While lots of people still get their news by regularly reading certain sites, doing searches to find stories of interest, or through any of the countless aggregating platforms, Facebook has increasingly become many content producers’ most important source of traffic. And while some sites pay to have their stories inserted into Facebook users’ news feeds, others are reaping the benefit of social sharing without paying Facebook a dime. In a move ostensibly intended to declutter users’ feeds, but seen by some as a way to strong-arm content companies into advertising, Facebook is now looking to possibly limit primary news feed access only to those sites that pay to be there. [More]
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Would You Eat A Taco Bell Burrito Topped With ‘Popping Crystals’?
By 8.10.17
Burrito-lovers looking for a little extra flavor on their meal might add tomatoes, lettuce, cheese sauce, or even a bit of guacamole. But what about a Pop Rocks-like seasoning? That’s apparently an option for customers at select Taco Bell locations in California. [More]
Dunkin’ Donuts Dropping The “Donut” In California Test
By 8.3.17
It’s just common knowledge that shortening your name makes you so much cooler; Alexander to Alex or Robert to Bob or Christopher to Topher. Okay, might not always be true, but Dunkin’ Donuts appears to be embracing its nickname in hopes that it will bring in more customers to buy drinks, sandwiches, and pretty much anything other than donuts: The chain will go by just Dunkin’ at some California stores. [More]
Starbucks Expanding Nitro Cold Brew To Nearly 1,500 Locations This Year
By 7.14.17
If you’re itching for a taste of Starbuck’s Nitro Cold Brew, you might be in luck: The coffee chain is expanding the offering to nearly another 1,000 locations. [More]
Best Buy To Offer Try-Before-You-Buy Program For Some Products
By 6.12.17
Customers who purchase expensive electronics only to return them days later has long been a bane of Best Buy and other retailers. But now the store is embracing this try-before-you-buy approach for certain products. [More]
Facebook Testing Ads In ‘Messenger’ App
By 1.26.17
The ads, they’re coming for you. Or at least they are if you use Facebook’s Messenger app to communicate with your friends. [More]
Chicken McGriddle Coming To McDonald’s All-Day Breakfast Menu — In Florida
By 1.4.17
Nearly a year after McDonald’s began slapping a McChicken on its syrup-flavored McGriddle bun in Ohio, the Chicken McGriddle will become the latest all-day breakfast item to grace menus in Florida. [More]
McDonald’s Big Mac Getting Both Bigger And Smaller
By 11.7.16
Even though McDonald’s franchisees have complained about having their corporate overlords force too many limited-time menu items on them, the fast food giant continues to tinker. This time, it’s the company’s signature sandwich, the Big Mac, which is getting both smaller and bigger versions in 2017. [More]
Drone Operators Could Outnumber Private Aviation Pilots In Just One Year
By 8.29.16
Two months after the Federal Aviation Administration released regulations governing the use of drones, thousands of would-be pilots have lined up to take the test to get licensed to fly on the first day it became available. The rush to fly the unmanned aircraft isn’t just for the novelty, it’s opening the door for new business possibilities for companies and entrepreneurs alike. [More]
Airbnb Working On “Tour Guide” App That Provides Recommendations For Things To Do
By 8.16.16
Nearly five months ago, Airbnb declared it wanted to offer users more than just a way to connect homeowners with people looking for a place to stay. Now the company reveals it is testing an app that provides travelers with information about nearby restaurants, available tours, happy hours, festivals, and other things to do during their visit. [More]
Redbox Officially Wading Back Into Streaming Service With Tests Of “Redbox Digital”
By 7.22.16
Second times the charm? That appears to be the mantra for Redbox. Two years after it officially declared Redbox Instant dead, the DVD rental business is getting back into the streaming service arena by testing a previously rumored new version of the product. [More]
San Diego McDonald’s Reportedly Testing Sriracha Sauce
By 6.17.16
Just when you thought American’s love affair with that hot-sauce-of-the-moment Sriracha was beginning to wane, the largest fast food chain in the country has begun experimenting with the spicy red sauce: select McDonald’s restaurants in San Diego are reportedly offering a Sriracha-Big Mac Sauce hybrid. [More]
You Can Now Schedule Your Lyft 24 Hours In Advance
By 5.23.16
Allowing riders to book trips in advance essentially defeats the purpose of an on-demand ride-hailing app. But it’s a concept that Lyft is now ready to provide customers. [More]
GM & Lyft Set To Test Self-Driving Taxis Within A Year
By 5.5.16
It hasn’t taken General Motors long to figure out how to spend its $500 million investment in Lyft. A month after the carmaker said it would use some of those funds to rent SUVs to prospective drivers, the partners unveiled plans to begin testing self-driving taxis on public roads in California. [More]
Best Buy Moving Forward With Same-Day Delivery, Adds 11 Cities To Pilot
By 4.7.16
Six months after Best Buy jumped on the same-day delivery bandwagon by launching a pilot program in San Francisco, the electronics retailer plans to expand those tests to additional cities around the country. [More]
Alaska Airlines Testing Electronic Baggage Tags With Some Passengers, Crew
By 3.28.16
For years now, airlines have experimented with different programs — like real-time baggage tracking — that aim to ensure that passengers and their luggage arrive together and in one piece. Alaska Airlines is jumping on the issue, allowing some passengers to replace traditional checked bag tags with a high-tech, electronic version. [More]
McGriddles Coming To More McDonald’s All-Day Breakfast Menus
By 3.25.16
McDonald’s customers in Oklahoma must have been big fans of the McGriddle during lunch and dinner: the Golden Arches will expand its test of adding the syrup-flavored breakfast item to the all-day breakfast menu to another 1,000 restaurants across the country. [More]
McDonald’s Testing Mashup Between McGriddle And McChicken In Ohio
By 2.18.16
Last month, McDonald’s began testing the addition of the McGriddle to its all-day breakfast menu in Oklahoma. A group of operators for the fast food restaurant in Ohio have taken that idea and made it their own by piloting a union between the syrup-flavored breakfast item and the McChicken — a Chicken McGriddle. [More]
