4 Key E-Commerce Fulfillment Strategies During the COVID-19 Pandemic
This period offers not only challenges but also a unique opportunity for e-commerce businesses to grow significantly by serving the changing needs of consumers. This opportunity for growth is itself challenging in some respects, as keeping afloat during a period of crisis is hard enough, but scaling can be even tougher.
Classroom of the Future: The Rise of Online Learning
By necessity, almost all education is happening online at the moment. However, the trend of online education likely will continue even after the COVID-19 pandemic is over. Online learning is often more convenient than in-person training, and because the methods and techniques for online education are evolving and improving, it quickly has become a preferred business tool.
Oracle appears to be undergoing a kind of resurgence during the coronavirus crisis. Financial analysts are saying nice things about its ability to pay dividends even in tough times. Its technology, which always has been good, is seeing an interesting uptick. All of this is buffing the company's image after years of, yes-but responses from the market.
Facebook Sets Up Political Advocacy Group as High-Tech Teeters on Edge
Facebook has set up American Edge, a political advocacy group for the high-tech industry, which is drawing scrutiny from United States lawmakers. American Edge will fund ad campaigns and studies by academics to push its efforts.
Adopting New Payment Technologies Is Easier Than You Think
Consumers increasingly demand seamless ways to purchase wherever they go, and they want their transactions to be quick, safe and, importantly, secure. The fact is, merchants must embrace new methods quickly or risk being left behind.
Consumers and companies worldwide have ramped up online ordering for software products and digital goods as they struggle to improve productivity and security while working remotely and spending more time at home.
If your contact center agents are working from home, download our Remote Agent Checklist to ensure they can provide exceptional customer experience, no matter where they're based.
Report: 2020 online shopping habits and retailer strategies
Episerver has surveyed over 4,000 global online shoppers about their online consumer behavior and expectations. Download the report to understand consumers’ buying behaviors and learn how retailers are delivering customer-centric digital experiences.
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Yesterday, Microsoft's Build 2020 developer conference kicked off (remotely), and we saw the first results of Microsoft's billion-dollar investment in OpenAI, a company co-founded by Elon Musk. Microsoft announced it has developed an Azure-hosted supercomputer built expressly for testing OpenAI's large-scale artificial intelligence models.
While we've seen many AI implementations focused on single tasks, like recognizing specific objects in images or translating languages, a new wave of research focuses on massive models that can perform multiple tasks at once. As Microsoft notes, that can include moderating game streams or potentially generating code after exploring GitHub. Realistically, these large-scale models can actually make AI a lot more useful for consumers and developers alike.
You can also find the rest of the news from Build 2020 right here.
-- Mat
OnePlus will disable a filter that lets the 8 Pro see through some materials
Engadget
It used the phone's IR sensor.
OnePlus has started rolling out a software update that temporarily disables the 8 Pro's controversial Color Filter camera function. In an announcement posted on Chinese social media platform Weibo, the manufacturer said it noticed that the camera may "cause a subtle see-through effect" when it's in very close proximity to specific materials.
The phone's Color Filter camera has a setting called Photochrom that uses the phone's infrared sensors to give a specific effect. Users found that the feature could see through thin or tinted plastic, particularly electronic cases or materials that need to be able to absorb infrared. However, some claimed that it could even see through clothes. The update, which removes the filter, is set to arrive within a week. Continue reading.
Watch a Boston Dynamics robot herd sheep in New Zealand
Run free.
Rokos
To prove just how useful Spot, Boston Dynamics' four-legged robot dog, can be, the New Zealand-based robotics company Rocos shared a video of Spot herding sheep across grassy pastures. I can give you all sorts of context, or you can click onwards and watch it yourself. Continue reading.
Apple is reportedly buying older TV shows to take on Netflix and Amazon
It plans to round out its original content.
Apple
When Apple TV+ launched last year, its MO was very much original content. The company had poured a lot of money into new shows specifically for the platform -- and it meant there wasn't an awful lot there. It takes time to make stuff, right?
According to a Bloomberg report, by February this year, some 10 million people had signed up to TV+, but only about half that figure actively used the service. Now, to mitigate some of this consumer uncertainty, and in a bid to compete with the massive libraries of the likes of Netflix and Hulu, Apple is reportedly buying up a bunch of older shows and films.
Bloomberg reported that Apple TV+ execs have been taking pitches from Hollywood studios about licensing older content for the streaming service and have already bought some shows and movies. Continue reading.
Review: Razer Opus headphones pack stellar THX sound for $200
Excellent audio, solid ANC and a comfy fit at a great price.
Engadget
Another day, another intriguing set of headphones -- yet again with the wonders of active noise cancelation. You might be surprised to learn that Razer's newest headphones are, well, pretty good. According to Billy Steele, the Opus noise-canceling headphones sound amazing thanks to THX-certified sound quality and handy EQ presets. Plus, the ANC does a solid job of blocking out would-be distractions. Top that off with a lightweight and comfy fit and you've got a great option for $200. Continue reading.
For years, Samsung's C-Lab has backed projects and products that are a bit out of place, sold alongside its TVs, phones and, er, washing machines. The latest group to receive backing includes the timeliest of gadgets, given lockdown: an artificial smart window that attempts to mimic natural sunlight. The SunnyFive apparently produces a full spectrum of natural light, with the angle of the projected light changing throughout the day to create authentic sunrise and sunset lighting effects.
Because it's early days, I don't know when it'll arrive or how much it'll eventually cost, but this would be a great time to get the SunnyFive out there to early adopters trapped indoors.
-- Mat
Review: Sony's new feature-packed earbuds come at an affordable price
Adaptive noise cancellation, customizable sound and more for $200.
Engadget
This spring, Sony unveiled a long overdue update to its sports true wireless earbuds: the WF-SP800N. Sure, they run $20 more than the previous model, but given the long list of upgrades, the price increase is more than justifiable. The WF-SP800N earbuds are designed to withstand your sweaty workouts with the company's powerful Adaptive Sound Control on top of great sound quality, reliable touch controls and customizable EQ. Billy Steele gives the buds a full review. Continue reading.
Apple is reopening more stores, but you'll need a face mask to enter
Staff might check your temperature and for any symptoms
Sean Rayford via Getty Images
Apple will reopen 25 more stores in the US and 12 in Canada, but you'll have to follow strict COVID-19 guidelines if you want to enter. You'll need a face mask, which the store will provide if you don't have one. And staff will conduct temperature checks at the door, according to the company's store-opening letter.
The 25 stores will open in seven states, including California, Washington, Florida, Colorado, Hawaii and Oklahoma. It's also set to open 12 stores across Canada and 10 in Italy. Continue reading.
Minecraft: 200 million copies sold
24 million copies were sold over the last 12 months alone.
Mojang Studios -- the game's creator -- and Microsoft announced today that 200 million copies of the sandbox game have been sold since its launch in 2011. To put that into perspective, Grand Theft Auto V is in a distant second place, with 120 million copies sold. Also impressive is the fact that the majority of users are still active -- Microsoft says that 126 million people play Minecraft on a monthly basis. Continue reading.
Lenovo's $400 digital picture frame is half-off if you pre-order it
It features a 21.9-inch Full HD display and an elegant design.
Lenovo
If you've been waiting on a classy digital frame, Lenovo is almost ready to sell you its 21.9-inch model -- through Indiegogo. Show interest and you'll be offered a frame at 50 percent discount, that's $200 compared to the $399 RRP. At the moment, however, reservations appear to be locked. Continue reading.
Tetris Effect' is now available on Oculus Quest
Arguably the best VR game.
It's been a year since the release of Oculus Quest, and to celebrate, it's getting a bunch of new updates that should make it more fun and more useful. Hand tracking is now moving out of the experimental features section and into general release, and third-party titles with hand tracking will be accepted into the Oculus Store from May 28th. Tetris Effect, however, launches today and is ready to play. Continue reading.
