Connected Economy

Connected Economy
Nearly 70% of Consumers Want to Track Bill Payments Using an Everyday App
December 20, 2023

In today’s fast-paced world, consumers are increasingly relying on various apps to meet their daily shopping and financial needs. However, the abundance of apps can be overwhelming and time-consuming. To address this issue, the concept of an everyday app has emerged as a consolidated solution...

Connected Economy
AT&T to Buy Rivian Electric Vehicles, Become Exclusive Connectivity Provider
December 14, 2023

AT&T will buy Rivian electric vehicles (EVs) and add those vehicles to its fleet in early 2024. In addition, AT&T was named the exclusive connectivity provider for all Rivian vehicles in the United States and Canada, the companies said in a Thursday (Dec. 14) press...

Connected Economy
CE 100 Index Up 0.8% as BNPL Names Gain Ground 
December 11, 2023

There are just a few weeks left to complete a volatile year, and the CE 100 Index continues to inch up, notching gains that have overtaken most benchmarks.  To that end, the CE 100 Index gained 0.8% this past week, bringing its year-to-date gains to...

Connected Economy
Will 5G Make 2024 the Industrial Economy’s Most Connected Year Yet?
December 07, 2023

5G broadband networks are viewed by many as a business-first digital innovation and enterprise revolution. And that isn’t because, from a consumer standpoint, 5G networks are just around the corner from being just around the corner as we head into 2024. It’s because 5G broadband networks give...

Connected Economy
Bumble Debuts AI-Powered Conversation Starters and Plans for Friends
December 04, 2023

In a digital age where making meaningful connections can be challenging, Bumble For Friends is making it easier for people to connect and make friends online. With the introduction of two updates on Monday (Dec. 4) — AI-powered conversation starters and Plans — Bumble For Friends...

Connected Economy
Generative AI’s ‘New Electricity’ Sparks Innovation Across Payment Workflows
December 04, 2023

Anyone operating in the payments space already knows about artificial intelligence (AI). After all, the technology, along with its first cousin, machine learning (ML), together have been powering back-end systems and innovative products for years. “What is fundamentally changing, is that AI is redefining itself...

Connected Economy
CE 100 Index Gains 3.1% as Communications Stock Surge Is Led by Snap 
December 04, 2023

The CE 100 Index gained 3.1% coming off a Thanksgiving holiday-truncated week with vigor as all segments gained ground. The Communications pillar surged 8.7%.   Snap was 12.9% higher in the week, leading the pack on the communications-related names. As reported last week,  Snapchat is becoming the latest...

Connected Economy
iRobot’s 36% Leap Leads CE 100 Index Higher in Shortened Holiday Trading
November 27, 2023

The CE 100 Index gained 1.1% in a trading week shortened by the Thanksgiving holiday.  Only one pillar lost ground — the Work segment, which sank 1.5% through the week. Bankrupt WeWork plunged 27.8%. As reported, WeWork said it had commitments in place for up to $682.5...

Connected Economy
Smartphone Sales See First Year-Over-Year Gain in 27 Months
November 22, 2023

The smartphone industry has recorded its first month of year-over-year (YoY) growth in 27 months. Global monthly smartphone sell-through volumes grew by 5% YoY in October, global research firm Counterpoint Research said in a Wednesday (Nov. 22) press release. The last time the smartphone industry saw a...