ClickZ Consumer Electronics Newsletter - 09.19.2024

PLUS: The latest smart home tech at IFA 2024 & Fospha's Digital Marketing Trends in 2024

September 19, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

Specialty Bites 🍪

Apple's iPhone 16, is here, flaunting its shiny new AI feature, Apple Intelligence. But what does this mean for you, the ever-enthusiastic iPhone user? Walid Saad, an AI guru from Virginia Tech, likens today's AI to the Internet of the '90s—inevitable and transformative.

Saad breaks it down: AI is all about machines learning, reasoning, and doing human-like tasks. Think of it as your phone getting a PhD in being helpful. From a chattier Siri to smarter search functions and even email composition, AI is set to make your iPhone experience more personal and intuitive. Imagine your phone knowing your preferences better than your best friend—creepy or cool? You decide.

AI needs data, and lots of it. Apple promises on-device AI to keep your data local, but Saad warns that third-party apps might not play by the same rules. So, while your iPhone gets smarter, you might want to keep an eye on your privacy settings.

In a nutshell, AI is here to stay, and it's going to be everywhere—from your phone to your car. Saad suggests dipping your toes in and getting comfy with this tech. After all, it's not going anywhere, and neither are you.

SharkNinja partners with Courteney Cox to launch the PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop, and the PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum. The campaign will feature Cox in videos across streaming platforms and social media, showcasing the innovative features of these new cleaning solutions.

Apple's new Visual Intelligence feature, showcased at the iPhone 16 event, allows users to identify objects and gather information through the camera. This technology could pave the way for future AR glasses, enhancing user experience by integrating seamlessly with iPhone apps. Apple is laying the groundwork for this innovation.

IFA 2024 showcased groundbreaking tech innovations, from AI-integrated laptops and smart home gadgets to wireless power in kitchens. Highlights include Lenovo's voice-controlled laptop, Nanoleaf's multifunctional LED panels, and Midea's Ki wireless appliances. The event underscored AI's pervasive influence, promising a future of enhanced convenience and efficiency.

Samsung's SmartThings app lets you control various home appliances via your phone. From TVs and air conditioners to washers, cooking ranges, robot vacuums, and fridges, you can adjust settings, monitor operations, and receive notifications. This convenience transforms daily chores into effortless tasks, enhancing your smart home experience.

Performance Platters 🍽️

Fospha's latest report, "The State of E-Commerce H2 2024", reveals crucial trends that will shape your marketing strategy. What's inside:

  • 📱 How the major platforms' KPIs have trended in 2024, and where you should be investing. 

  • 🚀 How to access Paid Social's huge scaling potential. 

  • ✨ The most effective Google channel of 2024.

  • 🎯 Full-funnel strategies for Meta, TikTok and Snapchat

Let's break down the platform-specific insights: 

  • TikTok: Emerging as a powerhouse for efficient new customer acquisition 

  • Meta: Maintaining strong performance with competitive CAC 

  • Snapchat: Experiencing rapid growth, particularly effective during peak shopping periods 

"These findings underscore how impactful platforms like Meta, TikTok and Snapchat continue to be for driving sales - yet how underinvested they remain. It's incredible to see that brands can triple spend in Paid Social before becoming unprofitable. Success now lies in diversifying across the entire funnel, understanding the nuances of each platform, and continuously optimizing to unlock more scaling potential." 

Jamie Bolton, VP Growth at Fospha

WPP and Coca-Cola topped the 2024 Cannes Lions creative charts, with Coca-Cola winning 17 awards. WPP was named Creative Company of the Year. Heineken and Apple followed in the rankings. The United States was the most creative country. The LIONS Creativity Report highlights impactful creativity driving growth.

Shopify partners with Roblox to integrate in-game shopping, allowing brands to sell physical items directly within the game. This collaboration targets Roblox's 80 million daily users, with a full launch in 2025. Shopify's president highlights the endless possibilities, emphasizing the future of immersive commerce in the digital world.

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