❤️ Wiser! Recap: Microsoft v Google | Snapple Use ChatGPT | Bitcoin Ordinals | AI Fake Photos | Digital AdTech
What's happening and what's coming next in tech, AI, web3, metaverse, innovation and strategy.
Hello Wiser! readers, here’s your mid-week “in case you missed it” recap of the key stories from the latest issue of Wiser! with updates and some new stories.
Because today is Valentine’s Day, I asked Dall-E to draw “a valentines scene with two lovers standing face to face with their arms by their sides. one is dressed in the colours of Google, the other is dressed in the colours of Microsoft. Create in an expressive cyberpunk style against a background of heart.” I can’t say that the image is exactly what I asked for, but I thought it captured the spirit of when Google and Microsoft fall in love.
For writing: I’m loving NotionAI.
For music: I use Mubert
🔥 This issue of Wiser! is promoting CHARTR
Behind every big headline or emerging theme, there's the data that underpins the story. When I want to understand the numbers behind a topic – the deeper context that I can't get just from reading the news – I turn to Chartr.
Their free visual newsletter is packed with snackable charts and easy-to-remember insights on business, tech, entertainment, and society – in less than a 5 minute read.
Join 300,000+ professionals FOR FREE and get the data, anecdotes, and visuals you need to understand today's world and take your office small talk to the next level.
Brand Strategy Collection
A unique collection of use-cases and innovations in emerging technologies amongst 250 consumer brands. (Discover more.)
Snapple uses ChatGPT to engage with customers
For the past 20 years, Snapple has defined the fun in their brand with RealFacts, which are facts printed on the underside of the bottle cap. Now, instead of the marketing team coming up with little gems like "beavers can hold their breath underwater for 45 minutes,” the Dr Pepper brand is giving customers the chance to make up the facts...using ChatGPT.
What’s happening in tech
Payments giant PayPal is pausing work on launching its own stablecoin amid a regulatory crackdown on crypto, Bloomberg reported Friday.
Washington is becoming increasingly hostile towards the cryptocurrency industry, indicating a new attitude towards the rapidly expanding digital asset class. According to a report by Axios, government officials have taken a hard stance on crypto, citing the need to protect consumers from potential risks that come with investing in the asset class.
Shopify, the $multi-billion e-commerce giant, has released a host of new blockchain tools. Merchants can now easily build token gated apps using NFTs to give exclusive discounts & benefits to customers. Users can also verify themselves with new features like Sign-in With Ethereum, without having to give up any personal information to third-parties. This is big - more to come on Wiser!
President Zelenskyy has called out the CEO of SpaceX after they said that the country has 'weaponised' the Starlink satellite internet. Source: Fortune
Paris’s leading contemporary art museum, the Centre Pompidou, has announced a new permanent exhibition focused on the relationship between art and the blockchain.
In a landmark ruling in the NFT/copyright debate, a nine-person jury ruled in favour of Hermès in a trademark case against NFT artist Mason Rothschild. The jury found that Rothschild profited from designing NFTs based on Hermès’ Birkin bags without the fashion houses consent. The court awarded Hermès $133,000 in damages. Rothschild is appealing.
Did you know that Amazon's advertising business is bigger than that of YouTube? The so what of this is that we tend to think of Amazon as many things, but not a digital Adtech giant. In fact, Amazon generated $8.7 billion more in revenue than YouTube in 2022 ($37.7 billion vs. $29.2 billion.)
One in four humans on this planet use Facebook every month
One in six use the Facebook family of apps EVERY DAY! Think about that for a moment. There is no other organisation, nation state or religion in the history of humankind that has matched Facebook's reach or influence.
The Caribbean island nation of Sint Maarten has been exploring ways to use cryptocurrency to boost its economy and improve financial inclusion. The move is part of a larger initiative to move away from its reliance on the US dollar and create a more stable economy.
Nokia is collaborating with an Australian university to create a 5G-connected microbrewery using Metaverse technology.
Metaverse CEO says ChatGPT is speeding up the timeline for emulating dead people.
Twitter went down because an employee accidentally deleted data, and there was nobody left on the team responsible due to Elon Musk's cuts. Source: Insider
Athletic-wear brand Alo Yoga has opened a virtual store in the Metaverse that offers a range of services, inc tutorials, workout classes and experiences.
Friends With Benefits (FWB) has launched a social networking application. The app allows members to connect with each other, read governance proposals, and discover upcoming in-person events.
Cathie Wood, the CEO of Ark Invest, thinks Bitcoin is going to $1.48 million!
🎙️ Big Tech Little Tech Podcast: Google antitrust, ChatGPT, Avatar, and a new dodo
In the latest episode of the podcast, Rick and Shaun discuss why the US Gov is suing Google. Plus: how we know that ChatGPT's success was a surprise, the un-extincting of the Dodo, movies, what's with World Stats and some tech news.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify:
Listen to the podcast on all major platforms, including:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Anchor
👓 Subscribe to the Substack newsletter here.
Wiser! Premium Content
Google and the "illegal monopolisation" of the digital advertising market
An AI-generated image on a magazine cover has raised questions of authenticity
One of these photos used on the cover of a French magazine was created by AI. The person is not a real person. The other is a real photo of a real person.
The answer will be revealed in the main issue of Wiser! on Friday.
What are Bitcoin Ordinals?
One of the biggest trends in the current crypto economy is “Bitcoin Ordinals.”
These so-called Bitcoin NFTs and have become a highly discussed topic sparking a wave of positive as well as negative reactions. Want to know what are they, how did they appear, and what purpose they serve? Read this.
w/Promotions
Newsletters to make you Wiser!
For The Interested
A newsletter that shows creative entrepreneurs how to produce, promote, and profit from their creations based on how others have successfully done it. Read it for free here.
Web3 Daily
Every day, the team at Web3 Daily writes an email to your mom (metaphorically speaking). The email is full of the latest Web3 news, but it’s translated into plain English, which means everyone can understand it. Subscribe for free.
Motley Fool
The Motley Fool helps millions of people attain financial freedom through their website, podcasts, books, and premium investing services. Sign up here.
Chartr
Level up your office small talk with the #1 visual newsletter from Chartr. Join 300,000+ who love snackable charts and easy-to-remember data insights on business, tech and society. Sign up for free.
🛠️ Tools, tips and tricks to save you time
25 Reasons to build your integrated website, newsletter and membership on Ghost
The easiest way to guarantee on-demand sponsorship and ads in your email newsletter.
Create amazing content quickly with Canva – no design skills needed.
Catch up the latest hot news topics with Morning Brew, the free email you can read in five minutes.
Enjoy 25% off Macpaw apps and get the best Mac software to optimize, clean, and protect your Mac.
🪧 Signpost
Website: rickhuckstep.com
Podcast: Big Tech Little Tech
YouTube: Wiser! Channel
BuyMeACoffee: Wiser!