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Category: InsideOffice

InsideOffice

  • eBay Plans to Add AR Features to Enhance Shopping Experience

    eBay Plans to Add AR Features to Enhance Shopping Experience

    eBay is on a quest to make shopping more interactive and enjoyable by incorporating augmented reality into the buying process. The company has even tapped the services of expert data scientist Jan Pedersen to ensure that they’re on the right track.

    In a bid to provide their clients with a better shopping experience, eBay is reportedly developing an augmented reality kit that will help customers see the product better and make shopping more dynamic. For instance, the AR kit can help drivers check how a particular tire design will look on their vehicles. It could also assist women to look at a dress or an appliance with a more critical eye. Shoppers can also use the kit to check what size box they will need for their purchases.

    eBay is currently on a roll, with a holiday quarter that saw a 10 percent increase in its merchandise volume of $24.4 billion. The season also saw around 170 million shoppers using the platform. The company wants to continue that success and is seeking to convince investors that they can also go up against a giant like Amazon. Jeff Bezos’ company is currently dominating the market with its same-day delivery system.

    Amazon might be the king of logistics, but as eBay CEO Devin Wenig told investors at a recent technology conference, it’s not the only thing that’s important. According to Wenig, price and inventory are also critical.

    eBay is known for offering one-of-a-kind products at affordable prices, but the company is also looking to improve its inventory. To that end, it is planning to add more clothing and home products to attract women and young consumers. At the moment, the retail giant’s base is geared towards older men.

    Mohan Patt, the company’s vice president of buyer experiences, revealed that eBay is pushing to maintain its growth and is looking to enhance its artificial intelligence to further improve what customers will be offered. The company aims to expand its reach beyond shoppers who already know what they’re looking for to people who are browsing the different product categories, seeking inspiration.

    This is where artificial intelligence and date will come in. According to Patt, this personalization will be the key to getting consumers to purchase items they didn’t know they wanted.

    To ensure that the company’s vision for customization and a more engaging shopping experience goes off without a hitch, eBay has engaged the services of Jan Pedersen. The renowned data scientist will be at the helm of the eCommerce leader’s AI endeavors.

    Wenig describes Pedersen as “a true pioneer” and said he joins the company at a crucial time when AI is “capable of transforming personalized, immersive shopping experiences.”

    Pedersen and his team will be responsible for developing eBay’s strategy and technology that will be used to better interact with customers.

    [Featured image via eBay]

  • 4 Accounting Software to Consider Using for Your Small Business in 2018

    4 Accounting Software to Consider Using for Your Small Business in 2018

    Small business owners understand how crucial it is to have a handle on their finances. Unfortunately, most small businesses can’t afford to hire a full-time accountant. However, a good accounting software makes it easier to monitor business accounts. It can also track expenses and bills, creates invoices, manages inventory and generates reports that help evaluate how a business is doing.

    There are several factors that one should consider when choosing accounting software. An interface that’s easy to navigate and understand is one such factor. Small business owners should also consider its features and how they can help in running operations. It should also be compatible with other tools that the business uses. Lastly, brands should consider how much money they have to shell out. Do they want the basic or are they willing to spend more to get an accounting software with extra features?

    Top 4 Accounting Software for Small Businesses

    Intuit Quickbooks Online

    Image result for Intuit Quickbooks Online 250x250

    Quickbooks Online is one of the more popular accounting software out on the market today. It can easily cater to the needs of small businesses and as well as major enterprises. Small companies would find that its interface is easy to master, so new accountants or those without an accounting background can easily navigate their way around.

    The software syncs automatically to a single dashboard. This allows various users to view the company’s accounts, create billing statements and invoices and generate over 40 different reports. Quickbooks can also be integrated with other Intuit tools like GoPayment and Quickbooks Online Payroll.

    Kashoo

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    Freelancers and small businesses simply love Kashoo’s improved interface and clean navigation tools. The software offers basic accounting capabilities, like pre-formatted reports, templates for products, customers and suppliers, and forms for invoice, bills, and payroll. Users can also track project costs and create sales tax rates with this software. Kashoo also provides its clients with free chat, email, and phone support.

    Wave

    Image result for wave accounting 250x250

    Wave is the best online accounting software for consultants, freelancers, and companies that have less than 10 employees. The program can handle simple financial reports and everyday office processes like invoicing and receipts, managing a balance sheet and generating profit-loss reports. It can also manage payroll and direct deposits. However, the software cannot track payments and bills and has no cash flow report capability. It should be emphasized that Wave only offers very basic accounting processes and won’t be able to handle complex cash transactions.

    Zoho Books

    Image result for zoho accounting 250x250

    This is the perfect software for micro-businesses. It boasts an extensive range of essential accounting tools. It also has features like automated workflows, inventory management, invoice tracking and time tracking. It can even provide automatic payment, and bank feeds notifications. The software can be integrated into more than 25 business and productivity Zoho apps. Users can also avail of the company’s robust support network, whether it’s online or by phone. Its well-designed video tutorial also makes it a breeze to learn how to maximize it for your small business need.

    [Featured image via Pixabay]

  • PayPal Here Launches Two New Card Readers, Giving Small Businesses More Ways to Accept Payments

    PayPal Here Launches Two New Card Readers, Giving Small Businesses More Ways to Accept Payments

    Every customer wants a swift and smooth payment transaction, with little fuss. This holds true regardless of whether they’re buying from a major enterprise or a small business. That goal is certainly possible with PayPal Here’s two new payment card readers.

    PayPal recently launched a Chip and Swipe reader and a Chip and Tap reader, both of which will help users and small companies easily conduct credit card transactions anywhere.

    The Chip and Swipe reader is an improved version of the company’s previous swipe-style reader. It now comes with support for debit and credit cards with EMV chip technology. Meanwhile, the Chip and Tap reader can process contactless payment options from NFC-supported devices and also accepts EMV-supported cards. The device also comes with a portable charging stand.

    Image result for paypal chip and swipe card reader

    Both payment readers can easily process transaction choices like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay.

    PayPal’s new readers have been designed with portability in mind. The two devices are about the size of a deck of cards, making it possible for small retailers and entrepreneurs to do business in any location—a country fair, the neighborhood cafe—without worrying about wires or having to carry bulky hardware. They can easily connect to any mobile device using Bluetooth technology. The readers also have a user-friendly interface and can now be used for extended periods, thanks to their rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

    PayPal is offering the Chip and Swipe reader for $24.99 and the Chip and Tap reader for $59.99. Both devices will work seamlessly with the PayPal Here. The app is available via the Apple App Store and Google Play.

    In a statement, PayPal In-Store’s Chief Chris Gardner stated that the company understands the “challenges small businesses face—including protection from fraudulent transactions and the costs of equipment to run their business—and constantly work to develop products and services that allow them to thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.” Their new and affordable card payment readers are their newest endeavor to help small business.

    Gardner also pointed out that small and medium businesses also look for a “one-stop shop” for all their commerce and payment services. After all, these companies don’t have the time to deal with various vendors to manage all these financial activities. PayPal is determined to be the company to handle these demands. Merchants can use PayPal for their online transactions, PayPal Here for their physical processes, and PayPal Working Capital to help finance their expansion.

    [Featured image via PayPal]

  • Amazon Exceeds Analyst Predictions, Posts its Highest Q4 Profits Ever

    Amazon Exceeds Analyst Predictions, Posts its Highest Q4 Profits Ever

    Buoyed by strong holiday sales and the robust performance of its cloud computing division, Amazon exceeded previous expectations set by analysts for its fourth quarter performance. The eCommerce giant posted a staggering $60.5 billion in revenue, surpassing Wall Street estimates which projected its revenues for the period to only reach $59.83 billion.

    For the fourth quarter last year, Amazon posted a net profit of $1.9 billion, which is a record for the company. By comparison, the 2017 Q4 profit is more than double its net profit for the same period the previous year.

    However, Amazon’s profits got a big boost from a tax benefit. The company received a provisional $789 million boost from a new tax law passed in December.

    In addition, the strong performance of its cloud computing business Amazon Web Services (AWS) is also a contributory factor to its record performance. AWS’s $5.11 billion revenue for the same period likewise defied analysts’ expectations, which was only anticipated to reach $4.97 billion.

    The biggest factor to Amazon’s stratospheric Q4 performance still comes from holiday shopping especially during the period starting on the Thanksgiving holiday until New Year. Pushed by the holiday shopping rush, Amazon’s sales rose to $60.5 billion or a 38 percent increase from the year-ago level.

    According to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, the company’s success is, in large part, a result of its AI-powered digital assistant Alexa. In fact, there are indications that Amazon could be investing more in the technology given its initial success.

    “Our 2017 projections for Alexa were very optimistic, and we far exceeded them. We don’t see positive surprises of this magnitude very often—expect us to double down,” Bezos said in a statement.

    For its 2017 full year performance, Amazon posted a 31 percent rise in sales with its 2017 full year revenue of $177.9 billion, as compared to its 2016 sales of only $136 billion. However, its operating profit is only $4.1 billion, a 2 percent decrease from the previous year due to reinvestments.

    Wall Street still remains overwhelmingly positive on Amazon’s future prospects. Recently, its stock rose by 70 percent which resulted in Jeff Bezos overthrowing Bill Gates as the world’s richest man.

  • Why Your Brand Should Consider Podcasting in 2018

    Why Your Brand Should Consider Podcasting in 2018

    Companies who want to succeed online in 2018 need to have a firm digital marketing strategy. Luckily, there are a number of strategies and tools open for marketers, like blogging, content marketing, email marketing, social media, and paid search.

    Another prime vehicle for content marketing today is the podcast. Besides providing relevant information about your brand or product, podcasts come in an easily digestible content format and doesn’t need a customer’s undivided attention, unlike text-based or video content.

    There are several reasons why your brand should consider delving into podcasts this year. Consider the following:

    It’s Easy to DevelopImage result for podcasting statistics 2018

    Making a podcast is relatively easy. You basically just need a high-quality microphone and headset to create your podcast. The software needed to edit it is free and easy to use and all you need to upload it is a solid WiFi connection.

    It can be Distributed via Multiple Channels

    Aside from being easy to create, podcasts are also easy to promote. It’s common for companies to broadcast their podcasts on their blog or website. But services like iTunes, SoundCloud, and Stitcher helps in expanding the reach of your podcast. You can also use different social media platforms to share your podcasts.

    It Establishes Your Authority

    A podcast gives you an arena to show your expertise and passion for your niche. Your enthusiasm and speaking prowess also adds an authoritative air to the topic, something that the written word can’t express. And coming out with regular podcasts that have sound information and good ideas helps establish you and your brand as market leaders.

    There’s a More Intimate Connection with the Audience

    Listening to someone on a regular basis can lead to a more intimate and stronger connection. Broadcasting podcasts regularly give listeners the chance to become more familiar with the podcaster’s style and voice. This familiarity and connection keeps your brand in mind and helps the audience have a better understanding of the company’s values.

    Don’t be left behind by the other brands that have already discovered the power of podcasting. Start integrating podcasts into your marketing strategy and reach more people.

    [Featured image via Pixabay]

  • eBay Breaks Up with PayPal for Another Partner

    eBay Breaks Up with PayPal for Another Partner

    Even in business, some partnerships are just not meant to last. Despite working closely together for more than a decade, eBay recently announced that it would be ditching long-time partner PayPal as its primary payments processor by 2020.

    In a post on its company website, eBay announced on Wednesday that it has signed an agreement with Adyen, to replace PayPal. Ayden is an Amsterdam-based global payment company and one of PayPal’s rivals.   

    eBay acquired PayPal in October of 2002 for $1.5 billion. At the time, the two services seemed to be well-paired with eBay controlling the lion share of the online auction market while PayPal was the top player in online payment processing. However, by July of  2015, the two returned to being standalone businesses.

    While Adyen will eventually be easing out PayPal from its current role, eBay assures that PayPal will remain one of the payment options that buyers can choose upon checkout. eBay further revealed it has an “Operating Agreement with PayPal, which remains in place through mid-2020.”

    According to the auction giant, the shift to Adyen will bring in multiple benefits to both sellers and buyers. The cited benefits to sellers include lower costs and a simplified pricing structure, easier tracking of transactions and payment information as well as greater sales conversion due to the expanded payment options.

    Buyers, on the other hand, will now have more payment options upon checkout. eBay likewise promised a more streamlined checkout experience.

    Working together with eBay is a big win for Adyen especially considering the company’s relatively small size. Adyen posted a net revenue of $178 million in 2016. In comparison, rival PayPal posted almost $11 billion in revenue for the same period.

    Understandably, eBay’s announcement negatively affected PayPal shares with its price plummeting by as much as 10 percent on Wednesday’s trading. However, it is unclear how much the Adyen deal will affect its bottom line. At the moment, PayPal’s market value is around $102 billion, more than twice Ebay’s value of $42 billion. In addition, PayPal seems to be doing fine and has recently reported a 59 percent rise in profit for the fourth quarter of 2017.

  • Microsoft Teams Gets a Big Update, Features New App Store

    Microsoft Teams Gets a Big Update, Features New App Store

    Microsoft is adding cool new features to its Teams collaboration tool. The update is touted to be the “biggest single release of new functionality” since it launched last year and will bring a new app store, new search, discovery, and integration features, as well as new Slack-like commands.

    The update will also present users with new ways to find apps in the new app store. Users can now search apps by name, integration type, or simply browse the list of available apps by category.

    Users familiar with Slack will note that the Microsoft Teams competitor has its own app directory that highlights tools applicable to team collaboration. Teams, however, highlights apps that users frequently access or that have been added by their organization.

    The update also introduced a new personal app space; a place where you can view your apps as well as items and tasks assigned to you across Jira Cloud or Planner. In addition, you can now include information from apps to your messages with the use of interactive cards. According to Microsoft, “You can search for a specific task in Trello, a work item in Wrike, or a weather forecast, and include an interactive card with that information into a message.”

    Another Slack-like feature that the Microsoft Teams update introduced is the slash command. With slash command, you can perform tasks, navigate Teams, set your status to “Away,” call a co-worker and add team users.

    Teams users also have “@” commands. By typing “@” in the command box, it displays a list of apps that you can either query or command.

    Microsoft announced that the Teams update has started rolling out yesterday. However, it may take some time before every user gets the new features.

  • Microsoft Announces Huge Price Cut for Azure Cloud Services, Now Just $100 Per Month

    Microsoft Announces Huge Price Cut for Azure Cloud Services, Now Just $100 Per Month

    Microsoft Azure customers were pleasantly surprised today. The cloud computing company just announced that it has substantially dropped the price for its Azure Standard support to just $100 per month, making it the most affordable support package among the big three cloud computing firms.

    The price slash of the Azure Standard support, which was previously priced at $300 per month, was announced in a post via Microsoft Azure’s website. Despite the drop, however, the company promised an even faster initial response time of 1 hour, which was previously set at 2 hours, for critical cases. The company also promised the continuation of the current package’s feature of unlimited 24/7 technical and billing support for the client’s entire organization.

    The price cut is being offered to eligible Azure customers. These are customers who purchased the Azure Standard support package directly from the Azure.com site under the Microsoft Online Subscription Agreement (MOSA).

    However, the $100 per month offer is not applicable to all regions. For still unspecified reasons, customers based in Germany are apparently not included in the price cut.

    Azure’s drastic price reduction for its Standard support could start a price war among the big three players in the cloud computing industry. It is possible that competitors Amazon Web Services (AWS), as well as Google Cloud Platform, might be forced to introduce price cuts of their own to make the pricing of their services even more competitive.

    At $100 per month, the AWS Business plan costs as much as the new Azure Standard support. However, that is only the starting price because clients usually end up paying more for additional charges based on their monthly usage fees.

    Meanwhile, Google is charging a higher monthly rate for its standard support at the moment. Basic support costs $150 per month and its response time for business critical issues is even slower at 4 hours compared to 1 hour for Azure customers.

    [Featured image via Microsoft]

  • Rupert Murdoch’s Solution to Facebook’s Fake News Problem: Pay the Publishers

    Rupert Murdoch’s Solution to Facebook’s Fake News Problem: Pay the Publishers

    Days after Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced a new strategy to determine which news outlets can be trusted, Rupert Murdoch proposed another way to solve the fake new problem that has been bugging the social media platform. Murdoch, executive chairman of publishing empire News Corporation, proposed that social media platforms pay publishers for “trusted” content.

    Murdoch is specifically targeting Facebook and Google, the two companies that are now acting as gateways exercising considerable influence on how news gets distributed. Of course, the two companies are considered a duopoly in online advertising, owning the lion share of the market.

    Instead of popularizing “scurrilous news sources through algorithms that are profitable for these platforms but inherently unreliable,” Murdoch is now urging Facebook and Google to pay money for content from trusted news sources.  Murdoch proposed an arrangement similar to carriage fees or a charge paid by satellite and cable television providers to local broadcast stations as payment for the right to broadcast locally. Murdoch expressed his opinion via a statement on the News Corp website.

    “If Facebook wants to recognize ‘trusted’ publishers then it should pay those publishers a carriage fee similar to the model adopted by cable companies. The publishers are obviously enhancing the value and integrity of Facebook through their news and content, but are not being adequately rewarded for those services. Carriage payments would have a minor impact on Facebook’s profits but a major impact on the prospects for publishers and journalists.”

    Fake news is a persistent issue that Facebook has been facing lately. Previously, the social media giant was accused of enabling the spread of fake political news during the U.S. and French presidential elections. Last August, this prompted the company to block ads from publishers who share fake news. Just last week, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced a new way to combat news by letting the platform’s users decide for themselves which outlet they think is reliable.

    At the moment, neither Google nor Facebook issued a comment on Murdoch’s proposal.

    [Featured image via YouTube]

  • Intel is Now Warning Customers NOT to Use its Spectre Patch Due to Flaws

    Intel is Now Warning Customers NOT to Use its Spectre Patch Due to Flaws

    If your PC is running on an Intel processor, it’s best not to run those Intel patches designed to address the Spectre vulnerability just yet. Apparently, Intel’s bug-fixing patch has a bug itself causing unwanted reboots.

    Intel issued an announcement Monday confirming that it has now identified the cause of the reboot issue experience by Intel users. Last week, numerous users complained of spontaneous reboots of their computers after installing Intel’s Spectre/Meltdown patch.

    Aside from confirming that the company has zeroed in on the problem, the post by executive vice president Navin Shenoy also issued recommendations for owners of affected Intel chips.

    “We recommend that OEMs, cloud service providers, system manufacturers, software vendors, and end users stop deployment of current versions on specific platforms as they may introduce higher than expected reboots and other unpredictable system behavior.” 

    Affected Intel chips include the Broadwell, Haswell, Coffee Lake, Kaby Lake, Skylake, and Ivy Bridge series. However, some models seem to be affected by the reboot bug more than others.

    According to Shenoy, an early fix is already available, but it is still being tested by industry partners. Once confirmed to be error-free the company will ”make a final release available once that testing has been completed.”

    So what does this announcement mean for PC users with affected Intel chips? If you own a Haswell or Broadwell-based CPU and have not yet made any updates relative to the Spectre/Meltdown bug, just continue to do nothing for the time being. Intel will announce when the new bug-free patch will be available.

    The entire computing world was shocked by the discovery of Spectre and Meltdown, vulnerabilities in the system that could be exploited by hackers. Apparently, everyone’s been sitting on the bug for more than two decades before it was discovered by experts.

    [Featured image via Intel]

  • As Predicted, Whatsapp Launches a New App for Business Users

    As Predicted, Whatsapp Launches a New App for Business Users

    In recent years, WhatsApp has been trying to monetize its more than 1.3 billion users by highlighting the messaging platform’s potential use in business. Last year, the Facebook-owned messaging app hinted that its thrust towards business users by introducing verified business accounts, which sparked speculations that the company was planning a business version of the app.

    It turns out that those speculations were correct after all. The company just officially launched the new WhatsApp Business app. However, the new business version of Whatsapp seems to be available only in select countries which include Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, the U.K. and the U.S. Meanwhile, the company promised that the new app will be available to the rest of the world in the coming weeks.

    WhatsApp Business app is packaged as the ideal communication tool for small businesses. As such, it contains the usual functions you may expect from a business app.

    For instance, business owners can create their business profiles that could increase their visibility. They can post on their profiles useful information such as the addresses of their physical stores, a link to their website, their email address as well as a description of their business.

    The new app also addresses the need for businesses to get in touch with their customers. With smart messaging tools, businesses can make quick replies which could be a pre-formatted response to frequently asked questions. According to the WhatsApp blog post, business owners can even send away messages to inform customers that staff is busy and can’t respond at the moment.

    In addition, a messaging statistics function is introduced as a way to measure which messaging strategy is working. For example, businesses can know how many of the intended recipients read the bulk messages they sent. The messaging app also functions on a desktop, which is a very convenient feature for handling multiple customers simultaneously.

    WhatsApp confirmed that the new app version will remain free for the long term. But of course, they are not discounting the possibility that they might introduce paid additional capabilities in the future.

    [Featured image via Pixabay]

  • Cluttered Facebook Messenger Could See Big Changes in 2018

    Cluttered Facebook Messenger Could See Big Changes in 2018

    If you are starting to feel that the Facebook Messenger app seems to be too overloaded with features, then you are not the only one. Apparently, even Facebook’s vice president of messaging products David Marcus had to admit that, indeed, the app became too cluttered.

    In a blog post, Marcus wrote that “Over the last two years, we built a lot of capabilities to find the features that continue to set us apart. A lot of them have found their product market fit; some haven’t.”

    The blog post details Marcus’ predictions for 2018. If things go his way, Facebook Messenger users may expect a more streamlined messaging experience later this year.

    “Expect to see us invest in massively simplifying and streamlining Messenger this year,” Marcus promised. He then added that Facebook’s goal is “to make Messenger the easiest and most delightful way for people to spend time together in happy and harder times.”

    While the news is indeed a breather for users who are starting to get overwhelmed with Messengers numerous features, there is one thing that Marcus’ post failed to point out. At the moment, Facebook has not exactly revealed which parts in Messenger the company considers as clutter.

    However, there are clues from Marcus’ post hinting at which features are likely to be retained. One of these is Group Chat as, according to Marcus, “Group chats make it easier for us to spend time together both on and offline… but we have more in store for this year.”

    Visual Communication is here to stay as well. These include video chats, emojis, and GIFs as all forms have shown a significant rise in usage. For instance, there were 17 billion video chats, 500 billion emojis and 18 billion GIFs sent in 2017. And, as Marcus puts it, “Visual messaging . . . is where the industry is heading, and we won’t be looking back.”

    [Featured Image via Facebook]

  • Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos Contributes $33 Million to ‘Dreamers’ Scholarships

    Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos Contributes $33 Million to ‘Dreamers’ Scholarships

    Multi-billionaire Jeff Bezos certainly knows how to spend his money where it counts. Along with wife MacKenzie, the Amazon CEO—who was recently declared the world’s richest man—gave away $33 million on Friday to help fund the scholarships for Dreamers, immigrant youths who arrived in the US without proper documentation.

    Mr. Bezos’ donation will go directly to TheDream.US, an organization which aims to help Dreamers get a college degree. The organization provides scholarships to highly qualified immigrants who have DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status as well as those who are under TPS (Temporary Protected Status) which allows them to legally work in the US.

    The Amazon CEO’s $33 million donation will help fund the scholarships of 1,000 Dreamers. Each student will receive a total of $33,000 over four years, which will help pay for their tuition, books and other fees. At the moment, around 2,500 students are studying with the help of TheDream.US program.

    DACA was put in place during the Obama administration with the end goal of preventing those who entered the U.S. illegally as minors from being deported. However, the Trump administration does not want the program to continue, a move that will affect around 700,000 Dreamers. They will have until March 5 before the Department of Homeland Security declares their permits expired.

    The Dreamers, however,  have remained steadfast over the issue. On Jan. 9, they scored a small victory when a San Francisco federal judge challenged the Trump administration’s decision on DACA and temporarily blocked steps to end the program.

    To Bezos, fighting for immigrants’ rights is a more personal issue as his adopted father is a Cuban immigrant.

    “My dad came to the U.S. when he was 16 as part of Operation Pedro Pan,” Bezos explained. “He landed in this country alone and unable to speak English. With a lot of grit and determination—and the help of some remarkable organizations in Delaware—my dad became an outstanding citizen, and he continues to give back to the country that he feels blessed him in so many ways.”

    But $33 million is not really that much of a big deal for Bezos. Recent news reports estimated his net worth at $105.1 billion, which not only makes him the world’s richest man, but also the richest person of all time.

    Bezo’s fortune had breached the $100 billion mark last November but fell after just a day. However, less than a week into 2018, his net worth went up by $6.1 billion due to a 6 percent rise in shares of Amazon stock.

    Meanwhile, the rank of the second richest man Bill Gates remains steady at around $90 billion. In fact, reports say that if Gates wasn’t so charitable, he would have remained in the number one spot with a net worth of around $150 billion.

    [Featured image via YouTube]

  • Are Twitter Employees Snooping Through Your DMs? Undercover Video Raises Concern Over User Privacy

    Are Twitter Employees Snooping Through Your DMs? Undercover Video Raises Concern Over User Privacy

    Twitter is going on the offensive; adamantly stating that the company is not reading users’ direct messages.

    The denial comes on the heels of allegations raised that Twitter employs hundreds of people tasked with reading account holders private messages.

    Project Veritas Makes Disturbing Claims

    Project Veritas recently posted footage that allegedly features Twitter engineers who claim that the company has hundreds of employees that look at users personal data, including “d**k pics” and “all your sex messages.”

    The undercover footage features four Twitter engineers—Clay Haynes, Conrado Miranda, Mihai Alexandru Florea, and Pranay Singh. Haynes and Singh claimed that teams of Twitter employees have access to account holders’ data and that all the private photos and sensitive messages sent by users are all stored on company servers. Singh, a Direct Messaging Engineer for Twitter, even said that data shared by Twitter users are analyzed and sold.

    One of these engineers even appears to say that the company can even give account information to the Department of Justice President on Donald Trump, including direct messages and any deleted tweets.

    Twitter Denies Reading DMs

    Twitter was quick to deny these allegations. A company spokesperson for the company has told Buzzfeed News that Twitter does not “proactively review DMs. Period.” The representative further stated that while there’s a select group of employees that do have access to users’ personal data, it’s “for legitimate work purposes,” and that they have strict guidelines in place for those employees.

    Twitter’s response to the Project Veritas videos was corroborated by a former employee who said that while the clips were “technically accurate to a degree,” the engineers’ claims were an exaggeration made by “drunk idiots.” The ex-employee also added that personnel with access to private data are those tasked to check claims of abuse by Twitter users.

    With regards to Project Veritas’ claims that Twitter can forward any personal information, the company states that it does not share any of its users’ personal information with law enforcement unless there’s a valid legal request. In its biannual transparency report, Twitter revealed the legal requests it has received and responded to from January 1 to June 30, 2017.

    Twitter also lambasted Project Veritas for its deplorable tactics in obtaining the footage and how it was edited to portray the company in a negative light.

    Project Veritas is no stranger to controversy. The company has been derided for utilizing unethical and underhanded methods in its investigations of issues. Most recently, the project received flak for attempting to discredit the Washington Post by trying to trick the paper into publishing a fake story about Roy Moore.  

    [Featured image via YouTube]

  • Has Twitter Changed it’s Mind on an Advertising Transparency Center?

    Has Twitter Changed it’s Mind on an Advertising Transparency Center?

    In October 2017 Twitter announced an Advertising Transparency Center saying “that it will offer everyone visibility into who is advertising on Twitter, details behind those ads, and tools to share your feedback.” As of this date, there has been no Ad Transparency Center nor any updates on its progress.

    Twitter previously said the Transparency Center will show:

    • All ads that are currently running on Twitter, including Promoted-Only ads
    • How long ads have been running
    • Ad creative associated with those campaigns
    • Ads targeted to you, as well as personalized information on which ads you are eligible to receive based on targeting

    Is Twitter going to launch the Transparency Center or has it changed its mind? (Buzzfeed News)

  • Will Amazon Acquire Target in 2018?

    Will Amazon Acquire Target in 2018?

    While Amazon currently accounts for roughly 45% of all online retail sales, the pursuit of a strong offline retail presence is part of Amazon’s long-term business strategy which is why they may now be considering an acquisition of Target. Obviously, Amazon is strong in almost all categories of online shopping, but with The Whole Foods purchase and Amazon Go, this may be the beginning of their entry into a large presence in brick and mortar commerce.

    Gene Muster, principal of research-driven Lotus Ventures, has good reasons to believe Amazon is ready to hit the streets and will be targeting a name brand retailer in 2018. Amazon’s goal is to reach more upscale consumers in order to continue both sales growth and new memberships in Amazon Prime. (Fortune)

  • 5 Tips for Making the Most of Your Google AdWords Budget

    5 Tips for Making the Most of Your Google AdWords Budget

    Every company wants to have a successful ad campaign. Unfortunately, most don’t have the big budget necessary to compete with major companies. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with a losing marketing campaign. It just means your company has to be more creative and determined. If you’re using Google AdWords, you have to narrow down your campaign and opt for a more targeted approach. Here are five ways that can help you make the most of your AdWords budget.

    1. Develop Several Variations of Your Ads

    You might think that being on a budget means you have to stick with just one ad. But having a generic ad is unlikely to generate the conversions you want. It’s better if you have several variations of your ad that target various audiences.

    For instance, if you’re running an online bookstore, don’t just target all the bookworms. Tailor your ads and focus on the different types of book lovers. Target young adults by pushing the latest works of a popular YA writer. Entice art buffs with an ad showcasing the different art, design and DIY books you carry.

    2. Use Multiple Keyword Tools

    Google’s keyword tool is undeniably helpful, but it doesn’t give out the best results all the time. There are instances when long-tail keywords they recommend simply do not have any data available. Or Google simply ignores really popular keywords.

    A better strategy would be to utilize various keyword suggestion engines or keyword planners. You should also trust your knowledge of what keywords consumers are searching for when they came upon your site. Once you have a good list of keywords, test them yourself.

    3. Create a Conversion Tracker

    You need different ads to test which keywords are successful. More importantly, you need concrete data that can be tracked on a per-ad system. Let’s say you’re running eight ads and had $500 in sales, how will you know which ads generated that conversion?

    You need a good conversion tracking system to help narrow down which ads are good and which ones are doing nothing for your campaign. AdWords has a tracking system that you can use and which can send your data directly to Google Analytics. But it’s also a good idea to look for other conversion tracking tools and apps to get even more comprehensive analytics.

    4. Be Smart About Your Ads Schedule

    If you want to get the most out of your AdWords campaign, then you should only run your ads during hours when you’ll have a better chance at conversions. For example, if your company’s office hours run from 8 am to 5 pm, then it’s not a good idea to have an ad running at midnight.

    The only way to know what schedule is best is to test. Check your data analytics to see which hours and days your ads are performing well. Once you have narrowed down the optimal hours for your campaign, you can schedule your ads better.

    5. Use AdWords Extensions Wisely

    Google AdWords extensions can help you stand out and boost your ranking. Extensions can make your ad bigger and give you more room to work. It helps draw more attention to your ad and lets you emphasize more benefits and features. There are a variety of extensions that a business can use, but a company has to choose carefully as some might not be appropriate.  

  • Facebook’s New Creator App Will Help Social Influencers Create More Video Content

    Facebook’s New Creator App Will Help Social Influencers Create More Video Content

    Facebook is doing everything it can to woo influencers away from YouTube. The rollout of its Creator app might be just what the social media giant needs to get more video creators on its side.

    The app is touted to make it simpler for users to create video and live streams using mobile devices. Facebook is also confident of two things that will draw users to the app – Facebook Live’s new features and unified communication.

    The Creator app now includes a feature that allows for the addition of custom created intros and outros to be used during live broadcasts. Specially designed video frames, interactive stickers, and various camera effects are also being introduced. The app also allows the user to shoot and edit photos and upload them to Facebook Stories and various platforms.

    The app’s enhanced communication features are also expected to draw in more influencers. The Creator app boasts of an incorporated inbox for all messages and comments posted on Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram. Having a unified inbox means that the user doesn’t have to move through different apps just to reply. Unfortunately, the app only covers messaging within Facebook’s services but who knows if this will change in the future.

    Data and analytics about the video will also be made accessible to users, allowing them to regularly check any algorithm changes to their output. Knowing key details about their follower demographics can help influencers focus on the type of video content they should post and the brands that might be willing to work with them.

    Facebook is also launching a website where video bloggers and creators can get more information on how to develop videos for the site, as well as receiving answers to key questions. Site members will also be given early access to any upcoming features.

    The Facebook Creator app is now available on iOS. However, Android users will have to wait a few more months for the app to be launched on the system. It should be pointed out that the Creator app is not technically new. It’s a rebranding of the Facebook Mentions app that was launched in 2014 and which was initially available only to verified Pages and public figures. However, the app is now open to all users.

    With the Creator app, Facebook is showing just how much it wants to work with influencers and independent vloggers. And with the errors and strange changes currently happening on YouTube, the social media giant might just be able to win this influential and potentially lucrative community to its side. 

    [Featured image via Pixabay]

  • Instagram’s New Video Feature Let’s You Go Live With a Friend

    Instagram’s New Video Feature Let’s You Go Live With a Friend

    Instagram is finally catching up with its contemporaries in terms of video streaming capabilities. The popular messaging app has recently joined the live video broadcasting trend with the introduction of its own feature that allows you to invite a friend for a live video broadcast.

    After testing it out last summer, Instagram is finally rolling out the feature to the rest of its users, reports The Verge. With the feature now live, you can basically ask anyone who is currently watching to join your live video broadcast by clicking on the “add” button located at the corner of the screen.

    To accommodate the second user, the screen will be split vertically so you and your friend can now broadcast simultaneously. At the moment, however, you can only add one person at a time so there is always that cap of two persons per simultaneous broadcast. To add another friend, you have to remove the first guest before you can replace them with someone else.

    As with regular live videos, the resulting output using the new live video + guest feature can be discarded or saved as stories, reports Tech Crunch. Of course, they can also be shared on Facebook stories as well. The only difference is that the videos will be shown with two stacked circles on the stories status bar.

    Instagram seems to be targeting some of its users who may be a bit hesitant to post solo videos of themselves on the platform. Not only will it become less daunting if you do a video with a friend but it will also make it more fun, interactive and, hopefully, will generate more engagement from your audience.

    The live video feature is a response to similar features offered by rivals Snapchat and Periscope. The new feature is expected to be welcomed by users as Instagram announced that video viewing rose by 80 percent since last year.

    [Featured Image via YouTube]

  • Amazon Wants to Break into Your Home and Car for Package Delivery

    While Amazon has already streamlined its delivery process to near perfection, reports of missing or stolen packages left at the recipient’s doorstep are still ongoing. The online retail giant is now considering a new strategy it hopes will eliminate the problem once and for all. In the works are plans that would allow Amazon to deliver packages right inside the recipient’s home or drop the packages inside their car’s trunks even when they’re not present.

    According to CNBC, Amazon is now in advanced talks with Phrame to come up with a system to carry out the new plan. Phrame is a maker of “smart” license plate frames which comes with a compartment for storing keys that can be unlocked using a smartphone. Amazon wants to harness the technology even further by enlisting Phrame’s help in creating a system that will allow delivery personnel to access a car’s trunk after remote authorization by its owner.

    Aside from trunk deliveries, Amazon is said to be also exploring the possibility of some type of a smart doorbell service. According to Engadget, the company partnered with August, a San Francisco-based smart lock maker and Garageio, an Ohio-based smart home garage door firm, to develop a way to grant delivery drivers temporary access to a recipient’s home to drop off packages inside.

    It is still unclear just how keen Amazon is on exploring the two options since CNBC’s report merely cited an unnamed source who has knowledge of the deal. According to a survey by August, around 11 million U.S. households have reported their deliveries as stolen since 2016.

    The problem isn’t confined to Amazon deliveries alone as other retailers are also trying to curb unattended package theft among their customers. Just last month, WalMart announced an in-home delivery service in partnership with August.

    [Feauted Image by Amazon]

  • How Cloud-Based ERP Can Benefit Small Businesses

    How Cloud-Based ERP Can Benefit Small Businesses

    There’s no question that small businesses have greatly benefited from today’s technology. Ten years ago, many companies would not have considered placing their enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems on a public cloud platform. But now it’s a route that more businesses are taking.

    Understanding Cloud ERP

    Cloud-based computing utilizes the Internet to administer shared computing resources, like disk storage, memory, and processing power to run numerous software applications. Meanwhile, cloud ERP is software that is accessed via the cloud. It uses the Internet to connect to servers that are hosted away from a company’s premises. This is in direct contrast to traditional ERP and business productivity software that is generally housed in the company’s headquarters.

    Benefits of Using Cloud ERP for Small Businesses

    Image via AgileTech

    Numerous businesses have turned to ERP solutions to automate their businesses, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular have discovered that cloud-based ERP provides multiple benefits.

    • It’s more secure: While some companies are admittedly still worried that cloud ERP can render their data vulnerable, more and more companies are placing their trust in cloud security. This is because companies have strict security requirements, which puts cloud ERP providers under pressure to ensure that their technology is always secure.
    • It boosts productivity: Small businesses are often concerned that moving to a new technology will disrupt their work. But moving to a cloud-based platform is just a temporary inconvenience and will actually boost productivity in the long run. Cloud ERP is user-friendly and makes it easier for employees to collaborate in real-time. It also eliminates the need to get in touch with other employees just to ask for a single file since everything is accessible. And the less time is wasted on simple processes, the more time is afforded for innovation and improvement.
    • Data flow is centralized: Small businesses often develop problems once they start growing and find that the various departments and their data are housed in different areas. For instance, inventory data is kept in one software program while financial information is saved in another. Cloud ERP ensures that every relevant data is in one area, giving all authorized users access to important files and data easily and quickly.
    • It’s affordable: When it comes to capital outlay, cloud-based programs and data storage cost less compared to implementation and maintenance of an IT system housed on company premises. This holds true even when taking into account the monthly service fee that a company would pay a cloud provider. By doing away with the yearly maintenance fees and just charging per month or per user, cloud ERP becomes more affordable than systems that demand expensive licenses and need constant software and hardware upgrades.
    • Businesses become more flexible: Cloud ERP provides the accessibility, mobility, and flexibility that conventional ERPs lack. Since cloud-based ERP is managed offsite and on a system that’s always available, management will find that ordering and delegating tasks become simpler and easier.

    How to Ensure Cloud ERP Works

    Using a new system in your business is admittedly tricky. To ensure that integrating a cloud-based solution will have a positive outcome, companies should start with a dry run before going live. This process includes testing the new cloud ERP system with select employees first and ensuring that they are well trained in using the new system. This will lessen any problems that might appear once there’s a change in the infrastructure of the IT system. It also has the dual purpose of revealing which staff members will be free to manage other tasks. Company resources can then be reassigned or internal teams moved to maximize their potential.

    Small businesses that are considering using cloud ERP will need a reliable cloud provider and the know-how to optimize the technology’s best features. Once the transition to the cloud is successful, a company can enjoy higher productivity, enhanced business processes, and more success.

    [Featured image via Pixabay]