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Saw a lot of cool things to share this week. Scroll through until you find the stuff that interests you!
Innovation
Consider ROL (Return on Learning) rather than ROI
The always thought-provoking @rishad on the importance of companies considering ROL (Return on Learning) when it comes to the super-charged technological changes that are coming fast #AR #VR #MR #Gaming#Metaverse #Voice
Google is beta testing its AI future with AI Test Kitchen — www.theverge.com
At Google’s I/O conference, the company again stressed the importance of AI. But it also wants to take things slow and is releasing a new app, AI Test Kitchen, to solicit feedback from select users on its latest AI experiments. #AI
Music festivals are a UX nightmare. Here’s how Snap and Live Nation are fixing them — www.fastcompany.com
Snap’s new lenses debut at the Electric Daisy Carnival, where they’ll provide maps, set lists, and directions to your friends in the crowd.
Breaking down language barriers with augmented reality — www.youtube.com
HT @benedictevans At Google IO, they demoed a concept pair of AR glasses with a heads-up display that can listen to someone talking and show you a text translation in real time. #AR
Google has added 24 new languages to Translate, many using ‘zero shot’ learning, where the model does not need to see an English translation to understand how to make its own.
Immersive view coming soon to Maps
HT @benedictevans Maps gains a fly-over 3D view generated automatically from a combination of street view and satellite images (no more aircraft surveys needed).
Gucci to accept crypto in leap for luxury industry — www.voguebusiness.com
The pilot, which will start in five stores later this month, is a significant step toward Gucci blending its Web3 and physical communities.
Inside the smell-o-verse: Meet the companies trying to bring scent to the metaverse — www.fastcompany.com
Technology
Estimate how many people using your website might be disabled — how-many.herokuapp.com
HT @LauraB7 A great tool to build awareness! #a11y
Google Search may feel like magic, but the engine’s efficacy relies on hourly employees who work for a subcontractor.
Much of search is driven by other human beings. Despite advances in AI, machine learning, and deep learning, “companies can’t rely solely on predictive analytics; that’s why the human element continues to be essential to search.”
A neuroscientist on the shifts in our media use and the effect on our brains— www.fastcompany.com
A psychiatrist and Harvard Medical faculty member on the gradual erosion of human connection to our digital lives. Today’s young adults have media attention spans significantly closer to those of three-year-olds than to those of adults.
The Enduring Afterlife of a Mass Shooting’s Livestream Online: Dozens of recordings of a 2019 massacre in Christchurch, New Zealand, remain online, in a sobering reminder of the internet’s permanence.
MT @cyberslate Persistence is the problem. Not only should citizens have the right to be forgotten to avoid data doubles and data brokers, all citizens should have the freedom to navigate the internet free from extremist content #disinformation
Amazon is testing a service that uses its Flex drivers to deliver packages from mall-based retailers, expanding the variety of goods available for fast shipment
Digital blackmail and endless threats: scammy loan apps soar across India
restofworld.org
Nearly half of the digital lending apps available in India between January and February 2021 were illegal, as per the central bank.
Microsoft hid Bing autofill in the US for politically sensitive Chinese names, affecting Windows search; Microsoft blames a technical error
How private equity gobbled up the US economy — and ruined life for everyone else
(Not a technology story, but super interesting.)
Now non-Tesla EVs can use its Superchargers in the UK, Spain, Sweden, and Austria — www.theverge.com
TikTok continue their push into commerce w a shopping bag icon in livestreams
HT @neilperkin Clicking on the shopping bag icon opens a window where users can browse featured products. They’re also working on a live mobile gaming feature which creators can use to better engage fans.
Meta-owned WhatsApp Offers Pay Button in Brazil, India
HT @neilperkin This will make it easier for customers to buy from businesses through the platform. No small thing given WhatsApp has over 2 billion MAUs
WhatsApp ramps up revenue with global launch of Cloud API and soon, a paid tier for its Business App
HT @neilperkin The API will make it simpler for companies to integrate the service and customize it for communicating with their customers.
Snapchat Reveals Integration With eBay — www.adweek.com
Snapchatters can now share listings from eBay directly via the Snapchat camera on Android and iOS — following an integration between the application and the ecommerce site. They can share listings in Stories, Snaps.
Snapchat is working on Family Center, to let parents see who their teens are friends with and whom they are messaging; teens have the option to not participate
Marriott is introducing a media network with Yahoo that will use the hotel chain’s data on guests to deliver ads to their rooms via apps and TV screens
Marriott will use anonymized data on its guests to help brands target their ads. Walmart, Kroger, DoorDash and others have taken similar tacks, which come amid new privacy efforts. #AdvertisingBiz
Axel Springer and Snap launch global partnership for digital journalism
They will work on new models of reporting and invest in AR news experiences.
Publishing & Media
Under pressure: the authors’ perspective
Publishing’s big burnout is real, and authors have particular challenges to contend with. “We must identify how we are feeling and talk about it, acknowledging that writers at all stages are feeling depleted and disillusioned. We have been through major trauma, and it is ongoing.”
EPUB 3.3 now available for testing/feedback
MT @wendy_a_reid EPUB 3.3 is now a Candidate Recommendation, which means it is time for testing and feedback. #publishing #eprdctn #epub
A thread of articles about ebook accessibility
MT @ePubSecrets In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, a thread of article about ebook accessibility. #GAAD2022 #GAADI #a11y #eprdctn
Low-content books (such as planners and notebooks) no longer require an ISBN in Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing
The ‘Atlantic’ to Launch Book Imprint with Zando — www.publishersweekly.com
Atlantic Editions, a book imprint developed in partnership with independent publisher Zando, will publish its first titles, penned by ‘Atlantic’ writers, in January 2023.
What are editors looking for? — www.penguin.co.uk
A nice series from @PenguinUKBooks #teamPRH
How to pitch your book to an agent — www.penguin.co.uk
From @PenguinUKBooks #teamPRH
What are different book formats good at?
By @hughmcguire, part of a series on “What is a ‘book’ in the digital age?”
Barnes & Noble Being Sued by VA GOP lawmaker
Virginia Republican lawmaker Tim Anderson is suing Barnes and Noble for selling books that promote LGBTQ rights. It is no longer just about banning books in schools — they are now coming for private businesses.
PEN America Index of Educational Gag Orders
I was surprised that NY, NJ, and PA were listed! MT @PENamerica If you live in the United States, it’s likely that your state legislature or school district has either passed an educational gag order or is considering doing so. Check your state in our Index of Educational Gag Orders, updated weekly.
Educational Gag Orders In Your Community: A Tip Sheet for Changing the Conversation
RT @PENamerica Want to do something about educational gag orders? Here’s a handy tip sheet to help change the conversation in your community.
Over 1,300 Children’s and YA Authors Condemn Book Banning
Teens fight book banning with their own banned book clubs
Books to bring us together: Jennifer Egan, Howard Jacobson, Monica Ali and more share their picks
Can books unite us in divided times? Writers appearing at this year’s Hay Festival recommend the best reading to reconnect us.
Candle Media acquires digital publisher ATTN: for $150 million
www.axios.com
The deal gives ATTN: capital and access to Candle’s portfolio companies and creator relationships.
Hearst, known for its legacy media properties, has been buying up business information and B2B data and software companies.
Conde Nast backtracked after notifying a 150-year-old pub in rural England (in a village called Vogue) that its “Vogue” name might “cause problems.”— www.bbc.com
The landlord of the Star Inn at Vogue says he found Condé Nast’s request “hilariously funny”.
The Believer, bought by a marketing company, briefly hosted clickbait content. After a scandal ensued, it is now back with its first publisher, McSweeney’s
Scripps, Google Partner on Broadcast Journalism Initiative to help journalists with print news backgrounds transition into broadcast news careers
Resources & Opportunities
The Women’s Media Group Establishes New Annual Scholarship to Support Women in Media…”named in tribute” to myself and former Co-President Julie Blattberg
I am honored! More to come as we establish this new scholarship. “This new annual award strengthens and expands WMG’s longstanding mission to provide financial aid to women with diverse backgrounds pursuing careers in any aspect of publishing or media. Named in tribute to outgoing leaders Julie Blattberg and Kathy Sandler and intended to honor the commitment of all past presidents, the Presidents Emeritae Award is structured to enable WMG to address a situationally specific need or current priorities of our membership.” @JulieBlattberg @WMG_NYC
MT @bluestockings Save the Date! The Lower East Side Book Crawl is back in time for Pride! Saturday, June 11th, with new stores to explore and new treats to pick up. See you then!
Read & Vote
MT @OneWorldLit We at One World are excited to introduce #ReadAndVote! Every Friday until midterm elections, we’ll be providing you with a curated selection of books to help inform your decisions, as well as voting resources so you can take action! #teamPRH
Free at-home COVID-19 tests mailed to you
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 8 free at-home tests.
Free COVID rapid test kits in NYC to pick up
MT @nycshotslots Many NYC libraries and museums are giving out FREE rapid test kits. No forms, no lines, and you don’t need insurance.