What does a fancy toothbrush tell me about myself?

Last month, I finally caved. After weeks of seeing the same ad in my Instagram feed over and over again, I did something I thought I would never do: I bought something directly from the app. It was a pair of women’s flats from Rothys, a brand that marketed its comfortable, machine-washable shoes as made from recycled plastic water bottles.

And I’ll admit, after doing it, I felt a little dirty. Not only did I fall for an ad, it was an ad that clearly pushed all of my buttons as an environmentally conscious woman who happens to like pretty shoes. It was clear that the ad was specifically targeted at me, and it worked. I started thinking: What do all of these ads say about who Instagram (or Facebook, etc.) think I am? But perhaps, more important, do these ads reflect who I really am (or at least, who I think I am)?

Of course, targeted advertising isn’t new. Google has been doing it for years. It tailors ads depending on your search results as well as what’s in your Gmail inbox. Facebook does much of the same, and because it has hooks deep in the internet, your NewsFeed is likely peppered with ads from sites you’ve already visited. If you casually browsed for curtains on Overstock.com or a chair on West Elm, you’ll likely see those same items pop up on Facebook the next time you log in.

What’s more recent, however, are the ads that aren’t a result of a search but are based on your interests. Facebook and Instagram have said that they figure out which ads to show you based not just on cookies and browser history, but also on your likes, dislikes and the topics you’re passionate about.

“To decide what ads to show you, we use information about your activity on Facebook, including the information you share, the pages you like, the groups you join and information from your use of apps and websites off Facebook,” an Instagram spokesperson told Engadget.

If you’re on Instagram but not on Facebook, Instagram will take into consideration the kinds of Instagram accounts you follow, the type of content you “like” and your activity on other websites and services. Over time, Instagram wants the ads to essentially blend together with the other content in your feed.

This targeted approach has been extremely lucrative. At last count, Facebook has more than 5 million advertisers, while Instagram has more than a million. For a company that makes most of its money through ads, that’s a really good thing. What’s more, 60 percent of Instagram users report that they learn about a product or a service on Instagram before anywhere else. This is because Instagram is an especially attractive place for small businesses to advertise — after all, it’s highly targeted, which usually results in higher returns for strapped startups’ dollars.

Over the past month, I took more notice of the ads I saw on Instagram. I found that they seem to be mostly related to fashion and home decor. The brands I see most often are Dagne Dover (handbags), MM La Fleur (a personal-stylist service), Brooklinen (bedding), Lively (undergarments), Allbirds (wool running shoes), Quip (a stylish electric toothbrush) and Glossier (cosmetics). I also got ads from more well-known brands like Sonos and Soylent.

I can see why I’m getting these sorts of ads. I do tend to shop for clothes and decor items online. Indeed, I’ll fully admit here that not only did I buy the Rothys shoes, I was also swayed enough by the Dagne Dover ad to click on over to the site. Why, I do need a roomy bag that holds all my essentials! It holds a laptop, a water bottle and there’s four extra pockets in it? Sold! Though I didn’t buy it directly through the app, I eventually did purchase a bag.

The other brands, though, didn’t move the needle for me as much. I already have Brooklinen bed sheets (prompted more by a Sweethome review rather than an ad), and while the Lively undies, the Glossier lip gloss and the Allbirds shoes looked intriguing, I’m not really in the market for them right now. MM La Fleur is a little outside my comfort zone too — even though I like the idea of a personal stylist, this one seemed geared toward business professionals, of which I certainly am not.

As for Quip, well, it’s one of those products that strike me as a little silly. I don’t need my toothbrush to look stylish — I just need it to clean my teeth. Sure, Quip also offers a subscription service for replacement heads, but I could easily get a pack of eight replacement Oral-B heads from Costco for a fraction of the price.

“Being able to be the first oral-care brand to sell and engage through social media was a must for us,” said Shane Pittson, a growth marketer for Quip. “Initially we focused on some demographics that matched up with early adopters. […] Early success was found in acquiring customers that were buying similar products (shaving subscription services, sample boxes etc.)” Now, Pittson says, the company tends to be broader in its targeting — after all, he joked, most everyone has teeth.

When I asked friends and colleagues if they saw the same ads on their own social feeds, I received a mixed response. Some of the brands sounded familiar — Quip and Sonos were certainly known — but the rest were more hit or miss. Others saw only sporting equipment and gadgets, while some saw mostly food-related brands.

What stood out to me were that the majority of advertising seemed to be from smaller businesses and startups that I wouldn’t have heard of otherwise. One odd Instagram-advertised product that seems to have gone viral is the Lamzac, a blow-up lounge chair that you “inflate” by just swinging it through the air.

Other curious products my friends have seen on Instagram include Pixel Thug Life sunglasses from Phonebibi, a glow-in-the-dark solar-charged jacket from Vollebak and a Couch guitar strap with cats on it. A colleague joked to me that Instagram ads were a little bit like the modern-day Skymall, and I can’t help but agree.

Based on the brands that were targeted at me, I started to wonder if Instagram and Facebook had pegged me as some sort of fashion-conscious hipster with a penchant for industrial design. And, well, it’s true that I like pretty things. But if you know me, you also know that I’m in T-shirts and jeans most of the time, I almost never wear makeup and most of the furniture in my home is from IKEA. In short, the ads I see seem to reflect an aspirational me, rather than the real me.

Of course, because the ads are based on my interests and where I tend to shop online rather than who I am in real life, that’s not entirely surprising. But this might change in the future. Right now, some big brands like Coca-Cola, Nike, McDonald’s and Under Armour are trying out targeted ads that are not just based on your likes and dislikes, but also on the photos you upload to your Instagram page.

They’re doing this with the help of Cluep, a Toronto-based company that uses machine-learning and image-recognition to target ads based on the images users post on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. So if you post a photo of a pair of sneakers, you might then see an ad for Nike.

Cluep is even working on extending this image recognition capability to videos, so that clip of your cute kitty could then result in a targeted ad for Fancy Feast. As Facebook has been working on an image-recognition tech of its own, it won’t be surprising if it eventually incorporates that same tech to its advertising algorithm too.

A brief look at my Instagram page reveals that I tend to take photos mostly of, well, food. Perhaps instead of designer toothbrushes and bespoke handbags, the ads I see on Instagram will be for organic meats and artisanal bread. That’s still just a narrow depiction of who I am, but it’s admittedly a lot closer to who I really am. The life that Instagram has dreamt up for me might sound fun and glamorous, but I’m pretty good without an inflatable bean bag, thank you very much.

AT&T offers new DirecTV Now customers a free Apple TV, again

AT&T’s offered plenty of goodies to entice customers into subscribing to DirecTV Now in the past. But, if a year’s worth of HBO or a free Roku box wasn’t enough to lure you in, maybe you’ll take a liking to the carrier’s latest deal. As of Wednesday, new customers who purchase the streaming service will get an Apple TV set-top box, completely free of charge. Those of you with a good memory (and a fondness for freebies) will recall the offer, which came bundled with DirectTV Now upon its launch last year.

As in the past, the deal is only available to customers willing to pre-pay for three months of service. However, this time round there’s a catch: The offer is not available online, or via the DirecTV Now app. Instead, the best bet for those of you who don’t like exercise is to grab it by calling the carrier. Or, you can trek to an AT&T retail store.

The cheapest DirecTV Now package will set you back $35 per month (for that you get more than 60 live and on-demand channels). Multiply that by three (for the pre-pay), and your grand total comes to $105. Therefore, even if you decide to cancel, you’ll still save $44 on the price of an Apple TV (which costs $149).

There’s not much else of note in the small print, but you can take a gander at the full details on AT&T’s website. If you’re still on the fence about the streaming service, you should know that it’s about to get a major revamp. New features in the pipeline include cloud DVR and an overhauled interface. It’s also adding more channels to its growing line-up, including CBS, Showtime, and The CW.

Source: AT&T (Forums)

Self-healing polymers make for tougher soft robots

Robotic teams around the world are working on soft robots, because some situations call for a touch gentler than what a rigid machine can give. They can squish into tight locations for search-and-rescue missions, for instance, and pick up fragile objects without breaking or damaging them. Unfortunately, they’re also more prone to damage, especially if they’re bound to come across sharp edges in their environments. To solve that problem, a team of researchers from Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium have developed a way to create soft machines that can heal themselves — all you have to do is add heat.

The researchers proved that their method works by making a gripper, a robotic hand and an artificial muscle with self-healing properties. In the video above, you can see a robotic hand repair itself after being stabbed. That’s made possible by the material the team used to make the robot: jelly-like rubbery polymers with lots of strands that reorganize and lock together when heat is present.

This self-healing property could lead to soft robots’ deployment in factories to handle fruits and other delicate items, as well as to their use for actual search-and-rescue missions. The team’s current model still requires someone else to apply heat to a robot’s wounds, though. To create truly low-maintenance soft machines, the researchers are now finding a way to automatically trigger their self-healing mechanism. They could either tweak the polymers so that they can repair themselves with no external input or find a way for robots to apply heat to their own damaged components.

Via: New Scientist

Source: Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Science Robotics

LG V30 leak shows a refined, almost bezel-free phone

We already knew that LG’s incoming V30 smartphone would have one of the best cameras on the market, face and voice unlocking, a 6-inch, 18:9 OLED screen and high-end specs. Now we can see the exact design, thanks to a new image from leaking champ Evan Blass. The phone looks frankly quite handsome, with a near-bezel-free front like the Galaxy S8. Unlike that model, though, it has better rear layout, placing the fingerprint sensor below, not beside the camera. The camera is also better integrated, rather than sticking out like a lump as it does on the V20.

The V30, like its V20 and V10 siblings, will have better camera performance, too. LG has already bragged about the f/1.6 aperture, the lowest available on a smartphone, and the glass, rather than plastic lens. Together, those features will allow better low-light performance and reduce edge distortion, LG says. Past V-models have featured strong audio recording and playback, so we’d expect that to remain on the V30.

It will likely have a high-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chip, but LG seems to have sacrificed the removable backplate and battery on the V20. As expected, it has also done away with the gimmicky second screen at the top. Overall, LG has taken everything we liked about the last two models, improved them, and then wrapped them in an elegant, understated body that finally doesn’t scream “awkward.”

LG V30

[tipping for good service is always appreciated: https://t.co/NwZ9Q1RB0N%5D pic.twitter.com/NxAuLgrpE5

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) August 16, 2017

Source: Evleaks

Twitter livestream will chase the eclipse across the US

Twitter is teaming up with The Weather Channel to live-stream the eclipse. But, this isn’t just any live video feed, oh no. After all, Twitter’s competing for your attention with the likes of CNN and NASA (both of which will have their cameras trained on the sun for your viewing pleasure). Ditching a static transmission, the livestream will track the solar eclipse across the US. The Weather Channel’s sun chasers will make pit stops in 10 locations, including Stanley, Idaho; Hopkinsville, Kentucky; McMinnville, Oregon; and Nashville, Tennessee, among others.

Twitter users are accustomed to drowning themselves in a torrent of real-time info. Nowadays, that info also comes with a side-helping of video. So, it’s only natural that its eclipse coverage will include a wealth of live multimedia updates. In fact, the platform’s take on the once-in-a-lifetime event sounds more like a Twitter party (GIFs optional). The stream will incorporate hyperlocal footage, drone video, live updates from watch groups, game shows, and a Red Bull Cliff Diving showdown. And, no Twitter stream would be complete without your tweets, which will randomly pop up throughout the proceedings. The interactive livestream kicks off at noon (ET) on August 21.

Whereas nothing beats the real thing, there are some benefits to watching from home. You don’t have to worry about buying (the right) type of protective glasses, for one. And, for those unfortunate souls who don’t live close enough to the path of totality, there may not be an alternative. The same goes for people outside the US. If that includes you, just kick back and watch it all unfold online. Oh, and tweet, if you must.

Source: The Weather Channel

Google tests a version of its Search app for data-lacking locales

Google is testing a lite version of its search app in Indonesia, according to reports from Android Police. The company placed ads on Facebook in the country inviting users to try out the app, which is being called “Search (Test App)” for now. This app and others like it are aimed at users with poor internet connections or limited data and typically take up less space on phones and use less RAM when running.

This pilot app works when connections are sluggish and uses less data. It also has features that work offline. Along with Google search capabilities, it also has icons that easily get you to things like news, weather and a translation page and you can personalize those icons so the page only shows features you’re interested in.

Other lite apps that have been released included versions from Twitter, YouTube and Facebook, all of which are geared towards emerging markets. But as we know, the US has some pretty serious gaps in internet coverage and these sorts of apps could be very welcome in certain regions. However, for now, Search lite is only being tested in Indonesia.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: Android Police

‘Collegiate Rocket League’ is invading campuses this fall

The world of competitive gaming has broken out of livestreams and plugged itself into network television. These days, eSports sit alongside traditional sports and popular TV shows on networks ranging from ESPN to TBS. To ensure this industry continues to flourish, developers (such as Riot Games, and Blizzard) are supporting grassroots college eSports groups. And, so too is Psyonix, the company behind the modern multiplayer classic Rocket League. In partnership with college gaming network TeSPA, the developer is putting its weight behind a new competitive college league.

“Collegiate Rocket League” (CRL) will see students battle it out in a 3v3 tournament for a share of $50,000 in scholarships. The qualifiers in September will decide the eight teams from each regional conference (Northern, Eastern, Southern and Western) that will make it to the playoffs. From there, the top two teams from each conference will advance to the national championship in December. One team will then be crowned the CRL champions.

Broadcasts will begin during the group stage, and will continue through to the final rounds. Of course, the competition will be fierce. But, even if you don’t qualify, your team will still have the chance to carry on gaming with other also-rans. This part of the CRL, known as the Open Ladder competition, will even give one team the chance to gain entry into the main tournament as a wildcard. After all, who doesn’t want to be the dark horse, right?

The TeSPA and Psyonix websites have all the details for interested parties. Keep in mind, you have until September 22 to register for the first qualifier, and September 29 for the second. Better start practising those shooting skills right away, then.

This Infiniti EV defies all logic, but you will want it anyway

We rarely buy cars based on logic, it’s usually about the emotional reaction to a vehicle. How it looks, how it drives and the way it makes you feel when you’re seen behind the wheel often seals the deal. Sometimes, though, cars are thrust upon us. Your first car might be a hand-me-down or maybe financial issues limit your choice. Even if you end up with a vehicle that’s more bondo than burnished metal, we often still form an emotional connection with our wagon. Our most memorable cars (be they low-cost commuters or high-end supercars), make you feel something.

The Infiniti Prototype 9 is the embodiment of feeling. A magnificent vehicle that takes design cues from the 1940s and creates a piece of art that exudes adventure. The car started off as a request to look into Infiniti’s (and parent company Nissan’s) past and find something that links it to today’s world.

Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti senior vice president of global design looked back further than expected, to the grand prix races in 1940s Japan. “As soon as that hit, it kind of dominoed,” he said. What started as a sketch turned into foam mock-ups before passing through Nissan’s research center in Oppama — all built in seclusion. The automaker’s advanced engineering team also got in on the action, making it an electric vehicle. Employees from various departments all came together to work after hours to make the metal EV-racer a reality.

Typically when you see the early photos of a new car or concept vehicle it’s expected that it won’t look quite as good in reality. But when I saw the Prototype 9 on an abandoned runway in Alameda, California, I was taken aback by just how stunning it was in real life. I actually joked that I would trade a kidney for the car. I might have been half serious.

While I was there, the car was driven rather gingerly up and down the runway. The Prototype 9’s silent drivetrain a stark contrast to the roar of the vehicles it’s based on. Infiniti says the steel-framed car, wrapped in hammered steel panels, is capable of doing 105.6 miles per hour and will get from zero to 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph) in 5.5 seconds.

Neither of those benchmarks were shown off in Alameda and, frankly, those numbers only matter if Infiniti decides it’ll use the Prototype 9 as the basis for a new EV — and hopefully it’ll do just that. The Prototype 9 has been well received, so there’s a chance something like it will appear in showrooms in a few years. Electric cars need a new roadster, after all, the Tesla is getting long in the tooth and Elon Musk’s company now has its hands full with all those Model 3s it needs to build.

Infiniti’s current lineup lacks a convertible and its future (like the future of most automakers) is filled with SUVs and crossovers. People want big cars. They want to know that their raised station wagon could handle some off-roading should the opportunity ever present itself. But there’s still a market for a car without a top. The Mazda MX-5 Miata is proof of that.

While I wait for an EV without a roof I can actually buy, I was able to sit in the concept of one briefly. I wasn’t allowed to drive it; maybe they knew I’d leave and never return? Like nearly all race cars it’s too small for my tall frame. But I squeezed in, and it reminded me of the first time I drove my first car: A Datsun roadster with a horrible yellow paint job and a laundry list of problems. But I was instantly reminded of how much I loved that car at the time and the freedom it afforded me.

It’s ridiculous to assign emotions to an inanimate object, but that’s what we do with our cars. They’re our escape, or second home and, more importantly, an extension of ourselves. It’s going to be decades before autonomous cars take over the roads. Until that happens, let’s bask in the joy of driving and celebrate the art of cars like the Prototype 9 and hope that we get something similar from an automaker in the future. Just let’s hope it comes with more leg room.

Source: Infiniti

McDonald’s Generates Buzz With Ad Showing iPhone 8 Mockup

McDonald’s is generating lots of buzz today after it used an iPhone 8 mockup in an ad promoting its mymacca’s mobile ordering app in Australia.

McDonald’s promotional email courtesy of MacRumors reader Amir T.
The ad, emailed to many customers on Thursday, clearly shows a rendered iPhone with a nearly full front display, beyond a notch for the front-facing camera, earpiece, and sensors for expected facial recognition functionality.

Needless to say, this isn’t an official iPhone 8 image. Benjamin Geskin‏ tweeted that the render is his. McDonald’s poorly cropped the image, and used circles for the signal strength indicator, which Apple switched to bars in iOS 11.

However, whether it was intentional, by mistake, or simply a McDonald’s graphic designer being clever, the ad has proven to be an effective publicity stunt, as several users have shared it on social platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and the MacRumors forums.

Tags: Australia, McDonald’s
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Best Buy Planning 50-Hour Sale With Discounts on iPhone, MacBook, iMac and More This Friday

Best Buy today announced the upcoming launch of a 50-hour sale filled with Black Friday-like deals in celebration of its 51st anniversary. The sale will kick off this Friday and will last through Sunday night.

Best Buy’s sale will see the company offering discounts on a wide range of Apple products, from the MacBook to the iPhone.

Select MacBook, MacBook Pro, and iMac models will be up to $500 off. Best Buy also plans to offer up to $300 off on the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus, and the iPad mini 4 will be discounted by up to $120. Accessories like the Beats Studio Wireless headphones will also be on sale.

Best Buy’s sale kicks off at 10:00 p.m. Central Time on Friday, August 18 and ends at 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Sunday, August 20. Deals will be available both online and in retail stores, and students can get additional discounts by visiting Best Buy’s student site.

MacRumors is an affiliate partner of Best Buy and may earn a small commission if you purchase a product using one of these links. The money earned goes towards supporting the site.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals
Tag: Best Buy
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