Facebook is after your ears [Crew Review]

Innovations, Inventions, Intentions

Hear ye, podcasters and marketers!

Podcasting is expected to grow into a billion-dollar industry this year. And Facebook is taking notice.

Our favorite human clone is working on a clone of a popular iOS app—Clubhouse. He’s also planning to integrate features from other apps as well.

Zuckerberg recently announced his plans of providing audio products to Facebook users, giving creators the chance to earn as well.

When these services become available on the platform, users will be able to

• Post and share audio clips on their News Feed
• Discover new podcasts
• Create audio rooms where listeners can be allowed to join the conversation

The last one is akin to Zoom conferences sans video. These integrations can become a hotspot for podcasters and marketers, especially those who already have a good number of followers on Facebook.

The Bezos Salon

Apple just announced the new iMac, a desktop computer that looks like a 24-inch iPad Pro with a built-in stand.

But more surprisingly, Amazon is launching the Amazon Salon on Brushfield Street in London’s Spitalfields. Jeff isn’t exactly the kind of person you go to for hair advice, but this sounds super cool.

It’s beauty-meets-technology, and here’s what you need to know:

• It uses augmented reality, allowing visitors to decide which hairdo is best.
• It employs point-and-learn technology that enables users to point on a product they’re interested in and relevant info, including brand videos, will show up on a screen. When they’re ready to purchase, they just scan the QR code and Amazon will deliver the items to their house.
• The styling services will be done by Neville Hair & Beauty, an independent salon that has provided hair services for both the Paris Fashion Week and the Cannes Film Festival.

The era of Khan

Biden isn’t a fan of Amazon. Before he even became president, he promised to put an end to the tech giant’s nonpayment of taxes and its other unfair advantages. And his nominee for commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is telling evidence of his commitment.

Lina Khan |Source: AspenIdeas

Biden’s bet is 32-year-old antitrust expert Lina Khan. She is an associate professor of law at Columbia Law School and has been involved in Big Tech investigations.

She was instrumental in the release of a report on competition in digital markets and has worked closely with fellow Big Tech adversary Rohit Chopra.

But some are still skeptical about this young expert becoming commissioner. Senator Mike Lee of Utah said that she lacks the experience necessary. We’ll have to see if the other senators agree with him.

Khan’s nomination will still have to be referred to the full Senate for confirmation. But once she officially takes over the position, the giants may find themselves defending their businesses even more.

So which Big Tech company will she go after first? Well, the article that catapulted her to fame is entitled Amazon’s Antitrust Paradox. Make of that what you will.

27 years later, it’s still Day 1

He isn’t dying nor retiring, but it’s still bittersweet to see Jeff step down as CEO of Amazon.

If you’re willing to look past the labor and antitrust issues and the mini heart attacks you had when Amazon suspended your account or removed your listing, it’s hard not to feel proud of the guy.

A young Bezos | Source: Insider

In his last letter to shareholders as CEO, Bezos emphasized the value his company has provided people over the years, saying “Any business that doesn’t create value for those it touches, even if it appears successful on the surface, isn’t long for this world.”

He also acknowledged the failed unionization efforts of his employees. And with that, a new goal was in place: to make Amazon the “Earth’s Best Employer and Earth’s Safest Place to Work.”

Garage to global. That is Amazon’s story. Despite the shortcomings, Bezos did a pretty sick job as CEO.

To close the letter, he encouraged readers to be kind and original, saying that it remains Day 1, even after years of success.

Buildings, by Amazon

With all these infrastructures under Amazon’s name, we wouldn’t be surprised if Jeff later reveals they’re actually a real estate company masquerading as Big Tech.

More warehouses and fulfillment centers are coming your way, including

• A new fulfillment center in Carneys Point, New Jersey
• A 5½-story warehouse in Delaware
• A robotics fulfillment center near Richmond Raceway
• Although not confirmed yet, there’s evidence that the million-square-foot warehouse and distribution center Turlock Regional Industrial Park is also an Amazon project.
• A $1.5 billion office precinct in Melbourn
• A new fulfillment center in Fort Wayne
• A 165,000-square-foot distribution center in Pewaukee

With more buildings on the rise, we’ll expect faster delivery for products sold by FBA sellers.

Courses made for Amazon sellers

Didn’t you hate it when you were forced to learn things in school that didn’t really benefit you in real life?

This is why practical classes like those found on Skillshare are gaining popularity. They have these things in common:

• Actionable steps so you learn the skills by doing
• Teachers are experts who have been through the ups and downs of the industry.
• A library of resources that saves you hours of research

With these characteristics in mind, we’ve created our own full-length courses tailored for Amazon third-party sellers.

From launching a best seller to driving external traffic to your listings, these six courses will be your guide in reaching your full potential on Amazon.

It’s just like Skillshare with one important twist: you get to keep the courses forever.

Studying is more fun and rewarding when you learn about actionable steps that actually make a difference—especially if the difference means an increase in your income.

Get the courses today