Meta could have created its own AR/VR OS but chose to use a modified version of Google’s Android: Short-term convenience could lead to long-term problems in the metaverse.

Did Google pay Apple to stay out of the search game? A new lawsuit claims so: Antitrust scrutiny heats up on Big Tech ballooning unchecked into trillion-dollar firms.

Rounding up news from the last days of 2021: The news cycle didn’t stop over the holidays. These are some of the most notable stories from the last two weeks.

Shake-ups in the new year will include hyper-personalization, tech companies venturing further into embedded finance, and the prospect of super apps in Western countries.

Smart home device adoption could finally get boosted by a new standard. Could Matter push adoption beyond the steady growth we’re seeing?

In 2022, Samsung is expected to ship 276 million smartphones worldwide, maintaining its lead over Apple, with 243 million.

The share of US households adopting smart home devices will grow to 41.9% this year as consumers increasingly demand convenience and data transparency.

On today's episode, we discuss some very specific 2022 predictions: Why Amazon is looking to expand into sports media, why TikTok will force YouTube to do something reckless, why Clubhouse might not last the year as a standalone company, how Disney might reposition Hulu, how Apple will re-enter the streaming wars, and more. Tune in to the discussion with eMarketer principal analysts at Insider Intelligence Debra Aho Williamson, Paul Verna, and Andrew Lipsman.

Apple closes three stores, adding to concerns about retail disruption: The temporary closures raise new questions about how the pandemic might affect holiday sales—but could click and collect benefit?

About two-thirds of US consumers want to integrate at least two of their digital activities, according to PYMNTS. Western users also seem receptive toward a bundled experience.

Marketers are taking data collection into their own hands: Recent privacy changes have led brands to use incentives like sweepstakes and discounts to gain consumer info instead of relying on Big Tech companies.

Apple’s contract with some states reveals that hiring, marketing, and management costs could fall on taxpayers.

iHeartRadio is the most popular US podcast publisher, with 30.0 million people tuning in to its podcasts in September.

Lockdowns, online shopping, and fear of germs during the pandemic have hastened the shift toward all types of digital payments. As a result, Gen Z has fully embraced electronic wallet services, contactless payments, peer-to-peer payment apps, and digital uses of credit, including buy now, pay later.

While Amazon has the largest share of holiday ecommerce sales this year at 41.9%, Apple will post the strongest growth at 36.9%.

On today's episode, we discuss the most impressive part of Google's Q3 earnings, YouTube's mini milestones, and how Apple's iOS changes are affecting the search giant. We then talk about the significance of Nielsen's rebrand and what the average Netflix user looks like. Tune in to the discussion with eMarketer principal analyst at Insider Intelligence Paul Verna.

It’s not alone in the race. An influx of new BaaS entrants indicates the emergence of an industry to underpin embedded banking.