Connected Economy

Connected Economy
Zuckerberg Tries On Meta’s Wearable Tech Plans for the Connected Economy
September 25, 2024

On Wednesday (Sept. 25), the first of Meta’s two-day Meta Connect 2024 conference, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled an ambitious vision for the future of wearable technology. The event showcased significant innovations, particularly the highly anticipated Orion augmented reality (AR) glasses, which aim to redefine...

Connected Economy
CE 100 Gains 2.7% as Lower Mortgage Rates Send Porch, Zillow Higher
September 23, 2024

The rate cuts are in — and the CE 100 Index has taken note.  This past week, the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark Fed Funds rate by 0.5% — the first such move in four years. And as is always the case when the central...

Connected Economy
Connected Car Tech From China Faces US Ban
September 22, 2024

The U.S. is reportedly readying a ban on Chinese technology in connected and autonomous cars. That prohibition — borne of national security concerns — from the U.S. Commerce Department is expected on Monday (Sept. 23), Reuters reported, citing two sources familiar with the matter. Those...

Connected Economy
From Data to Dinner: The Link Between AI and Restaurant Loyalty
September 17, 2024

The age-old pursuit of dinner used to be a game of chance — maybe you found a special spot down the street, or maybe you didn’t. James Roedding, head of product and data science at Rewards Network, told PYMNTS that the age of digital engagement...

Connected Economy
CE 100 Index Rallies 3.8% as ‘Live’ Segment Outperforms the Market
September 16, 2024

The banks fizzled this past week, marking the lone swath of red — measured in terms of declining stock prices — in the latest weekly reading of the CE 100 Index’s performance. Yet, the overall performance was positive, as the index itself was 3.8% higher....

Connected Economy
Big Tech Drags CE 100 4.3% Lower Amid September’s Rocky Start  
September 09, 2024

The holiday-shortened week was action-packed, at least in terms of market volatility, and for the CE 100 Index the overarching theme might be summed up with the phrase “look out below.” The CE 100 Index was 4.3% lower, and all pillars swooned, finishing universally lower...

Connected Economy
Mangomint Raises $35 Million and Debuts Spa-Salon Automation Tool
September 08, 2024

 Salon/spa software provider Mangomint has raised $35 million in a Series B funding round. The company announced the new financing Friday (Sept. 6), along with a new suite of marketing automation features designed to help beauty and wellness businesses drive profitability in a difficult sector....

Connected Economy
BNPL Firms Save the Day as CE 100 Breaks Even for Week
September 02, 2024

It doesn’t have a dedicated heading in the Connected Economy, but the Buy Now, Pay Later sector of the “pay and get paid” pillar tore up the track last week. Solid Q2 earnings performances from Affirm and Sezzle led the CE 100 to a flat...

Connected Economy
How the World Does Travel: Sector Checks In Late on Digital Engagement
September 02, 2024

The travel industry, long defined by in-person transactions and physical tickets, is gradually moving toward digitalization. However, according to the PYMNTS Intelligence report, “How The World Does Digital: A Global Benchmark Of Consumer Digital Transformation,” that transition is lagging compared to other sectors. The study,...