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☆ The rise and fall of Skype
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-02 | by ( Jordan Novet | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The voice, video and messaging app became a hit in the 2000s by letting people talk with friends and family members without paying long-distance fees. Microsoft has promoted Skype in Outlook and Windows and even enriched the app with its Bing generative artificial intelligence chatbot. In March 2020, Microsoft said Skype had 40 million daily active users, a number that's since slipped to 36 million, according to a spokesperson. "Skype will remain a great option for people who love it and want to connect via messaging, audio and video calling, and Bing Chat," a Microsoft spokesperson wrote in an email. Watch CNBC's digital video above to learn more about the growth and struggles of 20-year-old Skype.

Persons: Jim Gaynor, Jaan Tallinn, it's, It's, Bing Organizations: Skype, eBay, Silver Lake, Microsoft, CNBC

☆ Sriracha sauce is selling for as much as $120 amid prolonged shortage
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —The prolonged shortage of a certain red sauce is making the black market go wild. Prices of Sriracha sauce are as high as $70 on eBay as people look to snap up the spicy sauce. Huy Fong Foods, which makes the rooster-adorned bottled sauce, has been dealing with a years-long shortage of the chilis, which is hurting production and causing some shortages. At this time, we have no estimations of when supply will increase,” a Huy Fong spokesperson said. There’s been a shortage for the past three years, as Huy Fong has said that its chili peppers have consistently been in short supply.

Persons: Huy Fong, it’s, There’s, Fong’s, David Tran Organizations: New, New York CNN, eBay, Huy Fong Foods, CNN, Target, Foods Locations: New York, Huy

☆ Amazon warns sellers who haven't completed its error-prone verification process they only have a few days before they stop getting paid
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Some sellers face issues when trying to complete Amazon's verification process. The company recently told third-party sellers on its marketplace that they have only a few days to complete an identity verification process before the e-commerce giant stops paying them. Some Amazon merchants have been scrambling to complete the process, which has been plagued with errors. Other brands were acquired in recent years and had to hunt down the original owners of the Amazon account. He said that about 40% of Seller Interactive's roughly 500 partner brands faced issues at some point during the INFORM verification process.

Persons: Shlomo Greenblatt, Albert Scott Ecommerce, Greenblatt, Mohamed Aden, We've, Juozas Kaziukėnas, hasn't, It's Organizations: Amazon, eBay, Albert Scott Ecommerce Management, Interactive Locations: Aden

☆ The Inform Act takes effect today — here's how it aims to target organized retail theft
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Gabrielle Fonrouge | In Gabrielle-Fonrouge | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The Inform Consumers Act, a new law that aims to curb organized retail theft and the sale of counterfeit and harmful products on online platforms, takes effect Tuesday as more retailers blame theft as a reason for lower profits. They claim organized crime groups steal merchandise from stores and then resell it on online marketplaces, typically at a lower amount than the sticker price. Many experts say organized retail theft has grown alongside the rise of online shopping, which boomed during the Covid pandemic and became the primary way consumers shopped. In the first quarter of 2023, e-commerce in the U.S. accounted for 15.1% of total retail sales, and reached $272.6 billion, a 7.8% jump from the year-ago period. "Under INFORM, online marketplaces can no longer turn a blind eye to criminal actors using their platforms to sell stolen and counterfeit goods.

Persons: Jan Schakowsky, Gus Bilirakis, They've, it's, Lisa LaBruno Organizations: eBay, Reps, Federal Trade Commission, Retail Industry, Association, CNBC, FTC Locations: U.S

Genius, formerly known as Rap Genius, maintains a vast database of song lyrics. "We license lyrics on Google Search from third parties, and we do not crawl or scrape websites to source lyrics," Castaneda added. The Genius lawsuit stated that one of the first Google posts it suspected as copying involved the lyrics for the song "Panda" by the rapper Desiigner. "I got broads in Atlanta," part of the song's lyrics read. Genius said in its appeal to the Supreme Court that the 2nd Circuit's ruling would give "behemoths like Google" a free pass to "vacuum up content and increase their internet dominance."

Persons: Alphabet's, Genius, Jose Castaneda, " Castaneda, Hittin, bando, Kendrick Lamar, Selena Gomez, Alessia Cara, Joe Biden's, Blake Brittain, Will Dunham Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S, Supreme, Alphabet's Google, Google, eBay, Genius, The, Circuit, Thomson Locations: New York, Atlanta, The New York, Washington

☆ Living in a Barbie World, Through the Decades
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( Mathew Brownstein | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The article, which was published this past week, documents the ways in which Barbie’s Dreamhouses reflect the social, cultural and economic evolution of modern American life. By 1974, when the Equal Credit Opportunity Act was passed, banning credit discrimination, Barbie’s Dreamhouse got a glamorous upgrade to three stories. Ms. Kodé wrote about this rich history, using Barbie’s Dreamhouses to mark different historical moments. But they also practiced moving and photographing Barbie using the stop-motion technique. Some Dreamhouses took over an hour to set up; the longest shoot required moving Barbie 137 times.

Persons: Barbie’s Dreamhouse, Kodé, Tony Cenicola, Michael Kolomatsky, Gabriel Gianordoli, Barbie, Dreamhouses, Cenicola Organizations: Mattel, Times, Digital News Design, eBay, Calif Locations: Barbie’s, El Segundo, New York

☆ How a WWII diary led to an unlikely friendship spanning decades and continents
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Maggie Hiufu Wong | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Hong Kong CNN —David Bellis first visited Hong Kong as a tourist in 1989. She spent more than three years in an internment camp in Stanley, now a tourist-friendly seaside area of Hong Kong. But little did she know, her wartime diary would lead to an unlikely friendship with another Hong Kong resident – Bellis. An avid history lover, Bellis collects old Hong Kong photos and shares his discoveries on his Gwulo website. But in her 90s, you know, she was still teaching us about old Hong Kong and she had (another) book published.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — David Bellis, “, ”, he’s, Barbara Anslow, Anslow, Kerry Maddison, Maureen Rossi, Anslow’s, Stanley internee, –, – Bellis, David Bellis, Bellis, Grace, loh, ” Bellis, Ross, “ I’d, Stanley, Barbara, Hong, ‘, she’d, ’ ”, David, Rossi, “ David, mum’s, “ We’d, ‘ David, there’s, ’, Gwulo Bellis, Maddison, Noemi Cassanelli Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, CNN, Naval, CNN Travel, Yahoo, “, Hong, Blacksmith, The Young Colonials, eBay Locations: Hong Kong, Australia, Wales, Sydney, England, British, Stanley, United Kingdom, Bellis, Anslow, Asia, Buckingham

☆ Google is using AI to change how you shop
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Samantha Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The company on Wednesday announced a new virtual try-on feature that uses generative AI, the same technology underpinning a new crop of chatbots and image creation tools, to show clothes on a wide selection of body types. Google is also launching a feature that helps users find similar clothing pieces in different colors, patterns or styles, from merchants across the web, using a visual matching algorithm powered by AI. Google's new virtual try-on feature uses generative AI to show clothes on a wide selection of body types. Google isn’t the only e-commerce company blending generative AI into the shopping experience. And eBay recently rolled out an AI tool to help sellers generate product listing descriptions.

Persons: Bard Organizations: CNN, Google, Wednesday, XL, eBay

☆ 10 Things in Tech: Twitter 2.0, how to create with AI, and Reddit employees' swag warning
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Twitter's new CEO, Linda Yaccarino, is looking to turn the site into an accurate, real-time source of information — Twitter 2.0. For Insider's most fascinating stories of the day, delivered right to your inbox, sign up for Insider Today. Twitter logo and Linda Yaccarino. Linda Yaccarino wants to turn the platform into a place where you can find accurate, timely information on hot topics with minimum effort. Reddit CEO Steve Huffman has told staff to avoid wearing branded gear amidst a mass revolt by the platform's users.

Persons: Nathan Rennolds, Linda Yaccarino, Tayfun, Isaac Brekken, —, Yaccarino, Nat Friedman, Rich, it's, Steve Huffman, Tesla, TikTok, Bernstein, Tim Levin, Hallam Bullock Organizations: Twitter, Insider, Anadolu Agency, Getty Images, Penske Media, Getty, Bloomberg, Nvidia, eBay, Ford, GM, Google, Toyota bZ4X AWD, Toyota, Washington DC, Everest Locations: London, New York, Washington, Everest's

☆ Amazon is trying to make it simpler to sift through thousands of user reviews
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The effort, first reported by CNBC, marks Amazon’s latest attempt to incorporate generative AI into its services and has the potential to help customers quickly determine the pros and cons of various products. “Given that generative AI is based on probability, mistakes are possible … and summaries may not be an accurate reflection of customer reviews,” said Reece Hayden, a senior analyst at market research firm ABI Research. “These reviews will be treated equally and therefore the summary may reflect fake, non-customer reviews,” Hayden said. Amazon isn’t the only e-commerce company blending generative AI into the shopping experience. Some companies such as Shopify and Instacart are using the technology to help inform customers’ shopping decisions.

Persons: ”, Reece Hayden, ” Hayden, Andy Jassy, Dave Limp Organizations: CNN, CNBC, ABI Research, eBay

☆ To Truly Understand the Past, Pick Up an Old Magazine
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Brian Dillon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

And not a single mention yet of AIDS; in a Wrangler ad, a model’s speech bubble announces, oblivious: “I’m Positive.” In these magazine pages, it both is and is not the 1984 of my memory. “Priceless flotsam they seemed to us then,” Elizabeth Hardwick once wrote, recalling her youthful fascination with old jazz records. I’ve long felt the same way about magazines, old and new. Old magazines are cheap time machines, archaeologies of collective desire. Find a print issue, specialist or popular, preferably more than 20 years old (though 10 may do the trick), and read it from cover to cover.

Persons: Kate Bush, won’t, ” It’s, Roland, ” Elizabeth Hardwick, Joan Didion, ”, Hardwick, Alberto Giacometti, Gordon Parks, William Klein Organizations: Vogue Locations: London, New York, Dublin, ., Mexico City

☆ Meet 19 executives guiding eBay's online marketplace toward AI, ads, and authentication
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The company is focusing on specific product categories and leaning into AI and authentication. The e-commerce marketplace, founded in 1995, recently grew quarterly revenues more than expected despite economic uncertainty and a challenging consumer environment. eBay has recently launched multiple product authenticity programs to promote trust in the platform and drive engagement in these categories. It's leaning into AI, building proprietary technology meant to improve eBay's visual search results and empower sellers to use generative AI in their product listings. From executives piloting eBay's AI initiatives to others connecting with sellers around the world, here are the 19 power players driving the company's next phase of growth.

Persons: GMV Organizations: eBay

Livestream shopping started on social media in China, and according to Coresight Research, has grown into a $512 billion market. The secret to his success, he told CNBC, has been diving into the world of livestream shopping. However, CEO Deborah Weinswig told CNBC the firm has since revised that projection. The firm also estimates livestream shopping will account for more than 5% of total e-commerce sales in the U.S. by 2026. Influencer Danielle Santana hosts live shopping shows on Amazon , selling products from other businesses — everything from cheese graters to make-up sponges.

Persons: I've, Velez, TikTok, Anthony Velez, Deborah Weinswig, didn't, Weinswig, CNBC they're, Eddie Garcia, we're, Garcia, he's, Influencer Danielle Santana, Santana, Coresight's, livestreaming, it's Organizations: eBay, U.S, Research, CNBC, Poshmark, Amazon, Facebook, Meta Locations: China, New York City, U.S

☆ US companies face less pressure for climate and social reforms
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Ross Kerber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Jeenah MoonJune 9 (Reuters) - Shareholder support for proxy resolutions on topics including climate change and workforce diversity dropped significantly this spring, analysts said, as tough proposals from activists met with growing political pressure on fund firms' voting. Support for resolutions on social issues fell to 20% this year so far, from 26% in 2022 and 33% in 2021, Georgeson said. He declined to discuss specific companies, but his description fit results like at major U.S. banks that defeated calls to wind down financing for major fossil fuel projects. "These dynamics have led to an overall decline in investor support for environment and social shareholder proposals," Colton said. Both have previously said they vote on a case-by-case basis and noted an increasing number of proposals affect support rates.

Persons: Russell, Georgeson, Kilian Moote, ESG, Sow, Andrew Behar, Ford, Behar, Benjamin Colton, Colton, Scott Shepard, Ross Kerber, Sabrina Valle, Lincoln Organizations: New, REUTERS, Ford, eBay, Exxon, Street Global Advisors, BlackRock, Vanguard, Center for Public Policy Research, IBM, National Center, Thomson Locations: New York City, Manhattan, Weehawken , New Jersey, U.S, China, Houston

☆ I'm an ex-Amazon senior leader. Here's why layoffs keep happening and why ambitious managers are fueling them.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Brandon Southern | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

He explains that companies say they want efficient teams but don't reward those who create them. Southern also says that managers add headcount when seeking a promotion and bloat the company. By hiring more team members, the manager's scope would naturally increase which increased the odds of being promoted. And efficient teams aren't actually helping them get there. This is why so many leaders first look to add more headcount instead of first looking to make the organization more efficient.

Persons: Brandon Southern, —, I've, they're, it's Organizations: eBay, GameStop, Service, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Gamestop, VMware Locations: Southern, bloating

One is about the possibility that we’re going to have this super intelligent AI that’s capable of great destruction. casey newtonI think that’s right. But it’s just like — I don’t think — I don’t think about to do these things in the moment like Dan. I don’t think that there’s an ethical issue with doing what he wants to do. And yeah, I just think it’s going into an area that’s going to be uncomfortable for the friend.

Persons: kevin roose, casey newton, we’re, ” casey newton I’ve, kevin roose It’s, Kevin Roose, ” casey newton, Casey Newton, clowned, New York Times ’, Kate Conger, Casey, Ajeya Cotra, kevin roose Totally, Sam Altman, Demis Hassabis, Dario Amodei, Elon Musk, Steve Wozniak, They’re, Kevin, Dan Hendricks who’s, “, “ I’m, don’t, you’re, I’m, — casey newton, it’s, ChatGPT, casey newton I’m, I’ve, Martinez, Varghese, kevin roose Tyler, —, Steven A, Schwartz, ”, they’re, it’ll, there’s, Mr, Bean, We’ve, James Vincent, It’s, Jensen Huang, Harry Potter, Harry Potter of, kevin roose —, casey newton Parallelelizable, Parallelizable, — casey newton Let’s, that’s, who’s, NVIDIA —, casey newton Well, doesn’t, katie cogner, Kate Conger who’s, katie cogner Hi, katie cogner I’m, Dan, what’s, Getty, casey newton Kate, let’s, John, Here’s John, john, kevin roose That’s, Kate, he’s, He’s, he’ll, casey newton That’s, There’s, we’ve, “ I’ve, ” Kate, cogner, Prince Harry, katie cogner Doesn’t, Harry, casey newton We’re, We’re, kevin roose Kate, they’ve, Joni Mitchell, Chris Vecchio, Chris, kevin roose I’m, You’d, casey newton “, you’ll, casey newton Oh, ” kevin roose Organizations: The New York Times, NVIDIA, New York Times, Safety, Google, AI, ChatGPT, Avianca Airlines, Delta Airlines, China Southern Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Royal Dutch Airlines, “, Bar Association, Texas, M University Commerce, Apple, Microsoft, Netflix, Harry Potter of Kentucky Christian, Facebook, eBay, “ New York Times, Boston, Garden, MetLife, TED, AIs Locations: British, Avianca, Durden, ChatGPT, Taiwan, Kentucky, Hogwarts, Harry Potter of Kentucky, California, Madison, —

☆ What are retail shrink and organized retail theft, and why do companies keep talking about them?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Gabrielle Fonrouge | In Gabrielle-Fonrouge | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

watch nowFor several years, the terms shrink, retail crime and organized retail theft have echoed from the mouths of politicians, police officers, trade groups and the country's most prominent retail executives. And how does it differ from retail crime and organized retail theft? The companies polled for the survey estimated that retail theft accounted for 37% of those losses, employee or internal theft 28.5% and process and control failures 25.7%. The NRF defines organized retail theft as the "large-scale theft of retail merchandise with the intent to resell the items for financial gain." The line between organized retail theft and shoplifting can be murky, but they are distinctly different.

Persons: Lindsey Nicholson, It's, Lisa LaBruno, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, Barry Williams, John Willis, Willis, let's, Willie Carswell, he's, He's, Carswell, Tim Boyle Organizations: Trade, CNBC, Universal, Getty, National Retail Federation, Security Investigations, Retail Industry, Association, Manhattan DA, New York Daily, Homeland Security Investigations, eBay Locations: Queens , New York, New York, Manhattan , New York, New, Charlotte, Niles , Illinois

☆ Nike is shuffling executives and searching for its next 'breakthrough innovation' as unwanted Air Maxes and Air Jordans pile up
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-26 | by ( Matthew Kish | Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Once-coveted Air Jordans and Air Maxes are now sitting on shelves, with some retro Jordans selling below retail on the secondary market. "Air Max is Becoming Air Min," reads the headline of a report this week from Williams Trading analyst Sam Poser, who downgraded Nike's stock to sell. While numerous analysts remain bullish on Nike, Poser is among those who say Nike needs to ramp up innovation. At its 2017 investor day, Nike announced the Air Max 270. "Nike has lost many senior people throughout the entire company with, now necessary, historical institutional knowledge of Nike," Poser wrote.

☆ More taxpayers will receive tax forms from apps such as Venmo, PayPal for 2023. Here's how to avoid tax issues
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-23 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

As a result of the change, more taxpayers are likely to receive Form 1099-K, which reports third-party business payments to the IRS. Some lawmakers are pushing to increase the reporting threshold, so it could change further. However, regardless of the tax reporting threshold, it's important to remember P2P business payments have always been taxable, experts say. Here are some additional tips to consider before the reporting change in January. An accounting system may also make it easier to track business expenses, which may be deducted to reduce taxable income, Guarino said.

Persons: Tommy Lucas, Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo, Lucas, It's, Jim Guarino, Baker Newman Noyes, Guarino, Adam Markowitz, I've, Markowitz Organizations: Getty, Taxpayers, PayPal, eBay, IRS Locations: Orlando , Florida, Woburn , Massachusetts, Windermere , Florida

☆ A Lego Crime, a YouTube Rivalry, and the End of a Star Wars Friendship
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( David Kushner | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +30 min

Those who are into Lego Star Wars are among the most popular. It was at an informal contest where Louis met Victor, a fellow Lego Star Wars fanatic. Soon they ranked among the most popular Lego Star Wars YouTubers in France, known for the size and scope of their MOCs. The two friends no longer fit with that satisfying click that comes from snapping together two Lego bricks. Though it must have taken a truck to haul away all of Louis' Lego, no neighbor reported seeing anything suspicious.

☆ Opinion | The Tyranny of ‘The Best’
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Rachel Connolly | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

“I think the really important thing to me — which is probably not a healthy thing — is I want to make sure the people I’m with have the best time possible,” Dan told me. Some version of the “hottest new restaurants of the year” could be found in local newspapers and magazines for decades — not to mention the best dentists, doctors, schools. Listicles proliferated as a kind of content that was easy to produce, easy to attract attention to, easy to sell ads against. The best easy-to-assemble tents, the 30 softest midrange nightgowns, the 17 smoothest razors under $50, the top seven waterproof briefcases. There are best-of lists of less concrete things, too: the 100 best novelists of the past 100 years; rich lists; the 30 under 30.

☆ How an eBay side hustle became a multi-million dollar business
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHow an eBay side hustle became a multi-million dollar businessHosted by Brian Sullivan, “Last Call” is a fast-paced, entertaining business show that explores the intersection of money, culture and policy. Tune in Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. ET on CNBC. Tori Gerbig, Pink Lily founder, joins the show to discuss her eBay side hustle.

☆ How TikTok sensation Squishmallows found Warren Buffett
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

May 13 (Reuters) - Squishmallows joined Warren Buffett's business empire two years after Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian and others helped make the plush stuffed toys a viral sensation on TikTok. They married in 1993 and embarked on law careers, but Judd Zebersky soon realized that wasn't his destiny. Laura Zebersky, a litigator, sold her practice in 2005 and joined him, becoming Jazwares' president. "This was a brand that needed a lot of love," Judd Zebersky said. "Greg is exactly what we have all learned about the Berkshire model," Laura Zebersky said.

☆ 3 Hilton credit cards are offering whopper welcome bonuses of up to 150,000 points plus a free night at nearly any Hilton hotel (even the fanciest resorts)
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Joseph Hostetler | Jasmin Baron | Sarah Silbert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +31 min

The Hilton Honors American Express Card, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card , and The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card are offering a higher number of points than usual, plus a Hilton free night award certificate valid at just about any Hilton hotel (worth as much as 150,000 points). Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. Those bonus points worth $650 in travel, based on Insider's valuation of Hilton points as worth 0.5 cents each. Details Rewards Earn 12x Hilton Honors Points at Hilton per dollar for purchases made directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio. The best Hilton card for you depends on your spending habits and how often you stay with Hilton.

☆ The Companies Trying to Make Live Shopping a Thing in the U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Jordyn Holman | Kalley Huang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

But American consumers have yet to take to live shopping in the same way. In 2016, the e-commerce giant Alibaba launched Taobao Live, popularizing live shopping in China. Alongside Poshmark, QVC’s parent company Qurate recently started Sune, a live shopping app targeting Gen Z. Last year, Walmart, YouTube and eBay added or expanded their live shopping features. “In a very few short months, they’re proving that this form of live shopping works,” he added, referring to Posh Shows sellers like Ms. Lazovic.

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