How Labubu Outsold Barbie and Hot Wheels — and Will Help Parent Company Pop Mart Earn $4 Billion This Year
You’ve most likely seen a Labubu, a plush toy that looks like a monster, hanging from a handbag or belt. Next, it will be on cell phones.
The Download: failed social media bans, and extending pets’ lives
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Kids are outsmarting social media bans. That’s not a problem we need to solve. —Michal Luria, Aliya Bhatia, and Danah Boyd Social media bans are stacking up. In July, France joined…
Cart Abandonment Is Costing You Customers — Here’s How to Stop It
Small, targeted fixes in the customer journey — like building trust upfront, reducing friction and automating steps — can cut abandonment and boost conversion rates without a full redesign.
Struggling fusion power company General Fusion gets $22M lifeline from investors
General Fusion pleaded for new funding in May after it laid off 25% of its staff. The new round buys it precious months to pursue its scientific milestones.
Microsoft AI chief says it’s ‘dangerous’ to study AI consciousness
As AI chatbots surge in popularity, Mustafa Suleyman argues that it’s dangerous to consider how these systems could be conscious.
Why Every Entrepreneur Needs an Exit Mindset from Day One — and How I Learned This the Hard Way
Here’s why entrepreneurs must build their businesses with the end in mind.
Google Reportedly Told Its Staff to Use AI More or Risk Falling Behind: ‘It Seems Like a No-Brainer’
Google says it isn’t factoring AI use into performance reviews (yet), but the tech giant is encouraging employees to utilize the technology.
‘Winners Work With Winners’ — How DJ Khaled’s Latest Partnership is Changing the Conversation About Men’s Grooming
DJ Khaled has partnered with Rewind It 10, a beard dye brand launched by Carolyn and Jeff Aronson and Fat Joe, turning personal grooming into a message of confidence and business growth.
Apple TV+ price jumps 30% to $12.99 monthly
The updated price is effective for new customers starting Thursday, and will affect current subscribers 30 days after their next renewal date.
Instagram now lets creators link multiple reels in a series
Now, if a creator is telling a story in a series of videos and follow-ups, they can now link them all together so that viewers don’t have to scroll or search for different parts.
YouTube Music celebrates 10 years with new features that help it compete with Spotify
YouTube Music is rolling out taste match playlists, comments, badges and more.