already spend their time, which is on WhatsApp," Nikila Srinivasan, vice president for product management at Meta said on a call with reporters, according to CBS News. The new ads will show up on the "Updates" tab where they can start a conversation with an advertiser by clicking on its status. Meta introduced the "Updates" tab in 2023, where users can follow businesses and organizations for news and other announcements. "If you only use WhatsApp to chat with friends and loved ones, there will be no change to your experience at all," Meta said in the press release. Channel operators will be able to offer subscriptions to exclusive content when the new features roll out. Channels can also pay to be promoted to the app's 1.5 billion users. "For the first time, channel admins have a way to increase their channels' visibility," Meta said in the press release. A company spokesperson told CBS News that Channels will remain free to users. Meta purchased the app in 2014 and WhatsApp co-founders Brian Acton and Jan Koum left the company after Meta sought ways to monetize the app as well as data privacy concerns, the Wall Street Journal reported in 2018. In a 2012 blog post, Acton and Koum wrote, "we wanted to make something that wasn't just another ad clearinghouse" and called ads "insults to your intelligence." Meta said in the press release that it will use "limited info like your country or city, language, the Channels you're following and how you interact with the ads you see" to target ads. However, the company said that personal messages and groups would not be used to target ads. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WhatsApp to have ads, subscriptions, Meta announces
