News

Apple blends pioneering tech with pleasing the crowd. ‘Animojis’ using facial recognition feature among biggest advances for iPhone in years. Link

The Japanese tech giant Softbank, which has for months been mulling over a major investment in Uber, reportedly wants a big discount for taking a stake in the U.S. ride-hailing firm. Softbank’s stake may be as large as 22% if it can convince existing shareholders to sell on the terms it’s offering. The deal would also involve buying shares directly from Uber. Link

The future of retail is tiny stores everywhere that sell exactly what you need. Paul McDonald, a 13-year veteran of Google who help launched the earliest iterations of Google Wallet, wants to change the way we buy the most necessary things. “Americans are used to getting things that they want,” he said. Today, he’s launched a new startup called Bodega, that he hopes will fill a void left by shopping on the web. Link
Bitcoin fell below $3,000 a coin on Friday — a drop of over 40% in two weeks — after three Chinese bitcoin exchanges announced they were closing due to pressure from the Chinese government. Link

Touchscreens turn you into a more impulsive shopper. Not all methods of online shopping are created equal. According to a new study, the device we use may affect our ability to prioritize needs over more frivolous wants — and if you want to avoid overspending or shopping regret, it may be wise to limit your virtual browsing to your computer and stay away from the apps. Link

Snapchat’s influencers are fleeing to Instagram for money. Link
Research reveals virtual shopping baskets worth £3.4bn are abandoned each year. Having surveyed 300 senior retail managers and 2,006 UK consumers, the research found that the most significant reason customers abandon their online purchases is because they switched between devices. Other key reasons include people being unsatisfied by a lack of discount offers and because they’re unhappy with the delivery options available. Link

AI can detect Alzheimer’s 10 years before symptoms show up. Link

Blog Posts

12 parents get real about what it feels like to drop a child off at college. Link
The pursuit of pleasure is a modern-day addiction. Link

Interesting Numbers

Olderpreneurs on the rise: over-55s start 63% more businesses than 10 years ago. Research from Barclays has revealed that far from taking it easy in the run-up to retirement, more baby boomers are launching new enterprises than they did a decade ago. Link
Pinterest spurt sees online scrapbook top 200m monthly users. User numbers suggest California start-up is gaining on rivals Twitter and Instagram. Link

Video: Scientists develop microscopic ‘nano-drills’ that can destroy cancer cells almost instantly

Detours

Seven ways making lists could change your life. Link

Yes, sitting too long can kill you, even if you exercise. Link

Retail Therapy

Polaroid Onestep2 is a vintage camera for the digital age. Link

Contemplation

“I tend to just go for it, and not worry about what people think, and just really try to have fun with things.”

(Jared Leto)

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Have a great week,

Costas